Bliss

i heart...over there!

2011-02-21T12:32:00.000-08:00

you know what i heart? lists on new sites...come find me on the new bliss. don't forget to change feeds and links!

this pretty cup is part of this week's list!

xo mrs. french

and go!

2011-02-18T12:25:00.000-08:00

it's crazy how many "moving" appropriate photos are on pinterest. even more crazy how much time i could spend perusing them...a stall technique. stalling, because this moving thing is a big deal for a gal like myself...so here it goes! i have moved! this is my new site: http://blissfulbblog.com

(quite a nice one, don't you think? found it here.)

pssst...don't forget to change your rss feed and links to bliss. now ready...get set...meet you there!

xo mrs. french

i'm moving...

2011-02-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

eep! so excited i could burst! guess what? bliss is moving...tomorrow morning i will be leaving my beloved blogger site and moving on to a new fancier location. it has been a lot of work, but the new home is exactly what i want and i couldn't be prouder. see the little collage above? it's a tiny sample of what is to come...see you tomorrow...xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: The Best Brownie Ever

2011-02-17T08:24:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! So Valentine's Day was just a few days ago, and here I am pushing more chocolate. While you may be suffering from chocolate overload, I never will. My kids appear to have inherited my weakness for all things chocolate. Several times a day my two-year-old begs for a "blue-wrapping chocolate" (Dove milk chocolates). To make sure she gets one she adds, "...and one for Aanen (my four-year-old)?" Imagine it in a sweet, high voice, and you can see how I'm unable to resist indulging them. In this brownie recipe, I indulge myself

Take a look at these brownies. Take a closer look. Can you see the chunks of chocolate? And that's no run-of-the-mill chocolate-- it's a high, 60% cacao chip that gives this recipe a real punch. We've all had good brownies. I've tried dozens of recipes over the years-- most resulted in brownies that were pretty good, a few were even memorable. But this is the one. These are the best brownies I've ever eaten. Period. They're simple, yet the quality chocolate and addition of espresso powder give them real depth. No need for caramel, nuts, or anything else here. The texture is dense, yet retains that brownie 'cakiness.' (Is that even a word?) In short, these have a powerful chocolate/fudge flavor that is intensified by the addition of the espresso powder. Even better, they are easy. One bowl and you're done.

The Recipe: The Best Brownie Ever

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa

1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli 60% Cacao -- my favorite for baking)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large-sized microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, then add the sugar and stir to combine. Return the mixture to the microwave briefly, just until it's hot, but not bubbling; it'll become shiny looking as you stir it. Heating the butter and sugar a second time will dissolve more of the sugar, which will yield a shiny top crust on your brownie.

Stir in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, and vanilla. Add the eggs, beating until smooth; then stir in the flour until combined. Feel free to add the chocolate chips now if you want a smoother texture (no chocolate chunks), but keep in mind that if you wait just 20 minutes, or so -- the chocolate chips will remain intact. I prefer to have a nice chunk of chocolate to bite into. Spoon the batter into a prepared pan.

Bake the brownies for 28-30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out dry (though it may have a few crumbs clinging to it). The brownies should feel set both on the edges and in the center. Remove them from the oven, and after 5 minutes loosen the edges with a butter knife; this helps prevent the brownies from sinking in the center as they cool. Cool completely before cutting and serving.

Source: Adapted from King Arthur Flour

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: crewcut boys

2011-02-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

our b starts his days decked out in a snazzy uniform...which means i have slacked a bit when it comes to decking the little man out. if i could pick what he wore on a daily basis, i think i would choose a spiffy crewcuts wardrobe...

of course he may not agree; there is no sign of super heros, harry potter or star wars on any of these...unheard of! xo mrs. french

wee wednesday: spring stella mccartney

2011-02-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

would you just look at the newest frocks from stella mccartney for little girls!

first and quite selfishly, i would like all of them in my size and second, i feel as if ms. lu needs one of each....so, perfectly sweet. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

oh how i love this idea...beautiful ceramic tiles printed with digital images. i haven't been able to find a spot to do this in the united states, but the link for the uk site is here. however, i think i would like these exactly as they are and feel as if a photograph of my own just wouldn't be the same. xo mrs. french

also via living etc

my happy place...

2011-02-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

portland is not known for its historical brownstones...sad, considering i think i may need one. especially after catching a glimpse of this lovely home in brooklyn...

loving everything about it.
xo mrs. french
via living etc

i heart monday and valentine's day!

