Basic Biscuit Recipe 

Makes approximately 24 biscuits.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 stick salted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Add flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
3. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the butter into the flour until your mixture looks like coarse crumbs. 
4. Add milk and stir until a dough forms. 
5. Pat the dough out to approximately three-quarter-inch thickness.
6. Use a 2-inch round cutter to cut the dough into circles.
7. Place the biscuits with their sides touching on a sheet pan. Refrigerate for approximately 20 minutes.
8. Take biscuits out of the refrigerator and place them in a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10 to 14 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown on top. 

Elevated Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:

• Raspberry jam
• 1 slice country ham 
• 1 slice cheddar cheese 
• 1 fried egg

Directions:

1. Slice a biscuit open and spread raspberry jam on the bottom half.
2. Add the ham and the cheese and top with a fried egg. 

Easy BBQ Chicken Biscuit Sandwich

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
• 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: 

1. In a bowl, stir together the chicken and barbecue sauce. 
2. Microwave for about a minute or two to warm up the mixture. Cover the bowl with a paper towel to prevent splatters.
3. Cut a biscuit open and top with a small pile of chicken.
4. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken and cover with the other half of the biscuit.
5. Repeat with the rest of the biscuits until the chicken mixture is completely used. 

Do you love to cook and have been searching for an apartment home with a chic kitchen? Then please come check out our lovely apartments in Cary, North Carolina. They boast black stainless steel appliance packages and beautiful subway tile backsplashes. Our apartment community also features a gorgeous pool.  

The post 2 Delicious Biscuit Sandwiches You’ll Want to Try appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.

Many of the residents of our Cary, NC, apartments prefer to eat healthily, but like most busy people, they know it's not always easy to get the vitamins and nutrients their bodies need. When it comes to a well-rounded diet, leafy greens are essential, and broccoli — with its power-packed offerings of beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and vitamins B1, B2, B3, and B6 — is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. However, it can be tough to fit this fine vegetable into everyday meals. 

With this in mind, we've taken the challenge of helping you find different ways to embrace broccoli.

1. High-Fiber Broccoli Smoothie

Whether you have kids who won't eat their broccoli or you're just trying to figure out how to integrate this veggie into your own diet, this smoothie will hide the vegetable elements while giving you a sweet, thirst-quenching smoothie that'll leave you wanting seconds. For extra texture, freeze the bananas, cherries, and avocado. You can also freeze the pomegranate juice in an ice cube tray.

2. Broccoli and Feta Pesto Sauce

You don't have to eat whole raw broccoli if you don't want to. A little olive oil and feta cheese will transform steamed broccoli into an outstanding sauce that you can pour over any pasta. It's also great for many types of meat, particularly grilled chicken breast.

3. Broccoli Cheddar Crackers

Stop feeling guilty about your late-night snack cravings. When you sit down to binge on your favorite Netflix shows, put the popcorn down and leave the ice cream in the freezer. These scrumptious little chips are filled with healthy ingredients, including broccoli. While they're great all by themselves, they're even better when dipped in hummus. Of course, you can purchase store-bought hummus, but if you're feeling really crafty, consider making your own. This broccoli hummus recipe brings your veggie efforts full circle with very little effort.

4. Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Soup is an easy item to take to work so you don't feel the need to eat out or munch on unhealthy frozen food. This rich and creamy recipe is thick enough to satisfy your midday hunger pangs while giving your body more of the nutrients it needs.

Great eating starts with a beautiful kitchen. Stop by our Audubon Parc Apartments so we can show you our chic kitchens with white shaker cabinets, subway tile backsplashes, white and charcoal gray countertops, and black stainless steel appliances today!

The post Embracing Broccoli: How You Can Get More of This Green Garden Veg appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.

Use as a Centerpiece

One of the easiest ways to decorate with apples is to use them as-is in a centerpiece. You can place them in a large bowl or arrange them in a cylinder vase. You can use apples of different colors to compliment the colors that are found in your home. You can also place items, such as cinnamon sticks, in with the apples to create a more rustic look and make the decoration smell nice. 

Make Them Into a Candleholder

Another way to use apples is to turn them into candle holders. Use an apple corer to remove the center of the apple. Then hollow out the rest of the apple so that a tealight candle or votive candle can fit within the apple. If needed, use a knife to cut the bottom of the apple flat so the apple doesn't tip or rock. Light a candle and place it inside of the hollowed-out apple to create a beautiful, glowing apple decoration. 

Create a Dried Apple Wreath or Garland

The final way you can use apples as decorations is to create a dried apple wreath or garland. Slice apples lengthwise. Some people like to keep the core pieces with the seeds, while others discard them. Dip the thin slices into lemon juice and place them on a baking sheet. Bake them for four hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Pull them from the oven and allow them to sit overnight to ensure they are dried out. From there, you can string them along a piece of fishing line or a piece of wire to create an apple wreath or garland. Add ribbon or other decorations to complete the look. 

Decorations can help to enhance the look of your space and make it feel more like home. If you are on the hunt for a new place to call home and looking for apartments in Cary, North Carolina, Audubon Parc Apartments may be perfect for you. We offer apartments with luxurious amenities nestled into a beautiful outdoor setting. Call us today to make an appointment to view our community.

