What to Cook This October

Cookie and Kate

What to Cook This October

Tomorrow is the first day of October and I’m ready to cozy up. Boots, scarves, candles, all of it. I’m on my way back from a relaxing yoga retreat in Greece with Abbi Miller. I’m excited to share some of my newfound Greek recipe inspiration with you in addition to some cozy fall staples!

I’m so ready to be home and take Cookie on long walks now that it’s comfortable outside. For now, here are some links that inspired me over the past month and a collection of seasonal recipe to make this October. What are you craving this fall?

Links lately:

12 Healthy Freezer Meals (That You’ll Actually Love) 5 New Kitchen Trends What Pinterest Taught Me About Myself Dealing with Decision Fatigue Some Real Data on Pesticides in Wine Fibershed and Regenerative Textile Systems (podcast) Apples

Healthy Apple Muffins

Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)

“Made them this morning with one Granny Smith and one Macintosh. Your recipe is fantastic! The rose so well, made a beautiful crust and were nice and tender inside. Taste was great!” – Pierre

More apple recipes »

Continue to the recipe...

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A Sweet Pea Chef

Fresh Pumpkin Ice Cream (Prepped in Just 15 Minutes!)

You know what Fall tastes like? Pumpkin. And pumpkin spice. Or pumpkin spice ice cream. This homemade pumpkin ice cream is prepped in 15 minutes AND without an ice cream maker. Extra points: it’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

It’s that time of year again, friends.

When pumpkin takes over EVERYTHING and it’s so good and so perfect.

Let’s go over the goodness…

The wind starts having a little chill.

The leaves start changing.

The fireplaces start getting used again.

Fall is simply perfection, if you ask me.

I love moments in each season, but Fall just seems to have the most special moments, you know?

Like how pumpkin spice takes over everything, from pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin raisin bread to pumpkin cheesecakes to…ICE CREAM.

Yep.  Ice Cream.  I just had to.  I’ve made a pumpkin frozen yogurt before, but I wanted to create a new way to enjoy pumpkin in a cool, creamy, frozen way.

Ding Ding Ding: Pumpkin Ice Cream!

Plus, you know, Fall is the season of pumpkin spice so I figured pumpkin spice ice cream is totes appropriate.

For this homemade pumpkin ice cream, I used full fat coconut milk to get a creamy consistency and add more richness.

When you’re looking for it at the grocery store, I’m not talking about the coconut milk in the refrigerated section, I’m talking about the canned coconut milk — typically in the Asian section. There’s a big difference so please look for the canned, full-fat stuff, okay?

Because it’s practically canned magic – and can be used in so many ways.  Like this whipped cream and these creamy steel cut oats and these creamsicles and these cheesecakes. <— OMG those cheesecakes!

If you have about an hour, I totes recommend making your own pumpkin puree.  It’s crazy simple to make and adds so much flavor and goodness, compared to canned pumpkin puree. I’ll explain to you in a bit how to do it.

For those of you keeping score, besides being amazingly easy, this fresh pumpkin ice cream is ALL of the following:

vegan gluten-free clean eating refined sugar-free dairy-free no churn what dreams are made of

Just to make this bowl-o-ice-cream-yumminess EVEN better, I top it with candied pecans.

Sounds amazing, right?

I’m glad you think so because I have even better news: they’re super easy to make.  All you need is a fry pan, pure maple syrup, raw pecans, and about 10 minutes and POOF: candied pecans.  To see exactly how to do it, click here for my recipe.

Then, come back and make this vegan pumpkin ice cream.

Then, go out and enjoy the Fall – it’s here and it’s wonderful!

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN ICE CREAM

This pumpkin ice cream is super easy to make.  It doesn’t require an ice cream maker so no need to worry about that.  If you’ve got a freezer and a big bowl, you’re set.

As for the ingredients, you need the following ingredients:

coconut milk pumpkin puree pecans pure maple syrup vanilla extract pumpkin spice (basically a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice)

You probably already have these ingredients in your pantry so all you have to do is to learn how to make pumpkin ice cream.

But before that, let’s take some time and discuss the health benefits of pumpkin.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN?

I’m telling you, pumpkin is amazing. So amazing, in fact, that it’s a shame we use it more for decorating our houses during Halloween than for the nutritional powerhouse it actually is.

Not that I have something against carving pumpkins. I don’t. I’m all for carving pumpkins. But I’m also all for fresh pumpkin recipes.

What about pumpkin pie?

Yes, pumpkin is also used in pumpkin pie. However, there are so many other things we can do with pumpkin. Things like soups, smoothies, and fresh ice cream.

Pumpkin…

is low in calories is highly nutritious is rich in vitamins (including vitamin C and vitamin A) is a great source of fiber contains beta-carotene contains potassium

So now you can see the health benefits of pumpkin, I’m betting you understand why I’m so hyped about it. So let’s get to it.

WHAT’S IN PUMPKIN SPICE?

