Let's be honest here...who doesn't love perfect seared scallops? Lately, I've been on a high protein kick and experimenting in the kitchen with lots of different sources. For whatever reason, I've always been scared to cook scallops, but when I found out there was 17g of protein in each one, I knew I had to get over this fear and learn. Over the last month I've been trying out all different cooking methods so that I can get that delicious crust on the outside (while still keeping it soft ... [ Read More ]
Restaurant Review: Hutch
Can we have a moment of truth? I feel like since moving to Chicago a little over a year ago, I've sort of confined myself to this River North restaurant bubble. This past weekend, I was determined to pop that bubble and check out a restaurant I've been hearing a lot about. It's called Hutch, and if you haven't heard of it before, you can start thanking me now (yes, it's that good). Hutch is located at 3301 N Clark Street in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago. I decided to head up there ... [ Read More ]
The Best (and Healthiest) 3 Ingredient Eggplant Parmesan
So, I've been trying this whole, "low carb", thing again and I've been finding it easier than ever. With all the versatile vegetables out there, I've been able to satisfy my crazy cravings without breaking the calorie bank. The other night, I literally struck gold with my new recipe. It all started whenI found myself with a HUGE craving for eggplant parmesan, but knew that the breadcrumbs and fried eggplant probably wouldn't be on my diet. I ended up buying the ingredients anyways and ... [ Read More ]
Everything Erica Turns 1!
One year ago today, I was laying in bed trying to figure out how to start a food blog. I knew I had a lot to share, but couldn't tell you the first thing about how to write on a website (let alone build one). I headed over to wordpress.com, signed up for a free, basic blog and just started writing. It was no frills, but for whatever reason, you followed and supported me. Now, I sit here, a full year later and so much has changed with Everything Erica. My once plain white blog with pink polka ... [ Read More ]
Guilt Free Peanut Butter & Chocolate Balls (No Bake)
Lately, my sweet tooth has gotten out of control. With my wedding on the horizon, I simply can not succumb to my usual scoop of ice cream or fresh baked cookie after dinner. Honestly, the thought of cutting out sweets gives me a major panic attack. That's why I called up my gorgeous friend Tiffany. This chic has a huge sweet tooth, but somehow manages to look like a sports illustrated super model (if you think I'm kidding, check her out). I asked her how she stays so fit while still ... [ Read More ]
Crispy Brussels Sprouts w/ Sweet Chili Dressing
Nothing tastes better than crispy brussels sprouts! When done properly, this vegetable takes on a yummy and nutty flavor that is totally crave-able. On top of their delicious taste, brussels sprouts are packed with vitamin C and can even help lower your cholesterol. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of crispy brussels sprout salads on menu's across the country. The sad part, most of them are fried, which essentially strips away any of those nutritional benefits I just mentioned. That's why ... [ Read More ]
A Fun Way to “Break the News” (Unique Save the Dates)
When the wedding planning begun, I felt like I had a lot to live up to. In my eyes, I had one of the coolest proposals of all time (my fiancé put a ring inside of an egg and I cracked it while I as cooking). It was literally perfect for me! I knew I wanted to continue that momentum and do something so incredibly cool for all aspects of my weddings. That had to start with the first element of any wedding, the Save the Dates. When I started the wedding planning, I was told that Save the ... [ Read More ]
5 Unique Uses for Pumpkin This Fall
Every fall, we see the grocery store shelves fill up with loads of pumpkin purée so that everyone can make a pumpkin pie. Well, I'm here to tell you that their are many more innovative uses for pumpkin than just pie. In my opinion, pumpkin literally makes everything more delicious and festive. In addition to it's taste and versatility, it's really healthy too! That can of puree you see at the store has vitamins A, C, K, and fiber. To make it easy, I'm going to use 5 already existing ... [ Read More ]
Power Breakfast: Avocado Toast with Chia Seeds
As you already know, it's important to start off everyday with a balanced and filling breakfast. I have to be honest, I'm not a huge egg fan, so I am always looking to try out alternative breakfast recipes that provide me with lots of protein and energy for my day. A few weeks ago I was starving for breakfast and I saw one of my Facebook friends posted about their avocado toast. I thought that sounded good. I happened to have some avocado and Seeduction bread from Whole Foods so I thought I ... [ Read More ]
Less than $20: A Holiday Dinner for 2 People
Creating a holiday dinner for 2 people (with all the fixings) is not as hard as you might think! Whether you live a long way from family and can't make it home for a holiday or you just don't have a large group to cook for, you should never shy away from creating a hearty meal to celebrate. This year, I couldn't make it home for Rosh Hashanah and I was totally bummed! It is in a tradition in my family to always have a delicious festive meal with chicken, green bean casserole, mashed ... [ Read More ]
