1. Cider Punch

Since there are only two ingredients (rum and apple cider), cider punch is a perfect crowd-pleaser for even the busiest of holiday hosts. It goes great with turkey, but it's also the perfect accompaniment to an evening on the balcony with just you and your favorite book.

2. Ginger Pear Snap Cocktail

From the kitchens of Aspen, Colorado, this recipe boasts of spiced pear vodka, which gives it that toasty warm feeling as it finds its way into your body. The fresh ginger and rosemary add a refreshing flavor to the mix, and if you're looking for the perfect autumn-inspired garnish, you can't go wrong with gingerbread spice around the rim.

3. Apple & Gin Autumn Cocktail

If gin is your spirit of choice, this apple and gin cocktail should win you over quite nicely when you're looking for a drink that celebrates all things fall. It's a delicious way to bring autumn's favorite fruit into a glass. One of the secrets is in the honey simple syrup; it sweetens the drink while simultaneously making it more lively.

4. Pecan Pie Martini

Yes, it really is as fancy and impressive as it sounds. If you'll be entertaining guests this fall season, put pecan pie martinis on the menu. The extra-special touch comes with the rim, which is dipped first in ooey-gooey caramel and then into a plate of crushed pecans. This is a restaurant-worthy cocktail that can be made right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

5. Apple Cider Mimosas

Leave the orange juice in the fridge for another day, because it's apple's turn to dial up the flavor in your mimosas. With just one bottle of bubbly and a bit of apple cider, cinnamon, and sugar, you can transform brunch into the best experience of the week.

Are you searching for a Raleigh, North Carolina, apartment that'll welcome you home every time you arrive? We're proud to say that we have several floor plans available at The Tribute for you to choose from. Take a look at our floor plan options today!

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The thing is, there just isn’t time for a complicated home-cooked meal. We’re here to help, though. Check out these school-night-friendly meal ideas that don’t take much time to cook and that make cleanup really easy.

Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken Fajitas

Everyone loves fajitas, but few of us have the equipment needed to serve them up just like the local Mexican restaurant does. That’s OK with this innovative approach, which cooks all the fajita fillings together on one sheet pan. Add some tortillas, plus maybe a bowl of refried beans and some pre-shredded cheese, and you have a really solid meal.

The best part? Clean-up is a piece of cake. Just one sheet pan to wash and your prep dishes are clean!

Curried Chicken Skillet

Another one-pan dish, this curried chicken skillet has fantastic flavor. If you’re in the mood for an Indian-inspired dish, this one will hit the spot. Chicken, veggies, and quinoa are enhanced with flavors like curry powder, garlic, and fresh ginger.

This dish stands on its own perfectly well, but you could always pair it with some naan flatbread or Indian poppadum.

Slow Cooker Meatball Tortellini

Maybe an Italian flair sounds good this week. If so, check out this meatball tortellini. Meatballs and tortellini shells are joined by your choice of veggies (broccoli and carrots work well).

All you need for the sauce is condensed cream of mushroom soup and a little Creole seasoning. The flavors in the meatballs and cheese tortellini do the rest.

The best part of this meatball tortellini recipe? It’s a slow cooker recipe. Not only is cleanup a breeze, but you can leave this dish to cook while you pick up the kids and shuttle them to all their after-school activities.

Conclusion

Cooking great school-night meals takes some planning and effort. But let’s be honest: It’s a lot easier in a great kitchen. Are you looking for Raleigh, NC apartments with solid kitchen design? Contact us today for a walk-through and see what makes The Tribute great

The post School Is Back in Session: School-Night-Friendly Meal Ideas appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Yogurt-Dipped Strawberries With Cheerios

Strawberries are a great school snack, but let’s be honest. They’re not particularly exciting on their own. Also, they bruise easily. Take your kids’ strawberries up a notch with these yogurt-dipped strawberries with Cheerios. They make a great visual statement, they’re a great mix of grains and fruits, and there's even some protein in the yogurt.

To keep the mess factor to a minimum, freeze these the night before. They’ll soften in your child’s lunchbox, but the yogurt should stay firm. Or you can send this as a “build it yourself” snack! You can also mix things up with different cereals.

Lego-Style Rice Krispies Treats

Rice Krispies treats are a go-to school snack and have been for many years. Take things up a notch by sending these Lego-style treats with your kids. They are so simple to make: All you need in addition to your regular Rice Krispies treats recipe is frosting and M&M's.

