Lauren Toppe Thomas

Recipes and Lifestyle

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Honey Soy Baked Cod

September 1, 2022


-1 lb cod
-2 tbsp honey
-1 tbsp minced garlic
-1 tsp sesame oil
-3 tbsp soy sauce
-1 tbsp rice vinegar
-2 tbsp chopped scallions


  1. Combine all in a shallow dish. Allow to marinate 30 min to 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400. Cook 10 min.
  2. Turn oven to Broil High and cook additional 2 min.

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Categories: Recipes

Houston Restaurants and Cocktails

August 24, 2022

Cocktails and Happy Hour


Clarkwood
Between The Heights and Montrose
3201 Allen Pkwy
Drink Recommendations: Casita Clarkwood (House Curated Shot), Spicy Watermelon Margarita, and of course the infamous Espresso Martini with a Toasted Marshmallow on top!
Social Hour-$10 cocktails Monday-Friday from 5-7 pm
Permission Whiskey
The Heights
2920 White Oak Dr.
Drink Recommendations: Eastside, Tequila Old Fashioned, Penicillin
Happy Hour-Monday-Friday from 4-6 pm
Julep
Washington
1919 Washington Ave
Drink Recommendations: Swimming Upstream, El Diablo, Missionary’s Downfall, Painkiller, Black and Tan
Happy Hour-Monday-Friday from 4-5:30 pm
Miss Carousel
EADO
1201 St Emanuel St
Drink Recommendations
Purple Lamborghini, Heavy Petting
Happy Hour Daily from 4-6 pm
Wicklow Heights
The Heights
1027 W 19th St
Drink Recommendations: When Doves Cry, Recovery Punch, Pama Spritz
Happy Hour-Monday-Friday open until 6 pm

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Categories: Lifestyle

Lemon Arugula Pasta with Pancetta and Peas

August 18, 2022


-pasta of your choice
-1 tbsp minced garlic
-1 shallot, finely chopped
-olive oil (2-3 tbsp)
-zest and juice of one lemon
-1/2 cup arugula
-1/2 cup peas, steamed
-diced pancetta
-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
-1/2 cup heavy cream
-burrata or parmesan for garnish
-basil for garnish


  1. Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 3/4 cup pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet over medium high, add olive oil, garlic and shallot. Cook 2-3 min. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Combine.
  3. Whisk in heavy cream. Whisk in pasta water.
  4. Meanwhile, brown pancetta in a separate, small pan. Drain oil.
  5. Steam peas in microwave.
  6. To pan with sauce, add pancetta and peas. Combine. Sprinkle with red pepper. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Fold in pasta. Fold in arugula.
  8. Service with your choice of burrata or parmesan (or both!), plus basil.

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Categories: Recipes

Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

August 17, 2022


-poblano peppers, halved and seeded
-1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
-1 1/2 cups rice (basmati, white, mexican, brown, whichever you prefer!)
-1 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
-1 14.5 oz can black beans, drained
-1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
-1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
-1 tbsp lime juice
-1 tsp each garlic powder, chili powder and cumin
-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
-shredded monterey jack


  1. Heat oven to 400. Spray a baking sheet or dish with oil. Place halved poblano peppers. Drizzle with olive oil and season pwith salt and pepper. Bake 10 min. Remove from oven and let cool.
  2. Meanwhile, mix together chicken, rice, lime juice, tomatoes, black beans, jalapeño, cilantro and seasonings.
  3. Once cooled, stuff peppers with mixture. Bake 10 min.
  4. Remove from oven and top with cheese. Bake 5 min.
    Avocado Lime Crema-in a food processor, combine 1/2 avocado, 1/2 cup cilantro, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp minced garlic, salt and
    pepper.

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Categories: Recipes

Air Fryer Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

August 17, 2022


-1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
-4 tbsp olive oil
-1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
-1/2 tbsp minced garlic
-zest and juice of one lemon
-1.5 tsp cumin
-1.5 tsp chili powder
-1/2 tsp paprika
-1/4 tsp red chili flakes
-salt and pepper
-1 tsp chicken bouillon


  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl or ziploc bag. Cover in fridge and let marinate for at least 2 hrs.
  2. Spray air fryer with oil. Place chicken thighs in air fryer.
  3. Cook for 10 min at 400. Flip, and cook an additional 8 min.

For Asparagus:

-asparagus, ends trimmed
-2 tbsp olive oil
-3 to 4 tbsp panko breadcrumbs
-1 tsp garlic powder
-salt and pepper
-1/8 cup grated parmesan


  1. Preheat oven to 425. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Toss asparagus with olive oil, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Place in oven for 10 min.
  4. Remove and add parmesan.
  5. Place back in oven for additional 7-8 min.

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Categories: Recipes

Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas

August 16, 2022


-1 lb shrimp, cut into chunks
-small yellow onion, sliced thinly
-2 tomatoes, diced
-2 jalapeños, seeded and sliced thinly
-1 1/2 cups heavy cream
-1/2 cup sour cream
-1 tbsp minced garlic
-1/2 tsp cumin
-1/2 tsp cayenne
-1/2 tsp chipotle chili pepper
-tortillas
-monterey jack cheese, shredded


  1. Heat oven to 350.
  2. Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Add drizzle of olive oil. Add veggies. Sprinkle with salt and sauté 5 min.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, sour cream minced garlic and spices.
  4. Whisk cream sauce into skillet with veggies.
  5. Add shrimp and cook until shrimp are pink and cooked through. Remove from heat.
  6. Add a sprinkle of cheese to each tortilla. Using a slotted spoon, add some of the shrimp mixture.
  7. Pour remaining sauce on top and top with monterey jack. Bake 20 min.

Categories: Recipes
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About Lauren

Welcome! My name is Lauren Toppe Thomas. I have lived in The Woodlands, Tx for over 20 years. I have been married to my husband, Isaac, since 2016. We have two beautiful babies. My son, Cooper, is 4 and daughter, Collins is 1.

Cooper was conceived through IVF and Collins is our miracle baby! I am a huge advocate for fertility education and treatment.

I attended Texas A&M University, Gig ‘Em! And graduated in 2013. I work full time in Medical Device Sales.

My greatest passion is food! I love cooking, exploring new restaurants in Houston, and trying lots of different cuisines. I went alcohol free in October of 2023 and have found a new passion for discovering and sharing non alcoholic beverage alternatives and mocktail recipes.

Come along with me for easy recipes, delicious mocktails and everyday lifestyle chats!

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