My Great Grandma's Spanish Stuffing

The best part of celebrating Thanksgiving or Christmas with the Martin Family is my great grandma, Eta Quintana's, stuffing.  Ever since I was a kid this was something I would look forward to and now that I am an adult, I can't imagine a holiday without it so I simply had to carry on the tradition myself wherever I go.

WARNING: This is no average stuffing, but is rather a mouth watering dish that everyone will fall in love with
  

This recipe originates from Santander, Spain where the Quintana family is from!

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups of Ground Pork

1 1/2 Cups of Ground Beef - 85% lean

1/2 pound of Boiled Ham

1 Green Pepper

3 Eggs

1 Jar of Roasted Red Peppers

1 1/2 Jars of Green Spanish Olives
Juice from the Roasted Red Peppers and Olives

Supplies

Large pan

Small pot

Food processor

Knife

Large mixing spoon

Strainer

Steps

1. Hard boil all three eggs and let cool.

2. Cook the ground pork and ground meat together in the same large pan until all of the meat is done.

3. Drain the grease from the pan into the sink.  Put the meat back into the pan and cook slowly with low heat. 

4. Chop up the ham, green pepper, and eggs with the food processor and add these all into the pan with the meat.  If you have the patience to chop up the ingredients it will make for a chunkier and quite possibly better tasting stuffing.  I personally use the food processor because I'm not a very domesticated chef!

5.  Add the juice from the olive and pepper jars into the pan and stir thoroughly.  Chop the olives and peppers up in the food processor and add into the pan of ingredients.

These are the two most important ingredients.  The juice from the red peppers and olives is really what makes this recipe full of flavor so make sure you don't go light on either of those.

6. Cover the pan and heat on low for 30-45 minutes stirring it every 5 minutes or so.  Make sure you don't forget about the dish as it will burn and then your perfect stuffing would go to waste!

The stuffing is best if served fresh, but if stored in the refrigerator with a closed container it will keep very well.  This dish goes great with mashed potatoes, green been casserole, turkey, gravy, ham, lasagna, cranberries, and all the other delicious holiday dishes!  It also makes for great leftovers.

THE BEST STUFFING EVER

Belle's 12 Gifts of Christmas

As we welcome in this holiday season we would like to inspire you to wow your friends and family with our 12 Days of Christmas Gifting; There is something for everyone!

1.) Fun Slippers & Socks

Cozier than socks and cute enough to make any lounge wear fashionable. Perfect for hanging around the house in ... even your man will love them!

2.) Luxury Robes

Robes are something that always make gifting easy, are in high demand for us ladies, and feel extra delicious during the cold weather months that are just about to come.

3.) Soak Soap

For the laundry you love.  If you love it, soak it!

4.) Belle Mode Gift Certificates

THE BEST GIFT OF ALL ... inspire your loved one to come in for a bra fitting that will uplift her spirit/mood this holiday season as well as uplift her chest.  Keep her happy and who knows, maybe she will leave with a little something for you both!

5.) Cashmere Socks and Foot Warmers

Once you have put your toes in these you will never go back!  Most people don't realize the difference that a good quality sock can have on ones day.  Try these and you will fully understand the hype behind cashmere socks!

6.) Comfy and Stylish Lounge Wear (not to be confused with sleep wear) 

I don't know about the rest of you, but lounge wear is the first thing that I slide into after a long day at the work place. We have styles perfect for around the house or even when running errands.  This camisole by Arianne is one of our best selling pieces and can be worn with a pair of jeans.  We guarantee you will turn heads in it!

7.) Luxury Leg Wear from ilux, Spanx, and Yummie Tummie

Leg wear is the trend this year and never fails to deliver results with a gorgeous figure and extremely comfortable at the same time!

8.) House of Harlow Jewelry

Chic, sexy, quality and style are all bundled into this great gift!  House of Harlow never disappoints and ALWAYS looks amazing.  The entire collection is nickel free and gold plated delivering top of the line quality for fashion jewelry. 

9.) One Size Fits Most Coobie Bras

Coobie bras are ultra-comfy and can even be worn in place of a camisole or tank under your favorite top.  At a great price point, and with one size fitting most, this makes for the ultimate gift for a female of any age.

10.) Mary Green Sleep Masks

Silk sleep masks that fit perfectly into any stocking and will be useful all year round!

