Generous Portion of Apples

Give your bed of spring greens a touch of sweet-and-sour flavor with some diced apples. Consider using a mix of three different apples with varying levels of sweetness. For a classic mix, try red, yellow and green apple varieties on your salad.

Dash of Craisins

After you load up on the apples, you can place a dash of craisins on your salad for flavor and texture. These dried cranberries also have a sweet-and-sour flavor profile. Beyond that, they are chewy and delicious with many different kinds of dressing. Try them with balsamic vinegar for a particularly delicious flavor experience.

Sprinkle of Candied Walnuts 

All the acidic elements can be a bit overpowering, so balance them out with a sprinkle of candied walnuts. These sweet nuts will give your salad the crunch it needs in a big way. You can chop them finely or leave them whole when you eat this salad at your Mountlake Terrace apartments.

A Few Grapes for Good Measure

Fresh grapes bring your spring salad flavors together by adding a burst of freshness. As you cut through the grapes, their lovely flavors cover the greens and blend with the dressing to amplify your salad. Cut the grapes in half before you add them to your salad to start this process right away.

As you toss together your favorite spring salad mixes, you can begin your enjoyment of this season in earnest. With each salad that you eat, reflect on whether it is time to upgrade your apartment. If so, give our team a call at 855-450-2838 to learn about the floor plans we have available at Taluswood Apartments.

The post How to Jazz Up Your Spring Salads appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Ginger Sage Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of Santa Margherita Prosecco 
• 2 tbsp simple syrup
• 1 cup of honey
• 3 cups of water
• 2 whole pears, peeled, cored and diced
• 1 large piece of ginger, peeled and diced
• 20 fresh sage leaves

Directions:

Heat honey and water over medium heat in a saucepan till you get a light boil. Turn the heat down low and stir occasionally until the honey has dissolved. Add the pears, sage leaves, and honey, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the mixture from heat and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the syrup into a thick bowl. Get rid of the ginger and sage leaves. Add a few pieces of cooked pear into each wine glass, followed by the syrup. Add the Prosecco and serve with some sage leaves. 

Bourbini

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Heaven Hill 6-year bourbon
• 2 dashes peach bitters
• .5 oz. Mathilde Peche peach liqueur
• Sparkling wine

Directions:

Combine bourbon, bitters, liquor, and ice, then shake ingredients together. Strain mixture into a glass and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with mint sprig. 

GM-P Collins

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Ford’s Gin
• .75 oz fennel syrup
• .75 oz lemon juice
• 1 dash Scrappy’s celery bitters
• 2 dashes of Peychaud bitters 
• Pinch of salt
• Soda

Directions:

Combine gin, lemon, fennel syrup, celery bitters, salt, and ice, then shake ingredients together. Strain mixture into a Collins glass, add soda and top with two dashes of Peychaud bitters on the top cube. Garnish with a fennel frond. 

Raspberry Lemon & Lime Ginger Beer Cocktail

Ingredients:

• .75 oz raspberry puree 
• 1.5 oz of Brooklyn Crafted ginger beer, lemon, and lime
• Splash of limoncello 
• 4 oz champagne 
• A squeeze of lime juice
• Fresh raspberries

Directions:

Combine raspberry puree, limoncello, and ginger beer into a champagne glass and stir. Top with some champagne and lime juice. Garnish with fresh raspberries.

Concrete Junglebird

Ingredients:

• .25 oz demerara
• .5 oz lime juice
• .75 oz Campari
• 1.5 oz caramelized pineapple concentrate
• .75 oz Appleton Reserve Jamaican Rum
• .75 oz chai infused Jameson Black Barrel

Directions:

Add all ingredients together and add to a mixer with ice. Shake very well and strain into a double rocks glass. Garnish with a pineapple leaf. 

Sip and Enjoy the Season!

From a sweet refreshment to something more bitter, these drinks are ideal for any springtime gathering in your apartment or home. To find beautiful apartments in Mountlake Terrace, be sure to contact Taluswood apartments today to make an appointment!

The post Top Spring Cocktail Recipes appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Choco Mocha Mint Cocktail

Mouth-watering chocolatey goodness with a minty twist awaits the taste buds in this warm adults-only concoction.

