Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

9.15.2013

Quinoa Granola



QUINOA GRANOLA 

3 Cupa Quinoa 
1/2 Cup Olive Oil (sometimes I change this to 1/4 cup olive oil & 1/4 cup coconut oil)
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup 
1/4 Cup Honey
2 Tbsp. Flax Seeds
2 Tbsp. Chia Seeds
Salt

Make Quinoa according to package instructions. Mix ingredients and spread on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with Sea Salt. Roast at 400 degrees for 30 min. 
I stop 1/2 through the cooking time to stir the granola. When granola has cooled I add almond milk and a few toppings. I like dried blueberries, cranberries, and almonds. Or fresh fruit like mangos or peaches. 

I seriously love this granola and could eat it every day, but if you're not used to quinoa it might take a bit to get used to... just a warning. Also pictured is a berry protein "green" smoothie.

Smoothie includes water, coconut water, kale, spinach, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, chia seeds, flax seed, and raw protein powder.

2.02.2013

RECIPE: The Ultimate 7 Layer Dip



Just in time for the Super Bowl! This is my favorite layer bean dip and is an essential part of the Super Bowel celebration! I'm craving it already! Enjoy & have fun cheering for your team.

The Ultimate 7 Layer Bean Dip 

Layer ingredients in 11x7 pan or one of your favorite dishes.

1st layer:
1 can refried beans

2nd layer:
2 large avacados mashed
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon juice
mix together and spread over beans

3rd layer:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 pkg taco seasoning
mix together and spread over avacados

Rest of Layers:
Chopped tomatoes, green onions, sliced olives, grated cheddar cheese
Sprinkle these over each other and dive in with some yummy tortilla chips or baked pita chips.


12.30.2012

Entertaining:: the Cheese Platter



One of my absolute favorite appetizers is a cheese platter. In fact, I could just have it for my main course too! A few months ago I put this cheese platter together for a little spa night that I had with some friends. It was a hit, especially with me! With the help of the extremely knowledgeable people at the cheese section at Harmons (a local grocery by my house that has an impressive selection of artisan cheese), I was able to put together a platter with different textures and flavors.  In my opinion, it's important to use cheeses that are aged, soft, firm, and blue.  Not that it's important, but I think it's fun to use a variety of cheese from different locations. On this particular platter, I used a mix of national and international types.

What I used on my cheese platter::

*Raspberry Bellavitano from Wisconsin
*Zola Gouda from Holland
*Domaine De Vallage Triple Cream from France (this was insanely amazing)
*Cheddar Cabot Clothbound from Vermont
*Cambozola Black Label from Germany

Items that compliment the cheese platter::

*Creminelli Mocetta meat thinly sliced- I was skeptical to try, but so glad I did. AMAZING!
**Pepperlane Blackberry "buzz" Jalapeno Spread: I've tried a few different kinds of spreads, but I keep going back to this Blackberry Jalapeno spread... It is hands down my favorite!
*Marchini Almonds and/or cashews
*a variety of dried fruit, or fresh fruit
*Castelvetrano Olives- almost a must in my "cheese handbook!" I think I'm addicted to these.
*a variety of breads and/or crackers:: my personal favorite cracker is the La Panzanella Croccantini Rosemary, which I get at Costco, but I've seen in grocery stores. It's absolutely perfect with cheese!

*

It's funny how sometimes things can be intimidating, until you finally give it a try, and then it just becomes fun to experiment and learn. Since our little friend spa night, I've been trying to improve on my cheese knowledge and skills.  So, throughout the holidays my husband and I have been trying different varieties of cheese, crackers, spreads, and meats.  
I think he is now more addicted to cheese than I. 

Other Cheese Platter Items:
* labels always make for a fun and informative addition. Where can you get some? 
Well, just check out this fun cheese tasting kit that Modern Palm has.  What I like about this kit is that it has the blank cards you can write on already for you to add to your display... it's supper easy.  It also includes info flash cards that give you information on many different types of cheeses and locations so you can learn more about what types of cheese you'd like to use.


