This is one of my favorite salads to make when the air grows cooler and my body is craving something healthy and warm. The roasted sweet potatoes add heartiness to the greens and the warm vinaigrette, inspired by Ina Garten, is the perfect complement. The first time I made this, my husband said it was one of the best salads I have ever made (and trust me, I’ve made a lot)!
{photos courtesy of Justin Chesney}
Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. We nourish all those things when we eat well. – Michael Pollan
I have wanted to host a proper dinner gathering with close friends for years. A few weeks ago, I was able to witness that dream coming to fruition. About fifteen of my close friends gathered for a night of delicious food, hand crafted drinks, a carefully curated playlist, and most importantly conversation and community. There were a handful of us that crafted plans, thrifted linens, created beautiful papeterie, perused the farmer’s market, hand-picked leaves from the fiery fall trees and made it happen! I loved watching it all come together—to see everyone coming alive in their own way, following their talents and passions. That is community—people coming together, giving of themselves, enjoying each other, breaking bread together, being intentional, telling stories, and listening intently. Food is definitely something special. It’s a necessity for survival, but it’s also most enjoyable. It brings people together in a way that’s different than almost anything else. Gathering together around a common table to take part in a meal feeds not only our body, but our souls.
My husband carefully curated a playlist for the evening. Listen in the player below.
^Apple Thyme Gin Fiz Continue reading
I believe we’ve just turned the corner here in Nashville. It seems like we are finally making our way into the cooler temperature of fall. I’m so thankful I live in a place that has distinct seasons. I always get excited when the seasons begin to change, and I start to see different produce in my CSA box. Oh how I’ve missed you butternut squash, dark leafy greens, pumpkin, beets, brussels sprouts, and carrots!
One of the things I received in my CSA box this week was a butternut squash, and I decided on trying it roasted in a frittata. Did you know butternut squash is actually a fruit, rather than a vegetable because it contains seeds? It’s really a powerhouse of a fruit! It’s full of vitamins A and C, which are helpful in maintaining good vision and a healthy immune system, and boasts loads of antioxidants, specifically carotenoids (think orange and yellow fruits), which can prevent cancer and heart disease. This squash also contains 15% of your daily value of folate, which pregnant women need for healthy fetal brain development. The seeds, which are a good source of iron, can be washed and lightly roasted for a delicious snack.
A frittata is very versatile, and a great way to enjoy vegetables from your farmer’s market or CSA, especially ones you aren’t sure what to do with. I will admit I’ve never had mustard greens, let alone cooked with them. So, for me this was a good introduction. Slightly spicier than kale, the mustard greens added a nice kick, nuzzled up against warming butternut squash, and complimented with the sweet, rich flavor of caramelized onions, this frittata is a great way to celebrate fall produce!
The days are getting shorter and the nights have a chill in the air, which tells me fall is near. Savor the last flavors of summer before it’s gone with this zucchini pasta and pesto. This dish is so fresh and easy, especially if you already have the pesto ready to go! I took this dish to a potluck recently, and it was a hit! It would be great as a side, or serve a heftier portion as a main dish.
Bloom & Nourish 