Ever wondered what is pumpkin spice or what’s in pumpkin spice?

I have the answers!

Pumpkin spice is a mix of spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie. However, pumpkin spice flavors are everywhere nowadays during Fall months. Coffee drinks, desserts, and, of course, in my pumpkin spice ice cream.

So what’s in pumpkin spice?

Pumpkin spice usually contains a blend of:

nutmeg ginger cinnamon allspice cloves

Simple spices. But what amazing Fall flavors. Am I right?  So many people just buy pre-made pumpkin spice blend, but I like making my own because I can control the flavors.

HOW TO MAKE FRESH PUMPKIN PUREE

While you could use organic canned pumpkin puree, I make my own pumpkin puree, which is super easy and awesome to have around during Fall.

Is canned pumpkin healthy? Yes. But only if has just one ingredient. That ingredient should be pumpkin. Nothing else added, ok? Stay away from pumpkin pie mix since that contains a lot of sugar. You might be tempted to get it since it’s usually near the canned pumpkin in grocery stores but please don’t.

That being said, promise me you’ll try my pumpkin puree recipe.

If you haven’t, it’s like the easiest thing EVER and it makes a huge difference in your pumpkin recipes.  The flavor is sweeter and oh so yummy.

So, spoiler alert, here’s how to make fresh pumpkin puree:

slice open the pumpkin clean out the seeds pop it in the oven Remove the skin of the pumpkin Puree the cooked pumpkin

Told you it’s super simple.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANNED AND FRESH COCONUT MILK?

Canned coconut milk is full fat coconut milk. The refrigerated carton coconut milk is actually a coconut milk drink.

What’s the difference between the two?

Water, mainly.

Canned coconut milk is the full-fat, fresh coconut milk you’ll want for cooking.

The carton coconut milk is coconut milk blended with water and some vitamins. This is a good beverage option (if it has 0 sugars added) but it’s not creamy for cooking because a lot of the fat has been removed.

3 MORE HEALTHY PUMPKIN RECIPES

I love this vegan pumpkin ice cream a lot. Like a lot, a lot. But there are other pumpkin recipes I love, including fresh pumpkin recipes. Yes, I have a pumpkin addiction. But who doesn’t during Fall? Right? Right. I couldn’t help it so I made a list of 3 healthy pumpkin recipes for you. Here they are:

HEALTHY PUMPKIN BREAD WITH RAISINS

This Healthy Pumpkin Bread With Raisins is the epitome of Fall flavors. And it’s comforting and ready in less than 1 hour.

Can you make healthy pumpkin bread? Yes, you can. Just try my recipe. Oh, by the way, if you don’t like raisins, you can leave them out. Get the recipe.

PUMPKIN PIE OVERNIGHT OATS

You know how much I love my overnight oats. So I gave them Fall flavors and transformed them into Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats.

What you get if you try the Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats – a quick and easy make-ahead breakfast + comforting Fall flavors. Get the recipe.

HEALTHY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

Do you love the Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks? Who doesn’t right? What I don’t love about them is the ton of sugar in them. So, instead of going to Starbucks, I make my own Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte.

You can do it too. The homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is cheaper, healthier, and more delicious. Get the recipe.

 

Fresh Pumpkin Ice Cream

Fresh Pumpkin Ice Cream

You know what Fall tastes like? Pumpkin. And pumpkin spice. Or pumpkin spice ice cream. This homemade pumpkin ice cream is prepped in 15 minutes AND without an ice cream maker. Extra points: it’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

1 can full fat coconut milk, (refrigerated) 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1/8 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/8 tsp ground ginger 1/8 tsp ground cloves 1/8 tsp ground allspice candied pecans, (optional topping)

Line a loaf pan with wax or parchment paper and then set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground allspice and stir well. in a separate large mixing bowl, add a can of full fat coconut milk and beat using a mixer until soft peaks form. Add the whipped coconut milk to the pumpkin mixture, folding it in gradually, and stir gently until smooth. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and then place in the freezer for 4-6 hours, or until solid enough to scoop. I like to sprinkle some candied pecans over the top with this delicious pumpkin ice cream all Fall long.

While you could use organic canned pumpkin puree, I make my own puree which is super easy and awesome to have around during the Fall. To make it, check out my easy recipe.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.

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Ambitious Kitchen

31 Cozy Recipes to Make in October

Delicious, cozy recipes to make in October! Stock up on extra pumpkin, winter squash, apples, brussels sprouts and more to make these 31 seasonal recipes. Happy Sunday loves! Feeling all of the cozy vibes here in Chicago where a high of 80 degrees just turned to 50. Fall is here and I couldn’t be more [...]

The post 31 Cozy Recipes to Make in October appeared first on Ambitious Kitchen.

Healthy Beet Hummus Recipe

A Sweet Pea Chef

Healthy Beet Hummus Recipe

This Healthy Beet Hummus Recipe is pink deliciousness that you can serve as an appetizer, spread, or as a healthy snack.

