Hi friends! Its been a little while, I know. I’ve been working on lots of upcoming projects and I’ve been slacking on posts recently. But I’m so so excited for what’s to come. I actually had a blog post schedule to go up last week but it never ended up making its way on the blog sooo this week, you’re getting TWO blog posts! Yay! Haha.
This past weekend, Kirsty (the girl behind Taste & See! Do check her out her blog, she really gives great insights on anything health and nutrition related!) and I planned a little dinner party part of the launch of a new cookbook called Pretty Simple Cooking by Sonja and Alex Overhiser from A Couple Cooks. Not that I’ve been paid to promote this cookbook or anything but this is a great book for easy vegetarian recipes. The key word here is EASYYY. The recipes are honestly super feasible – no headaches involved, I promise! And even if you’re not vegetarian (I’m not!) you’re really going to enjoy these recipes. Not that this is the place to discuss my opinions on nutrition but remember, eating anything in moderation is key (ok, except for vegetables haha but for the most part, this rule would apply and that definitely includes animal products!).
Kirsty bought their cookbook so we decided to make recipes from the book to try them out. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. It was certainly the best meal I’ve had this month! She was in charge of the food and I was in charge of the set up. The dream team! Haha.
Clearly, the main attraction for the dinner was the food so I kept things super simple, with just a pretty flower centerpiece, a few colourful candles and red & gold chargers. The main colour was definitely red, inspired by these beautiful red and orange carnations. They opened up just in time for the dinner, they were perfect! Ok, enough about the flowers. Haha.
Now lets talk about the FOOOD. As a starter we had a cheese platter, the “World Traveler Cheese Platter” as Kirsty called it. We were super happy with how it turned out, topped with grapes, olives, delicious crackers from an Italian grocery store, dried figs and apricot jam. Cheese is simply my favourite. Yup, I’m definitely French!!
As a main, we made mini burgers, making 3 kinds of burgers: 2 vegetarian options and 1 meat option for the boys haha. We made falafel burgers and portobello mushroom burgers from the Pretty Simple Cooking cookbook. The brioche buns were from Gail’s and they were so. so. good.
We also made two different types of fries, Crispy Baked Fries & Spiced Sweet Potato Wedges with Honey Mustard as well as a salad, the Carrot Ribbon Salad with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette (all from the cookbook).
For dessert, we made the simplest fruit salad: fresh berries with mint & vanilla whipped cream. But we ate it way too fast for me to take any pictures… Sorry! 🙂
It was such a nice evening and we had a lot of fun prepping it as well, which was a bonus. 😉 I definitely recommend the cookbook if you’re looking for easy, healthy and delicious vegetarian recipes. You can learn more about the authors HERE. Please, do let me know if you make any of their recipes!
P.S. Later this week, I’ll be sharing the first post part of my new series on the blog called “Corner of my Home” and we’re starting with the kitchen! Stay tuned for lots of advice for how & what to store in your pantry along with great insights from Kirsty!! 🙂
Looks fabulous
Hi:)
Kirsty is a dear friend of mine, this is how I came across your post. As a born South African I’m fond of meat, but as a young Food Scientist and lover of beans and all sorts of grains I also try to incorporate more vegetarian recipes into my diet. It keeps the diet full of variety, it challenges you to try new recipes, it hopefully supports a sustainable manner of food supply AND the student budget accommodates it well.
Wish I could sat down at your table and share the meal!
Love, Paula
Looks delicious, and love the decor!
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