DAILY HEEL WATCH - VALENTINES WEEKEND EDITION

The Nadiah Pump (courtesy of SteveMadden.com)

Get Down, Get Sexy!

This weekend, go all out and wear those HEELS (with nothing else on) for your honey...

Happy Valentines Day.
- Sara

SOUP IS REALLY FOR THE SOUL

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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There is something magical about using just one pot to make a whole meal. Clean up is a breeze.

Seems easy, right?

What doesn't seem easy is heading over to your closest Jerry's Famous Deli and spending ten to fifteen bucks on a salty salty soup that tastes nothin like what your grandma used to make.

Here is an alternative to getting in your car (or worse-- spending the extra charge for delivery) and spending your shoe money on something that is truly a ONE POT WONDER.

**

• Bouillon cubes, broth, or my favorite "Better Than Bouillon" in the market-- I buy the vegetarian chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 lb of Chicken or cutlets OR buy an already cooked rotisserie one at the grocery store
• Bag of Instant Whole Wheat Rice (the one that come in little bags) or about 1 cup cooked
• Teaspoon of chopped Garlic
• Handful of Carrots
• Handful of Arugula

Boil 2 cups of broth or 4 cups of water. Add the appropriate amount of bouillon to the water to make it broth. Once boiling, throw in your raw chicken for about 10-15 minutes until it's done. If you are using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, skip this step.
Time to shred the chicken. You do this by using two forks and shredding while pulling apart the meat.

Toss out the broth already in the pot (or you can skim the fat that has risen to the top -- I prefer a fresh start) and boil 6 cups of new broth (or water and bouillon) in that same pot.

Throw in some chopped carrots, arugula, garlic and your instant rice. If it's in the bag, cut the bag open and let the rice swim free. Last, but not least, put the shredded chicken back in.

Let the pot simmer until the carrots are soft and the rice cooked. Serve and indulge.

THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWN UP MAC N CHEESE

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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I love it. I grew up on it.

But, it's time to grow up.

The following recipe is fresh delicious, and relatively stress-free. So, break out the cheese, pasta (and the other fixings) and enjoy!

**

• 1/2 a pound of Whole Wheat Pasta -- I prefer angel hair: quick to cook, hard to mess up.
• 3 handfuls of either Cherry or Grape Tomatoes. (This is a type of tomato, not some special "grape" flavor.)
• 1 and a half cups of Arugula (or just one heaping handful)
• 1 heaping teaspoon of crushed Garlic (or less)
• 1/4 to a half a cup of Olive Oil
• 2oz of Goat Cheese
• two pinches of Salt
• five pinches of Pepper
• two pinches of Dried Basil
  

In a pot, boil water and throw in the pasta.

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper and basil. Mix. Halve the tomatoes or leave them as is. Add the arugula and tomatoes to the bowl and coat with the oil mix. Put half of the mixture into a larger bowl.

When the pasta is ready, strain. Add to this larger bowl.

Toss in the rest of the olive oil, tomato and arugula mixture. Crumble up and drop in the two ounces of goat cheese and mix all together.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Dior's Miss Dior Stingray Pumps (courtesy of Bergdorfs)

I'd like to get stung in these!

OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF BEING ROASTED (VEGGIES) BY YOUR GUY!

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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Get over your fear of rejection at the dining table. If you want to make a nice dinner, make something that is tried and true! Chicken and veggies.

Nowadays, you can steam them, wok them, microwave them, grill them. Perhaps the most overlooked easy and elegant way of making vegetables is giving them the old "roast."

**

• Bag of Baby Zucchini
• Bag of Baby Carrots
• Package of Chicken (cutlets or tenders)
• Salt and Pepper
• Chopped, Crushed or Minced Garlic
• Canola oil (spray like Pam)

Cut your baby veggies in halves. Spray your Pam on a tin-foiled baking tray and lay out the carrots and zucchini face up. Salt and pepper with a heavy hand. Set the oven at 410 and put them in before the oven is preheated.

