#Blogmas Day 13: Short Stack Editions

My best friend Cate shared these super cute cookbooks from Short Stack Editions with me this past week, and I was totally inspired. They include recipes centered around a specific ingredient which would be perfect for someone with a favorite food (did someone say broccoli?) or for people with a CSA box who knows without a doubt that there will be tons of surplus fruits and veggies during various parts of the season. But most importantly, the covers on these are beautifully illustrated. I would love to have each and every volume in my kitchen, but could easily pick and choose the ones that will work best with my own cooking lifestyle. These are one of my top gift ideas this season, and super affordable at $14.00 each! How about you guys? What's your favorite food to cook with? Leave a comment below!

1  Eggs  |  Volume 1

2  Buttermilk  |  Volume 4

3  Lemons  |  Volume 13

4  Prosciutto de Parma  |  Volume 14

5  Brown Sugar  |  Volume 12

6  Corn  |  Volume 10

No Takeout November | Skinnytaste Meal Planner

Hello, November! I can not believe how quickly time is passing these days. Sunrise/sunset... Okay, moving on. I have a friend who's doing a No Spend November and she is basically my hero. If any of you have done something like this successfully, and saved a quick and easy thousand dollars in the process, my hat's off to you! Truly, I think I would die. But the idea inspired me to take an honest look at where most of my money goes each month (cough, cough, takeout/restaurants/bars) and I've isolated something I can SAVE BIG on without going berserk.

No Takeout November, for a New Yorker, is definitely still a sacrifice in order to save big. I typically buy breakfast, lunch, and usually dinner from various restaurants ranging from Dunkin Donuts (coffee + breakfast at work), to my favorite local Mexican restaurant (a dinnertime favorite), to Domino's Pizza (yes, I am the worst New Yorker ever...my boyfriend will be the first to point this out). Hear me: It is ridiculous to eat 3 meals out every. single. day. And, trust me, it adds up fast. Also, when left to my own devices and spur-of-the-moment decisions, I am just NOT a healthy eater. So cooking healthy for myself is a secondary benefit!

My go-to website (and cookbook) for healthy, easy, delicious recipes is skinnytaste.com and so imagine my surprise when I found that she recently released a companion to her amazing cookbook that was a tool specifically for meal-planning and calorie/activity tracking. Enter The Skinnytaste Meal Planner. It seemed like perfect considering my No Takeout pledge.

Image from Kittsona

It's got a spread at the beginning of each week to plan your meals, which I'm using to establish which nights of the week will be "cooking nights." Since I am still as busy as I ever was, and life doesn't take a back seat to my No Takeout plans, I will try to keep these to 2-3 a week, maximum and try to knock out the bulk of my planning and shopping on Sundays.

Then for each day of the week, there's space to track everything you eat (amazing if you're trying to be cognizant of that) as well as a cute space for activity tracking! Sure hope I manage to do more of that as well, but I also know the importance of focusing on one goal before conquering another.

I'm very excited about this No Takeout November project, and will definitely let you all know how it goes! Wish me luck!

JSQ in the Kitchen: Southwestern Black Bean Salad

In keeping with my Resolution to cook more, I whipped up one of my favorite recipes last night and can I please just tell you...Skinnytaste.com NEVER LETS ME DOWN. Every recipe is amazing, and Gina (who I just fangirl over constantly on this blog and on Pinterest) lists the Weight Watchers points and calories for every meal.

While this Southwestern Black Bean Salad recipe is totally more of a Summertime hit, if you're craving protein-rich beans, sweet corn, or avocados (which is every day of the year for me) this salad is super easy to whip up on a weeknight. And if you're cooking for one like I am, it also stores well in the fridge for a few days so you can nibble on it all week. Personally, I use 1 cup of it (4 Weight Watchers PointsPlus) as a salsa (I double the amount of tomato in the recipe to achieve this effect) that I pair with Original Flavor Pop Chips for a touch of saltiness (and only 3 more PointsPlus). This is quite honestly my favorite snack, and today I even brought it for lunch!

NOW, Skinnytaste is even a cookbook. I obviously own a copy that I bought the day it became available at Barnes & Noble, and even gave a copy to my mom for Christmas. If I really wanted to learn to cook, I could just cook my way through the Skinnytaste cookbook a la Julie & Julia...Totally kidding, but actually 62% serious. Bon Appetit! 

