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When fall settles into our Northridge, California, apartments, we get excited about the produce that's at its freshest when the temperatures start to cool down. This is the perfect time to enjoy the season's best salads, using ripe ingredients that flourish when autumn rolls around. If you need some inspiration, here are a few fall-inspired salads to try:
1. Apple and Walnut Salad
Apples are everywhere this time of year, so it only makes sense that they should be on your salad plate, too. With this Apple and Walnut Salad, you can enjoy the crisp, fresh taste of the lettuce and apples, alongside the crunch of toasted walnuts. The crumbled gorgonzola cheese brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony.
2. Beet Salad With Arugula and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Beets are often an overlooked vegetable, but they're so good for the body. They bring a combination of fiber, folate and vitamin C, which can be essential when cold season shows up. To get these good ingredients into your body, add some fresh beets to baby arugula, feta cheese, and toasted pecans. Top it off with some dried cranberries to complete a sensational salad.
3. Blackberry Spinach Salad
Blackberries contain a wide variety of vitamins, including A, C, E, and B. They're also rich in potassium, magnesium and powerful antioxidants. When placed atop a bed of spinach, these delicious little berries will burst with flavor, particularly when they're accompanied by cherry tomatoes, green onion slices, and chopped walnuts.
4. Broccoli Salad
Broccoli loves autumn, which is why this is the perfect time of year to concoct a side dish or lunch salad that puts this veggie in its best light. It pairs well with sunflower seeds, bacon bits, and dried cranberries, among a few other fall-favorite ingredients.
5. Fig Salad With Goat Cheese and Baby Arugula
If figs aren't normally on your dinner plate, maybe this fall season will inspire you to branch out and try something new. When served with goat cheese and toasted walnuts, these little beauties take on a life of their own.
Are you searching for an apartment that'll welcome you home every time the day is done? Candlewood North is proud to provide peaceful respite to our residents. We invite you to check out our available floor plans today!
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Summer is the perfect time to start cooking those delicious summertime meals. In this post, we’ll discuss a few different meal ideas to make your summer great.
Taco Salad
The summer months are a perfect time to enjoy those cool, refreshing salads. The meal we’ll feature here is the taco salad. Start by grabbing your favorite lettuce — whether that’s iceberg, romaine, or spinach (we recommend spinach). Then you’ll want to choose your toppings. A good combination of toppings includes black beans, avocado, shredded cheese, tomatoes, onions, and chipotle ranch dressing. To make your own delicious southwest dressing, you can also mix ranch with your favorite salsa. Taco salads are a scrumptious summertime treat the whole family can enjoy.
Shrimp Scampi
While summertime is great for fresh salads, pasta is another meal that's ideal during the warm months. For this meal, we’ll discuss shrimp scampi with angel hair pasta. Start by going to the store and purchasing some fresh shrimp. Then you’ll want to buy some angel hair pasta, olive oil, white wine, and some seasonings. While you’re cooking the pasta, you’ll want to sauté the shrimp, remove it, sauté the garlic, then add the wine and other seasonings. After that, you'll add the shrimp and noodles back into the pan to cook together. This meal is a protein-packed, hearty option everyone can enjoy on a cool summer evening.
Homemade Pizza
Who doesn’t love pizza? And since your kids are home from school on summer vacation, summertime is a great time to get the family together for homemade pizza night. Making pizza as a family is a perfect way to bring everyone together while cooking amazing food at the same time. Start by purchasing pizza dough, enough to make a pizza or two, or more if you have a large family. Then you’ll need pizza sauce, cheese, and any toppings you prefer. To really make things fun, have your kids choose whatever toppings they want. To cook, preheat the oven to 425, press the dough onto a pan, add the sauce, throw on some cheese, then place your toppings. After cooking for around 15-20 minutes, your kids will be blown away at the amazing pizza they helped design. Cooking pizza with the family helps to connect with everyone while enjoying delicious pizza on a beautiful summer night.
