Posts in eat
roasted butternut squash & arugula salad + blood orange vinaigrette

you guys. it got me . for the first time in twelve years, i came down with the flu over the weekend. after a full two days in bed, and moaning over and over to wes that i thought i was going to die, i'm finally out of bed and feeling better. 

while i'm back on my feet, from what i've heard, the recovery is slow. so now that i'm back on solids, i'm pumping myself full of all that keeps you healthy. i whipped up a tasty, nutrient packed salad that is as beautiful as it is healthy. 

roasted butternut squash salad + blood orange vinaigrette

serves: 2

prep time: 1 hour

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup butternut squash cubes (about .5 inch pieces). 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs brown sugar. .5 cup olive oil. .25 cup red wine vinegar. 1 garlic clove, minced. 4 cups arugula. .25 cup spiced pistachios (or spiced mixed nuts if you prefer) .25 cup shredded white cheddar cheese. 2 blood oranges, segmented and the juice reserved (if you don't have access to blood oranges you could sub whatever orange you can get your hands on). baking sheet. parchment paper. 

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start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees f. toss together the butternut squash, half the salt, half the pepper, half the brown sugar and 1 tbs brown sugar. mix it all together until the butternut squash is lightly coated. roast the butternut squash for 40-45 minutes until the edges are nice and browned and a bit crispy. check them once about half way through to stir so everything cooks evenly.

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while the squash is roasting, make your vinaigrette. use your reserved blood orange juice and combine it with the garlic, remaining olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the remaining salt, pepper and sugar. whisk it up well with a fork to combine and set aside. when your squash is ready, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool.

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while the squash cools, fill a bowl with the arugula and drizzle it with your dressing. toss well.

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then add in your orange segments, cheese, nuts and squash.

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toss till just combined and serve. 

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xo, a

roasted butternut squash salad + blood orange vinaigrette

serves: 2

prep time: 1 hour

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

ingredients: 1 cup butternut squash cubes (about .5 inch pieces). 1 tbs kosher salt. 1 tsp fresh ground pepper. 2 tbs brown sugar. .5 cup olive oil. .25 cup red wine vinegar. 1 garlic clove, minced. 4 cups arugula. .25 cup spiced pistachios (or spiced mixed nuts if you prefer) .25 cup shredded white cheddar cheese. 2 blood oranges, segmented and the juice reserved (if you don't have access to blood oranges you could sub whatever orange you can get your hands on). baking sheet. parchment paper. 

start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees f. toss together the butternut squash, half the salt, half the pepper, half the brown sugar and 1 tbs brown sugar. mix it all together until the butternut squash is lightly coated. roast the butternut squash for 40-45 minutes until the edges are nice and browned and a bit crispy. check them once about half way through to stir so everything cooks evenly. while the squash is roasting, make your vinaigrette. use your reserved blood orange juice and combine it with the garlic, remaining olive oil, red wine vinegar, and the remaining salt, pepper and sugar. whisk it up well with a fork to combine and set aside. when your squash is ready, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool. while the squash cools, fill a bowl with the arugula and drizzle it with your dressing. toss well. then add in your orange segments, cheese, nuts and squash. toss till just combined and serve. 

scrambled eggs + seasoned croutons

welcome to a brand spanking new year! personally, i'm ready for a "restart." 

for the last few years, instead of setting "resolutions," i've started having a theme for the year. a word that really speaks to what i'm hoping to achieve from that year. of course, i also include some tangible goals to check off for continued growth and success in a new year, but the them of the year is VERY important. 

two years ago when i got married and started two new careers, it was the year of ADVENTURE. 

2017 was the year of GROWTH. and grow i did. both businesses found success, lots of great press was received and this new year is already full of booked events which feels great! but i wasn't exactly specific enough last year about needing more tangible funds in the bank account. 

so this year, 2018 is going to be the year of PROSPERITY. now while i'm hoping financial gain is involved, prospering is not all about the money. it is defined as a successful, flourishing or thriving condition. good fortune. THAT my friends is what i'm going for this year. prosperity. in all aspects. for my belly and taste buds too. 

it's no secret how much i love breakfast, so i'm starting this year off with a tasty breakfast dish. not to mention, EASY. scrambled eggs is one of those things many of us learn to do in the kitchen first. adding a few more things to that pan will really take your scrambled eggs to the next level. 

scrambled eggs + seasoned croutons

serves: 2

prep time: 15 minutes

cook time: 5 minutes

total time: 20 minutes

ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil. 1 tbs butter. 4-6 eggs (depending on how hungry you are).  1 cup seasoned croutons. 1 cup arugula. 3-4 sun dried tomatoes. 1 tsp chopped chives. .5 tsp kosher salt. .25 tsp fresh ground pepper. cast iron or non stick pan. 

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if you don't have any seasoned croutons on hand, start by whipping those up. if those are already on hand, start by combining the eggs, salt, pepper and chives in a mixing bowl. whisk them together.

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use a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat, gently brush your pan with the oil. then add in your butter. when the butter starts to bubble, your pan is hot enough. if it is browning, turn your pan down, it is too hot.

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swirl your butter around the pan so it is evenly coated and pour in your eggs. use a spatula to continuously agitate your eggs.

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once you have some larger pieces of solid scrambled egg, add in your croutons, arugula and tomatoes. toss well till everything is combined and the arugula has wilted a bit.

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once all the eggs are solid and scrambled, remove from the heat.

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divide between two plates and serve hot. 

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xo, a

scrambled eggs + seasoned croutons

serves: 2

prep time: 15 minutes

cook time: 5 minutes

total time: 20 minutes

ingredients: 1 tsp olive oil. 1 tbs butter. 4-6 eggs (depending on how hungry you are).  1 cup seasoned croutons. 1 cup arugula. 3-4 sun dried tomatoes. 1 tsp chopped chives. .5 tsp kosher salt. .25 tsp fresh ground pepper. cast iron or non stick pan. 

if you don't have any seasoned croutons on hand, start by whipping those up. if those are already on hand, start by combining the eggs, salt, pepper and chives in a mixing bowl. whisk them together. use a cast iron skillet or nonstick pan over medium heat, gently brush your pan with the oil. then add in your butter. when the butter starts to bubble, your pan is hot enough. if it is browning, turn your pan down, it is too hot. swirl your butter around the pan so it is evenly coated and pour in your eggs. use a spatula to continuously agitate your eggs. once you have some larger pieces of solid scrambled egg, add in your croutons, arugula and tomatoes. toss well till everything is combined and the arugula has wilted a bit. once all the eggs are solid and scrambled, remove from the heat. divide between two plates and serve hot.