Thursday, October 22, 2015

Hearty Beefy Hunter's Soup

Soup has always been a favorite of mine.  It's always been big in our family.  Growing up my mom was the cook in our family and she made dinner each and every night.  Except for weekends.  Weekends were up to my dad and looking back, I absolutely loved it.  We could always count on our little home smelling incredible by noon.  He took his Sunday cooking pretty seriously, with the kind of meals that would take a good portion of the day to make. His favorite was soup.  I would pull a chair up to the counter or stove when I was little (and then spent a lot of time looking over his shoulder when I got older) and I would watch him cover the meat with water, throw in some seasonings, bouillon and finely chopped veggies and let it simmer, simmer, simmer... all day long.  His final step would always be throwing in some super fine egg noodles and to this day REFUSES to make it with wide egg noodles. Now that I'm grown, I totally get it.  We all have our habits and our ways when it comes to cooking, especially if/when it reminds us of growing up. (Now I'm one as well, who refuses the wide noodles. Go figure!)
While I am completely in love with the soup my dad makes, I usually save that recipe and make a HUGE batch to freeze in individual portions.  It's perfection for when one of us are sick and need some good, healthy, broth-y home made chicken or beef soup.
I'd like to share a recipe that's just as incredible when it comes to taste and packed with big chunks of beef and vegetables.  It's full of flavor and best served with a warm, crusty, fresh-out-of-the-oven baguette.  This soup takes a few hours (which is a far cry from the 6-7 hours it takes to make the soup we would enjoy growing up) and it's worth every bit of time put into it.  It can be made ahead and tastes wonderful the following day, or even a few days after.  It can also be completely cooled and then frozen in individual portions.
I like to make this during the day while my husband is at work, the oldest is at school and I can enlist my youngest one to help me toss in veggies and shake the bag to coat the beef in seasoned flour.  It's one of my favorites to make on nights my Handsome Man is hunting close to home because I can just let it sit on the stove on low until he gets in. What's better than coming inside on a cool night to a warm baguette and dinner on the stove?  Yum!



So, get out your best soup pot and get started!


Hearty Beefy Hunter's Soup

*1-1.5 lbs chuck roast cut into chunks
*1/4 cup flour
*1 tsp paprika
*1 tsp pepper
*2 tsp salt
*1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
*1 bay leaf
*2 Tbls worchestershire sauce
*2 Tbls olive oil
*2 Tbls butter
*1 shallot, minced
*3 garlic cloves, minced
*1/2 red onion, sliced
*1/2 sweet yellow onion, sliced
*2 cups baby carrots, cut in half
*3-4 celery stalks, chopped
*3/4 lb small potatoes, quartered or cut into bit sized pieces (I used baby blondes)
*1 cup cabernet sauvignon
*4 cups beef broth

Combine flour, salt, pepper and paprika in a bag and mix.  Put chunks of beef into the bag and shake to coat. Grab a big soup pot and heat up one tablespoon of oil with one tablespoon of butter on medium high heat.  Carefully add beef in a single layer to brown.  Be careful not to crowd. You may need to do the beef in two or three batches.  Be careful not to over cook... you just want to brown the beef.
Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.  Turn heat to medium and heat up the last tablespoon of butter and oil, and then throw in the shallot and garlic. Let that go for a minute and add the celery, onion and carrots. Let that go for a bit until garlic and shallots are cooked.  Remove the veggies from the pot.  Add the cup of wine and deglaze pan by taking a spatula or soon and scraping all the brown bits off the bottom of the pan.  That's going to give you some great flavor!  Simmer the wine until it's reduced by about half.  Add back your meat, veggies and then add the potatoes.  Pour in the broth, worchestershire, bay leaf and Italian seasoning.  Let simmer for about 1-1.5 hours or so, or until carrots and potatoes are tender.

Grab a chunk of baguette and start dunking!



*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Fall Into Mainstream

I'm SO digging the fall fashion these days, friends. I'm at the point where I don't even mind the cooler weather.  (Yet. Let's be honest... winter isn't my thing.)  But fall?  Fall is definitely my thing.
I walked into Mainstream Boutique in Savage to check out the latest and (after being greeted by warm smiles, of course) my heart did a little leap...

Beanies, you guys.  In beautiful, complimenting fall shades.  Then I checked out the price tag... you can get yours at a steal of a deal for only $14.  What says cozy like a cup of coffee, a beanie and some cute leggings?  Not much!
But more on that later...
FIRST, I want to introduce you to Dyana. 

She's a total doll, right?


