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4 Recipes for a Relaxing Stay-At-Home Brunch – 1st Lake Properties

Brunch isn’t an everyday occasion, which might make it the best meal you can have. It usually signifies that you have some time to relax, or that it’s the weekend. 

If you have time off and want to spend it at home, you don’t have to miss out on brunch. There are plenty of easy recipes you can make in your pajamas, or with friends during the weekend. 

Read on for 4 easy stay-at-home brunch recipes!

Bacon Gruyere Breakfast Pie

This recipe from Good Housekeeping is a great idea for weekend brunch. It looks very much like a pizza, except it has all of your favorite breakfast ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet (half of 17.3 oz. package) frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 1/3 c. sour cream
  • 3/4 c. shredded Gruyère cheese
  • 4 slices cooked bacon
  • 3 large eggs
  • Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

  2. On large sheet parchment, roll pastry to 12″ by 10″ rectangle. Fold 1/2 inch of edices to form rim; using a fork, seal rim and poke holes all over pastry. Place pastry on cookie sheet; bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.

  3. In small bowl, combine sour cream and Gruyére. Spread onto tart, creating 3 wells for eggs. Arrange bacon strips over topping. Crack eggs into wells; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper.

  4. Bake until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 12 minutes. Garnish with thyme.

Caprese Stuffed Avocados

This Delish recipe is like a “portable garden,” and super simple as well.

Ingredients

  • 2 avocados, pitted
  • 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 c. chopped fresh mozzarella
  • Italian seasoning
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Basil, for garnish

Directions

  1. Scoop out avocados, leaving a small border. Dice avocado and set aside.

  2. In a large bowl, toss diced avocado with tomatoes, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, balsamic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

  3. Divide salad among 4 avocado halves and garnish with basil.

Easy Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce

Now it’s time for a classic. Use this recipe from Dine & Dish to make your stay-at-home brunch complete.

Ingredients

  • 1 poached egg  
  • 1/2 English Muffin toasted (try making homemade)
  • 1 slice thinly sliced deli ham
  • 3 Tablespoons Hollandaise Sauce
  • For the Hollandaise Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 3 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions for Hollandaise Sauce

  1. In a small saucepan, heat butter, salt and lemon juice until bubbly (do not boil)

  2. Remove from heat.

  3. Place egg yolks in a medium bowl and slowly pour in butter mixture, stirring continuously. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Stir in heavy whipping cream.

Directions for Eggs Benedict

  1. For each serving, top 1/2 toasted English Muffin with a folded slice of deli ham, 1 poached egg and 3-4 Tablespoons of Hollandaise Sauce. Serve warm.

Classic Mimosa

It’s hard to call it brunch if there aren’t mimosas available. That’s why we’re including this classic mimosa recipe from Inspired Taste.

Ingredients

  • 1 (750 ml) bottle chilled dry sparkling wine
  • 3 cups (750 ml) chilled orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) Grand Marnier or triple sec, optional

Directions

  1. Fill 8 champagne flutes 1/2 full with chilled sparkling wine.

  2. Top with orange juice.

  3. If you are using, top mimosa with 1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier or triple sec.

Let Us Help You Find the Perfect Apartment for Your Stay-At-Home Brunch!

Check out our website to find a 1st Lake residential community near you! 

 

Stay Cool By The Pool With These 4 Refreshing Poolside Drinks

It’s hard to decide which summer month is hottest in Louisiana, but August is usually in the running. When it’s this hot, there’s nothing better than a dip in the pool. Unless it’s a refreshing poolside drink, of course.

We’ve decided to combine the two best summer activities into one, with a list of recipes for some delicious poolside beverages. Read on to learn 4 simple recipes that will keep you cool by the pool!

Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade 

via DinnersDishesandDesserts.com

A simple summer twist on a classic recipe:

Serves: 6
Prep time: 10 mins
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 can Ocean Spray Sparkling Blueberry Pomegranate juice
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 8 lemons)
  • 3 cups seltzer water

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the water and the sugar to create a simple syrup. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until it thickens slightly. Pour in a cup, and let it chill.
  2.  After the sugar has chilled, in a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, seltzer water, and the blueberry juice. Add in the simple syrup to taste. Serve over ice, with fresh blueberries to garnish.

Piña Colada Smoothie (Non-Alcoholic)

Everyone can get in on SkinnyMs.‘s non-alcoholic version of a drink so good, pop songs have been made about it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup lite coconut milk
  • 2 cups pineapple chunks
  • 2 tablespoons honey, optional
  • Enough ice to make it slushy

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender, blend well, and serve.

Cucumber-Mint Water

Drinking plenty of water is a good idea in hot weather. Southern Living turns that bit of common sense into a stroke of brilliance by adding a few crisp, refreshing ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • 12 slices of cucumber
  • 4 slices of lime
  • 4 large sprigs of mint
  • 28 ounces of water

Directions:

  1. Combine the cucumber, lime, and mint in a 32-oz. Mason jar. Muddle until lightly crushed.
  2. Add the water; seal and shake for 30 seconds to combine.
  3. Serve over ice. The infusion will keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  4. Authors’ note: Use filtered tap water or bottled spring water for the freshest-tasting results. 

