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- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 rack of lamb, frenched ( bones are exposed)
- This fed 2 adults and 3 toddlers.
- 2 cups rutabaga, peeled and chopped
- 1 large orange bell pepper, deseeded and chopped
- 2 small red onions, peeled and chopped
- 2 cups green beans
- 2 pinches of Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black powder
- Leave a comment telling me how this case would change your life. (mandatory)
- Share this post with your friends and let me know by tagging me @singerinkitchen or Opera Singer in the Kitchen. (optional)
- Leave a comment on my Facebook or Instagram post. (optional)
- Giveaway ends February 25, 2019 at midnight.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Nut-Free
- Kosher
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Cold-pressed
- Sugar-Free
- Casein-Free
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie (plant-based)
- Mango Peach Smoothie
- Pomegranate Blueberry (plant-based)
- Lemon and Orange Creme
- Passion Pineapple Smoothie
Rack of Lamb with Roasted Rutabaga Medley
March 28th, 2019Thanks to Superior Farms for sending me different cuts of lamb to cook with. I was very impressed with the flavor and the way it was packaged.
How to not over cook meat
Growing up my mother would alternate making different cuts of meat but specifically she would make lamb for Easter. I really did not learn how to cook any cuts of meat other than making sure it was not red.
Wait. Overdone meat? Yep, everything was WELL-DONE.
When I got married 10 years ago I was taught and enlightened to the fact that I had not been enjoying meat the way it was intended.
Fast-forward to my current kitchen situation and I am equipped with my trusty Therama-pen and I can confidently say that I have hardly overcooked my meat.
This is one of the reasons why I have not cooked or handled certain meat.
Lamb – a whole new experience
I have had some experience hearing about the difference between lamb from New Zealand, but I had not been convinced about American lamb. All I tried to explain to my husband is that the lamb flavor could be very pronounced. Can anyone relate to lamb tasting too….LAMBY or GAMEY.
According to Quora, “The ‘gamey’ taste in sheep comes from the lanolin. … Lamb has a mild gamey taste, and mutton(sheep over a year old) is more gamey. However, hair sheep such as Katahdin or Dorper sheep do not have the gamey taste even as they age due to the lack of lanolin in their fat. Hair sheep meat is mild and delicious!”
I learned something from that because I thought it was just me.
Superior Farms
Superior Farms is an employee-owned company based in California. They allow their lambs to pasture immense grasslands and are sustained on natural vegetation making them all natural with no added hormones. Superior Farms is the number one choice of top chefs allowing many to create fantastic dishes.
They have existed since 1964 and are run by ranchers solely focused on raising their lambs with care. Many are also 4th generation ranchers really taking care of what they raise. The integrity of the product is attractive and shows how much they care. Everything is humanely handled and Halal-certified.
Rack of Lamb with Roasted Rutabega Medley
I only do what I know best. I create my dishes based on inspiration and what I have on hand. I created a nice rub to go on the 2-lb rack of lamb that I allowed to marinate over 2 1/2 hours. I really wanted to focus on a simple dinner that a family of 4 or 5 could enjoy over Easter. While we have little kids, we do not serve them anything different that we eat. Our 7, 6 and 3 1/2-year-old girls ate the lamb and savored each bite. They loved the outside of the lamb that had the rub the most!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Keywords: bake grill entree lamb rutabega Easter American spring
Ingredients (4 people)
Rack of Lamb rub
Lamb
Rutabaga Medley
Instructions
Rack of Lamb rub
Remove excess fat from the rack until there is a thin layer of fat.
Mix all the rub ingredients in a small bowl. Spread the rub all over the rack of lamb. Place on a plate and cover with plastic and marinate overnight or for 2 hours.
Remove from fridge and place on a large pan.
Rutabaga Medley
Preheat oven to 400 degree Fahrenheit.
Mix all the veggies except the green beans together and spray with olive oil. The drippings from the lamb will be added to the veggies to finish cooking. Add the veggies to the lamb on its pan. The green beans will be added last.
Cook the lamb for 20 minutes. Remove the rack of lamb from the pan and place on another small pan with green beans. Increase heat to 450 Fahrenheit and cook lamb for 10 minutes until internal heat reaches 145 Fahrenheit for medium doneness.
