Monthly Archives: November 2014

Greek Zucchini Bruschetta

Posted in Appetizers/Snacks by

Bruschetta is one of my all-time favorite appetizers.  However, sometimes I need a break from carbs.    I was trying to figure out how to get the essence of the bruschetta taste I love without using bread. Enter this greek zucchini bruschetta.  Made with Feta cheese and zucchini instead of bread, this is a fun take on an old favorite!  My boyfriend and I may or may not have eaten this for lunch one day.  Appetizer, lunch, whatever!  This might be all I can handle after stuffing myself on Thanksgiving. Something light and healthy sounds perfect.

Nikos-Zucchini-Bruschetta

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Roasted Garlic and Lemon Chicken

Posted in Main Dishes by

IMG_2450As a retail manager, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the busiest time of year for me. I rarely spend holidays with my family, but I did get to have a quick visit at home last week where we had a faux thanksgiving. My mom and I did some holiday shopping and then spent a few hours in the kitchen making a few favorite recipes and experimenting on an amazing pasture raised organic chicken from TrueCost Farm. We ended up with delicious new dish and a few tweaks for the next time.

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Scarboro Fair Wild Rice

Posted in Side Dishes by

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Wild rice is a staple in Minnesota. Its hard to go into a grocery store or co-op without encountering the locally grown grain. This recipe is a staple from Lunds’ deli, one of the grocery stores in Minneapolis. Its insanely easy and just as yummy! Its a great dish to warm you up as the weather gets colder.

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Cinnamon Hot Chocolate with Homemade Whipped Cream

Posted in Cocktails & Drinks by

It’s getting cold outside, which means one thing: hot chocolate season is here!  I love different variations of hot cocoa, and this cinnamon hot cocoa is no different.  It has a perfect chocolate flavor with a hint of cinnamon.  This recipe is delicious with a little Bailey’s if you want a boozy version.

Cups-of-Cinnamon-Hot-Cocoa

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Curried Butternut Squash Soup with Candied Walnuts

Posted in Main Dishes, Recipes by

Nothing says fall like butternut squash soup.  I’ve been pretending it hasn’t been 85 degrees in Southern California by making soups weekly.  Soups are easy comfort food and this one is no different.  If you haven’t made homemade soup before, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is.  If you haven’t made butternut squash soup, well, let’s rethink those life choices.  And if you’re reading this in Minnesota or somewhere else getting snow this week, I think you’re going to want to stock up on butternut squash soup…winter is coming.

Butternut-Squash-Soup-with-Walnuts

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Apple Pie Oatmeal

Posted in Breakfast, Vegetarian by

Want an excuse to eat apple pie for breakfast? I have something close for you. My solution? Apples sautéed in cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar that taste like apple pie filling without the pie crust.  Since oatmeal has a lot of fiber, I am easily full until lunchtime with this breakfast.

Bowls-of-Apple-Pie-Oatmeal

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Garlic Roasted Purple Potatoes

Posted in Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian by

Did you know potatoes this beautiful existed? Well, they do and I have good news for you.  These purple potatoes are healthier than white potatoes and taste just as good, if not better!  You can pretty much substitute these potatoes for any recipe calling for a white potato.  Roast them, mash them, bake them.  Options are endless.  These purple potatoes have around 4x the amount of antioxidants contained in normal Russet potatoes (remember, purple = good).  That’s real life.  Healthy food can taste good too! You can find these at farmer’s markets or certain grocery stores (best bet is those that specialize in organic foods like Whole Foods). Leave the skin on when you cook them.  The skin is pretty thin, but it has a lot of nutritional content. So, let’s roast some potatoes, shall we?

Roasted-Purple-Potatoes-with-Rosemary

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