Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad

Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad-Design Crush

 

The last thing I’ve wanted to do all summer is turn on the stove. It hasn’t even been especially scorching, only a few triple digit days here and there,  but I just can’t even stand the idea of it. Everything I want to eat has been coming out of the refrigerator, dishes that are cool on the palate and light on the stomach. This Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad is my latest go-to creation. It has everything you need for a good meal – plenty of color, fresh produce, and protein. It also makes a great side or main dish and can be prepared ahead of time, definite bonus points.

 

Tangy + Sweet Lentil Orzo Salad

• 1 box orzo
• 1 C black beluga lentils
• 8 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/3 C red wine vinegar
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 cucumber
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 1 nectarine (or peach)
• 1 red onion
• 1 C feta

Prepare orzo according to box. Once finished mix in 2 Tbsp olive oil and place in refrigerator to cool. While that’s happening get the lentils ready, I really like the kind that can be steamed in the microwave. Place these in the refrigerator until cool. In the meantime, prep your produce. Half the grape tomatoes. Quarter the cucumber lengthwise, then remove the seeds and slice into small pieces. Julienne the nectarine. Chop the onion up small. Once everything is nice and chilly prep the dressing by whisking together the remaining 6 Tbsp olive oil, red wine vinegar, and minced garlic in a small bowl. In a large bowl combine orzo, lentils, tomatoes, cucumber, nectarine, and onion. Toss to combine with dressing then top with feta.

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Happy Weekend

1-Design Crush

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10-Design Crush

01/ The Healing Power of Cat Purrs. (I knew it!)
02/ The world is fascinated by Twins, this portrait series is lovely.
03/ Book on Book, a book-shaped clear acrylic paperweight.
04/ Office Safari, where cubicle meets safari.
05/ Science is awesome, and now science is branded.
06/ Mirror City, a kaleidoscopic timelapse of major cities.
07/ You can finally make your own It’s-It Ice Cream Sandwiches!
08/ If we could see Wifi, this is what it would look like.
09/ Painted Jello has never looked so appetizing.
10/ If Manhattan were dropped into the Grand Canyon!

This week on Design Crush…
Just OK
Tips&Tricks: House + Home
Olive & Co.
Fruity Balsamic Vodka Cocktails
Pie Junkie
Welcoming Wallpapers
DNA Galleries
Summer Stylin’ with TOMS
Jason Pawley

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Fruity Balsamic Vodka Cocktails

When I was visiting Olive & Co. last week and sampling way too many balsamics (hello, heartburn!), one of the brilliant employees mentioned that she likes to put a little of their strawberry balsamic vinegar into her son’s water to make him drink more. Which obviously led to us talking about cocktails and how wouldn’t it be equally amazing to add a little to our vodka. Which got me thinking and concocting. (If these are slightly too tart for you, consider adding half an ounce of simple syrup.)

 

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Strawberry Balsamic Vodka Cocktail

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. quality strawberry balsamic vinegar
• 2 oz. soda water or ginger ale
• ice
• strawberries

Combine vodka, strawberry balsamic, soda water or ginger ale, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake it up good. Pour into tumbler and garnish with strawberries, whole or sliced. (Or make it a virgin by eliminating the vodka!)

 

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Grapefruit Balsamic Vodka Cocktail

• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. quality grapefruit white balsamic vinegar
• 2 oz. soda water or tonic
• ice
• grapefruit

Combine vodka, grapefruit white balsamic, soda water or tonic, and ice in cocktail shaker. Shake it up good. Pour into tumbler and garnish with a slice or wedge of ruby red grapefruit. (Or make it a virgin by eliminating the vodka!)

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Yogurt Parfaits

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I’m almost entirely vegetarian, and fresh fruits and vegetables make me one happy girl. Last month I shared my go-to summer dinner with you and now I’m spilling on the breakfast I eat at least five days a week. This little fruit and yogurt concoction isn’t exactly breaking the bounds of the culinary world, but it keeps me full for hours and tastes amazing!

Yogurt Parfaits
• 1/2 C plain Greek yogurt (my favorite is Noosa)
• 1/4 C raw oatmeal
• a small handful of blueberries
• 2-3 large sliced strawberries
• a healthy drizzle of agave or honey

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108 Ways to Scream For Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet + More

So I went a *little* bit crazy on today’s ice cream roundup didn’t I? I know you’ll forgive me, because it’s National Ice Cream Month and because we can all agree ice cream is the epitome of summer. Words are actually failing me as I look at all of the gloriousness below. I mean ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT recipes for ice cream, froyo, sorbet, and sherbets. I think they speak for themselves.