Any day is a good day to eat hummus. At least that’s what I keep telling myself while I dig into this pretty looking beet hummus.

Yes, I have a little bit of a hummus addiction. But no one can complain about it because hummus is healthy and good for you.

I wasn’t always like this. In fact, I thought I don’t like hummus at some point. Those days are over. Like so over that over is not a strong enough word to describe how over they are.

Here are a few important things you should know before this beet hummus from the get-go…

It is colorful, vibrant, and extra creamy. It is lemony and garlicky. It is full of minerals and vitamins.

I guess this is what happens when you combine 2 earthy flavors and other hummus-perfect ingredients.

But more about the flavors and ingredients later. Right now, let’s talk about the color of this hummus. Because yes, we have to talk about it. After all, this hummus doesn’t look like the typical boring looking hummus. Nope. Not even close. Beet hummus is bright pink. And you know the rule: everything pink tastes better.

Ok, ok, I made that up. However, you have to admit that pink food puts you in a better mood. Like instantly.

If colorful food doesn’t get you excited, I have other good news for you. This beet dip is ready in 30 minutes max. 10 if you already have cooked beets.

And, yes, you can call this beet hummus beet dip if you want. Call it however you like actually, its awesomeness will stay the same.

WHAT ARE BEETS?

I love beets and I like to incorporate them into many recipes. Both sweet and savory. But if you’re not familiar with beets, you might wonder “what are beets and what is their story”.

Beets are root vegetables that are becoming more and more popular. However, beets were used by ancient civilizations including the Greeks and Romans. Beets arrived in the US with American colonists. So, yea, they’ve been around here for a while.

So how come beets are gaining popularity now if they were around for such a long period of time? Well, it seems like, during the last few years, we decided to be more conscious about what type of foods we’re eating. We also decided to get back to our roots. Literally, in this case.

Another interesting fact about beets is their color. Their red pigments, called betalains, are strong antioxidants that are very good for your body.

Betalains…

Contain fiber that can reduce bad cholesterol in the body and can help to prevent bad cholesterol from depositing on the arteries; Contain carotenoids, which do the same thing as fiber. Protect your organs against toxins.

But wait! There’s more…

WHY ARE BEETS GOOD FOR YOU?

You might think that people exaggerate the health benefits of beets but beets are actually underrated! Beets are packed with all the nutrients you can think of, they’re great for prenatal diets, and they are low in calories.

The beetroot is also a great source of potassium, vitamin B2, folate, and manganese. And beets can help fight inflammation and boost your immune system.

Beets are starting to sound pretty great, right?

HOW TO MAKE BEET HUMMUS

You’re starting to understand why I’m so excited about beets so you are looking for easy beet recipes? Well, look no more because this is it. This right here. Yes, I’m talking about the beet hummus.

Seriously, learning how to make beet hummus couldn’t be easier.

Add all the ingredients for this beet hummus recipe in the food processor and blend.

– Drum roll –

Beet hummus = DONE.

HOW TO COOK BEETS

This hummus recipe is very easy to make, but you have to take care of the beets first.

Can you eat beets raw? Yes, you can. I particularly like them in salads and sandwiches and in this protein smoothie, too.  What about the skin? Can you eat beet skin? Also yes. The skin is safe to eat if you clean the beets properly. But, honestly, I prefer to remove the skin.

But this recipe requires cooked beets. I’ll explain how to cook beets, don’t worry.

You have 2 options: (1) boiling/steaming and (2) roasting.

How to boil beets:

Wash the beets thoroughly under water. Place the beets into a saucepan. Cover them with water. Bring water to a boil. Simmer for 10-12 minutes on high heat. When beets are tender, drain and let them cool. Peel the beets with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler.

How to prepare beets by roasting them:

Peel and cut the beets into wedges. Approximately 1/2 –inch wedges. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the beets on the baking sheet. Fold the foil around the beets. Roast for up to 30 minutes until beets are tender.

No need to peel them before cooking — in fact, the skin will be much easier to remove once the beet is cooked and tender.

HOW LONG DOES HOMEMADE HUMMUS LAST?

This beet hummus is a great way to eat more beets in your diet. Also, you can make a big batch of this easy hummus recipe because it will last in the fridge just as long as other hummus.

How long does homemade hummus last?

Up to a week in the fridge, if you drizzle it with olive oil and store it in an airtight container. You can also freeze this easy hummus if you want. To freeze the hummus, you need small airtight containers and olive oil to drizzle on top.  I like to use a ziplock bag and press any excess air out of the bag, then I defrost it in the fridge overnight and poof: hummus!

3 MORE HEALTHY BEET RECIPES

I really hope I managed to make you excited about beets because – surprise – I have other beet recipes for you. It’s not really a surprise, though. You know I like to offer you as many healthy options as possible. However, these beet recipes are pretty impressive and that might surprise you because who would’ve thought a simple root can be so versatile. Am I right?

BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH WHITE WINE VINEGAR DRESSING

I told you I like beets in my salads. And this Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with White Wine Vinegar Dressing is proof that beets are indeed amazing in salads. Yes, this salad requires cooked beets but you already know how to cook beets so it won’t be a problem, right?

This salad is the perfect go-to salad for lunch or a light dinner. It is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and all the good stuff you want to eat. Get the recipe.

NO-BAKE RASPBERRY BEET MINI CHEESECAKE

Another great way to eat beets – desserts. Desserts like this No-Bake Raspberry Beet Mini Cheesecakes. It’s the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert or the perfect romantic dinner dessert. Or the perfect “I crave cheesecake” dessert.

This cheesecake is not only a healthy and pretty looking dessert option, but it is also a flavorful option. And no baking is involved in the making of the cheesecake How awesome is that? Get the recipe.

PINK POWER PROTEIN BEET SMOOTHIE

The last recommended beet recipe is this Pink Power Protein Beet Smoothie recipe that makes a colorful and nutritious smoothie.

This Pink Power Protein Beet Smoothie can and should become your go-to breakfast recipe for busy mornings because you know… pink and healthy breakfast ready in 5 minutes. Get the recipe.

Healthy Beet Hummus Recipe

Beet Hummus

This Healthy Beet Hummus Recipe is pink deliciousness that you can serve as an appetizer, spread, or as a healthy snack.

1 cup chickpeas, (cooked) 1 1/2 cups beets, (cooked* and cubed (approx. 4 medium beets)) 2 tsp lemon zest 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 2 tbsp tahini 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 clove garlic 1/4 tsp sea salt crumbled feta and fresh parsley, (for garnish)

Add all ingredients into a food processor. 

Process until very smooth.

Top with crumbled feta and fresh parsley

* To cook the beets, place the beets in a small saucepan, and cover with water. Cover and bring water to boil over high heat. Simmer, covered, for 10-12 minutes, until the beets are tender. Drain and let cool.  Then peel using a vegetable peeler or a paring knife.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

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In Vienna, Affordable Luxury Comes at a Price

By SUSANNE FOWLER from NYT Travel https://ift.tt/2NcpAyB

In Small-Town Maine, a Restaurant Both Reverent and Innovative

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Doa Menghadapi Peperiksaan dan Doa Mudah Belajar Supaya Ingat

Apabila peperiksaan sekolah semakin dekat ramailah ibu bapa yang akan rungsing bagaimana anak mereka akan menjawab soalan exam nanti. Mereka pasti akan mencari kaedah dan cara belajar yang berkesan untuk anak mereka, cara menghafal pelajaran, doa mudah belajar atau doa menghadapi peperiksaan seperti Surah Al A’la dan sebagainya.

Sebenarnya banyak cara dan tips untuk menghafal pelajaran dengan mudah yang dikongsikan ramai guru-guru dan pelajar yang telah mendapat keputusan cemerlang. Walau bagaimanapun, mengulangkaji pelajaran adalah perlu untuk memantapkan lagi pembelajaran.

Doa belajar dan cara mudah menghafal

Semua ibu bapa inginkan anak mereka yang menuntut ilmu berjaya dalam pelajaran.

Perkongsian dari seorang guru yang dikenali sebagai Cikgu Mohd Fadli Salleh III ini pasti akan membantu ramai pelajar sekolah untuk mudah belajar dan juga menghadapi peperiksaan kerana amalan yang dikongsikan itu akan memudahkan para pelajar menghafal dan mudah ingat apa yang dipelajari dengan mengamalkan Surah Al A’la dan beberapa perkara lain yang harus dibuat sebelum exam.

Doa Menghadapi Peperiksaan dan Doa Mudah Belajar

Tadi masa PU Salman ceramah, dia selit satu amalan ‘mahal’ yang sesuai diamalkan oleh semua calon yang bakal menduduki peperiksaan.

Tak kiralah exam apa sekali pun. UPSR ke, PT3 ke, SPM ke, peringkat Universiti ke. Semuanya boleh.

Ini juga boleh dikatakan sebagai doa penerang hati dalam pelajaran dan sebagai cara mudah menghafal supaya ingat dan tidak mudah lupa malahan doa ini juga boleh digunakan untuk anak atau mereka yang sedang belajar membaca Al-Quran, hafal sifir dan sebagainya yang melibatkan ilmu dan pendidikan.

Ini adalah amalan yang boleh mengelakkan kita lupa apa juga ilmu yang telah dipelajari, dihafal dan sedang belajar. Untuk membaca doa mudah belajar ini sangat senang tuan-tuan untuk diamalkan.

1) Sebaiknya berwuduk dahulu.

2) Ambil segelas air kosong.

3) Baca Surah Al A’la ini.

