Wednesday 31 October 2018
What You Need to Know About the Strike Against Marriott Hotels
By KAREN SCHWARTZ from NYT Travel https://ift.tt/2Q9Ce3o
7 Easy Make Ahead Smoothies For Fall
Learn everything you need to know about make ahead smoothies, including how to freeze them for later, how to make healthy smoothies, and how long they last. Plus, enjoy these 7 easy make ahead smoothie recipes that are healthy, nutritious, and packed with Fall flavors.
Smoothies. Let’s discuss them.
Dustin and I love smoothies. Once we realized how easy it is to add fruits, veggies, and (probably most importantly) protein into our diets by making smoothies, we were hooked. We particularly love smoothies in the morning because they make a quick and easy breakfast. Not to mention a healthy and nutritious one, too!
Over time, I have experimented with various smoothie flavors and I have shared numerous smoothie recipes here on the blog. That’s because I wanted you to try all my easy smoothie recipes that make healthy smoothies for yourself. And you know I love to have options and to make healthy eating fun and yummy so, naturally, my smoothies had to have different flavors, textures, and colors to keep things interesting. And fun.
After a while, I discovered that make ahead smoothie recipes are a thing and that just sealed the deal for me. That’s when my freezer smoothie packs post was born. Not that it’s hard to prep a smoothie from scratch cause it definitely isn’t, but I just prefer to sleep in a little longer in the morning and to make sure I have everything on hand for a particular recipe. Also, I like my mornings easy and stress-free. That’s why I always have freezer smoothie packs in my freezer all the time. Turns out you can make things EVEN easier and I am super excited to share this with you.
And, since I’m a firm believer that you can never have enough make ahead smoothie recipes, I have 7 healthy smoothie recipes for you that are tasty and filled with cozy and comforting Fall flavors. These healthy smoothies are a huge hits in my house.
The best part about these smoothies? Actually, there are many best parts (duh!), but my favorite one is that you don’t have to do anything in the morning besides enjoying your smoothie. Nope, not even blending the ingredients. Just grab and drink. The only thing you gotta do is grab a smoothie of your choice from the freezer and place it in the fridge the night before. When you’re ready to wake up and go, your smoothie will be waiting for you.
Yes, for realz.
Prep these healthy smoothies on Sunday and you’ll have a week worth of breakfast smoothies and, every morning, you’ll get to try a new flavor.
HOW TO MEAL PREP MAKE AHEAD SMOOTHIESWhen it comes to smoothie meal prep, you have 2 options:
Smoothie Packs. To make the smoothie freezer packs, add all the ingredients except the milk to Ziploc bags and place the bags into the freezer. When you want to make a smoothie, transfer the ingredients from the frozen smoothie pack to a blender, add milk, and blend. It’s super easy. Make Ahead Smoothies. Remember how I told you that I want to make things even easier for you? Make ahead smoothies can be ready to grab in the morning. Literally. No blending, no extra ingredients required. Nothing. Just grab them from the fridge and enjoy.Here’s how to prep make ahead smoothies:
Add all the ingredients needed for the smoothies to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the smoothie into a glass mason jar or another freezer-safe container and freeze. Remove the freezer smoothie pack jar from the freezer and place it into the fridge the night before you want to enjoy it. In the morning, just open the fridge and enjoy your Fall-flavored Make Ahead Smoothie.Wait! Can you freeze smoothies? For real? Yes, for real. You can do this with all the make ahead smoothie recipes included here. Told you that you can make your smoothie meal prep easier.
ARE SMOOTHIES HEALTHY?Smoothies are very popular these days. They are served everywhere – at restaurants, at coffee places, and you can buy ready-to-drink smoothies from the grocery store. You can even buy frozen smoothie packs from the grocery store. But the most important question is – are smoothies healthy? The answer? It depends. Some are, some aren’t.
