Try this delicious pasta recipe from Giada De Laurentiis at the Food Network! It's really easy and will take around an hour to prep/cook. It's also very satisfying- make a little side salad and you have a perfect dinner! This recipe feeds four (with leftovers!) When I made the arrabbiata sauce- I nixed the pancetta and it was still tasty FYI :)
Ingredients:
Meanwhile, in a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the garlic and cook until the onions are soft and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is slightly golden and cooked through. Add the artichoke hearts and stir to combine. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a large bowl combine the cooled turkey mixture with the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, basil, parsley, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
To stuff the shells, cover the bottom of a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking dish with 1 cup of Arrabbiata sauce. Take a shell in the palm of your hand and stuff it with a large spoonful of turkey mixture, about 2 tablespoons. Place the stuffed shell in the baking dish. Continue filling the shells until the baking dish is full, about 24 shells. Drizzle the remaining Arrabbiata Sauce over the shells, top with the grated mozzarella. If freezing, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 1 day and up to 1 month.
To bake, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake until the shells are warmed through and the cheese is beginning to brown, about 60 minutes (20 minutes if shells are unfrozen.)
Arrabbiata Sauce:2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
5 cups jarred or fresh marinara sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 1 minute. Add the marinara sauce and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let cool until ready to use.
Yield: approximately 6 cups
The Culturistas LUST of the week! Alexander McQueen has recently come out with these gorgeous, edgy clutches with built in gloves/rings. Sure makes carrying a clutch much more comfortable AND way cooler.
Another boot trend for this Fall season are the cut-out boots! Check out these styles from Forever 21, Camilla Skovgaard, Michael Kors and Halston- in all different price ranges.
Peep-toe boots are popping up everywhere this season. And the great part is- you can find a pair in any price range! We can't wait to rock a pair this season!! Don't be afraid to wear opaque hose with peep-toe boots, when the weather starts to drop. Just stay away from the kind that has toe reinforcements.
Dressing for the end of summer and the beginning of Fall can be tricky! Here are some style tips to help you through! With these tips you can reuse what's already in your closet with some styling modifications to keep you on trend for PreFall 2009! Check out the Culturista style tips below!
Wear any of your miniskirts with a boyfriend blazer and peep-toe boots, both important on-trend pieces for the upcoming season! Accessorize with some great statement jewelry such as a chain necklace or cocktail ring.
Wearing a trench coat is a great way to take you from Summer to Pre-fall. Pair a light trench with any pair of shorts and sling back sandals for an in-between season look. Don't forget to accessorize with this seasons hottest necklace trend: the chain necklace!
Like a trench coat, a leather jacket will take you from Summer to the Fall season smoothly. It looks great paired with a floral print or any other summer dress. A long shoulder strap bag and cut out heels are hot trends for this fall!
British designer Christopher Kane launches a new Fall line for Topshop NEXT month! He has designed dresses, separates, shoes and even handbags for the collection. And the prices range from 60 to 310 dollars. Although this does sound pricey - it's much more affordable than Kane's High end line (plus hopefully this means they DON'T skimp on quality like other store's designer lines *achem Target*)
We love the studded pieces and all the pretty detailing. The line looks like a great mix of feminine and rocker chic. LOVE those Lady Gaga-esq tap pants seen above!
Spitz is a quasi-fast food restaurant with two locations in LA, Eagle Rock and Little Tokyo. They serve "Doner Kebob" which is street food commonly found in Europe, originating in Turkey. Their sandwiches are made up of either Chicken, a combo of Lamb and Beef or Falafel. The meats are slow roasted and then shaved off to put into wraps or sandwiches. The restaurant has been attracting hungry people since 2005 when owners Bryce Rademan and Robert Wicklund opened their first location in Eagle Rock.
For a modest 9-10 dollars, you get a Doner Kebob sandwich, a drink and one of their yummy sides. The sweet potato fries and the pita strips are both GREAT choices! They also have salad options as well as a Doner Plate option. And while you technically get your food quickly and it is inexpensive- the food at Spitz is great quality- so it is far from "fast food."
They have happy hour specials from 3pm-7pm everyday of the week! $4 Sangria, $1 Pita Strips with Hummus $3 draft beer! They also have a student discount- so bring your ids!