If you’re looking for apartments in Northridge, CA to make all your favorite summertime meals, then call Candlewood North today to learn more!
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Walking the line between tart and sweet, strawberries are always a delight to munch on. They are even better, however, when transformed into baked goods and other delicious treats. Many people never go beyond strawberry shortcake in their creations — but you can with these awesome recipes.
Strawberry Shortbread Bars
Move over shortcake! Shortbread bars are here to elevate the flavor of strawberries in ways you have only imagined. To make these bars, you will need:
- 3 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 cups butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy. In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch and flour. Then, slowly add the flour and cornstarch to the butter mixture while mixing on low.
Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in the shortbread batter. In a decorative design, pour the strawberry puree over the top and swirl it with a butter knife. Bake for 45 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges. Slice into generous pieces after the shortbread has cooled a bit but is still warm.
Pickled Strawberries
Although it might seem strange, pickling your strawberries seals in the freshness and builds on their bold flavors. To accomplish this feat, gather up:
- 4 cups strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
Wash the strawberries and remove the stems and leaves. Stack the prepared whole strawberries in one-quart jars, stopping just before the rim. Using a medium saucepan, cook the balsamic vinegar, white sugar and salt over medium-high heat. Stir frequently to help the sugar and salt fully dissolve. Once the mixture boils, remove the saucepan from the heat. Next, pour the mixture into the strawberry-filled jars. Let the jars cool, and put a lid on the strawberries. They keep in the fridge for about five days.
While you make these tantalizing recipes, treat yourself to a tall glass of ice-cold strawberry lemonade. And when you are done, give us a call at 866-796-2183 to learn how we can help you find the Northridge apartment of your dreams.
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Lemonade has always been a quintessential summer beverage, perfect for sipping on shaded porches on hot afternoons and always a staple of picnics, backyard barbecues, potlucks, and other communal dining activities. It's only natural that old-school lemonade should transition into delightfully lemony adult beverages. Following are just five lemony cocktails that residents of apartments in Northridge, CA, can enjoy on hot summer afternoons.
Lemon-Lemon Drink
This one is like classic lemonade on steroids, and it's very easy to prepare. Simply fill a tall highball glass with ice, add a shot of lemon-flavored vodka, fill with lemonade and garnish with a fresh lemon slice.
Lemon Mimosa
Classic orange juice mimosas often play starring roles in Sunday brunches, but summer fare calls for a lighter touch. Switching out orange juice for lemonade when making mimosas provides an elegant touch that's ideal for warm-weather sipping.
Lemon Blueberry Swirl
Lemon and blueberry is a natural pairing that captures the taste of summer perfectly. This drink is best served over ice in tall, chilled glasses. Add blueberry vodka to the glass of ice and follow with freshly prepared lemonade. Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and a cocktail skewer loaded with blueberries.
Lemon Punch
Lemon punch is an excellent adult beverage option for celebratory occasions involving multiple participants. Mix lemon vodka, Champagne and your favorite fruit juice together in a big punch bowl. Toss a handful of fresh lemon slices into the mix and refrigerate for several hours before serving. This punch is easily customized to meet personal preferences.
Lemon Peach Martini
Strain peach juice, lemon vodka and triple sec through a cocktail shaker with ice into chilled martini glasses and garnish with fresh lemon slices for a cocktail featuring over-the-top elegance. This one's perfect for a Friday afternoon gathering with friends on the balcony or patio where you can socialize while basking in the warm rays of the summer sun.
Our apartments all feature patios and balconies that are perfect for enjoying al fresco cocktail hours. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with us for more information on life in our Northridge apartment community.
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Here's a perfectly spooky and fun treat for our Candlewood North residents to serve at your next Halloween party for adults or kids! Frosting is used to form a square head. Candies are used to create scary facial features. These unique, delicious and easy-to-make holiday dessert treats will delight your guests and add a lively feature to your Halloween buffet presentation.