 

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ROW 1: Almond Joy (Coconut) Ice Cream – Naturally Ella // Apricot Frozen Yogurt – Pixels + Crumbs // Apricot Sorbet – pies and plots    ROW 2: Backyard Mint + Honey Ice Cream – Sift & Whisk // Baklava Ice Cream – Vegetarian Ventures // Balsamic Cherries & Almond Ice Cream – The White Ramekins    ROW 3: Banana Almond Butter Ice Cream – knead to cook // Banana Caramel Ice Cream – Martha Stewart // Beer Ice Cream – The Endless Meal

 

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ROW 1: Berry Crumble Ice Cream – Take a Megabite // Black Raspberry + Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream – the little red house // Blackberry Coconut Sorbet – Cafe Johnsonia    ROW 2: Blackberry Ice Cream with Amaretto – eCurry // Blackberry Rosewater Ice Cream – Cafe Johnsonia // Blueberry Buttermilk Ice Cream – Savory Simple    ROW 3: Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream – La Famille Noire // Blueberry Muffin Ice Cream – How Sweet It Is // Blueberry Pie Frozen Yogurt – Kleinworth & Co

 

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ROW 1: Brown Butter Ice Cream – Always With Butter // Brown Sugar Brandy Ice Cream – Pass the Sushi // Buttermilk Ice Cream with Honey Baked Nectarines and Biscoff Cookie Crumbs – 350 Sweets    ROW 2: Caramel Swirl Brownie Chunk Ice Cream – Barefeet In the Kitchen // Chai Coconut Ice Cream – Cookie and Kate // Chocolate & Hazelnut Praline Gelato – The Kitchn    ROW 3: Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream – Completely Delicious // Chocolate Pretzel Frozen Yogurt – Pick Fresh Foods // Chunky Apricot Ice Cream – The View from Great Island

 

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ROW 1: Cinnamon Dolce Ice Cream – A Beautiful Mess // Cinnamon, Honey & Toblerone Ice Cream – Tutti Dolce // Creamy Watermelon Sherbet – Relish    ROW 2: Crunchy Banana Ice Cream – Foolproof Living // Crunchy Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Brown Butter Graham Cracker Crumbs – dash and bella // Dark Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream – A Couple Cooks    ROW 3: Dark Chocolate Ice Cream – The Fauxmartha // Double Oreo Ice Cream – Chocolate Therapy // Fruity Summer Sorbets – Lunchbox Bunch

 

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ROW 1: Funfetti Cake and Icing Ice Cream – Style Me Pretty // Goat Cheese Balsamic Ice Cream – Brooklyn Supper // Honey Almond Frozen Yogurt – Vintage Mixer    ROW 2: Honey Ice Cream – Thank Heavens // Honey Pineapple Greek Froyo – Food Doodles // Honeycomb Semifreddo – Herriott Grace    ROW 3: Honeysuckle Sorbet – The Messy Baker // Horchata Ice Cream – Serious Eats // Key Lime Pie Ice Cream with Mango Swirl – Grandbaby Cakes

 

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ROW 1: Lavender Ice Cream – A Beautiful Mess // Lemon Cream Pie Frozen Yogurt – Mother Thyme // Lemon Curd Ice Cream – Relishing It    ROW 2: Lemon Meringue Pie Ice Cream – Simmer & Shoot // Lemon, Honey + Thyme Sorbet – My Darling Lemon Thyme // Lightly Poached Guava Ice Cream – Drizzle and Dip    ROW 3: Limoncello Gelato – Bon Appétit // Macaroon Ice Cream – chattavore // Malted Condensed Milk Ice Cream – Savory Simple

 

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ROW 1: Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream – Around My Family Table // Mango Ginger Sorbet – Kitchen Confidante // Maple Ice Cream – Immer Wachsen    ROW 2: Mint Froyo with Dark Chocolate Chunks – the Fauxmartha // Mint Julep Frozen Yogurt – Back to Her Roots // Mocha Ding Dong Ice Cream – Bake at 350    ROW 3: Mocha Latte Frozen Yogurt – Diethood // Mocha Sherbet – Pastry Studio // Olive Oil-Saffron Ice Cream with Burnt Orange-Caramel Swirl – Food 52

 

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ROW 1: Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream – Baked by Rachel // Orange Mascarpone Ice Cream – Keep Calm and Eat On // Orange Spice Sherbet – Pastry Studio    ROW 2: Orange, Sweet Potato, and Carrot Sorbet – Culinary Adventures in the Kitchen // Peach Coconut Sorbet – Real Food. Real Deals. // Peanut Butter and Cayenne Ice Cream – A Beautiful Mess    ROW 3: Persimmon Gelato – she who eats // Pineapple Gelato – Juanita’s Cocina // Rhubarb & Strawberry Ripple Froyo – Green Kitchen Stories

 