Here’s a guide to making your own Lego-style Rice Krispies treats.

Mummy Dogs

Get ready for Halloween a little early with these super creative mummy-themed hot dogs. We actually found this Pinterest-worthy snack idea on real-live Pinterest, so you know it’s got to be good! All you need is crescent roll dough, cheese and hot dogs for the basic mummy dog. Add eyes using mini marshmallows and black food coloring.

Conclusion

Of course, making Pinterest-worthy snacks is more fun when you have a top-notch, renovated kitchen. If you’re looking at apartments in Raleigh and want to have a fantastic kitchen (not to mention, a stellar clubhouse, resort-style pool and more), check out The Tribute. Contact us today to find out which apartments are currently available.

The post 3 Pinterest-Worthy School Snacks Your Kids Will Love appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Three-Layer Chocolate Cake 

This recipe is actually pretty standard, but there's something about adding that third layer that makes the cake a little more luxurious. Atop several layers, the cake is dressed with buttercream frosting and a ganache drip. While certainly one of the richer chocolate cake recipes out there, it's undeniably satisfying for chocolate enthusiasts. 

Skinny Chocolate Cake 

Whether you want to cut your calories or just enjoy more of the cake in one sitting, this skinny chocolate cake may seal the deal for you. The rich chocolate flavor is the perfect balance to the creamy Greek yogurt. The yogurt helps you cut down on the amount of fat in the recipe, so you're looking at a calorie count of around 200 per serving. The frosting also gets a little boost from a pudding mix to lighten up the nutrition content without reducing the flavor. 

Chocolate Fruit Basket Cake 

For those who love the taste of chocolate and fruit together, you have to try this creative cake. Stuffed with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, this cake pits the sweetness of the chocolate against the tartness of the berries. The result is a tantalizing concoction you'll love serving to your family and friends. Plus, it uses Kit Kat bars to round out the texture of the cake (and provide the wall that keeps all the berries from spilling off the top). 

The apartments in Raleigh are simply more fun when you can make and enjoy your favorite meals and snacks. If you're looking for a new kitchen with a little more space to test out your favorite chocolate cake recipes, The Tribute may have just the apartment for you. Call us today to learn more about our facilities or to schedule a tour.

The post 3 Chocolate Cake Recipes to Die For appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Custom Popsicles Are an Easy Yet Healthy Option

Making your own popsicles is super simple, yet super delicious. All you need is an ice-cube tray and some popsicle sticks, although you’ll get even better results if you spring for a set of popsicle molds.

To make the popsicles, simply pour whatever mixture of fruit juices you like into the popsicle molds (or ice-cube tray), insert the tops (or popsicle sticks), and freeze. To amp up your popsicles, add in soft diced fruit, fruit purees, or (for the adults) even some booze!

You Can’t Go Wrong With No-Bakes

No-bake cookies are a classic for a reason. They’re easy to make, delicious, and fairly healthy to boot. This delicious, peanut-buttery, chocolatey, chewy snack is pretty simple to prepare, though it does involve boiling a butter, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder mixture. This is definitely a recipe worth trying.

Once you have the basic concept down, you can experiment here too with a variety of add-ins. Add chia or flax for health benefits. Sprinkle in some raisins or other dried fruit or your favorite nut for added texture and flavor.

Oreo Balls Are a Sweet Indulgence

Oreo balls are a delicious, no-bake, sweet treat. They’re like truffles for the common man! Mix crushed Oreos and cream cheese, form into balls, and coat with melted chocolate. Amazing!

These sweet treats are guaranteed to be a hit, and they won’t raise the temperature inside. Try out one or two at your next apartment gathering. Speaking of apartments, The Tribute has a stellar set of luxury amenities that can take your next party to the next level. Call us today to find out more.

The post Stay Cool With Sweet Treats That Won’t Heat up Your Kitchen appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Pastrami With Slaw

There is nothing like a classic pastrami sandwich when you come in from a long day. The following version also comes with a delicious homemade slaw that you can use to top it off!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon chopped dill
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon horseradish
• 1 onion roll
• 4 ounces sliced pastrami

Mix the shredded red cabbage, apple cider vinegar, sugar and chopped dill in a bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. Combine the mustard and horseradish and spread it onto a split onion roll, then fill it up with your pastrami.

