Recipe: Plum Torte

This recipe is perfect for this time of year in California, where Indian Summer is slowly moving into shorter, crisper Autumn days, and the last of the stone fruit is lingering in farmer's market stalls.  We were inspired by a classic Marian Burros recipe, which has been published by the NY Times for years... it's no surprise it's so popular, since this is an easy but impressive dessert.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup of sugar, plus extra for topping

1 stick of salted butter

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 eggs

10 small black plums, sliced in half with the pits removed

Juice of half a lemon

Cinnamon to taste (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Cream the butter and sugar together in a mixer or by hand.  Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and combine.  Beat in eggs.

Pour the batter into a round 9" baking dish and place the plums skin side up on top of it.  Sprinkle with lemon juice, a teaspoon or so of sugar, and as much cinnamon as you would like.

 Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the batter is set and the top is golden brown.  

Allow to cool and serve with creme fraiche, whipped cream, ice cream, or just plain.

November on Instagram

Here are some of our favorite November moments from Instagram... If you aren't already following us, you can check out the account here.

Recipe: Fall Pasta Bake

We love fall vegetables, and this dish showcases several of them in a hearty, vegetarian pasta bake.  This is a great pasta for a cozy dinner party, or to cook at the beginning of the week and save - leftovers will be good for a few days, or could even be frozen.  

Ingredients:

14 ounces of penne

1 pound of cubed butternut squash

1 bunch of Tuscan kale, roughly chopped

1/2 pound of cremini mushrooms, chopped

3 tablespoons of olive oil

1 large shallot, finely diced

2 cloves of garlic, finely diced

1/2 cup of chicken broth

1 15-ounce container of ricotta cheese

1 8-ounce ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, grated

2 cups of tomato sauce (whatever kind you prefer, we like Vodka sauce in this recipe)

Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the pasta to package instructions and set aside.

Boil water in a separate pot, and add the butternut squash.  Boil until tender, about ten minutes.  Strain, allow to cool slightly, and mash the squash.

In a saucepan, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over low to medium heat.  Add the shallot, cook for about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté for another couple of minutes.  Add the mushroom and kale, then stir and cook down for 2-3 minutes.  Add the chicken broth and cover until it cooks down, about 5 more minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomato sauce, butternut squash, kale-mushroom mixture, ricotta, and mozzarella.  

Use the last of the olive oil to coat a 9x9" baking dish, then add the ingredients, packing tightly.

Cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes, removing foil only for the last 5 minutes to allow a light crust to form.

Allow to cool slightly, and serve.  This slices like a lasagna, but often breaks apart once served, as it isn't so well stacked.  

Serves 8.

 

 

Crazy About: Blanket Wraps

We love love LOVE Burberry's monogrammed blanket wraps. Such a chic way to keep warm. 

Although Cara's and Rosie's are our favorites, we've gathered some other versions as well.

Clockwise from top left: black with burgundy stripe, cream, geometric, black & grey knit, navy & red,

grey stripe, camel red & black plaid, black with grey stripe, camel

Fall 2014 Milan Fashion Week Recap

Fall 2014 Ready to Wear Fashion just wrapped up in Milan. Here are some of our favorite looks from the runway.

Stella Jean

Philipp Plein

Marco de Vincenzo

Salvatore Ferragamo

Bally

Dolce & Gabbana

Marni

Pucci

McQ

Versace

Cavalli

Fendi

Etro

Prada

Bottega Veneta

Emporio Armani

Gucci

Max Mara

Alberta Ferretti

We saw a lot of tweeds and metallics, as one would expect in Fall collections, but there were also
some amazing patterns and accessories. Booties were still very popular, but we saw a lot of
over-the-knee boots as well. There were some seventies influences with clothing cuts and colors,
but also nineties tailoring and simplicity as well. Overall we felt inspired, and can't wait to see how
Paris brings Fall RTW to a close this week.

And although we aren't craving any of the pieces from this collection, Moschino deserves mention for it's over the top embrace of pop culture.

All images c/o style.com

Crazy About: Buckled Boots for Fall

Clockwise from top left: back-chain boot, moto boot, frye boot, pour le victoire boot,

 dr. marten boot,rag & bone bootie, studded biker boot, brown riding boot, hunter boot

Autumn Essentials

It's officially Autumn, and we are embracing the season with plenty of cozy accessories and fall favorites.

Clockwise from top left: Pumpkin Spice Latte, Hat, Sweater, Parfum, 

Candle, Throw, Driving Mocs, Mittens, Scarf, Checked Cape