3 Simple Spanish Tapas to Try

What are tapas?

Tapas are a traditional type of bar appetizer in Spain, and they include a wide variety of delectable culinary combinations. Because dinner is such a small meal in Spain, tapas are also small — sometimes as tiny as one bite. 

"La hora del aperitivo," which means “the tapas hour” in Spanish, is from around 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. That’s when all the bars open up and serve their best tapas and drinks. Traditionally, friends will meet at one bar, have a few tapas and a beer, then head to another nearby bar and do the same thing, and so on!

Try these simple tapas at home!

1. Baked Feta

This one’s simple: Take a block of fresh feta cheese, put it in a gratin dish, drizzle 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil over it, and surround the cheese with about 1 cup of olives, red pepper flakes, a few dashes of dried rosemary and some black pepper. 

Bake for 20 minutes, and serve with warm bread.

2. Champiñones al Ajillo (Garlic Mushrooms)

Cook several button mushrooms in olive oil for two minutes. Add some finely chopped garlic, a few spritzes of lemon juice, salt and pepper, and serve with freshly chopped parsley.

3. Tostada con Tomate (Toast With Tomato)

Take a 6-inch baguette sliced lengthwise and toast it. Drag a clove of fresh garlic across the toasted surface, grate a tomato to create a pulp, and spoon it on top. Add some salt and pepper, and you’re done.

Are you on the hunt for Flagstaff apartments to rent? We may have just what you’re looking for. Call our office today to find out what we have available for you.

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Slow Cooker Meals

Chicken and Dumplings

You'll need chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, chopped onions, minced garlic, small red potatoes, baby carrots, chunks of chicken and baking mix. Combine all of the ingredients except the baking mix and let them cook in the slow cooker for eight hours. Make dumplings from the baking mix, drop them into the mixture and cook for an additional 15 minutes or until the dumplings are done. 

Potato and Bacon Soup

Combine chicken broth, cream of celery soup, minced garlic, chopped green onions and chunks of Yukon Gold potatoes in your slow cooker. Stir in bacon bits and sour cream and cook for another 20 minutes. Some people like to add an 8-ounce package of cream cheese for extra texture. Top the soup with chopped chives right before serving. 

Slow Cooker Lasagna 

Just like regular lasagna, slow cooker lasagna can be made in a variety of ways. The important thing to remember is that when you make it in a slow cooker, you don't have to boil the noodles prior to putting the lasagna together. However, you should still brown any meat that you choose to include. After browning the meat, simply layer your favorite lasagna ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low heat for seven or eight hours. 

We've got studios as well as four-bedroom apartments that are rented by the room. Please call us at your convenience to find out more about life at Pine View Village. 

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Starting off the day with a good breakfast will give you the energy you need to handle your to-do list without feeling stressed out. Here are some of the best energizing breakfast ideas for your consideration.

Eggs

Eggs are rich in protein, Vitamin A, zinc and a host of other nutrients. You can boil them, scramble them, make an omelet. The options are nearly endless!

Oats

Oats can be cooked, eaten raw in granola or used as a flour substitute to make pancakes or crepes. They pack a great nutritional punch and leave you feeling satisfied so you aren't tempted to grab a junk food snack on the go.

Fruit

Fruit is rich in the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy and energized. Thankfully, there are so many fruits to pick from that just about anyone can find at least a few that he or she likes. You can eat a piece of fruit with your breakfast, chop up fruit to make a fruit salad, add some cut fruit to a bowl or yogurt or blend up a fruit smoothie. 

Whole Grain Bread

Whole grain bread not only tastes great but gives you the boost you need to start the day off on the right foot. Eat a few slices of whole wheat bread with eggs, tuna, cheese, ham or any other topping of your choice. 

Yogurt

Yogurt is rich in protein, calcium and more. Additionally, it's an easy breakfast as it does not need to be cooked. Choose a brand that does not have added sugar and eat it together with granola, fruit, nuts and/or seeds.

Pine View Village Apartment Homes in Flagstaff, Arizona makes it easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We also offer an array of convenient, time-saving services. Get in touch with us at your convenience to find out more about our location, floor plans and prices. 

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Keep in mind that each of these methods work best with freshly ground coffee. Consider investing in a coffee grinder for your apartment or be sure to use store-ground beans ASAP after purchase.

French Press

Probably the easiest way of brewing coffee, you'll need to start with coarse grounds, a kettle and — of course — a French press. To brew, just place the grounds into the bottom of the press and pour in boiling water. After letting it steep for a few minutes, press down with the plunger and pour yourself a cup.

Cold Brew

An especially popular choice for busy people during the warm summer months, cold brew produces a concentrate that can last for up to a week in the refrigerator. Place coarse grounds into a French press or covered bowl and refrigerate overnight before straining out the used grounds.

Pour Over

At heart, pour-over coffee brewing is a very similar process to average coffee makers, only everything is handled manually. However, according to aficionados, the greater level of control produces a much better-tasting cup. Simply bring water to a boil using a swan-neck kettle, let it cool slightly and then pour through a specialty dripper and carafe device.

Of course, having a private kitchen makes brewing your own coffee much easier — and you won't have to worry about others using your equipment without permission. With kitchens in limited supply at Northern Arizona University residents halls, many students are opting for off-campus living. If you're looking for a new place, consider visiting our offices at Pine View Village apartments in Flagstaff, AZ, to find out more about our community.

