Taylor, Author at TaylorMade

July 4th Trifle

July 4, 2010 By Taylor 1 Comment

I love my trifle dish so I use any excuse to break it out. In fact, I nominated myself to make the dessert for our 4th of July celebration at my Mom’s house. I stumbled across a recipe for a festive “cake” in my Parents Magazine. They have great recipes! I, of course had to modify it so I could use my trifle dish because I think a trifle looks so grown-up. It was super easy and is really beautiful!

Ingredients:

Angel Food Cake (baked with love from the grocery store)

16 oz strawberries

1 container of blueberries

Strawberry Ice Cream (I like Strawberries and Homemade Vanilla from Bluebell)

2 tbsp sugar

Directions:

-Set your Ice Cream out because it needs to be soft

-Wash and slice your strawberries and mix them with 1 tbsp sugar. Wash your blueberries and also mix with 1 tbsp sugar and let sit for about 20 minutes.

-Take your Angel food cake and slice it right down the middle horizontally.

-Then you layer in this order:

1/2 cake

strawberries

ice cream

blueberries

1/2 cake

(I had extra strawberries so I put them on top.)

-Place in the freezer and freeze for at least 2 hrs and Enjoy.

Baja Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa

June 13, 2010 By Taylor Leave a Comment

Feels like summer doesn’t it? Well, this is the perfect summer dish with a glass of wine or an ice cold Blue Moon. My mom has been making these Baja Fish Tacos for years so props to her. Also, this dish HAS to be served with Mango Salsa! We used Mahi for our tacos but any white fish like Tilapia etc. would be excellent.

Tacos:

Grilled Mahi (one fillet for each person)
Red Cabbage
Corn Tortillas
Avocado
Ranch Dressing
Cilantro
lemons/limes to squeeze on top

Mango Salsa:

Mangos
Red Onion
Cilantro
Diced Pickled Jalapenos
Sugar
Vinegar

Chop your mango, red onion, and cilantro together in a bowl. Next, add the jalapeno. I like the pickled jalapenos because they aren’t as hot as fresh jalapenos. Add a little juice from the jar for some kick! In a separate bowl mix together a few teaspoons of sugar, water and vinegar. Dissolve sugar and pour over salsa. Make this at least an hour before so it can all “blend” together, (it is even better if you make it the day before).

Chop your red cabbage and avocado. You are now ready to assemble your fish tacos. I am not going to attempt to give directions on how to grill fish because that is not my expertise at my house, now you know why I keep Bryan around :)

Now don’t forget about that ice cold Blue Moon. Enjoy!

Framed Tablecloth

June 10, 2010 By Taylor 1 Comment

This Friday I am having a Dinner party for my friends who are moving :( Sad that they are leaving… but excited to host a dinner party! It is going to be super casual, we are having a Taco Bar with Fresh Mojitos and Tres Leches! Pics and recipes soon to come….

I need to get to work on some stuff for the Dinner Party, so meet the Framed Tablecloth. This couldn’t be easier!

All you need is : (This fits a breakfast area table that seats 4)

1 1/2 yds. of fabric

6 yds. of quilt binding.

Only 2 “ingredients”! The binding usually comes in 3 yd packs and it is about $2.00 a pack from JoAnn Fabrics. I found this amazing floral fabric at Garden Ridge Pottery of all places and it was $3 for 3 yards! I think I might make half-curtains for our kitchen out of the extra fabric. I like to mix colors, so for the binding I got a buttery yellow. All you have to do is attach your quilt binding all the way around.

There you have the Framed Tablecloth, custom made and under $7.00! Looking at the picture of the Tablecloth laid out makes me think that it would be super cute as a picnic blanket! Too bad I live in Houston and it is 200 degrees and I hate being outside… but it would still be cute. Now I need to get to work on my never ending to-do list! Wish me luck!

Greek Salad

May 19, 2010 By Taylor 1 Comment

This is an Urban family staple! We are in love with our Greek Salad! We make it about 2-3 times a month and every time it is even more delicious than the last! At least we over-do something healthy right? It is very simple but there is something so fresh about it! We do change it up from time to time and add some extra flair, but here is the recipe for our simple yet amazing Grilled Chicken Greek Salad.

Greek Salad:
-Head of romaine lettuce (if you are really lucky, you Mom grows it in her garden and brings it over fresh out of the dirt :)
– 2 grilled chicken breasts (set aside to cool down)
– cherry tomatoes
– carrots
– celery
– bell pepper
– green scallions
– capers
– feta cheese
– lemon (squeezed on top!)
– vinaigrette dressing, I recommend Newman’s Own “Olive Oil & Vinegar”
– top with a little oregano and fresh cracked pepper

You have to toss it all together to get the true Greek Salad experience. Pour a glass of wine and serve with some crusty french bread; dinner is served!