4) Sampai ayat ke-enam “Sanuk riu ka fala tannsa” ulang 7x (tujuh kali) kemudian tiup dalam air.

5) Sambung bacaan hingga akhir ayat.

6) Minum air tersebut dan niatkan agar ilmu yang dihafal dan dipelajari tidak lupa semasa peperiksaan.

Sangat baik diamalkan di waktu pagi di hari peperiksaan. Untuk amalan setiap hari pun bagus juga jika boleh diamalkan.

Surah Al A’la dikongsikan oleh Cikgu Mohd Fadli Mohd Salleh

Namun kalau boleh, pagi hari peperiksaan itu wajibkan diri buat ya. Suruh anak buat, ibu bapa pun boleh juga baca sama, tiup dan doakan.

Sesungguhnya tiada kejayaan tanpa redha Allah taala.

Silalah kongsi ilmu mahal ini agar ramai dapat manfaat. Kita usaha, selebihnya serah saja pada Tuhan Yang Maha Berkuasa.

Mohd Fadli Salleh – Memberi yang banyak, tidak menyorok yang sedikit. Itulah guru.

Semoga perkongsian doa menghadapi peperiksaan dan doa mudah belajar dengan menggunakan Surah Al A’la dan cara untuk melaksanakannya ini dapat membantu semua ibu bapa dan semua pelajar yang akan menghadapi peperiksaan serta kepada mereka yang sedang menuntut ilmu.

Semoga bermanfaat.

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Seorang Maut, 10 Cedera Gempa Bumi Gegar Sulawesi

Sekurang-kurangnya seorang meninggal dunia dan 10 lagi cedera dalam gempa bumi kuat bermagnitud 7.7 skala Richter yang melanda Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia pada pukul 5.02 petang waktu tempatan (6.02 waktu Malaysia).

Wisma Putra dalam satu kenyataan malam Jumaat menyatakan setakat ini tiada rakyat Malaysia dilaporkan mengalami kecederaan atau terkesan secara langsung akibat kejadian gempa ini.

“Kementerian Luar Negeri melalui Kedutaan Besarnya di Jakarta dan Konsul Kehormat di Makassar telah berhubung dengan para pelajar Malaysia yang berada di sekitar Makassar bagi memastikan keselamatan mereka,” menurut kenyataan itu.

Rakyat Malaysia diminta supaya sentiasa tenang dan terus mengikuti berita tempatan untuk mengetahui perkembangan terkini berikutan masih terdapat beberapa gempa susulan.

Rakyat Malaysia yang berada di sekitar Sulawesi Tengah yang memerlukan bantuan konsular hendaklah menghubungi pihak Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Jakarta menerusi emel mwjakarta@kln.gov.my atau talian +62 813 8081 3036.

Sementara itu, gempa bumi kuat itu turut mengakibatkan tsunami di kawasan pantai Palu petang Jumaat.

Berdasarkan video daripada Badan Nasional Pengurusan Bencana (BNPB) Indonesia, tsunami setinggi tiga meter itu berlaku 5.27 petang waktu Indonesia Timur, kira-kira 22 minit selepas gempa kuat itu menggoncang wilayah Kota Palu dan Donggala, Sulawesi Tengah.

Ketua Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati berkata gempa bumi itu menyebabkan berlaku tsunami pada ketinggian lebih dari 50 centimeter hingga maksimum tiga meter.

"Setakat 8 malam ini (Jumaat), BMKG mencatatkan sebanyak 22 kali gempa susulan dengan kekuatan antara 2.9 hingga 6.3 Skala Richter selepas gempa kuat 7.7 Skala Richter yang berpusat di timur laut Donggala pukul 5.02 petang tadi," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini.

Ketua Pusat Data Informasi dan Hubungan Masyarakat BNPB, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho dalam satu kenyataan malam Jumaat berkata setakat ini enam dikhuatiri terkorban akibat gempa dan kejadian tsunami itu.

"Pasukan penyelamat sedang memindahkan penduduk terbabit ke kawasan selamat.

"Berlaku banyak kemusnahan bangunan dan kediaman yang jumlahnya belum dapat dipastikan," katanya.

Jaringan telekomunikasi di Kota Palu juga kini dilaporkan terputus berikutan banyak menara telekomunikasi terjejas teruk akibat gempa kuat itu, katanya.

Sementara itu jurucakap Kedutaan Besar Malaysia di Jakarta berkata setakat ini tiada rakyat Malaysia dilaporkan menjadi mangsa dalam gempa itu.

"Pihak kedutaan memantau perkembangan terkini, dan bekerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa Indonesia bagi mendapatkan maklumat terkini," kata jurucakap itu.- BERNAMA

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Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing

Ambitious Kitchen

Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing

Healthy apple broccoli salad with chickpeas, dried cherries, carrots, pecans and fresh herbs. Tossed together in a light honey dijon dressing to bring this salad together. Easy to make, great for lunch or parties and makes excellent leftovers! I remember absolutely despising broccoli salad when I was growing up; everytime it appeared on a party [...]

