Girls Weekend in Chicago

I needed to get out of town and clear my head plus catch up with my friend Kristin, who moved to Chicago several years ago. We had an awesome time with all-you-can-eat sushi, crossfit, improv, and walking all of the cool neighborhoods in the area. Can't wait to go back!

Bloody Mary in a Jar

This was a fun gift that I put together for a co-worker's birthday (thank you Pinterest!). It's a mason jar with a local bloody Mary mix, mini bottle of vodka, mini Tabasco sauce, snack pack of green olives, and a little tin of bloody Mary rimmer salt. So cute!

Sweet Potato Noodles

Ingredients
1 pound flank steak or top sirloin
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sherry
3 nests sweet potato noodles (from the Asian grocery store), about 8 oz.
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 large yellow onion, julienne
1/2 lb broccoli florets
1 cup frozen tri-color bell pepper strips
5 oz tamarind water (from the Asian grocery store)
3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt
Sriracha (optional)
Cilantro (optional)
Fried egg (optional)

1. Freeze beef for 10 minutes and thinly slice, discarding fat (shave against the grain). Toss beef with cornstarch, salt, and sherry.
2. Simmer salted water, add noodles and cook until no longer chewy (about 6 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water. Toss with 1 tablespoon of oil.
3. Combine tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar. Heat wok with 2 tablespoons of oil and allow to get hot. Add onion and cook until brown. Add vegetables and red pepper flakes, cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook about 2 minutes until veggies are cooked but crisp. Add beef, noodles and tamarind sauce to pan, cok 3 more minutes.

Recipe by Emily Lane, Personal Chef

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

I subbed carrots for mushrooms and next time I think I'd add in some cauliflower rice to help make it more 'casseroley' but otherwise pretty tasty!

https://www.grassfedgirl.com/chicken-broccoli-casserole/

Warm Avocado Chocolate Custard

Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small squares
1 cup avocado flesh
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine butter, avocado, sugar and cocoa powder in food processor until smooth. Put in sauce pot and add cornstarch and milk. Cook over medium lo heat until warm and thick. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Great with whipped cream (solid part of coconut milk whipped with vanilla and powdered sugar)!

Recipe by Emily Lane, Personal Chef

Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

A comforting bowl of spaghetti with meat sauce never gets old!

http://ohsweetthang.blogspot.com/2014/10/paleo-ish-bolognese.html

PaleOMG Two Toned Cookies

Recipe to come...