Meatless Monday: Spicy Crab Salad for Spring

Leave a comment April 27, 2015 Manolos & Muffins

One of my favorite things to make when the weather starts to warm up is this spicy crab salad. Its a family favorite now, and the good thing about it is you can tweak it to your liking. If you’d like add veggies, you can add asparagus or broccoli. It’s really so easy to make and most of the items are kitchen staples, minus the fresh jump lump crab and fresh basil.

This recipe was in one of the first cookbooks I received from my mama as a single gal in a new apartment, and I’ve been making it ever since. So easy and always a favorite dish for spring/summer 🙂

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic Seasoning Blend)

5 ounces fresh jumbo lump crab meat

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 small tomato, diced

Green and black olives, sliced

1 cup of rice (Carolina Jasmine rice is what I use)

Salt & pepper to taste (you can garnish with basil as well)

Mix mayo, seafood seasoning, lemon juice and red wine vinegar and blend. Add in crabmeat, olives, tomato. Add rice at the end.

Voila! Grab some chopsticks (or a fork ;)) and enjoy! xo N

Easy Easter Decorating

Leave a comment April 11, 2015 Manolos & Muffins

If the weeks somehow got away from you (I feel like it was just Christmas!) or if you somehow ended up hosting brunch or dinner at the last minute or if you are just a straight-up, downright procrastinator, this post is for you. I hosted Thanksgiving last year and really enjoyed putting in the time to create the perfect tablescape, place settings and seasonal decor. This time around, I just haven’t had the time, but thanks to a few, quick pieces I was easily able to pull together some Easter decor, just in time for Sunday 🙂 I’m a big fan of white ceramic holiday and seasonal pieces that you can use over and over every year with different color schemes and accent pieces to give it a fresh look.

Bunny Bowl, Pier 1 Imports | place mat, Pottery Barn | white dinner plate, Opal Innocence Collection by Lenox | Monogrammed linen napkin, Etsy | Bunny place card holder or napkin ring, Pier 1

Bunny Tail Chair Covers, Pier 1 Imports, pier1.com.

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White ceramic bunny, Potter Barn | Vintage spring dish | spring eggs and potpourri, Pottery Barn

#MeatlessMonday: Zucchini Pizzas

Leave a comment March 3, 2015 Manolos & Muffins

Quick & easy light bite after work or on weekends. Slice zucchini vertically, then in half, add your favorite homemade marinara or go-to jarred sauce and top with mozzarella cheese. Salt & pepper these babies, then broil them for 10-15 minutes till cheese is golden brown. If you have some leftover Italian bread in the house from the weekend, you can top these with homemade breadcrumbs or use your favorite Panko or Italian breadcrumb brand.

Enjoy!

JET SET: Paris in the Springtime

Leave a comment March 2, 2015 Manolos & Muffins

Sunset outside The Louvre.
(Photo credit: Manolos & Muffins™)

Paris In the Spring

Even though the weather hasn’t exactly been cooperating, today is March 1st and I have a major case of spring fever. Last year, my husband and I visited Paris together for the first time and I absolutely fell in love with Parî. The beauty of the City of Lights, the fashion and the warmth of the French people took my breath away. While our Eurotrip consisted of multiple cities across several countries, we were fortunate to spend a number of days in Paris. There are so many wonderful sights & places to see. The romance throughout the City is palpable, and whether you are with the love of your life or the besties in your life, I can’t think of a better place in the world to share with those you love — whether its a significant other, friend or family member.

While Paris is always a good idea, there is something to be said for visiting in the Spring. The flowers are in bloom and the trees are bursting with color, which make for some great photo ops and eye candy. One of my most favorite spots to visit was the La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre. The Church is not only rich in history and breathtaking, in and of itself, but at the very top of Monmarte you can experience some absolutely breathtaking views of the entire city. Trés magnifiqué.

While we all eagerly await spring as its 10 degrees outside with snow on the ground, I’d figured I share some of my favorite photos taken on my Parisian adventure. Enjoy xo