11.) Cozy Sleep Wear

Just because your going to bed doesn't mean you shouldn't look your best!  Without being over the top, our sleepwear will help you feel good and let you rest on material that is cozier than anything else you've ever worn.

12.) Stunning lingerie

Bras For Hope 2013

We are happy to announce that our second annual Bras for Hope event was more than a success!

Every October we take a month to recognize and educate women in our community about Breast Cancer with bra recycling and our fundraiser. This year we partnered with The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation to help spread awareness.

With a collection of gifts from local vendors, swag bags, a live DJ from Silence in Metropolis, wine, finger food and amazing volunteers from Alpha Omicron PI  at our local University we collected nearly 500 bras to donate to a local women's shelter, spread education for eradication with an amazing hands on lesson, easy to understand reading materials and raised money for furthering the spread of awareness.

The best way to raise the rate of breast cancer survival is to detect through early, self detection. Thank you to all who were involved through donation, assistance or consumption; together we can make a difference!

A special thanks to those who helped make this happen:

• Sentara Surgical Specialists: Comprehensice Breast Center
• Fairfax Radiological Consultants
• Silence in Metropolis
• Fanfare Eatery
• Chic Envy
• Reflections of You Salon
• Alpha Omicron PI: GMU Chapter
• Potbelly Sandwich Shop
• Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt
• Studio BE Pilates
• Medalase Aesthetic Centers
• Soulevant

2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Bra Drop and Bras for Hope Event!

As everyone may know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month; a month dedicated for those who have survived, those fighting, those who have lost and those who will prevent though early detection. This month is very dear to the hearts of us here at Belle Mode as women and breasts everywhere are what we do.

This year we are hosting our 2nd Annual Bra Drop from October 1-27th. Bras of any condition, good, bad or ugly, can be dropped off at our store to be recycled. We will be sending all good-fair condition bras to local women's shelters in our community and shipping off all retired bras to a textile company that will be recycling every piece of the bra for use in other goods.With each recycle droppers will receive a coupon for a free Pinkberry yogurt from our local store and a pass to come to our special shopping event on October 27th. On this day we will be hanging all donated bras throughout Fairfax Corner to commemorate those who have suffered and to encourage awareness for early detection through education.

Our Bras for Hope event will be held on October 27th in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and will be donating proceeds to our Partner, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. All donators will receive 15% off their purchase with their shopping pass and all patrons will enjoy wine from Bull Run Winery, a live DJ from Silence In Metropolis , amazing give-a-ways from our designers and other local businesses.

We hope that everyone who attends leaves understanding exactly what early detection is; will have speakers from our partnered foundation regarding self-exams and other important keys for Breast Cancer survival.

We are honored to help support this cause and hope to see all of you in the store all month long; together we WILL make a difference!

Important information from the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation:

• Every woman is at risk
• Annually, it is estimated that 6,200 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in Virginia and that more than 1,100 will die
• 1-8 women born today will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime
• Men can get breast cancer too

What should you look for?

• A lump or thickening in or near the breast in the underarm area
• Breast or nipple pain 
• A change in the size or shape of the breast
• A nipple turned inward
• Scaly, rippled, red or swollen skin on the breast, areola or nipple.
• Nipple discharge (fluid)
• A pain in one spot that does not go away 

Get Cozy with Wrap Up by VP

The fall is coming; faster than we think! Wrap Up robes are a great way to transition into the fall. Made with "velvety soft microfiber", they warm and comfort without overheating. With a variety of fashion prints there is something for every woman!

Best Lingerie Store in Northern Virginia

     I am thrilled to announce that after only being open one year our store tied for "Best Lingerie Store in Northern Virginia", as featured in NOVA Magazine. This has been such an invigorating and rewarding year. Thank you to all of our "perfect fit" women who have challenged us and supported us this year. Here is to another year, helping you find the "perfect fit"! 

So happy to have been brought these flowers from the one and only Souny and the W Salon VA 

#Fashionistas #Women #Entrepreneurs#SuperWomen #GirlPower Northern Virginia Magazine

Congrats to our neighbors at Undeniable for their win! We are the power in the Corner!

... and all three of these ladies won! Chic Envy Consignments, Belle Mode Intimates, andUndeniable Boutique all three neighboring one another in Fairfax Corner!

So proud of my store!