Add the cooked green beans to the rutabega medley and mix well with lamb drippings. Allow the lamb to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into chops.
Drizzle veggies with balsamic glaze.
Serve with mashed potatoes.
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Glamorous Phones Cases For Every Woman [Giveaway]
February 5th, 2019Velvet Caviar recently helped me makeover my poor phone case situation from boring black to fun, flirty, and feminine. Thanks to Velvet for sponsoring this post and introducing me to durable and glamorous phone cases.
Protecting my Samsung S8 Phone
When I first purchased my Samsung S8 phone last year, the only thought I had when protecting my phone was the standard durable boring phone case. Since having kids, I am the last person to think about pretty things. Everything is pretty much about my family and my home.
One thing I quickly realized is that when I went searching for my phone in my purse or any other bag, I always had a hard time finding it. A black phone with a black phone case did not make such a perfect match for a busy mother like me. I tried having an air vented pop out to hold my phone but somehow it was just not the right fit.
Velvet Caviar
When I was introduced to Velvet Caviar, my interest was piqued because all of a sudden beauty stood before me. A chance to beautify my phone and be feminine? This company is known for their colorful and durable phone cases available for various phone devices along with phone ring holders to match the phone cases. Pretty Yet Protective (TM) is their slogan but there is more that comes with that.
They also offer fashionable beanies and scarves with fun pompoms along with portable phone chargers that keep your phone charged and going for the whole day!
I received the Dusty Rose Chrome Floral case with a mauve background inlaid with gold roses. Someone must have shared one of my favorite colors because I fell in love with it immediately. The case is in a matte finish and is easy to grip. The inside of the case is inlaid with a soft padding and the brand’s name etched in elegant lettering.
The Nude Vintage Floral phone case came with a phone ring holder which is why I decided to use the case first so I could fully enjoy the Velvet Caviar experience. The phone ring holder is very sturdy and easier to hold. In fact, I could hold multiple items in one hand while holding the phone with the ring. I was seriously impressed.
The phone ring has a 360 degree rotation and is capable and sturdy to become hands free. I was able to hold my phone through the clip and text with one hand while doing multiple tasks with my other hand. It has been great having in the kitchen, while looking at a recipe from my website.
As a busy mom, this was truly a plus. There is no need to worry about it getting in the way of your back pocket though. The ring easily folds and is not an issue for storage. I LOVE IT!!!!
Important Facts + Giveaway
There is a one year warranty on the phone whether you like it or not. There is free shipping and many ways of payment when it comes to ordering your phone.
Want a chance to try this phone case? I am giving away the Golden Cheetah Galaxy case for the Samsung S8 plus a phone ring holder. Here is how you can win:
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Suga by Foo – Seasonal Chinese Cuisine in Philly
February 4th, 2019When I know date night comes around, my heart skips a beat. It skips an extra beat when I know I am going into the city. Having lived in Houston, I am very used to city life even when I lived in the suburbs. Since moving from Chester County to Delaware County, we are now closer to the city. Suga by Foo was a lovely experience and definitely one to check out in the city.
Dining in Philly
For those who get anxious going into the city, I totally get it. I finally feel like I have a handle on how to enjoy the city. I know the spots to park without breaking the bank and there are always an amazing list of restaurants to try. One of the places we decided to check out was Suga (SOO-GAH) by Susanna Foo.
When I found out that Ms. Foo helped bring gourmet Chinese food to America and that she has won 2 James Beard awards, I knew my husband and I were in for a treat. The restaurant is tucked in the Rittenhouse Square district and is clearly an ideal place for a romantic dinner for 2.
Since we had a show to attend to before we arrived before official dinner but perfect timing for happy hour from 5 to 7pm.
Dumplings
We started out with the Dumpling Sampler which came out with 6 different types of dumplings and 3 types of sauces. This was definitely an ideal appetizer to share because it highlighted the popular wild mushroom dumplings. Each of them were unique and very savory.
Our favorites? It was a tie between the wild mushroom and the lamb dumpling.
