Coconut Panna Cotta with Tropical Fruit

We’re excited for warm and dry season so we can eat all meals on our deck! Nothing says summer like Panna Cotta with fresh fruit or berries. Coconut Panna Cotta with Tropical Fruit is a wonderful twist on the classic Panna Cotta with Berry Coulis.

coconut panna cotta with tropical fruit (2)

The number one challenge in photography is lighting! Too bright or too dark creates different challenges. This past week has been a rainy grey one in Seattle. To maximize lighting, I have been running outside between showers to try to get good shots! Welcome to my mini studio! 🙂

 

coconut panna cotta with tropical fruit (4) coconut panna cotta with tropical fruit (3) coconut panna cotta with tropical fruit (1)

Ingredients

  • 2 (7-gram) pouches gelatin (5 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 1/4 cups grass-fed whole milk or heavy cream
  • 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used 1/3 cup coconut sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 tablespoons shredded coconut + more for toasting and sprinkling on top
  • Sliced mango, pineapple, kiwi or banana, for serving

Directions

  • In a saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over water and let stand for 1 minute. Place over medium heat and stir constantly until granules are dissolved, about 3 minutes. Add milk or cream, coconut milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Pour mixture into 6 ramekins; sprinkle coconut on top. Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 3 hours.
  • Optionally (I did not do this step) to serve, dip each ramekin in boiling water for a moment to loosen panna cotta. Turn onto a serving plate. Arrange sliced fruit beside each panna cotta and serve.
  • Optionally (I added this step) toast some coconut and sprinkle on top.

Thanks for the inspiration PCC Natural Markets!

dit-elle-Esther

Day at the beach…

 My remote shutter officially died on this trip.  Insert major sad face!  I’m fairly certain it’s a random setting that I pushed accidentally, and yet…after HOURS of researching…can’t figure out.  I had to go back to the self timer on the camera, and I have NO IDEA how I used to do that all the time!!!  Needless to say, I was a hot sweaty mess by the time we left!Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-1BTW, vintage Levi’s are the perfect jeans for crop tops!  Even if you think you can’t score them thrifting.  You CAN if you want to…  Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-2 Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-3 Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-4 Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-5 Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-6 Blog Free People Peplum Top Levis 501s Converse-7I loooooove all the fluffy clouds! Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-1OMG, and that face?!!

LOVE!!! Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-2 Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-3 Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-4 Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-5I told her NOT to throw sand…Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-6 And then…decided WTF, she was due for a bath anyways….Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-7I mean, can you say no to that face??! Blog Sweet Luka Mo Paint Splatter Dress-8

On me…

Jeans- Levi’s 501 (thrifted, and DIY cut similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
On Maya…
Dress- Sweet Luka Mo (old, tank version here)
Rain Boots- (thrifted, but similar here)
Keeping it Real…
I promise she’s laying there laughing 😉Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a self timer and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Boho Tops + Ripped Skinnies + Gold Sandals | Twinning is winning!!

 It is soooo rare that I can get Maya into jeans anymore.  All she wants to wear are dresses, but…Every once in a while I can still talk her into it.  On the days she has swim lessons, I tell her she has to wear jeans, because they can be worn easily over her swimsuit at the gym before her lesson…

Yes, she could easily throw a dress on over her swimsuit, but WHATEVER.  She hasn’t questioned me yet haha.  She has SO many pairs of jeans that I’ve thrifted just sitting in her closet!  I have to get her into them every once in a while!!

And…I couldn’t resist somewhat twinning with her, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THAT POSE?!!!Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig Mystique Gold Sandals-1 I want to eat her upBlog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig Mystique Gold Sandals-2 Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig Mystique Gold Sandals-3 Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig Mystique Gold Sandals-6 Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig Mystique Gold Sandals-7 Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig-4 Blog Millau Lace Up Boho Top Genetic Denim Twig-5 Blog PeekKids Floral Top Levis Destroyed Skinny Jeans Gold Saltwater Sun San Sandals-1Yup, always a toy in hand… Blog PeekKids Floral Top Levis Destroyed Skinny Jeans Gold Saltwater Sun San Sandals-2AND, always petting every dog we see and asking if she can give them a treat! Blog PeekKids Floral Top Levis Destroyed Skinny Jeans Gold Saltwater Sun San Sandals-3 AAAAAAND, doing a bootie shake for anyone who wants to stop and watch haha.Blog PeekKids Floral Top Levis Destroyed Skinny Jeans Gold Saltwater Sun San Sandals-4 This is her “flying” 😉Blog PeekKids Floral Top Levis Destroyed Skinny Jeans Gold Saltwater Sun San Sandals-5On me…

