For Meatless Monday I’m offering up this gorgeous Cream of Kale Soup. It’s healthy and completely delish. The green swoons. This soup will warm you from the inside out. It’s light but also a full meal. Serve with a wedge of farmhouse cheese (if you aren’t vegan) or a thick slice of crusty bread. If you don’t want all that this soup is just as perfect all on its own.
More vegan recipes to try!
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for the weekend. It’s time to take a break from large amounts of work and to unwind with friends sipping a cocktail or two. There have been so many beautiful fresh plums at all the markets and I’ve been buying more than we can possibly eat.
With Friday here & all these plums I thought it best to use some of them in a cocktail. You are all ok with that, right?! This Plum-Mint Gin Fizz Cocktail is all at once refreshing, completely delicious and quite sophisticated. If you don’t care for gin you can go with tequila or vodka. No one should feel left out of all this deliciousness!
Click HERE for recipe details.
This Butter and Garlic Pasta with Chicken recipe is sure to become a family favorite! It certainly has become one of ours. It’s quick to prepare and the buttery garlic sauce is irresistible. If you have kids, I bet they will love this too. Great for the lunchbox too if you happen to have leftovers. There is plenty of chicken in here to make it a full & satisfying meal. This would also taste great with shrimp if you happen to have that on hand.
Click HERE for recipe details.
We LOVE One-Pot Meals over here. Why? For so many reasons! First of all, using a single pot/casserole dish/skillet or sheet pan to prepare your meals means way less clean up. Which saves you so much time. Not only are they convenient but they taste amazing!
There are heaps of great recipes out there and I’ve rounded up some of my favorites for you. From pastas to soups and casseroles, there is something for everyone. I know our lives are busy and dinner time can be a drag. Are you working all day and need to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table? These 22 One-Pot Meals will help make your life so much easier. The best part is…you might have a bonus and end up with leftovers too, as these feed a small crowd.
One Pot Pasta with Beef and Broccoli Marla Meridith
One Dish Chicken Bake Diethood
One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs Slow Cooker Gourmet
Whole Roasted Snapper with Potatoes Sweet and Savory Meals
30 Minute Skillet Pasta Primavera Flavor the Moments
Perfectly Baked Salmon with Lentils and Lemon Herb Sauce Pinch of Yum
Easy Pizza Pot Pie The Seasoned Mom
Skillet Chicken Con Queso The Cookie Rookie
Za’atar One Pot Chicken and Rice Living Sweet Moments
Skillet Greek Chicken with Rice Marla Meridith
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables Marla Meridith
One Pot Spicy Thai Noodles Cookilicious
Cheesy Sausage Pasta Skillet Dash of Herbs
Pastalaya Budget Bytes
Chicken Orzo The Casual Craftlete
Tomato & Spinach Pasta Marla Meridith
Tex-Mex Chicken and Rice Simple Seasonal
Paleo Chicken Curry with Sweet Potatoes Abbey’s Kitchen
Swiss Alpine Macaroni Marla Meridith
One Pot Teriyaki Chicken Zoodles Life Made Sweeter
Brown Butter Shrimp Scampi with Scallops A Cookie Named Desire
One Pan Pork Tenderloin with Lemon and Potatoes Audrey’s 74
Whoever invented smashed avocado on toast was a genius. There are so many combinations and variations of it these days & all I can say is lucky for us! This flavor combo has become a favorite of mine. The chipotle adds a nice smoky, spicy edge. This is a wonderful contrast to the creamy avocado. Add as much or as little spice as you wish. Taste as you go. This Chipotle Avocado Toast takes just minutes to prepare. It’s a great breakfast or mid day snack. Vegan and delicious!
Click HERE for recipe details.
Whether you call it “Cardinal” or “Power Red” every woman knows this color pops in any situation. Red looks great no matter what your skin tone and your hair color is. It’s a statement color that cannot be ignored. Walk into a room and watch heads turn, red does that. It attracts the eyes.