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 ounces hot coffee
• 1 1/2 ounces chocolate liqueur
• 1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
• 2 tablespoons whipped cream
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy cane (optional)
• 1 fresh mint leaf (optional)

Instructions:  Combine the schnapps and chocolate liqueur into a tall mug and pour hot coffee atop it. Add a decorative dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with a bit of candy cane; top with a fresh mint leaf if desired.

Orange Zinger Cider

Break out a slow cooker and prepare to indulge in a seasonal favorite with a dash of creative fruits and spices.

Ingredients

• 2 quarts apple cider
• 1 cup each of pineapple and orange juice
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 8 whole cloves
• 4‒8 cinnamon sticks
• 4‒8 circular orange slices, 1/4-inch thick, unpeeled

Instructions: Put everything in the slow cooker except the oranges, cinnamon sticks and cloves. Take each orange slice and situate two cloves into the pulp and one cinnamon stick in the center, add to the pot, and cook on low for 3 hours. Discard the solids, pour into a mug, and garnish with additional orange slices and cinnamon.

Sugar Plum Wine Fairy

No need for glitter or fairy dust when you wow your guests with this enchanting cocktail.

Ingredients per Serving

• 1 herbal fruit or berry tea bag
• 2–3 ounces plum wine
• Honey as desired for sweetness
• Lemon rind, for garnish
• Boiling water

Instructions:  Add a tea bag to a tall mug and pour in 5 ounces of boiling water. Steep for a few minutes, remove tea bag and then add the desired amount of plum wine. Add honey to taste and garnish with a lemon twist.

Enjoy the natural beauty and friendly communities near our Pacific Northwest apartments in Mount Lake Terrace, WA, every day. Contact Taluswood Apartments today to learn more about our amenities or to schedule a private tour of our exquisite property.

The post 3 Festive Drinks to Bring Holiday Cheer appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Instant Pot Dinner (and Everything Else) Ideas

• Make a soup: Sauté seasonings like spices, onions, and garlic on the sauté setting first and then add everything else you want to add to a soup — lentils, vegetables, meats, stock, etc. Press the pressure cooker button and enjoy a nice, heartwarming soup in about half an hour.
• Beans: With an Instant Pot, you no longer have to keep track of which beans to soak beforehand and how long, etc. You simply press the button that says “beans,” add seasoning if desired, and wait for them to finish in no time at all. You can easily make beans to add to salads, as a side dish, or even turn into a main dish like nachos. It’s a great way to be healthy and economical at the same time.
• Rice: You can make any type of rice in an Instant Pot: brown rice, jasmine, short-grain, long-grain, pearl rice, etc. You don’t need to memorize the different cooking times because the Instant Pot already has that figured out for you. Just press the “rice” button, and it will be done shortly.
•  Yogurt: Everyone knows that yogurt has a lot of amazing health benefits, but did you know that you can save a lot of money by making it at home? It’s easy to make yogurt in an Instant Pot with just the touch of a button, and the flavor of homemade yogurt is unbeatable!
• Broth: It’s not hard to throw in vegetables, meat, and spices and make a delicious, healthy broth to have on hand for soups on chilly winter days. For even more flavor, you can let it simmer for 24 or 48 hours or longer without having to worry about it.

Dinner can be as simple or as complicated as you like when you have a nice place to call home. If you are looking for apartments in Mountlake Terrace, find out why Taluswood Apartments is one of the best places to call home. Contact us today to see which floor plans are available.

The post Using an Instant Pot for Delicious & Easy Dinners appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Berry Packs a Punch

Berry flavored punch is always a crowd pleaser and Tito’s vodka has been a trendy option as of late. Combine the pair and that equals happy guests. Try this simple punch cocktail recipe and wow your friends.

Gather These Ingredients

8 ounces of Tito's Handmade Vodka

2 ounces of orange liqueur

8 ounces of pomegranate juice

8 ounces of seltzer

4 ounces of lemonade

4 ounces of orange juice

1 dash of cinnamon

2 cups of mixed frozen berries

How to Make

Combine all of the ingredients in a large punch bowl or pitcher. Stir appropriately and pour over ice cubes. Serves up to 8 party guests.

