Month: November 2019

Recipe of the Month: Holly Clegg’s Stuffed Acorn Squash

Posted on by Ourso Designs in Uncategorized

Last month we lost Holly Clegg, a beloved food writer and Baton Rouge native. With an innate yearning to feed her family healthy meals, she rose to national recognition with her cookbooks, blogs, and appearances on shows such as The Today Show and Fox and Friends.

With cookbooks like Trim and Terrific Diabetic Cooking, Eating Well Through Cancer, and Eating Well to Fight Arthritis, there is no doubt Clegg’s recipes are geared toward healthy eating. Clegg herself struggled fighting cancer. If you attended our Self-Defense and Healthy Eating presentation in April, you know a wholesome diet is something we also value and want to share.

From Trim & Teriffic: Home Entertaining the Easy Way

To honor Holly Clegg’s memory, we are starting a new series called “Recipe of the Month” with one of her holiday recipes: Stuffed Acorn Squash. In her own words,

“If you have never experienced acorn squash, don’t pass on this recipe–it’s outstanding. This fabulous dish requires some time to make, so prepare it the day before and refrigerate. Before serving, bake it in the oven at 350°F until heated through.”

Ingredients:

  • 1 (6-ounce) package long grain and wild rice mix
  • 3 (10- to 12-ounce) acorn squashes, cut into halves and seeded
  • 2 tablespoons margarine
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons dried sage leaves
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Makes 6 Servings

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare the rice according to the package directions, and set aside. 

Arrange the squash halves cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes, or until tender. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Scoop out the squash pulp, carefully leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Place the pulp in a small bowl.

In a skillet, heat the margarine over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook, stirring until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked rice, squash pulp, lemon juice, and sage, mixing well and breaking up the squash pulp into smaller pieces.  Stir in the cranberries, walnuts, and brown sugar. Divide the stuffing to fill the acorn squash shells. Place the shells on the baking sheet. (You may have to trim a bit off the bottom of some of the shells to help them stand upright.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information per Serving:

Calories 271, Protein (g) 5, Carbohydrate (g) 49, Fat (g) 8, Calories from Fat (%) 24, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Dietary Fiber (g) 4, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 471

Tried it? Share your pictures with us! Stay tuned for more awesome recipes and let us know what you think of our new blog series.

For more on healthy eating, check out our blog post on hydration.

Remodel Spotlight: Bocage Bath Beauty

Posted on by Ourso Designs in Uncategorized

Located in a beautiful home in Bocage, this exquisite master bathroom was in need of rejuvenation. Before the renovation, this space was divided and disconnected. The bathroom, coming off a common vestibule area, was separated. His and her vanities, the bathtub, and the shower were located in two different rooms.

We joined the two rooms into one luxurious bathroom for both clients to enjoy. The shower provides not only an ordinary showerhead, but a handheld sprayer, a rain head, and body sprayers lined with sleek white marble as well as the bathtub which provided both a faucet and handheld option. What more could you ask for?

The decor was elegant and simple with matte gold accents from the light fixtures, chandelier, and vanity chair. The marble floors and countertops also added to the sleek and polished look of this space. The simplicity and modernity of this room provided the clients with a lavish space to relax and enjoy.

Contractor: Frank McArdle- Big River Construction

Photographer: Collin Richie

Space Planning: Richard Ourso and Logan Wheeler Ramirez (Ourso Designs)

Product Selection: Logan Wheeler Ramirez

The Homeowner’s Holiday Guide to Great Hosting

Posted on by Ourso Designs in Uncategorized

When we ask homeowners what they hope to get out of a kitchen or living room remodel, one answer we’re hearing more often is, “I want a space to entertain.” Being able to host guests in your home and impress them is important for those who want to share the spaces they work so hard to perfect.

It’s November and that means it’s time to gear up for a season of quality time with family and friends. Whether you have relatives visiting from out of town or you’re just throwing a quick and casual dinner party for your coworkers, there are a few things you can do to make sure your guests are comfortable and entertained. 

Open House

Inviting people into your home can be stressful, especially if this is the first time you’re meeting your guest. Provide clear lines of communication, instructions on how to get to your home, and let them know what to do when they arrive. 

