The post 2 Delicious Cold Soups That Are Perfect for Spring appeared first on North Harbor Tower Blog.
]]>
As the weather starts to warm up, you probably aren't in the mood to eat anything too hot or heavy. That's when a nice cold soup may hit just the right note in your stomach. The following are two cold soup recipes that we think will make a great addition to your recipe repertoire. Both are relatively easy and quick to make and also delicious.
Cold Japanese Soba Noodles
Cold buckwheat noodles are a popular dish in Japan on hot days.
Ingredients:
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup chicken stock or dashi
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 8 ounces soba noodles
- Finely grated ginger for garnish
- Finely chopped scallions for garnish
Directions:
- In a large pot, add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.
- Add noodles and cook until tender.
- Drain and rinse under cold running water. Continue to do so until noodles are cold.
- For the soup, combine the chicken stock (or dashi), soy sauce and mirin in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature, although it is best if chilled.
- To serve, divide noodles into bowls and spoon soup over each.
- Top with garnishes.
Spring Fresh Gazpacho
This recipe is perfect for highlighting the delicious taste of fresh vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 6 plum tomatoes, chopped
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 large peeled cucumber, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Add everything but the vinegar and olive oil to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour in the vinegar and the olive oil and blend again until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
Do you enjoy whipping together different recipes? Then, please come by and check out our beautiful apartments in Chicago, IL, where you can enjoy creating new taste sensations in our recently upgraded kitchens. Our pet-friendly community also boasts a host of other great amenities and services, including an indoor pool, a package receiving service, a garage, and a door attendant. We even offer a fitness studio with free classes.
The post 2 Delicious Cold Soups That Are Perfect for Spring appeared first on North Harbor Tower Blog.
]]>The post Spring Decor Tips for Your Living Area appeared first on North Harbor Tower Blog.
]]>
Spring is in the air in cities across the country, and many people are looking for ideas to freshen up their Chicago apartments. If you're ready to dust off the winter blues with a bright spring palette, these tips can help get you started.
Spring Decorating Tips
Use these four tips to bring your apartment to life:
- Choose real or artificial flowers to design new spring table accents. Fresh flowers deliver sweet scents and eye candy for visitors and family alike. Shop around for a fun pot or vase emblazoned with a meaningful or seasonal message to set the tone for a clean spring look.
- Change your color palette. If your apartment consists mainly of dark hues and muted color schemes, it's time to shake things up. Choose a bright color that appeals to you — whether that's neon green or pink pastel. You might want to match an existing statement piece to build a theme to carry from room to room.
- Rearrange the furniture. Has your furniture been in exactly the same spot since you moved in? In the spirit of renewal, it's time to grab a few buddies and try out new arrangements. This can be a great opportunity to move your task area under a window or skylight for tons of natural lighting, or maybe you'll decide to replace a piece of furniture that's dated or doesn't maximize the space.
- Add small accents. You don't have to start all over to achieve a completely new look. How about starting with a few changes here and there? You can even try swapping knickknacks and items of interest with friends for a no-cost update. You might even start a new spring tradition!
Enjoy this beautiful time of year and experience your own renewal. You might even choose to invest in incense or aromatherapy candles to experience a feeling of renewal that touches more than one of the five senses. Candles are an affordable, easy way to incorporate color and beauty into your interior design. However, don't be afraid to introduce items of significance to you, such as pebbles you gathered on the beach or pressed wildflowers from a hiking expedition.
If you would like to make a bigger change, feel free to contact us to see what floorplans we have available for our apartments in Chicago.
The post Spring Decor Tips for Your Living Area appeared first on North Harbor Tower Blog.
]]>