Pineapple-Infused Sangria

Many guests expect sangria to be driven by grape-infused wines. This pineapple sangria will pleasantly turn a few heads at your next fall gathering.

Gather These Ingredients

1 gallon of dry red wine

½-cup of granulated sugar

46 ounces of pineapple juice

8 ounces of frozen pineapple chunks

1 orange sliced into rounds

1 lime sliced into rounds

How to Make

Combine all of the liquid ingredients in a punch bowl and stir. Add in the pineapple chunks and fruit rounds. Serve over ice. This recipe takes only about 10 minutes to prepare.

Frankenstein’s Punchster

Halloween is fast approaching and that means hauntingly good parties. It’s only fitting that you provide your guests with a seasonally appropriate cocktail punch.

Gather These Ingredients

1 gallon of ginger ale

46 ounces of pineapple juice

2 cups Jose Cuervo silver

1 half-gallon of lemon and lime sorbet

1 lemon sliced into rounds

1 lime sliced into rounds

How to Make

Combine all of the liquid ingredients into a large punch bowl. Then add fruit slices. Serve in glasses filled with ice and top with a small scoop of sorbet. The fruity iced sorbet punch will surely get your guests in the spirit.

We hope our Taluswood community members enjoy these fall punch cocktail recipes. If you or a friend would like more information about our Mountlake Terrace apartments, call us today.

The post 3 Fall Punch Cocktail Recipes appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Few fall treats are richer or yummier than pumpkin cheesecake. Real pumpkin puree adds the authentic flavor that everyone can’t get enough of this time of year. A store-bought premade crust saves time if you’re in a pinch.

Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

The basic Bundt cake gets dressed up with an addictive filling made of cream cheese. With toasted pecans on top, praline frosting, and apple slices, this dessert is most certainly a crowd-pleaser.

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

Cool off in the still-warm weather with a homemade pumpkin milkshake. Canned pumpkin is once again used here, as are pumpkin pie spices and brown sugar. Make this treat healthier with fat-free milk and reduced-fat ice cream.

Apple Dumplings

Apples are in season, so make the most of them with this interesting dessert. These dumplings are like a fancier version of traditional apple pie. Pastry dough is used for the dumpling shells. A sweet and sticky cinnamon filling adds a surprising touch.

Gingersnap Cookies

The salty sweetness of gingersnap cookies heralds the arrival of fall. The star ingredients of this cookie are salt, cinnamon, baking soda, real ginger, and flour. You can make your cookies soft or hard, crunchy or bendy, or thick or thin. Gingersnap cookies carry over well into the Christmas season, too!

Praline Apple Bread

Mmm, few desserts are better than a good homemade bread. Show ‘em how it’s done fall style with this praline apple bread. You’ll need sour cream, chopped pecans, and Granny Smith apples. The crunchy nuts make a great topping.

Mountlake Terrace, WA is a picturesque landscape during the fall and the rest of the year. At Taluswood Apartments, you can take in the beauty of Washington while enjoying such amenities as mirrored bathroom storage cabinets, a balcony or patio, vaulted ceilings, mini blinds, dishwashers, wall-to-wall carpeting, wood-inspired flooring, a fully-equipped kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace, and a washer and dryer.

Don’t wait another day. Contact us today to learn more about apartment availability.

The post Delicious Fall Desserts to Make Today appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

It's About Trying New Things

One of the most important tips to keep in mind when holding a beer tasting has to do with the spirit of the event itself. There's no sense in trying beers that you and the other members of your group are already familiar with. This is about broadening your horizons. When you go to the liquor store, try to put together your own six pack (or 12 pack, if you prefer) of single beers that you would likely never try under normal circumstances. Try to get a wide variety of beers, too – lagers, IPAs, etc. 

Everyone Should Try Everything

Another key tip to make sure that your beer tasting goes off without a hitch is that everyone should at least sample everything you have. If you've got three people in your party, don't buy three bottles of the same beer – split that single bottle three ways. Then, after a sip or two, discuss your findings. Talk about things like the initial flavor or the aftertaste. Bring up what you like and don't like. Turn it into a genuine discussion and everyone will have a lot of fun.