Now is when the old saying, “Mi casa es su casa,” is a good phrase to keep in mind. You don’t want your guests to feel restricted to certain areas or activities. Remind your guests that they are welcome to sit down or move from the kitchen to the living room. Here is where having an open floor plan helps — you won’t have to keep track of who’s in which room to snack and chat.

If there are areas of your house where you don’t want guests to wander, be sure to clearly establish those boundaries beforehand. Accidentally overstepping their bounds can make a guest feel guilty and uncomfortable immediately. 

Stock up on supplies

Running out of food or drink is a quick way to kill the mood or get your guests to leave. Chances are that’s not what you’re going for, so be sure to keep a full pantry. You can’t go wrong with a little wine, cheese, and charcuterie, but you’ll want a few options to keep your guests satisfied.  

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Remember to be conscious of diet preferences and allergies. Vegetarian and vegan options are always recommended. Be sure to ask about food allergies before offering anything that might cause an allergic reaction. 

Sound and smell

Scent is one of the first things people notice when entering a space. If you really want to set the mood, light some incense, set out candles, or use an aroma diffuser. Candles complement fall and winter moods perfectly and the right scent can give sometimes give your guests feelings of comfort and nostalgia.

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Another way to achieve an enhanced ambiance is through a great soundtrack. You don’t want to drown out conversations but rather provide something atmospheric to fill the space and prevent the dreaded awkward silence. 

Make a statement

Hosting guests is a great way to show your individual style and taste. By sharing your living space, you can help your guests get to know you and feel more comfortable in your home. Keep your favorite decorations front and center. Anything that has a story behind it is great to keep out for a conversation-starter. 

From a practical standpoint, you’ll want to make sure you have enough seating for your guests. Have a few comfortable stools or even folding chairs handy for when everything else fills up. A bar cart is tremendously convenient and gives you another chance to show off your style and personal taste. 

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Save a space

We’ve all had the occasional surprise sleepover. It’s always good to have a bed prepared if one of your guests asks for a place to stay or just crashes. A dedicated guest bedroom is ideal, but a pull-out bed is second best for those short on space. Keep some clean sheets and towels and be respectful of their privacy. This is not to say you shouldn’t go about your normal business, just do so with your guest in mind. 

Don’t forget to have fun (DFTHF)

With all the stress that comes with hosting guests for the holidays, it’s easy to get lost in your attention to others. Once your guests seem situated, it’s important to step back and enjoy yourself a little bit. Relax and have a slice of that pie you spent all day preparing. The dishes can wait until tomorrow. 

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Trend Alert: Egg Tubs

Posted on by Ourso Designs in Trend Alert

Soaking in a bathtub is the best way to decompress from a long day as it relaxes your mind. body, and soul…. So why not do it in style? 

One of the most breathtaking fixtures that can be incorporated in a bathroom design is a freestanding tub. They are effortlessly the focal point of any bathroom…. Especially if they are in the shape of an egg. 

An egg tub from one of our recent projects.

Egg tubs are the perfect option for someone who is looking to add a contemporary flair to their bathroom without being too modern. The soft, not so angular lines of an egg tub make it a great addition to any bathroom, even in a more traditional style bathroom.  

This style of tub is a great option for any size space as they can come in more narrow sizes or wider sizes. They also come in different colors and finishes. If you are looking for a more sleek, contemporary look you could go for a matte black acrylic or stone, and if you are looking for a more traditional look you can go for the classic white porcelain. 

If egg tubs don’t seem to be your style there are many other uniquely shaped free standing tubs that can still make a statement in your bathroom. Some other styles include: pedestal, claw-foot, round top, and slipper.

Pedestal tubs are designed with a solid pedestal style base which raises the tub off the ground. The claw-foot tub is a style that dates back to the 19th century which gives a bathroom antique flare with its “feet” located on the base of the tub. Roll top is a design that has edges appearing to be “rolled over” which presents a comfortable position to rest your arms. Lastly, slipper tubs are for those who enjoy lounging in the bathtub as either side is risen to provide additional space for reclining.

Egg tubs are one of many styles of freestanding tubs, but their shape makes them unique. For more on freestanding tubs, check out this post from 2015. If you want to look at some of our designers’ favorite tubs, we also have this trend alert from 2017.

Images Source:

https://www.pinterest.com/oursodesigns/egg-tubs/