Recipe: Saturday Night Chili

Sunday, February 28, 2010

This Atlanta weather does not want to warm up, so Jim & I thought that making a pot of chili would bring us a little heat.  I should admit that when I cook, my measuring is approximate.  I add until I smell or see what I like going on in the pot.  Everyone's taste palates vary too...  adjust the spices to your liking.

Chili Recipe:  Serves 6 or So People / 1 - 1 & 1/2 Hour Prep & Cooking Time

Getting Started:

>Salt & Pepper 

>Dry Spices - Chili Powder, Cumin, etc...

>1/2 of a Large Onion - Diced

>1 Red Pepper, 1 Yellow Pepper, 1 Green Pepper - Cut into Strips
**For a Smoky Flavor, Replace the Yellow & Green Pepper for 2 Habanero Green Peppers - Place Habaneros On Top of the Flame of a Gas Cook-top to Blister & Blacken the Exterior Skin.  Once Cool to Handle, Peel Away Blackened Skin.  Cut into Diced Pieces. 

>Open 2 Large Cans (28oz Size) of Whole Peeled Tomatoes in Juice

>Open Cans of Beans (15oz Size) - Any Combination of Pinto, Black, Kidney, White, Chili - But Use About 3 Cans Worth.  (I Like Seeing the Different Sizes & Colors of the Beans Together in the Pot, So Keep That In Mind When Selecting Your Favorites).  Once Opened, Place Into a Colander to Rinse and Drain.

>1 - 1 & 1/2 lb. Ground Sirloin (Using This Lean Meat Means Not Having to Drain Off Any Fat Once Cooked)

>1/2 - 1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar (The Brown Sugar Helps to Complement the Acidity of the Tomato)

>Hot Sauce if Desired (I Like the Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce)


Preparation:

>Heat a Large Pot, Stainless or Cast Iron, with Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Medium High Heat - Couple of Turns of the Wrist of Oil.  When You See the Oil Almost Ripple in the Pot, its Hot.  Add Onions, Salt & Pepper, and Dry Seasoning.  This Step is Creating Your Base for Flavor of the Chili, So Add the Dry Seasoning to Your Liking... At Least Start With a 1/2 Teaspoon of Dry Seasoning and Add More if Desired.  The Onions Should Take on a Nice Amber Red Color Once Mixed with the Dry Spices. 

>Once the Onions are Translucent, Only About 5-10 Minutes, Add Ground Sirloin.  Keep Stirring, Breaking the Meat Into Smaller Pieces.  

>Once the Meat Is No Longer Pink, Add Peppers & Stir. 

>Once Meat, Onions & Peppers Are Combined, Add 2 Cans of Tomatoes with the Juice.  Stir, While Also Using Your Spoon to Break Down the Whole Tomatoes Into Smaller Chunks.

>Add Beans...  Stir & Combine Everything.  Add Salt & Pepper -  a Generous Amount, Your Beans & Tomatoes Need it for Seasoning.  Bring to A Boil.

>Once Bubbling, Turn Heat Down to Low to Simmer Everything Together.  Give Your Chili A Good Stir.  Simmer for About 30-40 Minutes.  Keep Near By for Occasional Stirs.  The Chili Sitting at the Bottom of The Pot Could Burn if Not Looked After.

>At the 20 Minute Mark, Stir in the Brown Sugar.  Add a Couple of Shakes of Hot Sauce, to Your Liking.  Continue to Simmer Until 30-40 Minutes is Up.  The Peppers & Beans Should Be Soft Looking... All Ingredients Should Look as if They've Melted Together A Bit and the Chili Should Have a Nice Overall Consistency - Not Too Thick, Not Too Thin.
>Serve with Any Assortment of Shredded Cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, etc..), Avocado Chunks, Fresh Chopped Cilantro, Corn Chips, and Instead of Sour Cream, Try Adding a Dollop of Greek Yogurt.  My Favorites...
  