Frankenstein Cupcakes Recipe
INGREDIENTS
Cupcakes:
1 pkg. yellow cake mix (15.25 oz.)
3 eggs
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Frosting:
1 cup butter (softened)
8 cups confectioners' sugar
1 cup shortening
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Green food coloring
Decorations:
24 dark brown candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
24 blue candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
5 oz. chocolate sprinkles
1 oz. black food coloring gel
1 oz. red food coloring gel
INSTRUCTIONS
(Preparation Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes)
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease 12 muffin cups.
CUPCAKES
Mix together cake mix, eggs, water and oil in a bowl. Beat mixture with an electric mixer to make batter smooth (around 2 minutes). Divide batter evenly between all of the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean after insertion in the center of a cupcake (19–23 minutes). Cool cupcakes. Then transfer them to a wire rack for more cooling.
FROSTING
Beat together shortening and butter in a bowl with an electric mixer to make frosting smooth. Add vanilla extract. Mix well. Alternate beating in confectioners' sugar and milk into frosting mixture until the frosting is stiff. Mix in green food coloring until desired shade is achieved.
Dollop frosting onto cupcakes. Smooth out the frosting with a small spatula to cover the tops and all four sides of each cupcake. Sculpt frosting into a square shape on top of cupcakes, and flatten it to create a square, flat head shape.
DECORATIONS
Dip the top of each cupcake into the sprinkles to create hair. Place 2 blue candy pieces on one side to create “eyes.” Place a dot of black food gel at the center of blue candy pieces for “pupils.” Use red food gel to create the “stitches” on the “face.” Place 2 dark chocolate pieces onto two sides to create the “bolts.”
Nutritional Information (per serving):
460 calories; 60.9 grams carbohydrate; 4 grams fat, 2 grams protein, 45 mg. cholesterol, 186 mg. sodium
Candlewood North, Northridge, CA
The lovely Northridge apartment community features an overabundance of special features and amenities, including a gorgeous lobby and outdoor lounge seating area, resort-style pool, controlled access, covered parking, walking distance to CSU, quick freeway access, beautiful, fully equipped kitchens, spacious closets, wood-style flooring and much more.
To inquire about currently available floor plans, contact Candlewood North by calling (866) 796-2183 to speak to one of our community's knowledgeable and helpful staff members.
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Fall brings opportunities for new seasonal dinner menus. To help our residents at Candlewood North apartments in Northridge manage their busy schedules while turning out great dinners, we supply a head start in the form of a collection of recipes for entrees that can be prepared quickly. Here are two delicious and easy-to-make seasonal dishes.
Baja Chicken Bowl
This colorful, refreshing, nutrition-packed dinner serves two. (Prep time: about 20 minutes)
Ingredients
4 ounces cooked chicken, diced
1 cup brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup salsa (your favorite pre-made brand)
1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 tbsp. olive oil
Sea salt
Ground black pepper
Directions
Heat oil in a skillet. Stir in diced chicken, corn and diced red pepper. Cook over medium heat until mixture is heated thoroughly and red pepper is slightly softened (approximately 5 minutes). Salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon warm rice into two bowls. Then, spoon chicken mixture on top of rice in both bowls. Top each bowl with salsa. Generously spread Monterey Jack cheese on top of each bowl.
Shell Goulash
Dress up the standard goulash recipe with shell pasta replacing elbow macaroni and adding pretty garnishes.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 1/4 cup low sodium beef broth
1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 cups medium-sized shell pasta, uncooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Cherry tomatoes cut in halves for garnish
Directions
Heat oil In a large skillet. Add onion, and cook over medium heat until slightly softened (approximately 5 minutes). Add garlic. Cook about 1 minute more, or until garlic fragrance is expressed.
Add ground beef. Add salt and pepper. Cook until meat is no longer pink (approximately 8–9 minutes). Drain fat.