In a hot pan, spray with Pam and toss in your chicken. I prefer tenders (easier to make sure they fully cook) but you can use cutlets. While cooking in the pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and a teaspoon of crushed garlic. The easiest way to "make" this is buying it in a jar from the grocery store. Smear the garlic over the chicken as it browns on both sides. Spray some oil in a pyrex dish and throw in the browned chicken. If they are almost done, cover with tine foil. Put that in the oven on the unused rack.

By this time, the veggies have been in the oven for about 15 minutes. Pump up the oven to 430 and keep everything in there for another 15 minutes.


How to Plate: The veggies are that unexpected, beautiful element in the dish. Alternate the carrots and zucchini (see my pic above) and stack. You can either plate the chicken and veggies apart or place the chicken above the roasted delights.

If you are having a dinner party and are serving the vegetables on their own platter, stack them as high as they can go!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Balenciaga's Gladiator Sandal (courtesy of Barneys New York)

DON'T BE CHEESY (TRAY) WHEN YOU HAVE GUESTS

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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You have friends coming over for some wine and cheese. How fancy of you!

Here are some tips for creating the perfect cheese plate.

Types:
I like to do one hard, one semi-soft, and one soft. .
Hard: Parmesan Reggiano, Gouda, Cheddar
Semi-soft: Blue Cheese, Stilton
Soft: Brie, Goat cheese

Sweet Element:
I always like to accompany the cheese with: Grapes, Apples, or Pear,
And a "spreadable": Honey -- this is best drizzled over Stilton cheese, Black Raspberry Jam-- for ANY cheese

Carb Options:
Grilled bread -- Brush some french bread of whole wheat baguette with garlic infused olive oil and grill
Crackers-- Easy to buy, easy to serve, easy to eat!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Fendi's Crisscross Platform Sandal (courtesy of Saks 5th Ave)

GET YOUR WEEKEND HEEL FIXATION

Christian Louboutin's Carnaval (courtesy of Barneys New York)

"UMMM... GORG"

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Baker's Natalie Platform Sandal $79.95 (courtesy of bakersshoes.com)

LOOKS ARE EVERYTHING -- PLATING 101

As a proper Jewish Princess, I have spent much time in upscale restaurants. There is something about 4 star dining that can make any messy meal suddenly become "couture."

The answer is plating.

And with plating, less is always more. Get some nice rectangular crisp white plates and follow these two simple options in lieu of SLOPPING IT ON THE PLATE:

OPTION ONE: Stack your items. Start with the veggies on the bottom and protein on top. Layer the dish in the center of the plate. If it's in the dish, dribble some sauce all over!

OPTION TWO: Salads and some sides can be quite messy. It's not very easy to make them look schmaltzy. If you put less on the plate, it will always look more exquisite. You can do this with a small dish on TOP of the plate.



AND REMEMBER...

Plating requires portion control—which means you will eat less… and ultimately look even more fabulous! Be creative and have fun with it!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Louboutin's Rolando Python Pump (courtesy of Barneys New York)

Look, I'm all for animal rights, but who can resist PYTHON? I sure can't!

And at $1195.00, I can't afford them either.

BE SWEET AND SPICY (CHICKEN)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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Many say the key to a long relationship is being lady-like in public... and a slut in the bedroom.

And this recipe is the yang to that yin.

Here is a chicken dish that starts out sweet but packs in the heat.

**

• Honey
• Chicken cutlets or tenders
• Red Pepper flakes

Pre-heat the oven to 395. In a heated pan, brown the chicken on both sides. Lightly salt.

Spray a deep pyrex with some Pam or olive oil. Arrange the chicken. Generously pour honey over the chicken and sprinkle the red pepper flakes to the heat level you enjoy.

Throw in the oven for approximately 20 minutes. Enjoy!

DON'T BE A DRUNKEN (MALT) FOOL

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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Sometimes dessert needs to be, well… saucy. And this recipe does the trick!

Just be aware of how much alcohol you are actually ingesting.

I have had one too many experiences getting wasted at dinner / dessert parties and started acting like a fool. REMEMBER: this is NOT the best drink to have when you are at a party with: the guy you are really digging but the future of the relationship is up in the air, a boyfriend you are having a small tiff with, or your Ex just showed up with a hot bitch and you are trying to drown your sorrows.

Big mistake.

