Super Yummy Kale & Apple Salad

I made this amazing salad weeks ago. I came across this photo in my Photostream this morning and realized I never shared my concoction with the world! Shame on me!

So here's a super-quick recipe post for a super-quick and delicious salad!

SALAD:

• 1 head of kale- remove stems and chop
• 1 dices apple (I love Honeycrisp)
• A handful of dried cranberries
• A handful of chopped pecans

DRESSING:
(Sorry I don't have exact measurements- I kind of just threw it together to taste!)

• Avocado oil (you can replace with olive)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey

~ Just whisk it up and toss into salad!




Please let me know if you try this one for yourself or if you've found any modification you think would make this even more yummy! Looking forward to reading all of your comments! :)

Kale Chips- A Healthy Alternative (Seriously) to Potato Chips

Okay, okay, I know there are a million blog posts out there about Kale Chips and how to make them, but I HAD to. After discovering for myself just how EASY these are to make, I had to share with the world. Even better... my 16-month-old is CRAZY for them. If I can get her to eat kale and beg for more, then there must be something worth sharing- yes? YES!

Fresh Kale

STEP 1: Separate leaves from stem. Discard stem.

STEP 2: Tear leaves into 2 in. (approx.) pieces.

STEP 3: Line baking sheet with leafy pieces and sprinkle 1-2 tsp of cooking oil on leaves. (I lined my baking sheet with parchment paper to make clean-up quick and easy.) Toss so all pieces are covered. [Note: Some of my pieces in this pic were too small. They shrink A LOT!]


STEP 4: Bake in oven at 375F for 20-25 mins.

STEP 5: Optional- Place chips on paper towel to soak up any extra oil.  Sprinkle salt or parmesan or other flavorings on chips and toss.

Easy peasy! 

Happy snacking!!!

That Time I Filleted a Fish All By Myself (Warning; Graphic Content)

Hello out there!

Last week, after a family brunch, we decided it would be fun to stop by a local market to see what goodies we could pick up there. Somehow we went from picking up some fruits and veggies to taking home a whole Striped Bass for dinner. What can I say- I felt adventurous.

This is my friend, Mr. Striped Bass

Now, as a kid I loved to go fishing, but I always set my little guys free. I never learned how to clean and cut one properly, but I have watched a lot of Food Network shows and a lot of Gordon Ramsey television. There is also this awesome resource on the interwebs called YouTube. Seriously- you should check it out!

I did a very clean job, if I do say so myself!

Then came time cook. That I can do.

I created a marinade for my fillets:

• 1 cup Camelina Oil
• Juice and pulp of 3 fresh limes
• 2 cloves of garlic (pressed)
• Approx. 1/2 cup of fresh cilantro (finely chopped) 
• Approx. 2 tbsp honey 
• Salt to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes to taste*

*Sorry about the approximate measurements- I tend to cook by taste, not by measurement.

I let the fillets marinate in our awesome Vacu Vin Instant Marinater (an awesome invention).

Then I let Hubby cook them :)

Supper Time!

Delicious!

What's Camelina oil you ask?

Three Farmers Camelina Oil

Stay tuned for another blog post... ;)

Happy 2nd Birthday B!!! (I'm Baaaaack)

Yeah, so I disappeared... Going to dust myself off and try again...

Soooooo- my niece, B, just turned 2! I've spent the weekend working hard to make the perfect cuppies for the occasion. I have to say, I am VERY proud of my results!

Let me start by introducing my best friend in the world. This is  Betsy, the Queen of all Pink Ladies.
My life would not be the same without her in it. <3

Chocolate chip filled cupcakes, fresh out of the oven, with special celebration wrappers!

Chocolate frosting- decadent!
Babygirl (who is now 14 months old!) could NOT get enough of the spoon after this one!

The results...

Pretty perfect if I do say so myself!

So there they are- chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate frosting and candy star sprinkles. I would share the recipe, but it's not mine. Check out Martha Stewart's Cupcakes recipe book if you're having a hankering. It's my bible. 

That's it for now! Time to head over to the party.

First Recipe Post: Individual Baked Oatmeal Cups

A great snack or breakfast-on-the-go!

These babies are no-flour and no-butter!


So let me introduce this recipe by saying that I recently finished maternity-leave, started a new job in a completely new industry, and I have been struggling to find a balance between work-baby-husband-home-etc. Some mornings have been insane rushes trying to get up, get dressed, prepare Baby for daycare, get her dressed, feed her and still try to shove something nutritious down my throat for breakfast. I love oatmeal, but those instant packages leave something to be desired, and they're not exactly conducive to an eat-and-run type meal (you know-risk of burning and spilling on my way out the door). I decided to try to find something I could prepare ahead of time that could serve the same purpose, that Mommy, Daddy and 10-month-old Baby Girl would all enjoy.

It worked! The basic mix is delicious enough on its own that it doesn't really need any "extras", but throwing them in meant variety and a little something for everyone! I have a lot of random ingredients laying around the house that allowed me to come up with some deliciously creative combinations!

I made some with dried cranberries and slivered almonds

Others with delicious walnuts and golden raisins

No-extras-added mini cups for Baby Girl to enjoy

And, of course, some chocolate chip minis as a treat for Hubby!

Makes Approximately 36 (Medium-Sized) Cups

INGREDIENT LIST:

2 Large Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Cup of Apple-Pear Sauce
1 Cup of Coconut Oil (liquefied)
1 Mashed Banana
1.5 Cups Brown Sugar
5 Cups of Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Flaxseed Meal
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
3 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
3 Cups Milk

Fillings/Toppings of Your Choice
 

• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
• Mix together your wet ingredients (except milk): eggs, vanilla, applesauce, coconut oil, banana
• Add in brown sugar until well combined
• Toss in your dry ingredients: oats, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder and salt
• Mix well and then pour in the milk to combine everything together
• Pour mixture into greased or lined muffin tins- fill only about 1/2 way; sprinkle in your fillings; fill the rest of the way with batter; sprinkle more toppings if you want
• Bake approximately 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean!

 

Enjoy them for brekkie, as an afternoon snack, or after-dinner treat!

Let me know if you try these out and if you have any suggestions for improvement!!! :)