Top- Millau (thrifted, similar here)
Jeans- Genetic Denim “The Twig in Strip” (ebay, similar here)
Sandals- Mystique (old, similar here)
On Maya…
Top- Peek Kids (thrifted, but love this on sale here)
Jeans- Levi’s (thrifted, but similar here)
Shoes- Saltwater Sandals (20% off with code SECRET20OFF through 5/29)!!!
Keeping it Real…
UGH.  I had more issues with the shutter release not working!  Then when I thought I fixed it, I must have messed up the focus while doing so!  I have 40+ SUPER CUTE shots that are focused like this ;(  Maya was having fun taking my picture, and then ran and jumped into my arms giving me all these super sweet BLURRY kisses… I really shouldn’t complain, but it bummed me out.  Thank goodness I went over and checked!Blog Outtake
(all pictures taken with a shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Baked Goat Cheese with Honey, Pine Nuts and Rosemary

This is a super easy, super elegant and delicious appetizer! Bake a patty of goat cheese, topped with Pine Nuts, Rosemary and drizzled with honey.

baked goat cheese pinenuts honey rosemary blog (2)baked goat cheese pinenuts honey rosemary blog (1)

Ingredients

  • Goat cheese
  • Pine nuts
  • Honey
  • Fresh or dried rosemary

Directions

  • Heat oven to 400
  • Put cheese in oven proof dish and top with pine nuts, and optionally dried or fresh rosemary and drizzle with honey (you can also use fresh rosemary as garnish after this is baked, as shown in the photo)
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until edges are brown
  • Let cool for a bit and serve! Enjoy!

dit-elle-Esther

Sweet Potato, Carrot, Onion Hash

Truth be told, these started out in my mind as pancakes (clearly that didn’t happen!).  I’m not really sure they are a “hash”, but I couldn’t think of a good name for them.  They reminded me of the consistency of polenta, but I didn’t want to confuse anyone any more than I already was haha.

Whatever it ended up being still tasted really good, so it all worked out in the end 😉

I like that the carrots and onions add some additional nutrients/health benefits, and the eggs add a little protein!Blog Whole30 Paleo Sweet Potato Carrot Onion Mash-1 Blog Whole30 Paleo Sweet Potato Carrot Onion Mash-2What you need… (would feed 4-6 people)

  • One Large Sweet Potato
  • 1 medium onion
  • Handful of baby carrots (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 Teaspoon crushed garlic
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or oil of your choosing)

What to do…

Blog Whole30 Paleo Sweet Potato Carrot Onion Mash-3

  • Chop up  your sweet potato, onion, and carrots, and toss them into a Cuisinart.  Pulse until all finely diced.  Maya LOVES this part, and it’s an easy way to get your child involved in the  process 🙂
  • Whisk eggs and garlic together and add into the Cuisinart.  Pulsing a few more times, and scraping down the edges to blend.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a large frying pan, heat oil until nice and hot.
  • Pour mixture into pan (I had to do it in two batches).  Wait until it gets nice and brown before flipping.  I loved the crispy parts in there!
  • Honestly, I made 4 little pancakes the first batch and attempted to keep them in tact.  They fell apart, so I just mixed them together in the end…Blog Whole30 Paleo Sweet Potato Carrot Onion Mash-4I served it with fish and a variation of my staple Mango Avocado Salad, and it was yummy!  I think it would be amazing with a fried egg and avocado too for brunch!  Really, the possibilities are endless 😉

Enjoy!dit-elle-Lauren

Vanilla Ice Cream and Berries

This is a great go-to dessert year round, but especially in winter when fresh berries are no longer in season. Posting it now in case berries are not yet available in your region/stores, but this is equally good with fresh berries!