Stir in tomato paste. Pour in broth. Add diced tomatoes.
Season with paprika and Italian seasoning.
Stir in shell pasta.
Simmer, stirring the mixture occasionally, until pasta is tender (approximately 15 minutes).
Fold in cheese, and remove from heat. Garnish with parsley and cherry tomato halves.
Candlewood North, Northridge, CA
Beautiful Candlewood North apartments in Northridge, CA, are within walking distance of California State University and offer a resort-style swimming pool, controlled access, pets allowed, patios and balconies, wood-style flooring, and more. Call our office today at (866) 796-2183 to see which floor plans are available.
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With summer in full swing, people are planning cookouts and picnics galore. Residents of our Northridge, CA apartments are no exception. They make frequent use of the BBQ grilling area to prepare their favorite summer fare. Hamburgers are a staple of most outdoor gatherings, so when it's your turn to host the next backyard barbecue, consider these tips for grilling the perfect patty:
Choose the Right Meat
Select a cut of ground chuck that is 80/20 (80 percent lean, 20 percent fat) for a juicy burger packed with flavor. The higher the fat content, the more the burgers will shrink on the grill. On the other hand, if there is not enough fat, the burgers will be too dry. This rule applies whether you're cooking beef or turkey.
Prepare the Meat
Add salt (1 teaspoon per pound of meat) and pepper. Mix in any other herbs and spices that you really like, then roll the meat into equal-sized balls and gently press down on them to form patties that are about 3/4-inch thick at the edges and 1/2-inch thick in the middle. Avoid over-handling the meat, as this will make the burgers tougher. Seasoning the meat and placing it in the refrigerator a few hours before you want to grill it allows all the spices to combine for optimal flavor. Keep the patties cold until you're ready to put them on the grill. Creating a “dimple” in the middle of each burger will prevent it from bulging on the coals.
Grill the Patties
Clean and oil the grill thoroughly to prevent items from sticking. Grill the patties at a steady, high heat. Flip them only once, as over-flipping will toughen the meat. Similarly, pressing the burgers with a spatula will squeeze out the juice and flavor. Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°.
Enjoy!
Let the burgers cool for 10 minutes or so. Add your favorite condiments, serve up some savory sides, and dig in!
Our Northridge, CA apartments feature a lounge area and other outdoor spaces for entertaining friends. Contact our office to learn more about available floor plans and amenities.
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Making your own pizza may seem silly when you can just pick up the phone and call for delivery. But believe it or not, you may be able to make pizza better than any of the many businesses on your block. Plus, you have the satisfaction of eating something you made with your own two hands! Follow these tips to get the best char, melt, and flavor possible.
Grab Your Dough
Starting with about a pound of dough, you can use a cookie sheet to shape it into a rectangle. Your pizza dough should be at room temperature and your dough should be separated from the sheet by a thin layer of flour. You can also use premade pizza dough, by Boboli, for example. It makes the process go a little faster, and you can still get a nice char on it.
Turn up the Heat
The heat of the grill should be turned up, so the pizza dough can cook quickly. You can distribute vegetable oil over the grates using a paper towel and tongs before sliding the dough directly onto the grates. Once the grill has reached peak temperature, you only need to close the grill and leave it alone two to three minutes.
Finishing it Up
Once your crust has reached a light-brown color on the bottom, it's ready to be turned over. You'll have to work quickly to spread olive oil and toppings onto the pizza because it will only need around two to three minutes to brown on that side too. If the crust has already browned but you still need more time to melt the cheese and cook the toppings, you can lower the heat and cook for an extra two minutes.
Living in our Northridge apartments is just more fun when you can treat yourself and your friends to a homemade pie every once in a while. Mastering this recipe may even make you throw all your pizza-delivery pamphlets and flyers away. If you're looking for an apartment community that can give you the cooking amenities you need to improve your lifestyle, give Candlewood North a call! Our floor plans are just what you need to step up your game! Give us a call or stop by our office to learn more!
