Summer Salad Series: Week One

Every summer I am always on the hunt for new healthy salad recipes. I thought it would be fun to share what I'm cooking up in the kitchen.

I will post a new salad each week for the rest of the summer.

Lately I have been obsessed with lime and cilantro combinations. There are two recipes here. I have made both and it's so hard to narrow down my favorite. Try them out and let me know which one you like the best. 

Sorry I didn't take pictures of mine...I get so excited to eat I forget :) 

Black Bean Salad with a Lime Cilantro Vinaigrette

This is so good!!!! The mix of cayenne pepper and a small amount of sweetener is amazing!! Note I used Sucanat in place of sugar. 

Next up is a similar salad. There are more veggies and more work but its worth it. I felt like I was chopping cilantro for a year. 

Southwestern Chopped Salad with Cilantro Dressing

Both websites have such wonderful and healthy recipes on them. 
Until the next salad! 
XO 
Ashley 

Valentines Day Menu

Valentines Day has never been something we celebrate. Matt likes to say everyday is valentines day :) Sweet huh? Well this year I found some amazing new recipes and wanted to make them for my sweetheart.  

We went out to a great local Carribean restaurant in Auburn Joe Caribe on a date a couple days before February 14th. If your in the area I would go for sure. I had the yellow curry chicken and Matt had the Jambilaya.

For our romantic Valentines Dinner we stayed in and here's what I made. My mouth is watering just looking at the pictures!! 

First Course: Salad 

I kept it simple spinach, carrots, feta and this dressing I have been loving lately. 

• 1/4 cup vinegar (red wine or apple cider) whatever you like
• 1 tbsp mustard 
• Garlic and onion powder 
• 3/4 cup avocado oil (costco sells it now...yay) 

Main Course:  

• Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce (courtesy of Martha) 
• Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes
• Roasted Balsamic Vegetables 

Dessert

Molten Lava Cakes  

Aren't these adorable. They were so easy and AMAZING!! 

The espresso powder in them adds such an awesome dimension. I will now add it to everything chocolate. I did over cook them a bit but it wasn't bad. 

I hope you had a super sweet Valentines Day with your sweetheart! 

xo Ash 

I made a huge mistake...

This huge mistake began when I wanted to make a special dessert for a friend's birthday celebration. She loves lemon desserts and is a healthy eater. I was also thinking of another friend who is gluten free and thought for sure I could find a recipe for something with lemon, was gluten free and semi healthy. 

I found this recipe on pinterest and thought how cute it would be if everyone got their own little cake. 

My first mistake was thinking I could substitute gluten free flours and use my own custom mixture. I tried to save $6 by not using exactly what the recipe called for.

When I mixed everything together it smelled and looked great. However, when I poured it into the pan the batter seemed a little lumpy.

They came out of the oven a little cracked and looked dry, but I thought they couldn't be that bad. I put the sugary glaze on and couldn't wait to share my dessert. 

My second terrible mistake was bringing them and serving them (ha).

Here's a close up of the culinary delight.

I wish I could forget the looks of horror and disgust on everyone's face. Some said it tastes like beef and oregano.

The best part of the horrible mistake was that we laughed til we cried and it was probably the most memorable dessert I had ever made. 

I thought this would be a great nailed it picture. Have you seen the nailed it pics, they are hilarious. 

Hopefully my next recipe will be a success! 

Merry Christmas 

Ashley