Eat It: Taco Pizza

Remember last year, with the butter chicken poutine? How I nearly lost my damn mind? Well, it happened again. And it happened with butter chicken again, although this time it was PIZZA and it was so so so good. My friend Morrison made it and I swear, I reached nirvana. It really opened my eyes to the glorious versatility of the pizza crust. 

Well, this is not a butter chicken pizza recipe (although the jist of that is: butter chicken sauce instead of regular tomato. YOU’RE WELCOME). This is a taco pizza recipe, because I thought, “hey! A pizza crust is just like a big ol’ soft plate of nachos!” And guys, I might never go back. This might beat out real tacos for me, and that sounds like crazytalk, but it’s only crazytalk to someone who hasn’t tried taco pizza. Come on now – it’s time to become a believer.

I remembered to take a picture only after we had attacked –
the draw of the taco pizza was too strong.

Taco Pizza 

Serves three normal people or two hungry people 

From countertop to tabletop: 20 minutes 

Ingredients:
1 package of ground meat (I used turkey, but beef or soy would be equally delicious)
1 package of taco seasoning
1 pizza crust (my grocery stuff was out of fresh dough, so I used a pre-made crust)
At least 2 cups of shredded mozzarella (I used a little cheddar too)
1 quarter of a green pepper, diced
3 green onions, chopped

For Garnish:
Salsa
Sour cream
Avocado or guacamole
Fresh cilantro, chopped


1. If you’re using fresh pizza dough*, sprinkle down a little flour and roll it out. This is no time for thin crust, so go thick because your loaded pizza will need a solid base. A little cornmeal on the underside of the crust would probably just knock your socks off (but if you don’t have cornmeal, there’s no need to go hogwild and buy it – a little flour’ll do). I used a premade crust, so I just stuck it on the pan. Trust me, if this is your only option, just go for it anyway – the effect will still be amazing.

2. Brown your ground turkey, drain any excess grease, and follow the taco seasoning instructions. Usually they’re something like, “add a half cup of water and seasoning, then let simmer for 5 minutes.” Just do that. We’re not reinventing the wheel here. The only thing I’d recommend is not too let it get too dry – you want the meat to still be a saucy in the end.

3. Sprinkle a thin layer cheese on your crust to help keep this delicious mess together. When the taco turkey is ready, spread it thickly overtop, leaving only your crust for grabbin’ clear. Layer your veggies on top – I used green pepper and green onions, but hey! You might like to put diced tomato or corn or black beans or olives or jalapenos, if that’s your kinda thing. Listen to your heart and the contents of your pantry!

4. Sprinkle a thick layer of cheese overtop, then pop that baby in an oven preheated to 400°F. It should start looking good after about 5 minutes, then turn it up to broil for the last minute or two, so the top gets nice and browned.
* If you're using fresh dough, baking will take longer. Your oven should be turned up to about 450°F, and it'll probably take closer to 10–15 minutes.

5. Once your pizza’s baked and you’ve taken it out of the oven comes the hardest part – WAITING. Give it a couple minutes to cool down and stiffen up, so you won’t be trying to eat a burning, messy slice of goo. You’ve waited a few minutes? Okay, slice that pie up.

6. This is the step that took this pizza out of mere good territory and into the realm of greatness – THE TOPPINGS. I spooned a little salsa onto each slice, a couple small dollops of sour cream, a handful of fresh cilantro and a few slices of fresh avocado. Now dig in, you patient thing you – you’ve waited long enough. Eat it like a slice of pizza and bask in the deliciousness.

Bon appetit!

Spring, is that you?

While it's still the end of February, the temperature (at least in Michigan, where I'm spending some time) is feeling very spring like. So why am I still feeling so cold and bored and cooped up? I am ready for the spring, ready for the lighter jackets, warm sunshine, and I'm ready to wear cute shoes again.

I can't make spring come faster but I can pretend that it's here already. Here are some pics that get me in the springtime mood.

via feedmyego

Ellery et Graz via feedmyego

Garage Magazine

via vanessajackman

via loveraedar

Review: February Luxe Box

Before I get into the review, I'd just like to say today is the one year anniversary of this little corner of the internet, so happy birthday blog! I can't believe you're one year old, baby, but I think we've got a beautiful thing going. Thank you so much for reading and commenting along these few past months, and Laura and I look forward to making Burgundy Girls better than ever in 2012.



