currently cooking: goan style shrimp curry

Now that chilly temps are here to stay, I've found my self craving hearty, comfort foods. Since S and I are fans of spicy, we decided to whip up one of KJB's favorite one pot meals, Goan Style Shrimp Curry.

We have been craving Indian flavors lately and we were excited to use them in our own kitchen. Curry powder, turmeric, fresh grated ginger and coconut milk are a few of the ingredients that make this vibrant dish so delicious.

Measuring the ingredients...

always steamed (never fried)

Isn't this ceramic Japanese Steamer Set from Anthro lovely? I wish it would come live in my kitchen.

As my dear ones know, my love for dumplings knows no bounds. While some of you weirdos may prefer your dumplings fried, I will always and forever prefer steamed.

Back in NYC, our proximity to Chinatown and the amazing dim sum options offered there kept my dumpling habit fueled. Since moving to Nashville, however, I have yet to find the perfect dumpling spot to get my fix.

Luckily, the always awesome food blog spoon fork bacon features a delectable recipe for Shrimp Shumai with Ponzu Sauce that I'm desperate to try!

friday fun

Today is one of those beautiful September days that makes me long for fall to arrive all summer long. Fall is hands down the best season. When else can you justify the purchase of 3 mini pumpkins at the market I ask you? When?

It's been a bustling week and I can hardly wait for the clock to hit 5. In the meantime, here is a little bit of randomness making this Friday my favorite.

batch nashville

Have you guys heard of Batch Nashville?

I recently stumbled across their website and let's just say I'm picking up what they're laying down.

The concept? Each month Batch will deliver a box of local goodies right to your door. Ingredients, confections and other artisan products from local purveyors are pulled together for the company's themed monthly deliveries.

September's batch featured a "Rise and Shine" theme and included purveyors such as Haulin' Oats, our friend Rob at Garage Coffee Company, pancake mix from My Friend Who Loves to Cook, Dozen Bakery, TrueBee Honey, etc. Here's a peek at their cute packaging:

I'm bummed to have missed September's batch and October's is already sold out. Getting my order in for November now. Wouldn't these boxes make a thoughtful gift?

Check out Batch's website here.

(images via batch and style blueprint)

watermelon soda float

I'm sorry. What's that you say? A soda float made with fresh watermelon? Somewhere in Nashville my husband's mind was just blown. "How refreshing!"

This summery concoction features frozen Greek lime yogurt combined with zesty, bubbly watermelon soda and garnished with melon balls (cantaloupe and/or honeydew are suggested). I believe I will take my float poolside.

Visit Bon Appetit's site for the full recipe.

grapefruit frozen yogurt

One of our most favorite treats is a stop by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in East Nashville. The Ohio-based company runs 9 stores in its home state and one here in Tennessee. As some of you might know, this successful expansion story is after my own heart...but I digress : )

I'm not traditionally much of a sweets person, but Jeni's interesting, seasonal flavors made of natural ingredients keep me interested. Wildberry Lavender, Goat Cheese with Red Cherries, Lime Cardamon...you get the idea!

our "first" thanksgiving

S and I have been married for five whole years, but never in that time were we not with one of our sets of parents for Thanksgiving.

This year, thanks to strange work schedules and family health concerns, we found ourselves for the first time in Nashville for Thanksgiving and charged with the task of preparing our own feast. No pressure!

Well, despite a few stressful moments and missing our families tremendously, our first Thanksgiving turned out beautifully. Sam's sis E and her fella C even joined us after the afternoon meal for wine and dessert.

We used our china for the first time EVER and settled in to making a few family traditions of our very own. For example, Billie Holiday makes one heck of a Turkey Day soundtrack, brining the bird really does make a difference and pecans and sausage will forever appear in our chosen dressing recipe.

Here are a few snaps of our spread and the holiday weekend. Hope your holiday was both love-filled and delicious.

1-pan roasting brussel sprouts with Benton's bacon/2-sausage, pecan and sweet cornbread dressing/3-KJB's au gratin potatoes and Papa's deviled eggs/4-a peek at the spread (and the bird!)/5-glazed apple tart/6-THE TURKEY PLATE

rolf and daughters

 

One thing we love about living in historic Germantown are the adorable houses and quaint streets. The other is our proximity to some of Nashville's tastiest restaurants.