Otherwise, this recipe is perfect! Drink up!

**

• ½ to ¾ cup of Whiskey
• 2 - 3 scoops of Vanilla ice cream
• ¼ cup of Milk
• A Blender

Put all ingredients in and blend until it creates thick malt consistency.

How to Serve: Pour into glasses and drink wisely.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Moschino's Ruffle Pump (courtesy of Barneys New York)

A FRIDAY DOUBLE TAKE

1. Nine West's Lahdidah $49.99 (courtesy of ninewest.com)
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Peeptoe Slingback $330.00 (courtesy of Bloomingdales)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

It's only the end of January and everyone is itching for Spring already.

Here is a shoe to WARM YOU UP!

Viktor and Rolf's Satin Ruffle Sandal (courtesy of Bloomingdales)

(CHINESE) NEW YEAR, NEW YOU... NEW DISH (GINGER SCALLION SALMON)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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Vikki doesn’t like to cook.

Or clean.

Or do laundry.

I guess it helps when you have a live-in who does all of that for you.

But when her live-in gets a Sunday off, Vikki steps up to the plate and reminds her family that she is capable of making a delicious meal… and can load up the dishwasher.

Believe me, if this dish was too difficult, Vikki wouldn’t be making it.

**

• Ginger (sliced or minced)
• Chopped scallions
• Salmon (large cut - deboned)
• Peanut oil

Wash and dry the salmon. Place scallions and ginger right on top of the salmon. Wrap in tin foil and place in oven for about 20 minutes at 350, until salmon is cooked through. If you are cutting it into portioned sizes, a bit less time in the oven… unless you like your salmon well done.

On the stove top, sauté the ginger and scallions in peanut oil.

How to Plate: Cut salmon into pieces and dress sauce over the salmon and serve! Voila!

TREND WATCH - ZIP UPS

I've been so RELAXED while drinking my spa water, I haven't even THOUGHT about cooking!

But I have searched the net for a popular trend in all price ranges-- the ZIP UP.

Here they are:

1. Sergio Rossi's Narrow Zip - $670.00 (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

2. L.A.M.B.'s Nayuta - $250.00 (courtesy of zappos.com)

3. Aldo's Tavira - $90 (courtesy of aldoshoes.com)

4. Forever 21's Premiere Platform Pumps - $32.80 (courtesy of forever21.com)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Balenciaga's A Line Platform Pump (courtesy of Barneys New York)

FRANKIE SAY RELAX (WITH SPA WATER)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: (LESS THAN) OY!

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Times are tough. There's no doubt about that.

Often the luxuries in life have to be cut out to make room for necessities. Like food, water, electricity... and shoes.

But if you have to cut out your "spa day" or have no money to go get that massage you really really need, I have a cheap alternative.

No, I don't mean going to that Thai place down the street. The following drink is the one thing that can always keep me close to a state of relaxation-- a refreshing and fancy take on H2O.

**

• Water
• 1 Lemon, sliced
• 1 Lime, sliced
• ½ Orange, sliced
• ½ Cucumber, sliced
• Ice cubes (optional)

Add all together, and stir only once.

How to Serve: In a pitcher, pour in water and enjoy. You can jazz up your glasses with a wedge of lemon or cucumber!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Stella McCartney's T-Strap Sandal (courtesy of Bergdorfs)

What a fun Spring sandal! Bring on the sunshine!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Oscar de la Renta's Lace Cutout Bootie (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

THE HUNG-OVERMELE

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

Had a great time last night with some friends, but had one or two too many margaritas.

As it always goes, I woke up with a HORRIBLE hangover. And what better way to cure a hangover than with a great breakfast?

So, I got up, stumbled to the kitchen... and demanded my boyfriend make me this! After all, I AM hungover and can't even think about cooking.

**

• 3-4 Eggs
• Cheese of preference (I love American in my eggs... don't ask me why)
• Veggies of preference (personal favorites: tomato, onion, spinach)

Overmele is the Roman ancestor of our present-day omelet. It just sounds really fancy.

Warm your griddle or pan while you crack and whisk your eggs. Oil, butter or Pam the pan. Add the whisked eggs to the griddle and let them cook. When the edges start to rise, add in your veggies and cheese. Fold the circular egg formation over. Cook and flip over until it’s done!

