Bring on the FALL

Bring on the color.....The warm & comfy shoes.....
Cold mornings & steaming hot coffee.....

Fall candle scents... (Pecan Praline from Pier1 is my fav scent this fall)

& the fall TV line up.....

The Hubby & I are loving this new show.... it has a lot to do with our season of life right now. But the 3 main actors could not be more funny!!

*Plus a warm recipe to share:

Spiral Stromboli

Refrigerated crusty french bread

3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1/4 lb thinly sliced hard salami

1/4 lb thinly sliced deli ham

1 jar diced pimientos, drained

1 tbsp butter, melted

3 Tbsp shredded Parm cheese

-Unroll dough on a lightly floured surface. Pat into a 14inch x12 inch rectangle, sprinkle mozz and cheddar cheeses within 1/2 inch of edges. Layer with hard salami, ham and pimientos.

-Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting from short side, pinch seam to seal. Place seem side down on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake ar 375 for 20-25 min or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 mins. Cut with serrated knife. Serve warm with marinara dipping sauce.

*recipe from a fellow Lioness Betty*

*Im so excited to be heading to Belle Plaine, MN tomorrow to the Apple Orchard to meet my brother!! We went last year and it was so fun we are going to take AC this year. Keep on Cooking!!

Homemade Hummus

Hey there! I know that there are many brands out there for Hummus... but talk about expensive for a small amount & I'm sure its filled with only God knows how much sodium and other ingredients.... I guess you can say Ive started getting to know labels. I'm understanding that homemade fresh things might taste a little different at first but knowing what I'm putting in my families bodies is SO important to our health.
Now Im going to stay within reason.... I know AC will enjoy a sugar filled treat one of these days.... and a treat night to DQ is something The Hubby & I still enjoy, but cutting some corners here and that doesn't hurt, right?

Either way I have been meaning to buy some Hummus and looked into making it & its SO easy.....

1 can garbanzo beans/chickpeas
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup red & yellow peppers, chopped
dash salt/pepper to taste

Drain and rinse beans/peas reserving 1/4 cup of juice. Add all ingredients and juice into food processor. Blend till smooth and serve with pita chips.
*The base of this recipe is from a website, but added ingredients for taste.
Keep on Cooking!!

Advice from a host....

Hey there, I want to start off by saying I'm not a expert.... but after helping a woman @ work that was SO stressed about having her own house warming party. I wanted to share some of my ideas of how to throw a party:
-Pick a theme... even if its a season for the food.
-Invites & don't be afraid to ask people to BYO: Chairs, drinks or their own fav dish.... one of my favorite parties I throw every year is my girls appetizer party! Everyone brings their fav app. to share!
-Plan when you are going to prepare.... buy the food, cook and clean.
-Don't clean much! I NEVER clean my kitchen floors before a party... yeah I might run a vacuum over it. But (for sure if its summer) I don't clean the floor till the day after... you can enter from the deck right into our dinning room/kitchen and its such a waste of time.
-Get some music... even ask a friend to make a mixed CD or bring their Ipod!
-Don't forget the ice! :)
-Have fun & go with it... things might not turn out ok or something might even spill.
*Finally as I told my customer, serve some good drinks & people will have a great time!!
Party on & Keep on Cooking!!

A page from my NEW cookbook.....

Tonight our sweet friends, The Zylka's came for dinner and Brianna brought me a gift:

She sure know what I like!

Stuffed Tomatoes:

6 large tomatoes, firm and ripe

3 slices of white sandwich bread

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup minced fresh basil

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

Pepper to taste

*Cut top of tomatoes with sharp knife. Using fingers remove and discard the cord or any seeds of the tomato. Sprinkle the inside of cored tomatoes with salt, then drain before stuffing.

*Heat oven for 375. Pulse the bread in the food processor to coarse breadcrumbs. Spread the breadcrumbs over a rimmed baking sheet and bake until dry for about 10 mins. Toss together bread crumbs, cheese, basil, 1 tablespoon of oil, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.

