Peanut Butter Truffles

• 2 1/2 cups softened confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Truffle accompaniments: sprinkles, crushed nuts, coconut, mini-chocolate chips or candies

Beat ingredients together with an electric mixer until well-combined. Form the mixture into teaspoon-size balls and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Roll truffles in accompaniments. Chill until firm.

Corn Dip

• Cooking spray
• Two 11-ounce cans Mexican corn, drained
• Two 4.5-ounce cans green chiles, drained
• 2 cups grated Monterey jack cheese
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• Corn chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine the ingredients. Spread the mixture into a baking dish. Bake uncovered, until mixture bubbles around the edges (30-40 minutes). Serve warm with corn chips.

Holiday Roll-ups

• 2 packages softened cream cheese
• 1 package ranch dressing mix
• Ground black pepper
• 5 flour tortillas
• 1/2 finely diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 finely diced red bell pepper
• 2 sliced green onions

Thoroughly combine ranch dressing mix, cream cheese and black pepper. Spread mixture on the tortillas, sprinkle the vegetables over them and roll up tightly. Wrap the roll-ups in plastic and refrigerate at least one hour before serving.

Christmas Tree Melts

(These make great cake or cupcake-toppers.)

• Pretzel sticks
• 1 cup green candy melts
• Rainbow nonpareils

Arrange pretzel sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Microwave green candy melts at 30-second intervals until completely melted, then transfer to a piping bag. Draw zigzagging lines to create a Christmas tree shape over the top half of each pretzel stick. Sprinkle with nonpareils. Let stand 10 minutes to set. Make a few extras in case some break.

The kitchens in our Chicago apartments are equipped with premium appliances, so they're ideal for whipping up your favorite holiday recipes. Contact us to learn more about the amenities we offer and available floor plans.  

The post Popular Holiday Party Snack Ideas appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Have you sometimes felt less than truly at home when celebrating the holidays in an apartment unit? Maybe you were still new to the place, or you discovered that your roomful of decorations wouldn't suit the available space. Maybe you simply didn't know how to give your apartment the proper atmosphere of holiday cheer. This year, however, will be different. Check out these simple yet effective tips for creating a holiday-ready Chicago apartment.

Seasonal Scents

When you think about this time of year, you probably recall the smells of gingerbread cookies, candy canes, vanilla-rich desserts and, of course, pine needles. You can create some of these lovely odors simply by baking your favorite holiday treats. When it comes to scented candles, however, you run the risk of violating apartment rules, setting off the smoke alarm or even causing a fire. Instead, look for seasonal aerosol sprays or scented odor-absorbers. A spritz of scent here and there, and it's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas.

Spirit-Warming Beverages

A lot of holiday ambience can be evoked by the hot or cold beverages you serve to your loved ones. For instance, ginger and cinnamon can both be brewed into delicious, warming teas that evoke the spirit of the season beautifully. You can also mix cranberry and pomegranate juices into a delicious, ruby-red drink that matches your holiday decor. A delicately-spiced "virgin" eggnog will make even Santa envious — unless, of course, you leave some out for him.

Festive (Yet Sensible) Decorations

You can get away with minimal holiday decorations if you've downsized to a modest apartment. Consider getting a mini-size tree that fits handily on a table and comes with its own tinsel. You've just made one major aspect of holiday decoration much easier, while leaving plenty of foot traffic for guests. If you're allowed to hang lights that are visible from the parking lot, go with a more minimal look so your neighbors don't regard your apartment as an eyesore.

An apartment in Chicago, Illinois, can be the perfect place to enjoy a happy holiday. If you're in the market for one, contact River Park North!

The post Make Your Apartment Festive This Holiday Season appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Paletas Are a Palate Pleaser

Paletas, or Mexican-style popsicles, can cover a wide range of the flavor gamut. These sweet, refreshing treats will carry you away to more tropical climes. Imagine lounging near the beach in Cabo or Cancun — you get the idea.

Try these coconut horchata paletas, which combine the thick creaminess of coconut milk with the nutty, cinnamon flavors of the classic Mexican beverage. Or go for something fruitier, like these Strawberry Mango Paletas from Food and Wine.

