Embrace Your Unique Style: From Culinary Creations to Fall Fashion with JCPenney
Style. It’s a word that resonates differently with everyone, a deeply personal expression that shapes every facet of our existence. The dictionary offers definitions like “a distinctive appearance” or “a manner of doing things,” but its true essence lies in the individual. Our lives are a canvas where we paint our unique style – from the culinary delights we craft, like a comforting Cheesy Squash Tian, to the clothes we choose, and even the way we elegantly (or, admittedly, sometimes less gracefully) navigate our daily routines. Why not infuse beauty and intention into every corner of our world, not by conforming to fleeting trends, but by embracing what truly makes our hearts sing? This isn’t about rigid standards; it’s about curating a life that genuinely excites and inspires you.
This pursuit of personal style extends wonderfully into the kitchen. There’s immense satisfaction in preparing a meal that is not only delicious but also visually appealing, a true feast for the senses. Take, for instance, a Cheesy Squash Tian – a dish that embodies both rustic charm and sophisticated simplicity. It’s more than just a squash bake; it’s a testament to how humble ingredients, thoughtfully arranged and prepared, can transform into an extraordinary culinary experience. This dish, often celebrated for its vibrant colors and comforting textures, serves as an excellent example of how we can bring our personal touch to everyday cooking, making even simple ingredients feel special and luxurious.
Mastering the Cheesy Squash Tian: Expert Cook’s Notes for a Perfect Bake
Creating a delightful Cheesy Squash Tian, also affectionately known as a Squash Bake, is far from a complicated endeavor. Despite its elegant appearance, this dish is remarkably straightforward, requiring just a few fresh ingredients and minimal effort. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, making it an ideal choice for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike. Let’s dive into some practical tips to ensure your tian turns out perfectly every time.
- **Effortless Preparation:** Don’t be intimidated by the name “tian”; this recipe is as simple as it gets. Imagine thinly slicing one zucchini, one yellow squash, and two onions. Then, you artfully arrange these vibrant slices in a baking dish, a process that can be as creative as you like. A light drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper, and into the oven it goes until the vegetables are tender. The grand finale? A generous blanket of glorious cheese, baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a dish that impresses with ease.
- **Selecting Your Produce:** For the best visual and textural harmony, aim to choose zucchini and yellow squash that are roughly the same size. Medium-sized vegetables, typically 8 to 10 inches long, work wonderfully, ensuring even cooking and consistent slices. This attention to detail, while minor, significantly contributes to the final presentation and mouthfeel of the tian.
- **Artful Arrangement:** This is where your personal style truly shines! Feel free to experiment with your arrangement. Perhaps you prefer to group all the yellow squash in one section and the green zucchini in another, creating distinct color zones. My personal recommendation, however, is to strategically tuck slices of onion every third vegetable piece. This ensures that the sweet, savory essence of the onions permeates the entire tian, infusing every bite with delicious flavor. Covering the tian with foil during the initial baking phase is crucial to prevent the delicate zucchini and squash slices from drying out and becoming unappealingly shriveled or browned. This step locks in moisture, allowing the vegetables to steam gently and become perfectly tender.
- **The Grand Finale: Glorious Cheese!** Once your vegetables are tender, it’s time for the star of the show: cheese. I adore using a blend of cheeses to achieve a complex flavor profile and texture. Mozzarella is a must for its incredible melt and stretch, giving you those irresistible gooey strands. Swiss cheese adds a delightful nutty depth, while a tiny bit of Parmesan provides a sharp, savory bite that elevates the whole dish. Of course, feel free to choose your favorite cheeses, but I highly recommend including mozzarella for that satisfying, stringy pull that makes any cheesy bake truly special.
Cheesy Squash Tian {A Perfect Autumn Squash Bake}
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By Rebecca Lindamood
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Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini {8 to 10 inches long} sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 1 medium squash {8 to 10 inches long} sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 2 medium onions peeled, trimmed, and sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2/3 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups grated cheese {See cook’s notes}
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the bottom of a pie plate or 8-inch tart or baking dish. Arrange the sliced zucchini, squash, and onions according to your own visual preference, stacking them and then fanning them out slightly. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper, then drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
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Remove the foil from the pan, sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, and return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and golden brown in places. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Fall Fashion & Everyday Style: Discovering Your Look with JCPenney
As the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of amber and crimson, and a crisp coolness fills the air, autumn arrives, dripping with beauty and new possibilities. From the breathtaking natural scenery to the cutting-edge styles showcased at New York Fashion Week, this season offers endless inspiration for personal expression. I am incredibly excited and grateful to be working with JCPenney this year as a brand ambassador, an opportunity that has allowed me to rediscover their remarkable ability to provide trendy, comfortable, and affordable pieces that perfectly align with my personal aesthetic and busy lifestyle. For me, as a mom of five energetic boys, my wardrobe must meet specific, non-negotiable criteria: it has to be cute, flattering, make me feel confident, be durable enough to withstand the demands of motherhood, and crucially, remain budget-friendly. There’s simply no room in my life for clothes that make me wince at every potential stain or spill; as a cook and a mom, my days are a delightful, continuous series of “stain-making opportunities.”