Dyana opened Mainstream Boutique in Savage back in 2012.  She went to school for Fashion Merchandising & Apparel Design, and after working a few places she decided to open her own boutique... thank goodness for us!  Dyana does all the buying for the shop and doesn't take that job lightly in the least.  When she's not in the boutique making customers feel welcome and helping them find that perfect outfit, she's studying trend setting here in the Midwest to keep us looking cute.  Dyana makes a point to appeal to all age ranges and styles.  There really IS something for everyone.  If the steady stream of women all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. are any indication of how that's going, I'd say extremely well.

Side note: Check out this super cute customer!  She grabbed this gorgeous poncho ($56) and I just had to take her picture. She looked fantastic in it!


I asked Dyana out of curiosity what she felt makes her boutique successful, and after an, "Oh, you're so sweet," she told me that what she thought make a boutique successful is customer service, inventory and constant updates.  Mainstream Boutique in Savage has new inventory coming in DAILY.  Mannequins are consistently changed into new outfits.  There's always a feeling of new and exciting, which as a shopper, I absolutely love and appreciate!


Dyana only has the sweetest and most knowledgeable ladies in Midwest style helping her out at the boutique and Kelsey is one of them.  She goes out of her way to make you feel welcome and is quick to offer honest, helpful advice when it comes to finding what looks great on you. Here was her adorable pick of the day:

Sweater: $48 Leggings: $74 Long Sleeve Tank: $42


When I asked the ladies what their top choices would be for us women who need a bit of a fall wardrobe update, answers were pretty clear:

*High-waisted leggings (if you've never tried them, I swear... they are quite possibly
the greatest thing one could ever own.  They smooth you out, pull you in and
make you look even more gorgeous than you already are!)
*good pair of jeans & oversized sweater
*seamless camis
*boots or booties (pick a pair that's comfortable and wear them lots!)
*a fun scarf or two (an inexpensive way to change things up a bit)


So based on those suggestions, we put a few things together to share with you.

First is this super cute (and cozy) get up and go outfit.  The boots are comfortable and the sweater just couldn't be softer. 

Plus I'm head over heels for this beautiful bracelet and necklace. My accessory game is stepped up as of NOW.
Sweater: $54, Jeans: $79, Boots: $42, Scarf: $24, Necklace: $62, Bracelet: $54

This might be my favorite. Why?  Three words... High. Waisted. Leggings.  For real, friends. Life changing. Annnnnnd this cute beanie?  I'm seriously digging burgundy and mustard this season.

Another cute bracelet, just because. 

This necklace is gorgeous and can also dub as an equally gorgeous wrap around bracelet. I love that!
Dress: $34, Long Tank: $36, High Waisted Legging: $36, Bracelet: $32, Necklace: $85, Beanie: $14, Bootie: $52



Gasp!  Be still, my heart! I looooooooove plaid! 
And how cute is this top? 

 This simple bracelet is my fav and would go with nearly anything.
Jeans: $98, Top: $48, Scarf: $24, Plaid Coat: $82, Booties: $52, Bracelet: $22


Last, but certainly not least, this adorable outfit had me at "flannel." Flannel is IT this fall, and this shirt dress was the just the cutest with these fleece lined hunter green leggings.  They were amazingly soft and warm.


Of course, there is the beanie and that could've been why I loved this outfit so much.  Or maybe it was this beautiful, custom made bracelet by one of our talented local artists?


These boots were made for Midwest walkin'.  Warm, cozy AND cute!


Throw on a fun cardigan to change up the look a bit.  Cute, right?

Flannel Shirt Dress: $66, Cardi: $68, Fleece Legging: $20, Bracelet: $45, Boot: $48, Beenie: $14, Belt: $18

Like what you see?  You can easily order by calling Mainstream Boutique in Savage 952-440-4020.
They'll ship directly to your door for only $6.95 and you'll get to experience their fantastic customer service yourself! Be sure to follow Mainstream Boutique on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainstreamboutiquesavagemn and on Instagram @mainstreamboutiquesavagemn


*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Years before my husband and I were married, I would make this dish for him and it became a fav of his. He likes it because it's cheesy and topped with stuffing and I love it because not only is it delicious, but it's so easy to throw together and pop in the oven.  Plus it's got lots of melty swiss cheese and who in their right mind can resist that, right??!!

