Italian Pasta Salad

 

There is just something about it... Summertime and salads, they just go hand in hand. Maybe it is all the fresh farmer's market veggies or the fact that everyone is still worried about how their bikini looks, but either way this pasta salad is light enough on the waistline, and heavy enough for your meat and potatoes man. Regardless, this pasta salad is a real winner and shows up frequently on my patio table. Enjoy!

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:
6 oz. dry rotini noodles
1/2 yellow bell pepper, juilenned
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 oz. hard salami, chopped
1 oz. arugula
3 oz. mozzarella balls
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 t. minced garlic
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, stir in the rotini, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes. Rinse in a colander with cold water and drain well. 
• Meanwhile the pasta is cooking, combine the bell pepper, tomatoes, onion, salami, and mozzarella balls in a large bowl. 
• In another bowl, whisk the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic. Season, to taste. 
• Once pasta is cooled, add to bowl with veggies and pour vinaigrette over top and toss to combine. 
• Cover and chill, at least 2 hours. Before serving add arugula and toss once more.   

Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche

 

Brunch has always been one of my favorite things.. Sitting on the patio on a Sunday morning after church with a mimosa. Relaxing and gossiping, about that girl you knew in high school who just got a nose job.

 

But really it's all about the quiche. Sure, you could order the thick, melt in your mouth ooey-gooey French toast but who wants the guilt or to exercise after that.. Especially in the stifling Southern humidity on a good hair day. Let me tell you, no one.

 

If your like me, not every Sunday can be spent with your favorite girlfriends day drinking. But you can definitely still have your quiche and eat it too. 

 

 

Caramelized Onion & Bacon Quiche

 

Ingredients:

1- 9 in. frozen pie crust

4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped

1 T. butter

1/2 medium vidalia onion, sliced thinly

6 eggs, room temperature

5 oz. plain low-fat greek yogurt

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

salt & pepper

 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove pie crust from freezer and thaw for about 15 minutes.
• Prick bottom and sides of pie crust with a fork. Place pie crust in oven and par bake for 6-8 minutes.
• While crust is baking, sauté bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove from pan leaving the bacon grease and drippings. Add butter and melt. Once melted, add the onion and cook until soft and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes stirring frequently.
• Mix the eggs and greek yogurt in a bowl until smooth and combined. Mixture should be thick and velvety. Add the cooled bacon, parmesan cheese, and the caramelized onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Pour egg mixture into pie crust and bake about 25-30 minutes or until custard is set firmly.
• Cool quiche for roughly five minutes before serving.

Healthy Alternatives:

Bacon = Turkey Bacon

Butter = Cooking Spray

 

For any additional questions or tips feel free to email me or comment below.

 

Barcarts & Breakups

Hi babes! I’m Katey McFarlan with the style blog Chronicles of Frivolity. Morgan is one of my sweet blog friends and after sharing a bit of my home décor on my blog, she asked me to share my bar cart with you all!

I’d love to pretend that I keep a fully stocked bar in my entry because I spend my days laying by the pool with champagne, but the real reason is the most un-chic answer ever…
 

I’m really really bad at offering people something when they come over. Like maybe the worst. No, I wasn’t raised in a barn, and I actually try to be very thoughtful. But when someone is coming over I always get so excited and immediately jump into telling them a story of asking them about how their last date went. So 15 minutes after we have gone through every detail of their date, I’m like, “Omg…I’M A HEATHEN. DO YOU WANT WATER?!”
 

So yes, I keep a fully stocked bar by my door so I’m not rude. It’s just an easy reminder and all my friends know it is there for them and they can ask for whatever they want!

 

In keeping a bar cart stocked, keep that in mind! I’ve got girls that want tequila, straight, to rant about their boss. And I’ve got girls that won’t even touch wine because they only drink Dr. Pepper. Central Market or any boutique grocery store is a godsend because you can get everything from cute pink beer bottles to nice water bottles. I keep that on the bottom! Don’t clutter it with wine glasses. On the top I try to keep nice champagne (for breakups) and celebrations along with candles, cute cocktail napkins on cake stands and colorful straws!

I’ve created a shopping cheat sheet for you to stock your bar cart! Also, where you do find one that isn’t $400? Check out Target or antique/estate sales! Ikea has great ones you can spray paint the handles gold, too.  

If you have any home décor questions e-mail me at kateymcfarlan@gmail.com.

Happy Bar Carting!

Xoxo, Katey