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| Roasted sweet potatoes and acorn squash with a coconut milk base give this soup a rich & creamy flavor. This soup is colorful, comforting yet nutritious, and is an easy way for you to get in your daily amount of vegetables. *Printer-Friendly Recipe
Soup is often treated like the ugly step sister of meals. It is
often passed over when reading a menu; or on rare occasion when it is chosen, it is to be paired with a sandwich or endless amount of salad and bread sticks.
And so, like you my best
friend Jimmy and I, never chose soup as the highlight of any of our weekly dinners. Each Monday, during
the season of the Voice, Jimmy would come over for dinner and to watch the
show. Prior to this past season, Jimmy had never watched the Voice. Yet by the end of this season, I had created a monster. There in my living room, Jimmy had taken on the role of the
fourth judge, making comments such as “poor song choice” or “Wow, what a voice!”
Jimmy, like a lot of guys, has a very specific palette. He loves buffalo
chicken, pizza, and chicken Parmesan; and if
something looks particularly "leafy” or extremely healthy than it is most
likely won’t be consumed.
Needless to say when I
asked Jimmy each Monday if he would like to order take-out or have me cook
something; before he responded, he would apprehensively ask the question; "What
were you planning to make?" When I
would respond with meal ideas such as a leafy green salad and vegan
lasagna, he would offer to pick up takeout on his way over.
On one night, however, I decided not to tell Jimmy any of my “meal ideas.” Instead, I simply told him to come over for dinner. Jimmy had called me on his way over,
declaring that he was "stahhhving" (he has a Boston accent); yet when
he arrived that was no longer the case. He had taken one glance at the very colorful, orange soup, and said "I'm not very hungry". It was clear that Jimmy had begun silently brainstorming what
drive-thru he would pass on his route home.
Jimmy apprehensively walked over to the dining table , where I
placed a gigantic bowl of the bright
orange liquid in front of him. Rather than begin eating, he slowly
got up from the table to retrieve a small mug from the cabinet.
He then sat back down and began to dish out a very small amount of the soup
from the large bowl into the mug. When I questioned his odd behavior; he
once again, sweetly replied; "I'm just not that hungry."
Yet something miraculous occurred after that. Jimmy began eating bite after bite of the soup. He
would dish out more from the bowl into the
mug, until finally he had dished out its entire contents. Once he had
finished, Jimmy declared; "If you can get me try Vegan food, then you can
get anyone." He went on and on about how delicious and creamy the
soup tasted, how healthy he felt, and even stated that he could eat it every
day for lunch.
Over Voice commercials that night, I told about Jimmy how I had
cleaned my oven that day by making a baking soda and water paste that I then painted onto my oven with a
paintbrush. It had worked really well, removing all of the grease. That's when he pointed out how all of
my little tips/ tricks and recipes could be very helpful for a lot of people,
such as his sister Nicole (featured in the
Wordless Wednesday photo here) and had recently bought a house with her fiancé.
From that Monday night on, I have felt truly excited and
passionate about Creatively Lu. Each morning when I wake
up, my fingertips hit the keyboard and it’s like they have a mind of their own.
The ideas simply flow.
My biggest goal out of this whole little venture is to help you,
the reader, create something extraordinary in your day. To experience moments in
which you are able to create a delicious meal that someone (including
yourself) raves about. Knowing that my
recipes are being made in your kitchen, DIY activities from Thrifty Thursday
are being conducted in your home over the weekend, or simply that a quote of
the day has been able to bring you inspiration is the best feeling in the
world.
One quote that has been a guiding force for Creatively Lu is; "You can't use creativity. The more
you use, the more you have." There is never a day for which I feel the
need to” save “a recipe for a different week, or that I hesitate in sharing a
"special" tip in order to ensure that I have one for next week. This
is due to the fact that every recipe and tip I share with you is special
because it is inspired by you all.
