Perfect fall dessert

I have a love affair with fruit. In fact, I always have. When ordering dessert at a restaurant my first choice is usually a dessert that has fruit in it. I love how naturally sweet and healthy fruit is. This crisp is perfect with vanilla ice-cream or on it's own for a snack.

Fall Fruit Crisp

Ingredients

5-8 apples
Berries - I used frozen cranberries and raspberries, about 1/4 cup each
Sugar and cinnamon (the amount depends on your preference)
1/4 of water or apple juice
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup instant oatmeal
3 T Oil (I used ghee and *grapeseed oil, but you can also use butter, coconut oil)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Filling
Peel and thinly slice 5-8 apples
Put the apples into a baking pan
Add the frozen berries
Toss this mixture with sugar and cinnamon (I didn't measure, just went by taste, if you use cranberries make sure you add enough sugar so it's not too tart)
Pour water or apple juice over the mixture. If you use apple juice you won't need to use as much sugar

Topping
In a small bowl combine the flour, oatmeal with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 T cinnamon
Add the oil (or melted butter) and mix together
Optional add chopped walnuts, sesame seeds
Crumble on top of the fruit

Put in oven without a cover. It takes about an hour. Make sure the liquid is mostly gone and the apples are soft.

* I used grapeseed because it doesn't have much of a flavor and can be cooked at a high heat.

San Diego/San Francisco Eats

Like most people I love to explore the different restaurants when traveling. I always use Yelp and search for vegetarian (or veggie friendly) restaurants in the area, or if we are craving a particular type of food I search for it in Yelp such as Thai, Indian, etc.


San Diego

Firehouse American Eatery and Lounge

We went to Firehouse after our bike ride along the water front. It's near the water and boardwalk and actually above an actual Fire Station, cool huh? We got the roast peper veggie burger (the toppings were roasted poblano pepper, goat cheese, caramelized onions & chipotle aioli!!) with french fries and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup. Both meals were so delicious  We sat upstairs on the deck, but the area downstairs looked like it had a cool atmosphere, especially for the evening. 

Lotus Cafe

I've actually been here a few times before, but I had to go again because I love how fresh and healthy the food is! It was perfect for after a weekend of indulgence. I got the veggies tacos, which were a little hard to eat because they spilled everywhere, but were full of delicious vegetables and toppings. Make sure you try one of their smoothies, they are filled with fresh fruits and are very refreshing.

Tapenade

We went here for the rehearsal dinner and the creme brulee was to die for. I never order creme brulee but I'm pretty sure I will only order it from now on. I don't know if this place makes specatuclar creme brulee, or if all creme brulee is amazing, but my Husband and I could not stop raving about it. They also had a wonderful asparagus soup. The atmosphere was cute and French so it would be a perfect date night restaurant.

Spice and Rice Thai Kitchen

I love Thai food, and I'm not really picky, so this one hit the spot. I thought the decor was really nice, and bonus points for the booths! I got the Tum Kha soup which was very delicious and then ordered a red curry. It's time I go to Thailand!

San Francisco

NOPA

We finally went here to see what the hype was all about. We went for brunch and had their french toast which is 5 inches thick and has custard in the middle. It was amazing. I wish they had put some fruit on top, as you know I love french toast with maple syrup and strawberries, but this definitely was unique and really tasty!

Dantes Weird Fish

Our group ordered 7 or so tapas style dishes and split them all. It was very tasty, but honestly I don't remember what I ate. I had so many piles of different dishes! The place is tiny, so it got pretty loud (I guess most places do) but it was fun being in the Mission and catching up with friends. Contrary to what the name would suggest they actually have a lot of vegetarian/vegan options so this is a good place to go when your group has mixed dietary preferences.

Bi-Rite Creamery

If you are near the Mission and are in the mood for a sweet treat this is a must! Bi-Rite uses organic milk to make their ice-cream and they have unique, delicious flavors. My favorite is their salted caramel, so I got that, as well as their fruit sorbet, coconut ice-cream and a cone on top.

Rise and shine

I love how simple french toast is to make. Over the weekend I woke up wanting something a little more exciting than my regular breakfast which is usually a smoothie or toast. French toast, for me, is the perfect compromise of exciting and not too labor intensive. While my brother in law makes amazing crepes, and I love pancakes, both of those require making a batter and spending more time over the stove. French toast on the other hand just requires a few simple ingredients and a hot pan.