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Did you know? April 18 is National Animal Crackers Day and we’re ready to enjoy it to the fullest at our lovely Northridge apartments.
Put animal crackers on your shopping list so you’re ready on the perfect day to share them with friends and loved ones. Of course, there is a hashtag to share ideas: #NationalAnimalCrackersDay.
Here are three ways to get in on the animal crackers fun, each one sure to inspire more.
USE ANIMAL CRACKERS AS CUPCAKE TOPPERS
Completely revel in your joy about the day with animals garnishing your sweet cupcakes. Animal crackers can garnish the periphery of a pie too, so that each slice has its own animal.
To be a bit subtler, crush them into a pie crust! Instead of the graham cracker staple, try animal crackers in your go-to recipe. These cookies make a delicious pie crust your friends will love.
CREATE FESTIVE GIFTS
Wrap them in small, clear cylinders, bags, or boxes. Tie them smartly with a bow. Then bring them to classes or pass them out at a meeting. Animal crackers are adorable in see-through gift packs.
MAKE PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICHES
Great with apple slices. Bring a tray for your protein-loving hiking buddies. Don’t forget Pinterest to find plenty of festive, cookie-focused yet healthful ideas.
WATCHING YOUR SODIUM INTAKE OR PREFER ORGANIC?
While they were associated with Barnum and the circus back in the day, animal crackers have come a long way. Organic animal crackers at Trader Joe’s, for example, are low-sodium delights and a great deal. And you know what’s pretty great? They don’t use animal products in their animal crackers. At Candlewood North Apartments, there are many Trader Joe’s conveniently near our community!
When enjoying National Animal Crackers Day at our beautiful Northridge apartments, invite your friends to meet us too. We’d love to have them join you in coming home to Candlewood North Apartments in Northridge, CA. Our apartment community offers studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Our apartments feature spacious closets and kitchens equipped with refrigerator, dishwasher, and disposal. Call our office at (866) 796-2183 to learn more about our available floor plans today!
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Cooking in the kitchen of your Northridge apartment is a blast, except when you’re on a diet. It’s never easy to give up high-calorie favorites, but you can reduce the burden with the right recipes that taste delicious.
4 DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS DINNER RECIPES
PIZZA STUFFED PEPPERS
Skip the delivery pizza and whip up this healthy treat instead. Begin by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Clean and remove the seeds from each bell pepper, one per person. Bake for twenty minutes. Remove from the oven, and add mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and mini pepperoni slices to taste. Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes.
TURKEY BURGERS
Substitute red meat with ground turkey for a healthier burger. Aim for at least 90 percent lean — the leaner, the better. Mix one pound of turkey with one teaspoon of black pepper, one teaspoon of onion powder, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of garlic powder. Split this mixture into four equal servings. Cook each patty on a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add lettuce, tomato, and any other desired toppings.
QUINOA ENCHILADA CASSEROLE
This recipe suits vegetarians in need of extra protein. Cook one cup of quinoa with two cups of water. Combine with a can of mild enchilada sauce, half a cup of black beans, and half a teaspoon of chili powder. Spread the mix into a greased baking dish and top with one cup of your favorite shredded cheese.
TORTILLA SOUP
This healthy soup delivers several servings of veggies while keeping calorie count to a minimum. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil or canola oil in a skillet before adding one diced onion and one minced clove of garlic. Add this to your slow cooker, along with three cups of chicken or vegetable broth, and two cans of diced fire-roasted tomatoes. Add three cups of shredded chicken and a can of pinto beans. Extra beans or lentils allow for an easy vegetarian substitute. Heat on low for five hours before serving with tortilla chips.
With the right dinner recipe, eating healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. Feel free to experiment and make these recipes your own. Cooking is a treat in our kitchens equipped with refrigerator, dishwasher and disposal. Reach out today to learn more about our floor plans.
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