What’s Cookin’ this Memorial Day!

/in /by

Memorial Day 2018 is almost here!

We pack the 3-day weekend with fun, family, friends, parties, (House Showings & Sunday Open House at 817 Sasco Hill Rd, Fairfield CT from 2-4pm), swimming, parades and COOKING!

I’ve chosen a few “side dish” recipes* that I plan to whip up (with the help of my husband, who is the real chef in our family, and our two girls) to bring to our Memorial Day Festivities. Want some recipe inspiration? Here you go!

If you try them, comment. Let me know if you like them! 

 

Chopped Mexican Salad with Roasted Peppers, Corn, Tomatoes & Avocado

Curtesy of finecooking.com (and my mother-in-law who turned us all on to this yummy recipe)

Ingredients:

For the peppers and corn

  • 2 large orange or red bell peppers
  • 2 ears fresh corn
  • 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the honey-lime-cumin vinaigrette

  • 1 small clove garlic
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
  • 3 Tbs. fresh orange juice
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped shallot
  • 1 Tbs. honey; more to taste
  • 3/4 tsp. cumin seeds, toasted and finely ground
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Freshly ground black pepper

To assemble

  • 2 large firm-ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1-3/4 cup)
  • 1 small jicama, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice (2 cups)
  • 2 large firm-ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 2-1/2 cups)
  • 1 15-oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 1-1/2 cups home-cooked black beans)
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

Roast the peppers and corn

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 425ºF. Line a heavy-duty rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the stem, seed core, and ribs. Put the pepper halves on the baking sheet cut side down. Husk the corn and put the ears on the baking sheet. Drizzle the oil over the peppers and corn and rub it around to coat the pepper skins and corn kernels evenly. Sprinkle the corn with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until the peppers are soft and slightly shriveled and browned and the corn kernels are lightly browned in a few spots, about 20 minutes (rotate the corn occasionally as it roasts).

When the vegetables are done, let them rest until cool enough to handle. Scrape away the pepper skin and cut the flesh into 1/2-inch dice. Cut the corn kernels from the cob. You should have about 1-1/2 cups kernels.

Make the vinaigrette

Mince and mash the garlic to a paste with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt. In a medium bowl, whisk the garlic paste with the lime and orange juices, shallot, honey, and toasted ground cumin. Slowly add the oil in a thin stream, whisking until well blended. Season to taste with black pepper and more salt and honey, if you like.

Assemble the salad

Artfully arrange the corn, tomatoes, peppers, jicama, avocado, and black beans in stripes or piles on a small platter or other wide, shallow serving dish. Sprinkle with the chopped cilantro. Serve the vinaigrette in a pitcher. Encourage guests to spoon elements of the salad onto their plates and drizzle on some of the vinaigrette. Or drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad platter just before serving.

 

Pico De Gallo 

Curtesy of cafedelites.com

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes (from about 3-4 ripe tomatoes)*
  • 1/3 cup spring onions/scallions green onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeño seeds removed
  • 2 sprigs fresh coriander finely chopped
  • 1 small clove garlic crushed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and well combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

 

Carrot, Cucumber and Rice Noodles with Lime-Ginger Dressing

Curtesy of Bobby Flay

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • Finely grated zest of 2 limes
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice (from 4 to 8 fresh limes)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons pure cane sugar, honey or agave
  • 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves, divided
  • ½ cup lightly toasted roasted unsalted peanuts, divided
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and spiralized
  • 1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded, halved, spiralized
  • Salt
  • 8 ounces brown rice noodles, cooked according to directions on package, drained and rinsed with cold water

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, garlic, lime zest and juice, vinegar, sugar, tamari, ¼ cup cilantro leaves and ¼ cup peanuts, and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours (the longer it sits, the better it tastes.)
  2. Place the carrots in a medium bowl, add 1/4 cup of the dressing and toss to combine. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 1 day. (this will help to soften the carrots and make them more noodle-like.)
  3. Place the cucumber noodles in a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl; mix in 1 teaspoon of salt and let sit for 30 minutes to help drain the excess water. Alternatively, spread the noodles between several sheets of paper towels and pat dry. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl, add the carrot and rice noodles, pour the remaining dressing over top, and toss until combined. Top with the remaining cilantro and peanuts and serve.

 

CREAMY RED POTATO SALAD RECIPE

Curtesy of tasteofhome.com

INGREDIENTS:

2-1/2 pounds small red potatoes, cut into 1/4-in. slices

VINAIGRETTE

  • 2/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
    1/4 teaspoon pepper

SALAD

  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups sliced radishes
  • 2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 4 hard-boiled large eggs, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

  • Place potatoes in a Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook potatoes for 15-18 minutes or until tender. Drain. Transfer potatoes to a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients.
  • Pour over warm potatoes; gently toss to coat. Cool slightly.
  • Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
  • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and sour cream; stir in the radishes, onions and parsley. Add to potatoes; mix gently.
  • Top with eggs. Chill until serving.

