asparagus frites and winter aperol
it’s friday, ladies! another week has come and gone. it’s in the books for good. now it’s time to usher in the weekend, put up our heels, and relax. oscar is here, ready to do just that. if you ask me, every day is friday in his eyes. or maybe sunday, boy does he love to snooze throughout the day. in between chasing squirrels, begging for treats, and keeping ollie in check. not a bad life no matter what day it is!
as you know, fridays are the day we dish up a delicious and healthy recipe along with a refreshing cocktail. asparagus frites and a winter Aperol are certain to chase those january blues away.
fridays always call for a casual ootd. blue jeans and a sweater fit the bill this time of year. sneakers too. i’m sporting a new pair of blue jeans from Madewell with a relaxed fit and utility pockets. Madewell or J.Crew are my go-to brand for jeans although Talbots and Ann Taylor have upped their denim game in the past few years. Wit and Wisdom have caught my eye for comfort along with Liverpool Los Angeles. as far as trends go jeans are becoming looser, with a wider leg and cropped. utility details, high waists, and boot cut are also trending. what are your thoughts?
Alex Mill has definitely caught my attention. this brand is fairly new but i like what i see. how adorable is this striped sweater with the buttons going down the back?! honestly, you could easily flip it around and wear it as a cardigan. but i love how it looks as is. a pair of platform sneakers polish off today’s outfit. all-in-all i’m a little bit trendy, a whole lot casual and definitely ready for the weekend.
denim | sweater | platform sneakers
Asparagus Frites and Creamy Chipotle Dip
- 1 pound asparagus
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- pinch kosher salt to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons milk
Creamy Chipotle Dip
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chipotle pepppers pureed
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- pinch kosher salt to taste
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Trim ends of asparagus spears
- In a small mixing bowl combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Dip asparagus into milk and dredge into bread crumbs to coat all sides. Note: it may be necessary to press crumbs onto asparagus to ensure the crumbs stick.
- Lightly mist a non-stick cookie sheet with cooking spray. Arrange Asparagus spears on cookie sheet so the spears are not touching. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden.
Creamy Chipotle Dip
- Combine ingredients in a small bowl.
asparagus frites
i’m always on the lookout for healthy recipes. many times we think it’s challenging to whip up something delicious and healthy. but asparagus frites and creamy chipotle dip might change your mind. asparagus is a great source of nutrients and fiber. plus it’s a rich source of anti-oxidants. greek yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and loaded with probiotics which support a healthy gut.
winter aperol
there’s never been a better time to learn how to be a home bartender. am i right?! since i introduced cocktails to the blog in 2019 i’ve had loads of fun researching not only the drinks i serve week after week but the necessary tools to make better cocktails at home. who doesn’t want a good drink now and then?
to enjoy a shaken or stirred cocktail you will need a jigger (a good cocktail needs exact measurements) a cocktail shaker and a mixing glass. a hawthorne strainer with tightly coiled springs is invaluable for drinks shaken not stirred. it’s important to strain the ice. but in order to make a stirred cocktail a bar spoon that has a long thin handle is key. think dirty gin martini. if you want to expand your home bar i suggest a vegetable peeler for perfect lemon, lime or orange twists. it’s the little things that make a cocktail look sexy. bartending basics begin with shaking, stirring and garnishing. if you master all three it will make the difference between a good cocktail and a great one.
jigger | mixing glass | cocktail glasses | ice scoop | ramekin | similar ice bucket
Winter Aperol
- 3 ounces Aperol
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 1 twist orange
- 1 sprig rosemary
- Combine the Aperol, prosecco, and cranberry in a glass with ice. Add in an orange twist. Pop in a sprig of rosemary.
happy Friday, gang! oscar and i wish you a lovely weekend.
Another fun post! That cocktail looks yummy and I love comfortable ootd. I was wondering if you have rearranged you living room? Is that chair from the office? It is a good time of year to rearrange things.
Take Care,
Jan
good eye, jan! yes, the chair is from my office but i decided it worked perfectly in the living room. ollie loves it as it gives her a perch to look out the window.
Just love the Alex Mill sweater.
Got to have it. Was not going to order
one more thing. I have so many sweaters.
Oh, well.
Oscar is such a beautiful dog. Sure he is a lot of company for you. Have a great
weekend! Sherry
right?! i need another striped sweater like a hole in the head… but couldn’t resist and i’m happy i bought it.
xo
I am about the same size as you.
I purchased the leopard print turtleneck from JCrew.
I read the reviews and was glad I sized up to a large because it was not returnable. I think you normally wear a medium as well. Did you size up? If you did can you please mention that in your description going forward. Sizing up or down let’s people know how to purchase.
Love your blog and YouTube videos!
i will try to remember. i’m kind of hit or miss with explaining the fit. but i did purchase a medium and was happy with the fit.
I am a sweater girl and I am loving the striped sweater, especially the buttons on the back – smart. The cocktail looks yummy, something I would make for the weekend.
Thank you for sharing.
Ezell
refreshing cocktails have been at the top of my list lately and this one is truly is.
The sweater reminds me of the style in my teenage years of wearing our cardigans backwards.
this sweater can be worn both ways too! thanks for sharing a sweet memory.
Beth,
Love the sweater! I’ve been looking for a back button down one. Can you tell me if it’s true to size? I’m not familiar with this brand at all. For reference, I wear a Large/ large petite in Talbots tops.
Thanks
the brand is fairly new to me too. but i’m loving what i see. the sweater is a slim fit and it’s cropped so keep that in mind. i’m wearing my usual size medium and found the fit tts. hope this helps!
Oscar is a very handsome doggie!