Whatever flavor you choose, you and your friends will love these treats, which are bursting with palate-popping flavor.

Easy Two Ingredient “Ice Cream”

Have you ever been wishing for homemade ice cream without all the work (not to mention all the calories and guilt)? This Easy Two-Ingredient “Ice Cream” is the answer! It’s healthy because it’s just fruit — that’s it. It’s also easy to make because…well, it’s just fruit — that’s it.

All you need to do for this sorbet is blend up frozen strawberries and ripe frozen bananas. It’s delicious on its own, but if you need it extra sweet, you can add in honey, agave, or maple syrup.

Dole Whips (Just Like Disney)

Dole Whips from Disney parks are a delicious, longstanding tradition. What’s even better? Making them at home, of course! Enjoy this tropical goodness at home using this recipe.

Keeping these treats on hand this summer can help you stay cool and be cool. If your current apartment just isn’t cutting it, maybe it’s time to upgrade to something, well, cooler. Contact us today to learn what sets us apart. We’ll walk you through which units are currently vacant. By the end of summer, you could be staying cool with us!

The post Treats to Help You Stay Cool This Summer appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Frosted Lemonade

Chick-Fil-A doesn’t quite blanket the Chicagoland area like it does much of the country, but there are a few here and there. If you’ve ever been there and had a chance to try the frosted lemonade, you already know why it’s on the list. It’s a delicious combination of soft-serve ice cream and Chick-Fil-A’s famous lemonade.

This copycat recipe can be made in your kitchen in about 10 minutes. All you need is lemon juice, vanilla ice cream, sugar, water, and (optional) sliced lemons.

Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca

Agua Fresca is a popular category of beverage consisting of fruit juices and purees mixed with water. It is usually sweetened beyond just the sugars in the fruit, but this sophisticated version doesn’t even need it. All you need is pineapple, mint leaves, and water. Toss them all in a blender, and you’re good to go!

Not sweet enough for you? That’s easy to fix. Drizzle some honey or agave into the blender and pulse a few more times.

Popsicle Punch

Popsicle Punch is a genius way to jazz up a party punch. For the punch itself, mix lemonade, lemon-lime soda, seltzer, cubed mangos, and sliced strawberries. This already sounds like a pretty good party punch, and it is. The fun addition here is the popsicle ice cubes. You can use store-bought to save time, or you can go ultra gourmet by making your own in any flavor. Here’s a recipe to get you started.

Whatever your summer entertaining plans include, you can make them even better by using one of these three great summer drink ideas. And if you’re looking for a better space to entertain in, we can help with that, too. Contact us today to learn what makes River North Park the ideal location for you.

The post 3 Perfect Drinks for Summer appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Flag Brownies

Flag brownies are a fun and easy treat to make this 4th of July. Everybody loves brownies, and dressing them up for the 4th can make them look and feel like a completely different treat. Simply bake your preferred brownies and allow them to completely cool. Then use sliced strawberries and white frosting to create stripes and blueberries set on a background of white frosting for the stars. This treat will taste wonderful and look patriotic for your 4th of July celebration. 

Patriotic Parfaits

Strawberry shortcake is a light and delicious treat that many people enjoy on the 4th of July. If you love strawberry shortcakes but want to serve something with a bit more pizazz this holiday, you can dress up your shortcake by serving it parfait-style. Cut your angel food cake up into tiny cubes. Then layer the angel food cake with Cool Whip or whipped cream and your desired fruit, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and bananas in a parfait cup or mason jar. This creates a grown-up and patriotic version of strawberry shortcake. 

Dipped Strawberries and Cherries

The last fun and easy treat you can quickly whip up for a 4th of July celebration is dipped strawberries or cherries. Warm up white chocolate, and then dip the cherry or strawberry about 2/3rds of the way in. Place out a bowl filled with blue crystal sprinkles. While the white chocolate on the strawberry or cherry is still wet, dip the bottom third of the fruit into the sprinkles. Lay it flat on wax paper to dry. You will then have a red, white and blue treat that looks beautiful and taste delicious. 

Having the right space is important if you love to host events. If you are looking for apartments in Chicago, Illinois, River North Park is perfect. Visit our website to learn more about our apartment community.