You can also serve plain Greek yogurt with berries, or for a totally yummy non-dairy and paleo version, try berries with coconut milk! Totally delish any season!

berries and ice cream blog (2)berries and ice cream blog (1)

Ingredients

  • Vanilla ice cream, plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
  • Berries (frozen or fresh)

Directions

  • If using frozen berries, add 1/2 cup per person to a bowl and microwave on high for about a minute
  • Pour over ice cream or yogurt
  • Serve immediately and enjoy! Can you taste summer already? 🙂

dit-elle-Esther

Open Back Sweaters for spring.

 I recently scored this sweater on eBay for $5.50!!!   I’m sure you’re like “Um…so what??”

But wait for it….Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-1They didn’t even PUT pictures of the back in the listing!!  I mean WHAT??!!  I was SO excited when I got it!!  I knew it would be well made and funky, because of the designer, but it exceeded my expectations, and I LOVE IT!!  Perfect for the weather transitions.  It’s actually been super sunny and HOT here lately (70’s and even 80’s!!), but on Saturday we finally had an overcast off and on rainy day.  So, THIS was perfect! Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-2 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-3Constantly with a toy in her hand… 🙂 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-4 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-5 Blog HM Faux Leather Jacket GapKids Chambray Dress Joseph Allen Moto Boots-1Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-7 Awe….Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-8 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-9 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-10 LOVE this next one!!!Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-11She found one of my old point shoots and asked to take some pictures 🙂 Blog One Teaspoon Open Back Sweater J Brand Skinny Leg Karma Black Converse-12Blog HM Faux Leather Jacket GapKids Chambray Dress Joseph Allen Moto Boots-2 Blog HM Faux Leather Jacket GapKids Chambray Dress Joseph Allen Moto Boots-3 Blog HM Faux Leather Jacket GapKids Chambray Dress-4 Blog HM Faux Leather Jacket GapKids Chambray Dress-5

On me…

Sweater- One Teaspoon (eBay, similar here)
Bralette- Spree
Jeans- J Brand “Skinny Leg” Karma (thrifted-sold out-, similar here)
Shoes- Converse (thrifted)
On Maya…
Jacket- H&M (thrifted)
Dress- Gapkids (thrifted, but similar here)
Leggings- Children’s Place (thrifted, but similar here)
Boots-Joseph Allen (thrifted, similar here)
Keeping it Real…
This is her “NO PICTURES!!” Look haha.  Which….was immediately followed by the cheesy grin shot and butt dance, so… I take it all with a grain of salt 😉
Blog Outtake-1I keep chopping her head off grrrrrr!  I don’t mean to do the throw shots, but she comes running at me full force, and it just happens.  BUT…I don’t have the camera set up high enough when it’s spontaneous.  BOO. 😦Blog Outtake-2
(all pictures taken with a self timer/shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya :))

dit-elle-Lauren

Happy Mother’s Day to me (take 2!)

 Lucky me got to celebrate Mother’s Day twice!  Once with my parents the weekend before, before they left on a trip, and then again on the actual day!

It’s the one day I can talk the Huz into pictures, and I’m not ashamed to say I take advantage of it every year!

So…this year was totally low key.  My parents were out of the country.  The boys were with their mom, I didn’t schedule any shoots, so…the day was…OPEN.  In other words.  HEAVEN!

The Huz secretly washed my car inside and out in the morning while me and Maya took a long walk along the beach.

Midday, I still wasn’t sure if pictures were going to happen.  I’d like to say, I prepared the Huz, but…I didn’t.  SO…last minute.  The weather cooperated, and I casually suggested it.  Before I’d even taken a shower.  He said “Of course” as if he’d expected it.  Because… 🙂

Blog Gap Jean Jacket Cynthia Vincent Silk Dress Aquatalia Boots-1Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-2Seriously, the best way to get Maya into pictures, is for us to say we want pictures by ourselves.  I’m not going to complain, because…I mean… Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-3 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-4 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-5She LOOOOOVES her daddy.  And, I love that, too. Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-6 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-7 One of my favorites!Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-8 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-9 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-10Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-11The Huz caught this one 🙂 Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-12 Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-13 I can’t even handle how cute she is, especially when she’s looking at the Huz!!!Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-14 Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-15 Blog GapKids Peek Tribal Dress Old Navy Boots-16 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-17 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-18 Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-19All the who wears what aside. What I really wanted was this.  I always want to capture “US!”

It’s what I always want to capture, and on Mother’s Day, I can do that.  I’m not the best with words, but I am damn good at capturing US.