I am grateful that I never have to wonder how I will ever think-up yet another idea for a particular post thanks to the engaging, Creatively Lu community that has been created by you all. And so I write this post and share this special recipe in dedication to all of you. I'd also like to give a big shout-out to Jimmy McCarthy, my best friend of 9 years, who has put up with A LOT and has supported me every step of the way. Love you Bud!
Below is the soup recipe, as well as your daily dose of
inspiration for Monday. Create a wonderful week everyone!
  Add in the turkey at Step #5
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a creative lifestyle blog written by "Lu" to inspire "U"
Showing posts with label creative. Show all posts
Showing posts with label creative. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Make it Mondays: The Soup that Started the Blog
Monday, December 30, 2013
Make It Mondays: Champagne Countdown Cupcakes
Whether sipping on mimosas at a baby shower or toasting to a fabulous New Year with champagne flutes, champagne is synonymous with celebrating. This New Year's, I wanted to take celebrating with champagne to the next level, by incorporating it as an ingredient for baking. From the frosting to the cupcake itself, I added in hints of champagne. The cupcakes are absolutely delicious and are very light. They have a smooth, very pleasant original cupcake taste with hints of orange and sweet Champagne.And to kick your New Year decor up a notch, I organized the cupcakes in the shape of a clock, as a sweet way to count-down to 2014.
Champagne Cupcakes, adapted from Party Bluprints, Inc.
Yields: 24 cupcakes
2 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3/4 cups of unsalted butter (melted)
1/2 cup of sugar*
3 eggs
1 cup of honey
1/2 cup of OJ*
3/4 cups of champagne
1 teaspoon of grated orange zest*
cupcake tins*
cupcake tins*
*I used Sugar in the Raw
*I used Simply Orange-no pulp
*I used Stellina di Notte Prosecco. It cost $9.99 and comes in a gorgeous bottle.
*Take an orange (with the peel still on), and with a cheese grater, grate the orange until you have 1 teaspoon worth of orange zest
* I used gold foil cupcake tins.
* I used gold foil cupcake tins.
In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, powder, & salt). Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter on medium speed, gradually adding in the butter. Add in the eggs, one at a time. Next, add the honey, OJ, and champagne.
On low speed, beat in the dry ingredients into the large mixing bowl until well combined.
Fold in the orange zest.
Pour batter evenly into the cupcake tins. Bake cupcakes for 20-25 minutes at 350˚F, or until golden brown.
Champagne Frosting
6 cups of powdered sugar
1/2 cup of unsalted butter (melted)
3 Tablespoons of Champagne
6 Tablespoons of Orange Juice
1 Tablespoon of Orange Zest*
*Take an orange (with the peel still on), and with a cheese grater, grate the orange until you have 3 tablespoons worth of orange zest.
In a large mixing bowl, whip together all of the ingredients at medium speed.
Clock Countdown Arrangement
Champagne Cupcakes
Champagne Frosting
Gold Foil Cupcake Tins
Gel Icing
2 Twizzlers*
*For the clockhands, you can also use pretzel rods, pieces of cardboard or whatever you have lying around in the house.
Once the cupcakes have cooled, spread frosting onto the cupcakes.
Write the numbers 1-12 with gel icing or print out numbers & insert paper into each cupcake with a toothpick.
On a large serving platter, align the cupcakes like a clock.
Use a Twizzler stick for the large clockhand; for the small clock-hand, cut a Twizzler stick in half.
Write the numbers 1-12 with gel icing or print out numbers & insert paper into each cupcake with a toothpick.
On a large serving platter, align the cupcakes like a clock.
Use a Twizzler stick for the large clockhand; for the small clock-hand, cut a Twizzler stick in half.
I hope you all enjoy the Champagne Countdown cupcakes. Even if you cannot find the time to decorate the cupcakes, the cupcakes are delicious stand-outs on their own.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Make it Mondays: Mini Pumpkin Cake Loaves with Maple Sugar Glaze
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| *Printer-Friendly Version |
and is just sweet enough to be served as a dessert for Christmas dinner.