2011-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

i know, i know...it's commercialized, over-rated, contrived and on and on, but i am a complete sucker for valentine's day. i am not ashamed to admit, it is one of my very favorites. which is why this list goes on and on. beware, pink, red, ruffle, and heart overload!

i heart this top.

i heart this bracelet.

i heart these shoes.

i heart this slip.

i heart this ring.

i heart this carpet.

i heart this shirt.

i heart this "love lock."

i heart this poster.

i heart this desk.

i heart these ceramics and holly for sharing.

i heart this apron.

i heart this case.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this chaise.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this mirror.

i heart this ring.

i heart these baskets.

i heart this scarf.

i heart these hearts.

i heart these earrings.

i heart these over-the-top shoes.

i heart this boa pillow.

i heart this organic lip balm.

i heart this pillow.

i heart this garland.

i heart this bracelet.

i heart this "cold nose."

i heart these journals.

i heart this blanket.

love it up blissful readers...muwah!!! xo mrs. french

friday pins

2011-02-11T13:51:00.000-08:00

oh my, oh my...the pins i pinned this week are way too amazing to keep to myself. which is why i have decided to post another friday pin post. this little list inspires and amazes me...i have a feeling you will feel the same way (tap the stars to pin for yourself)...

***

(oh and visit melis for more about my newest favorite ring!)

***

i do love me some pinterest...beautiful weekend to all!
xo mrs. french

sponsor spotlight: efrat deutsch

2011-02-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

i am not sure how the lovely efrat found me and my little bliss...but i am so happy she did. efrat makes lovely, lovely jewelry. an eclectic mix of all things sparkly, contemporary and traditional...necklaces, earrings, and rings. i could go on and on about each piece, but today i choose to focus on the pretty baubles for your lobes...

i am not typically a girl that changes earrings all that often, but efrat has me rethinking this decision. a different pair for each day of the week would be oh so dreamy. i am more than pleased to have ms. efrat sponsor bliss...thank you, thank you! xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: Coconut Almond Tart

2011-02-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings! I hope you've had a wonderful week and that you're managing to stay warm (it's -20 F windchill as I write this!). While these late winter months really test my patience, I always look forward to the middle of February for one reason-- Valentine's Day! Have you made YOUR plans yet? Though my husband has always griped that it's a holiday created by Hallmark, deep down I know he looks forward to it as much as I do. We have a simple tradition started years ago while we were dating. Born partly out of having been poor college kids, and partly out of not wanting to fight the restaurant crowd, we originally spent a romantic night at home, just the two of us making pasta, drinking wine, and enjoying a decadent chocolate dessert. Now we've continued the tradition, though we've added our two children. Not quite as romantic perhaps, but just as fulfilling. To be honest, I can't imagine it any other way. Part of the fun in making it a family event is that my little four-year-old boy helped me pick out the dessert this year. What you see is the Coconut Almond Tart that he chose.

Whether you prefer to stay home for a quiet romantic (or family) evening in, or you know you'll be craving a dreamy dessert when you get home from your night out, you'll want to indulge in this one. Indulgence really is the best way to describe this tart. The chocolate ganache topping gives way to a thick, cream center. The texture is similar to a good, dense cheesecake, with one significant difference. Coconut. Lots of coconut! I love the textural complexity and flavor that coconut adds in this dessert. Pairing it with the chocolate ganache really sets it apart. Add a cup of French-press coffee and it sends me over the moon!

This is the perfect make-ahead-of-time dessert. While it has a few steps, it's actually quite simple to assemble. Don't be intimidated by the length of the recipe. Just give yourself enough time to chill the coconut cream filling.

The Recipe: Coconut Almond Tart

For the Almond Tart Dough

1 large egg

1/4 cup whole toasted almonds

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

For the Coconut Cream Filling

8 ounces good-quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup heavy cream

2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tablespoon light rum

For the Chocolate Glaze and Garnish

2 ounces good-quality milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

2 ounces good-quality dark chocolate (60-72%), coarsely chopped

1/2 cup heavy cream

6 (or more) whole toasted almonds

Make the Almond Tart Dough

In a small bowl, lightly whisk the egg and set aside.

Put the almonds and sugar in a food processor and pulse until the almonds are finely ground. Add flour and salt and pulse again until just mixed. Add the butter and pulse until sandy (about 6-10 quick pulses). Pour in the egg and pulse until the dough begins to cohere into a ball. Form the dough ball into a disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Make the Coconut Cream Filling

Place the white chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl.

In a small saucepan set over medium heat, heat the cream just to a boil. Pour it over the white chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds. Slowly, starting in the center of the bowl, whisk the cream and white chocolate until smooth. Cover and refrigerate this ganache for 4 hours or overnight before proceeding.

Assemble the Tart

Dust a work surface with flour. Place the disk of chilled dough on the work surface and divide into 6 equal portions for 4-inch individual tarts, or leave whole for a 14-inch x 5-inch tart. (Note: the dough will be sticky. Make sure to turn it with a bench knife or offset spatula as needed and keep the working surface floured). Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a 5 1/2-inch circle just over 1/8 inch thick. Very gently press each dough round into a 4-inch tart pan with removable bottom. You may have a bit of dough leftover if using one large tart pan as opposed to the smaller 6 pans.