Rum & Tonic (An After-the-Pool Treat)

We’ll finish this list off with a simple cocktail recipe from Food & Wine that will help you settle into the warm summer evenings:

Ingredients:

  • Ice
  • 2 ounces white rum
  • 5 ounces chilled tonic water
  • 2 dashes of lemon bitters
  • 1 lemon wheel, for garnish

Directions: 

  1. Fill a chilled highball glass with ice.
  2. Add rum, tonic water and lemon bitters and stir well.
  3. Garnish the drink with the lemon wheel.

Stay Cool by the Pool with 1st Lake!

Find the perfect poolside for you at one of our properties, and enjoy the rest of the summer with 1st Lake! 

 

 

Easy Recipes for Your 4th of July Cookout

How are you spending this year’s 4th of July? Hopefully, you’ll be taking advantage of the summertime: cookouts, pool parties, and hanging with friends in the park. If that list sounds similar to your Independence Day plans, this is the post for you! 

We’ve put together a short list of 4th of July recipes to make use of for your 4th of July gathering. Read on for 4 recipes that will guarantee a happy (and full) crowd!

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

It’s hard to go wrong with chicken, especially if it’s part of a sandwich. This recipe from Good Housekeeping is sure to please as a main course:

Ingredients

Sandwiches
  • 1/2 c. Hot sauce
  • 1/4 c. unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp. ketchup
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • hamburger buns
  • 1/2 c. Ranch dressing
Blue Cheese-Apple Slaw
  • 1 c. packed shredded savoy cabbage
  • 1 small apple
  • 2 celery ribs
  • 1 1/2 oz. blue cheese
  • 1/4 c. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 shallot
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • salt
  • pepper

Ingredients

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
  2. Combine hot sauce, butter, and ketchup in a bowl; reserve 1/4 cup mixture. Add chicken to remaining mixture and toss to coat. Marinate, 20 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade.
  3. Grill chicken, covered, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Grill buns until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread dressing on buns.
  4. Serve chicken topped with Blue Cheese-Apple Slaw (directions below) and drizzled with reserved sauce between buns.
  5. To make the slaw: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

Corn on the Cob with Spicy Butter

Corn on the cob is a quick & easy favorite. Here is a simple recipe for a classic appetizer via Good Housekeeping.

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter (no substitutions)
  • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • tsp. cayenne (ground red pepper)
  • 12 small ears corn

Directions

  1. In medium bowl, mix butter, paprika, and cayenne until well blended. Spoon into serving bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  2. Heat 8-quart covered saucepot of water to boiling on high. Add corn and return to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 5 minutes. Drain well. Place on large platter; serve hot with spiced butter on the side.

Cutaway Blueberry Pie

There aren’t many things more American than a good ol’ slice of pie!

Ingredients 

  • 5 cups blueberries
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, toss ingredients.
  2. Pour filling into 9-inch pie plate lined with 1 store-bought or homemade pie crust, dot with 3 tablespoons butter, then add top crust; crimp and bake at 400°F on rimmed baking sheet for 1 hour or until bubbling.

Homemade Guacamole

To conclude, our last recipe takes a tip from the folks south of the border. Guacamole is a simple, absolutely delicious addition to any gathering. We’re sure it’ll be gone soon after you place it on the table.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium ripe avocados, peeled and cubed
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped, optional
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise, optional
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Mash avocados with garlic and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. 

Now that you have a few great recipes for Independence Day, all that’s left for you to do is prepare and enjoy the great company!

*Recipes from Good Housekeeping and Taste of Home.

4 Simple Recipes for Your Memorial Day Gathering

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summertime for many of us. We honor the lives of those who have fought for our freedom and spend time with friends and loved ones. It’s a time of picnics, pool parties and cookouts, all of which have something in common: great food!

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of simple recipes that will be easy winners for any Memorial Day gathering, whether you’re a host or just a participant. Read on for some delicious ideas that will help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time hanging out this Memorial Day weekend.

Taco Lime Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is sure to satisfy, and this recipe by Closet Cooking is an easy-to-make, delicious centerpiece for your Memorial Day gathering.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (~2 limes)
  • 1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts

Directions

  1. Mix the taco seasoning and lime juice, cover the chicken in the mixture and optionally marinate for 30 minutes to over night.
  2. Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side, let sit for 5 minutes and slice before enjoying!

 

Grilled Corn on the Cob

There are few side-dishes that say summertime more than corn on the cob. Try this delicious recipe by Blissful Basil for a tasty twist on a classic recipe.