The post 3 Ways to Use Apples as Decorations in Your Home appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.

Baked Apple Butter French Toast

This one requires a little time in the oven in the morning, but French toast enthusiasts agree that it's well worth the wait. It'll also fill your apartment with the heavenly aroma of apple butter, which you can sit back and enjoy with coffee or tea. Simply prepare the French toast using your favorite recipe, place the individual pieces of bread flat in a baking pan, cover them with apple butter and bake for about 30 minutes. This recipe is best during the weekend or on other mornings when you don't need to rush out the door. Try plum or pear butter for a delicious variation.

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast

Using cinnamon swirl bread for French toast provides an instant flavor upgrade. Use thick, brioche-style cinnamon swirl bread that you either buy at a bakery or bake yourself. This French toast variation is so good that it can be enjoyed absolutely plain, with no butter, syrup or any other embellishments. However, many people appreciate at least a drizzle of real maple syrup over their cinnamon swirl bread, while others appreciate a dusting of powdered sugar and a light sprinkle of cinnamon.

You can also experiment with making French toast using other types of bread, such as pumpkin bread, apple bread, and banana bread.

Peaches and Cream Cheese French Toast

This is best when you use a thick, eggy brioche bread. Simply prepare the French toast in the usual fashion, spread your favorite cream cheese over it instead of syrup or butter and top it off with fresh slices of peaches and a small amount of freshly whipped cream.

Our spacious kitchens are perfect for preparing all sorts of wonderful meals. Please reach out to us at your convenience for more information on living life to the fullest in our apartment community.

The post Not Your Grandmother’s French Toast — Three Timely Twists on a Classic Convention appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.

Slow-cookers are usually recommended for tougher cuts of meat, as the combination of the time and the heat turns it into a tender and juicy meal. But slow-cookers can do much more than that. Here are a few recipes that are sure to get your slow cooker working today. 

Ropa Viejo

You may not want to look up the exact translation of this meal if you're not familiar with it, but this beef stew is exceptionally delicious. The tomatoes, garlic, and pepper all lend their flavors to the flank steak for a mouthwatering result. Served over rice, this meal is as satisfying as it is comforting. Plus, it's easy to freeze and reheat in individual portions.

Lime Chicken Tacos

This recipe calls for very few ingredients, making it simple to both prepare and serve. You also won't have to spend a lot of time at the grocery store beforehand. The corn, lime juice, and chicken breast all meld together to create a filling for taco shells or tortillas that everyone will enjoy. Serve with sour cream, cheese, and salsa for the perfect bite. 

Championship Bean Dip 

If you're looking for an easy slow-cooker recipe you can make before you go over to a party, then this is definitely the recipe for you. Slow-cooker recipes are a little more effort because you have to take the actual crock over to the party, but this dip is easy to spoon onto plates with chips. After all the compliments, you'll be glad you made it. 

The apartments in Cary are better when there's something delicious cooking in the kitchen, and these slow-cooker recipes definitely deliver. If you're looking for a modern apartment that can accommodate all of your culinary aspirations, call Audubon Park today. 

The post 3 Slow-Cooker Meals to Try This Week appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.

Goodnight Kiss

Nothing says you've had a good date quite like an impeccable kiss. A little champagne and Campari will turn a flute glass into a heart-warming cocktail that's fit for a toast any time. 

Billion Dollar Apple

If red represents the color of love, this regal drink is worthy of at least a few kisses on the cheek. The cranberry juice gives it just enough notes of love to symbolize a drink you'll want to share with your favorite people.

Basil Hayden's Dark Rye Toddy

When chilly weather is still hanging out outside, nothing warms a body quite like a hot toddy. This honey-and-bourbon infusion presents a cocktail that'll warm your insides and maybe give you a few sweet dreams after you close your eyes.

A Sweetheart's Toast

Soak marshmallows or candy hearts in Rosa Regale. Combine the following ingredients into a shaker:

• 1/2 ounce of your favorite tequila
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 ounce maple syrup
• 1-ounce almond milk

Add ice, then shake vigorously. Pour the final product into a martini glass, top with a bit of Rosa Regale, and garnish with a wine-soaked heart.

Berry Kiss Milkshake

Milkshakes may be cold, but when your heart is filled with warmth, the temperature of your drink doesn't matter. This milkshake comes complete with just enough brandy to give you that feel-good feeling. If you're sharing your shake with a significant other, pour it into a glass and add an extra straw. This is a throw-back to simpler days — adult-style.

Love Buzz

Chocolate always makes the heart grow fonder. With this martini, you can enjoy the natural aphrodisiacs provided by cocoa while getting a little bit of a buzz from the espresso imparted into the recipe.

When you're looking for a place that makes your heart happy, our Audubon Park apartments have everything you need. From an off-leash dog park to stunning apartments, our community was built to be the place you call home. Take a look at all the amenities we offer our residents!

The post 6 Cocktails That’ll Warm Your Heart appeared first on Audubon Parc Blog.