Off The Counter: Peach Caprese Salad With Crushed Pistachios

This week's Off The Counter is a fresh take on the traditional Caprese salad.  Sliced peaches and crushed pistachios give this classic a surprisingly sweet and crunchy flavor while the layered arugula leaves add a peppery pop.  Ingredients and instructions below:

Ingredients

Tomatoes, mozzarella, peaches, pistachios, arugula, salt, pepper, olive oil and rice vinegar.

Instructions

Slice the tomatoes, the fresh mozzarella and the peaches.  Layer them on a tray, add the arugula leaves and drizzle all with olive oil and rice vinegar.  Sprinkle crushed pistachios over the top.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve and enjoy this seasonal favorite!

'Til Monday: Rainy Days Are Good

Sometimes a rainy day is just what one needs to either slow down or get things done that were previously neglected.  Hubby and I are doing just that.  We're taking advantage of this very damp day to prep for our next Saturday's yard sale.  This rainy day task turned out to be quite a walk down memory lane.  Some of the stored boxes had not been opened since our move 5 years ago, others held photos, letters and memorabilia from past travels,  younger times and other homes.  The process was slow, both emotional and comical and we'll keep plugging along.

If you're not up to your knees in boxes, deep into a book you've been trying to finish, or tackling an overdue project, take a peek at some of my new favorite links and let me know what you think.

Dearest Nature

Emma Dime

Justina Blakeney

transito incial

A rainy day image.

Another great thing to do today is to sign up to receive Cocoon Home Blog via email.  Click here to do so.

Enjoy your day!

Moving Mode: Another Look At Our California House

Now that all the real-estate hoopla is over and we're under contract with a scheduled closing, I can really begin thinking about what to do in our 'new' California home.   Although its architecture is interesting complete with a functional floor plan that easily flows from one space to the next, the brick walls, concrete floors and drop ceilings pose quite a design challenge.  A part of me wants to lighten the floors and paint the walls, brick and all.  However, because it's the same brick as the one on the exterior of the house,  maintaining a degree of cohesiveness will stay true to the time period it was built.  I often tell clients to "live" in their space before making any major changes to it.  It is my turn to practice what I preach, and I only hope that I can be patient enough to do it.  In either case, I'm very excited to work in the garden  (front and back).  Take a look below at the back of the house and click here for a mini tour of its front:

Obsessing Over: Modern Elegance

Gabriel Scott's Kelly Chandelier.

Front pleated silk blouse by Ella Lai.

Brass bottle openers found at dar gitane

Highboy by Richard Watson.

Off The Counter: Waffles Of Insane Greatness

We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends complete with lots of yummy food.  One of our favorite breakfast activities when hosting overnight guests is to make waffles and cottage cheese pancakes.  The waffle recipe is literally titled:  Waffles Of Insane Greatness for good reason.  They are perfect every time, a little crisp, light and tasty.  Our other favorite breakfast treat is to be found at the back of  Trader Joe's Buttermilk Pancake Mix box:  lemony cottage cheese  pancakes.  These lovelies are creamy on the inside, toasty on the outside and so lemony fresh.  We serve them with fruit, yogurt and honey.

What are some of your go-to recipes when hosting overnight guests?

Waffles Of Insane Greatness

Ingredients: ¾ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup cornstarch ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 1½ tsp. sugar 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk ½ cup buttermilk 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 large egg, lightly beaten ¾ tsp. vanilla extract

Directions: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.  Whisk together to blend.  In another mixing bowl, beat together the whole milk, buttermilk, oil, egg and vanilla.  Add the dry ingredients to the liquid ingredients in the bowl and whisk until incorporated and very few lumps remain.  Set aside to rest for 30 minutes.

Preheat a waffle iron.  Fill waffle wells and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Cook until crisp and golden.  Serve immediately.