The store-bought smoothies can be high in calories and, despite the “no added sugar” label, they can be very high in sugars and not very healthy. That’s because instead of using only whole fruits to make the smoothie, stores add processed fruit juice. And, while a healthy smoothie is high in fiber and nutrients, those ones aren’t. Instead, you’re mostly getting empty calories from all the sugar and without any of the benefits of the fruit or vegetable.
Smoothies made of whole fruits and/or whole veggies are nutritious and packed with vitamins and minerals, on the other hand. If you want to be sure you buy a healthy smoothie, check the ingredients list. Fruits, veggies, milk, and spices should be the only main ingredients.
Better yet, make healthy smoothies at home. You saw how easy it is to make smoothie packs so go for it! You have control over the ingredients and flavors if you make your very own freezer smoothie packs at home. You get to control all the flavors that way, too!
THE BENEFITS OF ALMOND MILKLike I mentioned earlier, I like unsweetened almond milk in my smoothies because I love the nutty flavor and smooth texture of almond milk but, for these freezer smoothie packs, you can use any milk you prefer. Just make sure the milk is unsweetened to make the smoothies healthy.
If you’re curious about the benefits of almond milk, here they are:
Unsweetened almond milk is…
low in calories; rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin E; contains healthy fats; dairy free; vegan. CAN YOU FREEZE SMOOTHIES?How awesome is it that you can freeze smoothies? Super awesome, am I right?!?
Here’s how to freeze smoothies and how to store smoothies in the freezer:
After you made the smoothie, transfer it to a glass mason jar; Make sure you don’t fill the mason jars all the way to the top because the smoothies will expand as they freeze. Place them into the freezer to freeze.That’s it. That’s all you have to do.
HOW LONG DO SMOOTHIES LAST?If you’re wondering how long do smoothies last in the freezer, the answer is up to 3 months.
In the fridge, smoothies last for approximately 24 hours. They can last for 2 days but to ensure maximum nutrition, flavor, and freshness, I recommend enjoying the smoothie during the first 24 hours after you remove it from the freezer.
FALL SMOOTHIES INGREDIENTSAlright, I hope you’re convinced now that prepping smoothies at home and testing easy smoothie recipes is the way to go. Glad to hear it. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at this smoothie ingredients list.
To make healthy smoothies, you’ll need:
milk of choice (I prefer unsweetened almond milk, but any milk will do) spices for added flavor fruits, veggies and/or nuts protein powder (optional, but a great way to add in extra protein)I like to use seasonal ingredients in my smoothies so here’s my list of Fall smoothie ingredients:
pumpkin apple cranberry cinnamon sweet potato butternut squash pecans walnutsWith these ingredients I made 7 delicious make ahead smoothie recipes you can enjoy throughout the whole season. Here they are!
7 MAKE AHEAD SMOOTHIES FOR FALL Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie
This Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie has amazing pumpkin spice flavors combined with delicious cheesecake flavors. Get the recipe here!
Apple Crisp SmoothieThe best way to enjoy apple crisp this Fall? This Apple Crisp Smoothie that is healthy, filling, and nutritious.
The best way to enjoy apple crisp this Fall? This Apple Crisp Smoothie that is healthy, filling, and nutritious.
Pour smoothie into a freezer-safe container or 16-oz. mason jar and seal tightly. Do not fill all the way to the top, as the contents will expand when they freeze.
Place in the freezer and let freeze. When ready to enjoy, remove the smoothie from the freezer the night before you’re wanting to enjoy it and place it in the fridge to thaw overnight. It will be ready for you when you wake up. Will last in freezer for up to 3 months.Another delicious apple smoothie you should try this Fall is this Cranberry Apple Pecan Smoothie made with apple, cranberries, and pecans. Plus a touch of maple syrup for sweetness and cinnamon and ginger for amazing Fall flavors.
Another delicious apple smoothie you should try this Fall is this Cranberry Apple Pecan Smoothie made with apple, cranberries, and pecans. Plus a touch of maple syrup for sweetness and cinnamon and ginger for amazing Fall flavors.
Pour smoothie into a freezer-safe container or 16-oz mason jar and seal tightly. Do not fill all the way to the top, as the contents will expand when they freeze.