JCPenney truly understands the multifaceted needs of modern women, offering a diverse range of clothing that marries practicality with prevailing fashion trends. Their commitment to inclusive sizing and styles means that every woman, regardless of her body type or personal preferences, can find pieces that make her feel beautiful and empowered. This approach stands in stark contrast to the often unattainable ideals presented on high fashion runways, demonstrating JCPenney’s dedication to real-life fashion solutions. They empower me to curate a stylish yet functional wardrobe that supports my active life without compromising on elegance or comfort. Whether it’s a structured blazer for a polished look or a comfortable tank for everyday versatility, JCPenney consistently delivers on quality and style, proving that you don’t need a supermodel’s budget or lifestyle to look and feel fantastic.
JCPenney: Bringing Runway Trends to Real Life
While my personal chances of attending New York Fashion Week might be slim, a girl still deserves to feel fabulous in what she wears. JCPenney consistently helps me achieve that feeling. (My incredibly versatile Blazer and essential tankare both from JCPenney, showcasing their ability to provide both foundational and statement pieces.) And if I ever *do* find myself amidst the hustle and glamour of NYFW, you can bet I’ll have one of these satisfying Cheesy Squash Tians tucked into my bag – those models often look like they could use a hearty, comforting meal or two!
JCPenney, however, is a prominent presence at New York Fashion Week, offering an invaluable inside perspective on the inspirations and visions driving this season’s most exciting trends. Following NYFW, they meticulously designate a “JCP Designer of the Week” who provides us with exclusive insights into the key trends they are closely observing for the upcoming season. And that’s when the real fun begins! On Thursdays, during the three weeks immediately following NYFW, a JCPenney designer will share a nostalgic #TBT-like photo, inviting fans to join them in posting their own “not-so-hot” fashion pics using the hashtag #JCPTrendSwap for #TBT. This engaging and humorous campaign offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone to participate in the fashion conversation.
Each Friday, one fortunate participant will be chosen as a winner of a grand Fall Fashion prize: a $500 JCPenney gift card! Imagine the possibilities for refreshing your autumn wardrobe with such a generous prize. Beyond the individual winners, JCPenney will also curate a stunning collage of the best photos, highlighting various key trends. Alongside these inspiring fan submissions, they will post side-by-side solutions, showcasing specific JCPenney items that fans can purchase to effortlessly revitalize an old trend, seamlessly integrating it into modern, contemporary fashion today. This initiative beautifully illustrates JCPenney’s dedication to making high fashion accessible and relatable for everyone.
Something tells me that my own regrettable high school fashion choices won’t be among those chosen for a modern revival! Like the vibrant leaves of fall, fashion trends are, by their very nature, fleeting. However, true style endures. When I had the pleasure of attending the immersion event at JCPenney in Plano, Texas, I was particularly impressed by Adam Moon, the Women’s Fashion Director. His discussion of the upcoming fall trends was not only insightful but also underscored JCPenney’s overarching mission: to thoughtfully clothe EVERY woman. This commitment extends far beyond the “Cheesy Squash Tian starved waifs” often seen on runways, focusing instead on practical, flattering, and stylish options for real women leading real lives. I particularly admired the emphasis on combining structured and unstructured pieces, a design philosophy that allows women to achieve a polished, put-together look while maintaining supreme comfort and ease of movement. This blend of elegance and wearability is a hallmark of JCPenney’s approach to contemporary fashion.
JCPenney Fall Fashion Giveaway: Win a $100 Gift Card!
To truly usher in the beauty of fall with a splash, we are thrilled to offer one lucky Foodie with Family reader an exclusive opportunity to win a $100 JCPenney Gift Card! This fantastic prize will help you discover and incorporate fashionable new pieces that perfectly complement the season’s stunning aesthetics, allowing you to refresh your wardrobe and embrace your personal style without breaking the bank. Don’t miss out on this chance to elevate your fall fashion game!
Sweepstakes Rules:
- No duplicate comments.
- You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post, sharing your favorite fall fashion trend or how you incorporate personal style into your daily life.
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/17/2014 -10/13/2014.
Be sure to visit the JCPenney brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts and discover more fantastic style insights!