Besides getting in your laugh until you cry (or cry until you laugh) quota for the month, spending quality time with your girlfriends fills your bucket in ways that can sometimes be hard to put into words. Some would say it’s akin to hopping on a life raft during a storm, putting on your air mask as the plane goes down, or simply having someone point out the piece of spinach in your teeth or that your outfit just doesn’t ‘go.’
This month, show your besties just how much you appreciate them letting you be your most authentic self by hosting an at-home brunch complete with uninterrupted conversation and permission to stuff yourself silly. Celebrate with delicious food, a drink or two, and a little time away from the daily grind. Keep it chill and make it pretty because, just as connecting with your gal pals is essential to survival and sanity, so is treating your friends, and yourself, from time to time. A day together, versus the nightlife shenanigans that usually come to mind when mentioning ‘time with the girls’, allows you to return home relaxed and refreshed just in time for dinner and pajama-thirty. Or maybe you wear your favorite two-piece jammie set to brunch. Don’t worry, your friends will lovingly let you know if they don’t match.
STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA
INGREDIENTS
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1 pound strawberries, washed and sliced
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1 tablespoon sugar
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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Kosher salt
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1 loaf Italian or French bread, cut into 12 slices
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1 cup goat or mascarpone cheese, room temperature
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2 teaspoons fresh thyme, basil, or mint leaves
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Good balsamic or balsamic glaze
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Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
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Combine strawberries and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
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Brush bread with olive oil and a sprinkle of kosher salt.
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Position oven rack a few inches below broil and preheat broiler. Align bread slices on a baking sheet. Broil first side until golden brown, about 1 minute, then flip bread slices to the opposite side and broil opposite sides until golden brown.
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Spread cheese on toasted bread. Add a pinch of black pepper, salt, and herbs to the strawberry mixture. Spoon the strawberry mixture over the cheese-topped bruschetta. Garnish with additional herbs. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Substitute peaches for strawberries in the summer.
SPRING GREENS
INGREDIENTS
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1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1/2 cup olive oil
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Kosher salt and ground black pepper
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2 teaspoons of honey
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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4 ounces spring greens, baby arugula, or butter lettuce
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1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
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1 cup fresh fava beans, shelled, blanched, and peeled, or frozen lima beans, thawed
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4-6 radishes very thinly sliced
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6-8 stalks of roasted asparagus cut into 2-inch pieces
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4 ounces soft goat cheese or feta
INSTRUCTIONS
Dressing
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In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and honey.
Salad
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Place the lettuce in a separate bowl and toss it with enough vinaigrette to moisten.
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Put the lettuce on a serving platter or bowl and arrange the rest of the ingredients on top.
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Drizzle with additional vinaigrette, if desired, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add spring peas, artichokes, sliced avocado, or cucumbers as an option.
SPRING QUICHE
INGREDIENTS
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1 pie dough
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 cups mixed veggies, such as raw spinach leaves, cooked broccoli, and asparagus
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7 large eggs, lightly beaten
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1 1/4 cups light cream
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
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3/4 cup grated gruyere or white cheddar cheese
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1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano
INSTRUCTIONS
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
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Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate and press it into shape. Crimp the edges if desired.
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Place a sheet of parchment paper or foil into the pie shell and fill with pie weights, uncooked rice or dried beans. Bake until the edges are very lightly golden, about 25 minutes. Remove the pie crust but keep the oven on. If edges start getting too brown, cover with a pie cover or foil.
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In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cream, herbs, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and lightly whisk.
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Sprinkle half of the gruyere or cheddar and parmigiano-reggiano on the crust, followed by the veggies, and remaining cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the top and bake until set, about 35 minutes.
Celebrate with delicious food, a drink or two, and a little time away from the daily grind.