Foodie Fridays: Baked Pesto Chicken

I recently found a recipe called Mr. Right's Baked Pesto Chicken on the Mystery Lovers' Kitchen website and thought it sounded delicious, so I had to give it a try.  This quick and simple dish is based upon the flavors of a Caprese salad, and how can you go wrong with a combination of basil, tomatoes, and cheese?  I especially loved the way the tomato slice on top roasts and gets a crispy cheese crust.  Next time I will layer more than one tomato slice on top!

Be careful not to overbake the chicken or it will dry out.  When I make this again I may put an additional layer of pesto on the top before adding the tomato and Parmesan cheese to keep the top layer moist and to add even more pesto flavor.  Perhaps I will even marinate the chicken in the pesto for about 30 minutes before baking.  I just love finding new ways to cook chicken!

Baked Pesto Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 T. pesto
2 fresh mozzarella slices
1-2 T. olive oil
1 large tomato, sliced
2 T. grated Parmesan

Pound the chicken breast halves into 1/2-inch thick cutlets, or cut them in half lengthwise to form a pocket.  Spread 1 T. pesto onto one side of the cutlet and top with a mozzarella slice.  Fold the other half of the cutlet over the top.

Lightly oil the bottom of a glass baking dish with the olive oil.  Place the chicken in the baking dish and top each with a tomato slice.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each one.  Bake at 450 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and the chicken is cooked through.  Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, topped with the pan juices.  Serves 2.

Note: Our local Publix sells chicken cutlets made by slicing chicken breast halves in half again lengthwise, so I used those and just stacked the two pieces.  Also, the amounts of pesto, cheeses, and tomato slices are only guidelines, so be as generous with any of them as you like (although too much mozzarella may end up in the bottom of your baking dish instead of staying inside the chicken!).
             

This 'n That Thursdays: Beautiful Southwestern Gardens

"My Front Yard" (summer 1941) by Georgia O'Keeffe
(from Artsy).

We are traveling to New Mexico in less than two weeks, and I am so looking forward to visiting our favorite state!  It may still be a bit early for peak garden viewing, but if we are lucky we will see some signs of spring blooming in the desert.  When my husband eventually retires (and he really is finally serious about retiring in the near future!), we hope to move to New Mexico, so we will be looking at properties on the market while we are there.  I like to garden, and I have been thinking about the challenges of gardening in a dry climate, but we lived in Colorado before we moved to Georgia so I already have some experience with limited water gardening.  I have been searching the internet for photos of southwestern gardens for inspiration, and I've put together a post for today which features some of these images.  Take a look, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

From Houzz

From Houzz

From The Garden Glove

From Landscaping Network

From Pinterest

From Hotels.com

From Houzz

From Letz Design Landscape

From Home Garden Design Plans

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It won't be long before we are enjoying the low humidity and sunny skies of New Mexico, and hopefully we will get to see some flowering southwestern gardens as well!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Fun Bird Print Apparel from Talbots

Talbots seems to have a bit of a bird theme going on for summer this year.  The cute Parrot Woven Straw Wristlet ($59.50) shown above is just one example.  And speaking of parrots, check out the Parrot Printed Scallop Hem Canvas Skirt ($69.50) - I love that hem:

(for more parrot-themed items click here)

If you prefer flamingos, you might like the 10 1/2" Embroidered Flamingo Twill Shorts ($59.50):

(for more flamingo-themed items click here)

There are even a few toucans included in this flock of avian-inspired apparel.  I especially like the Embroidered Toucan Tile Charming Cardigan (on sale for $62.65):

(for more toucan-themed items click here)

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I think I am going to have to fly the coop and head on over to our local Talbots to take a look at their new arrivals for summer!
             