Place in the freezer and let freeze. When ready to enjoy, remove the smoothie from the freezer the night before you’re wanting to enjoy it and place it in the fridge to thaw overnight. It will be ready for you when you wake up. Will last in freezer for up to 3 months.Did you ever try a sweet potato smoothie? If you did, you know how good it is. If you didn’t, start with this Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Smoothie. It’s so YUMMY.
Did you ever try a sweet potato smoothie? If you did, you know how good it is. If you didn’t, start with this Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Smoothie. It’s so YUMMY.
Butternut squash is Fall-perfect. So I made a Cinnamon Butternut Date Smoothie. I would have this smoothie all day, every day during Fall.
Butternut squash is Fall-perfect. So I made a Cinnamon Butternut Date Smoothie. I would have this smoothie all day, every day during Fall.
How to make oatmeal raisin cookies healthy? Transform them into a delicious Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Smoothie and enjoy it guilt-free. Get the recipe here!
Banana Bread SmoothieMade with banana, rolled oats, and walnuts, this Banana Bread Smoothie is filling, satisfying, and perfect for a Fall breakfast.
Made with banana, rolled oats, and walnuts, this Banana Bread Smoothie is filling, satisfying, and perfect for a Fall breakfast.
How are you liking these easy smoothie recipes? I hope you like them a lot because I have more healthy smoothie recipes for you. As I said, you can ever have enough healthy smoothie recipes.
14 SMOOTHIE FREEZER PACKSIf you want to learn how to make smoothie packs, my Smoothie Freezer Packs post has all the answers and the tips you need.
Bonus – you get 14 fruit smoothie recipes including cherry vanilla, chocolate banana peanut butter, strawberry cheesecake, avocado kale, PB&J, coffee bean, orange creamsicle, kiwi kale, blueberry muffin, pink powder, spiced jar, caramel apple, mango green, blackberry coconut. Get the recipes.
PINK PROTEIN BEET SMOOTHIEThis Pink Power Protein Beet Smoothie makes the most gorgeous smoothie ever. This smoothie is pink and nutritious goodness.
This easy smoothie recipe makes a vibrant, satisfying, and sweet smoothie that is perfect for a quick breakfast or a quick snack. Get the recipe.
KIWI AND KALE SMOOTHIEAnother easy smoothie recipe is the recipe that makes this Kiwi And Kale Smoothie.
The smoothie is green, fresh, and vibrant. And, of course, healthy and nutritious. Get the recipe.
This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
The post 7 Easy Make Ahead Smoothies For Fall appeared first on A Sweet Pea Chef.
When you’re craving carbs and comfort, risotto is your dish. We’ve made risotto a couple times for the blog before and you all seem to love it. So, with my newfound love for caramelized mushrooms, I couldn’t have imagined a better way to serve up a new spin on risotto. Shall we?
The base for this 10-ingredient, 30-minute recipe starts with warmed vegetable broth, which you can make yourself (for the win), or just grab some store-bought (our favorite brand is Imagine).
Caramelized Shiitake Mushroom Risotto from Minimalist Baker →
Wonderful golden chicken lentil soup made with creamy light coconut milk, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and cumin. Delicious flavors; this soup will be your new favorite! It’s Halloween! If you’re #adulting like me, then you most likely are just hanging out at home and eating Reese’s peanut butter cups straight from the fridge. Don’t forget I [...]
The post Golden Coconut Chicken Lentil Soup appeared first on Ambitious Kitchen.
These healthy pumpkin recipes are total crowd pleasers: from dessert recipes like oatmeal cookies to main dishes like pumpkin gnocchi and stuffed shells!