The mini loaf is much more cake- like then bread. It can be eaten with a spoon and has hints of pumpkin spice that gives it that delicious winter-comfort feeling. It is definitely most delicious when served warm. *When reserving, wrap bread in heavy foil and reheat in the oven at 350 for 15 min.
The maple sugar glaze gives the pumpkin cake that rich, winter-comfort feeling that makes it feel "homey." This icing can be whipped up with just 2 common ingredients in your house and can be used on nearly anything. From pancakes to dipped in pretzels, it is sure to taste delicious.
This recipe can also be used to make delicious muffins you can serve on Christmas morning...
It can also be packaged in mini bread loaf aluminum container that you can get at your local grocery store for packs of 3 for under $2. These containers can be personally gift-wrapped and given as a great little gift for a holiday party.
You can even add a cute card with a clever message to go with it...
I hope you have enjoyed these past few Make it Mondays involving holiday recipes. Below I have organized all of the Make-It Monday recipes with their links in order to inspire your holiday menu.
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (served in mason jars)
- Sea-Salt, Caramel Stuffed Snickerdoodles
Christmas Breakfast
I'll see you all tomorrow for a special edition of Takeout Tuesdays where I cover healthy tips for survivingChristmas dinner & your New Year's Eve party.
Create a great Monday Everyone! Below is your daily dose of inspiration...
*To follow the Creatively Lu posts daily, "like" the FB page .
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Friday Favorites: Holiday Gift edition
Can you believe it's already that time where we are considered "late on on Christmas shopping?" It seems like I just yesterday I was planning out my meal plan for Thanksgiving. And don't even mention that I will soon have to get used to writing the date 2014, just as "2013" was starting to register. But one thing I'm not quite sick of hearing are "corny" Christmas jokes, so my apologies if you are...
But in all seriousness, I have selected 12 of the best gifts around. They are easy to pick up at stores such as Target and CVS or very easy to make at home. From your dad to your bestie, I have definitely covered something for everyone on your list. So follow my guide below and you'll avoid having to spend your whole weekend completely dedicated to waiting in long lines. I don't know about you all, but I plan on spending my Saturday seeing Anchorman 2 rather than trying to find a parking space at the mall.
I hope that these gift ideas provided inspiration for your holiday shopping list. All and all, I truly believe that the best gifts come from the heart.
Still need a gift for a teacher or your hairdresser? How about my homemade Sweet & Salty granola recipe. Looking for something a little more creative to bring to a holiday party? How about my Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, stored in mason jars?
Whatever you do, make sure you don't let the happiness intended during the holiday season pass by you. Take time out to spend with your loved ones, that is truly the best gift you can give them. Create a great Friday everyone. Below is your daily dose of inspiration, inspired by my new little loved ones...
But in all seriousness, I have selected 12 of the best gifts around. They are easy to pick up at stores such as Target and CVS or very easy to make at home. From your dad to your bestie, I have definitely covered something for everyone on your list. So follow my guide below and you'll avoid having to spend your whole weekend completely dedicated to waiting in long lines. I don't know about you all, but I plan on spending my Saturday seeing Anchorman 2 rather than trying to find a parking space at the mall.
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| Links to: Pictures #1, #2, #3 |
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| Links to Pictures: #1, #2, #3 |
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| Links to: Pictures #1, #2, #3 |
I hope that these gift ideas provided inspiration for your holiday shopping list. All and all, I truly believe that the best gifts come from the heart.
Still need a gift for a teacher or your hairdresser? How about my homemade Sweet & Salty granola recipe. Looking for something a little more creative to bring to a holiday party? How about my Red Velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, stored in mason jars?
Whatever you do, make sure you don't let the happiness intended during the holiday season pass by you. Take time out to spend with your loved ones, that is truly the best gift you can give them. Create a great Friday everyone. Below is your daily dose of inspiration, inspired by my new little loved ones... |
| Cousins: Remi & Stella Photo Courtesy of: Kristin Haus |
*To follow the Creatively Lu posts daily, "like" the FB page .
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