The Bite-Sized Book of Bite-Sized Recipes

I am beyond excited and inspired to share my friend Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen's latest project, The Bite-Sized Book of Bite-Sized Recipes. You may remember Catherine's stunning photography work from the Cocktail Couture series back in 2011. Now she's putting her love of cooking and food photography to use creating possibly the tiniest, most adorable cookbook ever and she's set up a Kickstarter campaign to fund the project.

"At 1 3/4 inches tall and 1 1/2 inches wide, it might be the smallest cookbook in the world. With 20 photos and recipes of cute, clever, bite-sized dishes, it's perfect for kids, cookbook collectors, foodies, anyone who loves to eat, cook, or entertain, photographers, book lovers, and collectors of tiny things."

If you want a mini-cookbook of your own, donate today! It would make an amazing stocking stuffer, and there's even an option to buy 1 book, and donate 1 to a children's organization. And the Kickstarter ends in just 19 days, so every little bit counts!

Blog Favorites: Skinnytaste

Skinnytaste, from blogger Gina Homolka, has been a favorite blog in our apartment all summer long, and it's been an amazing (and completely fail-safe) resource for delicious and low-calorie recipes. We are a Weight Watchers apartment, so it's great that she's listed the Points+ values there as well as the calories. A major strength of the blog is that nearly every recipe is loaded with fruits and vegetables, and it's great for families because the produce isn't disguised, but rather presented in a way you never knew how delicious it could be!

My roommate Colleen made the Loaded Baked Sweet Potato recipe for us last night and it was to. die. for. Seriously. A perfect welcome to Fall. (Note: this particular recipe is from guest blogger Anjali from The Picky Eater)

Loaded Baked Sweet Potato recipe from Skinnytaste.com

Below are a few more of our favorite recipes from throughout the summer! If you haven't already, I definitely suggest you check this blog out! So so so tasty.

Southwestern Black Bean Salad from Skinnytaste.com

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad from Skinnytaste.com

Cocktail Couture: Camelot Cellars Chilean Pinot Noir

This week's installment of Cocktail Couture features a glass of wine recommended to me by Catherine Murray, food photographer extraordinaire behind Photo Kitchen and the blog Freshly Baked. And believe me, you are never going to want to pass on this glass...straight from Camelot Cellars, an "Urban Boutique Winery" located in the heart of Columbus' Short North district. With long, rustic wooden tables, cozy seating, soft, industrial lighting and a wall of literally every type of wine you could ever have dreamed of, Camelot Cellars is the perfect place to explore your passion for wine. And there is truly no better guide than Janine Aquino, the mastermind behind the revamping of Camelot Cellars, and one of the most personable ladies you will ever meet. If you stop by and introduce yourself, she would be more than happy to chat with you about the latest episode of any show on Bravo TV, follow you on twitter, and most importantly, introduce you to a bottle of wine you will really love. If you aren't a fan of wine, that's simply because you haven't met Janine and given her a minute to recommend the perfect bottle as though she were an oracle of grapes. Or, better yet, get you and your friends set up for a private wine tasting!

Below you will see more of Catherine's favorite, the Chilean Pinot Noir, which she bought when we were shopping together, and foolishly left at my apartment...You can bet an unopened bottle of wine doesn't last long in my natural habitat! So, although I felt a bit guilty about it, I cracked it open for myself and a few out-of-town guests, and all three of us were obsessed. Of course, I replaced Catherine's bottle, so it was a win-win for us all. Catherine describes the flavor best on her post, saying that it "has a scent similar to strawberry jam, but the flavor is smooth, rich, just slightly fruity, and a little smoky."

All Photography by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen

I highly recommend you check out Camelot Cellars and this delicious Pinot Noir immediately! And bottles of wine, as well as wine tastings and wine making parties, are perfect gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Salut!

And in case you need a refresher on Cocktail Couture, read our description below:

"Haute Couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing, usually made from high-quality expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques...The hand-crafted (local) alcohol is created by those dedicated to their craft, making award-winning bottles of gin, vodka, whiskey, wine, and Tessora." 

Catherine and I both believe that the handiwork and detail that goes into the brewing and distilling of our local-to-Columbus spirits are nothing short of couture themselves, especially when paired with fun jewelry and accessories...and you all know I am a firm believer that the cocktail you sip is as much a part of the statement you are making as anything else on your body! So let's get creative!