Place the tart pans in the freezer for 30 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Line the tart crusts with aluminum foil, and fill each one 3/4 full with pie weights or dried beans. (I skipped adding the pie weights, as I've read it's not necessary to do if you freeze the dough beforehand.) Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and weights and bake for another 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer tart pans to a wire rack to cool.

Make the Coconut Cream Filling

Meanwhile, in the bowl of a standing mixer, fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the white chocolate ganache at medium speed until soft peaks form. Do not overwhip. Note: I felt the mixture was "heavy" and never really achieved a "whipped" look . Gently fold in the coconut and the rum. Divide the filling among the tart shells and place in the refrigerator as you make the chocolate glaze. If using one big tart pan, you may have a bit of coconut filling leftover. Make sure there is enough room for the chocolate glaze to set safely on the top without overflowing.

Make the Chocolate Glaze

Place the milk and dark chocolates in a medium heatproof bowl.

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it is just about to boil. Pour it over the chocolates and whisk to combine. Let the mixture set for about 10 minutes. Remove the tarts from the refrigerator and spoon the glaze evenly over each one. Top each tart with one almond and refrigerate again until the glaze sets up, about 10 minutes.

The tarts can be stored, tightly covered, in the refigerator for up to 2 days.

Source: Baked Explorations

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day! Would love to hear what your traditions are. See you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: 6 month lu

2011-02-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

it just so happens that this wee wednesday is exactly 1/2 way through my baby's first year!

happy day sweet lu...you fit in nicely with this quirky bunch. you are a perfect mix of sweet, spicy and just so, so...so lu. you complete our family and my heart. we love you sweet baby.

xoxo

wee wednesday: ketiketa

2011-02-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

ketiketa's spring summer collection is precious...the photos for the collection are nothing short of magical...

the sweet moments of childhood combined with really lovely clothing...love. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-08T16:16:00.000-08:00

from one loft to the next...i am on a roll. i think it's obvious why this brooklyn heights space is so appealing...

i love talking myself into new types of homes. which is effortless when it comes to my lofty tuesday...do check out the one from earlier today as well. xo mrs. french

via elizabeth roberts architecture via ms. hanna

my happy place...

2011-02-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

a loft. i know i have never profiled a loft on my tuesday happy place, but this one deserves a post all its own...

the light, the eclectic decor, rich woods and unexpected pieces have me thinking a loft would be a wonderful place to reside. perhaps bliss needs to make room for more beautiful lofts?
xo mrs. french

via loft life

i heart monday.

2011-02-07T13:24:00.000-08:00

happy afternoon blissful readers! i do hope your week is starting out on the right foot and that your weekend was a good one...enjoy this week's list!

i heart this sweater.

i heart this clog.

i heart these stacking rings.

i heart this runner.

i heart these potholders.

i heart this shell.

i heart this shoulder bag.

i heart this cuff.

i heart this stool (via elsa).

i heart this blouse.

i heart these heels.

i heart these earrings.

i heart this loveseat.

i heart this lamp.

i heart this platter.

i heart this cover.

i heart this necklace so much.

i heart this wallpaper.

i heart this town.

i heart these pants.

xo mrs. french

saipua

2011-02-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

sometimes a gal just needs to spruce up her blog. how about some fresh flowers?

stunning right? i found saipua and i have been back countless times...some of the most beautiful floral arrangements i have seen. un-messed with and simply lovely...each arrangement leaves the flowers room to breath and shine all on their own.

saipua occupies a beautiful space in brooklyn. somehow i knew flowers like these should be assembled in a place like this...

and there's soap. xo mrs. french
via scout
beautiful photos taken by mindy best

lee mathews

2011-02-03T13:14:00.000-08:00

back in the day i posted the work of australian designer lee mathews. i had happened upon a beautiful dress in inside out magazine and wanted it desperately...it was one of lee's beautiful creations. at the time, lee's shop had not yet opened...guess what? now there is and there are dresses! flowy, summery, easy dresses...australia is moving past the summer season and looking to sweaters and such, but i am looking forward to summer. the perfect season for these...

too loose and flowy? not to worry there are belts!

and since australian designers are currently selling their new winter wares...they are trying to move all the pretty summer pieces...a long way of saying, there is a sale! and lee mathews ships to the united states! such good news! have a lovely afternoon! xo mrs. french

blissful eats with Laurie Jesch-Kulseth: Mixed Bean and Smoked Ham Shank Soup

2011-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning everyone! It is nice to be back at Blissful Eats. Thank you for the warm welcome and lovely comments on my previous post--this is even more fun than I imagined!

