Create a Rustic Cheeseboard

On Saturday evening, we had a few friends over.

I got it in my head that I wanted to make a tricked out cheeseboard for our guests. At the end of the day, I could sit and eat only cheese at a party, forgoing all other eats.

Is that weird?

 

Though I adore these cute little reusable flags, which I've used in cheeseboards of yore...

 

this time, I didn't want to serve giant hunks of cheese. And no hunks = nowhere to put the flags. So I had an idea to cover a wooden cutting board with {slightly crumpled and then smoothed} parchment paper, set everything up how I liked, and then simply write on the parchment. I used a fine tip pen for this so that it wouldn't smudge or run onto the food (ack). The result was incredibly subtle, but sophisticated and sweet. I need to hunt down some better parchment-writing implements so that it's easier to read, but as Shaun pointed out, it was nice that the identifiers weren't the star of the platter, but were there in case anyone was interested.

 

For the cheeses, we served up aged cheddar, goat cheese hand-rolled by Shaun in an herb mixture of parsley, oregano and basil, a strong wedge of blue cheese, and a trio of Spanish cheeses, including drunken goat cheese, iberico and manchego.

 

We also added some sliced aged brasaola...

 

some honey (for drizzling on the blue cheese)

 

and some pickled beets.

 

Paired with a tall glass of red wine and it doesn't really get much better than that!

I really loved this idea and looked so pretty on the table. I can't wait to come up with some other ideas for future boards, like additional cheeses, fig jam and maybe some fruit, like apple slices or grapes.

So that's how I dolled up a basic cheeseboard. There's something so rustic about adding the crumpled parchment and I'm loving the fact that I can simply write directly on it so guests know exactly what they are getting!

Questions of the Day:

How did you spend your weekend?

What's your favorite thing on a cheeseboard?

Two Things Friday

So today I'm running late and trying to get into the office early and thus my usual Five Things Friday has been cut into...Two Things Friday!

Sorry to leave you hanging but in all honesty, I'm kind of obsessed with two things this week and so it's the perfect time to leave you with only those :)

Zoya Midori

I am obsessed...no, OBSESSED with this color and this brand! I wasn't sure if I'd love this green since it's very...well, green. The color actually screams summer time and I love that it dazzles up a simple outfit with a burst of color. And not only does it go on like a dream, but it has this gorgeous, slight gold shimmer that is simply lovely. And bonus? I've still yet to have a single chip in the polish. This photo actually makes it look more kelly green and less apple green, but either way, it's gorgeous!

50 Shades Darker

Please.send.help. I can't stop reading! I've been contemplating 'going for walks' in the afternoon at work just so I can sneak in a few pages. Sadly, I'm already wondering what I'm going to do when I blow through the series (probably by end of next week).

So that's it from me on this Friday. I hope you all have a lovely weekend and share some of your things on this Friday with me!

Make Ahead Breakfast Burritos

Did you ever see something that you wish was your idea?

These make ahead breakfast burritos are that idea.

When I saw that the lovely Lindsay had an idea to create her own frozen burritos, for heating up at a later date, the proverbial lightbulb went off and I had to try it out, immediately.

I am all for the make ahead breakfast. As I mentioned yesterday, I don't often eat breakfast at home, instead choosing to grab somethng and go, typically heating something up once I arrive at the office. And so, these make ahead breakfast burritos seemed like the perfect idea.

And they were!

Shaun and I had these for the last two weeks, and we have been loving it! I mixed up eggs, egg whites, turkey sausage, peppers, onions and a little bit of cheese, loaded it all up into 6 medium sized tortillas, froze those bad boys...and delicious, easy peasy breakfast was born.

 

Here's how I did it.

First, I chopped up some peppers and onions and sauteed them until soft.

Then, I cut open and removed the casings on a package of turkey breakfast sausage. I added it to the pan and cooked it through.

Meanwhile, I cracked open a whole lotta eggs. 12 in total. I used about 6 whole eggs and 6 whites to keep it on the lighter side, but you can feel free to use whatever you'd like! I mixed in some seasoning salt, pepper and about 1/4 C reduced fat cheddar cheese.

Then I cooked them up!

Make sure to cook the eggs until just underdone. They will continue to cook as they cool.

Let both the eggs and sausage cool slightly, then gently mix altogether in a big mixing bowl. Lay out 6 medium sized tortillas. I used Mission Life Balance Whole Wheat. Fill them up with the egg mixture and top with a little bit of cheese. Make sure to drain as much liquid out of the mixture as possible!

Roll it on up. Shaun helped me with this part.

Package in waxed paper and aluminum foil.

Then place all in a gallon-sized zip top bag.

When you want to reheat them, simply wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 1 1/2-2 minutes or until warmed throughout!

Enjoy! I really love this because you could make so many different combinations to keep it fresh!

Thanks to Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean for this great idea! And if you haven't already, be sure to check out her great blog!

Questions of the Day:

Do you like breakfast burritos?

Do you have any make-ahead breakfast recipes?

I love frittatas:

and baked oatmeal: