Kabocha Squash Shakshuka

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I first heard about Shakshuka, a popular Arabic breakfast, from our friends Mirla + Olaf.  A Dutch couple who is spending a year traveling from Canada to Patagonia, we met them in Yosemite when they pulled up to a campsite next to ours.  We invited them for dinner that ended up being the start of a wonderful friendship.  When we heard they’d be passing through San Diego we invited them to come stay with us, and at the end of November they spent close to a week inspiring us with their tales of adventure, educating us about Dutch culture and giving us advice for our own year long adventure!

Mirla told me a story one morning about an off-the-grid unofficial campsite they stayed at in Joshua Tree where they made a big pot of ShakShuka to share around the campfire with new friends.  I was immediately intrigued by the breakfast pot meal, but even more so when she told me how simple and delicious it is to make!   So, here you have my take on Shakshuka (also, that name!!!!!!!).  It has kabocha squash, fire roasted tomatoes, and heaps of flavor from paprika, cumin and saffron.  We’ll be making it quite a bit on the road I’m sure, with variations.  I’m looking forward to trying it with a bit of dino kale.  We’ll halve the amount when it’s just the two of us, and go full on with it when we make friends who will join us!  I highly recommend you try it on your next lazy weekend day.  I also highly recommend making friends with people at campsites, you never know if they’ll become lifelong pals or introduce you to your new favorite breakfast!!!  xx- Sarah

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Forbidden Rice Breakfast Porridge

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Good morning friends, happy Tuesday!  Today I’ve got a variation on one of my winter staples- rice porridge!  It’s such a hearty, delicious, indulgent and healthy way to start the day that I come back to it again and again.  And this variation, made with forbidden rice, is no exception.  It takes a bit of time to cook up but it’s worth every minute.  I love it for a weekend breakfast, when the rain is running down the windows and the wind is whipping the trees around.  A warm bowl of rice porridge feels so cozy.  Hope you love!  xx- Sarah

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Super Green Frittata

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I make a frittata once a week, generally with whatever veggies in the fridge that are close to being on their last legs.  They’re so easy to throw together, so beloved, and such a go-to for guests in our household that it’s kind of bananas that I haven’t thought to share with you!  Please forgive me.  I made you this caramelized onion and rapini frittata as a peace offering.  (Toothy emoji smile)  Rapini is a controversial vegetable, if veggies can be controversial.  So if you’re on the “we hate it, it’s a  bitter jerk” side, please substitute a green of your choosing (may I recommend lacinato kale, dandelion greens, collards, or beet greens as possible substitutions?) And if you’re short of time please go ahead and skip caramelizing the onions, it will be delicious and only take 1/2 the time.  Lastly, my secret for amazing frittatas:  nearly fill the pan with veggies.  If it’s mostly yummy veggies with a bit of egg than you’re on the right track (so much nutrition, so much flavor!)  And don’t forget to serve with hot sauce (preferred) or red pepper flakes!  Ok then, have at it!  xx- Sarah

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Spicy Warm Winter Salad

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This salad embodies what winter salads should, in my opinion.  It’s filling, hearty, full of flavor and textures.  The shallots caramelized in olive oil give it richness and depth, the golden raisins cooked with the shallots offer a warm sweetness in contrast.  A mix of wild and basmati rice add earthy heartiness, the toasted almond slivers provide the crunch, mint leaves offer an unexpected pop of flavor and pomegranate seeds add sweet freshness in bursts.  And arugula.  The spicy greens wilt perfectly when tossed with warm rice.  There it is my friends, my new favorite winter salad.  Hope you love!  xx- Sarah

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Weekend Prep

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Hi friends, happy New Year!  I hope you all celebrated your pants off!  I could practically see the re-commitment to health in the aisles of Whole Foods this past weekend, so in that spirit I’m sharing my not-so-secret secret for staying on track.  I don’t think I’m alone in the boat that sinks when it hits evening and I have a meal to cook ahead.  That’s when takeout starts sounds mighty fine and batting her eyelashes at me!!!  NO WAY THAI FOOD.  So here’s what I do as a preemptive strike to VERY EASILY SEDUCED BY THAI TAKEOUT SARAH.  I prep on the weekend.  Sauces, dressings, pickled yummy things, hard boiled eggies, roasted garlic, etc.  Sometimes I even chop veggies if I know I’ve got long days ahead.  That way, when the clock strikes dinner and I’ve got nothing in the line up I can throw something delicious together.  Because somehow as lazy as I get if I know that all I have to do is roast some veggies, cook a grain, or throw together a salad I become a superhero.  A clean eating superhero.

After the jump I’ve written what’s in my current rotation, and how I’m using it these days…. trust me, you will do this one time and possibly be a little grumbly that you have to hit the market on a Sunday, but then find yourself belting out HELLLLOO FROM THE OTHER SIDE whilst drinking rose´and chopping cilantro and thinking this really isn’t so bad!  When that happens pat yourself on the back my friend and know that your future self is totally loving you right now!!!  And please chime in with your weekend prep routine, I wouldn’t mind mixing it up and adding a few tricks to my bag!  xx- Sarah

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Quinoa + Grapefruit Salad

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Now that we’re a couple of weeks into the holidays I find myself craving a meal or two that’s light, healthy, and refreshing.  Something to counteract the cookies and heaps of sweets, so to speak.  HA!  In all seriousness though, this salad is the perfect restart when you’ve been indulging a bit too frequently for your liking and want to get back to healthy meals.  Ot at least squeeze some nutrition in between the holiday parties!  In creating it I wanted something that would remind my tongue that not everything has to be super sweet or majorly salty, that every meal doesn’t have to be decadent.  That there’s beauty in the refreshing, the healthful, the simple. This salad does it for me, the perfect reminder. Have at it my friends, cheers to finding balance during the sweetest time of the year!!!  xx- Sarah

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