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Tropical Kale Energy Smoothie

This smoothie provides you with a ton of nutrients thanks to its main ingredients. Kale, for example, has vitamin K, fiber, vitamin A and several other important nutrients that your body needs. To make it, you’ll need to blend 3/4 cup almond milk, frozen banana slices, two cups of fresh pineapple chunks and 2 cups of kale. You can add more milk to make your smoothie thinner if needed. Keep in mind that you can mix in other ingredients for added flavor, such as strawberries or mango chunks. 

Vanilla Lime Green Smoothie

This smoothie is packed with nutrients and delicious flavors, including vanilla and lime. The spinach in it gives you vitamin A, magnesium, iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids and more. To make this smoothie, you’ll need to blend a half cup of vanilla yogurt, one cup of spinach leaves, two teaspoons of honey, half of a frozen banana, two tablespoons of fresh lime juice, a half teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, a half cup of milk and a half cup of ice. 

Chocolate Mint Green Smoothie

This smoothie might sound decadent, but it’s filled with nutrients from spinach and avocados. To make it, blend half of an avocado, a half cup fresh baby spinach leaves, a quarter cup fresh mint leaves, a half cup unsweetened soy milk, a half scoop vanilla-flavored whey protein and a quarter cup egg whites. Add two tablespoons of extra dark cocoa powder and a half tablespoon of flaxseed meal. 

The 24-hour fitness center in our Flagstaff, AZ community gives you another way to stay healthy. Please call us for more details on our apartments in Flagstaff.

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Smoothie Fuel at Your Flagstaff Apartments

Smoothies are super easy for quick morning fuel. Use a handful of ice cubes, a carton of plain low-fat yogurt, and a handful of frozen strawberries to blend up a healthy and easy breakfast. 

Peanut Butter Banana Toast

Start with a slice of whole grain toast, then add a tablespoon of nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, or anything you like.) Slice half a banana and arrange on the toast and enjoy!

Avocado Toast

Toast a slice of whole grain bread and add a sliced avocado for a delicious and nutritious breakfast treat. For an extra kick of flavor, some people enjoy adding a dollop of salsa or hot sauce to the top of the avocado.

Dressed Up Oatmeal

Oatmeal is easy to make, but some people find it boring after a while. Dress up oatmeal with healthy additions like nuts, berries or a drizzle of honey for a healthy and filling breakfast.

Yogurt Parfait

This breakfast treat is easy to make, and as a bonus it can be made in multiples and placed in the refrigerator a few days ahead of time. Using a small mason jar, layer low-fat yogurt, blueberries, strawberries and granola. Refrigerate to allow the flavors to integrate, then grab a jar and enjoy. 

Looking for a beautiful new apartment home? Pine View Village has apartments ranging from studios to four bedrooms in size. Call us to find out which options are still available now!

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Ingredients and Equipment

• Coffee beans
• Coffee grinder (optional)
• Cold water
• Two bowls
• Cheesecloth
• Sifter

Directions

1. Start with coarse ground coffee beans. If you have a coffee grinder in your apartment, buy whole beans and grind them just before you begin. If you need to use the store's grinder, plan to cold brew your beans ASAP.
2. Place the grounds into one bowl. Add four cups of cold water for every cup of ground coffee. You can make batches of any size you'd like, as long as you stick to the 1:4 ratio.
3. Cover up the bowl and put it in your refrigerator. Let the coffee steep for about 12 hours.
4. Place the sifter over a second bowl and layer some cheesecloth inside. Pour the coffee and grounds into the second bowl through the cheesecloth. Throw out the sifted grounds.
5. Dilute your cold brew if necessary. Remember that cold-brewed coffee is strong! Some people like the undiluted taste, but most prefer to add about one cup of water for every cup of cold brew. Depending on your tastes, you may choose to add in even more water.

That's it! Now you'll have a big batch of cold-brewed coffee that will stay delicious for up to a week. The staff here at Pine View Village apartments in Flagstaff, Arizona, hope you've enjoyed this simple recipe. Please don't hesitate to stop by the leasing office if there's anything you need — even if it's just a friendly chat!

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Pine View Village offers many desirable features for college students who need to share an apartment, such as individually locking bedroom doors, 24/7 emergency maintenance, roommate lease options, WiFi access and more. The complex is located conveniently near to NAU and many important downtown centers.

We are particularly proud of the convenience and affordability that comes with living near to grocery stores and places of employment, as well as to the university. A person could take care of all the necessities of life here and completely do without the expense of owning and operating an automobile!

Affordable Nearby Grocery Stores

Many of our residents say they especially enjoy the selection of exciting and affordable grocery stores that are nearby. Here are just a few of the fine local grocery retailers that our residents frequent.

• Safeway: Located conveniently in University Plaza, this is a popular choice, with many locations.
• Whole Foods Market: Although this option may be less affordable than the others, it has world-class items and a huge selection.
• Bashas': A locally owned gem with all freshly made items and a real butcher shop for freshness, this is a resident favorite.
• Sprouts Farmers Market: As a specialty chain with a marvelous selection of fresh and organic fare, you're sure to find what you're looking for, at an affordable price.
• Natural Grocers: This is another great source for natural and organic food.
• Los Altos Mexican Mini Mart: This store is Flagstaff's No. 1 choice for specialty Mexican ingredients and entrées.
• New Frontiers Natural Foods: Tired of natural and organic foods? Neither are we!
• Farmers Brothers Coffee: Get your bean on with this fresh and friendly coffee specialty grocery.

If you're looking for a great, affordable and fun place to live while going to NAU or working in the Flagstaff area, contact us today to learn more about PIne View Village.

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