Apple, Cranberry and Pear Crisp

This delicious dessert uses a few different seasonal fruits. To make it, preheat your oven to 375 F. Combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, orange juice, ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg in a bowl, then add sliced apples, sliced pears, and dried cranberries. Mix these ingredients together, then pour them into a baking dish. In another bowl, combine brown rice flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, salt and vanilla extract. Add the flour mix to the fruit mix, then bake for about 45 minutes. 

Poached Pears with Cranberries

This dessert is a great option when you want something lighter than cake, bread or pie this fall. Start by bringing cranberry juice to a simmer in a saucepan, then adding halved pears, ground pepper, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla extract. Cover the saucepan, and cook these ingredients for about 10 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add fresh cranberries. Set aside for an hour, and mix honey and Greek yogurt in a small bowl. Pour the juice and fruit mix into dessert dishes, then top with the honey and yogurt mixture before serving. 

Apple Pumpkin Muffins

For this tasty dessert, preheat your oven to 375 F. Stir whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, canned pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, cooking oil and brown sugar. Combine the apple and pumpkin mix with the flour mix to form batter for your muffins. Pour the batter evenly into muffin cups, then bake for about 25 minutes per batch. Cool the muffins for about 5 minutes before serving. 

When you don’t feel like baking or cooking at home, our community in Chicago, Illinois, has a couple of restaurants on site. Please contact us to learn more about other community and apartment amenities at our apartments in Chicago.

The post Healthy Dessert Ideas With Seasonal Fruits appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.

If you have access to a roof deck, it may be the perfect venue for hosting a dinner with your family or friends. If you have never planned a roof deck dinner, here are a few tips that can help to ensure your dinner is perfect. 

Select Simple Decor

The roof deck itself, as well as the view it provides, is typically what sets the ambiance and tone for the evening. You do not have to plan on decorating much for a rooftop meal. If you do enjoy decorating though, select simple decor that compliments the view from the rooftop. Use the scenery and colors that are prevalent from the top of the roof as your color palette when selecting plates and napkins. You can always bring in flowers or shrubs to add color as well. 

Plan Out Your Meal

The next important element of planning the perfect roof deck dinner is to plan out your meal. As you plan out your meal, keep in mind that you will not have a kitchen on-hand when you are on the roof. As such, you want to select items that you can easily carry from your kitchen to the roof deck and leave out, without having to keep them hot. The same holds true for your dessert options. You may not have a fridge on the roof, so you want to select something, such as a cake or pie, that does not need to be kept cold or frozen. 

Find Out What Time the Sun Sets

Finally, take the time to research what time the sun sets in your area. Then coordinate the mealtime so that your guests can take in the spectacular views around them from your roof deck and so that they can see the beautiful sight of the sun setting for the evening as they enjoy wonderful food with friends and family.

Do you love hosting friends and family for a rooftop meal? Are you looking for apartments in Chicago, IL that offers a roof deck? Here at The Belden-Stratford, we offer a beautiful roof deck for all of our residents that includes grilling stations, lounging areas, fire pits and beautiful panoramic views of the Chicago waterfront. Visit us today to view our apartment homes and roof deck.

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Banana Almond Morning Muffins

A delicious morning muffin does not require a lot of preparation time. This recipe can be put together while your coffee is brewing and ready for your second cup if you sip slowly.

Gather These Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 3 fully ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• ¾ cup of soft butter
• ½ cup of sliced almonds
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees before mixing the ingredients. Peel and mash the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, eggs, and sugar and mix thoroughly. Blend in the dry ingredients followed by the almond slices. Line four large muffin tins or coat with a non-stick product. Spoon in the mixture and bake 20-25 minutes or until center is baked. Enjoy warm.

Raspberry Walnut Morning Muffins

If you are not a so-called “morning person,” it’s okay to prepare the mix the night before and refrigerate. However, the raspberries do best when they are added just before baking.

Gather These Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup of sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ¼ cup of brown sugar
• ¾ cup of soft butter
• ½ cup of milk
• 1 cup of frozen raspberries
• ½ cup of walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugars and then add milk. Stir in the dry ingredients including the walnuts. Lastly, gently mix in the frozen raspberries. Line four large muffin tins or coat with a non-stick product. Spoon in the mixture and bake 20-25 minutes or until center is baked. Enjoy warm.

