Recipe O' The Day: Blue Mesa Hatch Chile Gazpacho

First of all, aren't those fresh ingredients just beautiful? Baby Roma tomatoes, Hatch chiles, cilantro? And since it is Hatch chile time, what could be better than tossing them in a blender and whirling them up into a spicy gazpacho with some serious heat?

Yes, it's 106 outside but a chilled, spicy soup is delicious. I found this recipe from one of my favorite restaurants, Blue Mesa, and gave it a try. It is not for the faint of heart but it is delish. I like to top with a dollop of low-fat sour cream and eat with a salad for lunch. Delish!

Blue Mesa Hatch Chile Gazpacho

1 cup canned vegetable broth
1 1/4 pounds Roma tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup Hatch chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 whole cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped jicama
1/2 cup Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 large green onions, chopped
2 Tablespoons cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Salt & Pepper to taste
Garnish: sour cream, diced avocados, more cilantro, etc.

Blend vegetable stock, tomatoes, and chiles in food processor or blender. (I blended the onions here, too.)

Mix in remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Chill and then serve with garnishes of your chosing.

Hilary Got Married!

Yes, in my obsession of all things Hilary Duff, here's a pic of her wedding this weekend to NHL player Mike Comrie! Love the pouffed hair--on trend! Love the dress (Vera Wang!) And check out the ice on her finger! Well played, Ms. Comrie!

Damn you Michael Kors, Continued...

Why, oh why, MICHAEL KORS, do you torture me this way? Why do you put such delicious outfits on your website that I WANT EVERYTHING IN THE PICTURE? I am in love with this outfit also! The cranberry coat...the shiny boots...the sassy bag...I need a paper bag so I can hyperventilate. I'm getting hives from not using my credit card. I am seriously debating the merits of financial freedom over freaking fab fashion...

Damn you Michael Kors....

...and damn you MARIE CLAIRE magazine for making me *obsessed* with getting a faux fur vest!! Actually, I would like this enitre outfit by Michael Kors: the vest, the sweater, the jeans, the boots, the bag. Delicious. But is it credit card worthy? Alas, me thinks no but I can dream about it all the same, interest-free.

Fab Beauty Find: Too Faced Cosmetics

So I recently purchased this FAB Too Faced eye kit at Ulta. Oh, Too Faced, let me count the ways I love thee! The kit has lots of great neutral colors, all with a shimmer (I love love love some sparkle & shimmer!) There are three cards included, telling you how to create different looks with the kit. I used the Too Faced eyeshadow primer with it and the color stays on all day, pinky-swear promise!

And how can I not love a company that has a lipstick called Marcia Marcia Marcia (I own it) and George & Weezy eye-shadow duo? Brilliant.

Recipe O The Day: Red Pepper Pesto

Okay, so it's kind of been awhile since I blogged, but I will make up for that with this super simple pesto recipe! And this one has no cheese! (More flavor + less calories = FAB.)

I use this on sandwiches with roasted vegetables and goat cheese, but you could use it on pasta, too. Best of all--you can make this with five ingredients and in under three minutes in a food processor. So step away from that pre-packaged pesto in the store and make your own, ladies!

Red Pepper Pesto

*2/3 cup roasted red peppers from a jar
*3 cloves of garlic
*1/3 cup walnuts or pine nuts (I used pine nuts--just bought a little bag in the baking aisle and they worked fine.)
*3/4 cup basil leaves
*1/4 cup olive oil

Pulse red peppers, garlic cloves, nuts and basil leaves in food processor. Slowly add olive oil while machine is running. Add salt and pepper to taste (I omitted salt and it was still very tasty.) Enjoy!