Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Valentine's day is just around the corner and I am sure you're scrambling all prepared. In case you've been "too busy with work" or whatever else you tell yourself I am going to give you something so easy you have no excuse not to knock someone's socks off with your thoughtfulness and culinary abilities. Seriously, everyone loves these so make a big batch and bring them to the office, your man-hating girls happy hour, or simply make them for your boyfriend (this is my personal fave because then you get to eat them, all while doing a good deed).

Ingredients: Strawberries + Milk Chocolate + White Chocolate (optional)

Kitchen Equipment: Medium-sized Pot, Small Metal Mixing Bowl, Wax Paper, and Baking Sheets

1) First we are going to assemble our double boiler. Don't run for the hills! This is as complicated as it gets. Fill your pot with water, place your metal mixing bowl over it. Pick up the mixing bowl and inspect the bottom. If it's wet you've added too much water. The steam is what will melt the chocolate, you don't want the bottom of your bowl to come in direct contact with boiling water. This is what your double boiler should look like:

2) Set your stove to the lowest setting. Break up your chocolate into pieces and watch it melt. Stir occasionally.

3) Once you're chocolate is all melted. You are ready to start making your strawberries. Dip your strawberry in the chocolate. Place the finished product on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

4) Refrigerate until the chocolate is nice and hard.

*I like to use both milk and white chocolate and have a little fun. My favorite is the half and half.

Favorites {January}

{Buttermilk Chess Pie at Eastside Cafe}

January came and went without me realizing mainly because I was preoccupied with preparing for my Mum and the Baby Sister's visit this past weekend. This year I have decided to tackle the new year differently. In lieu of the traditional 'resolutions' I always make and never keep, this year I decided to make myself a very long to do list. I started off with general categories and then made specific goals. I promised myself I would tackle a few items a month, thus keeping the good intentions I daydream of going all year-long. At the end of each month I resolved to reflect on the month that had just passed. So as I (belatedly) reflect on what I've started, here are a few of my favorites from the first month of 2012. As I check off items on my to do list I will be sharing them with you of course.

{The Baby Sister and Mum's delicate necklaces (Tiffany and Barney's)}

{My first attempt at a disheveled top knot}

{Perhaps my favorite Christmas gift which I gets tons of use of due to my work travels}

{A happy reminder that spring is just around the corner here in Texas}

Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs

Typically I gravitate towards recipes that are easy simple enough that they require one hour from start to finish max while still tasting delicious. Presentation is usually the least of my concerns. This dish is not your average dinner dish. It's more of an 'impress dinner company' dish. We all need at least one in our arsenal and I am sharing mine with you (recipe here). Not only is it impressive it is very easy to make. So please wipe the smirk off your face when the aforementioned company is ooh-ing and aah-ing at your culinary skills, it is just not polite.