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of corn
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
  • smoked paprika, to taste
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Heat grill over high until hot.
  2. If you want a bit of a char on the corn, pull back a few of the husks on each ear of corn. Place the corn directly on the grill, cover, and grill for 15 to 20 minutes or until the husks are charred on all sides, rotating occasionally. Remove and let cool until they can safely be handled.
  3. Remove the husks and silk from each ear of corn. You can either discard the husks completely or fold them back to use as handles.
  4. Use a pastry brush or your hands to spread the coconut oil over each ear of corn. Place the corn on a serving platter, sprinkle with the smoked paprika, spritz with the fresh lime juice, sprinkle with cilantro, and season with sea salt and black pepper. Serve.

Stove-Top Macaroni & Cheese

It’s not a real cookout if there’s no mac n’ cheese! This recipe for easy macaroni & cheese by Genius Kitchen requires only 30 minutes and serves 6.

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1⁄4 cup butter
  • 1⁄4 cup flour
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 dash black pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or 8 ounces cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
  2. In medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook for 3-5 minutes stirring constantly to form a roux; add salt and pepper; slowly add milk, stirring well after each addition.
  3. Cook and stir until bubbly.
  4. Stir in cheese a small amount at a time until fully melted.
  5. Drain macaroni; add to cheese sauce; stir to coat.

Flag Fruit Dessert

This ingenious dessert by Family Fresh Meals takes just a few minutes to prepare. It’s also a relatively healthy option for a dessert dish.

Ingredients

  • 5-6 cups of red fresh fruit (i.e. strawberries, cherries, raspberries)
  • 2 cups of blueberries
  • 3 cups of yogurt or white chocolate covered pretzels

Directions

  1. Wash fresh fruit and dry.
  2. Lay out fruit and pretzels to represent the flag stripes.
  3. Place a small bowl of blueberries on the top left.

Now, Enjoy!

We wish you a great Memorial Day weekend, and hope these recipes make your gathering delicious!

 

Easy Recipes and Tips for Large Gatherings

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, you may want to celebrate the end of your winter hibernation by inviting family and loved ones over for a weekend gathering. Or maybe you’ve been asked to help out a friend hosting a backyard cookout. While events like these are joyful, important elements of our social lives, they also take some planning, which can be stressful. We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way!

We’ve put together some basic tips for hosting a great get-together, as well as a few easy recipes for keeping large groups of people well-fed and satisfied.

Basic Tips for Stress-Free Hosting

1. Simple is Better

There’s no need to weigh down the atmosphere with painstaking details that – let’s be honest – only you will notice. Keeping food, decor, and expectations casual will let all your guests know that everyone is just there to have a good time.

2. Make Food in Advance

It’s a good idea to prepare as much food as you can before your guests arrive. You don’t want anyone waiting around with an empty stomach for too long. This will also give you time to adjust if an unforeseen problem arises. 

3. Only Clean What’s Necessary

Cleanliness is a good thing, obviously. However, there’s no need to deep clean your home in places where your guests will not be spending any time. Give your attention to bathrooms, the kitchen, and your living room. But don’t sweat the small stuff: nobody will judge you if a throw pillow isn’t fluffed.

Simple Recipes for a Stress-Free Gathering

Here are two easy, crowd-pleasing recipes from CDKitchen, a great online resource for simple dishes.

1. 25 Minute Meat Loaf

Ingredients

Meat:

3 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons dry onion flakes
2 large egg, beaten
2 cups breadcrumbs
2 cans (8 ounce size) tomato sauce

Sauce:

2 cans (8 ounce size) tomato sauce
4 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 

For the meatloaf, combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, and onion flakes until just mixed. Add the beaten egg and breadcrumbs and mix well. Gently mix in the tomato sauce. Shape the meat into small oval loaves and place in a single layer in a baking dish (not touching each other if possible). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 450 degrees F. Drain off excess grease. 

For the sauce, combine the tomato sauce, brown sugar, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce until well blended. Pour the sauce over the meatloaves in the baking dish and bake for 5 more minutes or until meatloaves are cooked through. Serve hot or cold.

2. Roaster Oven Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

3 cups hot water
12 ears corn on the cob, shucked

Directions

Place a rack in the bottom of an 18-quart roaster oven. Add the water. Cover and heat to 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. Place the shucked corn on the rack. Cover, and let the corn cook for 25-30 minutes or until tender. To keep the corn warm during serving, reduce the roaster oven temp to 300 degrees F.

3. Potato Onion Tomato Curry

Ingredients

4 potato, cut into cubes
2 onion, cut into cubes
1 bay leaf
1 piece (1 inch size) finely chopped ginger
4 green chiles, sliced lengthwise
1/2 teaspoon panch phoron
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
2 chopped tomato
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 whole red chiles
salt, to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 bunches chopped cilantro
2 cups water

Directions

For seasoning: Heat oil. Add panch phoron, bay leaf and whole red chili. Fry for 30 seconds. Add potato and onion. Fry for a few minutes. Add salt, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Fry for a few minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, salt and sugar. Fry for few minutes. Add water and cook till potatoes are cooked properly and gravy just thickens. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and serve with roti, puri or paratha.

 

 

 

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