So...bean soup. Huh? Do not judge until you've given this one a try. Today we'll explore my take on this hearty soup. It is versatile enough to be served at both an elegant winter dinner party or a simple Sunday night family meal. The snowy, bone-chilling weather we've been shivering through in the Midwest calls out for this soup.

Why is this bean soup better? Three things: pickling spices, a smoked ham shank, and quality, varied beans. Let's start with the pickling spices. Strange, right? This is a secret from my Mother. These spices, more than anything else you'll see in this recipe, set the soup apart. They add a distinct complexity that is difficult to describe...think savory/hint of sweetness/herbal...something along those lines. A list of the ingredients in pickling spice may help give you an idea of what to expect: cinnamon, allspice, mustard seed, coriander, bay leaves, ginger, cloves, chillies, black pepper, mace, and cardamom. You can find pickling spice at most grocery stores.

To prepare the pickling spice for the soup, place a rounded tablespoon in a small piece of cheesecloth and tie it with cooking twine. You can also use a re-usable spice sachet. As a third option, a tea ball also works, but make sure the latch does not open while stirring.

Important ingredient number two-- the smoked ham shank. While it's a great addition to many soups, here, the shank really comes through. It infuses the soup with an underlying smoky intensity that complements the unique flavor of the spices. Generally, the ham shank will have the perfect amount of meat to complete the meal.

Finally, we get to the beans. Using a varied selection of dry beans will result in a beautiful soup with unforgettable texture. Here I used red, adzuki, and great northern beans, along with green and yellow split and black-eyed peas. You should soak them overnight, but if you forget or do not have the time, here's a quick fix. Put the dried beans in a large saucepan, topped with a few inches of water. Boil for just a minute or two, remove from the heat, and cover for two hours. Your beans are now ready to go!

The Recipe: Mixed Bean and Smoked Ham Shank Soup (serves 6-ish)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 - 1 onion chopped

3 medium carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 quart (32 ounces) pureed tomatoes, preferably low sodium

1 large bay leaf

1 rounded tablespoon pickling spice, placed in a spice sachet

2 cups of mixed dried beans, rinsed and soaked overnight

4 - 5 cups of water

1 1/2 pound smoked ham shank (less or more is fine)

salt and black pepper to taste

sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and saute the onion for a few minutes until they become tender. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Then add remaining vegetables and let cook for five minutes, or so. Season with black pepper and just a sprinkle of salt. Be careful not to overdo the salt because the ham shank will add plenty. Cook until the vegetables become slightly soft.

Add the tomatoes, water, beans, bay leaf, pickling-spice sachet, smoked ham shank, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. If the soup seems too thick, add a bit more water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low and let simmer for two (or more) hours. Be sure to check on it and stir every so often. Reduce heat, if necessary. The soup will be done when the beans are soft and the ham is fork tender--it should almost fall off the bone.

Remove the ham shank from the soup and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Shred meat from the bone and stir back into soup, along with any juice that may have seeped out of the meat. This is a great make-ahead dish, as it just gets better with each passing day. Also, I love to serve this soup with a small splash of cream on the top, and very crusty bread. Delicious!

Thanks again for stopping by -- see you next week!

Laurie

wee wednesday: binny wallpaper

2011-02-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

love, love, love this whimsical wallpaper from binny illustration & design...

i would love to reserve a little spot on my lu's wall for the sweet print in the bottom photo.
xo mrs. french
via babiekins

wee wednesday: chigo

2011-02-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

the pure sweetness put forth by chigo is almost too much to handle...

almost. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-01T14:30:00.000-08:00

i met emma through victoria and i am so happy i did. emma of the beautiful marion house has the opportunity to do what some of us long to...she gets to peek inside her neighbors' homes. she not only gets to peek, she has a talented photographer take photographs of her talented neighbors' homes and puts them on her blog...lucky us. these neighbors of emma's has my very favorite...

attainable, gorgeous and perfect. xo mrs. french

my happy place...

2011-02-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

i do love beautiful barn conversions. ever since i was small i always imagined living in a barn that i could fix up just right. homes like this one have me thinking that that my childhood idea was a really good one...

do come back this afternoon...another happy place! xo mrs. french
via marie claire maison

i heart monday.

2011-01-31T11:04:00.000-08:00

hello all! goodness my baby had a nasty bug! she is starting to get back to her little lu self...thank you so much for the well wishes. i do hope you enjoy todays little list.

i heart this sweater.

i heart this tray.

i heart these wedges.

i heart this print.

i heart this ring.

i heart this dress.

i heart this armchair.

i heart this necklace.

i heart this fold-out.

i heart this linen love note.

i heart this cardigan.

i heart this cuff.

i heart this bag.

i heart this poster.

i heart these chalkable flags.

i heart this scarf.

i heart these teacups.

i heart this day blanket.

i heart this poncho.

i heart this necklace.

xo mrs. french