The post Chickpea Apple Broccoli Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing appeared first on Ambitious Kitchen.

A Couple Cooks

Sibenik Croatia: A Charming Coastal Town for Your Bucket List

Dreaming of a Croatia vacation? Sibenik Croatia is a coastal town with charming streets and waterfall swimming at nearby Krka National Park.

A few months ago Alex, me and our toddler Larson ventured out on a 3 week vacation to Europe. Most of the trip was on the Mediterranean coast, but we made a brief stop to the Adriatic coast in Sibenik Croatia. Why a Croatia vacation? Croatia is blowing up as a vacation destination for its charming Medieval cities and sparkling blue waters. And have you heard of the Croatia waterfalls? The more time we went in Sibenik, the more I grew to love this beautiful region. Should Sibenik, Croatia be on your travel bucket list? Absolutely. Keep reading to learn why.

Related: 8 Secrets: How to Take Better Pictures on Vacation |

Where is Sibenik Croatia?

Croatia has become a hot spot for tourists lately. Sibenik is a lesser known Croatia destination, but it’s absolutely worth visiting (it’s pronounced Shib-en-ik). We decided to visit Sibenik partially because of geography: this portion of our trip was a weekend getaway with our friends who live in Vienna. We flew from Rome to their apartment in Vienna, then the five of us (two couples and a toddler!) drove 7 hours to Sibenik. It was a bit of a hike to get there since we were driving, but absolutely worth it.

Sibenik sits in the middle of the country right on the Adriatic Sea. It’s a Medieval town that’s incredibly charming, dating back to 1066. It actually used to be part of Venice for most of history, so it has an Italian vibe. One of Sibenik’s recent claims to fame is that an episode of Game of Thrones was filmed there. If you visit there, you’ll see why — I don’t know anything about the show, but even I could tell the backdrop is perfect for a medieval fantasy storyline. The rough stone buildings and winding streets become more and more magical the more time you spend in Sibenik.

Things to do in Sibenik

Most of what we did in Sibenik wander around the picturesque streets, eat food, and go to the beach. Pretty much the perfect Croatia vacation, if you ask us! Our Airbnb was near the beach, so every morning we would walk to the beach. (Though it was further from the town, we enjoyed staying in the area near the beach; more below on where to stay.)  Here is the view of Sibenik from the beach. Pretty ideal, right?

Long strolls in the historic town center are a must. In the center of town is the St. James Cathedral, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Completed in the 1400s, it’s mysteriously beautiful. (And yes, this was where one of the Game of Thrones scenes was filmed.) I’ve seen lots of European Cathedrals, and this one has become one of my favorites. There’s something about it that’s eerily intriguing. We also wandered around and got lost in the maze of tiny narrow streets of Sibenik.

Aside from the town center, you can also walk along the waterfront near the sailboats and yachts, and get ice cream. There’s also a little playground for kiddos in that area (and a trampoline, which Larson would have loved if he were older).

Of course, some of our favorite memories were eating…and swimming in waterfalls! Keep reading.

Croatia waterfalls: Krka National Park

Have you heard of the Croatia waterfalls? There are two major national parks in Croatia with pristine waterfalls: Plitvice and Krka National Parks. The Krka waterfalls are a bit smaller and not as well known as Plitvice, which is partly why we chose Sibenik as our destination. Krka National Park is under a 1 hour drive from Sibenik. We hoped the Krka waterfalls would not be crowded, but there were more people than we expected (we visited in July)! So, we’d recommend if you go to go as early in the day as possible.

In the midst of a rather dry landscape, Krka National Park is an oasis, full of blue green streams and lovely falls. One of our favorite parts was the hike down to the waterfalls. Wooden paths take you right over the impossibly green water with tangled trees overhead that feel like a Cypress grove. But of course the falls were just magical. The water was crystal clear and I carefully waded in with Larson. It felt like the most surreal experience to actually get to be in the water: and of course Larson was completely delighted! I hope that these falls will be treated gently enough that humans will continue to be able to swim in them. It was a total highlight of our trip!

Where to eat in Sibenik Croatia

Another highlight of Sibenik was the food. We didn’t run into the most traditional Croatian food at the restaurants we ended up at, they were delicious nonetheless. One restaurant we enjoyed was Bounty, a small, family owned restaurant right on the water. The food had quite a bit of British influence (think fish and chips), but we had two more traditional dishes: octopus stew over polenta and my risotto with zucchini and broad beans. The Croatian dry white wine was fantastic.

One of our favorite restaurants was called SHE Bio Bistro, which had more of a hippie California vibe crossed with Croatian food. The highlight of this meal was the Dalmatian potato salad (Sibenik is on the Dalmatian Coast). It was so simple, but intensely flavorful with tangy potatoes, olive oil, salt, red onions, capers, and a sprinkle of parsley. One of the other standouts was an orange & almond polenta cake, with the texture of cheesecake but made with polenta, ground almonds, eggs, yogurt, and rum. This one was Italian inspired, and we noticed a lot of Italian influence in the food of this region (like lots of truffle pasta, etc). After all, Sibenik was a part of Venice until almost the 1800’s.

