Spooky Snacks: Apple Teeth

Who's excited for Halloween this week? I'm sure the kids in your life are even more excited for endless amounts of candy and sweet treats. If you're planning a Halloween party with friends I've got the perfect spooky snack - apple teeth. 

Pumpkin Banana Walnut Bread

There's nothing better than the smell of this pumpkin banana walnut bread baking in your oven on a crisp Fall day. I have a slight obsession with all things pumpkin these days (no surprise) and this bread was just what I was craving. With a hint of banana flavor and a little kick of ginger spice this pumpkin bread is a must try. 

Apple Bran Muffins

I can't get enough of all things apple right now. These apple bran muffins have the perfect blend of cinnamon spice paired with a tangy and sweet apple. I found a Gala apple was a great apple for texture and taste in these muffins but feel free to use your favorite type of apple. For a quick breakfast on the go or a lunchtime snack these muffins are a Fall must have. 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup is the perfect comforting dish on a cool Fall day. For lunch or dinner this soup is a must try and super easy to make. You can customize this soup by using your favorite cheddar or white cheddar cheese and leaving the broccoli in chunks if you prefer a hearty soup. 

Broccoli Pasta Salad

Looking for a quick and easy lunch recipe? This broccoli pasta salad is super easy to make by cooking the pasta and broccoli together (genius). With some toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and fresh lemon I could seriously eat this pasta salad every day for lunch. You can choose your favorite type of noodle and also try a whole wheat pasta for a healthier option. 

Morning Glory Muffins

Good morning! These morning glory muffins with hearty carrots and sweet banana and raisins are the perfect start to the day. If you love carrot cake you will absolutely love these muffins (you could even try them with cream cheese frosting). I was a little skeptical of adding a banana to this recipe but it was a delicious twist on the typical morning glory muffin and kept the consistency extra moist.

Apple Bread

It's apple time folks! I can cross off Apple Bread from my Fall Bucket List and trust me this recipe is a Fall must. This bread is perfect for a breakfast on the go or serve with some cinnamon ice cream for dessert. Use a sweet apple (like Honeycrisp) for a delicious combination of diced apples and spicy cinnamon flavor. 

Spicy Gazpacho Soup

This past weekend was a hot one and a refreshing bowl of gazpacho soup was a perfect way to cool off. To make this batch a little different I added some Hatch Chile peppers that are currently in season. The Hatch Chiles are from New Mexico and add a great depth of flavor and spice to this gazpacho. 

Watermelon Cake

Watermelon Cake? Yes, you read that correctly. Watermelon is a summer staple and serving it cake style is my latest obsession. This may look difficult or time consuming but honestly this presentation is super easy and will make quite a statement at your next summer party. Serve your guests a slice of watermelon cake and try sprinkling lime juice, basil, mint or even a little splash of tequila for a fun twist. 

Baked Egg in Avocado

I'm obsessed with avocados (hello avocado toast) and when I saw this idea to bake an egg in an avocado I just had to give it a try. For a quick breakfast on the go this baked egg in an avocado is a perfect option. 

Summer Corn Salad

With the 4th of July this weekend I'm looking forward to picnics and bonfires with friends and family. This summer corn salad is everything that a salad should be with the perfect crunch and balance of flavors with fresh herbs. 

Italian Caprese Salad

A caprese salad is one of my all time favorites because of its simplicity and delicious flavor. This is one of those salads where keeping it simple proves to be the best. Ripe tomatoes and creamy mozzarella paired with a flavorful balsamic vinegar and fresh basil really is the best combination from Everyday Vegetarian. 

Wild Rice Salad

Shauna Niequist continues to inspire me with her latest book Savor. This book is the perfect way to start or end your day with a daily devotional dedicated to "living abundantly where you are, as you are." Not only will you learn to savor each day through Shauna's words, but you can also gather your friends and family around the table to enjoy recipes like this Wild Rice Salad. 

Blueberry-Banana Cornmeal Muffins

I absolutely love starting my morning with a homemade blueberry muffin (who doesn't). With overripe bananas sitting in my kitchen I decided to try a twist on the classic blueberry muffin and make these Blueberry-Banana Cornmeal Muffins. The cornmeal base pairs perfectly with the sweet bananas and tart blueberries for a delicious muffin.

Fennel and Apple Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan

If you're obsessed with fennel as much as I am you're going to love this fennel and apple salad. The fennel and apple are a perfect combination of complex flavors, and paired with walnuts and parmesan cheese its a refreshing salad that I can't get enough of. 

Bibb Lettuce with Grapefruit, Avocado, and Creamy Avocado Dressing - Pure Food Cookbook

As a vegetarian it can be really difficult to find a cookbook with satisfying yet easy meals to prepare for everyone to enjoy. I recently received a copy of Pure Food and I quickly realized this book was different from all the rest. 

Spiralized Zucchini Salad

If you haven't tried spiralized vegetables you're missing out (trust me). I recently started using the Veggetti to turn my favorite vegetables into a healthier traditional pasta or in this case a delicious salad.  

Coconut Granola

Can we talk about how amazing granola is? Yes, it's easy to pick up a bag of granola at your local grocery store, but homemade granola is probably one of the easiest recipes to make and the best part is you can control the sugar and added ingredients.

Tasty Tuesday: Kale, Apple, & Walnut Salad

Ok, I'll admit my diet has been consumed with sugar cookies, candy canes, hot chocolate and peppermint bark these past few weeks. The thought of eating a salad right now actually sounds quite amazing for a little break from the endless sugar high. 

This kale, apple and walnut salad with blue cheese and my all-time favorite dressing is the perfect salad for lunch or side-dish at your next holiday party. The sweet apples, creamy blue cheese, hearty kale and this slightly spicy/tangy dressing is a true winner. 

Kale, Apple & Walnut Salad

Ingredients:

1 bunch of kale (de-stemmed and roughly chopped)

1 Honeycrisp apple (diced or sliced)

1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup blue cheese

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon tabasco 

1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions:

In a large bowl toss together the kale, apple, walnuts, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. Combine the oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, tabasco and dried parsley in a container and shake well. Lightly toss salad with dressing just before serving. 

xoxo

PS