To make the topping I threw a bag of mixed frozen fruit into a saucepan, turned it to medium heat and added a little arrowroot to thicken it up. For the french toast I beat two eggs and milk together, dipped the bread in and put it in a cast-iron pan with some coconut oil. Five minutes later the french toast was ready! If you have a sweet tooth like me you can drizzle some maple syrup on top.

Dream cookies

When I think of my dream cookie I think of a chewy, warm chocolate filled cookie straight out of the oven. Yesterday, while it was raining, my friend and I made cookies that fit all of those objectives. The recipe has been floating around the internet, all over Pinterest and some big bloggers have posted about it, so I don't feel so orignal, but these are worth posting about. The added sea salt, browned butter and surprise middle (nutella!) make these cookies steller. Perfect. My roommates and I have been gobbling them up and I'm going to bring some over to a dinner party tonight. I think that these cookies will be baked in my kitchen again very soon.

The recipe from Monique at Ambitious Kitchen can be found here. Enjoy! 

Weekend+ Macaroons

My friend conveniently lives down the street from one of my favorite macaroon shops. It makes me giddy getting a box of 12 macaroons and sampling each flavor (don't worry I do share with my fiance), biting into the soft cookie and letting my taste buds explode! Haha, can you tell I'm addicted?? Then I discovered this website and remembered why I wanted to live in Paris after all. I am starting to look at apartments in a 1 mile radius of this shop. Just joking. If I lived that close someone would have deliver them to me because I wouldn't be able to walk...

Lunch

Brown rice with olive oil

Brown lentils

Peas, carrots, summer squash and onions.

I love simple meals that I can throw together while I'm doing three other things. While cooking I have been listening to the Coffee Break French podcast. I recommend it. I was also trying to answer emails and do some work. Last night I put the brown lentils in water to soak overnight. This makes them cook faster as well as gets ride of the phytates and enzyme inhibitors (things you don't want). Then while doing my work I put the brown lentils and brown rice on the stove. They both take about 40 minutes to cook (put the lentils on first they might take a little longer). Lastly I chopped up some vegetables and cooked them with grape seed oil and curry powder. 

While this might not seem like a summer meal you have to understand I'm living in the bay area where the average high has been 60 degrees! So, I'm wearing sweatpants and forgetting it's summer...

Sunshine Burgers

Source

I'm always on the lookout for a good veggie burger. I love to make my own, but let's be honest, somedays when you are craving a burger there just isn't enough time or I don't have the ingredients. I first read about them on Lauren's blog, finally bought them and now I cannot stop thinking of them! The ingredients are ridiculously simple, just brown rice, sunflowers, carrots and some herbs. They are so easy that I am going to try and whip up a batch of my own and put them in the freezer.

Last night for the boyfriends last meal (okay, not last but he couldn't eat until the afternoon today) I made Sunshine burgers and served them with corn on the cob and a fresh salad on the side. YUM. YUM and MORE YUM.

In the Morning

Sometimes the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is the thought of this:

I have always loved smoothies. It's like having a milkshake in the morning. 

I used to be very traditional putting in some sort of liquid (almond milk usually).

Bananas

Strawberries and blueberries

Flax seed

Sometimes yogurt. 

That was it. But, oh so amazing!

But, now I have advanced to the new level of smoothie making. My friend introduced me to "super foods". I had always been afraid of them. Not sure what to do with them, and also, not so into the price. But, we shopped on Amazon and got some good deals. Now, in my smoothies:

Chia Seeds

Maca Powder

Hemp seeds

Brown rice protein powder

and sometimes raw cacao nibs. 

Honestly, I love them all! Tastes yummy and I feel like I'm taking care of my body.

Dreaming of Summer

Haha!! Want to know something funny? I live in CA and I still haven't had real summer weather. Apparently this year is cooler than normal. And I also hear September and October are the months to be excited for. Well, I'm waiting...
I have been wanting to make these popsicles, but since I'm wearing more sweaters than dresses I haven't have the inclination to make them. Hopefully the heat will arrive and I will make these amazing looking popsicles! All I need is a pool, and I'll be set!

Popsicles recipe is from Sunset Magazine.