Famed City House, home of the world's most amazing ham pizza specials, is just around the corner. While Silo, with its tasty bar snacks and tart gimlets, is right downstairs!

When a chef pal of ours mentioned that Rolf and Daughters was opening only a few blocks away, we were stoked.

We made our way to chic, rustic space last night for a late dinner with our friend LC and...wow. It was something.

The food was pitch perfect. For only opening a few days ago, I could hardly believe how each element of the meal was handled with relaxed precision. Our friend commented that it made her feel like she was back in NYC dining at the Hudson Hotel. Ah, memories...

grady's cold brew

I love my coffee, but hot coffee on an August afternoon...woof.

Enter Grady's New Orleans-style Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate!

Simply mix the above with equal parts water (or milk if that's what you're into...) and add ice. Voila! Iced coffee ready at home or at the office.

The mix lasts in the fridge for a month. Plus, the adorably designed bottle even comes with a blank label where caffeine junkies can write their names thus staking claim to their cold brew while simultaneously warding off break room pirates.

The New Orleans-style option is chicory flavored. Yes, please!

Get your own bottle at New York Mouth's online shop.

(image via New York Mouth)

a swell getup for...date night with the mister

Ah-the jumpsuit...such a passing fad...

Every few years it seems these make a comeback. I've always laughed them off as one of those trends our children would tease us for wearing one day. So how can it be that lately I can't stop daydreaming about owning one?

There is something so subtly sexy about a jumpsuit that feels perfect for a romantic night out with the mister.

The silhouette of this royal purple version is working in all the right ways--the wide, flowing legs and the tailored sleeveless top? Whoa, mama.

What a perfect piece to take you from warm summer nights to cooler fall evenings. Wouldn't this also look tasty with a buttery brown leather jacket?

A sparkly necklace, a smart clutch and a rocking pair of heels have me craving some candlelit canoodling at the Patterson House.

Get the look below.

Jumpsuit: halter belted jumpsuit, Warehouse, $120
Clutch: similar grey envelope clutch, Svpply, $100
Necklaces: crystal circle necklace and Venus Fly Trap crystal necklace, both J. Crew, $85 and 135
Watch: bow watch, Kate Spade, $195
Shoes: Sydney snakeskin sandals, J. Crew, $200
Lipstick: Luminous Fresh Pink Peach, YSL, $32
Eyeliner:  Crayon Yeux Liner in Earth Brown, Revlon, $12

(image via barrett adair)

The Silly Goose

We hit up The Silly Goose in East Nashville for a lovely little lunch this weekend.

Located off Eastland (next to Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream), this sweet spot's menu revolves around organic, locally sourced ingredients. They even grow tomatoes out front!

Their lunch menu is a casual selection of salads, sandwiches and a surprising variety of couscous.

Here are a few snaps from our meal.

red bandana napkins/clipboard menus

basil lemonande in antique jars

special chilled watermelon salad with goat cheese, almond, mint and balsamic

the "Bird"-grilled chicken breast, sundried tomato, avocado, bacon and peppered goat cheese grilled (is there such a thing as too much?) on whole grain bread

Bobo's couscous with grilled chicken

the dining room

We are pumped about trying out Silly Goose's dinner menu which gets a bit more fancy with a variety of serious entrees like steak, snapper and a saucy little desert named the Reverse Cowgirl.

Check out the full menu here.

(image via nashville lifestyles and ye trusty iphone)

miss lily's favourite cakes

Nothing beats a warm and sunny date night. S and I headed down to the West Village last evening to try out Jamaican hot spot Miss Lily's Favourite Cakes.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by two beautiful, statuesque Jamaican women (models?) who led us thorough the bar area to a back room decorated floor to ceiling with old Jamaican vinyl.


Judging from the DJ booth in the corner and the disco ball hanging above, the back room is where the dance party happens later in the evening...

Since our reservations were early, we kept it focused on the food.

We started things off with the curried lobster jaquitos (Carribean-style tacos).

These babies were tiny, but the perfect size to prep the palette for the main event.

The jerk chicken!
This is the stuff that dreams are made from. Spicy, tender and delicious, this chicken is a new fave. Served with a cool marinated cucumber salad and extra jerk sauce on the side (if you dare), this plate was worth the visit alone.

Need more proof? See S in action.

We were too full to try any dessert, but something tells me we will be going back pretty soon.

(images courtesy largeup, gemma bell, ye trusty iphone)