*Line 9-11 inch baking dish with foil. Brush the cut edges of tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Mound about 1/4 cup of breadcrumb mixture into each tomato. Drizzle with remaining oil. Bake till tops are brown and crisp, about 20 mins.

Keep on Cooking!

Spring Salsa

Living in Minnie I feel like the only topic talked about is the weather.... well goodbye winter & hello SPRING! I have sprouts in my garden & it should be in the +50s all week! Thankfully I just ended my 7 day straight work week & have ALL day to spend with AC.....I'm in heaven! Last weekend we spend Saturday night with a great mix of friends/family.... of course I forgot my camera, but there were 4 babies under 7 months & a 2 years old! What a circus of little ones... but watch out for this time next year cause they will all be mobile! Either way I brought some homemade salsa.... it was the first time making it & I got the recipe from a co-worker. Spring Salsa: 1 lrg tomato, chopped 1 cup or pkg frozen corn 1 can blk beans 1/2 lrg onion, chopped 1/2 lrg Red pepper 1 small jalapeno 1 Tblsp Olive oil 2 tsps lime juice Salt to taste Cilantro, chopped In small bowl mix lime juice and olive oil. Drain and rinse beans in strainer. Add all ingredients in large bowl and top with dressing mix. (I doubled the recipe, left some there & have enjoyed the rest on tacos & morning eggs this week) *Top with sliced avocado for garnish! Keep on Cooking!!

Spring is coming right? Well, we had our semi-annual SM meetings for work last week. I was instructed to bring fruit or veggies.... BORING for a cook like me...... so I mixed it up a little with Fruit Kabobs:

Kabob skewers

Your choice of 3-4 different kinds of fruit, chop and put on skewers.

(I used green grapes, strawberries & pineapple)

Fruit dip:

1 7oz jar marshmallow cream

1 8oz Cream cheese

Soften cream & whip marshmallow in until mixed.

*I bought my fruit dip cause sometimes you have to cut corners somewhere right?? Keep on Cooking!

December is upon us....

Hey there,

Looking into December I have tons of parties, showers and events going on..... so Ive got some ideas for cooking! Here are some new recipes I found online. I plan on making it for something different for my Ladies App. party in 2 weeks:
Crecents & Bree (from Pillsbury website)

1 (8 ounce) can Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 (8 ounce) round natural Brie cheese
1 egg, beaten
48 water crackers or baguette French bread slices
-Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Unroll dough and separate crosswise into 2 sections; press dough into 2 squares, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Place cheese round on center of 1 dough square.
With small cookie or canape cutter, cut 1 shape from each corner of remaining dough square; set cutouts aside. Place remaining dough square on top of cheese round. Press dough evenly around cheese, folding bottom edges over top edges; press to seal completely. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Brush dough with egg. Top with cutouts; brush with egg.
Bake 20 to 24 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet; place on serving plate. Cool 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESE BALL (from Kelly's Korner)
· 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
· 1/2 cup butter, softened
· 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
· 2 tablespoons brown sugar
· 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
· 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
2. Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving. But it can be hard to form a ball so I skipped the nuts and just put the mixture in a bowl.

Stuffed mushrooms

24 large fresh mushrooms

1/4 cup sliced green onions (2)

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup butter

2/3 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup shredded chaeddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese or smoked Gouda cheese.

-Rise and drain mushrooms. Removed stems and reserve caps. Chop up stems to make 1 cup.

-In med saucepan cook chopped stems, green onions and garlic in butter untill tender. Stir in bread crumbs and cheese. Sppon crumb mixture into mushroom caps. Arrange in 15/10 baking pan. Bake @ 425 for 8-10 mins or untill heated.

Keep on Cooking!

NEW Blog on the street & a lazy thanksgiving...

Hey friends,

First I wanted to share with you a NEW blog that Ive been following.... my sweet friend Brianna started up a blog to keep her friends, family & far away family informed about her pregnancy/life! Brianna and I have been friends for almost 8 years... we roomed together in college and you know how girls can bond through that. We are a lot alike but also can understand each others wonderful differences..... and we always make each other laugh!

