Cara Cara Orange Bars (with a thyme shortbread crust!)

Amanda1 Comment
Cara Cara Orange Bars are full of flavor from bright winter citrus at the season’s peak! Earthy thyme in a buttery shortbread crust compliments the sweet without overpowering it. Enjoy this simple and delectable recipe before the end of citrus season!

I am living for these Cara Cara orange bars with thyme shortbread crust right now!

It’s such a blessing that peak citrus season also happens to be in the dead of winter! Gimme all those winter citrus recipes!

Cara Cara Orange Bar Recipe

We need a little bright.

A little tart.

A little sweet.

Winter Citrus Dessert Recipes

Ok, a lot sweet.

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Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Amanda1 Comment
Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are a delicious make-ahead frozen dessert that boast all the wonderful flavors of winter! Buttery, chocolatey shortbread cookies sandwiching creamy peppermint ice cream – what could be better?!
Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

I told you I had one more Peppermint Mocha treat up my sleeve!

If I’m being honest, these Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches were not the original plan. There was going to be a pavlova situation happening, but it didn’t…uh…y’know…happen.

Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

That’s ok! We adjust and change and frankly, make the thing that feels right and lights us up instead of what we feel we should do or what the original plan was.

Peppermint Ice Cream Product Shot

I’m really softening with age.

These shortbread cookies though? They’re not soft. They’re crisp and buttery and crumbly and perfect for sandwiching layers of creamy peppermint ice cream. After they’re dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint candies, of course!

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Thursday Things

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A food photographer enjoying her job!
  1. My friend/client (and successful restauranteur! And AirBnb owner! And boutique runner!) Matt snapped this pic of me while we were doing some work last year (still so weird to say!) and I high key love it.
  2. Made some mushroom and wild rice soup this week and figured out a secret! Pan roast the ‘shrooms before adding them! They get all roasty and toasty and full of flavor. Then, when the soup is nearly done, you just dump all the roasty bits and flavorful juices into the pot! Life changing.
  3. I’ve been listening to more personal growth and entrepreneurial podcasts as of late. Two new faves? She Makes Money Moves and Goal Digger. What inspirational/informational podcasts do you listen to?
  4. Very into lettuce wraps, atm. Yesterday I made chicken Caesar salad lettuce wraps (and shared the process on my stories – if you’re interested!) and later this week I’ll be make my spicy shrimp lettuce wraps! That bang bang sauce is good good!
  5. THE NANNY IS BECOMING A BROADWAY MUSICAL. I repeat: THE NANNY IS BECOMING A BROADWAY MUSICAL!!! Fran Drescher is partnering with Rachel Bloom on the project and it’s two of my favorite women from two of my favorite shows working in one of my favorite mediums and omg!!!!!!! Booking my trip to NYC right now!
  6. Speaking of trip – in six short weeks I’ll finally be setting sail with Kristen on the Golden Girls Cruise! Gotta start making cheesecakes now so I’m ready!
  7. A friend of mine told me I should be Mona Lisa from Parks and Rec for Halloween this year and after rewatching some of her episodes…I’m kind of into the idea?!
  8. I’m here to tell you to just send the dang email, ok? The one that we all have sitting in our draft folder, the one that we have a reminder set to send. Just, send it. Ok? Thanks.
  9. I’ve been doing sudoku puzzles every morning for about three months or so and yesterday I had a personal triumph wherein I completed a “hard” level puzzle. Felt good.

Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry

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Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry is a ridiculously easy and even more delicious weeknight meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes! Chock full of vegetables and good-for-you ingredients, it’s a wonderful way to start this year’s meal planning!

This dish right here? This Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry? It’s all you’ll need for dinner tonight. This week. This month. This year!

It’s SO good! Seth and I are obsessed for a multitude of reasons.

For one thing – it’ super flavorful! The sauce is made from the base of my go-to stir fry with a hefty dose of sweet Thai chili sauce thrown in (because we like a short cut on weeknights, ok?).

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Thursday Things

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  1. My Christmas bouquet from Seth is still hanging in there.
  2. Much like the rest of our decorations. Yes, they’re all still up. And likely will be for at least a few more days. I’m (still) practicing patience in 2020 so I’m not letting it bother me.
  3. I got a doggie DNA kit for Christmas and cannot wait to find out what my mega mutt is made out of!
  4. I also got some really fun Golden Girls swag for my impending cruise, personalized coffee mug, and a gift card for a mani/pedi at my favorite nail place. Can you say spoilt?
  5. Seth and I did a 2019 recap together and I realized it was easily one of the best years I have ever had. So much happened. Like, so, so much. I don’t think I’ve ever been sad to see a year go, but I truly am going to miss 2019. Here’s hoping 2020 is even better!
  6. We surprised my grandma for her 85th birthday on Saturday and I made a version of this cake, this cake, and a batch of these cookies to help celebrate. I also gave her a jar of Duke’s.
  7. Did you make any resolutions this year? I didn’t. I have goals, for sure. Especially regarding my business. But, no resolutions. Instead of subtracting things from my life, I’m looking to add to it in any way that I can. More books, more clients, more rest.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

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This Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad recipe is a slight twist on a classic dish. Homemade Caesar Dressing is made much easier with the help of a secret ingredient – mayo! Enjoy this healthy recipe topped with grilled chicken or shrimp for a truly delicious meal!
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad recipe with homemade Caesar Dressing

Starting the New Year off with a salad…could I be any more of a cliché?

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad recipe with homemade Caesar Dressing

Probably.

Dukes Mayonnaise recipes

For instance – I could wax poetic about how important it is to go into the New Year eating food to fuel your body. Good food. Real food. Whole food. I could talk about how kale is loaded with vitamins and minerals and how cutting out the croutons means less carbs and blah blah blah.

Or, I can just give it to you straight.

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