BOSTON, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

On The Town: Panzanella Salad at Trattoria Newbury in Boston

Just an opinion, but every warm-ish fall day should be treated as though it might be the last, especially with daylight savings time hitting this weekend. From taking long strolls, to patio dining, I’ve been enjoying Boston as much as possible. Recently, I celebrated a warm day by snagging a prime patio table at Trattoria Newbury for lunch and couldn’t resist sharing a photo of my amazing Panzanella Salad.

Panzanella is an Italian bread salad that typically includes tomatoes, lettuce, cheese and beans. The version at Trattoria Newbury ($11.95) features a mix of bread, grilled chicken, fresh tomato, cannellini beans, arugula, basil, fresh mozzarella and red wine vinegar. The flavors worked very well together, though I’m not sure the cannellini beans were needed with the massive portion of grilled chicken.

The best part of this salad? It would be so easy to make at home for a dinner party! For color and a little more crunch, I might swap lima beans for cannellini beans and add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the dressing. But, that’s just me…

Trattoria Newbury is located at 264 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay.

BOSTON, EVENTS, SOCIAL MEDIA

Highlights From The Social Media Strategies Summit Boston

Now this is what I call conference food!

During social media week in Boston, I was excited to have the opportunity to be the morning keynote on day two of GSMI’s Social Media Strategies Summit Boston. In addition to speaking at the event, I also attended most of the conference for the learning opportunities. I’ve said it before, but social media conferences offer an excellent opportunity to step away from your day-to-day, connect with and learn from other leaders in your field. True to form, this event was no different. Here are several highlights from the event:

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RECIPES

Home Cookin’: Vegan Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes via Oh She Glows Blog

You may not know this, but the most-read blog entry on my blog is how to use canned pumpkin as a lower calorie baking swap. Simply add canned pumpkin to your favorite boxed brownie mix et voilà – delicious, moist, reduced guilt brownies. While the end result is amazing, you cannot taste the pumpkin. So, when I discovered a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Brownie Cupcakes on one of my favorite vegan food blogs, Oh She Glows, a lightbulb went on. The flavors of pumpkin pie and brownies together!? I simply had to try this recipe!

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BOSTON, ENTERTAINING, NIGHTLIFE

On The Town: Pumpkin Beer with a Pumpkin Spiced Rim – Pour House

‘Tis the season for all things pumpkin. Though my passion for pumpkin flavored coffee, baked goods and savory recipes is not limited to the fall, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of these special limited time items. Case and point – pumpkin beer! Recently, I met my dear friend Betsy, who was back in town visiting after (envious) jaunts in London and Hawaii, for a drink at the Pour House on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay. Definitely more of a beer place (in my mind, anyway), so I had my sights set on a very pumpkin-y flavored beer. I went for the UFO Pumpkin on tap and much to my delight, the waitress asked if I would like a pumpkin spiced rim to go with. Ummm…yeah!? The rim was a lot of fun and really added to the pumpkin beer experience. Sure, a little messy, but 100 percent worth it.

The great thing about pumpkin beer with a spiced rim is that you can easily replicate it at home. After a quick google search, I stumbled upon a super quick pumpkin spice and brown sugar rim recipe from a cute blog called Small Kitchen College.

Join me in raising your glass to all things pumpkin!

The Pour House is located at 907 Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay.

 

GOOD READS

Good Reads: Your First Hour At Work & How To Introduce Yourself

Each week I’m reading, absorbing, learning and sharing. Two articles I shared recently on Twitter which focus on being the best version of yourself generated a big response. One article, from Fast Company, delves into what successful people do during their first hour at work. The second, from Inc., speaks to the art of the introduction and provides practical tips you can apply to the real world. Interested? Read more!

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