While we went out this past weekend and celebrated our wedding anniversary (more on that in a later blog post) I figured I'd post one of our fav recipes from when I first started cooking for him.  It says a lot about a dish when 13 years later we are still making it!
Wait for a nice cool night, make this dish and snuggle up with your loved ones afterwards for a game or movie night.  Cozy bliss.
Here's what you need to make this simple, cheesy and pleasey (I know it's technically not a word, but kinda should be):


Cheesy Chicken Casserole

*3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
*one can cream of chicken soup
*1/4 can of milk (I use the empty soup can and fill it 1/4 full of 2% milk)
*6-8 slices of swiss cheese
*one box of Stove Top chicken stuffing

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 9x13 inch dish with non-stick spray and line bottom with the chicken breasts. In a bowl, whisk together the can of cream of chicken soup and 1/4 can of milk.  Whisk it until it's creamy and well mixed... no lumps! Pour over the chicken breasts and then top with slices of swiss cheese.  Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes.  Prepare the box of stove top stuffing according to package directions and then spoon that on top of the chicken and cheese.  Bake for about 5-10 more minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Such a crowd pleaser!


*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Fall for Fashion

Oh, Fall.  How I love thee... Let me count the ways.
Hayrides, pumpkin spice lattes, cozy blankets, pumpkin patches, apple picking, fall baking, comfort food, bonfires, football games, the beautiful fall colors on the trees... I think we could all agree that the list goes on and on. I must say, however, what tops my list of fall favorites is FALL FASHION!
Boots of every kind, cardigans, jackets, cozy sweaters and sweatshirts, jeans in every fit, taking a few favs from summer and changing them up with a cute jacket and/or leggings. I absolutely adore the amazing style fall brings.  My fav place to go and check out the latest styles this chillier weather has to offer?  Mainstream Boutique in Savage, MN. Mainstream Boutique in Savage is very well known in the area for it's ammmmaaaazing customer service, (seriously friends, it's second to none) new items DAILY so you can always find that perfect outfit for any occasion and their reasonable prices.  Bonus?  Follow Mainstream Boutique in Savage on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainstreamboutiquesavagemn and you will not only be privy to the daily arrivals but you will also get to claim the discounts and deals they offer on a monthly basis.  Who doesn't love a good deal?!?!

I went to Mainstream Boutique in Savage earlier this week and met with Dyana and Kelsey to put together some things to share with you. They're absolutely fabulous when it comes to throwing together the perfect outfit and sharing style tips for accessorizing and layering, which can REALLY come in handy. Especially if you're from the Midwest like us and could quite possibly encounter numerous weather conditions in a matter of 24 hours.  No joke.


First, we have this super cute (not to mention amazingly comfortable) little combo.



A few things I fell in love with about this outfit is the jacket, shoes and jeans. The jacket is so versatile, mostly because of it's removable hood. It makes it easy to pair with jeans, but then can look fantastic with a little black dress, which you'll see in a bit.


These booties are honestly the BEST.  I may have actually shed a tear when I had to give them back. They were as comfortable as a tennis shoes.  Seriously.  And cute as heck.  Obviously... see?



These little tree earrings were the cutest and totally scream fall.  Don't you think??


If it gets a bit warmer throughout the day and you want to remove the jacket, you're STILL gonna look super cute in this adorable cream colored peasant top which is very much in this fall.



Leather Jacket: $76, Peasant Top: $46, Jeans: $82, Shoes: $52, Earrings: $14, Bracelet: $22

Next, we took the same stylish leather jacket and paired with a little black dress and an amazingly cozy scarf.  The dress has 3/4 sleeves so again, if you get warm and need to ditch the jacket and scarf, you'll still be very comfortable!



Aren't these earrings cute?



Again... all about the shoes, my friends.

Leather Jacket: $76, Dress: $66, Scarf: $24, Shoes: $52, Earrings: $18


In this next ensemble, we took that same black dress and paired it with the perfect sweater cardigan.  It made me think of hot chocolate and fireplaces, to be honest.  OR if you're sitting at your desk and can't get rid of that outside chill, this is perfect for that.



The necklace with this outfit was such a star and I pictured it being a fav in my closet.




Sweater Cardigan: $66, Dress: $66, Shoes: $52, Earrings: $18, Necklace: $26


Like what you see?  You can easily order by calling Mainstream Boutique in Savage 952-440-4020.
They'll ship directly to your door for only $6.95 and you'll get to experience their fantastic customer service yourself! Be sure to follow Mainstream Boutique on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainstreamboutiquesavagemn and on Instagram @mainstreamboutiquesavagemn


*you can follow me on IG or Pinterest @hautedishhousewife, on FB at Haute Dish Housewife https://www.facebook.com/hautedishhousewife or on Twitter @HauteDishHWife for more recipe ideas, crafts/DIY, my style and giveaways.