5.29.2016

Perfect Veggie Side for Cookout: Stacked Summer Squash Casserole

 

This was just about the easiest veggie dish to throw together - and the best part is that it can feed the masses! While the grill is already packed with endless rows of 'dogs and sausages, you can pop this bad boy into the oven and maximize on time and space! It's the perfect mix of summer veggies and more than likely something you can throw together with stuff you already have on hand {seriously, I grabbed from my veggie drawer for this one.}

P.S. Think of those succulent & flavorful in-season tomatoes in this dish ::insert heart eyes emoji::

 

All you need is some summer squash, zucchini, tomato, onion, garlic, thyme, paprika, shredded Parmesan cheese, EVOO & salt and pepper.

 

First, chop and saute the onions with garlic. Then wait for everyone in your house to say, "mmmhmm, what are you making?!" There's something about the wafting smell of sauteed onions!

 

While the sauteed onions are wafting, start slicing your summer vegetables {this dish would also be good with red potatoes, sweet potatoes, and/or mushrooms!}

 

Finally {see, easy peasy - 3 steps!}, spread half of the onion mixture on the bottom of your casserole dish {I used a 7x11 dish, but you can use whatever size fits your veggies} and stack your veggies in rows on top. Season with thyme, paprika, and generous salt and pepper {remember that these water-filled veggies need a good dose of seasoning}. Lastly, top your veggies with the remaining sauteed onion mix and sprinkle the shredded parm.

 

Bake. Waft. Serve. {But, take a spoonful for yourself first, because it'll go fast!}

Stacked Summer Squash Casserole
Servings: 6-8
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients
  • 2 squash {sliced}
  • 2 zucchini {sliced}
  • 2 tomatoes {sliced}
  • 1 large onion {chopped}
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced {or, if you're lazy like me - 1 Tbsp minced garlic from the jar}
  • 1 Tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 Tbsp paprika
  • EVOO
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan
  • S&P to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray your casserole dish with Pam {or greaser of choice}.
  2. Saute onion and garlic with EVOO over medium heat until the onions are soft, transparent, and wafting
  3. Meanwhile, slice the remaining vegetables.
  4. Spread half of the onion mixture on the bottom of your casserole dish, and then begin stacking your vegetables in rows, alternating vegetables so you don't have two of the same back-to-back.
  5. Season with the thyme, paprika, S&P and top with the remaining onion mixture.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, top with shredded parm and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Serve immediately! Though, truth me told, this is perfect at room temperature, too.


{Tip: If there are any leftovers, turn your stacked vegetables into a stacked frittata! Here's one of my favs from Sally's Baking Addiction.}

XO,
Nik

Psst...More Summer-Worthy Recipes:

http://creatingthesilverlining.blogspot.com/2015/05/summer-shandy-lemon-oreo-cupcakes.html

http://creatingthesilverlining.blogspot.com/2015/08/strawberry-shakeology-acai-bowl-style.html

5.03.2016

The Best & Most Confusing From Met Gala 2016

 
{Claire Danes, aka Cinderella, in Zac Posen}

The Emmy's, Grammy's & Oscar's don't have anything on the biggest, boldest & bravest night in fashion—the Met Gala. For those who have been living under a fashion rock - the Met Gala is Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit. Which basically means, a night for the most beautiful people in the world to wear the most incredible designs in the world, to the biggest ball of the year. And, what's a ball without a theme? This year's Met Gala theme was Manus x Machina—fashion in an age of technology.

Enough Met Gala small talk - and onto the moments that will make you gasp {you'll know it when you see it}, swoon, grit your teeth in empathetic embarrassment, and make you turn your nose up.


{BEST}

Claire Danes {aka, Cinderella} in Zac Posen 
From the second I saw this on Zac Posen's Instagram, I knew it was over—the competition, the search for my wedding-vow-renewal dress, life as we know—all of it, it had just been won. Modern day Cinderella. {And now you may gasp}. 
A video posted by @zacposen on

Poppy Delevingne in Marchesa
Second official fav.
A photo posted by Georgina Chapman (@georginachapmanmarchesa) on
  


The rest are in no particular gorgeous order...

Nicole Kidman in Alexander McQueen


Nina Dobrev also in Marchesa

Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa {Slay, Marchesa}


Blake Lively in Burberry


Zoe Saldana in Dolce & Gabbana
A photo posted by Harper's BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on
 
Kate Bosworth in Dolce & Gabbana

A video posted by Kate Bosworth (@katebosworth) on
 
Allison Williams in Peter Pilotto 
But even more importantly - hair by Rebekah Forecast. Fishtails & diamond clusters?! Setting the tone for wedding hair every where.



Kylie Jenner in Balmain
The best of the Kardashian/Jenners. Peep the impeccable Cindy Crawford in the background - also in Balmain!
A photo posted by King Kylie (@kyliejenner) on
 
Emma Roberts in Tory Burch
A photo posted by Emma Roberts Fans (@emmarobertsdaily) on
 
{CONFUSING}
Look, it's the Met Gala, and a night for avant-garde, so nothing is really "off limits," or in bad taste. But let me tell you - there is confusing. Like, majorly wrinkled forehead, might need botox, confusing.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Monse
I wait. I wait all year to see this woman step on the Met Red Carpet, and this year - George Washington steps out. The blue shoes are her only saving grace.

Lupita Nyong'o in Calvin Klein
I think we know my confusion here...


And then an entire generation of up-and-coming fashionistas stepped out, and it's clear that their invitation represented the wrong theme. Instead of Manus x Machina, I am convinced it said, "Modern Day 90s."

Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton
 
Kristen Stewart in Chanel
 
 Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton
At least she was actually old enough to remember the 90s...


And sure, there were some "oh no, not here, not ever" looks {I'm looking at you, Madonna}, and some I'm still torn on {yes, even on Queen Bey & her spandex dress}, but let's not dwell on the negative. Because - Claire Danes, Zac Posen, and Cinderella. That's all we'll ever need to remember from this year's Met Gala.

P.S. Anyone marching out pronto to buy some new hair accoutrements!? I can dig it.

XO,
Nik
  
Psst...More fashion-moments:
 

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