 

 

 

Crunchy Noodle Salad

Curtesy of Ina Garten

Ingredients:

  • Kosher salt
  • 1/2 pound thin spaghetti (try gluten free)
  • 1 pound sugar snap peas
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 3 tablespoons toasted white sesame seeds, divided
  • 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2 red bell peppers, cored and seeded, and thinly sliced
  • 4 scallions (white and green parts), sliced diagonally
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, bring another large pot of salted water to a boil, add the sugar snap peas, return to a boil, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp tender.
  • Lift the sugar snap peas from the water with a slotted spoon and immerse them in a bowl of ice water. Drain.
  • Combine the spaghetti, sugar snap peas, peppers and scallions in a large bowl.

For the dressing

  • whisk together the vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds and peanut butter in a medium bowl.
  • Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mixture. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and the parsley and toss together.

 

Everyone’s Favorite Fruit Salad

Curtesy of delish.com

Ingredients:

FOR THE DRESSING

  • 1/4 c. honey
  • 1/4 c. freshly squeezed orange juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon

FOR THE SALAD

  • 1 lb. strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 6 oz. blueberrieS
  • 6 oz. raspberries
  • 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
  • 1 orange, peeled and wedges cut in half
  • 2 apples, peeled and chopped
  • 1 mango, peeled and chopped
  • 2 c. grapes

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl whisk together honey, orange juice, and lemon zest. Add washed & dried organic fruit to a large bowl and pour over dressing, tossing gently to combine. Chill until ready to serve.

 

* FRESH, ORGANIC INGREDIENTS TASTE BEST!

YUMMY!!!
– JGP

Understanding The Residential Real Estate Buying Process in Lower Fairfield County, Connecticut

/in /by

Buying Residential Real Estate in Lower Fairfield County may be different than what you’re used to. Every place has it’s own way of buying and selling real estate. In states like Arizona, Idaho and Montana a home transfers from seller to buyer with the help of a third party Escrow and/or Title Company. In states like (ours) Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts and New York a home typically transfers and is closed by the Seller’s & Buyer’s attorneys. As if this wasn’t confusing enough when moving cross country or over state lines, different counties in a particular state may have different closing practices as well. This is the case in our state. So here’s an overview or a rundown of what you, the Buyer, can expect when purchasing a home here in lower Fairfield County, CT. *

 

The Buying Process in Lower Fairfield County CT


Step 1: Let’s Go Shopping!

I take my Buyer clients out specifically targeting those “must-have” or “wish list” items that we have identified in advance are important to them. This process can last 2 hours or 2 years depending on the level of urgency, inventory and speed of the market.

 

Step 2: Like a Home? Let’s Run the Comps.

As a Buyer’s Agent, it is my goal to get my client the Best House at the Best Price. I comb through the statistical data and then together we talk through the pluses and minuses that the comps have in comparison to the home that they have interest in potentially purchasing.

 

Step 3: Putting in an “Offer to Purchase” and Establishing Terms of Sale.

In Lower Fairfield County, an “Offer to Purchase” is submitted by the Buyer’s Agent on the behalf of the Buyer to the Seller’s Agent/Seller. On this form the purchase price, terms of sale and contingencies are outlined.

Common Terms of Sale include: closing date, contract date, deposit amount(s), inclusions, exclusions, etc.

Common Contingencies include: property inspection, mortgage contingency, Hubbard Clause (definition: buyer must sell their current home before closing on the home for which they are submitting an offer).

Along with the “Offer to Purchase”, it is customary for the Buyer to submit a mortgage pre-approval letter or proof of funds and a copy of a deposit check (typically 1% of offered purchase price).

 

Step 4: Negotiating & Getting the House!

The Seller’s Agent/ Seller will review the offer and (fingers crossed) accept or counter the offer perhaps with a different price or terms (or both). The Buyer’s Agent/Buyer responds, if they choose, and agrees to the Seller’s proposal or submits another offer. Negotiations can take no time at all or drag on and on depending on many variables. A happy ending to the negotiation is a meeting of minds on price, terms & contingencies!

 

Step 5: The “Binder” Stage

Once Buyer & Seller have agreement on price, terms and contingencies the house is now “Bindered” and the status is changed on MLS to “SHOW”. Typically the Buyer has put down a 1% deposit held in their attorney’s escrow account. In this stage, the home is still being actively marketed and shown to other buyers. Should another buyer submit an offer, the seller can negotiate with them, but they would become the “back-up offer” and cannot be formally accepted. As the Buyer with the accepted offer, you are protected by the Binder to perform your due diligence including the building inspection and carry out any other agreed to terms. After a building inspection, often there is need for additional negotiation should something not be working as intended or as it was represented. The Buyer can ask for a credit at closing to cover the cost of replacement or can ask the Seller to fix/replace something prior to the closing. Should Buyer and Seller agree on these items, the deal moves forward to the next phase.