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ROW 1: Rhubarb and Gin Sorbet with Rose Cream – Apt. 2B Baking Co. // Rhubarb Ice Cream with Pistachio Chunks – What’s Cooking Good Looking // Rhubarb Sorbet – Delicious Shots    ROW 2: Rhubarb Raspberry Ripple – Rose and Henry in the Kitchen // Rich Chocolate Sorbet – University Foodie // Roasted Apricot Buttermilk Ice Cream with Almond Streusel – Reclaiming Provincial    ROW 3: Roasted Banana Coconut Milk Ice Cream – Ari’s Menu // Roasted Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream with Bourbon and Chocolate – The Bojon Gourmet // Roasted Peaches and Lavender Ice Cream with Lemon Salt Shortbread Cookies – Tartelette

 

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ROW 1: Roasted Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream – Sprouted Kitchen // S’mores Ice Cream – Oh, Ladycakes // Salty Honey Ice Cream – A Cozy Kitchen    ROW 2: Sangria Sorbet – Dessert For Two // Snickerdoodle Ice Cream – Beantown Baker // Strawberries + Angel Food Ice Cream – A Beautiful Mess    ROW 3: Strawberry Cardamom Sherbet – Scoop Adventures // Strawberry Crème Fraîche Soft Serve – Food 52 // Strawberry Lemonade Ice Cream – Chocolate Moosey

 

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ROW 1: Strawberry Mascarpone Ice Cream – Scoop Adventures // Strawberry Pop Tart Ice Cream – Foxes Love Lemons // Strawberry Swirl Buttermilk Ice Cream with Candied Pink Peppercorns – A Cozy Kitchen    ROW 2: Strawberry-Peach Frozen Yogurt – Lemons and Anchovies // Strawberry-Raspberry and Mint Frozen Yogurt – Turntable Kitchen // Strawberry Sour Cream Ice Cream – Katie at the Kitchen Door    ROW 3: Strawberry, Basil & Balsamic Frozen Yogurt – Roost // Sweet Potato Ice Cream – Lady and Pups // Tarragon Gelato – La Cucina Italiana

 

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ROW 1: Tiramisu Ice Cream – Playful Cooking // Toasted Marshmallow Coconut Milk Ice Cream – How Sweet It Is // Triple Coconut Sorbet with Kirsch Soaked Cherries – Gourmande in the Kitchen   ROW 2: Vanilla Bean and Fresh Mint Ice Cream – Nourished Kitchen // Vanilla Rhubarb Frozen Yogurt – offbeat + inspired // Cinnamon Doughnut Ice Cream – Spicy Icecream    ROW 3: Meyer Lemon Sorbet – This Homemade Life // Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream – Drizzle & Dip // Sweet Corn and Raspberry Ice Cream – Design*Sponge

All recipes and photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Strawberry Galette with Sugared Crust

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Making a galette is easily my favorite fast summer dessert. With the bounty of berries available this time of year and the wonder of pre-made pie crust it takes less than fifteen minutes from counter to oven! (You can check out another version right here.)

 

Strawberry Galette with Sugared Crust

• 1 pre-made pie crust (or the real thing if you choose to go that route)
• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 2 Tbsp agave syrup
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbsp sugar

Preheat  oven to 350 degrees and set out pre-made pie crust to warm slightly. Rinse berries to clean, then cut into quarter inch thick slices. Place in bowl, add vanilla and agave, stir to coat, then allow berries to sit for 5 minutes. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper and unroll pie crust in center. Pile strawberries in the middle of dough, allowing for a 1 1/2 to 2″ border. Fold up edges of dough, wetting your fingertips with water to seal and act as glue. Pinch together where dough overlaps. In a small bowl beat egg. Use a basting brush to lightly coat folded over dough edges. Sprinkle the same area with sugar. Bake 15-20 minutes. Serves 4-6 – extra tasty with fresh whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, or both!

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Popsicles + Poptails ’13

Our summer popsicle and poptail roundup is sort of legendary. Each year without fail it ends up being one of the highest viewed posts, and we love that because who doesn’t love popsicles?!? This year we’ve rounded up 54 of the tastiest frozen treats on a stick you’ve ever seen. Some are simple, some are definitely culinary experiences, and others are adults only. Hope you enjoy! (Psst… you can check out past years pops here, here, and here.)