Main Dishes
Since it was our first time dining, we decided to try 3 different dishes that highlighted different parts of the seasonal menu. I ordered the Cilantro Sesame Chicken which came with thin strips of chicken mixed with julienne carrots, shitake mushrooms and cilantro. The menu indicated jicama and asparagus but unfortunately I did not realize the ingredient change until later. It was a simple but flavorful dish.
My husband’s Braised Short Rib Noodle dish was hearty. I was tossed with eggplant, tomatoes and spinach along with freshly made noodles. It was nice to sample from each of our dishes because the unique Asian flavors in the noodle dish were magical.
Our third dish was a vegetarian favorite of my husband’s: Ma Po Tofu. Ms. Foo’s version was definitely spicy with a fine mix of corn, black beans, scallions and Sichuan peppercorn. I added a side of brown rice with lentils that seemed to have a nice curry flavor to it. We definitely enjoyed the heat on the dish but it was not one to finish off the evening.
Dessert
By the end of the evening, we enjoyed a cup of coffee and shared a Ginger Asian Pear Sorbet that was spectacular. Each bite had a perfect blend of pear and ginger flavors that cooled off the palate after our delicious dinner.
Specials
If you are looking for an elegant Chinese experience, check out their upcoming specials for Chinese New Year where you can dine for $39 a person, 4 person minimum, on a special menu. It is bound to be a delicious culinary experience. We look forward checking it out again in the future.
Suga by Foo
1720 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Academy of Vocal Arts – Rusalka- {Review}
February 3rd, 2019Last night my husband and I had the privilege of attending our first performance at Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. I have checked out two performances over the years at different locations on the Main Line, but never at its original location. Thanks to AVA for treating us to a special evening.
Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia
In 1933, Helen Corning Warden, a prominent member of Philadelphia society, realized there was a need for a school to train talented singers especially in light of the Depression era, so a school was created that would provide a tuition-free education for these professional singers. After 80 years, it is now a prominent 4-year program that is highly coveted and very competitive.
Many of the singers selected in the program perform in almost 6 opera performances and go through rigorous vocal and language training to prepare them for the international and national world of opera. Many big names have come through AVA like Joyce DiDonato, Joyce El-Khoury, Angela Meade, Stephen Costello, Ailyn Perez, and many more.
Historical Landmark
If you are not from the area, the academy is situated near Rittenhouse Square along a row of town homes. The area is so historic with amazing architecture at every corner. Once you go inside the academy, this historical landmark is a gem. Like many places, it used to be someone’s home complete with a musical room that is now the theater where the artists perform.
As we walked through the home, it was not hard to stop through the corridors and rooms to stare at the architecture and art. It was truly walking through history. The theater is located in the back of the house where there are bas reliefs on themes from A Midsummer’s Dream located on the ceilings and walls. There are also carved wooden beams and a balcony that was simply captivating!
Rusalka
We checked the closing night performance of Rusalka and I was simply smitten. As a soprano myself, I am very familiar with the aria “Song to the Moon,” but I was not really familiar nor had I ever watched a performance. Several roles were double cast but the main role and supporting roles were performed by the same artists.
Kara Mulder performed the role of Rusalka and won my heart over as the sad water nymph who wishes to be human. The story is based on Slavic mythology but as we quickly realized, the story line was similar Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid. The Prince role was performed by Piotr Buszewski, a tenor with such beautiful high notes, it is no wonder he has won so many competitions.
The water nymphs at the beginning were lovely, combining and blending voices as though they were truly one voice. Even though the story line is sad, there is humor in several scenes with Jezibaba (Chelsea Laggan), the witch of the forest, who helps Rusalka become human. She is quite scary at some moments that she convinces the audience of her ultimate power. The interpretation of each artist is outstanding but it is clear that their big voices are no match for the hall.
The set was simple but perfect enough to create a mystical forest and watery world of magic. With two intermissions, the sets quickly changed to create a story that pulled us in. I have never performed any Dvorak works but this opera has such beautiful melodies that transported me to the watery world of nymphs.
The musical director was also the accompanist for the production and he lead such a great first-time production of Rusalka at AVA. I cannot wait to check out another performance at AVA because the caliber of the artists is amazing and knowing that they will be very well-known some day is just so exciting.
