Chelsea Harrison2 Comments

Cantaloupe Basil Smoothie

Chelsea Harrison2 Comments
Cantaloupe Basil Smoothie

Adding herbs to your smoothie is an easy way to add flavor and nutrition to your routine. Melons and basil blend together seamlessly in this simple and refreshing summer treat.

If you haven't tried maca powder, smoothies can be a great place to start experimenting with it.  Maca is an adaptogen known for balancing hormones and providing energy.  For more recipes with maca, go to the search page and type in "maca" and you'll find plenty of ideas on how to incorporate this superfood into your diet.


Ingredients:

1 cup sliced cantaloupe (about 1/3 of a cantaloupe)
3 large or 6 small basil leaves
2 frozen bananas
2/3 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp maca powder (optional)

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.  Makes approximately 16 ounces. 

Chelsea Harrison6 Comments

Persimmon & Peppercorn Smoothie

Like I said in my last post, although it is getting cooler, I'm not ready to say goodbye to smoothies.  But I am adapting them to make them include some of my favorite fall flavors.  One of those flavors is persimmon.  Persimmons are supersweet and delicious.  If you haven't had one, I'd liken them most to plums without the tartness.  They also have more fiber than apples in addition to Beta Carotene, Vitamin C, and a host of other nutrients.

This recipe also uses pink peppercorns.  You may not realize how different they are from black peppercorns.  They are flaky and hollow, with a milder spice than black peppercorns, and a citrus-like flavor that pairs wonderfully with fruit.  Give them a try, but of course the smoothie will still taste delicious without them.

Chelsea Harrison6 Comments
Persimmon & Peppercorn Smoothie
Chelsea Harrison1 Comment

Blueberry + Spinach + Cacao Smoothie

Every single morning since I've been pregnant I have woken up craving smoothies. I switch up which ingredients I use for the sake of variety, but this is my go-to smoothie of choice. It is thick and creamy enough to keep me full, but fruity enough to quench my thirst. This smoothie is a great source of healthy fats and antioxidants. And somehow the baby never seems to get sick of it. 

Chelsea Harrison1 Comment
Blueberry + Spinach + Cacao Smoothie
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One Crust Two Ways! Strawberry Basil Tarts + Tomato Ricotta Tart

Today is a two-for-one! Using this one crust recipe you can decide to make sweet Strawberry Basil Tarts or a savory Tomato Ricotta Tart.  Or both!  And if you are gluten-sensitive, this is your lucky day.  Both delicious options are gluten-free.

As you may have noticed by now, I like to find ways to swap out white flour for more nourishing foods and this particular swap adds tons of flavor to the tarts.  The magic behind the recipe is the almond meal crust.  Because almonds are high in fat, they create a rich, buttery tasting crust and a more complex flavor than white flour.

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One Crust Two Ways! Strawberry Basil Tarts + Tomato Ricotta Tart
Chelsea Harrison2 Comments

Tropical Herb Chopped Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing

With all the fresh herbs available this time of year, I can't resist adding them to everything.  From baked goods, to salads, to smoothies, herbs add flavor and complexity to the simplest of dishes.  Plus herbs are some of the most nutrient rich foods out there.  Herbs can soothe your stomach, freshen your breath, boost your immunity, and so much more.  So don't underestimate or under-use them!   For this salad, I decided to let herbs be the bulk of the greens AND the dressing, giving it an incredibly fresh and bright flavor. 

Chelsea Harrison2 Comments
Tropical Herb Chopped Salad with Lime Cilantro Dressing
Chelsea Harrison3 Comments

Tomato Basil Farro with Summer Vegetable Stack & Pesto Drizzle

Last year at the Naked Fig Dinner Party I made this Tomato Basil Farro and topped it with a Summer Vegetable Stack and Fresh Pesto Sauce. I meant to share the recipe with you then, but summer came to an end and the produce was no longer available. So before another summer fades away, I want to share this simple and delicious recipe. It is so easy to make, but the presentation will make people think you worked all day on it. And it is vegan too!

Chelsea Harrison3 Comments
Tomato Basil Farro with Summer Vegetable Stack & Pesto Drizzle