So here it is, my featured BLOG of the week: My little pea in the pod

(here is a pic of us @ my wedding open house in 2007..... wow things have changed since then & I was Blondie! haha)

Now onto Thanksgiving: I have to admit the focus or effort to cook anything these days are slim to none.... I know it will pick up again, but this pregnancy & baby brain has taking over..... the best part? He/she will be here soon.... I mean like 33 days soon!

But either way I am not hosting or cooking for Thanksgiving! I am bringing the following...... croissants/rolls & pickle wrap dip, so enjoy!

Pickle Wrap Dip:

2 8oz pkg cream cheese
2 containers top the tater
1 jar of pickles
1 pkg of dried beef or corn beef
(I found it with the lunch meats, could use reg lunch meat chopped up if needed)
*Chop pickles and meat. Mix all ingredients together and chill over night. Serve with crackers to spread on

Keep on Cooking!!

Dont go breaking my heart.....

Just finished up game time and this Vikings fan cant sleep.....

It sure was a rollercoaster of a game & Im pretty proud of my Vikings tonight. (Im not one to hate even during the worst games) Its night like this that I wonder if we will even see the sweet day of a Super Bowl.....

Pig Skin food, its not for a healthly heart.... but will help with a broken one??

Chili Cheese Dip:

2 cans of chili

1 block of Velveeta cheese

1-2 large bags of chips

Warm crock pot and cheese cut into small blocks. Add chili and mix.... could this be any easyer?? No, but its a highly requested dip around here!

(you can also do salsa, can of tomatoes and some banana peppers for something different) Serve with chips or on a hotdog!

*Finally, thank goodness for this guy.... Percy Harvin: MY player of the game!

& Keep on Cooking!!

Homemade Iced Coffee

Good Morning...... (well its not anymore, but it was a good one!)
Well, I have gotten my taste back for coffee... but since its so hot, only the iced kind! So today thought I would try to make my own. (coffee house coffee get expensive/fattening everyday)

2-3 cups of french pressed coffee

6-8 cubes of ice

1/4 cup of vanilla creamer

splash of skim milk

*Combine all in a small blender or magic bullet..... and yum it was great!!

Tonight my dear friend Alicia is coming over for dinner... Im making salad and chicken pot pies! This recipe was one of my first on this blog!

Keep on Cooking!!

Fruit smoothie

Hello friends,
These days the cravings are turning up.... nothing is too weird or strange, but oddly enough I can not eat enough fruit! This baby likes fruit and COLD beverages..... so this morning I mixed both and made a delicious personal smoothie:
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup raspberries
1/4 cup strawberries
1/2 milk
4-5 cubes of ice
1 tbs raspberry sorbet

Mix in blender (I used my magic bullet). All fruit can be changed or more could be added. Also you can put in yogurt and not the sorbet for a creamier drink....Enjoy!
Keep on Cooking!

A Summer Sipper......

Watermelon Margaritas...
2 teaspoons sugar
1 lime wedge
3 1/2 cups cubed seeded or seedless watermelon
1/2 cup tequila
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Triple sec
Lime wedges or watermelon balls (optional)

Place 2 teaspoon sugar in saucer. Rim 6 glasses with lime wedge and then coat with sugar.
Combine watermelon and tequila, 2 tbls sugar, fresh lime and Triple sec in blender. Process till smooth. Fill each glass with 1/2 cup of crushed ice. Add 1/2 cup margarita mix into each glass and garnish with lime wedges or watermelon balls.
(recipe from cooking light mag)

Let summer start & Keep on Cooking!!

Party & some demo....