Current Season 2019
If you are saddened that you missed this performance, do not worry, the season is not over! Here is what is coming up next:
Winter Recital
Music director and piano: TBA
February 12 and 14, 7:30 PM at AVA
Così fan tutte – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with the AVA Opera Orchestra.
Generously sponsored by the Gray Charitable Trust
Conductor: Christofer Macatsoris
Stage Director TBA
March 2, 5, 7, and 9, 7:30 PM at AVA
March 12 at Haverford School’s Centennial Hall
Jubilate! A Concert of Sacred Music with the AVA Opera Orchestra
Conductor: David Antony Lofton
March 16, 7:30 PM at The Church of The Redeemer, Bryn Mawr
March 17, 7 PM at The Church of The Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square
Spring Recital
Music director and piano: TBA
7:30 PM, Tuesday, April 2 and 7:30 PM, Thursday, April 4 at AVA
Roméo et Juliette – Charles Gounod with the AVA Opera Orchestra. First time ever at AVA!
Generously sponsored by Judith Broudy
Conductor: Steven Mosteller
Stage Director: Jeffrey Marc Buchman
April 27, 30 and May 2, 7:30 PM at AVA
May 4, 7:30 PM at Central Bucks South High School in Bucks County (Concert staging); for tickets to this performance, please call AVA at
215-735-1685 or 215-862-2526.
May 7, 7:30 PM at Centennial Hall, The Haverford School
Farewell Recital
Music director and piano: José Meléndez
May 10, 7:30 PM at The Church of The Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
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Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3s Challenge
January 28th, 2019
Over the holidays I had a chance to share my love for Barlean’s Seriously Delicious Omega-3s. Since becoming an ambassador, I tried a variety of their products. I am so happy they are a part of our life. Thanks to Barlean’s for sponsoring this post.
Fish Oil
Many of you might not be taking fish oil because well, for fear of what it tastes like. Who wants that? I have to admit that my mother used to make us take it when we were young and I remember the fish burps. HA! Who wants fish burps? No one.
Times have changed because Barlean’s has a line of omega-3 supplements for a while but you might remember them as Omega Swirls. They are now called Seriously Delicious Omega-3s because they are! They come in a variety of flavors and even options for all lifestyles.
Challenge
I was challenged to give a bottle of choice to a friend so that she and her family could share their experience. Two weeks later, after they tried the Key Lime Pie flavor, she shared her experience. My friend was just happy that one single product could be enjoyed by the whole family as opposed to buying different dosages. All her kids enjoyed taking something that was really tasty!
The one they chose was a high potency dose of 1,500mg Omega-3 and EPA/DHA that is creamy by the tablespoon that can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies. My friend was truly happy that a supplement could be so tasty and enjoyed by everyone. Barlean’s, we have a winner!
Even though I was challenged to find someone who would not normally take fish oil, my true challenge was to get my husband to try it. He is very picky about many things and telling him that fish oil is tasty is just laughable. Even so, he complied and lovingly accepted the challenge. He was surprised that he tasted no fish even though he was VERY skeptical. He enjoyed the flavor and then questioned the benefits. HA! This is why I take care of my family.
Omega-3s for all Lifestyles
Before you head away sad that there is not a vegan option, stop right there, because there is something for you too! In fact, Barlean’s has something for the vegan, vegetarian, and those who are dairy-free. Here is a list of the labels:
Are you amazed already? You should be. There are several options for VEGAN Omega-3 supplements. I received a couple so that I could share how great they are. Either way, you have benefits of the supplements no mater what lifestyle you are leading.
You will absorb 3 times as much Omega-3s as the normal supplements because of the way Barlean’s has formulated these Seriously Delicious products. There are specific ones for women called Seriously Delicious Essential Woman in Chocolate Mint. It contains not only the omega-3, but also 6 and 9 as well as GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid). It helps promote hormonal balance with its added Primrose Oil.
How to Enjoy
The beauty of these products is that they can be enjoyed on its own or they can be mixed in yogurt, smoothies, or more. Check out my Caramelized Pineapple Parfaits. If you have kids that just give you a hard time about taking vitamins and supplements, hide it in their food and they will love it.
Here are just a few examples of the flavors Barlean’s offers:
How do these NOT entice you! Check out their website for more info and their Instagram page for more inspiration!
