recipe: easy peasy taco dip

last weekend the chicago bears had a playoff game. this, of course, called for a party (and they won, so another party this sunday!). thinking of the nature of the party — football and drinking — i wanted to keep my food simple and yummy, so i made taco dip.  an easy peasy (not 7 layer) taco dip (although those are delish).

cast of characters: taco seasoning, cream cheese (whatever brand and calorie count you want), salsa, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes (regular or grape or even diced in a can…these were adorable so i bought these this time) and cheese (cheddar or mexican blend, shredded)

(no, we will not be using all of the humongous salsa or humongous taco seasoning or humongous cheese. we shop at costco, obvi)

let’s begin.

mix the cream cheese with the salsa and taco seasoning. try to mix evenly, but don’t worry, it will still taste good if you have some pockets of non-mixed cream cheese. spread the cream cheese mixture in bottom of dish. (not gonna lie, the pinkish reddish mixture is not the prettiest sight you’ve ever seen…i neglected to take pics of this step. i’m sure you’re so disappointed)

shred your lettuce. i thinly slice about 1/2 of the head of lettuce (i don’t care much about the leftover lettuce), then chop the opposite way. and then i might change up my cutting direction again, because i like smaller pieces of lettuce.

top your cream cheese mix with the shredded lettuce. (i did try to take a photo of this in action, but let’s just say it’s not worth your while). i suppose you could always put the cheese first, but i like it after so that it weighs down the light lettuce.

top the lettuce with your cheese.

chop your tomatoes. since i bought the adorable grape tomatoes, i only sliced them in half lengthwise. if you bought whole tomatoes, i would suggest removing most of the seeds/pulp so your dip doesn’t get to wet, then dice (and if you went the can route, drain those puppies first).

top your cheese with the tomatoes.

voila! easy peasy squeezy.

serve with tortilla chips. try not to hog it. be sad when there’s none left.

here’s the steps in one handy dandy area (so if you actually want to save this, you only have to cut and paste one area. you’re welcome.)

taco dip

2 packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. salsa
1/4 c. taco seasoning (or one packet)
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 c. cheese (cheddar or a mexican blend)
1 c. tomatoes, diced or split half depending on size

mix the cream cheese,  salsa and taco seasoning; try to mix evenly. spread the cream cheese mixture in bottom of 13×9 (or similarly sized) dish. top with shredded lettuce. top with shredded cheese. finish with the tomatoes on top. serve with tortilla chips. (keep in fridge until serving)

(i do want to come clean and tell ya that all of the measurements above are my best guesses; i did not use a measuring cup or spoon anywhere in the process. but you can’t go wrong with any of the ingredients, so don’t worry, just trust me and yourself want more cheese? go for it. no tomatoes? no problem)

now i have to go and decide what i’m making for this sunday’s party. bruschetta? spinach artichoke dip? any suggestions?

{justine}

p.s. i also made brownies, so stayed tuned for that super easy recipe

i got the itch

i dream of the day when i have a single family home and the room to have a dresser in my bedroom (imagine that), in the guest room and even in the foyer (to the guy who viewed our condo today–first showing ever!–please please buy it).

sometimes i get an itch to see what’s out there in craigslist world and i just have to scratch it. today i got the itch and scratched. i did a quick search for dressers using craigseasy (highly recommend if you only look based on photos, which is the only way you should!). i found some great, cheap options of dressers to redo. i want to move, like now. because five dressers in our 700 square foot place (that has no room for anything else, hence the moving) would be so not cool. my husband would probably divorce me.

love the clean, mid-century lines of this. would be great as a larger nightstand, painted white with maybe new pulls (maybe not). $24 (!!!)

this is a craptastic photo. but it seems it has clean lines and thin legs, ala mid-century. would have to see it. new pulls and a paint  job (white, gray or yellow) and this could be great. $ “reasonable offer” (how about 20 bones since you say it has a bad stain job and some scratches?)