Keep That Water Handy

Finally, you should always keep glasses of water at the ready for everyone to try between beers. Some beers will have a very strong flavor that, if left unchecked, will overpower everything else you try. Taste a beer, have some water to clear your palate, taste another beer. That's the only way to make sure you're getting an accurate representation of what each beer has in store for you. 

Provided that you keep these tips in mind, you and your friends will have a terrific time at your beer tasting – and will soon, no doubt, be planning your next one, too. To find out more information about how to best hold a beer tasting in your home, or if you'd like to find out more about our apartments in Mountlake Terrace, don't delay – contact Taluswood Apartments today. 

The post How to Hold a Beer Tasting appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Pinterest-Ready Cocktails to Make You the Star Bartender:

• Blood & Passion Margarita. Shake 1.5 parts silver tequila, 1 part blood orange liqueur, 0.75 part lime juice and a 0.5 part passion fruit syrup (or to taste) with ice. Strain and serve with ice and a blood orange slice. Super easy, tasty and dramatic! Blend with ice and serve in a sugar-rimmed glass, if you prefer a blended drink.

• Adult Raspberry Lemonade. Freeze raspberries and lemon slices ahead of time for a garnish. Mix 2 parts lemonade with 1 part raspberry vodka. Serve on ice with frozen raspberries and lemon slices. This makes a beautiful drink for barbecues and outdoor gatherings.

• Malibu Sunset. There’s just something about a layered drink that is so appealing. This one is super easy to make and fun to drink. You must add the ingredients in the correct order to get the layered look. First, start with three to four large or six to seven small ice cubes in the bottom of the glass. Pour 2 parts pineapple juice, top with 1 part coconut rum and very gently drizzle grenadine from the top of the glass. You’ll get a beautiful sunset look that your guests will love, and the drink can be mixed when enjoyed.

• Blue Lagoon. The ultimate Pinterest drink. 1 part blue curacao, 1 part vodka and 4 parts lemon juice (sweetened or not, as desired.) Shake with ice, strain and enjoy. It’s beautiful, fun and a modern classic. This is also a very easy drink to use as a base. Simply add sparkling juice instead of lemon juice for instance, or try adding extra flavor elements for something a little different.

These cocktails are sure to be a memorable part of your next event, but having a great location to host is important too. If you’re thinking about moving to a new apartment that is more entertaining-friendly, check out our Mountlake Terrace apartments at Taluswood. We’d love to show you what floor plans we have available and see if one may work well for you.

The post Pinterest-Worthy Cocktails You’ll Want to Share! appeared first on Taluswood Apartments Blog.

Soak the Skewers 

Bamboo skewers can burn if you're not careful, which doesn't exactly make for good eats. You can soak the skewers in water or buy presoaked skewers so you can grill whenever you like. If you grill all the time, consider freezing a huge packet of skewers so that you won't have to worry about whether or not you have enough. You can also save a few bucks this way by buying in bulk. 

Aim for Fat 

Fat can get a bad reputation today, but when it comes to grilling, it's the only way to go. Whether you're grilling steak, lamb, or pork, it's the marbling from the fat that ensures you get a moist kebab at the end of the grilling session. Make sure that all of your meat is sliced evenly so that it all cooks through in just a few minutes. You can also leave a little space along the skewer so that you can get the crispiness you crave. 

Add the Extras 

Use vegetables that can stand up to some pressure on the grill. Onions and peppers are thick and durable enough to cook alongside the meat without charring or breaking apart. Carrots will take too long to soften, which can make for overcooked meat. You can thread things like lemon slices onto the skewer so you know they won't fall off when grilling. Consider adding salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to up the flavor quotient. 

Making kebabs your go-to meal this season is never the wrong way to go. They're customizable enough that you can have them multiple nights in a row and not get bored! If you're looking for more culinary options in your life, consider checking out Taluswood Apartments this summer. Our Mountlake Terrace apartments may be just what you need to take your grilling skills to the next level. Give us a call to learn more about our apartment community!

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