Roasted Balsamic Cauliflower

auliflower is currently my "it" veggie.  Most people probably don't think so, but cauliflower is an incredibly versatile ingredient and can take on so many different flavors.  My go-to method is the easiest by far, taking cauliflower coated in olive oil, marjoram, salt and pepper, balsamic vinegar and roasting it in the oven.  You really can't beat the ease and taste with this recipe.  

A couple of other cauliflower recipes have been on my radar: these Crispy Cauliflower Tacos from Ashley at Blissful Basil, or this healthy Cauliflower Crust Pizza spotted on Greatist.com, and perhaps most amazing of all, a Creamy Cauliflower Sauce that is promised to taste as good as alfredo sauce (!!!), from Lindsay at Pinch of Yum.

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1/2 cup of Balsamic vinegar (or more depending on how Balsamic-y you like it)
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 tsp marjoram flakes

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°.
2. Break cauliflower head into florets.
3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and dried marjoram.  Coat cauliflower florets with mixture and place on parchment paper or directly on a baking sheet, spreading apart evenly.
4. Roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes, turning over halfway through.
5. Remove tray from oven and spoon balsamic vinegar over cauliflower.  
6. Return to oven for another 5 minutes.

What are some other ways you have prepared cauliflower?  I'd love to hear!

Halloween 2014 - DIY Mug Shot Backdrop

F ALL THE HOLIDAYS, Halloween is without a doubt my favorite.  It wasn't even September and I already started decorating the house.  I didn't get to take pictures of all the goodies I made (and there were lots) but you can trust it was an intoxicating-ly good time.  I did manage to take a few photos early in the night of guests posing in front of an easy-to-make photo backdrop.

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

• Large poster paper (I used photo backdrop paper because I work with a photographer who uses this) -- you'll want to put together or cut a 5 ' x 5' piece, if not larger.
• Black duct tape
• Print outs of the numbers 3-7 (download font here)
• Red acrylic paint for "blood" splatter (I used this)

Instructions:

1. Measure 1' from bottom of the paper and place a 1' piece of duct tape from the right edge of the poster paper.  Paste the 3' cut out onto the sheet and place another long strip of duct tape from the number to the left edge.
2. Repeat step 1 for numbers 4 - 7.
3. Using a medium sized brush, splatter red paint across the paper.
4. Optional: find chalk and a mini chalkboard from your local craft store to use as a mugshot placard.

From top left to bottom right: B. Spears, Alex from Clockwork Orange with Cactus man, Raoul Duke from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas with Suzy Bishop from Moonrise Kingdom, and Whoopee Cushion