5 SUMMER SALAD IDEAS

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Can you believe we only have a month left of summer! To be honest, I'm a little over this hot weather (31 weeks pregnant doesn't mix well with crazy hot weather, ha!) BUT I'm trying to enjoy what we have left of the season!

 When I'm not craving sweets (which is ALL the time BTW) I'm craving a good ol summer salad! \

Here are 5 that I want to make ASAP:

1. Moroccan Quinoa Salad

We make this Moroccan Quinoa Salad all the time. It's very tasty and also super quick and easy  to make! 

2. BLT Chopped Salad

This is on my list to make this week! I'm a huge fan of chopped salads and bacon always makes everything better.

3. Grilled Peach Salad

This Grilled Peach Salad is AMAZING...especially when you get to use fresh, local peaches! And don't even get me started on the honey goat cheese dressing with this one. It's always a hit.

4. Summer Grain Bowls

How good does this summer grain bowl look? I need to make this ASAP.

5. Caprese Orzo Salad

Caprese + orzo = a match made in heaven! This is such an easy and delicious salad to make!

Hope you're enjoying this last month of Summer!!

XO,
laura

PUMPKIN SPICE SCONES

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Attention pumpkin spice lovers. I made you a scone I think you will really really really really really like. It can be your breakfast or dessert or midday snack or midnight snack...no judgement :)

Don't mind my messy baking process. According to strengthsfinder 2.0 my process is not always pretty, ha....BUT I get the job done. And seriously you guys, these scones get the job done!

I made them with a basic glaze but I think the next time I make them, I'm going to go all out and do a brown butter glaze (like the one on these banana scones) because brown butter wins always.

PUMPKIN SPICE SCONES

makes 16 scones

Ingredients:

for the scones:

• 4 cups flour
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp + 1 tsp vanilla extract

for the white glaze:

• 2 cups icing sugar
• 1/4 cup milk

for the spiced glaze:

• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1/4 tsp each, cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger
• pinch of nutmeg
• 2 tbsp milk 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line baking pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, spices, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Use a pastry blender or fingers to cut butter into dry ingredients until the mixture looks like coarse sand.
4. In another bowl mix together the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. 
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together until a soft dough is formed.
6. Roll dough out on a floured surface. You should be able to get two large rectangles out of the dough about an inch thick. 
7. Cut each rectangle into 8 triangles (see above photo).
8. Place on baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
9. Mix the first glaze ingredients together and set aside then mix the spiced glaze ingredients together. If glaze is too thick, add more milk.
10. When scones are completely cooled, add the first glaze, wait till dry and then drizzle the spiced glaze over.
11. Enjoy!

Ohhh and these go very well with a homemade pumpkin spice latte.

Happy Monday!

XO!
Laura