Low Labor Breakfast

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Happy Labor Day everyone! Since it's still the weekend bites will be waiting until tomorrow. In the meantime, it was too appropriate not to share this "low labor" breakfast recipe with you on this splendid Labor Day! Some call them overnight oats, I call it sleeping in oatmeal, which I hope you all did this morning.  I didn't, but I haven't slept in a day in my life. #TeamEarlyRisers. 

I love how perfect overnight oats are for on-the-go breakfasts. Make them the night before and you get an extra 10 minutes in the morning. The mornings I have to get to work early, I don't like to eat breakfast right away. This is the perfect thing to take to work, leave in the fridge while I catch up on emails, then pull out about an hour later!

I've tried making overnight oats a handful of times and every time I wonder how any one can really enjoy them. They always turn out tasting like soggy, no flavor oatmeal. Uhh gross. Most recipes have a laundry list of ingredients like oats, milk, yogurt, a mashed banana, flax seed yadi dadi da. For yours and my enjoyment, I give you easy, perfect, flavorful overnight oats. 

I use a mixture of almond milk and water. I think this is because I typically only make oatmeal with water, but a little bit of milk is needed to get the right texture, so the combo it is. I also add in a small spoonful of almond butter to help thicken it up and make them extra creamy. I do this in my regular oatmeal and it's the ultimate addition.

Overnight Oats:
serves 1

Ingredients:
1/3 cup Purely Elizabeth original ancient grain oats
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp. almond butter (optional)
splash of vanilla extract
shake of cinnamon
fruit for topping

Directions:
In an 8 oz size mason jar, combine oats, almond milk, water, almond butter, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Screw on the lid and let it sleep overnight in the fridge. The next morning, give it a good stir and top with fruit like blueberries, raspberries or sliced peaches!

I'm a big oatmeal person but I usually only eat it in cold weather months. Recently, I've been having a big oatmeal craving. I love how overnight oats are essentially the summer version of oatmeal! Thick and creamy like oatmeal, but cold and refreshing enough for summer. I guess refreshing is kind of a weird word to describe oatmeal, but they truly are so just go with it.

Annie

The Locations, The People, and The Drama Are Real

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Name that reality show. Ever since middle school when I started watching LC on Laguna Beach it's been my dream to go visit the coastal town. Eight years later and mom and pop made my vacation dreams come true. We were actually in Newport Beach just north of Laguna. To my surprise I liked it even better than Laguna! 

Since the trip I've been watching Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor trying to pick up on more spots I may recognize now. Mom too! I loaded up on episodes for us to watch on the plane ride home. I may or may not have bought a shirt at Laguna Surf & Sport....come on I had to support Stephen's old place of work. If you are ever taking a trip to either, consult me. Mom, dad and I all agreed we did it just right. We were there the perfect amount of town, visited each important area, got just enough beach and pool time and hit up all the best restaurants.

Started the trip on a sweet note with donuts from Roses. Seriously amazing maple old fashioned.

The perfect fuel for our bike ride all up and down Balboa Peninsula.

Took the ferry over the harbor for some more exploring. Got a frozen banana from, a staple for any trip to Balboa apparently.

Headed back into Newport to get the tuna and salmon poke from Bear Flag Fish Co.

Spent the rest of the day by the pool with a mojito in hand!

Amazing dinner at Javier's! I'm talking lobster enchiladas!!

Morning walk at Crystal Cove to walk off all the chips and salsa.

The whole Crystal Cove beach area had this 1950's Gilligan's Island feel to it, we loved it.  

Suckered dad into a healthy breakfast after our walk. This pink smoothie was all his decision.

I got a pink breakfast too, but went with the Pitaya bowl from Nekter. Recreating asap. 

Healthy breakfast was squashed after this, but lunch at Ruby's Shake Shack on the beach was no question. 

Dinner at The Beachcomber while the sun is setting is pretty hard to beat.

And to think I'm not a beach person...

With recommendations, we found ourselves the next morning at the most perfect breakfast spot.

Zinc Cafe and Market was giving me all kinds of inspiro for the kind of place I'd love to open someday.

Our orders were delivered and I immediately pulled out my phone. My parents were very patient with my food pictures this trip.

The streets don't look like this in Oklahoma. 

Spent all Saturday popping around Laguna. Unfortunately no Kristen, Stephen or LC sightings. Dinner at 230 Forest Avenue made up for it. Those are oysters with pomegranate granita btw. 

My cioppino was just a take a bite picture waiting to happen.

Full to our necks, but gelato was a must for our last night of the trip. 

Zinc day two because I was so obsessed. Who else has always wanted to eat an egg like this? Stinking cute.

Finally one last bite of the trip at Bear Flag. A repeat restaurant stop because it was that good too. Fish tacos this time and amazing pico and chips. I got hooked on Have'A chips at home little to know they are made right here in Laguna! 

Props to mom and dad for being the best travel partners and props to southern California for stealing my heart. Good thing we all agreed we must go back next summer, oops!