 
 

Shopping Alert: HABLE CONSTRUCTION 25% OFF

Friday, February 26, 2010

    
 
 

Design: Christopher & Suzanne Sharp

Wednesday, February 24, 2010


Husband and wife dynamic duo Christopher & Suzanne Sharp are the founders of The Rug Company.  Long before they officially established the business in 1997 in London, the Sharps traveled the world extensively for both personal journeys & professional assignments.  During their stop overs in Riyadh, India, and Myanmar, to name a few, Christopher & Suzanne were drawn to the local markets, purchasing artisan handmade rugs, which they found themselves selling to friends upon their return to London.  Looking to build on their happenstance success as rug purveyors, the Sharps invited noted British interior designers - Nina Campbell, Nicolas Haslam, and Mary Fox Linton - to design patterns to be created into rugs.  These relationships worked twofold, one by drawing attention to The Rug Company, gaining visibility among the designers of London, and two, Christopher & Suzanne took the next step in the development of their business by seeking out skilled craftsmen & workshops in Nepal to produce the custom designs.  As of today, The Rug Company employs 2,000 skilled weavers.
Included in The March 2010 issue of Vogue magazine are photos of the Sharps' London home.  Their style & design influences can be found throughout the images....  from the rugs, to accessories, to the upholstery on the furniture.  Such a great example of layering texture & print with antiques & new found treasures.
For more info pick up a copy of the March Vogue or check out The Rug Company's website...  http://www.therugcompany.info/index.htm

Craigslist Finds > City > Fort Myers

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Hey Fort Myers, FL friends...   came across this great pair of mid century modern chrome arm chairs on Craigslist.  They are in need of re-upholstery, but are posted at a great price of $250 for the set.  Info is as follows:

Pair Mid Century Chrome Chairs - Wow - $250 (se cape coral)

for sale is a wonderful pair of mid century modern chairs reupholstered in leather and these would be $1500 each!

Get the look of this published photo from Elle Decor magazine...  the chrome chair in the right corner is very similar to the chrome chairs off of the Craigslist posting.

Architecture: Singapore's Black & White Houses

Monday, February 22, 2010

A Singapore home featured in the March 2010 issue of Architectural Digest represents a classic example of a design style known as the "Black and White".   In the 19th century, Singapore was considered a colony, ruled by the British Empire.  The wealthy European expatriates that settled in this tropical landscape built houses incorporating design elements that blended both the Western Arts n Crafts & Art Deco styles.  Architecturally, these house were designed to live in harmony with the hot & humid climate and lush environment.  The Black and Whites are 2 story homes, with most of the living spaces on the 2nd floor - this measure was in response to the very real threat of snakes, monkeys, and other various creatures making their presence known.  Due to the excessive heat, cooling measures included plenty of windows and balconys that opened out to welcome breezes, while also incorporating air flow design features on the interior between rooms, to keep cool air flowing.

The Black and Whites were built until WWII, where at that time the high command of the Japanese military took over most of these estates.  Following the war, Singaporeans abandoned the Black and Whites, believing they would bring you bad luck if inhabited.  Fortunately over the last 15 years or so, residents recognize the historical & design significance of these homes and their relationship to Singapore, and have renovated these amazing architectural gems.
 
I fell in love with the Black and White style when I had the opportunity to live in Singapore in 1997.  I found the open floor plan to be so contemporary for its day, but how timeless it has become, dictating the way we live in our homes in the 21st century.  I love the simple & natural materials that most homeowners use to furnish the interiors, incorporating silk and wood details, with a blend of Asian art & accessories. 

For more info on the Black and Whites houses of Singapore, pick up Julian Davison's book - Black and White: The Singapore House 1898-1941.  The Amazon link can be found below...

http://www.amazon.com/Black-White-Singapore-House-1898-1941/dp/981052739X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266865604&sr=1-1

Healthy Well Being: HAIR CARE

Thursday, February 18, 2010

As I settle into my mid-30's, I am noticing a change with the quality of my hair.  I've pretty much always worn it long & straight, being mindful of regular haircuts & using reputable shampoo brands.  I had a theory in college that rotating shampoo was the way to prevent build up & keep your scalp guessing!  Of course, amassing a collection of bottles to support this theory became ridiculous.  Soon, recognizing how damaging Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be on your hair, and how it is surprisingly found in most drug store sold shampoo, I switched to SLS free products.  But over the last year, even adding certain supplements to my diet, I couldn't deny seeing more hair in my hairbrush & in the shower drain!
Fed up, on my next visit to my neighborhood health food store - Rainbow Natural Foods - I stumbled upon a locally made product here in Lithonia, GA, promising beautiful & healthy hair.  The product, Juanderful Hair, first caught my eye with its description of using only natural, organic, and herbal ingredients.  Of course, then being able to read all the ingredients without having to "sound it out", sold me.  I'd give it a try, and if anything, I felt the satisfaction of supporting a local business woman.
 