Hey there, busy day @ the Working house... so I'm going to make this quick. I am hosting a jewelry party tonight with many of my fav ladies! I plan on serving the following:

Chicken Salad sandwiches:

1-2 large cans chicken

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/2 cups grape halves

2 green onions, chopped

1 tsp curry

1/4 cup mayo

2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 cup pecans (optional)

crescents sliced in half sandwich style

Mix all ingredients together. Serve on crescents or on own... I garnish with lemon slices.I will be doubling this recipe for my party to serve 10/15 ladies!

Easy party punch:

1 12 oz can citrus blend frozen juice mix

1 12oz can berry blend frozen juice mix

2 2 liters of ginger ale

Serve with ice ring or ice cubs. *I will be slicing oranges and lemons to float in the punch bowl for a little decorative touch! *

*I'm very excited for tonight but there is one thing that is making my house messy and cramping the look of our house! lol We are in mid bathroom renovation! Ive been trying to clean up Sheetrock dust all week and here are some previews of our project!

Before: Now: Me working:

Keep on Cooking!!

Easter Eggs...

Hi there... Happy April 1st! I DON'T like April fools day so you wont be getting any fools from this lady... something about being tricked is not to exciting to me! But I am looking forward to Easter... I love holidays and of course it opens up the door for some cooking...plus its looking like its going to be in the 70s in MN this weekend! :)
These are the eggs I am bringing to Grandpa's house:
6 hard-cooked eggs (I plan on making about 10)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 tbs miracle whip and vinegar
De shell eggs, cut in half and slip out yolks. Mash yolks with fork and mix in seasoning and whip mix. Spoon back into whites with spoon or scoop. Top with bacon, ham, chopped green onions or paprika!

Yum! Check back 2 more for Friday's Friend Feature...& keep those recipes coming!
Keep on Cooking!!

Pigs in a blanket.....

We were craving something a little fun and easy... this was a recipe I always loved when I was growing up....I have also made mini ones with cocktail wieners for parties!

Pigs in a blanket:
1 Pkg hot dogs (I like the cheese filled)
1 roll of crescent rolls
6 slices of cheese (I make 3 cheddar/3 provolone)

Unroll crescents... lay cheese on top and roll up the dogs! Dip in mustard, ketchup sauce or BBQ sauce. We went all out and ate these with mac & cheese!

Keep on Cooking!

Am I ready for tv??

Hey there, I'm going make a confession.... I have been thinking about making a video blog lately. (Keely Mann does them & love watching!)
So this week I received a message from a follower about a local talk show "Twin Cites Live" that is holding a cooking contest! To enter you need to make a 3-5 min video of you cooking a recipe... then they will be picking 6 winners that will go on their show to participate in a cooking challenge! Well.... I did it! :)

Now I love to cook and even recently have had friends ask me for advice about recipes... but my question is "Am I ready for TV??" First of all I have mad respect for editing! I think I ran through the first 30 sec 5 times... but because I was home alone and have NO editing available on my computer I had to get the mixing right on the first try!

Well here it is... please be mindful that this is my first vlog, so be kind of with your comments! And cross your fingers that I might be a winner this week!

*The video was taking forever to upload.. Ill try later... anyways here is the link to the contest Im #19!
Ps-Thanks to Heather Elm for the recipe that I made

Keep on Cooking

Queso Dip for New Years.....

I'm pretty interest to see what the New Year will bring. I may as well be honest and let you all know that I just found out this week that my store will be closing in 8 weeks! DON'T worry, its not ALL Pier1's, just mine that had a leasing conflict!
I am I sad?... for sure!.... am I sure that the future holds for me?? NO! that honesty is the scariest part of all of this.... I'm not sure if its time to try something new or stick it out in the retail world... any advice??

This is what I'll be bringing to the Wilson's annual New Years party:
EASY queso dip:
Block of Velveeta cheese
2 cups of salsa
1 can of black beans
(add banana peppers or chili peppers for spice)

Cut cheese into cubes and warm in crock pot or pot on stove will easy to stir. Stir in salsa, beans and peppers. Serve with tortilla chips... now that was easy huh??

*Stop back tomorrow for my first Friday Family feature of 2010!!
Keep on Cooking!