I have seen so many people on Instagram making this simple Feta & Tomato Baked Pasta recipe, featured on TikTok, all over the world. It has become so popular that Finland ran out of feta cheese. The ENTIRE COUNTRY ran out!!!! The prep time is only a few minutes and within less than an hour you have a pretty good family meal. I have not made it yet but my friend blogger, Lemon Stripes made it yesterday and totally inspired me. Plus I read that it is totally worth the hype. Here you go, let me know in the comments below if you make it.
Baked Tomato and Feta Pasta:
(adapted from www.lemonstripes.com & The Washington Post)
Ingredients:
–2 pints (17 1/2 ounces / 500 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Kosher salt
1 block Greek feta cheese
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces medium-length dried pasta, such as campanelle, rigatoni or rotini
Fresh basil leaves, for serving
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Place tomatoes and garlic in a baking pan and toss with 1/4 cup of olive oil and sea salt.
3. Place the block of feta in the middle of the tomatoes and top the whole thing with crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, oregano, and black pepper.
4. Bake for 40 minutes or until the feta is slightly browned and the tomatoes are totally blistered.
5. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to box instructions. Be sure to save 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain it!
6. Mix up the tomatoes, feta, and garlic with a fork (I also broke up the garlic with a garlic press) to form a sauce.
7. Stir the pasta into the sauce and add pasta water, a little at a time, as needed.
8. Top with torn basil and serve.
9. Enjoy!
You can never have too many hearts or too much chocolate!!!! That is why I love Valentine’s Day. It is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate all the ones that you love. Here are a bunch of sweet gifts for all the special people in your life. I am planning in buying that pretty agate cheese platter and making a yummy charcuterie platter for my family. My daughter would love that waffle maker for treats for her and her roommates. I have heard only amazing things about the new Dry Bar round hair drying brush. The new Diptyque candle had been on my list too. Happy Heart Shopping!!
Coat//Brush//Cotton Candy//Waffle Maker//Candle//Backgammon////Zip Front Sweater//Heart Ring//Pearl Ring//Nail Polish//Heart Sweater//Candy Box//Loop Earrings//Cheese Board
I am still in the soup making mode here. I have been dying for a really good pea soup recipe. The other day I found Ina’s recipe and was so intrigued since people said that it is the best version yet! If pea soup is not your thing, I am including my Chicken and Dumplings recipe…it is a staple in our house and a favorite for everyone who makes it. Back to the pea soup, it is so easy to make. It’s quick and comes out so thick and hearty. The secret is letting it simmer nice and slow. Bon Appetit!!!
1 cup chopped yellow onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 cup good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups medium-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)
1 cup medium-diced red boiling potatoes, unpeeled (3 small)
1 pound dried split green peas
8 cups chicken stock or water
In a 4-quart stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper until the onions are translucent, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the carrots, potatoes, 1/2 pound of split peas, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Skim off the foam while cooking. Add the remaining split peas and continue to simmer for another 40 minutes, or until all the peas are soft. Stir frequently to keep the solids from burning on the bottom. Taste for salt and pepper. Serve hot.
I found today’s Book Club choice, Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best To Fast Fashion by Clare Press absolutely fascinating. A reader, who is living in London read it during this second lockdown and messaged me about it. I immediately bought it and started reading…
Who makes your clothes? This used to be an easy question to answer it was the seamstress next door, or the tailor on the high street—or you made them yourself. Today, we rarely know the origins of the clothes hanging in our closets. The local shoemaker, dressmaker, and milliner are long gone, replaced a globalized fashion industry worth $1.5 trillion a year.
In Wardrobe Crisis, fashion journalist Clare Press explores the history and ethics behind what we wear. Putting her insider status to good use, Press examines the entire fashion ecosystem, from sweatshops to haute couture, unearthing the roots of today’s buy-and-discard culture. She traces the origins of icons like Chanel, Dior, and Hermès; charts the rise and fall of the department store; and follows the thread that led us from Marie Antoinette to Carrie Bradshaw.
Wardrobe Crisis is a witty and persuasive argument for a fashion revolution that will empower you to feel good about your wardrobe again. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
I recently discovered a really unique handcrafted jewelry company called Cosenza, NYC. Through their limited edition collections, they really captured the beauty of the layering necklace trend, which is still going strong BTW. And, at a very good price point. The designs are inspired by the sparkling beaches and ancient castles of the town, Cosenza Italy, where the founders, Mia and Maria’s family was originally from.
Cosenza offers a curated collection of everyday jewelry wearable “from the beach to the castle.” Available at a friendly price point, you can layer and style these pieces with almost anything, and not have to worry about packing them in your suitcase.
You can shop the entire collection HERE and they also highlight for you the many ways that you can mix and match all of their styles and pieces.
I have loved partnering with J Mclaughlin for the past year. I literally get a message every week from a reader who purchased something that they love or telling me about the things on their wish list and how they plan on wearing them. I think that all of their designs are total closet staples with a trendy flare. I am always excited for their next collection. The current Winter sale is AWESOME and most items even went an additional 20% off, which makes them 60% off the original price. Happy Shopping…
This cardigan was my favorite piece from the fall collection..so far it is also one of the best sellers…
I am in love with this jacket. It looks great with a pair of dark jeans and a crisp white blouse or even a blouse with a bow…
I really could not love these shoes more…what a fab combination…..hair calf AND Camo…these are so much fun with dark jeans and also white jeans for the spring/summer….
I am not sure how I missed this the first time I shopped this sale but OMG>>>>>>here is the most incredible cashmere cardigan.. And I never can pass up a one-button style!!
I recently saw someone wearing this Ombre vest and it was perfection….
The all black vest is also Gorgeous!!!
I could not love this top more…the sleeves are fabulous!! This with black leather pants is the most perfect outfit ever!!!
Another beautiful blouse….
This clutch is going to be the #1 must-have for all summer outfits…grab it now….while it’s still in stock and on sale!!
I have had my eye on this blouse for a while..the material is so beautiful and the leopard print is really subtle..another winner with black pants!!