Modern Palm  also has some great platters to use for any entertaining purpose:

New Years Eve is the perfect time to enjoy a cheese platter...
or if you're like me, any night of the week works too! 
If you've already experimented with a cheese platter, please leave comments and suggestions. 
I'm always wanting and excited to hear good ideas and suggestions, 
especially when it comes to cheese!
Cheers!

7.14.2012

Portobello Mushroom Burger: my new favorite meal


  • 4 portobello mushroom caps
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 (1 ounce) slices provolone cheese


~serve on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.

*The bun can really add to this amazing meal. I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, Brooke, and fell in love at-first-bite! Since then, I've made it several times... 
even those meat-lovin-guys really enjoy this burger. So I am officially claiming 
that it is perfect for summer entertaining! My sis-in-law chose to serve this burger with a fresh asiago bun from a local bakery... all I can say is AMAZING!!!


    Directions:

    *Place the mushroom caps, smooth side up, in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, basil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over the mushrooms. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes or so, turning twice.

    • *Preheat grill for medium-high heat.

    • *Brush grate with oil. Place mushrooms on the grill, reserving marinade for basting. Grill for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or until tender. Brush with marinade frequently. Top with cheese during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Place on asiago bun, or bun of your choice with toppings. Seriously enjoy every bite!


    3.14.2012

    ALMOND & YOGURT WAFFLES WITH ORANGE HONEY SYRUP from ROOST


    This amazing recipe comes from one of my favorite blogs, Roost.  
    How is it that some people get all the talent? Well, Caitlin, from Roost, sure did... she has amazing photography, capturing videos, and delicious recipes. She and her husband went gluten, grain, sugar, lactose, and starch free a few years ago... 
    How in the world can you have delicious food then? Well they show us how on her lovely blog.
    I have been trying to make healthy choices + changes in my home, and I love discovering new healthy recipes, especially breakfast recipes.  My children enjoy having breakfast for dinner, as do I, so I'm looking forward to trying these almond & yogurt waffles for our next breakfast night.

    Photos & Recipe via Roost

    2.15.2012

    Delicious Castelvetrano Olives

    photo via Caroline

    The other day I was at Costco and saw they had some lovely green and delicious 
    Italian Castelvetrano Olives, so I picked some up... now I wishing I picked up more.
    They are over-the-top delicious! Buttery, mild & beautiful. I had them with some coarse sea salt, however,  today I noticed that Caroline Drake of Armelle Blog, 
    posted on Cafe Zupas Blog, some fantastic ideas on some different things to put on the
      castelvetrano olives to enhance their scrumptious factor! She also took that lovely photo. 
    Can't wait to try some of her suggestions. Seriously. I love these olives.

    10.11.2011

    Caramel Popcorn

     

    Here are a few of my Fall Favorite Recipes.  
    These are ones that I turn to as soon as the leaves start to change colors. 

    One thing is for sure... I love me some caramel popcorn.  Not just any popcorn.  I love soft, gewy, yummy caramel corn. This is a great and simple recipe that fits my criteria.


    Caramel Popcorn

    30 big marshmallows or 3 cups mini
    1 cup margarine or butter
    1 cup brown sugar

    1/2 cup corn and 3 Tbsp. oil
    or
    2 bags of the low butter or no butter, fat free popcorn.

    pop the corn, then set aside.
    melt marshmallows, margarine/butter, and brown sugar over stove on medium heat.
    when melted pour over popcorn and stir.
    Thoroughly enjoy!

    Here are a few other favorite fall recipes:

    Tortilla Soup 

    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

    8.01.2011

    Ice Cream Socials


    Hope y'all had a lovely weekend! 
    This weekend we went to a cabin at a Lake (Bear Lake) and had some fun with our family. 
    We did a bit of golfing, boating, 4-wheeling and relaxing. I was able to catch up on some of my magazines and came across a fun get-together-idea in Better Homes & Gardens 
    .... an Ice Cream Social! What a perfect excuse to gather some friends.
    Speaking of ice cream, while at Bear Lake we were able to enjoy a few 
    Raspberry Shakes... in fact, I'm craving one now! 
    Bear Lake happens to be famous for their Raspberry Shakes, so it is a fun tradition.



