Month: March 2015

Throwback Sunday: Mediterranean Quinoa & Poached Egg

Happy Sunday! Hope ya’ll had a great weekend and are gearing up for another busy week ahead! Ben and I started our weekend at the Carolina Ale House watching Duke smack down Robert Morris (who?), then enjoyed a lazy Saturday parked in front of the TV/laptop watching more of the NCAA tourney. I also got to sing all services this weekend with the Summit All Campus Choir, which was a real treat. I always forget how much I love to worship through song until I’m back up on those risers, my voice melding with the members around me, feeling like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Have you ever had that experience of just knowing God has you exactly where He wants you? Nothing like it. Oh, and- *Shamelessplugalert* Did I mention that we’re going to be giving an EPIC concert on Maunday Thursday and Good Friday? *Endshamelessplug*

Anyway, tonight I had a craving for something light and springy tonight (and also something that would make a lot of leftovers). Some of you may remember my recipe for my Stuffed Mediterranean Portobellos from last year, and while I didn’t quite have the energy to clean and stuff all of those mushrooms, I was happy to whip up the quick and easy filling! I served it on top of spinach with a drizzling of balsamic vinegar, poached egg, almonds, and avocado. Oh, and a dollop of Greek yogurt for good measure.

Perfect for Meatless Monday tomorrow! Enjoy.

MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA & POACHED EGG
MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA & POACHED EGG

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Guinness Cheddar Dip

Happy St. Patrick’s Day week! My dear friend Sarah had a few of us over this afternoon for a little early St. Patty’s feast. While researching something tasty to bring, I stumbled upon this recipe from The Parsley Thief and couldn’t resist! While I’m not a huge Guinness beer fan in general, I love the tang of the draught when combined with some sharp cheddar and cream cheese. Serve with you favorite crudités like sliced veggies or some hearty crackers! (I considered spreading it on Irish Soda Bread, but I’m not sure how well that would work…)

Anyhoo, wherever you are, have a very merry St. Patrick’s Day! May you discover many rainbows with pots of gold at the end!

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GUINNESS CHEDDAR DIP
Guinness Cheddar Dip
Recipe Type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Irish
Author: Claire McCormick of “Claire Tastes”
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 16
Happy St. Patty’s Day! Here’s a fun spin on the usual cheddar and cream cheese dip, using Guinness draft beer for a little extra tang. Hope you enjoy!
Ingredients
  • 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened (I used Kroger’s Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese which is lower in calories and half the fat!)
  • 2 cups sharp shredded cheddar cheese
  • 3 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • pinch of salt, to taste
  • 1/3 cup Guinness beer
  • dash of hot sauce
  • 1 tbsp fresh minced parsley
  • 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • crudités: sliced radishes, carrots, pretzels and crackers
Instructions
  1. Combine cheeses, mustard, milk, and salt in a food processor and pulse until blended.
  2. Add beer and hot sauce and pulse a few more times until smooth.
  3. Stir in parsley and green onions.
  4. Chill for at least 1 hour and serve with crudités!

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GUINNESS CHEDDAR DIP
GUINNESS CHEDDAR DIP

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Kissing Acorns

KISSING ACORNS
KISSING ACORNS

This weekend I helped throw a baby shower for one of my dearest friends, who is due on April Fools’ Day! 🙂 Her baby’s nursery is going to be a “woodland creatures” theme, so we decided that so should be the theme of the shower! There were pine cones and fir tree branches in every corner, woodland creatures snuggled together on the mantel, and cutouts of forest animals hanging from the chandelier. We placed all the food on tree trunk “slices” and placed cupcakes in butterfly and flower paper muffin cups. What a fun time we had planning!

One of my favorite parts of prepping for this party was browsing Pinterest for others’ ideas about what makes a good “woodland creatures” party. Who knew that there were so many ideas out there based around this theme? Forest birthday parties, woodland showers, fairy-themed extravaganzas… the list goes on and on! I found a ton of ideas for food, games, and gifts and used a few of them! Pinterest is a wonderful thing sometimes.

One of the recipes I found that I am absolutely in LOVE with was for these little candy acorns. How perfect! They have only four ingredients and are easy to assemble if you have a little bit of time! I got them all done on a snow day last week, and though they were a bit high maintenance to put together, SO worth it.

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Basically, you just take mini Nutter Butter cookies and use a bit of chocolate frosting (which I was already planning on using for the cupcakes!) to stick a Hershey’s kiss on one end, then use a tiny bit more frosting for a chocolate chip on the other side. It’d be easiest if you have one of those little cookie decorating frosting tubes with a smaller opening… unfortunately I just had to use a knife, so it got a bit messy!

Stick them in the freezer to set for at least an hour, or for a few days until you’re ready to serve them!

Kissing Acorns
Recipe Type: Dessert, Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Finger Foods
Author: Claire McCormick of “Claire Tastes”
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 30
One of my new favorites! If you have the time to assemble them, they will be a HUGE hit at your next “forest-y” party (or just for fun!).
Ingredients
  • 1 bag Hershey’s kisses, unwrapped
  • 1 bag mini Nutter Butter cookies
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • Chocolate frosting, for assembling (ideally in a small tube)
Instructions
  1. Spread a bit of frosting (you don’t need much) on base of Hershey’s kiss and stick on one side of the Nutter Butter. Add a bit more frosting onto the base of the chocolate chip and stick it on the other side!
  2. Freeze at least 1 hour and as long as a month, until you’re ready to serve!

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