Cowboy (Mississippi) Caviar or a Fun Version of a Bean Salad

My wonderful friend RaeLynn made this dish as an appetizer many years ago and I fell in love.  I don't know why I don't make it more often as every time I do, it is met with approval and an empty bowl. I've called it Cowboy Caviar but some variations refer to it as Mississippi Caviar or simply Bean Salad.

The nice thing with this dish is it could easily be used with tortilla chips (or scoops) as a appetizer or as a bean salad side dish. It refrigerates well (for a couple of days at least) and is quick and easy to construct.

Things You Need (Otherwise Known as Ingredients and Supplies)

1 - 16-19 oz can Bean Mix	2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
1 - 16-19 oz can Chick Peas	3 Tbsp Vinegar (Balsamic or Red Wine)
1 – 4.5 oz can Green Chilies	2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 of each (Green, Red, Yellow, Orange) Pepper, diced	2 Tbsp Lemon/Lime Juice
1 bunch Green Onion, chopped	1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
12-15 Cherry/Grape Tomatoes, diced	Tabasco to taste (2-3 dashes) or other hot sauce
½ cup Black Olives (if desired)	Salt and Pepper to taste
	Tortilla Chips (Scoops) if desired

Mixing bowls
Whisk
Cutting Boards
Knives
Large Bowl

Things You Do (Otherwise Known as Directions)

Rinse and Drain Bean Mix and Chick Peas very well.

Chop the peppers, green onions and tomatoes and empty into the bowl. I also added black olives because I love them!

 Add the beans and peas, green chilies.

 In a smaller bowl, mix the garlic, vinegar, olive oil, juice, mustard, sugar, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

I decided to use a 1/2tsp of jelly for kick

Add the liquid mixture to the bowl of ingredients and mix well.

Refrigerate for a couple of hours to allow taste to flourish and then serve. You could add cilantro to this mix or parsley. It really is as versatile as you want it.

Enjoy!
Lori

Partridgeberry or Lingonberry Jam

As mentioned in a recent dessert squares post, partridgeberries are my favourite. Tart berries that have a similar appearance to currants, these are most often found on the marshes of Newfoundland and Scandinavia.

My sister-in-law picks berries every year and if I'm really good she sends some to Halifax for me. I typically jam them and then use them for pies, squares, cakes and spread on toast.  Here is my tried and true recipe.

Things you Need (Otherwise Known as Ingredients and Supplies)

4 Cups of Partridgeberries
2 1/2 Cups of White Sugar
1 Cup of Water (Orange Juice is also lovely)
1 Tbsp of Butter
1 pkg of Pectin

Things I add if the mood takes me (and used in this recipe) - It's not needed but I like to mix it up
1 Tbsp of Gingerbread Spices (or 1 tsp on cinnamon)
1 peeled and cored apple
1 husk of a vanilla bean

Mortar and Pestle (if you use whole spices)
Hand Blender (or masher)
Jam Bottles, lids - whatever you use to preserve jam
Spoons, pots, etc

Things you Do (Otherwise Known as Directions)

Take your berries, sugar and water and place in a fairly large pot. Turn on burner to medium.

Since I decided to use some spices, I ground them using a mortar and pestle.

I cut up and apple, added the spices and a vanilla bean husk. I increased the heat to Medium-High to bring to a low boil.

As you can see the apple and the berries soften quite quickly.  Let this gently boil for about 20 minutes. Do NOT leave the lid securely on as it will boil over and good luck getting that mess off!
I leave the lid slightly offset.

Once it is gently boiled for the 20 minutes I remove the vanilla pod and get my hand blender ready.

I blend the jam smooth (or to whatever level you like) with the hand blender and set back on stove on medium to "hard" boil stage.

I let this boil for about 10 minutes and stir constantly. After the 10 minutes I add the butter and pectin. Let boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Prepare bottles for preserving and voila!

Note: The small amount of butter pretty much eliminates the need to have to skim the solid bits at the top of the jam.

Here is what the consistency looks like.

I also thought to show you (via pictures) how I use the jam.

Vanilla Cake

I use a butter knife to swirl through

Enjoy!
Lori

June 2014 Beauty Box 5

After last month's disappointing Beauty Box 5 offering I was really on the fence about continuing. But I am a sucker for surprises. When I opened this month's box, I was pleasantly surprised.

First up is Vitabath's Wild Red Cherry Body Wash. I received a 60ml size. The full size is about 360ml and retails for about $8. Very cherry smell and I think it's sweet and nice.

New to me product range is Nicka K. I received a gorgeous vivid red colour called Ripe Apple. The bottle is sleek and modern looking if that is of importance.  I received  full size which retails for about $5-6.

I will include the foil packets of shampoo and conditioner in this list. I is Coconut Water Shampoo and Conditioner from OGX (organix). Prices range from $8 for 385ml to $15 for 750ml.