Roast Beef With Smoked Gouda

Serve yourself and your friends this delicious option when you find yourself craving a protein fix. The Gouda cheese adds an extra element of flavor to this mouthwatering sandwich.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon honey mustard
• 2 slices smoked Gouda
• 2 slices of challah bread
• One handful of romaine lettuce
• 4 ounces roast beef

Spread the honey mustard on your two slices of challah bread. Place your lettuce, Gouda, and roast beef between the two slices. Add a pickle on the side for extra enjoyment.

Tomato and Mozzarella

Vegetarians and others looking for a meat-free meal will enjoy this option.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/3 cup mini mozzarella balls
• 1/4 cup roasted and chopped red pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon chopped basil
• 1 sub roll

Combine the cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, chopped roast pepper, minced shallot, olive oil, and red vinegar in a bowl and set it aside for 10 minutes. Next, add the basil to the mixture and then spread the mixture on the inside of your sub roll.

Are you interested in more sandwich ideas? Feel free to contact The Tribute apartments in Raleigh, NC at (866) 286-4869 for any of your needs.

The post Three Sandwich Ideas to Try Out This Summer appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Coconut Oil Coffee

Traditional coffee is always a good option with breakfast, but you can spruce up your morning with a coconut oil coffee. This coffee adds something special to the table, offers a frothy finish, and leaves your guests with a satisfying feeling that they got something interesting with their meal. Start with normal black coffee. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil and sugar to taste to a blender. You can also add in some creamer if you prefer a lighter color. Pour the hot coffee over the coconut oil and blend it together. Serve the coffee drink.

Simple Frothy Orange Drink

If you prefer to focus on orange drinks, then make it a bit fancy with a frothy orange drink. Add one full can of orange juice concentrate, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of milk, sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract to a blender. Blend the mixture together. Slowly add in 10 ice cubes to your mixture. Blend it until you have no more ice chunks and then serve it immediately to your guests.

Orange Mocktail

For a brunch in your home, you can also opt for an orange mocktail. This drink will require a little preparation by freezing orange juice into ice cube trays the day before your morning plans. Pour 8 ounces of sparkling water into a glass. Add grenadine syrup to the glass. You can add the syrup until it gives a beautiful color, so the exact amount depends on your preferences. Put your frozen orange juice ice cubes in the glass and then finish up with a sprig of rosemary to add to the beauty of your mocktail. You can also add vanilla syrup if you want to change or adjust the flavor of the drink. The ice cubes will melt to offer a light orange flavor that goes well with the vanilla and grenadine syrup.

Serving guests a fun drink with a morning breakfast or brunch in your home means you want a few options in mind. By making boring orange juice and coffee a bit interesting, you will make your guests excited to see the next part of the meal. For more ideas about fun breakfast drinks for your guests or to see available apartments in Raleigh, contact us today.

The post 3 Drinks to Serve Guests in the Morning appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Baked Sausage and Vegetables 

A quick meal when you do not have time to waste is a baked sausage and vegetable dish. Pull out a baking dish and line it with foil. Dice up any vegetables you prefer, such as broccoli, squash, or green beans. You can put a few different vegetables in the pan. Dice up your favorite sausage and add it to the pan. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic or garlic salt. Put the dish into a pre-heated oven and bake until your vegetables are tender. 

Salmon and Greens

Salmon is a healthy and fast meal option. Get out a large non-stick skillet and warm it up on the stove. Add oil to the pan and then add your salmon to the pan. Cut up your favorite greens, such as broccoli, or use asparagus. Place it on the other side of your pan. Allow your salmon to cook about five minutes and then flip it to the other side. Add one clove of garlic to the pan and top your salmon and greens with salt and pepper. You can also squeeze some lemon juice for a splash of flavor. The meal takes only ten minutes to cook and is a healthy option when you have limited time for dinner.

Pita Pizzas

Pita pizzas take around 15 minutes to cook, but they offer a healthy alternative to a traditional pizza. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread your pitas on an oven-safe baking sheet and place them into the oven for 3 minutes. While you have the pitas in the oven, mix ground beef, cumin powder, coriander powder, chopped onions, garlic, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a bowl. Remove your pitas from the oven and flip them to the other side. Spread your beef mixture over the pitas until it covers the edge. Bake the pitas and beef in the oven until your pita becomes golden brown and your beef is sizzling. It takes around 10 to 12 minutes. While you bake the pita pizza, dice up some onions, toss them with olive oil, and then keep them aside. When you pull the pizzas out of the oven, drizzle yogurt over the top and add your fresh onions and arugula.

