FOOD: Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Lauren here today, with a crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next get together. Think of this as the healthier sister to the P.F. Chang's version that everyone loves. 

Yes, there are a gazillion copycat recipes of this app floating around, but my take is a little different and still full of plenty of flavor. The best part is how easy it is--the perfect kind of dish to serve up at a party and let your guests help themselves. Keep reading for the recipe!
 
asian chicken lettuce wraps 1asian chicken lettuce wraps 2

Let's start with the ingredients. Most recipes call for ground chicken, which happens to include dark meat. Instead, cook a few chicken breasts to shred so you get the lean, white meat only.

 Shredded carrots and radicchio are an easy way to sneak in some extra nutrients and balance each other out (sweet and bitter). The dressing is where it's all at, though. Dijon mustard and minced ginger pack a lot of flavor, and using light soy sauce cuts out some of the extra salt.

asian chicken lettuce wraps 3asian chicken lettuce wraps 4

To serve, Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves work best as they're naturally curled into the perfect-sized cups. Set out fresh bean sprouts for a low-cal crunchy topping, as well as chopped chives and toasted sesame seeds. 

asian chicken lettuce wraps 5

For the dressing:
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

For the filling:
4 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 small radicchio, shredded 
2 carrots, shredded with a box grater

For serving:
Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves
Fresh bean sprouts, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped chives for garnish
Sriracha for added heat

Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, combine first five ingredients. Whisk in the vegetable and sesame oil.
2. In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, radicchio and carrot. Add the dressing slowly, tossing to combine. You may not need all of it. 
3. To serve, spoon chicken mixture into the lettuce leaves. Top with bean sprouts, chives and toasted sesame seeds. 



-Recipes & images by Lauren Craig



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Fashion: Emerald Green

Hi everyone!  Kat here from With Love From, Kat. Today's post is all about the Pantone color of the year; Emerald.  Emerald is a color of love, beauty, and prosperity.  

I adore this color because it looks good against every skin tone and every hair color.  I don't own nearly enough emerald so after I finished this post I ordered #3 and #7!  I'm excited to start wearing these pieces because they are season-less and can be dressed up or dressed down. 



 Which pieces are your favorite?




7.  Gerard Yosca necklace




-post by Kat Tanita

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Showplace Antique + Design Center

Ok - I was on a date with my guy when we went to Showplace Antique + Design Center here in Manhattan. Let me just say, I was blown away. It's a huge 3 story location with a ton of goodies to decorate your home. It is literally a designer's dream-come-true. When we walked up these stairs (see below) & headed to the 3rd floor, we encountered aisles & aisles of OMHYGosh furniture & home accessories. This stuff is definitely sourced carefully for designers + collectors.

It's like Kelly Wearstler-good. Know what I mean? A word of caution though - bring some money with you - because this stuff will cost you. If you haven't been & need a friend to go with, let me know. I'd love to go again.









































Here is the hubby looking out the gorgeous large window - not sure who is sexier, the window or him.... lol


Showplace 
Location: 40 W 25th St, New York, NY 10010



-images by jen ramos






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DIY: studded shirt

DIY Studded Shirt Hi! I'm Stephanie from Henry Happened, and I'm excited to share fashion DIYs here on MBG as one of the newest contributors. If you have ideas on DIYs that you'd like to see, definitely let me know! For our first project, we're updating an everyday basic - the white button up!

DIY STudded Shirt 

When it's cold outside I am a big fan of layering. At any given time I'm usually wearing about three shirts! So I like my layers to have a little pizzazz. An easy way to spruce up a plain button up is with studs. This DIY Studded Shirt is simple (no prongs to stick your fingers!), chic and easy on the wallet too.

Fair warning: Iron on studs are a little addictive. They're so easy you'll want to stud everything! And before you know it you'll be half way to buying a Harley. 

iron on stud tutorial 

You will need:
  • A plain button-up shirt. I like the look on a white shirt but it would also look great on denim.
  • Iron on studs. You can find these at any craft store.
  • An iron
DIY Studded Shirt
DIY Button-up Shirt with Studs 

Start by cutting the studs into individual pieces. Then remove the black backing (but not the top plastic!) and place them evenly along the middle of your sleeve cuffs.

 Iron on Studs 

Then carefully flip over the sleeve so you don't mess up the placement of the studs. And iron according to the package directions. 

Studded Shirt Cuffs 

When the studs have cooled (trust me they're hot!) you can peel off the plastic on top. That's it! 

DIY Studded Collar 

 I also added three studs to my shirt collar. Again, all you do is stick them on the fabric in the pattern you want and iron them on. So easy!  

Are you a fan of studs? What would you put them on?
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Steal Her Style

Hi everyone! It's Carlinn here from Superficialgirls and today I am going to show you how to steal some Fashion Week style!

New York fashion week has gone by in a flurry of snow and gorgeous outfits and even a blizzard couldn't keep the stylish crowd from the shows! I especially love this bright yellow look that Nicole from Gary Pepper wore. It stood out so well with the snow behind it and it is definitely a change from the darker shades you usually see in fashion when the weather is cold.

A cute DIY way to mimic her fruit sweater is to use any one you have already and buy a fruit applique to iron on to it. Its a great way to save money and stay on trend!




1. Camilla & Marc trousers

2. White collar shirt from Topshop
3. Asos pointed white heels
4. Pear applique from Embroidery delight
5. Christopher Kon clutch
6. J. Crew Tippi sweater
7. Yellow coat from Farfetch


-post by carlinn

 
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Photography: Anna With Love

I'm sure you all know, how much I love photography. As a blogger, I love good quality, high res images, but also when one has an eye for photography. 
 
I recently came across AnnaWithLove while I was working on the Love Letters digital mag & fell in love with her portraits & fine arts shots, which you can also buy, here.

Here are a few photos that speak for themselves.  Aren't they gorgeous? Great way to spend mid week, looking at her portfolio. Enjoy!



- images by Anna Tsoulogiannis


 
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