Luxe Box, congratulations. I was not expecting to be so awed.

Seriously. I gasped when I opened this edition.

I know everyone gets a little sick of the red-overload during February, but it felt like such a refreshing pop of colour when I opened it. (Although I was looking forward to collecting my next few boxes to try this killer idea, but I'll guess that'll just have to wait.)

This month, Luxe Box is partnered with Flare Magazine and boy, did they knock this one out of the park. Loose Button used Flare's resources to their best ability, and it helped create a much stronger box overall — the explanation card was bigger, obviously designed and written by the Flare crew, and felt pared-back, accessible and very relevant. A big kudos to the team behind this month's inserts.

The goods! A very nice-looking spread. I ooooh-d at the mascara, and was happy to see extra shampoo samples – I was a bit sad that last month's Fekkai sample only gave me one use, so I couldn't really compare the experience over time.

First up, the Beautiful Butter Balm by Mèreadesso. The cute bit of directional copy had me primed to like this. This made my hands feel very soft and protected, but not in a greasy way. It absorbed fast and the scent, a vaguely grapefruity floral, dissipated quickly but was nice while it lasted. The hard plastic makes me think I may not be able to squeeze the last little bits out that easily, but I guess that's just proof of how much I think I'll like this.

There was also a small squeeze sample of Face + Neck Toning Gel from Mèreadesso, which I have yet to try. It came in this big cardboard card that I feel conflicted about. Sure, it's executed well and I like a sense of drama, but find it a little excessive. Really? All those trumpets for such a little vial? Maybe I'll try this stuff and be crying out hallelujah, but until then, a few too many trees may have died for this sleeve. But I am curious to see this 3–5 day boost it boasts.

A rollerball perfume sample! Guys, this is huge! I know a lot of people don't like receiving perfume, but I'm a disloyal harlot who loves to cheat on her one true love, L de Lolita Lempicka. I don't mind a dabble in perfumes, and this awesome rollerball is surefire way to make sure I'll give CK one Shock for her a good trial run. Plus, I even like the scent! It's a fruity gourmand—that seems to be the arrangement du jour— that pairs passionflower, poppy and peony with blackberry, jasmine, cocoa and vanilla. It actually reads very citrusy, with a lemony open and the juicy berry remaining present through the drydown. I can see myself wearing this often.

I'm not going to lie, this little tube of Lise Watier 24 Hours Glam Mascara got me really excited. Gold giraffe print? Like, was this designed specifically for me? It helps that the mascara inside is rad too—the brush has lanky bristles, creating a comb-like effect that really extends your lashes. I tried this as suggested, in conjunction with my standard Cover Girl Lash Blast, and it definitely gave me a longer look (I wouldn't say a falsie look though, as this gives a skinny lash, not a full one). Over all, love it, and will definitely use it up. This is the perfect purse mascara size, and god, just LOOK at the packaging.

Finally, I got these samples of Redken Color Extend shampoo and conditioner. My box included three generous samples which I am thrilled about, so I can see if there's a difference over a period of time (I've been thinking about investing in better shampoo ever since our last Ask A Hairdresser). Offering extra samples of shampoo was one of the things I mentioned in their January post-box survey, so I'm glad they were able to offer more so quickly. Bang up job, Luxe Box gang.

All in all, I thought this month's Luxe Box was simply wonderful. It delighted me with great products in ample sizes, and included items I use regularly and would be interested in potentially upgrading. I thought the changes in the promo cards were very appealing, and really helped to make Luxe Box the beauty resource it aspires to be. Overall, well edited, well crafted, well done. It feels like I'm gushing, but really, this is the kind of box I've been hoping all along would be delivered. Here's hoping elements of this special-edition box make it into the regular rotation.

If you liked my review and would like to try Luxe Box for yourself, I'd be mighty obliged if you'd use my referral code. Or you know, don't, and make Charlie sad.

