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Walnut Pesto

October 30, 2013

Walnut Pesto

 :: Walnut Pesto ::

Do you find when it comes to dinnertime that you often have a hard time figuring out what to make?  This Walnut Pesto can create several easy weeknight meals.  I love a rich basil pesto as much as the next girl, but what makes this pesto a little different is the use of walnuts.  Yes, walnuts! They create as much flavor as pine nuts and are half the price. These rich and buttery nuts make this pesto a bit more diverse in both flavor and texture. What is wonderful about these special nuts, is the fact that they are native to California, and we love that!  The local nut mixed with local ingredients from my garden box, made two easy weeknight meals for my family.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

M&M Skillet Cookie

October 8, 2013

m&m skillet cookie

:: M&M Skillet Cookie ::

It’s fall and I am feeling inspired by all that I see.  Target really has a way of taking a hold of oneself with it’s lovely displays of Halloween and all its seasonal M&M’s.  I can’t help it….the kids want chocolate chip cookies, and I am thinking we need something new… something that I actually have to think a little bit about and use one of the many gadgets that I like to covet.  How many of you have this problem?  I love kitchen appliances, cake plates, pans, and coffee mugs….I can go on and on.  The problem is I buy them and then I sit and wait.  I wait to decide the best possible recipe I will create to use in that special addition to my kitchen.  So I am breaking out my Lodge cast iron and I am making it simple.  Two dishes to clean and I don’t have to roll out cookies, set them aside to cool, and repeat.  One pan and you get to slice your cookie out of it.  Genius and easy!  This M&M Skillet Cookie is simply inspired by BJ’s Restaurant.  When I first arrived at Long Beach State as a Freshman, BJ’s in Belmont Shore was a fun meet-up for food, friends, and family.  We would always end our meal with a Pizookie.  Since my kids have recently had their first try of one, I am making an at home version… and its not going to be in a small pan.  No rush to finish and we did top it with ice cream.  Yum! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

September 26, 2013

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

:: Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread ::

 

Bananas are a simple staple in our home.  They are used to create smoothies, toppings for cereal, and stand alone snacks.  I am a bit weird when it comes to this fruit, I only will eat a whole banana if it is a tad green {I am sure there are some of you that agree to this}.  That being the case, I always have enough ripe bananas to create a bread, dessert, or breakfast drink with. 

With a slight drop in the temperature and the start of autumn, I decided to turn these little gems into a breakfast dessert paired with a frosting infused with the caramel sauce that I used to create the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe that we posted last week.  This Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread is a basic banana bread but kicked up a notch with the added creaminess of Greek yogurt and caramel.  I promise this will be become a favorite of yours. 

 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Chicken Pesto Pasta

August 8, 2013

:: Chicken Pesto Pasta ::

Oh Chicken Pesto Pasta… how I love thee.  I have a pasta addiction.  If you were to ask me what my favorite meal would include, it would have to be some sort of pasta.  I know I have a little Italian buried somewhere in my lineage {wink}. Though it is summer and some of you can’t think of eating a heavy meal, this light yet savory sauce makes this pasta not as weighing as a traditional lasagna.  This pasta was created from a combination of herbs and tomatoes from my garden box, basil pesto sauce, and burrata cheese.  Giada’s first book, Every Day Italian, has a ton of hidden gems and basic sauces that can be built into entirely creative pasta meals.  Easy, simple, and delicious.  It is one of my favorite Italian cookbooks.  As for the garden boxes…  in this sunny yet mild California climate for summer, my basil and sun burst yellow tomatoes have taken off like crazy! So why not combine the two with chunks of creamy burrata cheese? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Grapefruit Margaritas

April 29, 2013

 

:: GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITAS ::

I am feeling like it is a Grapefruit Margarita kind of a Monday! There are two reasons to make these refreshing margaritas.  Number 1 it is Sara’s birthday today, so we must of course cheers to that! Happy birthday sweet friend Simply could not happen without you! Number 2, Ay ya ya!, it’s Cinco de Mayo this weekend. So break out your Margie glasses and put on some mariachi music, and let’s make a pitcher!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

January 22, 2013

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread,

sounds very tempting right?

Well it can be part of a healthy resolution with

this recipe adapted by Skinny Taste.

I love coming across recipes that taste

as good as their original.

This recipe is fairly simple and

the best part of it is that the list of ingredients

are items often in my

fridge or panty.

The perfect chance to use up

those ripe bananas that are past

 cereal prime.

Ingredients:

* 3 medium ripe bananas

*1/3 cup chunky apple sauce

* 1 1/4 cup white whole wheat flour

* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened

* 1/3 cup brown sugar

* 2 large egg whites

* 1/ 2 teaspoon vanilla

* 1 1/2 ounces of mini chocolate chips

* cooking spray for the loaf pan

directions

{spray a loaf, muffin, or mini loaf pan}

* I decided to try out my mini loaf pan*

In a small bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Set aside.

Place the brown sugar and melted butter into a mixer fitted with a paddle.

Mix until the sugar and butter are incorporated,

then add the egg whites and combine.

Then add the applesauce, bananas and the vanilla.

* I prefer chunky sauce and I break up the bananas instead

of mashing them as the mixer does the job and makes the bread

richer in taste.

Mix well then add the dry ingredients slowly a 1/2 cup at a time

and then add in the mini chips on low speed,

for a couple seconds so that you don’t create a dense bread.

Pour the mixture into the baking pan of your choice.

Pop this into the oven at 325 degrees for 40 minutes.

If you are doing muffins I find they cook in half the time so check on these.

Test the middle of the bread with a toothpick to make sure

the middle is baked all the way,

take out of the oven and let it rest until it’s cooled.

Your house will smell delightful

and your tummy will enjoy this wonderful

treat all while being low in fat and high in taste!

Enjoy and save me a slice!

Filed Under: Food

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About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

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