Virtual happy hour

It’s time for a drink.

Because we’re busy. Because dinner consists of Cheez-Its and seaweed snacks. Because I’ve been trying to perfect a granola recipe for you for the past six weeks. Because I’m failing at granola.

Because life.

If we were at happy hour, I’m pretty sure I would do nothing but talk your ear off about the TV shows I’m obsessed with. We’d probably do a quick recap of Girls because I still can’t even look at a q-tip without wanting to throw up. Also, I just love Adam so much I want to punch him in the face. Then, we’d have to discuss Mad Men! But only through season three because, in proper Mansee fashion, I didn’t start watching the show until….um, a month ago? I like to jump on bandwagons three years after everybody has jumped off. It’s my thing. And then. THEN. We talk about Scandal. I mean, what? How I even function in real life when I’m so obsessed with Olivia Pope and her life is beyond me. I rarely watch it in real time because it’s on at 10 p.m. and by Thursday I’m ready to go to bed at like 4 p.m. Therefore, Scandal has become a Friday night ritual for me that requires a lot a wine and a lack of friends.

Still single by the way. Shocking.

I’d also tell you about my run in with three coffee shops last week that offered me delicious coffee WITHOUT a side of Wi-Fi and almost ruined my life. (okay not true.) I’m incredibly lucky that I work in an office that allows everybody to work from home on Fridays, and while I don’t mind working in the office it’s always nice to be able to wear pajamas all day (certainly makes the transition from work to Scandal/wine time much easier). Last Friday the internet at my place was super wonky and I just could not deal. No biggie – I live in an area crawling with coffee shops so this was not a problem, right? WRONG. Apparently we don’t believe in Wi-Fi anymore because people should be enjoying coffee while reading a book. Or talking. With their mouths. To a real life person. Whatever.

Can we talk about music for a second? Mainly, I want YOU to tell me what I should be listening to. I’ve been doing this thing where I look up covers of songs I like on YouTube and then buy all of them on iTunes because they’re all amazing and make me sad that I can’t sing. (I also like supporting kids who are making a name for themselves on YouTube because I’m weirdly passionate about it. It’s the future, guys.) So basically I have eight renditions of “Just Give Me a Reason” that I listen to over and over again because I don’t know any better. This one is my favorite – the girl’s voice slays me.

Also, I can’t stop listening to Thrift Shop.

Should we go back to talking about Scandal? WE NEED TO DISCUSS HUCK’S LIFE.

5 Comments

by Mansee Muzumdar on April 29, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Happy Hour

Posted by Mansee Muzumdar on April 29, 2013

http://onegirlonekitchen.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/virtual-happy-hour-2/

Basics: Tomato sauce

This might be too simple, but I still feel the need to share. I have a lot of really simple recipes (if you can even call them that) that I make on the regular and I figured I could turn them into a baby series. Basically, they’re….well, basics. Most of these “recipes” are more of a technique and result in a dish that can easily be built upon.

I figured this sauce was the perfect introduction to my basics because it’s the epitome of a starting point. The original recipe calls for just three ingredients. However, since I can’t follow rules to save my life, I have four ingredients here. I’ve seen this all over the internet for years, and it originated from Marcella Hazan – this is her Famous Tomato Sauce. Bloggers like me have been sharing it for years, and for good reason. This one is a gem. Frankly, I might be the last person to be sharing this one but I’m totally okay with that.

As you can see this is just a can of whole tomatoes, butter, an onion and garlic (technically optional). Put it all in a pan and let it simmer away for 30-40 minutes, occasionally stirring and crushing the tomatoes. And THAT’S IT. No joke.

On it’s own, it’s a slightly sweet, fresh-tasting sauce. The butter, onion and garlic give it the perfect taste without being overwhelming at all. However, the beauty of this sauce is that you can just keep adding to it until you figure out the perfect sauce for you and your loved ones. Sometimes I add a pinch of red pepper flakes at the end to up the spice factor. Once I added a halved jalapeño to the sauce as it was cooking which was a really good decision. Have some grated parmesan cheese sitting around? Stir a handful in after it’s cooked (and then sprinkle more on top)! And of course, if you’re partial to basil you really can’t go wrong with a few fresh leaves before serving.

I think I’m supposed to tell you to use San Marzano canned tomatoes here. But listen, sometimes I can’t actually find San Marzano tomatoes so I really wouldn’t worry about it. I mean, if you find a can than certainly use them. But don’t cry about it if you can’t (not that you would cry over lost tomatoes).

So how do I use this sauce? Well, I’ve used it over regular pasta (duh), in lasagna, on pizza, in wraps, etc. I can’t even tell you how versatile it is. I like to make it on the weekends and then either keep it in the fridge to use throughout the week or even freeze it if I don’t think I’ll use it all. Again, so easy. So versatile. This is a secret weapon-type recipe, people. Get on it.

Basic Tomato Sauce

Makes approximately 2 cups

1 28 oz can of whole tomatoes

4 tablespoons butter

1 onion, halved

3 garlic cloves, smashed (optional for you, not optional for me)

Pour the tomatoes into a medium sized pan (make sure the sides go up a little high since this is going to splatter a bit as it cooks). Add the butter, onion halves, cut side down, and the smashed garlic cloves. Bring the mixture to a simmer and keep it that way for a good 30-40 minutes. Occasionally give the whole pot a stir and smash the tomatoes against the side of the pan. You want everything to break down, but it’s okay to keep it a bit chunky. Totally your call! When it’s to the consistency of your liking, remove the onion and garlic cloves (okay fine, I normally keep the garlic in but you certainly don’t need to) and then you’re done!