This shade of red is classic. It’s as beautiful on the lips as it is as an accessory, dress or blouse. Try some red shoes, scarf, beanie or jewelry if you don’t want to commit to a larger piece. What to wear with red? Tone it with: black, silver, camel, navy, white or grey are great choices.
I’m totally obsessed with Aperol aperitif liqueur. Have you ever tried it? My first experience sipping it was in Bolzano, Italy a few summers ago. I will never forget seeing everyone at chic cafes with orbs of bright orange drinks in their hands. It looked especially refreshing on a hot summers day. It took just minutes for me to have an Aperol Spritz in my hands. Cool, refreshing and way too easy to down the entire drink in seconds.
This is a twist on the spritz, still very delicious and refreshing. Instead of the Prosecco found in a spritz, this Aperol Cosmopolitan Cocktail has some vodka, freshly squeezed lime juice and sparkling water.
More great cocktails to try!
I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love S’mores. What could be better than chocolate, gooey roasted marshmallows and crumbly graham crackers? These brownies take all those ingredients and make them even better! My S’mores Brownies recipe will swoon chocolate lovers and anyone obsessed with delicious desserts. Serve these up at your next party, picnic or for upcoming holidays…..hello Halloween. Gosh, can’t believe it’s already September!
There’s a buttery graham cracker crust underneath that layer of rich brownie batter.
My kids and friends totally flipped for these brownies, I’m sure you can see why!
More delicious brownie recipes to try!
In my opinion there can never be enough oatmeal recipes. I love it so, and the way it can be flavored is endless! Even though we are at the tail end of summer, there are still heaps of ripe & juicy summer peaches that beckon to be eaten. Peach and oatmeal lovers, I know you will enjoy my recipe for Baked Peach Steel-Cut Oatmeal. It couldn’t be easier to prepare and all the magic happens in your oven. It’s a quick set up and clean up. The best news is that you can make this recipe the night before you need it. Store it in the fridge, then scoop some out and reheat as you wish!
I spent a few glorious, glamorous days in Zurich, Switzerland this past winter. A special place I’ve been wanting to visit for some time. Prior to this trip I had flown in and out of the Zurich airport many times, and buzzed by the city on Swiss trains. I had never settled into the vibe of this city filled with history and charm. Zurich is interesting on so many levels. There is eye candy everywhere. Great food, people, sites, architecture and of course shopping!
The Swiss do things right on so many levels. I love their pristine hospitality and attention to all the finest details. Up until this trip I had spent time in the alpine regions: Zermatt, Klosters/Davos, St. Moritz and the Engadin valley. I love to ski & summer in these absolutely gorgeous mountains. Zurich is a spot you should spend at least a few days in if you are traveling around the country.
Where to Stay: Park Hyatt
This contemporary 5 star hotel is everything a glamour girl could wish for. I was greeted with a selection of Swiss chocolates and sweets in the most adorable Chanel presentation. The staff was lovely and very knowledgable about the area. The hotel’s location is right near everything, museums, boutiques, Lake Zurich and great restaurants. As soon as you walk into the hotel you are welcomed to sit, relax, sip a cappuccino or cocktails and unwind in the spacious lounge.
My suite was very well appointed, super quiet and spacious. A great place to unwind after 3 weeks of skiing through Switzerland and Austria. I loved my room so much that I spent most of Sunday relaxing, working and catching up on Netflix. It made sense to do this as most of the city is closed on Sundays.
The Suite bathroom was huge, with a large soaking tub and separate shower, there was a separate vanity area located just outside for makeup. I took full advantage of the tub for long bubble bath soaks. A well needed treat after days on tour.
The food at the Parkhuus restaurant located in the hotel was wonderful as well. I enjoyed breakfast daily and a dinner. The breakfast buffet was enormous, exceptionally well laid out, beautiful and suitable for any diet and taste preference. From pastries to eggs, muesli, cheeses and meats, the offerings were aplenty. In the evenings cozy up at the elegant bar which features a two-story wine library.