    This darling party was hosted by the Ice Cream Queen, Jeni, from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream.  
    She has a darling site explaining more about her ice cream + she has a new darling book, 
     I'm dying to get a copy of this book, so I can be inspired to make some seriously yummy
     homemade ice cream.



    7.25.2011

    Vegetable Tacos with Chipotle Sour Cream & Smoky Black Beans

    I found this taco recipe in the Oprah Magazine, and finally tried it this week. I had to share this because it was just that good! I loved finding a yummy twist to spice up tacos. 

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
    • 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
    • 2 Tbsp. lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
    • 2 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
    • 2 tsp. ground cumin
    • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
    • 2 bell peppers, any color, cored and thinly sliced
    • 1 large red onion, sliced
    • 1 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
    • 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped
    • 2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar
    • 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
    • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and chopped
    • 1 bunch radishes (6 to 8), thinly sliced
    • 3/4 cup light sour cream
    • 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo, seeded and diced, plus 2 tsp. sauce
    • 8 whole wheat or flour tortillas

    Directions




    Note: In Spain beans are often roasted until crisp, then served as a bar snack. Here the beans are a crunchy garnish for soft tacos. You can substitute pinto or kidney beans for the black.


    Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, toss together corn, 1 tablespoon oil, lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, bell peppers, and onion, and then spread on a large baking sheet. In a second large bowl, toss together remaining 1 tablespoon oil, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black beans, and then spread on a second large baking sheet. Roast vegetables and beans, tossing occasionally and rotating sheet trays halfway through, until beans are dried out and just crisp, 20 to 25 minutes, and vegetables are deep golden brown and softened, about 40 minutes.

    Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss together cabbage, cilantro, vinegar, sugar, avocado, radishes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside. In a small bowl, stir together sour cream, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. 

    Wrap tortillas in foil, and place in oven for a few minutes to warm. Scoop roasted vegetables onto tortillas, top with cabbage salad, sour cream, and beans. Garnish with lime wedges and serve.


    Read more on Oprah 

    7.11.2011

    Lunch at The Canyons



     This is where I had lunch on Friday...
    Seriously, I feel spoiled.  I was at The Canyons Resort in Park City, 
    Utah this weekend for a fabulous EVO conference.
    We took the new and amazing "Orange Bubble" Express ski lift to the top of the mountain, 
    and found the beautiful setting and breathtaking view at Lookout Cabin.
    We had the most delicious gourmet lunch,
    and then had cooking lessons from their 5-Star chef, Chef John Murcko,
     and food photography instruction from the food blogger and photographer,
     Helene Dujardin of Tartelette.  Helene is so very talented and so very darling. 
    I loved learning from her and love getting to know her.
     I also enjoyed meeting so many wonderfully talented and inspiring women.
    I'll share more photos and info in the future, but just had to document this wonderful day!
    Hope y'all are having a wonderful summer! What are you busy doing this week?

      (these photos were taken with my iPhone so they are all a little fuzzy, sorry!)


    7.01.2011

    Happy 4th of July + Dessert Ideas

     For those of you in the USA
    HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!
    Love these fun dessert & fruit ideas for the 4th of July!  
    Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
    Whatever you do I hope you have a great time.
    We have a camp out with friends, family picnic in Mountains at Sundance,
    and then, of course, the BBQ + fireworks on the 4th.
    I was telling my kiddos about the beginning of this nation in the car the other day, 
    and then we had a "quiz" afterward with reward candy...
    but it reminded me of really how grateful I am for our nation and for our history.
    I'm especially thankful for the remarkable people throughout history that have 
    dedicated their lives to this nation, its purpose, its people, and its future.
    God Bless America and all of you!


    all of these fabulous photos I found via Pinterest
    Join and let's be friends on Pinterest!

    6.28.2011

    Coconut Cream Icebox Cake



     This Coconut Cream Icebox Cake was found over at Seven Spoons. 
    I have yet to try it and I'm already in love with it. If coconut is included, I'm instantly in love.

    (gosh, I sound like Ashley when she fell deep in love with a guy 
    she barely knew, bad-boy-bentley... seriously?)

    The recipe is found here. I'm thinking this is a must try recipe for me.
    Do you have any fab recipes that include coconut? If so, I'd love to hear about these recipes.
     

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