Serve over pasta, on pizza, whatever!

March favorites

I really hope you guys like these posts. I love beauty stuff as much as I love food (and you!), and since I do what I want these monthly posts are probably going to continue until you guys tell me to shut.up.

(And until then I’ll try to figure out the lighting situation for all of this. I know these photos are the worst…but this was after spending almost two hours on this. Forgive me, please.)

Okay. So, my skin? It’s still dry. I’m still a monster. Above is a snapshot of all the lotions I’ve tried (and liked) this month. I can’t even pick a favorite of the favorites, because these all have their specific roles in my “Operation Touchable Skin” plan. HOWEVER, if I lost all these and had to pick two to repurchase it would definitely be the Nivea Essentially Enriched (recommended by my friend, Sarah!) and the Neosporin Eczema Essentials Anti-Itch Cream. Although, if I really did lose all of these I would probably just make an appointment with my doctor to get the prescription eczema stuff. That seems like more of an adult thing to do than spending half a paycheck on lotion. Whatever.

So above is my “day face.” Basically this is what I wear to work like 90% of the time. Of course, I’m still using some of the stuff from last month’s favorites (like the highlighter and concealer), but these are some of the new goodies I’ve been loving. So, starting from the top left is the blush I’ve worn every single day in March. Blush is one of the few makeup products I’m not obsessed with – meaning I only have a few – so I’m normally pretty happy to stick with one until it runs out. This one is a peachy-pink color and it’s a cream so it blends really easily. The eyeshadow palette is the Urban Decay Naked Basics and is the new love of my life. I have the original Naked palette, and while I adore it, the colors are a little too shimmery for everyday use. This one is pretty much all matte and perfect for work. The eyeliner is the Rimmel Scandal Eyes liner in Nude and I wear it in my lower waterline. I’m actually a big fan of black liner in the waterline, but again, this seemed more work-appropriate. Moving on…my bronzer! Okay, so full disclosure: I wear two bronzers on the daily (three if you could that highlighter that is actually a bronzer). It’s my holy grail product and nobody can keep me from it…so just deal with it. ANYWAY, this one is technically a face powder I think (although this color is called Bronze Glow)? However, enough of it as a contour and it’s totally bronzer. Also, it cost like four dollars. My other favorite countering bronzer costs $28….so I like to switch off. The two lipsticks (Rimmel Lasting Matte – number 104 and Loreal Colour Caresse in Blushing Sequin)are the two I reached for the most….out of my 57 lipsticks to choose from. I’m just the worst.

Night/weekend stuff! That gorgeous eye shadow is Sin from Urban Decay. Obsessed. Sometimes I like to switch up the black liner for this dark blue one (Rimmel Exaggerate Liner in Deep Ocean)….it’s real pretty. On the weekends I’ve been a huge fan of berry lipsticks. This means I rock them going to the grocery store and doing my laundry…because that’s kind of all I do on the weekends. Whatever, I’m sure the Safeway cashiers are always just SO impressed with my berry colored lips. Those four are the ones I reach for the most. Do I need all four? Absolutely not. They’re basically all the same, but I’m insane so I need all of them (right to left: Milani Color Statement Lipstick in /15/”>Uptown Mauve, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten, Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Blissful Berry and Loreal Colour Caresse Wet Shine Stain in Infinite Fuchsia).

(P.S. Why are these product names SO LONG?!)

I’ve had this Rosebud Salve FOREVER. I put it on my lips every night after I wash my face and moisturize and stuff. I have a little thing of vaseline that I put on right before I go to bed…but I still convince myself this is an important step in my routine.

My FAVORITE of the all these favorites! I’ve been wanting to buy this Moroccan Oil for years, but I never took the plunge because it’s kind of pricey. However, I’ve been really into haircare stuff recently so I decided to just suck it up and buy the damn stuff. Best decision ever. I use just one pump after I’ve washed my hair (and after I’ve used the It’s a 10 Miracle Spray from my last post), focusing on the ends of my hair. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s made a huge difference in the way my hair looks..but I can feel the difference when I touch my hair. If you have crazy hair that kind of does whatever if feels like, I totally recommend this stuff.Obviously couldn’t decide on my favorite nail polish this month. First up is that Essie base coat. I never used to wear a base coat, but I started this month and I swear it’s made a difference in the way my nails look and the way polish goes on. Truth. The second one is Essie Turquoise and Caicos. Then Sally Hansen Coral Reef and OPI Am I Making Myself Claire? (from the Modern Family collection!). Love them all.

This candle is from an adorable little store a few blocks from my place. It’s unnecessarily expensive for a candle, but it smells fabulous and I think it’s just SO pretty. (Also, hi mom and dad!)

So cute, right?! It’s from J Crew (I know, I know. Who goes to J Crew and walks out with a phone case?) P.S. Looks like this is on sale on their website!! I, of course, paid full price. No regrets.

Okay, that’s it for now! Anything you’ve been loving lately? I’m always up for trying new things!

One girl. One kitchen.

Virtual happy hour

Basics: Tomato sauce

March favorites

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