A FEW THINGS

This is a recipe from Smitten Kitchen which I make all the time when it's cold out - I especially like the hint of red wine vinegar (and sometimes I add a dollop of butter).

Stewed Lentils & Tomatoes
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa at Home

2 teaspoons good olive oil
2 cups large-diced yellow onions (2 onions)
2 cups large-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes
1 cup French green lentils (7 ounces)
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 teaspoons mild curry powder
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and the carrots and cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more.

Meanwhile, place the canned plum tomatoes, including the juice, in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse several times until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Rinse and pick over the lentils to make sure there are no stones in the package.

Add the tomatoes, lentils, broth, curry powder, thyme, salt and pepper to the pan. Raise the heat to bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer covered for about 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Check occasionally to be sure the liquid is still simmering. Remove from the heat and allow the lentils to sit covered for another 10 minutes. Add the vinegar, season to taste and serve hot.

Some tangerine-coloured things - a notebook from Korea, some nail polish (Chanel's Orange Fizz is my favourite), The Collected Stories of Lydia Davis, which I pick up every now and then, and a little bear (also from Korea).

 Here's a miniature 'in my bag' post (inspired by Anabela's more comprehensive one).  I recently bought this little Baggu pouch from Philistine to go inside my larger tote.

Inside are some makeup products I've been using lately:

NARS Gaiety blush (perfectly baby doll!)

Chanel nail polish in June

YSL Touche Eclat and Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Shocking

 

I've been practicing winged cat-eyes ever since Bernadette posted a little how-to illustration.  I've been enjoying the YSL liner, but perhaps next I'll try Bobbi Brown's.  That MAC paint in Bare Canvas is something I've used for years - I don't really like to wear eyeshadow, but this product just brightens everything up and still looks quite natural.

Last Thursday I took myself for a brunch at Saving Grace.  I love eating out alone and Saving Grace is my favourite place to do so (well, that and Swan).  I had their frittata of the day (it had black rice, roasted red peppers, green onions, etc. in it) and the pear/ginger juice.  Accompanying me was Lorrie Moore's Like Life.

  

Coriander Girl, my favourite flower shop, is moving! Today was Alison's last day in her current location, but she'll be reopening on February 12th just up the street.  Today she had a special sale, as well as so many delicious cookies from Yummy Stuff.  It was a very happy visit.