Pumpkin Pie Martini

One of the best things that came out of our Friendsgiving Feast!

Pumpkin Pie Martinis

(Makes 2)

1 cup Pumpkin Pie Liqueur

2 shots whipped cream vodka

1 cup ice

1 can Whipped cream

Put liquid in a shaker w ice and shake.

Pour into martini glass and garnish w whipped cream and either a little grated nutmeg or crushed ginger snaps.

So yummy, you don't even need dessert!

Kale & Eggs

I usually buy kale in a huge bag.. After making kale chips, smoothies and soups, I thought I would do something breakfasty.. 

It was super wasy.. Sauté minced garlic and slices of onion in some olive oil or coconut oil.  Add 3-4 handfuls of kale. Add some chicken broth and soy sauce to taste.

Fry 2 eggs to your liking and place on top of the kale.  I like a few drops of green Tabasco on mine.

Kumquat Gin Tonic

After spending last summer in Spain, I truly appreciate a good Gin Tonic.

If you haven't tried one lately, I suggest you do!  It's all about the ingredients.  

This cocktail happened out of necessity and is now one of my favourites!

The kumquats add a little zing but if you don't have them around or they aren't in season, a slice of cucumber will suffice.

Just like it says on the bottle of Fevertree Tonic.. "If 3/4 of your cocktail is a mixer, use the best".  And after trying many tonics, I've found Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic to be the best. You can find it at BevMo, some Safeway stores or Amazon.  Hendrick's is always my go to Gin.. Just the right amount of botanicals - delicious!

This is so refreshing and delicious!

Kumquat Gin Tonic

2 oz Hendrick's Gin

6 oz Fevertree Tonic

Ice

2 kumquats - washed & halved

Fill a glass with ice, add the Gin, then the tonic.  Squeeze the kumquats and drop them in.  Give it a stir and enjoy!  Perfect for anytime, really!

Portobello Mushroom Pizza w. Pesto, Prosciutto & Arugual - Grain Free

I was perusing the produce at our local farmers market and stumbled upon some gorgeous portobello mushrooms.  The girls wanted pizza, but I wasn't interested in that substantial of a meal.  I wondered if I could just build my pizza in the mushroom cap.
Well - it worked and was amazing and super easy.

Preheat Grill.
1 Mushroom = 1 Serving

I washed and dried my mushroom then scooped a big spoonful of homemade pesto onto the side w/the gills.  I spread it around and placed 2-3 slices of bufalo mozzarella, a slice of prosciutto then took it out side to the grill where my sweet hubby was already grill pizzas for the girls.

It took not even 5 minutes  - and viola!

 I topped with fresh arugula and lemon - it was just what I was craving.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for CHIA!

I  am not a breakfast person, never was.  Coffee and maybe a muffin on a good day.  Now brunch... That's different- I could do brunch every weekend.

A few months ago and interesting article came across my desk.  It was all about the benefits of chia.  I then went to Pinterest and searched recipes.  

I found tons of recipes but the one that stood out was chai pudding.  I'm not sure if it was all the fresh fruit dressing it up or the sweet mason jars but I had to try it.

Most of the recipes I tried were quite sweet and although I love a great dessert, that's not what I wanted first thing in the morning.

So here is my recipe - not sweet but perfect thing to whip up at night and eat in the morning after a run or some yoga (or just getting the kids to school).

Chia Pudding Recipe 

2c unsweetened coconut (or almond) milk

1/2c chia seeds 

1 Tbsp B Grade Maple syrup

1 tsp almond extract (or vanilla) 

a pinch of cinnamon 

Blueberries/raspberries/or any fruit

Stir everything together (except fruit) and place in fridge overnight .. 

(makes 3 of these mason jar servings) 

In the morning.. Open the jar and top w fruit.

My girls and I  eat it every morning .. sometimes in their lunch too… 

Delicious Dairy Free Mini Cinnamon Muffins

These are amazing little treats! All substitutions can be converted - use butter instead of spread and buttermilk instead of almond milk.

I bet you won't be able to taste the difference between dairy free and dairy full!

Makes 24 mini muffins

8 Tbsp melted vegan butter (I used earth balance sticks)

1 c sugar

1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp cinnamon 

1 1/2 c All purpose flour (or sub for cup 4 cup flour for gluten free)

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c almond milk (unsweetened)

1 lg egg 

Preheat oven to 375 and spray tins with non-stick spray.

1. Combine 1/2c sugar and 1 Tbsp cinnamon - set aside for dipping

2. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and remaining tsp cinnamon.  Whisk.

3. In a mixing bowl combine 6 Tbsp butter spread, remaining 1/2c sugar, almond milk and egg.  Mix until combined.

4.  Slowly add dry mixture and mix only until combined.

5. Spoon in 1Tbsp batter into each tin and bake 8-10min until tops are brown.

6.  Remove and let stand for 10 min or so -- then dip tops in remaining butter spread then into cinnamon sugar mixture.

 

Our Trip To Francis Coppola Winery - Something For Everyone!

Living on the coast - we have some gorgeous days, but we also have those cloudy, overcast even rainy days throughout the summer.  I love living walking distance to the beach but our family craves hot and sunny summer days where we can don our bathing suits, slap on some suncream and relax by the pool.  When the craving is more than we can bear, we head to Francis Coppola Winery, in Geyserville, less than a 2 hour drive north of Half Moon Bay.

We purchase a "cabine", which is a european style changing room.  You can change inside, store your belongings and there's even a shower to rinse off at the end of the day.  The cabine includes 4 passes for the pool, 4 lounge chairs at the pool, 4 towels,  2 souvenir water bottles and wines tasting flights for 4.

The pool is great for kids although they don't allow floaties or toys, lifejackets are permitted.  There are 2 bocce courts, live music on Fridays, the fabulous Pool Cafe with perfectly prepared pizza (that transport your tastebuds to Italy), a variety of salads, sandwiches, gelato and of course, wine.  There is also a reading teepee packed full of books for kids to peruse through while lounging by the pool.

What to pack?
Bathing suit, sunscreen, goggles, shampoo/soap for shower - 

A short drive but it sure feels like vacation.