Memorial Day Recipe: Spicy Ginger BBQ Sauce

Whether you're playing host or bringing something to a friend/family member's place, this recipe would be the perfect, yet unexpected addition to your traditional Memorial Day bbq fare.  Great on burgers or even dipping with fries, this bbq sauce has an aromatic asian spiciness sure to please the palette.

Ingredients:

1 medium onion (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh ginger (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh garlic (chopped)
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup dry rosé or dry white wine
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:
Saute onion, ginger and garlic with vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until soft (about 5 minutes).  Add rosé or dry white wine, ketchup, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and cayenne.  Simmer, stirring occasionally, until very slightly thickened (5 to 6 minutes).  Cool slightly, add lemon juice, then whirl in a blender or food processor until smooth.

Bon appetit!

[Recipe and Images via MyRecipes.com and MomLogic.com]

"Where I Wanna Be" Series

This series will feature various photos of places in the world we find inspirational and, well, beautiful! They are the places we wish we could go if only we could. They are also places we may very well have been, but loved, missed, and wish we could visit again. They are simply where we wanna be :) All the photos we post will be available for viewing on our Facebook page in the "Where I Wanna Be" Photo Album. It's the perfect place to go for a little retreat :) Where do you wanna be?

Presenting the "Viva Las Vegas Heel"

This has got to be one of my favorite shoes ever!  They are so fun and eye-catching.  These heels can be worn anywhere from a dinner at a hip restaurant/bar/club, to a trip to Vegas!  You'll be sure to get attention with these feet candy so this shoe is for the diva who doesn't mind turning heads.

Facebook message or email us at PlumBlossomB@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing a pair.  Don't see exactly what you want?  Let us know and we'll see what we can do! :)  More designs and colors to come periodically!  Check out our Facebook "Feet Candy" photo album for more pictures of this and other designs :)

Meatless Monday: Asparagus Artichoke Salad

I'm a huge fan of asparagus and love making it during the Spring.  As the weather continues to warm up, salads abundant with hearty veggies do just the trick to keep you going through your busy day feeling satisfied, yet not weighed down.

Ingredients:
1 large shallot sliced thin (alternatives: red onion or green onions/scallions)
2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 lbs. thick asparagus (rinsed; tough ends broken off and discarded or saved for stock)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (sliced in halves)
1-15 oz. marinated artichoke hears (quartered or halved)

Directions:
Soak the sliced shallots in the lemon juice as you prepare the rest of the salad.

Grill or roast your asparagus

To grill: Prepare your grill for high direct heat.  Coat the asparagus with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt.  Grill them until nicely charred and fork tender, between 5 to 10 minutes).

To roast: Preheat oven to 400°F.  Coat the asparagus spears with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt them well.  Lay in a single layer in a foil-lined roasting pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned and fork tender.

Remove the asparagus from the oven or grill and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Put the asparagus and all remaining ingredients into a large bowl and mix to combine.  Add as much of the marinated liquid from the jarred artichokes as you like.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Bon appetit!


[Recipe and Image via SimplyRecipes.com]

Tutorial/Review: OPI Shatter Nailpolish (Black)

I was lucky enough to receive the OPI Shatter nailpolish in Black from a friend as a gift.  It is unlike anything I've tried before in the nailpolish realm and I really like it alot.  Perhaps not for everyone, this kind of effect is very edgy and fun.  Personally, it is something I really like as the latest addition to my nailpolish collection.

Want to start off more subtle?  Try doing a shatter French tip look.  This is also a great option for Spring if you want just a little black with a pop of bright color!

French Tip Style

Here is what I used:

Base coat, Base color, OPI Shatter (Black), Seche Vite Top Coat, Cuticle Oil

First start with your base coat.  I am using Sally Hansen's Maximum Growth Plus Top and Base Coat.  I prefer this as a base coat only.  I apply one coat.  Much like an eyeshadow primer helps eyeshadow color adhere to your eyelid, a base coat keeps nail color on the surface of your nail.  I find it makes a huge difference and do not paint my nails without it.  Allow to dry.

Then you want to apply your base color.  I used one of my favorite colors, Twisted Pink by Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Line.  I got mine at Target, but you kind find it in almost any drugstore or online.  Any color will do.  I usually apply two coats of my base color to prevent early chipping.  Allow to dry.

Now the fun part!  I take my OPI Shatter in black and just paint the top.  Simply sweep your brush horizontally using a light hand.  You can apply as thick of a line as you want.  The wider the tip, the more shatter effect you will see.  The consistency of this polish is quite thick, so only one coat is necessary.  In fact, if you add more than one coat, you risk covering up part of the base color that was coming through after the first coat.  You want to give this polish more time to dry due to its viscous texture.

Once your Shatter polish has dried, you should see that shatter effect happening.  Bits of your base color should peek through in random bits.  It's pretty cool!

Now, apply your top coat.  I use Seche Vite.  This will help seal all your work and keep your nails looking good for awhile.  One coat will do and I find my nails are shinier and chip less when I use this amazing product. What I love most about this product is that it makes your nails dry very quickly, which allows me to get on with my other day's activities.  It is the only top coat I'll ever use.  You can get yours at Sally's Beauty Supply stores or online.

Finally, you can apply your cuticle oil.  This step is optional.  I hardly ever do this step, but if your cuticles need extra moisture, you may want to implement cuticle oil into your regimen.  The one I purchased can be found at Sally's Beauty Supply.

All in all, I give it a thumb's up!  You can apply the Shatter polish over any color, so you can always change things up.  You can do just the tips or paint the entire nail.  So you have options.  Check out OPI's website for more colors.  I also love the "Try This Color" feature where you can simulate your skin tone and nail length and virtually try on different OPI colors, like Shatter in Black and other colors.

Have you tried OPI's Shatter collection?  What are your thoughts?

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We're very excited to reach out to you in this format. Look out for not only videos featuring the shoe line of p.b.b., but also tutorials, product reviews and giveaways!  Viewer requested videos will be made as well.  Don't forget to comment, rate and subscribe!

Meatless Monday: Spiced Sweet Red Pepper Hummus

What better snack to have this Spring than some yummy and healthy Spiced Sweet Red Pepper Hummus?  Pair it with veggie sticks, whole wheat pita bread, or pita chips for a satisfying and healthy appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients:
1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans (drained)
1 4 oz. jar roasted red peppers
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions:
In an electric blender or food processor, puree the chickpeas, red peppers, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt.  Process using long pulses until mixture is fairly smooth, and slightly fluffy.  Transfer to serving bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.  The hummus can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated. Return to room temperature before serving.  Sprinkle the chopped parsley over hummus before serving.

[Recipe and Image via AllRecipes.com]

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" Pulled by ABC

How unfortunate.  ABC has canceled this eye-opening show dedicated to improving the health and saving the lives of our future adults.  By teaching their often ignorant parents that our schools lack healthy options, he shows all of us why so many Americans suffer from obesity and other related health problems.  It's a great show!  It takes a tremendous amount of courage and strength for someone like him to not only expose, but also to challenge the status quo.  He confronts so many people who are set in their ways and do not want to be told what to do.  But what they inevitably realize is that Jamie is only trying to help them and their children live longer and happier lives.  It is truly scary how many of the children do not even recognize common vegetables because they are not fed them at home or at school.  Jamie teaches them nutritious eating habits, which hopefully lead them to an overall healthier lifestyle.

Check out his Facebook page and if you want to voice your dissatisfaction, please go to this link to make your voice heard.

Quote of the Day

"Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun."

- Kahlil Gibran