Weekend Wardrobe: Accessories for Save the Giraffes Warm Weather 4x4 Wardrobe

Last week I put together a warm weather 4x4 wardrobe with a giraffe theme, and this week I am adding accessories to that wardrobe.  Of course the giraffe theme continues!  I was surprised at how many scarves are out there that feature giraffes, and in a rainbow of color options. So let's start with the scarves I found that complemented the color scheme of the apparel I chose last week (the scarf at the top right is the reason I included the orange t-shirt in the 4x4 wardrobe last week).  I doubt that anyone would need to own all seven scarves, but maybe three or four favorites could be selected.  I also included a giraffe headband in this set, because it seems to fit here:

Clockwise from top left: Nation Ltd. Women's Giraffe Pattern Scarf in Black; Fossil 'Cindy' Giraffe Silk Scarf; Yochoice Giraffe Print Scarf; World of Shawls Giraffe Print Scarf in White with Black; Romance Tales Giraffe Print Scarf in Beige; Anthropologie Giraffe Headband in Neutral Motif; World of Shawls Giraffe Print Scarf in Cream with Brown; Purple Possum Giraffe Scarf in Beige and Orange.

Just in case you think I've forgotten about top layers, I've included them as accessories because in warmer weather they are optional:

Clockwise from top left: National Geographic Women's Cotton Safari Jacket; H&M Fine-Knit Cotton Cardigan in Black; Land's End Women's Supima Cotton Cardigan in Blush Sand Heather; Wish Women's Giraffe Printed Kimono.

Let's take a look at some shoes now.  Who knew there were so many giraffe-themed shoes available?  And aren't those giraffe slip-ons adorable?  I did add one pair of sensible black shoes to tone down the wild patterns of the others a bit:

Clockwise from top left: Soludos Giraffe Espadrille Flats in Natural; A2 by Aerosoles Women's Taillight Giraffe Wedge Sandals; Naturalizer Veronica Loafers in Black Leather; Cole Haan Jennica Lace Sneakers II in Shimmer Giraffe Print.

Next up is an array of fun giraffe bags, plus a sensible black one to once again slightly tone things down:

Clockwise from top left: Signals Giraffe's Neck Handle Tote Shoulder Bag; Duluth Trading Co. Women's Lifetime Leather Medium Sling Bag in Black; Brixton Baker Coach Park Giraffe Print Canvas and Leather Hobo Bag; Chico's Beaded Giraffe Clutch (no longer available).

The fifth set contains a variety of giraffe-themed jewelry that I discovered, and I included a watch as well:

Clockwise from top left; ModCloth Safari Party Earrings in Birch; Wildlife Wonders Zarah Jewelry Giraffe Enameled Wire Earrings; Wildlife Wonders Zarah Jewelry Giraffe Enameled Silver Plated Necklace; Kenneth Jay Lane White and Tan Enamel Giraffe Bracelet; ModCloth Coming Up Necks Necklace in Gold; Souarts Gold Color Steel Giraffe Dial Watch; Serengeti Handpainted Porcelain Giraffe Earrings; Kiel Mead Gold Plated Giraffe Necklace.

And finally, I put together one last set of miscellaneous accessories featuring giraffes, just because there are so many available (isn't that shower cap a treat?):

Clockwise from top left: Garmentory Komono Renee Sunglasses in Giraffe; Calico Caps "Giraffington Park" Ladies Baseball Cap; Wild Habitat Giraffe Skin Shorty Socks; Dilly Daydream Giraffe Shower Cap; The Big Zoo Giraffe Socks; The San Francisco Umbrella Company Giraffe Umbrella Orange on Black.

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So there you have it - a vast array of giraffe-inspired accessories for a giraffe lover's wardrobe!  Before I bring my "Save the Giraffes" week to a close with this post, I thought I would leave you with a BBC video from YouTube documenting efforts by Dr. Julian Fennessy and his wife Stephanie of the Giraffe Conservation Society to save giraffes in Africa (the documentary is almost an hour long, so make sure you have some time to view it):

Enjoy the video, help in any way you can to save the giraffes, and have a great weekend!

