Current Obsessions + Links

Does anyone else have a case of the Mondays?! I certainly do. I have been dreaming of this past weekend and wishing that we could relive it all over again. After such a fun three days, I made sure to keep my coffee cup full because I needed every bit of that caffeine to get me through the workday.

TC and I made these delicious Three Cheese Calzones a few weeks ago and I'm already craving them again. They were packed with flavor and easy to make, it was perfect for a quick week night meal when I didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen or have a huge pile of dishes staring me in the face after we were finished. 

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Pizza Dough

1 15 Ounce Can of Diced Tomatoes

8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

4 cloves of Garlic 

1/2 bunch of Green Kale

1/2 bunch of Lacinato Kale

2 tablespoons of Golden Raisins

1/2 cup of Skim Ricotta Cheese

1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup of Semolina Flour

2 teaspoons of Spice Blend {Italian Seasons and Pepper}

4 teaspoons of Olive Oil 

2 tablespoons of water

Instructions:

ONE. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Tear the mozzarella cheese into small pieces. Remove and discard the green kale stems and roughly chop the leaves. Remove and discard the lacinato kale stems and roughly chop the leaves.

TWO. In a medium pot, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium to high until hot. Add half the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 to 45 seconds. Add the spice blend and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 to 45 seconds. Add the diced tomatoes and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until warm. Remove from the heat.

THREE. In a medium, non-stick pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium to high heat until hot. Add the remaining garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds or until fragrant. Add the green kale, lacinato kale, raisins and 2 tablespoons of water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the kale has wilted and the water has evaporated. Transfer the kale to a strainer and hold the strainer over a bowl, press down on the kale with a spoon to release as much liquid as possible. Discard the liquid.

FOUR. In a large bowl, combine the drained kale, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and 1/3 of the tomato sauce. Stir until it is thoroughly combine and season with salt and pepper.

FIVE. Sprinkle half the flour onto a sheet pan. Place the dough on the sheet pan and divide into 3 equal portions. Roll or stretch out each portion into a 1/4 inch think, round, approximately 8 inches in diameter. Divide the filling between the centers of the rounds and fold each round in half over the filling. Using your fingers, press down on the edges of each round to seal. Using a fork, firmly press down on the edges to crimp and completely seal.

SIX. Sprinkle the remaining flour onto a dry sheet pan. Transfer the assembled calzones to the sheet pan and lightly drizzle the tops with olive oil. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let stand for 3 to 5 minutes. Cut the baked calzones in half and serve with the remaining tomato sauce on the side.

I am sure that you have figured it by now...I love a cold, crisp glass of bubbly. I stopped into the new Southern Season store in Cameron Village and was immediately impressed with everything they had to offer. From the wine selection to fresh cheeses that you could try while shopping to the southern sauces and marinades that lined the walls, it was my kind of place. I picked up this bottle of champagne after I overheard a mother and daughter that were raving about it. It is delicious and a great price that I couldn't pass up!

 

I am obsessed with this Lilly Pulitzer strapless dress for the hot {humid}, summer days that we have been experiencing in NC recently. I have worn this to a variety of occasions from a dear friend's graduation party, date night with TC and even to work with a cardigan. Versatility is key for me.    

A few more links that I am loving - 

+I have to admit that I am dreaming of Fall right now and this amazing list of knitwear from Angela at The Sunday Chapter has me even more excited about those cool October nights.

+Ashley from Turquoise & Teal shared a list of the 10 Best Rose Wines for the summer. I can't wait to try a few of these soon. If you have a favorite Rose, I would love to hear any of your recommendations!

+Does anyone else enjoy finding handwritten script fonts for your blog? If so, Sarah from Venus Trapped In Mars shared a great list of fonts here.