We also stopped at the farmers market and got some delicious pastries, including this spinach and cheese filled filo pastry called burek! It was fantastic and if you go, you must keep an eye out. We did a little research and found that many countries in Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, Balkans and Western Asia serve burek. Traditionally the burek in Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro and Slovenia is round and filled with meat or cheese.

Where to stay in Sibenik Croatia

In Sibenik we stayed in this Airbnb. While it wasn’t quite our decor style, it had a lovely view of the water and was a 5 minute walk from the beach. It was also about a 15 minute walk into the historic center of town. For me, an ideal vacation is steps from the beach and a short walk to town, so this was the perfect locale. (We picked the same type of location in Tellaro, Italy.) Our Airbnb owner was the kindest, most charming couple who had big gardens and even dropped off some produce they had grown so we could cook it for dinner! As nice as it is to stay in hotels, we love renting houses especially when traveling with kids: having access to a kitchen and having the ability to meet locals are two huge perks.

A fun surprise: World Cup finals

When we picked the dates for our trip, we had no idea that one of the days we’d be there would be the World Cup final. As the weeks approached and the Croatian team kept winning, we crossed our fingers they’d be in the final game. Somehow, Croatia was in the World Cup final and the game took place the last day we were in Sibenik! We got Larson a Croatia jersey and staked out a spot in a local bar. The crowd was incredibly tense as they watched the players in the most important game of their lives.

Sadly, Croatia ended up losing the game. However, the amount of celebration after the game was just as much as if they had won! People were all over the streets in their red and white garb, honking horns, crying, singing, hugging, and shooting off fireworks. When we asked our Airbnb host if he was sad, he said “No! It’s a huge honor to be second. As Croatia we are a small country. We are so proud!”

This, of course, endeared us to the country even more. We had an incredible time in Sibenik and would love to go back someday (especially to Krka National Park!). Are you interested in Croatia as a travel destination? Have you been? Let us know in the comments below!

A Couple Cooks - Recipes for Healthy & Whole Living

A Sweet Pea Chef

Easy Sweet Potato Hash

Packed with nutrition and deliciousness, sweet potatoes are versatile and healthy. This sweet potato hash is a healthy, delicious, vegan side dish that is easy to make and can even be a full meal.

Aren’t sweet potatoes amazing?

They’re super yummy.  They last like forever in the pantry.  They are healthier than regular white potatoes.  They can go sweet or savory.

See? Amazing.

If you’re like me, at any given moment, you probably have 2-3 sweet potatoes sitting in your pantry along with an onion and a few stalks of celery in the fridge.

And do you know what that means?

It means you can make this delicious, easy and healthy side any time you want!

This sweet potato hash is one of the best sweet potato recipes to use any night of the week while you’re dealing with the rest of dinner. Just pop the sweet potatoes into the pan and forget about them for like 20 minutes while you take care of the rest of the meal.  Or the kiddos. Or Facebook.  Whatevs.

Really, this “side” could easily be made a meal by itself, if you’re willing to forgo the meat in your dinner.  It’s very filling and satisfying to the tummy. I’ve also just wrapped them up in some lettuce leaves for a tasty and quick dinner.

OMG yum.

Seriously, though.  This sweet potato hash recipe is super versatile — it can be a vegan breakfast hash, lunch or dinner.

It can be a side, a meal, or a wrap filling.  It also happens to be completely vegan and paleo, too.

This simple sweet potato recipe really covers all the bases.

WHY SWEET POTATOES ARE GOOD FOR YOU

I say sweet potatoes are amazing, but you’re not 100% convinced yet?

Ok, then let’s have the “why are sweet potatoes good for you” talk…

Sweet potatoes are:

low in calories – 86 calories per 1/2 cup          high in fiber         high in potassium          high in vitamin A – 1/2 cup of sweet potato = 283% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin A. Yes, 283%. No mistake here.          fat-free          a great source of vitamin B6         a great source of vitamin E         a good source of calcium and magnesium

Now you believe me when I tell you sweet potatoes are good for you, right?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SWEET POTATO AND A YAM

Ok so here’s the deal. You know those yams you can buy at the grocery store? Yeah, those are probably sweet potatoes.

Wait, what? How can that be?

Give me a sec and I’ll explain everything.

First of all, let me start by saying yams and sweet potatoes are not the same thing. They are not even related, actually. They are both root vegetables, but this is where the similarities end.

So what is the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?

Yams are native to Asia and Africa. They are cylindrical, they have a dark brown almost black skin and purple or white flesh. They taste nothing like sweet potatoes and they are starchier and drier than the versatile root veggie we all love.

Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, can have white, orange, red, yellow or brown skin and orange, red-orange, and white flesh. They have a more elongated shape than yams and they have that sweet taste we all know and love.

Here’s where the confusion started.  In the US, there are 2 types of sweet potatoes sold in grocery stores:       

Firm sweet potatoes: These sweet potatoes have gold skin and a pale yellow flesh. These sweet potatoes remain firm after cooking. Soft sweet potatoes: They have copper skin and deep-orange flesh. Soft sweet potatoes become creamy after cooking.

What you see labeled as yams in grocery stores are actually soft sweet potatoes. Ahhhhhh!

HOW TO MAKE A SWEET POTATO HASH

Now that you know all there is to know about yams and sweet potatoes – well, not everything but everything that will help you when you go grocery shopping – it is time to get back to our sweet potato hash recipe.

And, let me tell you, this is one of those do-what-you-please hash recipes. AKA a versatile healthy sweet potato hash.

You can enjoy it as it is as a side dish. After all, it is delicious. And vegan and keto and paleo and gluten-free and clean eating friendly, by the way.

But you can also transform it into one of the most delicious vegetarian sweet potato recipes if you add a fried egg for a little extra protein.  Or maybe even add sausages (if you’re not vegan or vegetarian and you like sausages, of course).

CAN YOU EAT SWEET POTATO SKIN?

I often get this question so I wanted to be sure to answer it.  The very short answer is, “YES!!!!!.”  The longer answer is this: You do not need to remove the sweet potato peel to make sweet potato hash.  If you don’t happen to like the taste or texture of the peel, then you’re free to remove it.  HOWEVER, the peel contains a lot of the nutrients of the sweet potato.

The skins contain…

        fiber          beta-carotene          vitamin C          vitamin E          folate          potassium          iron

So it’s a good idea to not just throw all that goodness away.

How to peel sweet potatoes, if you want to:

 Scrub the sweet potato with a brush or wet cloth. Rinse the sweet potato under running water. Peel the sweet potato with a vegetable peeler or a paring knife.

WHAT TO SUBSTITUTE FOR ONION

If you’re looking to enjoy this sweet potato hash recipe, but you don’t like onions, you have some options for a tasty and easy onion substitute.  Here are some easy onion alternatives:

 mushrooms shallot chives  leeks bell peppers lentils cabbage eggplant carrots

Any of these onion alternatives will work great in this recipe.  Of course, you can also decide to just leave them out entirely.  These substitutions also work very well if you’re wanting to make sweet potato hash without bell peppers.

3 MORE HEALTHY SWEET POTATO RECIPES

Do you want more healthy sweet potato recipes? Sure, no problem. I have other 3 sweet potato recipes you will most definitely fall in love with!

SWEET POTATO SKINS

Sweet potatoes are perfect all day long. They make a great breakfast, a great lunch, and a great dinner. But they also make a great appetizer. These Sweet Potato Skins are proof of that.

These Sweet Potato Skins are not your typical sweet potato skins, they are made with chicken, spinach, and Greek yogurt, which makes them lighter and healthier than the traditional recipes but not at all less delicious. Get the recipe.

SWEET POTATO TORTILLAS

With only 3 ingredients you can make these amazing Sweet Potato Tortillas. They are dense, flavorful, healthy, and perfect for clean eating.

You can use the Sweet Potato Tortillas to make all your wrap, taco, quesadilla, and enchiladas recipes healthy and delicious. Get the recipe.

SWEET POTATO LASAGNA

Lasagna stays on the same level as pizza on the list of favorite Italian dishes. At least in my house. But lasagna is not very healthy. Wait, whoever says that never tried my Sweet Potato Lasagna.

You know why? Because this Sweet Potato Lasagna is mouthwatering and delicious but also healthy and good for you. Get the recipe.

Sweet Potato Hash

 

Sweet Potato Hash

 This sweet potato hash recipe is a healthy, delicious, vegetarian side that is easy to make and can even be a full meal.

2 tbsp olive oil 3 medium sweet potatoes, (skin-on and diced into equal, bite-size chunks) 1/2 medium white onion, (diced) 2 stalks celery, (diced) 1 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 2 cloves garlic, (minced) sliced green onions, (for garnish)

Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat. Add the potatoes, onion and celery to the oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are almost tender. Turn the heat to high and add the garlic, stirring to combine. Cook on high for 2-5 more minutes until sweet potatoes are nicely browned. Serve hot and with sliced green onions, if desired.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.

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Minimalist Baker

1-Pot Golden Curry Lentil Soup

It’s about that time of year for soup and lots of it. I’ve had a variation of this recipe in mind for quite some time now (it actually came to me while I was lying in savasana in yoga class – go figure), so I’m happy it now lives on the blog.

Friends, let’s make soup!

This soup comes together in 1 pot in 30 minutes!

1-Pot Golden Curry Lentil Soup from Minimalist Baker →