Mother's Day is coming up and we're all lucky because the internet makes it so easy to get your mom something nice. Below are some ideas you can check out.

I'm on a budget, $20  and under gifts

You could buy chocolates at the drug store at the last minute...or get this great little basket of Harry and David chocolate treats. They use a 30-year-old recipe to make their truffles!

You could bake cookies! Or just send her a box of Mrs. Fields cookies.

I got a little extra cash, gifts under $60

You can make almond brittle! Or buy this almond hand cream set from the Body Shop. If you order by April 29th you get the employee discount and since this gift is just over $50 it is eligible for free shipping.

Sew your mom a bag! Or buy this bag at Godiva. You'll give her chocolates, a nifty new bag and feed needy children with your purchase. Now that is a win, win, win.

I'm going all out for my mom! Gifts over $100

You can stick a picture of yourself in a frame and call it a day, or you can put a picture of your mom and one of yourself in this charm necklace from TforEdgard at their Etsy shop.

You can get your mom a treat from a local purveyor! Or you can let Murray's cheese shop take care of it with their The New Yorker gift box.

I hope you find these ideas helpful, but remember the most important thing is to just call her and let her know you love and appreciate her. Happy Friday everyone!

Usurp!

This weekend I went shopping in my own kitchen. You know how sometimes you'll get stuff to make a recipe and then you have produce or spices that just go unused? I try to be efficient by keeping scraps for stocks and by planning my next meal based off what I need to use up. It's a fun way to keep things challenging.

What did I end up making with what I found? One night Joey and I had a cauliflower souffle and pasta with chopped grilled chicken dressed in a parsley pesto. For Sunday brunch we had pancakes.

Anyway, I wanted to share some great substitutions that I made this weekend. The last one I didn't do this weekend, but I have done it before and it really works well, especially for pancakes.

1. Sour Cream! Replace buttermilk with it. Both have a tang, so it works really well. Omit the butter from the batter. You won't need it because sour cream is high in fat.

2. Sour Cream again! Omit cheese in your souffle recipe and add sour cream. Please note you will still need some cheese to dress the souffle dish.

3. Cauliflower! Use this to replace a bechamel sauce in your souffle. This is truly great because it will really make your souffle much healthier. Add about a heaping cup of cauliflower to a pot. Add about a cup of 1% milk and a bay leaf. Keep your cheese rinds people! I added them to the pot and it added so much flavor, without the fat. I also added a teaspoon of butter. When fully tender, remove from heat. Add a pinch of ground cloves and leave covered on stove. Then pick out bay leaf and cheese rinds. Put in blender and pulse until smooth. When this is cool, stir in three egg yolks and the sour cream. BAM! You've got something going on.

4. Parsley! Make a pesto per usual, but substitute parsley for the basil.

5. Flax seeds! When you don't have eggs, just take a tablespoon of flax seeds add about a 1/4 cup of water and heat over medium flame. Stir constantly until it has the consistency of egg whites. Let cool and add to pancake batter or cake batter.

What are your go to usurpers?

Why Not Soup?

Sourced from: thekitchen.com

Joey and I had his dad's white bean soup this sunday. It was an easy meal to make and it was delicious! At The Kitchen they have some nice and simple soup ideas. Why don't you try one of these out this week?

Strangely Delicious

Sometimes something sounds like a weird combination and you try it and it tastes awful. Every time that has happened to me is far out weighed by the times the combination has been surprising, addictive and just plain delicious. Here are some odd combinations for you to try out. I dare you.

1. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt to pasta and marinara sauce, sprinkle heavily with crushed red pepper flakes. Mix it all up and enjoy.

2. Steam chopped butternut squash with brown sugar and cinnamon. When tender, pour warm honey-infused milk over it and eat if for breakfast.

3. Coat sliced Spanish onions with olive oil and smoked paprika. Grill them, and then chop. Place onion on top of sprouts. Zest a lemon over it. Finish by drizzling olive oil and a little lemon juice over it. Season with salt.

4. Squeeze lime juice into rice at end of cooking and stir in a large mound of chopped cilantro.

5. I got this idea from my friend abby: spread roasted yams on pizza dough. Sprinkle with blue cheese. Toss arugula on top of pizza when it comes out of the oven.