Happy to report that there are now & forever only 2 bottles in our shower....  Juanderful Hair Organic Herbal Shampoo & Herbal Conditioner.  I have broken free of my need for a buffet of shampoo.  I can't tell you how this shampoo & conditioner have transformed my hair....  less breakage, so super soft & shiny!! One of the additional products Juanderful promotes is the Hair Vinegar Rinse, to be used once a week between shampoo & conditioner.  I have been using the Rinse, and would recommend using it if you purchase the shampoo & conditioner.  Juanderful products are sold through their website & locally here in Atlanta, can be found at Whole Foods and other natural health food stores. 

Juanderful is recommended for all hair types and more info can be found on the website:  http://www.juanderfulhair.com/index.html

I've included Juanderful's research on the effects of using Sodium Lauryl Sulfate shampoo on your hair & scalp.  It is truly eye opening and information we should all be aware of.



"Do you know that your shampoo could be the reason for your hair damage or loss.  Most shampoos contain an inexpensive detergent which is probably the most dangerous ingredient used in skin and hair care products.  The dangerous ingredient is sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laueth sulfate (SLS).  Sodium lauryl sulfate is used throughout the world for clinical testing as a primary skin irritant. Laboratories use it to irritate skin on test animals and humans so that they may then test healing agents to see how effective they are on the irritated skin.

A study at the University of Georgia Medical College, indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes, as well as the brain, heart, liver, etc and showed long-term retention in the tissues.  The study also indicated that SLS penetrated young children's eyes and prevented them developing properly and caused cataracts to develop in adults.

SLS may cause hair loss by attacking the follicle. Classified as a drug in bubble baths because it eats away skin protection and causes rashes and infection to occur.
It is potentially harmful to skin and hair.  Cleans by corrosion. Dries skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it can't effectively regulate moisture. SLS is also connected to nitate contamination and reacts with many types of ingredients used in skin products and forms nitorsomines (nitrate).  Nitrates are potential cancer-causing carcinogenic.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is also used in industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, car wash soaps, and in household products such as toothpastes, shaving foams, and soaps.
Today's women are getting smarter about what they use on their hair. The chemicals in many hair products are damaging our hair. We are looking for all natural products.  Juanderful Hair products contain, natural, organic, and herbal ingredients."

When in Brooklyn: BLUE MARBLE

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Today's New York Times Dining Section includes an article on Blue Marble, a homemade ice cream shop in Brooklyn, that has added soft serve cones to their menu.  Perhaps dreaming of ice cream on a warm summers evening will help warm my bones on this cold & gray Atlanta morning!  Read on for more details from Florence Fabricant of the NY Times....
Blue Marble Ice Cream co-owners Jennie Dundas (left) and Alexis Miesen (right).

"When Jennie Dundas and Alexis Miesen opened Blue Marble, a shop selling homemade ice cream on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, back in 2007, their checklist included organic ingredients, 16 percent butterfat and a child-friendly setting. Soft-serve ice cream was not in the picture there or at their second shop, in Prospect Heights. “It didn’t seem to have a quality connotation,” Ms. Dundas said. Then she tasted the version that Billy Barlow was churning out at Bonita, in Fort Greene, which has since closed."
Interior of Blue Marble

"With Mr. Barlow, Ms. Dundas’s boyfriend, as an unofficial consultant, Blue Marble has introduced soft serve at its newest shop, in Cobble Hill. Creamy, crenelated pinnacles in bright vanilla, deep chocolate or a swirl of both, are lower in butterfat (10 percent) than the shop’s regular ice cream so that they can be churned from the machine. The ice cream is eggless but has some organic soy lecithin as a stabilizer. Chocolate nibs from Nunu Chocolates in Boerum Hill are an optional topping."
"Soft-serve ice cream from Blue Marble, 196 Court Street (Wyckoff Street), Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, (718) 858-0408, is $3.89 for a regular serving, $2.90 for a mini."