A few other 5 star luxury hotels to check out:
Where to Shop:
The boutiques in Zurich are phenomenal! I learned about so many new labels while there, some of my favorites being Blue Lemon intimates/lounge wear also Tara Jarmon from Paris. Van Laack had beautiful tailored shirts with memorable prints. En Soie is fun for trendy, unforgettable pieces as is Fidelio Kleider. Check out LOOQ for chic and urban styles. I loved Kowä for it’s playful, trendy collection. Traditional luxury boutiques are a plenty as well. Just hunt & you will find seriously fun fashions!
There are quite a few streets that have many boutiques, though I recommend “getting lost” and legging your way around all sorts of nooks and crannies. I loved Old Town, which is both beautiful and quirky. A few popular shopping areas that I enjoyed are along Bahnhofstrasse, Rennweg, Lindenhof, The “Dörfli” area which is comprised of the Niederdorf and Oberdorf areas that extends as far as Bellevue. This is also a popular area for bars, restaurants and nightlife. So many boutiques are hidden in alleyways so be sure to keep your eyes wide open for them at all times. Two other exciting areas to check out are: Viadukt and Europaallee
Where to Spa:
I was introduced to the Osswald Facial Spa by a friend who also shared a phenomenal line of all natural, organic, luxury skin care products called JK7. This spa is interesting in that you can choose a specialty facial using a singular brand, such as JK7 or have them customize and experience for you with varied brands. The JK7 brand has become a favorite of mine, it smells so beautiful and my skin loves it. I can’t get enough of their facial mist and serums.
Where to Eat:
The dining in Zurich is exceptional and the cuisines vary, as this is a major international city. For sweets I recommend you hit up Sprungli with a few locations, the largest showroom located on Bahnhofstrasse St. There are charming cafes everywhere & I guarantee you will run into many of them as you wander. I met up with a friend near my hotel at Le Raymond Bar. A cute spot with coffee, desserts and a full bar.
For true elegance and a highly memorable dining experience (for a date or business) I recommend the restaurant Gustav. As you can see from the photos the food is beautifully presented and the flavors pure. Chef Antonio Colaianni’s style is Mediterranean with sturdy reinterpretations of Italian classics.
My first night in Zurich I had a giant sushi craving that was met with a delicious plate of raw fish from Sala of Tokyo. This place has been serving up authentic Japanese plates for over 30 years. The ambiance was casual & the dining room quite small. Would be smart to call ahead should you decide to visit there. Another Japanese restaurant that came highly recommended to me by the locals is Barfüesser.
I also had an Italian food craving which was eagerly met on a Sunday when virtually nothing else was open. I had a simple lunch of Caprese with homemade mozzarella at Santa Lucia. This is located just off the main drag of Bahnhofstrasse which is very convenient if you are shopping. There are also many places to get traditional Swiss fondue should you fancy that. I already had my fill in the Alps, always a favorite treat.
How to Get Around:
Getting around Zurich is simple. I traveled by foot, but the public transpiration is run in pure Swiss style. On time, clean and reliable. Get your hands on a ZürichCARD as soon as you can at the airport or train station.
A few other things to know before you go:
A few more clicks to inspire….
It’s always fun to put a creative twist on classic ingredients. These Buffalo Scrambled Eggs are bursting with flavor. Those of you who can’t get enough of buffalo chicken wings, you will be smitten with the flavors in this dish. A little bit spicy, and you can adjust that according to your preference. This dish comes together in minutes and is just what you need to feed a crowd for game day, busy school mornings or festive brunches.
Muffins are one of the easiest grab and go, hand held, get you going foods I can think of. We all need convenience from time to time, right?
It’s been non stop here with back to school, writing my cookbook and still trying to enjoy the last days of summer. We crave foods that are ready when we are. In just a few minutes you can prep the ingredients for these Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins. Just 20 minutes later, you have a sweet little breakfast or snack. When we are running late getting out the door, we can rely on these muffins to help get us out quicker! I hope you can too.
Take some time over the weekend, especially as the the days get a bit cooler to do some baking. It frees your mind and tastes really good!