Are you a pumpkin fan? Even if your answer is no, you might enjoy some of these healthy pumpkin recipes! Because pumpkin puree is doesn’t have a distinct flavor, it can be used in many different ways without tasting overly pumpkin-y. It makes a fantastic substitute for egg in our vegan pumpkin oatmeal cookies, and a creamy, cheesy pasta sauce in our pumpkin penne. Of course, we’ve also got pumpkin dessert recipes: but not the traditional pumpkin pie! Try our healthy pumpkin parfaits with pecan granola or pumpkin mousse shooters. In all cases, healthy means made with real, whole food ingredients that are full of nutrients.
Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal CookiesLet’s start with these chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies, one of our most popular pumpkin dessert recipes! The flavor is reminiscent of oatmeal cream pies, but a healthier spin. Though they might not qualify as a health food, they can fit into the healthy definition since they’re made with nutrient dense rolled oats and are plant based. Made with coconut oil instead of butter, they’re topped with a powdered sugar icing. Omit the icing if you’d prefer less sugar, and they’re just as good!
Pumpkin Gnocchi Bake with Goat CheeseHere’s our personal favorite of these pumpkin recipes: our pumpkin gnocchi bake! It’s got a savory pumpkin sauce made creamy with a little Greek yogurt. Doughy gnocchi pillows are baked in the sauce along with gooey goat cheese. It’s probably one of the coziest comfort foods we’ve baked up, and it consistently gets rave reviews! Last year we served this as a vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe and it very quickly disappeared.
Pumpkin Yogurt Fruit DipThis one’s the simplest of the pumpkin recipes in this list: in just 5 minutes, you can make a killer fruit dip that’s pumpkin spiced! Just stir together Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and some pumpkin spices, and you’re in business! Served with sliced green apples, it’s a tangy and delicious snack. We’ve served it at fall parties and book clubs and it’s the perfect fall treat.
Penne with Pumpkin Pasta SauceSo remember that pumpkin gnocchi bake? This pasta uses the same pumpkin sauce, but this time pairs it with penne pasta and Parmesan cheese. It cooks up in just 30 minutes and tastes like a sophisticated take on mac and cheese. Said one reader: “You NAILED IT! The whole family loved this pasta dish. So creamy and flavorful!” That’s what we like to hear.
Pumpkin Baked Steel Cut OatmealThis one is our most popular of these healthy pumpkin recipes: pumpkin baked steel cut oatmeal! It tastes like pumpkin pie—really!—but is made of steel cut oats. Who doesn’t want to eat pumpkin pie for breakfast? It’s also fairly healthy, with a minimal amount of maple syrup as a natural sweetener, it’s a nice gluten-free whole grain option for mornings.
Pumpkin Vegetarian Stuffed ShellsVegetarian stuffed shells are always a crowd pleaser: especially when they’ve got pumpkin inside! This pumpkin recipe has pumpkin puree mixed with ricotta and fresh sage as the filling for these jumbo shells. Bake them, topped with gooey cheese, in a quick marinara sauce and you’re in business.
Pumpkin Scones with Maple GlazeThese vibrant pumpkin scones are made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices, making them the perfect flaky, cozy biscuit for cool mornings or tea times! The topping is a maple cream, maple that’s heated until it becomes creamy and concentrated. You can make them without the glaze for a healthier treat, or use the glaze from the pumpkin cookies above.
Healthy Pumpkin Mousse ShootersInstead of pumpkin pie, why not…a pumpkin shot glass dessert? This unique take on pumpkin pie makes the filling into vegan pumpkin mousse made by whipping coconut milk. And let’s just forget the crust: serving the pumpkin mousse in shot glasses topped with pumpkin seeds is cuter and easier!
Pumpkin Parfaits with Pecan GranolaIn our list of pumpkin dessert recipes, this one’s a keeper! Greek yogurt that’s lightly sweetened with maple syrup is layered with a pumpkin filling made of pumpkin puree, pumpkin spices and mascarpone cheese. Add a bit of pecan skillet granola, whipped up in just 10 minutes in a skillet, and you’re in business. This one also works as a healthy breakfast or fall brunch recipe.