i have a thing for mid-century, obviously. love the metal details on bottom of the legs. needs new pulls and would look great stained dark or needs a fresh paint job (inside as well–they painted the inside green?!). $65

this would look fabulous and glamorous with a punchy paint job and new pulls. i’m thinking turquoise. $60 ($75 if you get the matching nightstand as well)

almost a little too girly for my taste, but not quite. i would slap some white paint on there…or turquoise or yellow for a punch. and get new pulls. would be great in my future bedroom (or closet if i were so lucky to have one so big) to hold my jewelery and undies and such, or i could even see it in a bathroom for storage for all the crap that bathrooms accumulate (not crap crap, stuff crap). $50 obo.

this may have potential with the mid-century lines and the x details on the top drawers.  would be great in my future foyer with a coat of white, turquoise, yellow (yes, i am fixated on those colors right now. so what.) or even a bold green. $100 (for the set, however do not want the matching but yet ugly nightstand and mirror)

here’s some inspiration for the finished products:

{hi! sugarplum}

{young house love}

{unknown}

{domestic adventure}

{unknown}

if you’re in the chicago area, actually have room for a new dresser and want to refinish one yourself, you should go buy one of the above (click on pictures to link to the listing) so i can be jealous of you. maybe i’ll help you, too. if i can get over my jealousy.

 

{justine}

recipe reco: beef stew with beer and paprika

i have a (innocent) crush on the pioneer woman. her blog is amazing, her photos are amazing and her recipes are amazing. this past week she posted a recipe for beef stew with beer and paprika. when i went to the grocery store to pick up some things for the bears game viewing party (recipes to come),  ingredients for the beef stew found their way into my cart.

as i had the day off (thank you mlk jr),  i had more time than usual to spend on dinner and made ree’s beef stew. one word: amazing. another word: comfort. it was just what winter in chicago called for. if you have a couple of hours to spare (total cooking time, not hands on time), i recommend you try this recipe.

approximate servings: 6
approximate cost: $14 ($2.33/serving)
purchased: 2 lbs stew beef, carrots (1/2 bag left over), parsley (lots leftover), potatoes (1/2 bag left over), loaf of french bread
from the pantry: olive oil, butter, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, beef bouillon cubes, onion, beer, worcestershire, tomato paste, sugar

tip #1: make sure your pan/oil is hot enough before you add the beef. to test, touch a small piece of beef on the pan–you should hear a sizzle. if you don’t, it’s not hot enough (thank you food network).

tip #2: don’t forget the bread. my favorite part of the meal was dipping it in the broth.

can’t wait for lunch this week!

{justine}

lonny loves

i finally had a chance to browse the jan/feb issue of lonny. here are the articles and photos that caught my eye…

how to: add architectural detail
-i have visions of molding details on my walls in my future new house (whether they come with the house or not) and this shows me how to achieve it if  the case is “or not” (i’m pretty sure i could have figured this out on my own, but now i have a visual with materials written down in one spot for reference)
-new phrase to work into vocabulary: faux boiserie

angel dormer’s kitchen gallery wall
-i heart gallery walls and this  one of my new faves
-love her mix of frames. i think it works because they’re all simple.
-this really makes me want to get more artwork. or at least create more artwork while i save up for “real” artwork.

living room designed by hillary thomas
-simply gorgeous
-love the white walls, arched doorway and moldings
-the perfect, classic fireplace with a great painted black brick hearth

bedroom designed by hillary thomas
-i don’t think i would ever get out of bed. the room is so calming and has an understated elegance

living room designed by hilary thomas (ok, so i guess i love this entire house)
-very unique color palette. it’s not what i would pick for myself but i love it in this space. doesn’t seem like too much because of the neutral walls
-that ottoman. so big. all those tufts. it needs to me mine. (maybe a different color and less scallop-y nailhead trim)
-perhaps i can figure out how to make that ottoman as i’m sure i can never afford it. hmmmmm…

closet design by lynn nigro
-i die.
-my jaw dropped to the floor when i saw this. every girl’s dream.

wood table (from ABC Carpet and Home)
-in my next house, want a dining table just like this
-would pair it with ghost chairs or DWR-ish aluminum chairs and a great chandy for a perfect mix of rustic, contemporary and glamor
-the bare bulbs used throughout this home are very interesting. would love to see them in person to see if they’re too glaring or soft enough

do you read lonny? it’s such a gorgeous magazine, full of eye candy and inspiration.

{justine}