LOVE YOU BOTH MORE THAN WORDS!!!Blog West Seattle Family Photographer Mothers Day-20

On me…

Jacket- Gap (thrifted, similar here)
Dress- Cynthia Vincent (ebay)
Boots- Aquatalia (eBay for $50! similar here)
On Maya…
Jacket- GapKids (thrifted, but similar here)
Dress- Peek Kids  (thrifted)
Boots- Old Navy  (thrifted)
Keeping it Real…

So, I asked Maya what she wanted to wear.  She picked a dress, and I planned accordingly.  It was a dress I’d been dying for her to wear!  I got a little excited, and planned our outfits to match.

THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY WORK!!!

Then… the dress she  picked was “TOO ITCHY!!!!”  Literally, I was dressed, because I wait until the last minute to get dressed.

“WAIT!  I’ll cut the tag!”

“STILL ITCHY!!”

“How about if we put a slip under the dress!”  (because randomly, I have a toddler slip!!?)

We put the slip on.

“Ok, I want to wear THIS!”

“MAYA!  It’s a slip.  A, you will be TOO cold!  B, you have to wear something over it.  Maybe a sweater?  A jacket?”

“NO!  THIS DRESS!  I mean, slip!”

UGH…

“Pick something else.  ANYTHING ELSE!” (ok, any of the 3 other dresses that somewhat go with what I chose to wear to go with the FIRST dress you chose! ;))

But…I’m still wearing this.  Which perfectly went with the dress she picked at first, and thankfully went with the 4th pick that I showed her.

It was SUPER windy when I was trying to take pics of myself, so…that’s why I only posted one!
I mean….woah!Blog Outtake-1 And….she’s done 😉

Blog Outtake-3

Honestly, she didn’t want to leave, but we had to get home so the Huz could make some dinner, which…was AMAZING!!!  Ahi Tuna (MY FAVORITE!!)  + a beautiful salad that he put edible flowers into (what the!!)
(Iphone snap below…)Blog Mothers Day Dinner
(all pictures taken with a self timer/shutter release and tripod, except ones of Maya 🙂 and the one of me and Maya by the Huz)

dit-elle-Lauren

Roasted Garlic

Roasted Garlic is one of the easiest and elegant baked dishes! Slice top of garlic bulb, drizzle with some coconut oil, olive oil, or butter, bake in a hot oven for about an hour and voila. Perfectly tender garlic! The garlic will be soft and smooth so that you can spread it on toast or eat with veggies, add it to pasta, salad, or anything where you want some roasted garlic flavor. Enjoy!

roasted garlic blog (3)roasted garlic blog (2)roasted garlic blog (1)

Ingredients

  • One bulb of garlic, top sliced off (crosswise and you’ll slice some of the garlic cloves as well)
  • Oil or butter

Directions

  • Put oil or butter on garlic half, put top back on and bake for around one hour in a 400* hot oven
  • Serve hot or let cool and wrap in plastic or tinfoil and refrigerate

dit-elle-Esther

Mango, Avocado, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad

One of my favorite combinations is mango and avocado.  It’s refreshing and light, yet filling with the good fat from the avocado.  Add in a little goat cheese, drizzle with a balsamic glaze + Olive oil, then toss over arugula, and you have a ridiculously easy and delicious summer salad!Blog Mango Avocado Goat Cheese Arugula Salad-1 Blog Mango Avocado Goat Cheese Arugula Salad-2 Blog Mango Avocado Goat Cheese Arugula Salad-3

 Ingredients

  • One Mango
  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 oz Goat Cheese (I love the individually wrapped oz medallions that you get at Trader Joe’s.  NOT AN AD, just love them 🙂  They stay fresh longer, and…portion control!! haha)
  • Balsamic Reduction ( you can reduce your own by boiling Balsamic Vinegar, and then simmering on the cooktop until thick), OR…you can cheat and use this from Trader Joe’s 🙂
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Serve over a bed of Arugula or spinach would be great too!

What you do…

  • Put a few handfuls of Arugula in your bowl.
  • Dice Up your mango, toss them in.
  • Dice up your avocado, toss them in.
  • Crumble your goat cheese over everything.
  • Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze + Olive Oild, and that’s it!

Enjoy!dit-elle-Lauren