Saturday Simple Happinesses

Last night, I enjoyed a delicious dinner with family at Seven in downtown Minneapolis. Copious amounts of delicious sushi and dessert (Bananas Foster made tableside!) were consumed by all.  Needless to say, this morning...lighter fare was in order :)

1. These beauties being on sale at the co-op this week. I adore grapefruit. 

2. A favorite weekend splurge. During the week, I drink green tea every morning (delicious, less caffeine, more antioxidants); but, my true love is great black tea. The slower pace of weekend mornings is perfect for enjoying it. 

3. These beautiful flowers adorning our dining room table. A gift from my brother and soon-to-be-sister-in-law. 

I am off to meet a dear friend's new puppy...another small happiness. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Patisserie 46

Earlier this week, I met a great friend for brunching and chatting at one of my favorite spots, Patisserie 46...a true neighborhood gem with wonderful pastries, breads, quiche, and coffee. Patisserie 46 is always bustling with friendly energy and  the delicious smells of espresso and baked goods. 

The display of freshly baked treats makes it very hard to decide on just one. 

Pain au Chocolat...how can you go wrong? My friend took one of these beauties home for a later-in-the-day treat. They have sweet, savory, and traditional croissants and the flaky layers of thin, buttery pastry are delicious. One bite and I am transported back to Paris and this trip.

The quiche offerings rotate daily and are served with field greens. Pictured above is the ham and cheese. The crust has the same lovely light and flaky quality of the croissants, but is substantial enough to hold up to the decadent creaminess of the quiche. Simple, rich, and delicious. 

While the cozy smells of coffee abound, they also have a wonderful tea menu. Pictured above is the blossoming green tea.

If you are looking for a great new breakfast option, or are in need of a beautifully crafted dessert, I recommend a visit to this wonderful place. On the coldest day of the year in Minnesota so far, I am imagining sitting at one of the cafe tables outside in the summer...sipping an iced tea and noshing on croissants after a walk around nearby Lake Harriet. No need to break in to this peaceful moment with reminders that we haven't even gotten to February yet. 

Cheers to small gatherings with great friends and delicious food, 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Simple Happinesses

Today is one of those rare and fabulous days full of a wonderful blend of getting things done and absorbing simple happinesses while relaxing....in other words, today I have the day off :) 

The sun is shining in Minnesota today and it is unseasonably warm...the kind of day that makes you wish spring was coming a little bit sooner, and also the kind of day that makes you appreciate how beautifully the snow reflects the sunshine. 

In honor of this day, I am hoping to start a new feature on this blog that captures simple happinesses...little things that I am grateful for and that make me smile. 

1. This simple and heavenly breakfast, enjoyed late in the morning after making it to spin class at our gym. Greek yogurt, covered with organic raspberries, and walnuts, drizzled with Honl's Bees Honey (Winthrop, MN). I love using frozen berries that I thaw and keep in the fridge for this because of the wonderful juice. 

2. A cup of green tea in a vintage tea cup that my grandma gave me many years ago. Tea parties with grams are a favorite memory from my childhood. 

3. This face.  A day off means extra time with my girls. They are tired after a game of fetch in the park. Bailey is cuddling up with her favorite bear, and you can see Rosy in the background...already napping it out. 

I hope that whether you are working, or enjoying a day off like me, you are able to reflect on your day and find one or two simple happinesses that bring a smile to your face. 

-The Delicious Dabbler

Easy Taco Layer Dip

Happy weekend Dabblers. It's an exciting night for football watching in Minnesota as the Vikings take on the Packers in the playoffs tonight. My husband and I are heading to a friend's to watch the game. I love watching football, and I also love the delicious snacks that accompany watching football.  This quick appetizer has become a go-to in our house. The recipe is very flexible (you can easily swap things in an out depending on what you like and what's in your fridge that day) and transports well to any  gathering. 

Easy Taco Layer Dip comes together as follows:

Step 1. Spread one can of your favorite refried beans into the bottom of a dish. I love black beans in this dish, but my husband's fave is pinto so I went with that tonight. 

Step 2. Spread a layer of sour cream over the beans. 

Step 3.  My favorite ingredient in all dishes with tex-mex flavor profiles: ground cumin. It smells so delicious and makes this dip. Liberally sprinkle cumin over the sour cream, making sure every potential bite is covered :)

Step 4. Add your favorite ingredients. Tonight I went with corn, black olives, and diced tomatoes. Green onions would also be a delicious addition. 

Step 5. Top with grated cheese (colby jack pictured above) and julienned romaine lettuce. 

Step 6. Enjoy!  Or in our case, cover with tin foil and transport to your game-watching venue. 

Secret Step 7. *Chef's snack...I had to make a small bowl to eat right away, the smell of cumin gets me every time!


Happy football watching dabblers. Thanks for stopping by (regardless of team-affiliation)...but, Go Vikes!

-The Delicious Dabbler