More more info check out Blue Marble's website:  http://www.bluemarbleicecream.com/

Craigslist Finds > City > RICHMOND

Tuesday, February 16, 2010


Hey Richmond friends....  in the need for a pair of bar stools?  Looking for a little vintage modern mixed with rustic industrial?  I found this set on the Richmond Craigslist.  Umanoff style with swivel seats & metal base frames.  The set is priced @$158 for the pair...  but be sure to try to negotiate.  As far as I'm concerned, everything on Craigslist is negotiable.  Keep in mind when settling on price, make it easy for yourself & your negotiating partner...  if possible, keep the amount in terms of $20s...  the ATM's usually only give you $20 bills.  Leave out the hassle of having to come up with change of a $5 or $10 bills.  Description from the posting:

2 Mid Century Maple Slat Seat Dining Bar Stools, Style of Umanoff - $158 (richmond)

Nice pair of vintage maple wood slat stools with swivel bases. Look like Umanoff stools, but unmarked so not positive. Definitely of the period. Legs are metal. Very good shape, ready to use.
Measure 17 " wide across the seat.
Please email to arrange a meeting time if you would like to see these. If this listing is still on Craigs List, it is still available. Please suggest some times you would be available when you send email and include "Umanoff stools" in the title of your email.
Location is near the intersection of West Broad Street and Belvidere. Cash only please.

 Set of Umanoff Stools

 
 
Get the look of these kitchens with the Umanoff style bars stool found on the Richmond CL posting.

Textiles: HABLE CONSTRUCTION

Monday, February 15, 2010

Susan Hable Smith (left) / Katharine Hable Sweeney (right)
I mentioned in a previous post about upholstering newly purchased vintage chairs with Hable Construction fabric.  Sister duo Susan Hable Smith & Katharine Hable Sweeney are the creative force behind this homegrown textile collection.  In 1999, based on Katharine's business experience with successful retailers like Kate Spade & Ralph Lauren and Susan's art and design background, the two joined forces in launching their own line of artistically inspired handbags, home accessories, and fabric.  The designs are Susan's concepts - a play on shape, color, and line - with a little shake of organic whimsy & fun.  The sisters are based in New York City, but pay homage to their Texas family roots, carrying down their company name from their great grandfather's 20th century road construction business, Hable Construction.
I was first introduced to Hable bags & accessories by Bonnie Garrison & Chris Condon, owners of Pollen Flowers here in Atlanta.  Back in 2001, after discovering them at the New York Gift Show, Bonnie & Chris were the first local retailers in Atlanta selling Hable.  I was immediately smitten with the pattern & scale to their designs.  Fortunately, I did get a chance to visit Hable's retail shop in NYC's West Village neighborhood, a cozy 300 square foot space, prior to it's closing last year.
Most recently, Susan Hable Smith was included in an article I read in Food & Wine magazine's November 2009 issue.  An underground supperclub based in Athens, GA and known as The FourCoursmen, hosted an evening of food & fare joined by Susan, who provided custom made table runner & Hable designs napkins for the guests -  http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/supper-club-confidential
 Susan Hable Smith painting her custom table-runner for the The FourCoursemen Supperclub.

For more info on Hable Construction, check out their website www.hableconstruction.com and/or become a fan on Hable's Facebook page.

Cupid's Ideas: {SWEETS}

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Looking for a sweet treat to win over your Valentine?  Any of the following 3 delights will fit the bill!

The Cookie Studio, located in Decatur, hands down makes the greatest cookies!  The assortment of flavors & combination of ingredients makes for a sweet, crunchy, soft, delectable cookie.  The Cookie Studio prepares all baked goods on site - including brownies, cupcakes, & whoopie pies.  Check out their website for more info - www.thecookiestudio.net


I've written a past post about Highland Bakery, my favorite breakfast spot in the Inman Park neighborhood.  There is a very sweet treat perfect for Valentine's Day that Highland Bakery serves in their bakery area - Red Velvet Cupcakes!  These little beauties are so mouthwatering...  ruby red cake & snow white cream cheese frosting.  The perfect indulgence for you & your Valentine.  Check out their website for more info - www.highlandbakery.com

Last but certainly not least, Cacao is a specialty chocolate & confections purveyor.  Owner Kristen Hard specializes in incorporating unique herbs & spices into her hand selected chocolate, culminating the perfect chocolate truffle.  Make time for a visit to this chocolate boutique and sample their hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, peppermint bark, and not to be missed, the amazing assortment of truffles.  Check out their website for more info - www.cacaoatlanta.com

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