The post Easy, Fun, and Tasty Fourth of July Treats appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Perfect Picnic Picks

1. Hasselback Tomato Caprese: Tomato Caprese is a favorite anytime the weather is warm. The pop and brightness of the tomato combined with the flavors it goes with best, mozzarella and basil, is like eating a slice of delicious pizza, but in salad form. The problem is that it's not the world's most popular dish. This Hasselback version changes all that, turning what easily turns messy into individual servings that are much easier to both pack and eat. 
2. Corn Tamales with Tomatillo Salsa: Tamales take a bit of extra preparation, but the dividends pay off with a dish that is ultra portable, super friendly for eating on the go, and of course, delicious. Why not make a double batch from what you need, and put half in the freezer for the next picnic?
3. Oven-Roasted Pulled Pork with Sweet and Spicy Sauce: Sandwiches are always a popular choice for picnics, but why not skip the assembly, and make a large platter of pulled pork? Then once you're ready to picnic, put that out with some quality bread, fixings of your choice, and then let everyone make their own sandwiches. Less work for you, but still delicious and fun for everyone. 
4. Orange Ice Tea, spiked or not: Homemade ice tea is one of the best ways to savor warm weather. This recipe is delicious on its own, but also offers a spiked variety in case you'd like your picnic to offer a cocktail component.
5. Raspberry Financiers: These showstoppers are the perfect way to use summer berries while providing a sweet end to the meal. 

River North Park offers the perfect home base for picnic preparation. There is a clubhouse with a Chef's Kitchen, and many individual apartments offer the same. To find out more about the top-notch amenities we offer, contact us. 

The post Perfect Picnic Recipes appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Everything Is Peachy

Moscato has a slight fizz that adds a little fun to this fruity delight of a drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle Moscato wine
• 2 cups frozen peaches
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Place the peaches, 1/4 cup of the sugar and a splash of Moscato in a blender.
2. Taste. If necessary, add more sugar.
3. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
4. Add most of the rest of the Moscato (reserve a few splashes for later use), and blend.
5. Pour into ice cube trays. If you notice that the ingredients are starting to separate as you pour, stir the mixture in the blender occasionally.
6. Place in freezer for several hours or until hard.
7. When ready to make your slushie, add the frozen cubes of wine to a blender.
8. Splash in some wine for smoother blending.
9. Blend the cubes to a smoothie consistency. You may need to add more wine if your slushie is too thick.
10. Pour in glasses and serve immediately.

Simple & Sweet

If you enjoy red wine, you’re going to love this slushie.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (approximately) ice
• 1/2 bottle red wine of your choice
• 1 can (12 ounces) frozen concentrated punch
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 

Directions:

• Add the ice, red wine, fruit punch, and confectioners’ sugar into a blender.
• Blend until mixture is a slushie consistency. Add more ice, if necessary.

Have you been searching for a new apartment where you can come home and relax with a wine slushie and have pretty much everything you need close by? Then please come check out our sophisticated apartments in Chicago. Our community offers you a slew of conveniences, including a 24-hour fitness center and a dry cleaning, valet and package service. In addition, our pet-friendly community will also boast an amazing outdoor area that will include a pool, a sun deck and even a dog park.

The post 2 Wine Slushy Recipes to Savor This Summer appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

If you want to buy some or whip up your own in your new gourmet kitchen in your Chicago apartment, here are five uses for giardiniera that extend beyond sandwiches.

1. Spice up breakfast sandwiches and egg dishes.

If you like putting peppers in omelets and scrambled eggs to give them a little kick, especially if you had a few too many the night before, giardiniera and fresh eggs are a match made in heaven. A tablespoon or two in an omelet can take its flavor to a whole other dimension, and you can also layer it on a breakfast sandwich for something new.

2. Jazz up a casserole.

Casseroles are a great way to cook just once a week and have healthy ready-made food to come home to or take to work. If your casserole game is starting to get a little dull, add some giardiniera to the other ingredients prior to baking to give it a little kick.

3. Spicy, pickled avocado toast.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to spreading avocado slices on toast. Sriracha and pickled onion have become popular accompaniments, so the pickled goodness of giardiniera is a natural match.