First there was the fantastic Watershed Gin Pumpkin Drop featuring Columbus' own Watershed gin, and next the Tessora Lemon Capuccini made with Tessora Limone! Then came the Hot Apple Toddy, made with Middle West Spirits Whiskey. See all the recipes in this Cocktail Couture series below:

 
 

Cocktail Hour: Xanté Hot Apple

Back by popular demand, I am very pleased to announce that I'm bringing back Cocktail Hour here at Jenna Sais Quois! I took the summer off, and had a little self-imposed "blog-rehab," setting the boozy recipes aside. But now that we're deep in the midst of fall...we could all use a cocktail on our friday night! And this one, featuring Xante, the all-natural pear penetrated congnac (that is somehow only 35 calories per serving!?) is amaaaazing. The pear flavoring in Xante goes beautifully with freshly pressed apple juice and when heated up with a cinnamon stick, this drink is sure to make your chilly heart sing with autumnal goodness. Enjoy your weekends, and as always, drink responsibly! Cheers!

For more great Cocktail Hour recipe posts, click here! And while you're clicking away, why not follow me on Bloglovin'?

Edible Columbus on Design*Sponge

Oh my goodness, my friends and coworkers are blog-famous this week. Did you guys see the gorgeous food photography and styling by Catherine Murray of Photo Kitchen, and of course the culinary prowess of Edible Columbus publisher Tricia Wheeler on Design*Sponge this week? I am so excited for their extraordinary work to be featured. They are both two of the most talented foodies I know! And of course, it reminds me that we have incredibly talented people working for our lil' old Columbus, Ohio publication. Congrats ladies! You guys have made Ohio honey look even more delicious than we already know it is...and that's a testament to your fabulous craft!

Photos by Catherine Murray for Design*Sponge

Cocktail Hour: Freezeritas

After a bit of rain, it's looking like it might be a nice, warm weekend. And with margaritas being my favorite drink, I thought I'd whip up a batch or two of these Freezeritas. They taste like a frozen margarita, salt included, and if you can handle being patient (and not just gobbling down them as regular margaritas) you will have a tasty, adults-only summer treat that's perfect for parties. As always, eat these popsicles responsibly. Cheers!

For more great Cocktail Hour posts, click here!

And if you love cocktail recipes, check out my Swell Sips at Monkey in Los Angeles. While you're clicking, be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin! 

Guest Blogging: The Design Boards

Candace McGourin from the lovely blog The Design Boards took a little vacation across the pond, and imagine my delight when she asked me to guest blog for her! It was such fun putting together a vacation look for a trip to the UK, and in true Jenna Sais Quois Cocktail Hour fashion, I paired it with a drink Brit's adore this time of year, the Pimm's Cup. Check out Candace's blog for design inspiration as well as some other fantastic guest posts! 

Cocktail Hour: Xanté Cucumber Tease

It's the happiest hour of the week! Fifteen minutes till we're off the clock, and mixing up the cocktails. It's been a few weeks since I've felt like celebrating my Friday Cocktail Hour, but I am back in full swing with a refreshing and delicious treat I know you are all going to love. It uses Xante, an all-natural pear penetrated cognac that is miraculously only 35 Calories per serving. Pair it with diet Ginger Ale instead for an even lower calorie cocktail. Now that I've tried this drink, I am completely hooked. And there are a ton of other recipes to try, here! Enjoy your weekend, and as always, drink responsibly. Cheers! 

For more great Cocktail Hour posts, click here!
And if you love cocktail recipes, check out my Swell Sips at Monkey in Los Angeles.

Cocktail Hour: Manhattan

Yep! An obvious choice considering my weekending plans! This drink is a classic from way back when... the 1870s to be exact, at the Manhattan Club in New York, New York. So, enjoy this classic, and while you're mixing your Manhattan, think of me having the most exciting but quite possibly least relaxing vacation ever. I think I enjoy the hustle bustle more than the calm anyway! Happy Memorial Day!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here! And don't forget to be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin. Click here!

Cocktail Hour: Moscow Mule

The wonderful Leslie from Fresh Out of Lemons suggested today's cocktail, the Moscow Mule, which happens to be Oprah's fave as of late, in honor of her last week of shows! My recipe is a little different from Oprah's, but the result is quite similar! I seriously admire Ms. Winfrey as a tastemaker, humanitarian, and of course, extraordinary host. People have told me I should have my own show someday throughout my entire life. Until then...I always have you lovely blog readers to listen to my ramblings! Anyway, read more about this cocktail, including why it's served in a copper mug here. And enjoy your weekend. Next week has a distinct theme that I'm pretty excited about, in honor of a little vacation I'm taking Memorial Day Weekend...spoiler alert. Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe you'd like to see featured? Leave a comment below, and it might be next week's signature sip! 

