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July 10, 2014

Walnut Stuffed Dried Figs

Walnut Stuffed Dried Figs // shutterbean

Out of all the things to stuff in a fig, I sometimes forget that a simple nut can suffice. I love these bites because they’re like portable trail-mix. Cut a little sliver into a dried fig and stuff a toasted walnut it.  They make for a nice bite-sized, totally portable and a vegan/healthy/gluten-free way snack. I may just sneak a chocolate chip in there or maybe some goat cheese…I dunno.

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July 9, 2014

Nectarine Caprese Salad

Nectarine Caprese Salad // shutterbean

I bought myself a flat of nectarines. I’m not sure what I was thinking because Cooper doesn’t want to even try one and my husband does not think to eat a piece of fruit when he’s hungry. So, this means I will be eating nectarines for the next week now.  I’ve already learned that I cannot eat one while driving home from work, unless I feel cool with stains all over my clothes and a sticky steering wheel. Ew and Noooo.

Nectarine Caprese Salad // shutterbean

And then I saw this recipe in a recent Sunset Magazine issue…It had been sitting on my nightstand taunting me for the past week. The stars aligned and the nectarines arrived and so here we are. This is it.

Nectarine Caprese Salad // shutterbean

I’ve made a salad like this before but with watermelon and some slightly different ingredients. But with the nectarines, the texture is a bit different. There’s a sweetness that catches up with you after you’re almost done with a bite. The salt and the white balsamic vinegar add such a beautiful tang. One minute you’re enjoying a tomato and the next a nectarine. It’s all good. If you haven’t added mint and nectarines to your Caprese, you MUST.  My husband, the non-fruit eater approved and that’s saying a lot!

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July 7, 2014

Vegan Taco Salad

Vegan Taco Salad // shutterbean

If I was asked, “If you had to pick one cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?” my answer would be most likely be Mexican. A lot of people think this decision would consist of nothing but tacos, cheesy quesadillas, nachos and burritos (wouldn’t that be the life??!).  But, wait. There’s so much more to that. You totally forgot about taco salads!

Vegan Taco Salad // shutterbean

When I was in high school, I developed an unhealthy obsession with Chevy’s and I cried the day I found out the nutritional content of my beloved Taco Salad. I mean…the fried flour tortilla shell holding the greasy ground beef covered in melted cheese with a healthy serving of Ranch dressing and extra sour cream should have fooled no one. There were some wilted lettuce shreds and some tomatoes thrown in to justify its salad label. I’d get the dressing on the side, but really… WHO WAS I KIDDING?

Vegan Taco Salad // shutterbean

In my attempt to lighten up my favorite Taco Salad, I created this little ditty.  It’s absolutely perfect for summer (hello fresh corn, red pepper, tomatoes, avocados & radishes!).  The salad dressing isn’t a Mexican Ranch that’s loaded with mayo. Nope! It’s a base of creamy avocado mixed with lime and cilantro and it comes together in a breeze with a quick blitz in my Vitamix blender. You’ll find the dressing is the perfect way to marry crisp lettuce, protein packed black beans, juicy tomatoes, green onions, avocado chunks, sweet corn and crunchy tortilla chips.  This taco salad is so packed with flavor that I feel 100% confident in my decision to choose Mexican over every other cuisine. It also proves that you can do a dairy-free Mexican salad and not skimp on taste. My summer will be FILLED with these Taco Salads, thank you very much.

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July 6, 2014

My Everyday Life: Week 27

Here’s what this past week looked like:

I love when my Dad greets me from on top of his roof.

My Everyday Life: Week 27

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July 4, 2014

I love lists, Friday!

I LOVE LISTS FRIDAY

  1. Cats! Sitting awkwardly!
  2. So, apparently I’m Creative & Sexy.
  3. What a beautiful patio. I especially love the bar!
  4. I want to go on a trip. STAT.
  5. These photos are like a mental vacation….
  6. I also want to go to Adult Summer Camp. Bucket List. Also. More camps!
  7. How to Roll a Chipotle Burrito.
  8. 5 Unspoken Rules of Best Friends (maj!)
  9. My mom will most definitely laugh at these.
  10. This comic made me laugh.
  11. Juxtaposition of Old & New
  12. 10 Ways to Appear Smart During a Business Meeting
  13. Is this dude lip syncing? I just don’t know…
  14. Shake your bonbon.
  15. Ice cream CUPCAKES. I mean….
  16. Jessica sealed the deal with AMARETTO WHIPPED CREAM.
  17. My summer could use a pavlova and more cherries!!
  18. I’m currently listening to this while making this list.
  19. The Worst Parts of Being an Adult in the Summer. PRETTY MUCH.
  20. Photos that prove you take your job title way too seriously.
  21. COCKTAIL SNOW CONES!! (totally deserves all caps)

 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

 

 

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July 3, 2014

Caprese Bites

Caprese Bites // shutterbean

It’s simple addition.  Basil+ Mozzarella+Tomatoes+ Fancy Toothpicks= Heaven.  I actually used string-cheese in these little bites instead of little mozzarella balls because that’s what I had in the fridge. They’ll work in a pinch! Drizzle a little bit of syrupy aged balsamic on top and you have yourself a most wonderful snack/appetizer… aka snacketizer.

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July 2, 2014

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza // shutterbean

New recipe! Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza

You know how much I love the no-knead pizza dough recipe, right?  I’ve been wanting to try it grilled because WHO WANTS TO PUT THEIR OVEN AT 500F in the summer??!  Also, I’ve relied too heavily on the make-it on a cookie sheet and get rectangular pizza method.  This lady wants a round pizza. Once and for all. But then again, this lady loves the no-knead recipe because it’s such a good set it and forget it situation. This lady thrives on a set it & forget it situation.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza // shutterbean

About an hour into the dough-making process (it was just sitting covered in the window)  I decided to invite new friends over for dinner. WHAT?! Try a new recipe on new friends?! Blasphemous.  My point to all of this is to tell you that if I can take pictures while grilling pizza AND entertaining people ON A WEEKNIGHT, then there’s no doubt in my mind that you can pull this off in a snap.

Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza // shutterbean

BBQ sauce as a base, chicken, red onions, red pepper, cilantro, PEPPER JACK CHEESE and corn combine for an amazing combination. It makes an amazing summer meal.  It also solidifies new friendships….just sayin’!

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