Resolutions for the New Year

1. Eat more vegetables

2. Plan meals ahead more often

3. Keep vegetable scraps in freezer for stocks

4. Jarred pasta sauce: never again

5. Use the Food Matters Cookbook as much as possible

6. Eat less mediocre food for convenience

7. Enjoy indulgent processed food without guilt

8. Know what vegetables and fruit are in season, and aim to use them

9. Make lobster macaroni and cheese at least once this year

10. Master making pasta

Is there a pea in my pancake?!?

Sourced from: Gourmet.com

Do you ever feel like you don't eat enough vegetables? I feel like that all the time. I love vegetables, so this weekend I decided to squeeze them into my breakfast. I made pancakes and left out the sugar and instead added, a littl garlic salt, oregano, cheese and some cooked peas I had in the fridge. It was yummy! Go to gourmet.com to get inspired to make your own version of savory pancakes.

Katie's Christmas Treats!

Picture sourced from: Glorious Treats

Our big idea today comes from guest blogger Katie Dowden. It looks pretty and delicious! See below how to put it together:

Heat oven to 350 F.

Arrange your little pretzel waffles on a baking sheet, lined with wax papper.

Top with a rollo and remove from oven when melted.

Then top it with a salted pecan.

Let some of the best flavors of the world join together (chocolate, salt and nuts!) and eat them up!

Katie's verdict: "Amazingggg"!!!

Getting Fresh with Creme Fraiche

Sourced from: wasabimon.com

Joey and I used creme fraiche to make tacos last week. Since then I've been looking for creative ways to use it.

Here are some great ideas:

1. leave the milk out of your eggs and make a scrammble with it. This makes decadent eggs.

2. Mince a clove of garlic, two sun dried tomatoes and mix with creme fraiche. This makes a great topping to add to many dishes, like soup or a spicy meat dish.

3. Swirl a spoonful into your oatmeal.

4. Spread over a warm tortilla and sprinkle with salt.

5. Stir into any vegetable puree instead of cream.

Any other ideas?

Who Shall You Play Today Dear Egg?

Picture sourced from southernliving.com

I woke up today and I had no bread for breakfast. I have been eating eggs over easy, with toast, but that was not a possibility this morning. I did not fret though. Eggs are like the best actors, ready to transform into new characters and play a new role when they are called to.Today my eggs would be a little fancy, a little cheesy and not quite so fragile and runny.

I broke two eggs in a bowl, added a dash of salt, dill, and oregano and gave the whole thing a light stir. I decided I would make an omelette. I added a little water and gave it another stir. Meanwhile I melted butter in a pan over medium heat and then added the eggs and inside I put a little Parmesean cheese and three basil leaves, from the leaves I have frozen. It was great. You should try it out!

Crazy Tuna Sandwich!!!

I am eating a yummy tuna fish sandwich! You want to know what's in it? Ok cool, I will let you know.

Crazy Tuna Sandwich


For Tuna salad:
Tuna fish
Two teaspoons of capers
A little minced Spanish onion
A little fresh basil
A little fresh cilantro
Tablespoon of pesto
A splash of apple cider vinegar
A dash of sea salt
A serano chili I pickled a few weeks ago (because I am awesome like that)

You'll also need:
Sprouts
Mayo
Rye

I put a little mayo on one slice of bread, then added tuna salad then a layer of sprouts. It's like a party in my mouth.

Obsession!

I am obsessed with making my own pasta. Doesn't he make it look easy? Joey! Will you let me borrow your food processor this weekend?!?

Clickable: Spicy Chick Sandwich Idea

Hey all,

Are you sick of eating turkey yet? Turn to the chick then! Chickpea I mean. This sandwich is easy on the wallet and packed with a ton of flavor and texture. You can make it fast by getting all your stuff at the supermarket or take it to the next level and make your own bread and hummus, for a real treat.

It is a wonderful surprise as an appetizer or a nice change of pace from grilled chicken lunches, so take in the inspiration and run with it.

Clickable: Stir-fry Idea

Clickable: Egg-cellent Sandwich Idea

Clickable: Yummy Sandwich Idea

When I lived in memphis I used to make this sandwich. Click on my scrap paper for details.