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here! And don't forget to be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin. Click here!

Cocktail Hour: Frozen Bellini

This cocktail is a favorite of mine! I actually got to see the bar where it was created all the way in Venice, Italy. Furthermore, it is a favorite at Brucoli family holidays, because it keeps the spirits high, and us expressive (err...loud), Italian women relatively quiet for a while! It is absolutely delicious, and I love any excuse to use my sadly discontinued Martha Stewart KitchenAid Blender! Hope you are all keeping cool on this warm, sunny Friday! Chill out with a fresh Bellini, but as always, drink responsibly. Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe you'd like to see featured? Leave a comment below, and it might be next week's signature sip!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here! And don't forget to be a doll and follow me on Bloglovin. Click here!

Cocktail Hour: Mint Julep

Today's cocktail is one I've been talking about all week; the Mint Julep of course! Typically associated with the Southern states, they are also the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. They are more typically served in a tall collins glass, however historically they were sipped from silver or pewter cups like the one shown here in order to get that delightfully frosty chill on the outside. Now go off and enjoy the races, or just your weekends, and sip responsibly! Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe you'd like to see featured? Leave a comment below, and it might be next week's signature sip!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here! To follow me on Bloglovin, click here!

Cocktail Hour: Pimm's Cup

To round out the British theme and bring it to a close, I am featuring a cocktail that seems a bit to casual for the Royal Wedding, but is just right for an stateside anglophile like you or me! It's a super easy, delicious, and perfect for Spring and Summer. So here's a toast to Will & Kate and those Americans just crazy enough to stay up late/wake up early to watch this piece of history! I unfortunately missed it, but it's on the DVR at home, and that's just where I'm headed now...Cheers!

Next week, we may have a Mint Julep in our midst, but if you have a an idea for a great cocktail recipe, leave a comment below, and it might be featured here! To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here!

Cocktail Hour: Eco-Mojito

This Earth Day twist on a Pineapple Mojito has a few things that set it apart from the standard! For one, it uses Prairie Organic Vodka, and no-sugar-added Fizzy Lizzy fruit juice, as well as fresh pineapple instead of the standard lime. By incorporating fresh fruit, and eliminating sugar, we kick this drink up a notch, health-wise. And we can show our appreciation for making sure to always recycle both bottles when we're finished! Taking care of ourselves, and the planet, is truly en vogue, especially today! Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe you'd like to see featured? Leave a comment below, and it might be next week's signature sip!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here! To follow me on Bloglovin, click here!

Cocktail Hour: Sloe Gin Fizz

Today's cocktail is a tall glass of fizzy, Friday fun. The Sloe Gin Fizz is a delicious, fruity party cocktail, and I believe it's a favorite of my fellow blogger friend, Chrissy as well. Have a great weekend, and as always, sip responsibly, darlings. Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe? Leave a comment below, and it might be featured here!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here!

Cocktail Hour: Rose Kennedy

To bring the wonderful Kennedy-themed week to a close, I give you one of my favorite cocktails, The Rose Kennedy, also known as the Vodka Soda Splash. This is a variation on the Cape Cod cocktail that was named for Rose Kennedy, the matriarch of the Kennedy family of Cape Cod. It's basically a fancy way of saying Vodka, Cranberry juice, and soda water, garnished with lime, and a pinch of sugar added to taste. As always, drink in good taste. A Kennedy certainly would! Cheers!

Got an idea for a great cocktail recipe? Leave a comment below, and it might be featured here!

To check out my other weekly Cocktail Hour posts, go here!

Cocktail Hour: Hurricane

In honor of Mardi Gras this week, I wanted to feature a New Orleans classic cocktail, The Hurricane. Have any of you ever tasted one of these? Bonus points if you've had one on the famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana! But those of you who have tried it know the truth about these drinks...You only need one. They taste delicious, festive and fruity, but they pack a major punch with 6 different kinds of liquor. Always drink responsibly. Cheers!

To check out my other Cocktail Hour posts, click here!

Got an idea for a fabulous cocktail you'd like to see featured here? Leave a comment, and you could see your favorite drink as next week's Cocktail Hour post!