How to Plate: If you do a good job folding over the egg, there is really no need to add anything else to the plate… although, fresh fruit ALWAYS adds some color and sweetness to breakfast!

Treif: Go all the way—add some bacon or deli turkey to your omelet to get as far away from being kosher as humanly possible.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Christian Louboutin's Petal Sandal (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

SHOUT OUT TO L SHAPIRO!

Pretty, delicate and sexy all at the same time. A perfect Spring shoe.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

YSL's Stud Sandal (courtesy of Barneys New York)

I know, I know. I post these "Daily" Heel Watches multiple times throughout the day. I just can't help myself.
I guess I have no self control when it comes to great shoes.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Jimmy Choo's Rope High Heel Sandal (courtesy of Bergdorf's)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Jimmy Choo's Whipstitched Platform Sandal (courtesy of Bergdorf's)

Maybe it's just me, but I don't get this whole Morocco Thing.

What do YOU think?

DON'T (TOMATO) SHOOT THE MESSENGER

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

You can't be beautiful, fabulous and gorgeous all the time.

Some days, you feel like shit-- and no offense, you probably look like shit too.

Every so often (at least once a month when Aunt Flo is in town) you need a meal of comfort. Something you can chow down on with your hair in a bun and your face dotted with pimple medicine.

**

• Can of Campbell's Tomato Soup
• Garlic infused Olive Oil
• Basil (dried or fresh)
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
• Gouda cheese ( I prefer the double creme)
• Goat cheese
  
• Blue cheese
  
• Parmesean cheese -- freshly shredded
• Whole wheat French baguette or wheat bread of choice

In a pot, follow Campbell's directions in making the soup. I like to add a dash of red pepper flakes, garlic-infused olive oil and dried basil to spice it up!

On the stove top, heat a pan with a dash of the olive oil. Place two slices of toast in the pan and place a mixture of both cheeses in the middle. Wait until they begin to melt and bring the slices together to make a sandwich. This also works well on a George foreman or similar grill, adding grill markings on the sandwich.

How to Plate: If you are having an appetizer party, the above dish can be a fabulous chic twist on comfort food. Fill the tomato soup in a over-sized shot glass and cut the grilled cheese sandwiches into bite-size bits! Or pair the shooter with some crackers. (See picture I took for guidance)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Gucci's Lucy Platforms (courtesy of Bergdorf's)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Baker's Paola (courtesy of Bakersshoes.com)

DON'T WAIT AROUND FOR HIM AND BE BLUE (CORN TORTILLA CRUSTED CHICKEN)

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

That guy you used to love has moved on to other women, but you know in your heart that he could have been the one for you.

He didn't realize what he had when he had you.

But that's HIS problem. Stop being blue and just tell him "EFF YOU"!

Have 3 friends over and throw yourself a Mexican Fiesta!

**

• 4 Chicken cutlets (pound 'em out flat in a plastic bag with the back of a wine bottle)
• 1 bag of Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
• 1 can of black beans, drained
• 1 container of fresh Pico de Gallo
• 6 pack of Corona (for washing away your sorrows-- not really in the recipe)

If you have a food processor, toss those chips in and crumble them into breadcrumbs. If you don't, throw them into a bag and smash them with the back of a wine bottle.

In the same manner and in a different bag, pounding the chicken flat will get out your anger and aggression towards that asshole who broke your heart.

Take the pounded chicken and shake it in the closed bag with the crushed tortilla chips.

Line a baking sheet with tin foil, spray with a little canola oil (Pam) and bake the crusted chicken for 20 minutes on 395.

How to Plate: Arrange a layer of beans, then the chicken, topped with a few spoonfuls of the pico de gallo.

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Sergio Rossi Halter Heel (courtesy of Neiman Marcus)

I tried to pick something Red, White and Blue... but you'll have to do without the Red.

INAUGURATION DAY!

Cupcake courtesy of Big Sugar Bakeshop (Studio City, CA)

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Costume National's Triple Band Sandal (courtesy of Barneys)

I'm loving the blue acrylic heel!

