by Guest | featured guests, recipes
Happy Tuesday! Yesterday in my first guest post I spilled my secret to keeping innovative in the kitchen by regularly experimenting with new ingredients. In that spirit, this week’s recipe theme is geared towards trying ingredients that are slightly off the beaten path. For example, yesterday I introduced cacao as a healthy cocoa or chocolate replacement in my recipe for Cacao Coconut Granola Clusters. Today I’d like to introduce you to a simple salad recipe that replaces every day romaine with yummy kale.
I’m always surprised by how many people don’t use kale in their regular cooking habits. It is in fact a super food and in my opinion, it’s super delicious too! This Kale and Avocado Salad with Creamy Cilantro Salad Dressing is a staple in my weekly meal plan. The trick to making the kale taste salad-ready and delicious is to make it soft and tender by massaging the leaves with the cilantro dressing. By massaging the leaves you help to break down the cell wall of the kale, allowing it to wilt and absorb all the delicious dressing flavors. Follow the recipe below to give your salad regime a new look!
Kale and Avocado Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
Ingredients:
Cilantro Dressing
- 1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. honey
- Dash of salt and pepper
Kale Salad
- 2 bunches kale
- 4 ribs of celery, diced
- 1-2 avocados, diced
Instructions
For dressing: Combine all salad dressing ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Taste test and adjust ingredients to your personal preference. Set aside.
For salad: Start by washing the kale, then tear or cut small pieces off the stems. Discard the stems and place the leaves into a mixing bowl.
Drizzle all the dressing ingredients onto the kale. Then use your hands to firmly start massaging the dressing into the kale leaves for 2-3 minutes. As you massage, you’ll feel the leaves soften and wilt. Once leaves are soft, add into the salad the celery and avocado. Serve and enjoy!
Referring link: http://www.seasonallyjane.com/2014/03/kale-and-avocado-salad-with-creamy.html
See you tomorrow!
by Guest | featured guests, recipes
I am so excited to be a guest blogger on Sunny Slide Up! My name is Alivia and I run a self-titled food blog called Alivia Jane. I started a blog as a way to tap into my creative side and showcase the foods I love to eat. Most of my recipes revolve around a whole foods and a plant-based way of eating, although I do sneak in a meat recipe here and there. Everything in moderation is my motto!
To keep innovative in the kitchen I experiment with a new ingredient every few weeks. It is so rewarding to try slightly off-the-beaten path ingredients that open up the door to new flavors and kitchen creativeness. My hope is that through the simple and delicious dishes I create, I will inspire others to be inventive in their kitchens with healthy and incredible tasting foods.
This week, I’ll be sharing five simple recipes that incorporate a new ingredient that you may not use in your every day cooking. Today, I’d like to share my recipe for Cacao Coconut Granola Clusters! If you are not familiar with cacao, it is a sugar-free raw powder and a healthy alternative to conventional over-processed “cocoa” used often for baking and desserts. Cacao is a top source of antioxidants, and it contains an abundance of magnesium and iron. It is amazing!
Finding a healthy snack can sometimes seem like such an impossible mission, especially when trying to maintain a healthy diet. These Cacao Coconut Granola Clusters are the perfect snack not only because they are totally delicious and made with whole foods like nuts, seeds and cacao powder, but also they’re filled with antioxidants, protein, and fiber. You can eat them plain, for breakfast with almond milk, or in yogurt.
Cacao Coconut Granola Clusters
Ingredients:
- ½ cup cacao powder
- 1 cup of gluten free oats
- 1 cup pecans, lightly broken up but not crushed
- ½ cup dried coconut flakes
- ½ cup flaxseed
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 3 bananas
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a medium baking dish.
Place oats, pecans, coconut, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, and sunflowers seeds into a medium sized mixing bowl. Toss to mix and set aside.
Into a food processor place the almond butter, maple syrup, bananas, and cacao powder and blend until smooth. Pour this mix over the dry ingredients and stir well until all dry ingredients are coated.
Add the granola into your baking dish and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the dish to toss the flattened granola mixture to create clusters and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven to let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Tip: Don’t be shy about adding additional maple syrup or honey drizzle to the finished granola for an extra sweet finishing touch!
Referring link: http://www.seasonallyjane.com/2014/07/cacao-coconut-granola-clusters.html
Excited to share a week of recipes with you!
by Guest | featured guests
Hello summer and hello Sunny Slide Up readers! Congratulations to the winner of the Melie Bianco Bag…..
It may be scorching out and sometimes that means it can be hard to find a cute outfit that you feel fabulous in, both for the style and the comfort! Summer fashion is all about keeping cool in easy, flowy pieces and of course, showing off some sun-kissed skin!
We love styling our customers in the latest and greatest fashion trends at both Apricot Lane locations in the Charlotte area. We have a store at StoneCrest in South Charlotte and one in Huntersville at the Birkdale Village shopping center. With styles straight from the L.A. fashion district and a personalized shopping experience, we’re dedicated to helping you look your best with celebrity-inspired affordable fashions! We have a wide variety of summer looks in store, and here are a few of our very favorites:
The Maxi
Maxi dresses are extremely comfortable and versatile! You can dress it down by throwing a chambray button down over it, or dress it up by adding some jewelry and wedges. Apricot Lane has maxis that offer details like cut-outs or a high-low hem. We have these flowy dresses in a variety of colors and on-trend patterns like floral, tie-dye, and stripes.
Summer Scarfs
Now you may be thinking, “Scarfs?…In the summer? Are you crazy?” Opt for a lightweight scarf that isn’t super bulky to add some color to an outfit on cooler days or evenings. Available in a variety of colors, prints and patterns, these airy summer scarves can instantly add personality to any look. Summer scarfs are also great for traveling as they can double as a shawl if it gets chilly, a sarong for hot days at the beach or pool, or a unique belt over a fabulous dress!
Boyfriend Jeans
These coveted, celebrity inspired jeans are perfect for days when it’s too hot for clingy skinny jeans. The relaxed fit and worn-out look results in a laid-back feel that can take you from day to night. We offer boyfriend jeans made to fit a woman’s body at a price far less than what celebrities pay.
Bright Tones
Summer is the time to let your style shine with bright colors! Whether you chose to be daring in a colorful dress, top or with accessories, you can’t go wrong with a bold hue. Don’t be afraid to mix several together for extra pop!
Be sure to connect with us on social media to stay updated on new arrivals, upcoming events, fashion tips and more! Check us out at Facebook.com/ApricotLaneCharlotte and Pinterest.com/apricotlanenc/.
And remember…
(image source)
XOXO,
Monica
(Monica Gerberding is the director of stores and senior buyer for Apricot Lane throughout North Carolina)
