Happy holidays! I've purchased about two of the twenty something gifts I need so I'm still on the lookout. I'm certain you've seen a lot of these lists as of late, but I can't help but find them intriguing. We are sharing a few of our favorites finds from this year - a couple we own, others we want. I put a (H) next to Hugh's contributions :) As a tortured soul of a gift giver, I appreciate reading other peoples' favorite things to help jog ideas. I shared a few good finds with Yahoo Food and here is our list from last year in case you fall down a shopping rabbit hole. Because Amazon makes things too easy, they also have a wishlist where you can send toys to children in the hospital or here is a list of resources for toy drives or adopting a family in the Los Angeles area but I'm sure you can research a similar list in your own city.
Holiday Goods 2014 . Sprouted Kitchen
Breville SmartOven : Hugh picked this out as our aniversary gift. It was a rec from The Sweet Home and we are both equally obsessed with it for different reasons. Hugh can manipulate the perfect piece of toast and I can fit a 9x13 pan in there (!!). Our toaster oven is likely the most used appliance in our home - which is weird or sad or awesome I don't know. But since that is the case, we were alright splurging on one that was amazing. It's just super well thought out and designed. I always appreciate when I can get a solid recommendation on a kitchen appliance and this is our top pick this year.
Stone Cold Fox Handtowels: Because a guest bathroom should be more put together than mine. I want a set of those tan linen ones!
Madewell Transport Tote: I am not a purse person so the fact I am suggesting one speaks volumes in itself. There aren't a ton of pockets or details and that's maybe why I love it. It is aging beautifully, holds a little or a lot and matches everything. Never ever in my life have I owned something that my fashion designer sister purchased after me and she recently bought one for herself so there's that.
Holiday Goods 2014 . Sprouted Kitchen
Sunday Suppers Everyday Plate: Karen and her team who have the gorgeous blog, book and studio in NYC just opened a shop on their site. There are a handful of things I would love, but I have a special place in my heart for plate/bowl vessels and these are simple and stunning.
Mod Fox and Little Woolf Kids Bedding: It's harder to find cute crib sheets than you'd think. Both of these shops have some different and fun prints that would be a great gift for an expectant mother on your list! Gah, that little boy. I can hardly handle his cuteness.
Hatched Baby: Speaking of cute baby things. If you are looking for something special for a mini person, there are some adorable items here. Curran has this super soft coverall and if there wasn't sweet potato mash on it consistently, he would wear it daily.
Holiday Goods 2014 . Sprouted Kitchen
Noonday Collection: I was recently introduced to this company and while the jewelry is pretty, I extra double like that they work with artisans in developing countries to create economic opportunity for the women making the goods. I have worn these earrings most days since I got them.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 Pancake: (H) This is my current "daily life" lens. It's a compact little guy at a fun focal length and it yields some quality imagery for the price point. The real bonus is it's size. DSLRs can be obnoxious, and while this lens won't suddenly allow you to pocket your camera or anything, I've found it much more pleasant to casually carry around and photograph with compared to any other DSLR (or point and shoot, tbh) set up I've tried.
Death by Living by N.D. Wilson: (H) This is the best book I read all year. Laughter. Tears. Highlighter and dog eared pages. Rereading. Telling anyone who'll listen about it. It's that kind of book.
Holiday Goods 2014 . Sprouted Kitchen
UE Mini Boom Wireless Speaker: (H) I know, sort of random, but I think the point of these sorts of lists is to pass along the things we use and love, and we end up using this thing just about every day. Our kitchen cleanup dance parties, garage organizing dance parties, and impromptu yardwork dance parties (you get the idea) are vastly improved beyond what the built in iphone speaker ever allowed for.
Cookbooks: So many favorites this year! Many of which I've shared recipes from. I am anxious to cook from Plenty More from the famous Ottolenghi. Ashley's book Date Night In comes out in a handful of days and I can confidently speak to its striking recipes and sweet stories. For the vegetable heavy cooks I've really enjoyed At Home in the Whole Foods Kitchen, Green Kitchen Travels and Vibrant Food. And for the entertainer, they'll need Sunday Suppers, or the self published dream project from The Yellow Table.
Holiday Slaw with Roasted Shallot Dressing . Sprouted Kitchen
I had the best of intentions to share this simple salad, one that goes with everything, before Thanksgiving but one thing led to another and maybe this will fall into your weeknight plans. I made the mistake of purchasing a Costco bag of peppermint pretzel thins so the only way to make that right are giant salads. This past weekend we hung lights, wreaths and put out a few poinsettias. I don't own a bunch of holiday decor, but I am eager to make our home feeling cozy and festive this time of year. I have memories of the stuff my mom put out - an old nativity scene with shredded paper hay, stockings with a disney character and our name embroidered on them and the alternating red and white lights that go around the roof. Even though Curran has no idea what's going on yet, I want to build traditions he'll look back on. It's amazing how a mini person can inspire so much intentionality. And I mean that in more ways than just Christmas lights.
