How To

It’s dinner time…

Posted on by thewexfordhousewife

My husband & I like to go out to eat – correction, we love to go out to eat!  We love the experience and the meal selections, plus sometimes grabbing dinner (and drinks) is just easier than the process of making dinner.

However, now that we have a son I think it’s important to spend quality time around the dinner table.  Going out to eat has so many distractions that prevent us from having conversations and truly enjoying each other’s company.  We want to instill good values in our son and making family dinner at home a priority is a good way to start.

I’ve made dinner every night this week & I love the interest my son has taken to the kitchen.  He pays attention to my every move, eager to help and learn.  Since he can’t fully assist with making meals yet (he’s only 15 months) I let him play with the pots & pans and even dabble at mixing flour with his own bowl & whisk.

Last night I conjured up a new family favorite, Cinnamon Pecan Chicken!  Fall is my favorite season & I love baking and cooking fall-appropriate meals. This recipe was easy & turned out better than I had anticipated. Try it for yourself and let me know your thoughts!

Cinnamon Pecan Chicken – Prep time 10 Minutes – Cook time 30 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb. Chicken tenderloin or boneless, skinless breast

1 Tsp. salt

½ Cup all-purpose flour

2 Eggs, beaten

 1½ Cups chopped pecans

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a large baking sheet with non-stick spray.  Clean and trim your chicken as needed and sprinkle with salt.

Place the flour, eggs and chopped pecans in three separate bowls/containers.  Whisk the eggs and then add the cinnamon into the chopped pecans, mix until fully coated; I used Fisher Pecan Chips.

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One by one, place each chicken tenderloin into the flour ensuring the chicken is fully covered before shaking off any excess.  Dip the flour-coated chicken into the beaten eggs, again having the excess drip off.  Finally, roll the chicken into the cinnamon pecan mixture pressing the pecans into the chicken.  I didn’t want our son to have the pecan chips so I coated his chicken in Italian breadcrumbs instead.

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Bake the chicken for 15 minutes.  Flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.  I paired the chicken with corn & parmesan tomato pasta.  I love the combination of salty & sweet so I think next time I’ll caramelize the pecans for a sweeter finish!

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Lemon & Honey Facial Scrub

Posted on by thewexfordhousewife

Since turning 30 over the summer my skin isn’t what it used to be.  It’s not as vibrant, I always look tired even when I’m not and I’ve spotted little ‘lines’ here & there.  In my 20’s I could’ve been hungover & running on 2 hours of sleep and still looked radiant, what happened?!

Sadly, as we age our skin loses the luster it once had.  Uneven skin tone & sun spots become more apparent due to life style habits – I’m starting to regret all of the times I went to the tanning bed.

I needed something to bring back the energy to my skin, especially my face.  I did some research via Pinterest (my favorite go-to for everything) and came across some pretty amazing DIY facial scrubs.  Last night I made my first scrub thanks to A Beach Cottage.  It only took 5 minutes to make and I already had all of the ingredients in my pantry – quick & easy!

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½ Cup White Sugar

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. Honey

2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

After using this scrub my face felt smooth & reenergized, and it smelled good too!  A lot of the scrubs I found only called for sugar or baking soda and lemon.  I love that this one included honey!  According to Women’s Health Magazine honey is full of antioxidants and enzymes that can nourish and cleanse the skin.  It also contains antibacterial properties that can help fight breakouts and reduce redness.  I can’t wait to make this scrub part of my nightly ritual!

How to host a successful party!

Posted on by thewexfordhousewife

I love any excuse to get out my serving trays & wine glasses.  Whether it’s a dinner party, Labor Day BBQ, game night or ladies night in, getting friends & family together is always a blast!  For me, the key to hosting a successful party is being prepared and organized.  I start my planning process by answering the following questions…

  • Where will I be entertaining i.e. kitchen, dining room, living room, outside deck/patio?
  • What food can I serve that’s appropriate for where we’ll be gathering i.e. full meal, hors devours, chips & dip?
  • What kind of beverages will go with the food I’m serving i.e. wine & cheese, beer & burgers?

Last night I had the opportunity to host a Ladies Night In!  My girlfriend sells Thirty-One Gifts so it was a great reason to get everyone together.  Before I got myself ready for the evening I set the stage by arranging the serving trays, making sure there was enough seating and lighting a yummy pumpkin spice candle.  I have learned that it’s less stressful if I can prepare as much as possible before guests arrive.  I hate when people are arriving & I’m still getting organized.

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Once I was dressed & ready for the evening I poured myself a glass of red wine and put the white wine on ice.  It’s important to have variety of beverages on hand.  I suggest having a dry & a sweet wine as well as non-alcoholic options for those that don’t drink.  Last night I offered my guests Cabernet (dry red), Chardonnay (dry white), Riesling & Prosecco (both sweeter whites) as well as soda and bottled water.

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I invited my guests to arrive at 7 PM.  By inviting them post-dinner I was able to prepare lighter fare and avoid preparing a big meal.  I offered cheese & meat trays, fresh fruit, bread with dipping oils and blondie brownie bites.  My go-to for hosting any get together is a big cheese tray!  It’s so easy to prepare and I get the chance to use my favorite cheese board.

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The most important thing to remember when you’re hosting a party is to have fun!  As the hostess you set the tone for the party, so relax & enjoy yourself.

For some great cheese tray ideas & wine pairing options visit the below links.

http://positivemed.com/2013/03/05/pairing-wine-and-food/

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/holidays/guide-to-wine-and-cheese/building-cheese-plate