Next up, more foil packets but this time it is a replenishing scrub, comforting mask, refiner/cleanser and soothing cream from Eslor Skin Care. I have zero knowledge of this line of skin care but I am a sucker for face scrubs and whatnot. Retails for $28-65 dollars each.

Finally I received a sample size of GlamNatural mascara in black. Coincidentally I am trialing sample sized mascaras to take one with me to Spain for the Camino de Santiago. Lucky indeed. I did try this mascara and took pictures for you to judge. It lacks the punch of other mascaras in my arsenal but it's not... bad. Full size retails for about $28.

Very small wand. Simple spiral

One Coat of mascara

Two Coats of mascara

 Please excuse my messy mascara application! Not typical.

 I thought I would add a comparison of the mascara from my TopBox review and this mascara. Both with 2 coat of mascara. The right eye (left to the viewer) is more bold and is from Teeez Trendy. Left eye (right to the viewer is the GlamNatural mascara. I feel there is quite the difference.

Beauty Box 5 is now back on my good list. I have a use for everything is this box.

PS, if you live in the US and want to give Beauty Box 5 a whirl, enter code FREE614 at checkout to either:

• Get a free intro box, or
• Save $12 off a quarterly subscription, or
• Save $12 off a yearly subscription.

Code expires 6/30/2014

Cheers,
Lori

June 2014 TopBox

Back in 2012 I was a faithful TopBox subscriber. I cancelled all my subscriptions but last month decided to take another look at beauty subscription boxes. To me, TopBox was always a pretty good value for money so I delved in again and joined.

This month's TopBox offered a wishlist of items you could "ask" for. You are directed to the website and then select options that you would prefer to have. There are no guarantees but....

I selected a solitary mascara as my preferred option. I love mascara, I am always on the lookout for good mascaras so this was right up my alley. There were a nail polish option, a couple of skincare options, mascara option and "send me the typical box" option.

Today I opened my box and I got my wish!  Yay for mascara!

The brand is Teeez Trendy Cosmetics. From what I can gather, Teeez is Dutch-based, paraben-free, cruelty-free and animal derivative-free cosmetics company. I've had no experience with any of their products previously but after a quick look on the Google machine, reports are good.

My mascara was Desert Metals Midnight Blue. I love the sleek look of the container and the wand is very reminiscent of Lancome Hypnose Mascara (I had the Star version and loved it).

 I decided to apply it (even after a LONG Difficult day) and feel that it does a reasonable job at giving my lashes the punch they so desperately need!

One coat of mascara

Two coats of mascara

 I think the two coats are needed but I am very interested in trying this out on an ongoing basis.

Note: I've been sizing up my eyelashes and have to admit that this mascara is delivering. Tomorrow I will wear it all day plus do my usual workout après work... We'll see how it holds up to THAT!!

I wish I could give you a cost, but I can't seem to find any reference to it in Canadian dollars. I suspect that it is in the $25 range - purely a guess though.

This month's TopBox was good value for the money - I'm pretty happy I rejoined.

Cheers,

Lori

PS. Here is a side by side comparison of two different mascaras. One on YOUR left (my right eye) is Teeez brand, the other is the from GlamNatural. I think there is quite the difference. Two coats each. 

June 2014 Ipsy Bag

This bag is my premiere one with Ipsy. As you can tell from previous posts, I have been a subscriber of numerous beauty boxes over the years. Positive comments from folks about Ipsy made me curious so I thought I should dive in and give it a whirl.

I received 5 items in my Ipsy bag (which incidentally I love itself).

1. Be A Bombshell Lash Out Mascara in Intense Black - 9g (Full Size) at $15. Received: Full Size - YAY!  My first impression is that it is a fairly routine mascara wand however there is an odd smell the emanates from the wand. I have not used the product to date. But I will and likely include it in a mascara review.  
   
2. Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray - 1.52 ml (Trial Size). Full size (125 ml) is approximately $12. I never have beachy waves so this will go in the donation collection for a local group.
   
3. Nicka K New York Shimmer Eyeliner  in Blue- 1 oz (Full Size) at $5. Received: Full size. It looks like a great shimmer eyeliner but totally not my style. In the donation collection it goes.
   
4. NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel - 8 ml (Full Size) at $5. Received: Full Size. I will definitely be using this gloss. Very nice texture and colour for summer.
   
5. Laneige BB Cushion - The sample came with 3 colour samples (Light, Medium and Dark) plus the puff.  To be honest I know nothing about this product but am intrigued especially for the SPF50. I think it is tailored to an Asian complexion but I am giving it a whirl.

I wanted to swatch the eyeliner and gloss for examples.

Bright direct light

Softer overhead light

All things considered, I feel very positive about my first Ipsy experience. 3 out of the 5 items will be in my try/regular rotation list. The other 2 will be put to use elsewhere I am sure.  Plus the Rebecca Minkoff makeup bag is divine!

Cheers,
Lori