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Breakfast Quinoa

September 26, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Breakfast Quinoa

Breakfast Quinoa = Best Discovery in Recent History.

About 6 months ago I joined a local bootcamp program and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I thoroughly enjoy the workouts, the instructors are awesome, and I finally feel strong again. Not to mention that I’m down about 5% body fat. Basically I’m feeling pretty good.

The program has also made me re-evaluate everything I was eating. I always thought that I ate fairly healthy. I practiced the 80/20 rule – 80% healthy and 20% blog material. I’m still sticking to that rule but my idea of “healthy” is changing. The program really pushes for lower carbs, higher healthy fats, and very limited amounts of dairy. I usually do a scrambled egg or two in the morning, cooked in coconut oil. I love them but sometimes you want something different….

Enter breakfast quinoa! It’s easy, satisfying, and high in protein. Plus, you can dress it up anyway you like.

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Pupcakes for My Favorite Pup

March 22, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Pupcakes

My sweet little Wrigley (named after Wrigley Field) turned 10 in February. That’s right, the big 1-0! I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old and she has my heart. I’ve always been a dog lover but she’s pretty much my favorite “person” in the world. Despite her uncanny ability to get on the the table and slyly help herself to whatever she can find – several years ago she ate the blue cheese off of the plated Christmas Eve salads – she’s an unbelievably good dog and I can’t imagine my life without her.

To celebrate Wrigley’s big day (and my furry niece, Eleanor’s, adoption anniversary) I made pupcakes! The adorable little baked doggy treats I’ve seen at various pet boutiques are darling but I’ve always been concerned about the ingredients. A birthday tummy ache definitely isn’t ideal.

These are super easy, the ingredients are gentle on tummies, and the dogs absolutely loved them!

pupcakes

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Bouchon Bakery’s Banana Muffins

March 10, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Bouchon's Banana Muffins

If you haven’t been to Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, CA, you’re missing out. Bouchon, in my humble opinion, is a baker’s mecca. Everything they make is stunning and oh-so-delicious. Beyond that, Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery cook book is awesome. It has recipes for everything they sell in the bakery but, more interestingly, there are dozens of notes, tips, and facts about the art of baking. I received this book 3 years ago as a Christmas gift and I still reference it every couple of weeks.

I’ve been making these muffins for years and they get rave reviews every time. I haven’t changed the recipe at all because they’re… well… perfect. Seriously, there is no better recipe for banana muffins out there. If you follow the recipe exactly you’ll need a kitchen scale so you can weigh all of your ingredients. I actually prefer this method when I bake but it does take time to adjust to.

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Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Arugula Salad

February 2, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Arugula Salad

In the last month or so this has become one of my go-to meals. I’ve always been a bit of a meat snob and make every effort to buy local, organic, and humanely raised meat. More recently, I’ve been trying to turn Meatless Monday into Meatless Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so this recipe is ideal. The chickpeas provide protein (and a crunch!) and the sweet potato helps to fill me up. Beyond that, it can be enjoyed warm or cold, and is just downright tasty.

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Chouquettes

January 21, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Chouquettes

When I was in Oregon we visited a lovely little French bakery called St. Honore and I fell head over heels in love with Chouquettes. Chouquettes are made from classic French Choux Pastry and then sprinkled with pearl sugar. They’re typically enjoyed by French children as an afternoon snack although I can’t imagine any adult turning one down. They’re slightly sweet with a crunchy outside and a soft eggy inside. Bottom line – these little bites are super addictive and I’m so bummed I didn’t realize their greatness when I was in France a couple years ago. I think I need to plan another trip…

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Cranberry and Pine Nut Biscotti

January 18, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Cranberry and Pine Nut Biscotti

Biscotti are some of my all-time favorite cookies. They’re so tasty, versatile and, more than that, they remind me of my dad. He’s pretty much a biscotti connoisseur and so I love to make these for him. This recipe has his as stamp of approval!

You can easily substitute the cranberries and pine nuts for your choice of dried fruit and nuts. I love them with pistachios and sour cherries, too. So good!

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Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oregon Style

January 13, 2016 by Molly Leave a Comment

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love a good chocolate chip recipe but, then again, who doesn’t. I’ve searched long and hard for the perfect recipe and I’m almost a 100% certain that I’ve found it. This recipe from the New York Times blew me away. They’re the perfect ratio of chips (discs) to dough and the bread flour/cake flour combo creates a texture that’s spot on. I LOVE THESE COOKIES and I’m pretty sure you will, too. I, personally, like to add in 1 tbsp of molasses for depth of flavor but that’s the only recipe modification I make. I also make them smaller (so they last longer!) than the recipe calls for but that’s totally up to you.

When I was in Oregon I picked up some beautiful hazelnuts and some Jacobsen Salt aka the best finishing salt around. As an ode to Oregon I rolled these cookies in the chopped and roasted hazelnuts and sprinkled them with the salt. Incredible!

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Brie + Apple Grilled Cheese

December 11, 2015 by Molly 3 Comments

Let me start by saying that a sandwich like this a BIG splurge for me. I love grilled cheese sandwiches but I never, ever get/make them because I can almost always find a better choice. However, once is blue moon there’s nothing like an ooey, gooey grilled cheese. And this one, in particular, just hits the spot.

The combination of raisin bread, brie, Granny Smith apples, caramelized onions, and a little whole grain mustard makes the best sweet and savory combo EVER. I never would have considered raisin bread for something like this but it’s really the key component. This sandwich is so tasty and, seriously, worth every single calorie!

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