i {heart} pasta

Since I have moved back home from college, I have enjoyed making dinner for my family.. both times. Don't get me wrong, I love to cook but there's nothing like mom and dad's cooking (if you've had my parents cooking, then you'll definitely see my point). I have my own dishes that I'm good at but I want to broaden my capabilities beyond my own special pasta recipe. 

I remember going to stay with my aunt at the lake and she made this great amazing pasta with broccoli rabe. (Jojo, you know what I'm talking about :) ) Its pasta with a pancetta cream sauce and we always called it "Pavarotti's Pasta." You might know it as "Pasta Carbonara."  At our house, the t.v. is pre-programmed to the Cooking Channel. Really, it is.. always on channel 232. Giada De Laurentiis from Everyday Italian has her own "Pasta a la Carbonara" recipe, which I made for dinner last night. 

Penne a la Carbonara 

What you need:

1 lb pancetta diced into 1 in cubes (I only used 1/2 lb)

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

6 eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature 

1 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 lb penne pasta

4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (I used fresh basil to garnish instead)

Directions:

First, you want to heat your saute pan. When hot, add the pancetta and saute until it is crispy. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Mine took a little longer to turn out golden brown and crispy because my pancetta was cut a little thicker. 

In your mixing bowl, you want to combine your eggs and heavy whipping cream. Add sea salt and pepper, then your parmesan cheese.

While you're doing these steps, go ahead and cook your pasta. You want it to be al dente. Bring your water to a boil and cook pasta for about 10-12 minutes. Once your pasta is cooked, drain your pasta but it is important that you don't rinse your pasta. You want the pasta to retain its natural starch and remain hot for the next step.

Next, mix in your pancetta. After you have mixed the pasta and pancetta, add the cream mixture. It is important that you mix the cream mixture rather quickly because this allows the eggs to cook. However, you don't want the eggs to cook too much or you will end up with a pasta/scrambled egg creation. 

Garnish with your left over parmesan cheese and a basil leaf. You can use parsley if you wish.

Buon appetito! 

Source: http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/penne-a-la-carbonara-recipe/index.html

I know I have been a little slack with blogging this summer, but check back with me soon! 

Until next time, 

GES

Extra! Extra!

read. all. about. it.

So its summer and I've come to realize that I can only look at Facebook for so long. Therefore, I decided to get a library card. Now that I have all this free time I can actually read books that I want to read. I've made myself a summer reading list. Here's what made the cut:

Currently Reading:

I just picked this book up today and so far it is a pretty good, easy read. The story is based off of three sisters in Nantucket who learn to overcome their hardships through their love and friendship for each other. More to come on this read. 

Next on my list:

I saw this book on fellow blogger's page, the College Prepster. Fly Away Home is the story of a mother and her two daughters and the relationship they forge when their lives each take unexpected turns. 

I cannot wait to read this book! This is a compilation of all of the best words of wisdom Katie Couric has received during her career. 

I remember seeing the trailer for this film over the holidays and decided that before I see the movie, I want to read the book first. Well now that I actually have time to read, I can't wait to pick up this novel and finally watch the movie!

I also can't wait to start reading the Lowcountry Series by Dorothea Benton Frank. All of her novels are set here, in South Carolina and its so neat to read a novel set in my home state. 

What are you reading this summer?

Birthdays! How about Birthday WEEKS!

In my family, birthdays are a big HUGE deal. We tend to celebrate the whole month instead of just one day. Yesterday was my dad's birthday, so he has the entire month of May. 

So to bring this birthday month to a close, this post is all about you, dad! I hope your birthday month was the best one yet! 

This weekends festivities began with a cook out with our close friends who are more like family to us from Mississippi. We have added onto our deck, which is now three levels so we had to break it in! I was able to spend my afternoon in the kitchen baking. My dad's favorite cake is a Black Forest Cake and my grandmother would make it every year for him on his birthday. So this year, I decided to call up grandmother and get this special recipe. 

Here I am with my finished product

A close up of the cake. It was so good! 

On his actual birthday, I got up and took dad to brunch at one of our favorite places, Bojangles. We don't go there too often but you can't beat a Bojangles biscuit and sweet tea for brunch, plus who can't resist being able to start the day off with saying "It's Bo time, y'all!"

Prior to going out to dinner, dad opened his gifts. I gave him a Columbia Performance Fishing Gear white shirt. You can never have enough white shirts and in South Carolina you definitely need a PFG. The fabric is extremely light and has Omni-shade sun protection, which is a lifesaver in this 98 degree sunny heat we've got here at the moment. Its pretty nifty. My mom gave dad a new Citizen Eco Drive watch. Its a nice, brushed silver watch and the neat thing is that it never needs a battery. The watch is powered by the sun and the movement of your arm. How cool is that?

So for dinner, we decided to step it up a notch and head to one of our local favorites, Arizona's steak house. Once it had cooled down we were able to sit outside and enjoy a nice dinner. 