 

Step 6: The “Contract” Stage

The Seller’s Attorney writes up the “Contract of Sale” outlined in the Binder and any additional changes agreed to post-inspection. He/she sends the Contract to the Buyer’s Attorney. The Buyer’s Attorney reviews the contract with the Buyer, makes changes and provides additional language if necessary. Typically when the Buyer signs the contract an additional deposit is required. The signed Contract, Binder deposit and Contract deposit are forwarded to the Seller’s Attorney’s Escrow account in anticipation of closing. Seller then signs the Contract. The home is now “Contracted” and the MLS status changes to “DEPOSIT”. Seller no longer is showing the home or actively marketing it as available.

 

Step 7: Outstanding Contingencies

Although contracts are signed, the Buyer may still have outstanding contingencies such as a mortgage contingency. Should the Buyer not be able to obtain his/her mortgage by the agreed to date in the contract, a Buyer can ask for an extension or ask that deposit funds be returned and the sale is off (no Buyer penalty). The house goes back on the market.

But WE want the happy version of the story – Buyer gets his/her mortgage and waives all additional contingencies. The House is Almost Yours!

 

Step 8: The Walk-Through

The final “Walk-Through” the home is conducted by the Buyer with me, the Buyer’s Agent. We check to make sure all the Seller’s furniture and personal items were removed and what was supposed to stay remains in the home. Yes, sometimes hasty movers remove washing machines when they are supposed to be left for the Buyer. If this were the case, I, the Buyer’s Agent, immediately calls the Seller’s Agent/Seller to rectify the mistake. If the washing machine cannot be returned, a credit may be given by the Seller to the Buyer to cover the cost of a new washing machine. If an appliance is not working or there is damage to the home in some way, this too is handled in a similar manner. If significant damage has occurred or Seller and Buyer cannot agree on a fix/credit amount, the closing can be delayed or the deal can fall apart. Some penalty fees may be incurred.

 

Step 9: Closing

Ok, let’s imagine that the Walk-Through went great – no issues! The Buyer meets his/her Attorney to sign the necessary papers (may include bank paperwork as well). Some Attorneys will allow the paperwork to be signed in advance, by mail or electronically. The Seller meets with his/her Attorney to sign their paperwork.

The two Attorneys then meet to conduct the formal closing.

 

Step 10: Celebrate & Move In!

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU DID IT! You have keys in hand and THE HOUSE IS YOURS!! Get ready to move on in!

 

*DISCLAIMER: Every transaction is unique. Buyers should always seek guidance from an attorney and mortgage lender

 

For additional information or questions, please contact me, Jaclyn Picarillo, Realtor, 203-981-5012

Near & Far Aid Celebrated its 22nd Annual Gala

/in /by
  • Near & Far Aid
1234

Chaired By Jaclyn Picarillo & Katie Dresch

This past spring, Near & Far Aid celebrated its 22nd annual Gala at Mitchells in Westport, CT. Chairing this event, N&FA’s largest fundraiser of the year, was Jaclyn Picarillo and Katie Dresch.

Mitchells was transformed into the ultimate New York City Rooftop party where “Sky’s The Limit”. The evening of glitz, glamour and mingling of Fairfield County’s A-listers and most philanthropic was a great success. The massive live and silent auctions featured “can’t be bought” unique experiences, luxury hotel and resort vacations, best box seats at sporting events and concerts and “can’t get” reservations at our area’s top restaurants. MC at the event was CBS News personality, Dave Price.

Catered by Festivities, Gala delighted the crowd with New York City food favorites and signature cocktails including the “Mitchells Mule”, a splendid mix of vodka, lime and ginger beer. The floral décor, by Elegant Effects, was outstanding. The entrance atrium was adorned with branches, moss and hanging glass spheres that mimicked the most lovely outdoor scene. Brunello Cucinelli’s spring fashion line was featured in a high-energy runway show. Patrons danced until midnight to the live concert performance by New York’s own, 45Riots.

“I am beyond thrilled Gala 2017 was such a big success. It was an honor to chair this event”, said Jaclyn Picarillo. “Near & Far Aid has such devoted supporters and volunteers who every year come to Gala to have and amazing evening, but most of all they want to make a positive impact in lives of so many in need.”

Near & Far Aid is a fundraising and fund granting organization dedicated to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty. N&FA raises money for Fairfield County’s most deserving agencies targeting poverty and promoting lasting change to those who need it most. Agencies can submit their applications for funding during the month of June. For more information or to volunteer visit: nearandfaraid.org