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. 

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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.

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Here are salad options that are sure to please everyone:

1. Chimichurri Chicken Avocado Salad

This salad is a gigantic, filling meal, perfect for putting your salad naysayers to rest. It's filled with incredible amounts of flavor and contains elements from most of the essential food groups. The avocados are the icing on the cake (or the salad, as the case may be). If you have vegetarians in your crew, keep the chicken separate so everyone can partake in your veggie creation.

2. Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad With Poppyseed Dressing

The beauty of this salad comes by incorporating one of summer's most infamously favorite fruits and applying a plethora of other flavors that hit the taste buds just right. If you have someone who's not a fan of gorgonzola or blue cheese, you can leave it on the side, but these robust cheeses really do round out the marriage of flavors in the mix nicely. 

If you have the oven going, toss on some salmon, shrimp or marinated tofu for a protein-packed addition.

3. Chopped Kale Power Salad With Lemon Tahini Dressing

Do you have vegan adversaries in your circle? Keep this salad's ingredients a secret until you've wowed the room. This protein-packed powerhouse of a salad is healthy, filling, comes with crunch and is served with a creamy dressing that skeptics will never suspect doesn't have dairy in it.

4. Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad

This salad adds an Italian twist, incorporating Fusilli pasta with a few simple ingredients that speak for themselves. Best of all? It can be served hot, right when the noodles are ready, or cold after it's chilled in the refrigerator for a while.

With a sparkling sun deck and private half-acre landscaped courtyard, our River North Park Apartments offer you an incredible way to enjoy the summer sun while you try out your new salad recipes. Stop by and take a tour of our community today!

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Chicken Delight

• 6 cups water
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 2 cups brown rice
• 1/2 package of mixed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower (Do not choose any package with onions, which can be poisonous to dogs.)

Add the water, chicken, and rice to a Dutch oven or large cooking pot. Break up the chicken and distribute evenly in your pot. Cook over high heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce cooking temperature to low and allow to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables and allow to simmer for another five minutes. Remove your pot from the heat, and allow your dog food to cool thoroughly before refrigerating it in serving size portions. 

Easy Crock-Pot Dog Delight

• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 4 cups of water
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 can kidney beans, rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 1 1/2 cups frozen butternut squash

Add all of your ingredients into a six-quart slow cooker. Set your temperature to low, and allow the dog food mixture to cook for approximately five hours. Or if you'd prefer, you can use the high setting on your slow cooker and cook the mixture for approximately two hours. Allow your dog food to cool completely before packaging or serving. 

Homemade Chicken Jerky Strips

• 2 to 3 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Cut the chicken breasts into approximately 10 to 15 strips that are about 1/8 of an inch thick. Place your strips on a cookie sheet, and then bake them in an oven for approximately two hours. 

Have you been searching for pet-friendly apartments in Chicago? Then please contact us so we can arrange for you to check out our sleek and sophisticated apartment homes. In addition to being pet-friendly, our community also boasts numerous amenities, including a fitness center with a heated indoor lap pool. Give our office a call to learn more about our community!

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Here are a few reasons why we hope our River North Park community residents add seasonal berries to their summer menu, and maybe toss a few in the freezer for later.

Blueberries are Good for You and They Taste Great, Too

Blueberries are small, but don't let the small size fool you into thinking they aren't powerful. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, these sweet bite-sized fruits offer a myriad of health benefits.

Studies have shown that consuming at least three servings a week of some fruits, including blueberries, reducE the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 7 percent. Other studies confirm this fiber-dense, calcium-rich food improves bone health, lowers cardiac disease risks, and boosts the immune system.

Blueberries are versatile. Add a few to the morning cereal bowl. Top waffles or French Toast with ½ cup of berries instead of syrup to lower blood glucose levels. Or snack on a few while watching your favorite series as a salty-snack alternative. We recommend this blueberry blast smoothie for a quick pick-me-up any time of the day.

Blueberry Protein Blast Smoothie Recipe

Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender or smoothie maker. (Follow your appliance directions for the order.)

• 1 cup fresh blueberries

• 1 large banana, peeled and sliced into chunks

• 1 cup almond milk

• ½ cup yogurt, cottage cheese or tofu (Greek yogurt normally provides the highest protein count)

Variations:

• Add 2 tablespoons organic chia seed.
• Add one scoop vanilla protein powder.
• Add ¼ cup raw, slivered almonds.
• Replace yogurt with one large avocado, peeled and pitted.
• Add 2 tablespoons organic cacao powder.
• Substitute water or juice for nut milk.

Serve immediately.

When something this good for you tastes this delicious, you'll want to try different variations every day of the week. And, if trying something different means you'll be moving soon, we invite you to take a tour of our Chicago apartments today. Give us a call or visit our office to schedule a tour!

The post Celebrate National Blueberry Month With This Smoothie appeared first on River North Park Apartments Blog.

Why Cauliflower?

It’s firm enough to pass as rice and soft enough when cooked to make a tasty sauce. It’s also packed with fiber and vitamins C and B. Plus, no carbs.

Turning Cauliflower Into Alfredo Sauce

It’s easier than you might think, especially with an elegant kitchen like you'll find in our apartments in Chicago, Illinois. The ingredients you need:

• Sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper
• 1 head cauliflower
• 1 cup 2-percent milk
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 clove garlic, lightly smashed
• 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan

Start by cutting up the cauliflower into smaller pieces. The goal is to have at least 2 cups of florets.

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil and then add the florets. Let them cook until tender.

Spoon out the cooked cauliflower and put it into a colander to drain. Set aside the water you used to boil the cauliflower in, though. Do not discard it. You can use it to cook your pasta after the sauce is ready.

Put the drained and cooked cauliflower into a blender and add the 2-percent milk. Puree until smooth.

Place the butter and garlic into a large skillet and heat until the butter melts. Stir in the pureed cauliflower and cook the sauce for two minutes.

Take the pan off the heat, spoon out the garlic and then stir in the parmesan cheese. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

With the cauliflower sauce complete, you can add whatever protein you choose, like grilled chicken or shrimp. It is also good without meat. For an added healthy bonus, use gluten-free noodles.

Nothing says "tasty" like good Alfredo sauce, so why not go a step further and make it healthy, too? Give us a call to tour our available apartments in Chicago and see your next chef-caliber kitchen.

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