Me and my dad sporting his new Columbia shirt

mom and dad outside the restaurant 

This concludes the birthday month of May.

 Dad, I hope you had a wonderful birthday month because you most definitely deserved it! I love you! :) 

Now we just get to wait until September for my festivities to start! 

Must Haves for Summer 2011

Its that time of year again, its summer! I know I have been incognito for the past month but it has been quite eventful to say the least. I'm done with school, for a little while at least and am learning to relax again. It's also time for another "Grace's Must Haves" posts. 

Jack Rogers Hamptons Navajo Hi Wedge

I love, more like live in, my Jack Rogers during the summer. But I must say I am in love with these wedge JR's. I have been looking for a pair of wedges to wear with crops and dresses and these would be a perfect addition! 

Vineyard Vines Upper Keys Dress in Vineyard Navy

I've had my eye on this dress for quite a while now and am anxiously awaiting the opening of the brand new Vineyard Vines store at SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC.

Lilly Pulitzer Avery Skirt in Hotty Pink Cherry Begonias 

Fun skirts are perfect for the summer, especially when paired with a basic white tee. This skirt would just be so much fun, love it! 

Ray-Ban Small Aviator 

I already have a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers that I absolutely love, but definitely wouldn't mind adding this pair to the collection! 

Tugs: the original sunglass complement in pink seersucker of course

I was never a huge fan of Croakies, they were always too short and I would find myself getting annoyed with them. This product by Tugs seems like a wonderful idea, they are a little bit longer and made of a better fabric. While their website says they don't fit wire rimmed glasses well (such as Aviators), they work better for medium sized glasses, so my Wayfarers should work just fine! They come in a variety of colors and are a great buy at only $12. 

Shop Tugs online site

What are some of your Summer 2011 must haves? 

Until next time,

GES 

Did you see the horses?

The Carolina Cup steeplechase is an age old tradition in South Carolina. It is an all day affair. The belles wear their best dresses and of course big hats and the beaus look handsome in their bow ties (and boy did they!). If you're from Camden or grew up going to the races like myself, you take the family silver and china and picnic by the track. As for the collegiate crowd, its one big, fun tailgate. I love the Carolina Cup and it was great seeing all of my friends from other colleges gather together in College Park. There's only 364 more days until I get to do it all again and I can't wait! 

People often joke that they went to Cup and had so much fun that they didn't even see a horse. For those of you who went to Cup, did you see a race? I was determined to see a race before I left the track yesterday. So did I see any races? You bet I did! :) 

John, Myself and Stephen

Katie of Let's Be Preppy and Colleen- two of my best friends

I had to include this picture of Derek and I because his jacket was just so great! Great choice for Cup Derek! 

Me and my good friend Joe, USC Student Body President 

Bailee and Caroline

What are your Carolina Cup memories?

Accentuate The Positive

There aren't words to describe just how chaotic this semester has been. When I originally planned my Spring semester schedule, I thought it would be laid back and relaxed with lots of time for hanging out with friends.... but boy was I wrong. In the past few weeks my mind has been in a total whirlwind going in all different directions. In a sense though, I am grateful for each and every thing that has been placed on my plate because I believe that it is all making me a stronger individual and God would never throw something at me that He knew I absolutely could not handle.

I found a great quote on a fellow blogger's page, The College Prepster:
Good things happen to those who wait and work hard in the meantime


When I saw this quote I knew it could not have come at a more appropriate time in the semester. While this semester has been quite the challenging one, I remind myself that no matter how hard the situation might be or how impatient I can get, that if I wait and take the time to not only make "me" happy but also continue to work twice as hard, that everything will be ok.

I have been extremely lucky to have been blessed with some pretty amazing friends. One of my closest friends truly brightened my entire day when he sent me this passage from one of his favorite books:
"I go to seek a Great Perhaps."
- François Rabelais 


He explained to me the search for the "Great Perhaps" is that of an optimistic future. If you know me, you know that I am extremely optimistic and that can sometimes do more harm than good. While I am learning to look at life in a more realistic manner, I will never fully let go of my optimistic view. I'm so thankful for my family and friends who remind me to slow down and enjoy the good things in life when it starts to get just a little crazy.

Are you going to seek your Great Perhaps?

Paris is never too far away..

"Paris is always a good idea"

-from the movie Sabrina

I've always loved everything French and I have always wanted to go to Paris, especially in the Spring. This weekend, I received my own little piece of Paris to remind me that it is never too far away.

Here is my Eiffel Tower charm that my aunt gave me to go on my charm bracelet so I will always carry a little piece of Paris with me :)

It was so nice to be at home with my family for my Spring Break. Although "home" isn't far away (at all), its still nice to get away from campus and just have quality time. My parents are amazing cooks. They love to experiment with foods from all over the world. Recently, we have been very into Spanish cuisine and making paella. Entertaining is important to my family and we love to provide our family and friends with a total dining "experience."

Our paella, it was SO good!

What types of food do you like to cook?