Crab and Avocado Salad

June 29, 2015

I was inspired by SkinnyTaste to whip up this crab and avocado salad last week for dinner.  Salads like these are so perfect to make in the summer.  They require little effort, pack a huge flavor punch, and are completely satisfying.  Once the temperatures reach 80 degrees, my obsession with avocados gets REAL.  Aside from simply slicing them and putting them on salads for lunch, I start to think of ways to incorporate them into delicious recipes.  I am happy to report that this one is a keeper.  The sweet crab meat with the zesty and tangy dressing mixed in with the creamy avocado and the spicy bits of jalapeno. Perfection!
 
Ingredients
Juice of 2 Limes
1/2 Teaspoon Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, to taste
2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3 Green Onions, Chopped
1 Pint Cherry Tomatoes, Quartered
1/2 Jalapeno, Finely Diced
2 Avocados, Diced
1 16 Ounce Can of Premium Crab Meat {I used my favorite claw meat but imitation crab meat would work well here too!}
Chopped Fresh Cilantro, to taste
 
 

 
{To a large bowl, add your lime juice, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt and plenty freshly cracked pepper.}

{Wisk in the olive oil until its combined and set aside.}

{In another large bowl, add your chopped green onion...}

{Your cherry tomatoes...}

{Your diced jalapeno...}


{And your diced avocado.}


{Finally, add in your crab meat, top it with the vinaigrette and season with salt pepper.}



{Mix well and top with chopped fresh cilantro.  Not only is this amazing right out of the bowl {and believe me when I say I could eat this entire bowl!} but I had this on top of baby spinach for lunch and was divine!}
 

 
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥

Weekend Wear: Just Distressed

June 26, 2015




{Distressed Jeans ~ American Eagle Outfitters / Gray Vintage Tee ~ Old Navy / Strappy Sandals ~ Apt 9 via Kohl's / Ivory Statement Necklace ~ Local Boutique}
 
Another jeans + tee outfit.  This is pretty much my summer uniform and I make no apologies for it. :)  I love these distressed jeans / jeggings so much.  They beg to be paired with a comfy tee shirt and this one from Old Navy absolutely fits the bill.  It's perfectly worn-in and has the right amount of "slouchy" without being sloppy.  I love the fit of these vintage tees!
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥ 
 
 
 
 

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet

June 19, 2015

 
This was a completely random weeknight meal idea that really took us all by surprise – I really didn't expect it to come out as good as it did.  I was insanely flavorful and super easy, I whipped it up in less than thirty minutes!
 
I had bought a new pasta, called "Collezione Casarecce", at the store and was dying to use it. It's a thin, barrel-shaped pasta that is really fun to eat.  Am I the only one who thinks a pasta dish can taste completely different depending on the shape of pasta used? For this particular shape, I knew I wanted to use ground beef so I was either going to make a yummy taco pasta dish or this one here – Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet.  I wanted to keep it simple so that the true cheesesteak flavors that I loved were the main focus.  Hearty beef, yummy browned onion, and a flavorful, creamy and of course cheesy sauce.
 
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Package Ground Beef
1 Small Yellow Onion, Diced
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
1 Can Beef Broth
2 Tablespoons Beef Base {or 2-3 Beef Bouillon Cubes}
1 Package Cream Cheese, Softened
2 Cups Shredded Sharp White Cheddar
Parsley for Garnish
 
 
{In a large skillet over medium heat, start sautéing the chopped onion in the olive oil.}
 
{Once the onions begin to sweat a bit, season with a bit of salt and pepper, add in your ground beef and let this get brown.}



{Once the onion and ground beef gets brown and begin to caramelize, add in your minced garlic.}

{Cook this for a minute more.}

{Drain your seasoned beef, onion and garlic mixture to remove the excess moisture.}


{Add the beef mixture back to the pot and add begin to make your beef base mixture.  Add in the beef base. I love using this to flavor hearty dishes.  Adds such a meaty depth of flavor! You could also use beef bouillon in the place of this.}

{Add in your can of beef broth and reduce the heat to low. Let this flavorful mixture cook down and concentrate.}
 
{I also wanted to mention this neat trick that I discovered when I forget to sit the cream cheese {or butter!} on the counter to soften.  Place the unopened package in a bowl of hot tap water for a few minutes. Over time, it softens perfectly. :)}

{Add the softened cream cheese to the beefy/onion and garlic mixture and mix well until it has melted down.}
 
 


{Add in your cooked pasta and mix this well.  I used just shy of a full box of pasta to account for the sauce being absorbed once it's all mixed.}
 

{Next, add your shredded cheddar, and dried parsley {for color!}.}


{Mix this well and let it simmer for just a bit over low heat.} 


{Dish it up and serve warm!  I really loved the texture of this pasta and how it "caught" the cream sauce.  This was so simple, so delicious and it tastes just like a bite of cheesesteak!  This was a big hit.  My husband even mentioned adding sweet peppers in which I think would also be amazing.}
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥
 
 

Workwear: Pastels

June 17, 2015



 

{Baby Blue and White Striped Cotton Dress ~ Forever 21+ / Baby Blue Blouse ~ NY&Co / Nude and Silver Banded Sandals ~ Apt 9 via Kohl's / Turquoise Tote ~ Aldo}
 
I couldn't wait to pull this dress from the storage bins and rock it this summer – it's definitely one of my favorites.   I love layering when it comes to wearing dresses in the summer time, whether it be with a blazer {my favorite}, cardigan or in this case – a blouse. Carrying something to cover my arms is pretty mandatory since it's always freezing on the train and in my office. 
 
These sandals were a random find at Kohl's and I am in LOVE with them.  They are absolutely the most comfortable pair of heels that I own at the moment. I love the sturdy block heel and let's face it: any shoe that has any form of metallic accent is my favorite. :)
 
xoxo, thanks for reading! ♥