4. Giardiniera-infused cornbread.

Cornbread isn't just for sopping up chili anymore. It can stand beautifully on its own as a side dish, and you can make delicious fresh cornbread by throwing a few tablespoons of giardiniera in with the batter prior to baking.

5. Burger toppings.

Giardiniera is the perfect match for vegan soy burgers and all-beef sliders alike. Since it's traditionally eaten with Italian beef sandwiches or with sausages and bratwurst, it only makes sense that it tastes great as a burger add-on as well.

Whether your taste veers toward spicy or mild, you can cook up all types of delicious dishes with state-of-the-art appliances in the River North community you'll be excited to call home. Contact us today to speak to a leasing agent.

The post 5 Uses for Giardiniera appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

While it’s sprung up in LA and New York using Havarti cheese or sharp cheddar, nothing beats Chicago style.

How to Make Pizza Pot Pie

Dough (can also use 8-ounces store-bought dough):

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornmeal (fine cornmeal works best)
• ½ teaspoon honey or sugar
• One packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons if using jarred)
• Approx. 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Sauce and Toppings

• Approx. 1 cup prepared tomato sauce
• 8‒10 slices mozzarella cheese
• 3‒4 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 3‒4 ounces sliced black olives (optional)
• Any other toppings you’d like, such as green peppers, ground sausage, etc.

Directions

1. You can skip steps 1‒3 if using store-bought dough. Proof the yeast in the water with the honey and let sit for 10 minutes.
2.  Add the flour, cornmeal and salt to the mixture and stir by hand or with a stand mixer’s dough hook.
3. Cover the bowl with a dish towel and let rise for an hour. Punch down and let rise another hour.
4. Roll the dough out to about an inch thick as if you’re making a fairly thick pizza.
5. Line an oven-safe bowl or 6-inch round glass or ceramic pan with cooking spray.
6. Layer the cheese slices so the bowl is fully covered.
7. Fill the bowl with sauce followed by the toppings of your choice.
8. Stretch the dough over the bowl, making sure it’s fully covered (it’s OK if it hangs over the edges)!
9. Bake at 400°F for 25‒30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
10. Carefully invert onto a plate, removing the bowl with a knife and oven mitt. Enjoy while hot!

Whether you’d rather go out for pizza or make your own with state-of-the-art appliances, River North lets you choose between the bustle of the city and your own private respite. Contact us today to speak to a leasing agent.

The post How to Make Chicago Style Pizza Pot Pie appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

1. One-Pot Turkey Chili

This one is perfect because a) chili makes everything better in the Midwest in the winter and b) you won't have a ton of dishes to do when it's over. It's a win-win! With only a few simple ingredients, you'll transform ground turkey and a lonely carrot or two into a feast that's made for kings (or queens).

2. Fall-Off-the-Bone Ribs

These guys take a while, so they're not going to be your go-to meal when you need something right now. But if you've got some extra time in the evening, a few minutes of prep time is all it takes; your oven will do the rest. With just a little bit of attention and a few ingredients, these ribs will wow your guests and keep them coming back for more.

3. Sweet and Spicy Sausage Farfalle

Pasta dishes may look complicated, but they don't have to be. This dinner is ready to go in 20 minutes, and you can make it as mild or spicy as you want it to be. If you're having a romantic evening in, serve up a glass of wine. You've earned it!

4. Baked Salmon Dijon

Sounds fancy, doesn't it? It'll certainly impress your guests or give you a belly full of goodness if you're dining alone, but it really doesn't take a ton of effort. Once you've purchased your salmon filets and made sure you have some butter and breadcrumbs standing by, the rest of the dinner takes care of itself. Serve it with asparagus and a baked potato to round out the meal.

5. Shrimp Tacos

Who doesn't love a great taco? With a little help from a good recipe, you can transition seafood into me-food, courtesy of a few pre-ready ingredients like canned beans and pre-cut coleslaw.

If you're ready to get cooking in a beautiful kitchen that has everything you need, we're ready to show you around our River North Park apartments. We'd love for you to stop by for a visit so we can show you around!

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