Kitchen Tidbit: Quinoa and Kale Breakfast Bowl With a Fried Egg and Avocado

by Ilana Saul Posted on September 15, 2013

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Are you guys ready for the yumminess that is about to happen? Good! I’m pretty into this recipe for three reasons… One, it’s really delicious—simple as that. Two, it’s packed with protein and healthy kale. And three, if you use a packaged sauce like I did, it’s quick and easy enough to be a weekday meal.

Also, let me just say that breakfast is my favorite. Not just in the morning, but at all times of the day. So yes, I’m calling this a breakfast dish by virtue of the fried egg on top, but I won’t tell if you want to eat it for lunch or dinner too.

Quinoa and Kale Breakfast Bowl With a Fried Egg and Avocado

Serves 2-3

You Need…

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • a couple heaping handfuls of lacinato kale, chopped
  • pistachio mint chutney, pesto, or other sauce of choice
  • 2 or 3 eggs (1 per bowl)
  • avocado slices

quinoa-kale-bowl

Directions…

  1. Cook quinoa according to package.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, steam the kale for about 3 minutes (or until tender but still fresh), and set aside.
  3. Once the quinoa and kale are both cooked, combine, and then stir in the sauce to taste. I used Savour This Sauce’s Pistachio Mint Chutney (which I’m basically obsessed with by the way), but I’d imagine that pesto would be just as yummy.
  4. Divide quinoa mixture into 2 or 3 bowls, top each with a fried egg and a couple slices of avocado, and dig in!

quinoa-kale-breakfast-bowl-avocago-egg-recipe

For a little added crunch, you could also sprinkle some sunflower seeds on top. And for a vegan version, just nix the egg and crumble a little tofu in its place.

Yum!

P.S. Here’s what’s for dessert…

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Hooray For… Gingham

by Ilana Saul Posted on April 14, 2013

picnic-ants-gingham-hooray

Let’s get this straight… Gingham is pretty great. It’s practically synonymous with picnics and sunshine and sandwiches and springtime—and what’s not to love about those things, right?

Check, please!

HH-Hooray For-Gingham

1. tory burch gingham cocktail ring | 2. marc by marc jacobs gingham tote | 3. opening ceremony cat eye sunglasses | 4. cb2 piazza gingham chair | 5. paul smith black gingham dress 6. keds x kate spade new york gingham sneakers

P.S. Here are some other things worth cheering for:
Talking Clothes
Pompoms
The Color Emerald

Illustration: Mark Saul for Hooray Hurrah

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Kitchen Tidbit: Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Fudge

by Ilana Saul Posted on April 9, 2013

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How’s this for a tasty little morsel to brighten up your Tuesday: Healthy, no-bake, four-ingredient fudge. (Really!) I’m not going to lie—especially if you’re trying to nix processed sugar from your diet like I am, this easy recipe is kinda life-changing. And don’t worry if you’re not super into dates or walnuts as separate entities. Mark thinks dates are downright gross by themselves and he’s a big, big, BIGGG fan of this fudge.

Healthy No-Bake Chocolate Fudge

Serves 4

You Need…

  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • scant 1 cup walnuts
  • 1/3 cup raw cacao powder (Standard unsweetened cocoa powder works too. It may not be a “super food” and all that, but it will still be tasty.)
  • ¼ tsp vanilla

Blend

Directions…

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until crumbly.
  2. Transfer the crumbly mixture to a baking pan or cookie sheet, and press into a little rectangle of your desired thickness (you probably won’t fill the entire pan unless you’re working with a tiny one).
  3. Cut into squares and enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for later.

Tray

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These little fudge squares are pretty irresistible and they even passed the kiddo taste test. (Mark’s little cousin Bennett went back for thirds.) I bet they’d be even better with a little cinnamon, a dash of chili powder or some shredded coconut added into the mix.

Yum!

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P.S. My healthy chocolate chia seed pudding is pretty good, too.

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Wedding Bells: What Does Your Bouquet Mean?

by Ilana Saul Posted on April 1, 2013

This blog on flower symbolism is probably my favorite one I’ve written yet for LaurenConrad.com! I was first introduced to the language of flowers when I was picking out blooms for my wedding bouquet, and my fascination with perennials—and the meaning behind them—has only intensified since. So, I staged a mini floral photo shoot to explain it…

flower-symbolism-meaning-peonies-bouquet

My own bridal bouquet (designed by the very talented Mr. Caballero Creative) included peonies (“prosperity”) and fluffy, pink cabbage roses (“gratitude”). I have to admit—I mostly made that decision on looks alone, but perhaps I’ll add some anemones (“unfading love”) to the mix for an anniversary arrangement.

From a planning perspective, the floral design was definitely one of the highlights of our big day. I remember holding my bouquet in my hands and thinking how surreal everything felt—I had never seen such a beautiful arrangement before!

bouquet-wedding-peonies-roses

Oh, and the bridesmaids bouquets weren’t too shabby either…

bridesmaids-bouquets-pink-coral

What flowers would/did you include in your bouquet?

I’m still partial to peonies, even though their alternate meaning is actually “bashfulness.”

P.S. These seed-to-ceremony custom bouquets are a pretty lovely idea too, don’t you think?

Wedding Photos: Love Me Sailor

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