                

Foodie Fridays: Giraffe Bread

Believe it or not, I actually found a giraffe recipe that does not involve eating a giraffe!  Almost as important for me is the fact that this Gluten-Free Banana Giraffe Bread contains no wheat flour or added sugar (except for the sugar in the chocolate chips).  The bread gets its name from the alternating dark and light pattern of the bread when sliced, which resembles the coat pattern of the giraffe (although mine ended up looking more striped than reticulated, I have to say!).  The small amount of flour used is coconut flour, and the sweetness of the bread comes mainly from the bananas.

This bread tastes just like regular banana bread, and I could not even tell that there was almost no flour or sugar!  It does take a bit of time to put together, but no more so than making a marbled loaf bread of any kind, and the end result is so moist and delicious it is worth the little bit of extra effort.  And it is just so darned pretty, plus the name is so much fun!

Giraffe Bread

5-6 (about 20 oz.) ripe bananas*
4 eggs
1/2 C. almond butter
4 T. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C. coconut flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1/2 C. dark chocolate chips

Combine the first five ingredients in a large bowl and mix well with a hand mixer until almost smooth (there will be tiny lumps from the bananas).  You can use a blender instead for this step if you prefer, and then pour the liquid mixture into a large bowl.  Stir in the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips until well moistened.

Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl and heat in the microwave on HIGH for one minute.  Stir and microwave for 15 seconds at a time until completely melted.  Add two cups of the batter to the melted chocolate and stir well to combine.

In a parchment-lined loaf pan, add a few blobs of the chocolate mixture, spaced well apart.  Cover with some of the banana batter.  Repeat, varying the areas where the chocolate batter is spooned.  I had some leftover chocolate chips, so I sprinkled those on top of the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes, testing for doneness with a toothpick or wooden skewer.  When the toothpick or skewer comes out clean, remove the bread from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan and cooling completely on a wire rack.  Cool at least 2 hours before slicing.  Makes 1 large loaf.

*The weight is more important than the number of bananas.
               

This 'n That Thursdays: Save the Giraffes Living Room

Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya
(image from M2).

My "save the giraffes" campaign continues, this time with a giraffe-inspired living room style board.  Apparently I am not the first person to be inspired by giraffe home décor - check out a few more interiors with a giraffe theme by clicking here.  Of course, for the ultimate giraffe design, you can't beat the addition of the real thing, as shown in the Giraffe Manor photo above!

And here is my living room style board based upon this African artiodactyl ruminant:

Clockwise from top left: Sunland Home Decor Kenyan Banana Batik Wall Art Giraffes No. 113; RoomCraft Giraffe Print Throw Pillows in Natural Tan; Sunland Home Decor Kenyan Banana Batik Wall Art Giraffes No. 112; Crate and Barrel Trevor Leather 4-Seat 106" Grande Sofa in Tampa Fawn; 1st Dibs Bronze Giraffe Table Lamps; Crate and Barrel Patina Bronze Drum Table; Avana Africa Standing Tall and in Love Floor Lamp; Crate and Barrel Trevor Leather Chair in Sicily Camel; Crate and Barrel Patina Bronze Cube Table; Center top: Giraffe Things Kenyan Zebra and Giraffe Print Oval Wood Bowl; Center bottom: Coleman Furniture Delano Antiqued Brass Drum Coffee Table; Center background: Rugs A Bound Giraffe Print Rug.

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Not only are giraffes impressive and beautiful animals, they are an excellent inspiration for design!
             

Wish List Wednesdays: Giraffe Nature Table Dessert Plate

After my most recent weekend post, I decided that this week had to be dedicated to giraffes!  The lovely Giraffe Nature Table Dessert Plate ($18) from Anthropologie would be a great start to any giraffe collection for the home.  The 9-inch stoneware plate is designed by artist Lou Rota, who specializes in ceramics with nature designs.  The plate is available in five other animal-based patterns as well (the one you can't see below has hummingbirds), but the giraffe is my favorite!