Previous reviews:

October / November / December / January

What I've Been Watching Lately

The X-Files

via static age

I know I've talked about my love for this show before, but I won't be happy until everyone I know is watching it and loves it as much as I do. I will watch this show forever and for always, even though it makes me distrust weird-looking people on the street and gives me nightmares. The show is a perfect mix between one-off monster stories and episodes that advance the plot in a mind-blowing way. It also makes me worry that I will never experience love as deeply as Mulder and Scully feel for each other, but that's a whole different story. I'm on the seventh season (of nine) and I plan on starting it from the beginning once I'm done. Or maybe I'll just re-evaluate my life and, y'know, go outside.

Bell Book and Candle

via somebody stole my thunder

This romcom stars Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novack and is about witches and the men who love them. Well kind of. It's set in New York in the winter and has a really young Jack Lemon as the cutest damn warlock/jazz musician I've ever seen. They frequent this bar called the Zodiac, which I'm dying to find recreated somewhere, that's underground and dark and secret and filled with music and witches with magical powers. Novack is a witch with a heart of gold, and looks every inch as beautiful as she did in Vertigo.

Picnic at Hanging Rock

via flickering myth

I read about this movie on Fieldguided, and since I take everything she says as the gospel truth—what? I think our tastes are very similar—I watched it, enthralled. This movie is beautiful, dreamy, and mysterious. The story reminds me of my favourite Margaret Atwood short story "Death By Landscape," which is what originally drew me to it—there is something scary and romantic about the wilderness, whether it's Canadian or Australian, and there is an innate fear that the elements are overpowering. It takes place in 1900 on Valentine's Day, and is a perfect girls night pick.The hazy-look of each scene was apparently from a bridal veil cast over the lens, which only adds to the feminine mystique of the film.

Revenge

via thoughts and musings

Something I copyedited yesterday made reference to this TV show, and I decided to watch the pilot—before I knew it I had finished 6 episodes and I'm dying to see more. I should clarify, though, that I don't necessarily think this show is good. If someone I didn't like was openly watching this show I would judge them. But I have fallen into the story without meaning to—it's so juicy! And since you know from the beginning that main character Emily is out to destroy everyone in her circle of the Hampton's, there really isn't a guessing game to what is going to happen. YOU KNOW. It kind of reminds me of The OC (my only other view into this kind of super-rich life) but all grown up. Totally silly and unrealistic and embarrassing, but I love it.


What have you been watching lately? Any recommendations?

New Neutrals

There have been a few additions to my daily routine that have just given me a smidgen more pretty every day.

West Elm carries air plants now! I stop in this store so rarely, so it was pure dumb luck that I popped in to kill some time and saw this little beauty just waiting for me to take him home. I've been wanting one of these since they started cropping up everywhere online, and now, this bit of soilless freedom greets me every time I brush my teeth. Fingers crossed he lasts more than a week.

This vase was on clearance at Indigo, and I couldn't resist. A creamy matte porcelain in a knit stitch? How could I have been expected to? Now my knitting needles have a fitting place to hang out when not in a project.

This week's fancy-lady manicure, and it's about as demure as I get. I just sponged the tip on, so it's not very precise. The nude creme is Unclear from the FACE Stockholm X J.Crew collaboration (thanks Stevie!), and the rosy sparkle is First Class from a massive Quo X Orly holiday gift pack (thanks Steph!).

I took the plunge and finally upgraded to an iPhone 4S. And when I was picking out a case, I decided to get something I like looking at everyday, so I ordered this one from Society6. You can choose any of their artwork to be case-ified (mine is from design house RoAndCo, and was used as a textile in Arnsdorf's SS 2011 collection), or you can order them directly through manufacturer Case-Mate and print your own design. I'm in good company too!

My ballet slippers and new tights from Joe Fresh. The slippers still look new, but I promise! I've been going faithfully! I'm in total love with these Joe tights – they are the perfect balance between sheer and opaque and are almost too long, a rarity for my limbs.

These showed up as I was writing this, so I had to include them. These are my first LL Bean Signature purchases and they are AWESOME – thick leather, padded cushion at the heel, ladylike toe shape. These stretchy topped shoes look so weird off-foot, but for wear, I GET them – they hug, so you get no blister-causing slippage. Plus, spending more than $50 on flats means I'm totally an adult now, right? These come in lots of colours and finishes, m'dears, so browse away.

Valentine's Day Videos

Honestly, I think there's enough Valentine's-themed content out there today, but I couldn't resist. Here are my 5 favourite love-themed videos, for whatever Valentine's mood you are in.