Pumpkin Pecan Morning Muffins

This relatively quick-baking recipe is a pumpkin and pecan delight. It makes a perfect indulgence on a cozy Saturday morning.

Gather These Ingredients

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• ¾ cup of soft butter
• ¾ cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of canned pumpkin
• ½ cup of chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix butter, sugar, egg, and pumpkin. Blend in dry ingredients including pecans. Spoon in mixture and bake 15-20 minutes or until center is baked. Enjoy warm.

We hope our Belden Stratford community members enjoy these muffin ideas. If you or a friend would like more information about our Chicago apartments, call us today.

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Cheesecake Stuffed Berries 

This treat is so easy to make, but it’s a scrumptious dessert that is sure to disappear fast this spring. 

What You’ll Need: 

• 1 tablespoon of amaretto
• 1/3 cup of powdered sugar
• 16 large strawberries 
• 4 ounces of cream cheese (or reduced fat cream cheese), softened 

How to Make It: 
Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until they are well blended. Add the amaretto, continuing to beat until fully incorporated. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of the strawberries. Remove hulls and use a paring knife to hollow them out slightly. Pipe the cream cheese mixture into the berries. Chill until serving. 

Basil Strawberry Ice Cream 

As the weather warms up, this is a refreshing treat that’s easy to whip up. 

What You’ll Need: 

• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 can (14 oz) of sweetened condensed milk
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt 
• 1 can (5 oz) of evaporated milk
• 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped
• 1½ cups of whole milk
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, fresh
• 1 16-ounce container of strawberries (fresh), chopped coarsely 

How to Make It: 
Whisk together the whole milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk, salt, and sugar. Cover and refrigerate for two hours. In a food processor, pulse the lemon juice, basil, and strawberries 5-6 times until they are finely chopped. Stir strawberries into the milk mixture. Pour into a freezer container for a 1-quart electric ice cream maker. Freeze according to the instructions from the manufacturer. Remove container from the ice cream maker, freezing it for 30 minutes. Place mixture into a loaf pan covered well with foil or an airtight container. Continue freezing for 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. 

Strawberries Bordeaux Style 

Need a fancy dessert you can whip up fast. This recipe takes only a few minutes to make, and your guests will be impressed. 

What You’ll Need: 

• Sauce:
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
  • 2 cups of Bordeaux 
  • 1 tablespoon of minute tapioca 
• Berries:
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 pound of fresh ripe strawberries, hulls removed
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 

How to Make It: 

Combine the sugar, tapioca, and wine in a saucepan, heating on medium. Cook for seven minutes, ensuring that tapioca dissolves completely and the mixture begins to thicken. Stir regularly with a whisk. Remove the pan from the heat, stirring in the 1½ teaspoons of vanilla. Pour into a bowl, setting it in a bowl of ice water to cool down to room temperature.   

Prepare berries by combining hulled berries with vanilla and sugar. Allow to stand for 15-20 minutes, stirring from time to time. 

Divide the berries among four wine glasses. Top with the sauce. Serve immediately. 

Strawberries make the most delicious desserts, and all three of these options are super easy to create. Don’t forget, if any of your guests this spring are looking for apartments in Chicago, have them call our office to find out what options we have available. 

The post Strawberries are in Season: 3 Great Spring Desserts to Make with Strawberries appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.

Salad dressings purchased in the store generally use low-quality oils like canola, soy, or sunflower oil. These bad fats can be high in calories and preservatives, artificial flavorings, and sugars. Expect these five homemade salad dressings curated from The Food Network to be lower in calories, free of trans-fat, and chemical-free.
 

5 Easy Homemade Salad Dressings

Classic Vinaigrette: Whisk 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Gradually whisk in 1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil.

Mediterranean: First make the Classic Vinaigrette then mash in 1/2 cup crumbled feta, whisk in 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon dried oregano and 1 diced plum tomato.

Lemon Balsamic: Whisk 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and pepper to taste. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil.

Spiced Chutney: Whisk 2 tablespoons each mango chutney and lime juice, and 1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin and kosher salt. Gradually whisk in 1/4 cup vegetable oil.

Roasted Garlic: Slice the top from 1 head garlic; drizzle with olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil and roast at 400 degrees F until tender, 35 minutes. Cool, then squeeze out the cloves. Add the roasted garlic to  Classic Vinaigrette, add to a blender with 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan until creamy.