Easy Pumpkin HummusHave you tried pumpkin hummus? If you’re a pumpkin fan, this one’s worth a try. It takes just a few minutes to whip up, and adding pumpkin puree makes it extraordinarily creamy. Don’t worry, in contrast to some of the other pumpkin recipes this one’s got no pumpkin spices! It’s strictly savory: serve with pita chips for a tasty fall snack.
Pumpkin Spice Fruit and Nut BarsSpeaking of snacks, these pumpkin spice fruit and nut bars are a healthy snack fit for fall. Made of Medjool dates, cashews, and pumpkin spices, they’re full of protein and flavor. Make up a batch and keep them handy for when a craving hits.
Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple MascarponeTo round out our healthy pumpkin recipes are these pumpkin pancakes! When Alex and I breakfast, we like oat pancakes: they’re made almost fully of oat flour, they’re heartier and more filling than the typical pancake. These oat pancakes are made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin spices, and for a little flair: a dollop of mascarpone cheese mixed with maple syrup. You can omit the topping for a healthier take and go with just a drizzle of real maple syrup: these pumpkin pancakes can hold their own.
We’re just one Halloween away from November! Cooler evenings call for cozy fall comfort foods and roasted veggies, so I’m stocking up on winter squash, sweet potatoes and hardy greens. What are you craving this fall?
I’m finalizing several new recipes that I’m super excited about. I can’t wait to share them with you. For now, I’m sharing some links that I’ve found helpful or interesting lately, and a whole slew of seasonal recipes to cook up in November. Here we go!
Links lately:
My nutritionist friend Leigh is launching a free email series to help you have a healthy holiday season! (“Prepare, not repair.”) How Time Batching Will Change The Way You Work This is cute: A Secret to a Happy Marriage I answered some fun questions on OKC Veggie It’s about that time of year: Eczema 101 Shared from a sitting position: The Health Hazards of Sitting Do good with your Friendsgiving by fundraising for No Kid Hungry Completely obsessed with Everlane’s new affordable stretch jeans (affiliate link—I have them in both dark wash blue and washed black and they never bag out!) Apples Apple Steel-Cut OatmealGluten free and vegan (see notes)
“We made the apple oatmeal on this cool morning here in Kansas…and it was perfect. Topped it with some almond butter and a swirl of maple syrup. My 3 year old ate most of my portion along with his. So, kid friendly, as well! Another recipe well done!” – Jamie
More apple recipes »
Continue to the recipe...
The post What to Cook This November appeared first on Cookie and Kate.
Pasta Dreams and Flying Machines: Our Tuscan Adventure
By REIF LARSEN from NYT Travel https://ift.tt/2Q6BuvV
Disney World? Not Again. Four Surprising Alternatives for Your Next Family Trip
By JENNIFER CONLIN from NYT Travel https://ift.tt/2qk9ERJ
Tuesday 30 October 2018
Tomato Basil Gnocchi Soup
This recipe is the creamiest, coziest tomato gnocchi soup you can imagine! Filled with pillowy potato gnocchi and Parmesan, it’s the stuff dreams are made of.
This Tomato Basil Gnocchi Soup recipe was created in partnership with DeLallo. All opinions are our own.
Food is all about vibe, and this recipe channels all those cozy, comforting, and warm feelings! This tomato basil gnocchi soup is tangy and bright, filled with chewy gnocchi pillows and topped with Parmesan cheese. It’s a tribute to our time in Pittsburgh at the headquarters of DeLallo, a family business that makes Italian specialty foods. And our visit was just that: cozy, comforting, and warm! Alex and I got to go behind the scenes at DeLallo and learn more about what they do: read below about our trip and what inspired this tomato basil gnocchi soup recipe!
The “stone house” where we stayed
Behind the scenes at DeLalloWhat’s the one thing you want people to know about DeLallo? Alex asked. We were all sitting around the kitchen table at the “stone house”, a charming 1924 home on the property behind the original DeLallo store outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The table was filled with this massive charcuterie board: meats, cheeses, bruschetta, artichokes, and olives, olives, olives. It was truly one of the grandest displays we’d ever seen.
Well…we’re obsessed with quality. And dialed into our passion. said Anthony, grandson of the owner George DeLallo. DeLallo is not about making the most of the most popular thing. They’re about super high quality Italian foods. George founded DeLallo back in 1950 to start importing Italian foods to the many Italian immigrants in the Pittsburgh area. Their growth as a company has been gradual and sustainable, and today they’re nationwide! Pasta, tomatoes, pesto, meats and cheeses, olives and antipasti, bruschetta, artichokes, Italian cookies—they do it all.
That passion and obsession with really good food is just what endeared us to DeLallo over the short time we were there. With a group of fantastic bloggers (Erin, Liz, Jessica, Becky, and Alexa), we got to tour their olive packing plant and meet Al, who showed us the obsessive measures they take to marinate and pack the olives for olive bars. Fun fact: Did you know DeLallo olives are in a large portion of the grocery olive bars in the US? DeLallo imports half of the Kalamata olives produced in Greece every year!
Olive bar at the original DeLallo store!
And finally, we learned to make homemade gnocchi—which is what inspired this gnocchi soup recipe! Gnocchi is homemade pasta pillows made with potatoes. These homemade gnocchi were incredible doughy pillows: we ate them in several different ways for lunch. But our favorite way was in a pureed pumpkin gnocchi soup. Keep reading for our gnocchi soup recipe!
Rolling gnocchi (with Erin from Well Plated)!
Gnocchi ready to be boiled!
How to make gnocchi soupThis tomato basil gnocchi soup is easy to make and incredibly cozy and delicious. The concept of this gnocchi soup is to boil the gnocchi in the soup in the last few minutes of simmering—you don’t have to cook the gnocchi separately! The secret to the creamy tomato basil base is after sauteing onion and garlic, deglaze the pan with white wine vinegar. The tangy vinegar brings out the brightness in the tomatoes: here we’ve used DeLallo’s canned petite diced San Marzano-style tomatoes. We’ve paired the tomatoes with fresh basil, which brings a delightful savory undertone. While it’s not in season anymore, it’s relatively easy to find fresh basil in the supermarket (and it’s readily available at our winter farmer’s markets here in Indy).
For the gnocchi in this gnocchi soup, we’ve used DeLallo’s packaged mini gnocchi, which are the perfect size for soup! However, if you can’t find mini gnocchi you can use standard gnocchi. DeLallo’s gnocchi are vegan, which makes them perfect for this vegan soup! If you’re not vegan, adding grated Parmesan is a must: but it’s not required because the flavor is that good. This comfy, cozy gnocchi soup was the perfect thing for a gray day: we hope that you love it too!
Looking for soup recipes?This gnocchi soup is one of our new favorite soup recipes! Here are a few more popular soup recipes on A Couple Cooks:
Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower Soup Creamy Red Lentil Soup Classic Vegetarian Chili Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup with Stars Vegan Sweet Potato Soup with Harissa This recipe is…This gnocchi soup recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant based, and refined sugar free. For vegan and plant based, omit the Parmesan. For gluten free, use Gluten Free Gnocchi.
Print (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 1)
5 from 1 reviews
This recipe is the creamiest, coziest tomato gnocchi soup you can imagine! Filled with pillowy potato gnocchi and topped with Parmesan, it’s the stuff dreams are made of.
Chop the onion. Mince the garlic. Chop the basil leaves.
In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 4 to 5 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Add the white wine vinegar and saute until evaporated.
Add the basil, canned tomatoes and their liquid, broth, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. When done, remove from the heat and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy.*
Return to a simmer over medium heat. Add the gnocchi and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until they float, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick together or to the bottom.
Serve in bowls, allowing them to cool a few minutes until warm (soup tastes best warm, not pipping hot). Serve with chopped basil and Parmesan cheese (if desired; not required).
*For a creamy variation, add 1/2 cup Greek yogurt during the blending stage!
Keywords: Soup, Vegetarian Soup, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Italian Soup, Gnocchi, Gnocchi Soup,
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