Starting tomorrow (Saturday, August 15th), Old Navy will be selling rib-knit tanks for 2 dollars a piece. They come in tons of colors and are great layering pieces. FYI- there is a limit 5 per customer.
Every Thursday until September 3rd the Twilight dance series presents free music in the Pier parking lot. The concerts run from 7pm-10 pm. This coming Thursday, the 13th of August- two bands will be performing: Idan Raichel Project from Israel and Elijah Emanuel, bilingual reggae from Panama). See more info below:
Location: Santa Monica Pier 200 Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, 90401
Phone: (310) 458-8900
It's the height of summer and there is no shortage of great music playing. The Culturistas have decided to put together a playlist compiled of our favorite summer songs. Whether you are lounging around or ready to bump it, below are beats from a variety of genres and musical styles for your auditory enjoyment!
Rachel Bilson dined at the West Hollywood restaurant, Cecconi’s, for lunch on Tuesday (August 4th). She dressed very casual, but stylish in a cotton t-shirt and cotton skirt by Brian Reyes (one of Rachel's go-to designers). See more of her great style here: Rachel Bilson: style profile
For an easy beach read try: "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella. If you've already read the series try one of her other novels: "Can you Keep a Secret?" "Remember Me?" or "Twenties Girl."
Before you see the movie read: "Julie and Julia" by Julie Powell. "With the humor of Bridget Jones and the vitality of Augusten Burroughs, Julie Powell recounts how she conquered every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and saved her soul."
Enjoy a long plane ride by reading: "I am Charlotte Simmons" by Tom Wolfe. Wolfe at his best: describing the social satire of University life. Anyone who has been to college can relate and enjoy this story.
For a good laugh with crass and provocative humor read: "My Horizontal Life" by Chelsea Handler. Chelsea chronicles her diverse array of one-night stands in a collection of hilarious stories. Please note that there is a serious possibility that you will pee in your pants while reading her bouts of below the belt humor!
For an entertaining murder mystery try, "The Late, Lamented Molly Marx" by Sally Koslow. In a very original premise, Molly, the recently deceased gets to take glimpse at how life goes on after her death. With a mix of mystery, humor, and chutzpah you won't be able to stop turning the pages!
For a powerful and emotional read try: "Say You're One of Them" by Uwem Akpan. Akpan's five tales are told with the honest and uninhibited voices of the children involved. Each one takes place in a different country but the theme is universal: the biggest challenge faced by children in Africa is staying alive.
For a page turner try: "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. If you saw the movie--block it from your memory and try the novel!
Tomorrow, Wednesday August 5th- The OutNet is having a clearance pop-up sale! Starting at 10am EST you can buy designer duds for up to 85% off! Don't forget to sign up for an account before you shop. Check out the sale here: www.theoutnet.com
As a first timer in Atlantic City I was expecting a place that could have been cross-pollonated by The Real Housewives of New Jersey and the cast of the Real World: Las Vegas. As it turned out, while the boardwalk had quite the New Jersey flair, the Chelsea Hotel was a polar opposite experience.
Not only was it a pleasure to stay in this plush boutique hotel, but the nightlife was the greatest perk. We did not even have to leave the hotel to experience a night out in Atlantic City. The fifth floor of the Chelsea is home to the Cabana Club and C5 which have ongoing events and parties put on by the Sky Group. Whether it is daytime pool party with DJs spinning or various musical artists performing at night, the Culturistas think this is the best nightlife you will find in AC. If you are in the mood to wind down a bit later on in the evening, head next door to the Tropicana for some some gambling. But don't forget to keep your betting low, we are still in a recession after all!
Tonight August 3rd from 7:30-10:00 PM is a free African-themed event in Central Park affiliated with the SummerStage series. World renowned banjoist Bela Fleck will be putting on a performance with Malian musician Toumani Diabate. This musical event will be followed by a film screening of Fleck's journey to Africa where he discovers the musical origins of the banjo. This is a great opportunity to gather your friends with an assortment of picnic food and just hang out and enjoy an evening of African culture. Events are put on by the City Parks foundation and are all free with a suggested donation of $5. Tonight's performance will be on the great lawn.
For more information please check out the Summerstage website
