September 12, 2020

brunch bites: zucchini fritters





The weekend has arrived, and I always like to fix a little brunch to have with my mid-morning coffee on Saturday. As an alternative to regular eggs, these Zucchini Fritters are tasty and very satisfying. I like to serve them with fresh fruit and bacon or sausage. 

I first started fixing these when I converted to Paleo eating in February of 2019. I’ve got to tell you my migraines have improved 95% since cutting out all grains, sugar and dairy. As I discovered with these Zucchini Fritters, there are so many yummy recipes out there, I don’t miss those non-Paleo foods at all. 

My family still eats a “normal” diet, and they also enjoy these fritters so much. They're a little spicy because of the addition of crushed red pepper and garlic powder. Today, I topped mine with fresh chives from the garden.

 I hope you’ll give them a try! 




SAVORY ZUCCHINI FRITTERS 

4 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 medium) 
½ tsp. sea salt 
2 whole eggs (preferably medium in size) 
2 green onions, sliced (whites and midway up green parts) 
½ tsp. Italian seasoning 
½ tsp. garlic powder 
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper 
¼ tsp. sea salt 
¼ tsp. pepper 
¼  cup almond flour  
1-2 Tbsp.  coconut oil or butter for frying 

In a bowl, place the shredded zucchini and ½ tsp. sea salt. Stir gently and let set for 10 minutes to allow zucchini to sweat. After the 10 minutes, transfer the zucchini to a flour sack towel, cheesecloth or nut milk bag. Squeeze as much liquid out as you possibly can. Use those muscles! This step is important and if skipped you may end up with soggy fritters. 

While the zucchini is “sweating,” in another bowl combine the eggs, green onions, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, additional sea salt, black pepper and flour. 

Combine the squeezed shredded zucchini with the egg mixture and stir to combine. If the zucchini still holds a lot of moisture or eggs were on the larger side, you may need to add additional flour to achieve that pancake-like consistency. 

Place a medium/large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add butter/oil to the skillet. Once hot (make sure the butter/oil is hot and sizzles when you add the batter) drop ¼ cup portions of the zucchini mixture onto the pan. Press down gently so they’re about ½-inch thick. 

Cook on each side for 3-5 minutes. Flip carefully so they don’t fall apart. When done, transfer to a wire rack or plate lined with a paper towel. Repeat until zucchini mixture is gone, adding more butter/oil to the pan between each batch. 

Serve with a dollop of sour cream (not Paleo) or a drizzle of Paleo ranch dressing. Top with sliced green onion and season with sea salt and pepper.

Serves 4 people.


*Adapted from a recipe by The Real Food Dietitians 



I like to serve them with fresh fruit and bacon or sausage. 


You can find more of my favorite paleo recipes here... 






ciao! fabiana 



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September 8, 2020

my tips for easy outdoor gatherings





Here's a fun little gathering my friend Laura and I put together for the current fall issue of Cottages and Bungalows magazine. We shot Laura’s entire house last August, and it’s been fun seeing it featured in three issues this year! 

Laura and her husband Dennis live in a cozy 1940’s cottage in Old-Town Orange. Together they transformed the backyard on their own to become a beautiful haven for relaxing in, growing fruits and vegetables, and hosting friends for alfresco dinner parties. 




For this photo shoot, I added a few cozy accessories like warm blankets and pillows that ultimately would make for a fun gathering spot for roasting marshmallows. We even have all the fixin’s for s’mores readily at hand... YUM!  

Isn’t the vintage croquet set cute? Laura and I share the same passion for vintage finds. Before this pandemic, she and I would get together several times a month and have a ball at our favorite thrift stores and flea markets. 

This setting was our last shot of the day, and after Dennis built a great big fire, we let it settle down a bit before shooting these pics. Even though this was originally intended as a summer layout, it works perfectly for fall.  

Check out my styling tips below...  




What are your top tips for entertaining outdoors in the fall?  
  
Fall is one of the coziest seasons of all, so when bringing the party outdoors during the autumn months, make sure to have plenty of comfortable seating. Make your guests feel welcomed with a signature cocktail and a few yummy appetizers to nosh on when they arrive. Decorating with pretty flannel throws does double duty when there’s an unexpected chill in the air. Nostalgic games like croquet keep the party lively and fun. 
  
What are the key pieces for this s’mores gathering seen here?  
  
As summer turns to fall, deep earthy colors are perfect for setting the right seasonal tone. Adding a few cozy plaid blankets in deep colors to a comfortable group of Adirondack chairs makes this backyard space more inviting. Arranging chairs around the fire pit makes for great conversation and gives everyone a prime spot for toasting marshmallows.  
  
What are some easy ways to transform a basic backyard spot into a gathering space in a quick pinch 
  
Gather seating around one central spot, but have additional seating available, if needed. It’s definitely ok to bring your indoor chairs out into the backyard. Throw pillow and flannel blankets instantly add a layer of comfort. If you don’t have a firepit, you can get the same vibe from a low coffee table set as the center point of the seating area. Just add a variety of different votives and candles and everyone will be just as pleased with the romantic glow given off by the group of candles. 




You can find this issue HERE and check out the rest of Laura’s cozy cottage in these three posts: 








ciao! fabiana 


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