Weekend Kitchen: Fresh Corn & Ricotta Pasta

I've had an odd craving for sweet corn this summer - I can't seem to get enough and every recipe I see on Pinterest that has corn in it gets pinned immediately.  I saved this recipe from the Every Day with Rachel Ray Magazine.  See the original recipe here. 



Ingredients:

- 1 pound pasta (Original recipe called for shells but I used the beautiful pasta pictured above)

- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

- 4 ears fresh corn

- 1 medium red onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 15 ounce container of ricotta

- Fresh basil, for garnish

Directions:

1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions; drain. Return the pasta to the pot and toss with 2 tbsp. of olive oil.

2.  While the pasta is cooking, heat a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet over medium-high. Slice the kernels from the cobs and cook in the dry skillet, stirring occasionally, until browned in spots, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, garlic and 2 tbsp. olive oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 2 minutes; season with salt and pepper.

3.  Toss the pasta with the corn mixture. Divide among plates and top with ricotta and basil. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste.

(Serves 4)

This pasta recipe was so easy to prepare.  Prep was super simple, too. I liked the flavors - especially with the dollop of ricotta on top.  It was the prefect addition to the flavors of the corn and onions. If you like corn, I recommend it!

Finds for Fall

 

Even though I am having trouble believing it is already September(!), I rounded up a few things I saw online this week that I think would be perfect for Fall.

 

1.  Free Fall Printable from Nest of Posies Blog.  Download your own copy here.

2.  Clarus Centerpiece Candleholder from Crate and Barrel.  I love the brass finish.  Fits in perfectly with Fall décor.

3.  This necklace is gorgeous.  I think it would look perfect with fall sweaters and blouses.  Banana Republic Zuma Beach Statement Necklace.

4.  If you're in the mood for a simpler necklace that can be worn everyday, this one from BR would be perfect.  Banana Republic Gold Disc Necklace.

5.  I'll take one in each color, please.  Perfect for chilly nights curled up with a glass of wine and a book.  Jaquard Key Throw from West Elm.

6.  Minted recently introduced a new line of Foil Pressed Personal Stationary.  Every single pattern is so pretty. I'm pretty sure I need a set in every style.  I really like this pretty black and gold pattern - it seems just perfect for Fall.

7.  Do you want a new handbag every season like I do?  This one looks perfect for Fall.  I don't think this photo does it justice - I saw a photo in the catalog and it looks beautiful.  A subtle  monogram is available on the strap.  Women's landmark Montana Shopper from Land's End.

8.  Simple and pretty.  Fall evenings deserve a little glow, don't you think?  Crate and Barrel Denby Candleholders

9.  I'm pretty sure this pretty little stool could be put to good use in nearly every room of the house.  Vince Accent Stool from Pottery Barn.

 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend at home catching up on a few things! 

 

 

Lakehouse Home Tour: My Bathroom

 

Welcome to the first installment of the DKU Lakehouse Home Tour!  I'm really excited to finally start posting some of the rooms in our home.  If you want to read a little bit about our move, click here.  I'm starting the tour with my bathroom.  See end of post for a complete source list.

 

My bathroom was one of the first rooms that I finished during the design process.  I'm not sure why, but all of the finishes came together very easily.  It started with the cabinets - I fell in love with the Battleship Grey color right away.  I also knew that I wanted a light tile and saw the Florentine Collection on display at my Daltile showroom and immediately liked it.  The Carrera colorway in the Florentine Collection is a porcelain tile with the visual of marble.  I'm not normally a fan of anything trying to look like something it's not, but I made an exception for my bathroom.  The cost was right, the maintenance is easy, and I really do like how it looks.  Of course, I can't say anything will ever look exactly like the real thing (and maybe that's a good thing), but in this case, I'm OK with it.  I did use real marble mosaics as an accent, and I am very happy with how the two products look together.

 

 

The best part about this vanity, is that when I am standing at it and have the door to my bedroom  open, I can see the lake.  Bonus.

 

 

I selected the same Kohler sink I used in my condo.  I really like the rectangular shape. 

 

 

 

The faucet is another favorite.  On the day we selected most of our plumbing fixtures, we walked into the showroom, and the Kohler Pinstripe Pure was the very first thing I noticed.  It was love at first sight.  This faucet is gorgeous!  I used the lever handles in my bathroom, but it is also sold with cross handles, and I used those in the powder room.

I'm in love with this slab of granite.  The name is 'Fantasy Brown' which is a little deceiving because there really is a lot of grey coloring.  In person, it's actually not as warm toned as it looks here in the photos. 

The slab is a remnant found at one of our local fabricators (Duca Tile & Stone in Holland, MI.  If you are local, Duca is the best!).  We were able to find remnants for 5 of the bathrooms at the Lakehouse, plus the laundry room, for a fraction of the cost of selecting an entire slab.  You may have to go back a few times and keep checking the remnant section, but it is certainly worth is.  

Do you like flowers in the bathroom as much as I do?  It might seem like an odd spot, but it's a spot I'm sure to see several times a day.  Might as well be pretty!

 

Here's a close up of the marble mosaic I used as an accent.  I used it as a border in the main bathroom and shower floor, and as the vertical surface on the back of the shower niches.

 

 

My shower and toilet are in a room with a separate door off of the bathroom.  We tried to create a lot of flexibility in the floor plan at the Lakehouse and keep in mind what the use might be for future generations.  So, even though it's just me right now, in the future someone could use the shower with the door shut, and someone else could be using the sink.

 

 

The wall sconce is so simple, and maybe the least expensive fixture in the entire house, but I am really happy with the look and I think it compliments the bathroom design.

 

 

 

 

SOURCE LIST:

- Cabinets:  Omega Cabinetry.  Door style is 'Renner' and color is 'Battleship Grey'

- Tile: Daltile; Florentine Series; color: Carrara

- Marble Mosaic Tile:  Marble Systems; Skyline Polished 3" x 5/8" Mosaic; 12x12 sheet

- Sink:  Kohler Ladena Undermount Sink

- Faucet:  Kohler Pinstripe Pure Widespread

- Shower Fixtures:  Kohler Forte

- Granite: Fantasy Brown

- Wall Paint Color:  Benjamin Moore; La Paloma Gray 1551

- Toilet: Toto; Drake

- Wall Sconces:  Steven & Chris; Gramercy Collection Wall Sconce

- Cabinet hardware:  Purchased from Modern Hardware in Grand Rapids, MI; I do not have the style name.

 

I've linked this post to:

- Best of the Nest Party with Lisa @ Shine Your Light

- Fall into Fall Party

- A Stroll Thru Life - Inspire Me Tuesday