Annie

Bites of My Life

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California dreamin' and lovin'. I'm on a high after our trip to SoCal. For not being the biggest beach person, I think California just sold me. I had done all my research on best restaurants, things to do and even compiled a list of all the hot places the cast of Laguna Beach and Newport Harbor were spotted at. I love it, don't judge me. 
Just mom, dad and I soaking up the California sun. I'd take a vacation with my parents any day. Today is a just a peak at some of my favorite California bites, stay tuned for the full recap tomorrow. 
-Started the Cali bites off right with donuts at coffee.
-First adventure of the trip was riding bikes around Balboa Island. We heard a stop at Dad's for a frozen banana was a must...it was, even if it was 10 in the morning. 
-Spent almost every afternoon at the pool with a good book and drink in hand. This trip finally got me back into reading. 
-Morning walks on the beach were a must. 
-Convinced my parents into a healthier breakfast option on day 2. The pitaya bowl from Nekter is getting recreated asap. That and pretty much everything else I ate. 
-Put our healthy breakfast to shame with burgers and hot dogs on the beach. 
-Dinner on the beach with the best travel companions. 
-Fell in love with the cutest market and cafe I made my parents go two days in a row. 
-You don't get this kind of view on walks in Oklahoma. 
-Color crush on this whole trip. The beach, the people and the food was all full of color. 
-Literally take a bite.
-Last bite in Cali at the best fish taco spot with ulti chips and salsa. 
Annie

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

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Uh huh hunni. Say hi to these little fluffy summery cookies packaged up to perfection! I whipped these bad boys out few Sundays ago when I was on my baking spree.  After consoling with my roommates if I should make lemon bars or these strawberry shortcake cookies, we all decided on the cookies. I turned to one of my favorite cookbooks for the recipe. Joy is my go to girl when it comes to desserts and her book, Homemade Decadence is chalk full of her best recipes. Exhibit A.

These cookies are described as a hybrid between a cookie and biscuit. They are light and fluffy like a biscuit, but also slightly crispy around the edge like a cookie. My favorite part is the fresh nutmeg that is grated in. Nutmeg adds an outrageously good edge to everything. You get the perfect little hint of nutmeg in the cookies, so don't skip this ingredient!

I'd normally use this part to gab on some more about who great these cookies are and why you should make them, but let's be honest, if it's a recipe post then no one reads the text. People (highly including myself) skip straight to the visuals. You probably aren't event reading this rant right now anyway. 

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies adapted from Joy The Baker's Homemade Decadence
yields about 20 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped small
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsps. sugar
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1 stick cold, unsalted butter
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps. vanilla extract
1/2 cup buttermilk plus
2 tsps. buttermilk
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsps. milk or water
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions: 
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookies sheets with parchment paper and set to the side. 

In a small bowl, toss the cut strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and corn starch. The smaller you cut the strawberries the more evenly distributed they will be. 

In a medium bowl,whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Then, using a pastry cutter, two dinner knives, or my favorite-your hands, cut in the butter until you get pieces the size of peas. 

In another small bowl, whisk the egg yolk, buttermilk and vanilla. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients. Using a fork, stir until combined and the batter is moistened. Gently fold in the strawberries and juice with a spatula. 

Scoop the batter onto your prepared sheets. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes or until slightly brown. Let the cookies cool completely before you try to ice them. 

For the glaze-whisk the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Add a little more milk if it's too thick. Using a fork, drizzle over the tops of the cookies. Serve slightly warm or wait until the glaze has hardened a bit. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days!

Annie

Bites of My Life

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I didn't even realize how many amazing bites I had last week until I put today's post together! Blondies, breakfast toast, calamari, burrata and peach board, the best fried chicken and an excellent croque madame are all pictured. The Campbell's lentil soup (not pictured) eaten on the couch in my pajamas while watching Bachelor in Paradise wasn't so bad either. 
I leave Wednesday for California and I'm itching to get out of town for a few days! If you have any Newport Beach/Laguna Beach recommendations please send them. I'm already planning on stalking LC, Lo, Kristen and Stephen's frequented places but I could use some more ideas.
-A little something something for my morning drink. Drank plain it tasted like a milkshake!
-Up close with the salted caramel situation that happened in my Fig Blondies posted last week!
-Doesn't get better than this. 
-Loved getting to share Keercha with you guys last week. Don't forget to order your sandals (15% off for TAB readers)!
-Excellent fried calamari and sister time at the new Tommy's.
-A summer picnic a la Packard's! Peaches, burrata, pesto, country ham and toast.
-Fried chicken, okra and good company always makes the trip to Oklahoma's oldest bar worth it.
-Obsessed with our new fringe friends. Oldest sis and mom also have one, we are so embarrassing and can no longer go in public together anymore.  It's like the Juicy flats circa 2006 all over again. 
-Such a lovely brunch celebrating my sweet Yelp bosslady and her baby on the way. The croque madame from Bonjour is a win.
Annie