A healthy meal does not need to waste hours of your time. You can make a good meal within a few minutes when you have a few ideas of where to start. To learn more about quick dinners in apartments in Raleigh or to see a rental space, contact us today.

The post 3 Fast Recipes for Dinner appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Green Smoothie With Grapefruit

The great thing about this smoothie is that it is low in calories and sugar. You can enjoy something delicious that is also good for you!

Ingredients

• 3 peeled and sectioned grapefruit
• 1 cup of cold water
• 3 ounces of fresh spinach
• 6 ice cubes
• 1 ½ piece of fresh peeled ginger
• 1 tsp of flax seeds

Place all your ingredients together in a blender or other mixing device, like a — NutriBullet® — until you get a smooth mixture.

Total Calories: 201

Banana Berry Green Smoothie

Using frozen fruit makes your smoothies sweet without requiring additional sugar. We like this version because it is easy to change up with your favorite fruits.

Ingredients

• 1 cup frozen bananas
• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• ½ tbsp ground flax seeds

Place everything into a high-speed blender or other mixer and blend until smooth. You also have the option of adding a half cup of milk or another substitute (almond, soy, etc.) for variety.

Total Calories: 150

Pineapple Kale Smoothie

Try out this green smoothie when you are in the mood for something a little more tropical. Try having it for breakfast for a healthy start to your day.

Ingredients

• ¾ cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk or another milk type
• 2 cups packed, lightly chopped kale leaves with stems removed
• ¼ cup of plain non-fat Greek yogurt, any brand
• 1 frozen banana broken into chunks
• ¼ cup of frozen pineapple chunks
• 2 tbsp peanut butter, crunchy or creamy
• 1 to 3 tbsp of honey for taste

Place all the above ingredients in your mixer and blend until smooth. You can add more milk as needed until you get the desired consistency.

Enjoy Your Healthy Treat

We hope community members of our Raleigh, North Carolina, apartments, The Tribute, enjoy our recipes. Let us know what you think about them or anything else related to your residence by contacting us at (866) 286-4869.

The post Three Healthy Green Smoothie Recipes appeared first on The Tribute Blog.

Java. Joe. That morning cup of must-have caffeine.

The residents of our Raleigh, NC apartments have all sorts of names for their start-the-day essentials. Sometimes, we think a normal cup of coffee can get a little boring, so we decided to see what kind of homemade hacks can be done via easy, DIY methods. Here are a few fun things we found.

Pour Leftover Coffee Into Ice Cube Trays

Waste not, want not. Don't let your leftover coffee go to waste by pouring it down the drain. Instead, create coffee ice cubes that'll be standing by when you want a homemade frappe. Simply place your caffeinated cubes into a blender alongside some milk, sugar, and whatever other ingredients you're craving, and blend away!

Make Coffee Gummies

If you find yourself without enough energy to get through the afternoon, try chewing on Coffee Gummies. These little guys offer shots of energy at any time. You can make them ahead of time and store them in baggies, so they're ready and waiting when you need a bit of a boost.

Add Spices to Your Grounds

Aromatic spices—such as cinnamon and nutmeg—are notable additions to coffee brews at expensive coffee shops, but you don't have to shell out the extra cash if you make special blends in your own kitchen. Add a teaspoon or so of your favorite flavors to the top of the grinds before the water starts flowing through. The end result will be a tasty coffee treat that'll make your entire space smell great.

Start Your Own DIY Coffee Syrup Collection

Are you feeling a little crafty? It's time to get your syrupy juices flowing by creating your own DIY coffee flavors that'll infuse a little sweetness into an otherwise bitter cup of morning brew. Essential oils and baking extracts you can find in any grocery store instantly elevate the taste of an ordinary blend in no time.

Exfoliate Your Skin With a Coffee Body Scrub

Exfoliation is key if you want to have vibrant, fresh-looking skin. A Coffee Body Scrub with Coconut Oil can melt away your stresses, leaving you relaxed and looking great for the day ahead.

The Tribute offers residents a gourmet complimentary coffee and espresso bar among dozens of other awesome amenities. Check out the reasons our residents love our community!

The post Homemade Coffee Hacks That Could Save Your Day appeared first on The Tribute Blog.