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Apple Cider and Rosemary Ice Pops – The Bitten Word // Banana and Cashew Cream Ice Pops – Souvlaki For the Soul // Bittersweet Chocolate Popsicles – The Conscious Kitchen // Blackberry Lime Cheesecake Popsicles – Simple Bites // Blackberry Peach Colada Popsicles – My Invisible Crown // Blackberry Tie-Dye Pops – Martha Stewart Food // Blood Orange Margarita Ice Blocks with Lime Salt – the food dept. // Blueberry + Granola Breakfast Popsicles – The Frosted Vegan

 

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Boozy Lime, Honey & Lemongrass Popsicles – Adventures in Cooking // Champagne & Raspberry Popsicles – Princess Misia // Cherry-Limeade Popsicles – Parade // Chocolate + Vanilla Swirled Pudding Pops – Spiced // Chocolate Cheesecake Popsicles – Twigg studios // Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Popsicles – All Day I Dream About Food // Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles – Food Doodles // Chocolate Stout Cheesecake Fudgesicle – The Beeroness

 

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Citrus Juice Popsicles – The View From Great Island // Cocktail Freezer Pops – Brit + Co. // Coconut Cream Ice Pops – Marriage and Laughter // Coconut Lime Thai Chili Popsicles – Pickles & Honey // Cookies and Cream Popsicles – Just Baked // Creamy Lemonade Pops – Dine & Dish // Cucumber, Apple, Mint & Lime Pop with Pimm’s – The Design Files // Dulce de Leche Lemon Popsicles – Fit, Fun & Delish

 

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Fig, Vanilla, and Sour Cream Popsicles – Bay Area Bites // Ginger Beer Popsicles – University Foodie // Homemade Creamsicles – A Beautiful Mess // Hot Chocolate On a Stick – More Design Please // Hot Cocoa Popsicles – Pastry Affair // Lemon Blueberry Popsicles – chocolate & carrots // Mango & Salted Coconut Popsicles with Crushed Peanuts – The Design Files // Mango Lassi Popsicle – Cooking Stoned

 

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Mango Lime Pops – Love and Lemons // Maple Brown Derby Cocktail Pops – Hungry Girl or Vida // Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Popsicles – Good Life Eats // Orange Ginger Popsicles – Jowlicious // Peanut Butter Banana Pops – Pass the Sushi // Pimm’s Cup Popsicles (Pimmsicles) – The Tiffin Box // Raspberry and Kumquat Caipirinha Popsicle – Endless Simmer // Raspberry and Mascarpone Cheesecake Popsicles – Blueberry Kitchen

 

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Raspberry Prosecco Popsicles – freutcake // Rice Pudding Ice Pops – Saveur // Riesling-Pear Pops – Food & Wine // Roasted Balsamic Strawberries with Mascarpone Cream Pop – The Design Files // Roasted Strawberry, Coconut & Lime Ice Pops – Two Loves Studio // Strawberry Lime Yogurt Popsicles – Elephantine // Strawberry Shortcake Greek Yogurt Popsicles – The Kitchen Paper // Strawberry-Lime Popsicles with Herbs (Mint + Basil) – chattavore

 

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Strawberry, Mascarpone and Vodka Popsicles – Blueberry Kitchen // Sweet and Salty Celery Popsicles – Cooking Stoned // Thai Iced Tea Popsicles – The View From Great Island // Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles – A Spicy Perspective // Watermelon Creamsicle – Hippo Flambé // Watermelon Mojito Pops – Roost // White and Black Russian Poptails – Endless Simmer // White Peach, Nectarine and Rose Water Creamsicles – Pink Patisserie

All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Happy Weekend

1-Design Crush

2-Design Crush

3-Design Crush

4-Design Crush

5-Design Crush

6-Design Crush

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01/ Long exposure photos of fireflies in a forest.
02/ Easy Fried S’mores. MY HEART.
03/ Every neighborhood needs a Free Little Library, don’t you think?
04/ Decor tracks a city of bread as it deteriorates over a 6-month period.
05/ What your style of eggs says about you.
06/ Feet & Paws, a photo series of dog’s paws next to their owner’s feet!
07/ Realistic hybrid animals. (I’ll take a dorse, or is it a huck??)
08/ Best. Lemonade. Stand. Ever.
09/ Meet Projecto, a tiny projector for your Instagrams.
10/ Happy Donut Day! Now go make this Donut Garland and eat a dozen.

In case you missed it…
Dear Kate: The Starlet (a Giveaway)
Pencil Me In
S.W. Basics
Rachel Gant
On The Hunt
PGH / Digs
Summer Mix-Up Bowl
The Pantone Project
Taste Tour: Vast

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Summer Mix-Up Bowl

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When summer rolls around (as it unofficially has) this is my go-to dinner that I eat four or five times a week. The Summer Mix-Up Bowl, as I haphazardly refer to it, is light and healthy and takes advantage of not only all the lush summer produce available this time of year but also any leftovers you might have laying around.

It’s really versatile, too. I like to start with a bed of greens, then layer on a grain like brown rice or quinoa, two to three vegetables (some steamed and some raw), then finish things off with some seeds or nuts and a drizzle of vinaigrette. Yeah, it’s that easy. Of course you can always add meat if you’re so inclined, but I’m not.

What’s your go-to summer meal?

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Ten Spring Salads

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Click on the image to be taken to each recipe’s source.
All photos copyright of their respective sites.

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