The 3 Components of a Perfect Dressing

Fashion your own salad dressing creations using the spices and herbs that you love. Simply keep in mind these essential components when creating the perfect salad dressing base:

• Choose the Perfect Oil – Choose quality olive oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, or walnut oil
• The Right Acid – lemon juice, vinegar, citrus fruit, or rice vinegar
• Base Seasoning – Which is 1/4 teaspoon of salt and ground pepper, but can extend to garlic, smoked paprika or an Italian herb mixture.
• Additional Seasoning – Here is where you can be creative with Dijon mustard, shallots, lemon, minced cloves, or pine nuts.
• Adding Balance – If your dressing is too acidic, simply add more oil, and if it's too bland, increase the acid and adjust the seasonings.

For your next Chicago, IL apartment home, visit us at The Belden-Stratford to explore our selection of spacious living spaces with fully equipped kitchens located in the heart of Lincoln Park.

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One-Pan Dishes to Make Dinner Really Easy

• Bratwurst in a Blanket: Preheat oven to 375°. Glaze baking sheet with olive oil. Roll 5 bratwurst in Swiss chard leaves, placed seam side down. Keep them close together to keep the leaves rolled up. Place 1 pound small red potatoes, cut in half, next to sausage. Lay 2 pounds peeled and diced yellow beets next to potatoes. Sprinkle salt and pepper over beets and potatoes. Toss 2 tsp caraway seeds over beets. Drizzle olive oil over beets and potatoes. Gently coat. Roast until potatoes and beets are soft, about 40-50 minutes.
• Muffin pan deep dish pizzas: Preheat oven to 400°. Coat wells of muffin tin with cooking spray. Divide dough into 12 balls. Grease hands with olive oil and press each ball of dough into the bottom and sides of each well.  Top with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and more cheese. Add any additional toppings you desire. Bake about 12-15 minutes until cheese is melted. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
• Egg roll skillet: Everything you might find in an egg roll, in a skillet. Heat vegetable oil in skillet. Add 1 pound ground pork, and 1 chopped yellow onion to pan. Cook until meat is cooked through. Toss 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp minced ginger in pan and cook for one minute. Add 14-oz coleslaw mix and 2 tbsp soy sauce to pan and cook until cabbage is brightly colored and crisp-tender. Remove the pan from heat and add 1/4 cup scallions, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp vinegar. Toss to combine. Add salt and pepper to flavor.

At The Belden-Stratford Apartments in Chicago, IL, living is easy. With fully equipped kitchens, grilling stations on rooftop sundeck, separate dining areas, on-site restaurants, and everything in between, it's never hard to find or make a delicious meal any time of day or night. Call us today to find out more about the many services we offer and our amazing floor plans. 

The post One-Pan Wonders appeared first on The Belden-Stratford Blog.

If you're struggling to fit well-balanced meals into your schedule, rest assured, you're not alone! Here are a few tips to help you out.

Embrace Make-Ahead Sundays

If you do a ton of meal prep upfront, the rest of the week is a cinch. Look for foods you can prep ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer. That way, they're ready to pop in the oven as soon as you get home. As an added bonus, you won't have a ton of dishes to do throughout the week.

Learn to Reuse Your Leftovers

Bringing your lunch to work every day can lead to boring meals pretty quickly, but if you learn to use last night's leftovers in a new way, you can still have tasty dishes that are good for you, too. Make sure you include veggies and proteins as those are the elements that'll get you through the day without making you feel sluggish when the midday hours roll around.

Befriend Your Blender

Smoothies are a stellar source of nutrition, and they're perfect for on-the-go people such as yourself. When it comes to smoothies, the options are endless. If you need a little more iron, add some dark greens like spinach or kale. If you need a protein boost, don't be afraid to pop some tofu into your blender. Have you been feeling a little muddled down by the cold weather lately? Maybe you need to opt for fruit smoothies that are packed with vitamin C. 

Be Okay With Snacking

Snacking isn't a bad habit. In fact, when you do it right, it can help you squeeze in those vitamins, nutrients and essential food items that may otherwise be lacking in your diet. Keep an arsenal of cheese sticks, almonds and clementine oranges on hand so you can quickly satisfy any cravings you have without going overboard or depriving your body of the fuel it needs to stay strong and healthy.

The Belden-Stratford is a premier apartment community that boasts beautiful kitchens that make meal planning easy. Stop by our community to look at the kitchen that's calling you home!

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