CHICKEN AND SUN DRIED TOMATO SALAD

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

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If your mishpucha is coming over for dinner and they want to eat light, it’s OK to be a bit of a Tukhes Lecher and make this dish.

After they take a bite, believe me, they’ll want to leches your tukhes!

This is also a delicious mid-week dinner.

**

· Bag of Lettuce
· Chicken cutlets
· Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette ( I prefer Newman's Own)
· Mozzarella (small log or bite-size in water)
· Package of sun dried tomatoes (chop into small pieces)
· Pine nuts

Get the stove top started and spray your pan with oil. Throw in your chicken and begin cooking. Rinse lettuce with water and spin or pat dry. Add to large bowl. Chop up mozzarella and tomatoes and add to salad bowl. Throw in a handful of pine nuts.

Check your chicken! When it is "almost" done, add a dash of the vinaigrette to coat and cook onto the chicken. Put the cooked meat onto a plate and cut into bite-size pieces. Make sure it’s fully cooked. If not, throw the cut pieces back into the pan. Believe me, you do not want to cause any salmonella outbreaks.

Add dressing to salad. Again, remember to not over-do it. Toss the salad. Eat.

How to Plate: Small portion on a crisp white rectangular plate.

Parve: Don’t add the cheese… or replace chicken with fish! Now you’ve got a kosher salad!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Louis Vuitton's Lime Wedge Sandal (courtesy of eLUXURY.com)

I want to Blade Run out to the store right now and pick these up!

SOMETIMES...

... You've gotta kick off your heels,

Put on some flats,
(in this case, Lanvin courtesy of Barneys New York)
And have a SUSHI NIGHT OUT!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

2 pairs of Alexander McQueen (courtesy of Zappos)


I mean, seriously -- hot pink and chevron. Two of my favorite things!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Proenza Schouler's Ankle Wrap Sandals (courtesy of Bloomies)

Not the biggest fan of annoying ankle wraps, but these have an art deco quality I kinda dig.

THE EASIEST DESSERT EVER

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: (less than) OY!

*

I was fortunate enough to have two strappingly handsome gentlemen over my house last night, but I just didn't have the energy to make a cake or cookies or brownies-- anything difficult, really-- to celebrate their presence.

So, I got my Jackson Pollock on and made a chic dessert that's light and nothing short of stunning.

Two ingredients. That's all you need.

**

• Cherries (there ARE late-season cherries in your local grocer!)
• Gourmet Chocolate Syrup (I prefer a Chocolate Syrah Sauce you can find online or in wine country)

Wash those plump cherries, scatter them on a platter, and drizzle with the gourmet chocolate syrup!

DAILY HEEL WATCH

Jimmy Choo's Mary Jane Bootie (courtesy of Bergdorf's)

CUTE CUTE CUTE! I need these.

TERIYAKI TURKEY BURGER

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: OY!

*

The annual dance recital.

This was a big production. Schmaltzy costumes, stage moms... the whole shpilkes.

Morning of my big tap routine, I couldn't find my shoes.

In a complete craze, my mom grabbed my patent leather dress shoes and we headed out the door.

On stage, while I was tapping away in my faux tap shoes, my shoe fell off.... and flew a few feet away.

With a moment of panic, I kept on tapping my little shoe-less foot.

As the dance number proceeded, I found a moment to move over and shuffle back into my shoe.

The crowd went wild (well, maybe just in my head)... and I realized that sometimes you just can't plan everything, and improvisation leads to improvement!

Skip the ketchup and go gourmet by improvising on the simple burger. A scrumptious dish and a perfect alternative for the BBQ!

**

• 1 lb. lean ground Turkey
• “Soy Vey” teriyaki sauce (the best!)
• ½ cup of chopped onions
• ½ cup of chopped broccoli
• ½ cup of chopped carrots

In a bowl, mix all veggies into the turkey meat. Fold in about ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce. Feel free to use your hands to mix everything together—get dirty… it feels good! Pam your pan or use the good ole George Foreman to cook these yummy burgers up.

How to Plate: Serve with or without buns, drizzle a dash of extra teriyaki sauce on top! If this is for a party, make mini burgers and stack on a large platter!