I'm on this bender of vegetables being chopped small or sliced paper thin. I've mentioned that I finally found a mandoline I'm keen on and it makes the whole situation easier. For Thanksgiving round two with Hugh's family, I shaved multi-color carrots super thin and tossed them with some red quinoa, lentils, micro greens, toasted walnuts and an apple cider vinaigrette. It didn't appear as popular as the mashed potatoes but I will for sure be making that again.
I know the crazy starts now - may there be rest and thankfulness in between it.
Holiday Slaw with Roasted Shallot Dressing . Sprouted Kitchen
HOLIDAY SLAW // Serves 6
3 cups diced butternut squash (1/2")
1 Tbsp. olive oil
pinch of salt, smoked paprika and cinnamon
-
2 bunches Lacinato/Tuscan kale
1/2 head red cabbage
1/2 small red onion
1/2 cup dried cherries
3/4 cup shaved parmesan
3/4 cup toasted pecan pieces
// roasted shallot dressing //
2 small or 1 large roasted shallot*
handful fresh chopped chives or parsley
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. honey or maple
1 tsp. sea salt
ground pepper
nub of a jalapeno, optional
* roast a shallot much like a head of garlic. Trim the end, toss it (skin on) in a little olive oil and pinch of salt, wrap it in foil and pop it in the oven for 30-45 minutes (depending on size) until softened and caramelized. Time will vary by size of the shallot or how many you do. Simply peek in to check it's texture. Remove to cool to the touch before squishing it out of it's skin.
Holiday Slaw with Roasted Shallot Dressing . Sprouted Kitchen
Preheat the oven to 400'. On a large rimmed baking tray, toss the butternut cubes with the olive oil, salt, smoked paprika and cinnamon to coat. Spread in an even layer and bake for 20 minutes until just tender but not mooshy. Set aside to cool completely.
In a blender or food processor, whiz all the dressing ingredients together until smooth.
Stem the kale and chop it ultra thin. Using a mandoline or excellent knife skills, shave the red cabbage and onion. Collect these items in a large salad bowl. Add the cherries (I chopped mine in half if you feel so inclined), parmesan and pecans, drizzle desired amount of dressing and toss to coat. The kale and cabbage can handle, if not improve, by sitting in the dressing for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Holiday Slaw with Roasted Shallot Dressing . Sprouted Kitchen
"You'll need coffee shops and sunsets and roadtrips. Airplanes and passports and new songs and old songs, but eople more than anything else. You will need other people and you will need to be that other person to someone else - a living, breathing, screaming invitation to believe better things." - jamie tworkowski
Curried Yellow Split Pea Soup . Sprouted Kitchen
Curried Yellow Split Pea Soup . Sprouted Kitchen
CURRIED YELLOW SPLIT PEA SOUP // Serves 4-6
I bake up an extra sweet potato and scoop out the flesh to thicken up the soup. I find it deepens the flavor to not taste so legume-y. Perhaps a personal preference. You could use pumpkin puree or even cooked carrots if you have them on hand. Add more ginger or a sprinkle of cayenne if you'd like some heat. The soup will keep for a week but will thicken up in the fridge, so simply reheat with a touch more liquid.
I wish we'd had some naan on hand. Soup + naan. That would make for a wonderful dinner.
2 Tbsp. ghee or unsalted butter
1 small red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 tsp. each sea salt and pepper
2 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger
1 tsp. turmeric
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. curry powder
3/4 cup roasted sweet potato
12 ounces dry yellow split peas, rinsed and drained
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk, remaining for garnish
1/3 cup orange juice
chopped cilantro, black sesame, micogreens for garnish
Curried Yellow Split Pea Soup . Sprouted Kitchen
In a large pot or dutch oven, warm the ghee or butter over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger, turmeric, cumin, curry, sweet potato flesh, yellow split peas and broth. Stir and bring the mixture up to a boil, down to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 45-55 minutes until the peas are very soft. With an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender, puree until mostly smooth. I like mine a little chunky. Return to the pot.
Stir in the coconut milk, orange juice and taste for seasoning. Add cayenne or more ginger if you'd like it spicy. Serve each bowl with dollop of coconut milk on top, cilantro, black sesame and microgreens for garnish.
