Um Yum: Pesto Tortellini Skewers

Sharing a super easy appetizer recipe that is delicious, and pretty to look at! I made these at June #ATECraftNight, and they were a big hit! I love apps that you can make a head of time, and can be served hot or cold!

Pesto Tortellini Skewers:

Ingredients: 

-Tortellini (Frozen or in Dairy Section)

-Small Container of Pesto

-Olive Oil

-Parmesan Cheese

-Wood Skewers

Recipe:

-Boil tortellini, ***but make sure not to over cook***Very Important!!!

-Once done, rinse and let cool, then add 2-3 to each wood skewer

-Put a few teaspoons of olive oil & a few teaspoons of pesto on a plate, and roll each skewer in it

-Put the remaining pesto in a side dish for dipping(a little pesto goes a long way)

-Sprinkle on parmesan & serve cold(or hot!)

I also made mini individual bowls of 'Cucumber Tomato' salad and you can find the recipe HERE!

Photos By: Balee Images

Cucumber Tomato Summer Salad

One weirdo fact about me--- I don't like lettuce. I just don't! So whats a girl to do when it comes to salads!?!? I have the most delicious-easy-colorful recipe for you, and I promise it will be a big hit at your next summer party! I am planning on serving this in personal size cups at my next #ATECraftNight!

Ingredients: 

2 Cucumbers

1 Carton of Cherry Tomatoes

1 Red Onion

1/2 Bunch Chopped Cilantro

1/2 Bunch Chopped Dill

Salt

Pepper
Red Pepper Flakes

1/2 Cup Balsamic Dressing

1 Container of Blue Cheese or Feta

Directions:

Chop all ingredients in a large salad serving bowl, add dressing, chill for 30 minutes & ENJOY! Um yum!

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Modern Momma: Yummy DIY Summer Popsicles

Yummy DIY Summer Popsicles

By Lauren

You guy these are so easy your going to wonder why you haven't made your own!

For my first batch I cut up some peaches and nectarines out maybe a tablespoon of honey ad a splash of orange juice in my magic bullet and poured into molds. Since my son went through all of them in one day, I had to make more. The next batch I did were strawberries and frozen chocolate covered banana bites. Just those two ingredients blended and poured into molds. Are you guys dumbfounded?! Seriously. My next ones I want to do (not super healthy) are just gummy bears an sprite. How refreshing does thy sound?  And after I have baby number 2, I WILL be making these watermelon margarita Popsicles for me!

http://www.bunkycooks.com/2011/06/watermelon-margarita-popsicles-for-casual-friday/

And here are some of my favorite molds- I'm seriously addicted.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CUIVXZ6/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?qid=1400692454&sr=8-19

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ACTN3G/ref=aw_1st_sims_8?pi=SL500_SS115&simLd=1#

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D9HQ30W/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1400692898&sr=8-7

And P. S. I've notices the sticks that have holes in them work better than the ones that don't. Or if you don't want to buy molds just youse Dixie cups and popsicle sticks!!

Fun Foods: Brownies in a Cup

The Modern Momma made the cutest little DIY this week! This 'Brownies in a Cup' idea is so cute and the perfect hostess or 'just because' gift! All you need is a microwave safe cup and a black sharpie; and if you wanted to get fancy, buy the supplies to make the brownies to go with it! 

A great idea for when you just need that quick little sweet tooth fix and you don't want to make an entire pan of brownies! 

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Peach Pineapple Mason Jar Cocktail

I planned on sharing another DIY today, but due to the recent weather conditions outside, I thought we all may need a cocktail or ten. I made these on craft night, and not only were they cute, but super delicious! I loved having all the cocktails pre-made, made my hostess job easy!

Recipe:

3 ounces Vodka

Equal Parts Pineapple Juice & Peach Juice 

Finish off with a paper straw and a strip of wash tape!

Cucumber Hummus Bites

Its Friday Ya'll! Entertaining this weekend, going to a party?!?! Sharing my go to easy peasy delicious appetizer of choice... Cucumber Hummus Bites! Not only are these super easy, but they are inexpensive, vegan friendly, delicious, and most importantly 'pretty'! I mean presentation is everything right?! :)

{If you are too mesmerized by my awesome Pendelton platters to pay attention, 

get your own set HERE! }

Caramel Apple Martini

I want to share one of my favorite drinks for this time of year! Not only is it delicious, but it's easy too! 

Recipe:

1/2 parts Smirnoff Caramel Vodka

1/2 parts Green Apple Pucker

Caramel Sauce (Available at some liquor stores or on Amazon HERE)

*crushed Cashew rim & cinnamon stick optional*

*Recipe* Jumbo Stuffed Banana Peppers

Its been a while since I have shared a delicious recipe! 

A few weekends ago when I was in Buffalo, NY watching my brother play football, GO BULLS;  we went to the guys FAVORITE restaurant and quite possibly the only place they go.... did I mention it is across the street from their house! HA, and happens to have the BEST wings ever!! 

Anyways, the owners of 'The Bon' are SO awesome and bring out samples for everyone to have on Sundays...while we were there, they brought out the most amazing jumbo stuffed banana peppers; stuffed mostly with ricotta cheese! 

Yesterday my husband requested I try out those peppers! We went to Sawyer Garden Center and got the most delicious ingredients, including HUGE banana peppers! Out of the million fresh cheeses they have there, they actually didn't have ricotta, so we used feta & crumbled blue cheese instead, and they were TO DIE FOR!!!! 

I usually cook everything, and then my husband eats it all, not yesterday, we were fighting over the last pepper! :)

YOU NEED: 6 Large Banana Peppers, Feta Cheese Crumbles, Blue Cheese Crumbles(I know a lot of people don't like blue cheese, so use whatever cheese your little heart desires) , Parmesan Cheese, Red Pepper Flakes, Sirache, Salt & Pepper

Step 1: Cut a sliver of the tops off the peppers and de-seed.

 Step 2: Mix all of your ingredients in a bowl and slightly mash up (sorry I really don't measure, I am bad about that) just use your best judgement on how much filling you are going to need for the size of your peppers; and my hubs said, the more filling the better! 

***I will say go light on the sirache... the red pepper flakes and peppers are also hot, so you don't need a lot! 

Step 3: Line up your peppers in a cooking pan and fill.

Step 4: Top with parm cheese and bake on 400 for 10 minutes... I then broiled for 5 more minutes to get that crispy golden brown cheese on top!

 Let cool & ENJOY!

Recipe: Chicken & Pancake Bites

For every ATE Craft Night I try and make something fun and unique to snack on...

Last nights Chicken & Pancake bites were a BIG HIT! YUM, I could literally eat these every day! SO  SO good!

Need: Tyson Garlic Boneless Chicken Wings, Mini Frozen Pancakes, Butter Syrup, Red Pepper Flakes, Skewer Sticks.

These were literally SO easy! 

All you have to do is bake the chicken and the pancakes at 400 for 15 minutes. Take them out, skewer them. Cover in syrup and sprinkle red pepper flakes on top! 

Strawberry Rolo Skewers

Last months Craft Night featured a fun summertime treat, that I must share! I was inspired by a brownie skewer that I saw on Pinterest...but A. I didn't feel like making brownies & B. I kind of thought brownies may be a little messy...so as I'm running around the grocery store, I immidiately thought of using Rolos! Turns out it was a big hit, and the Rolos fit nicely on the skewers! 

All you need is some fresh strawberries & blueberries and a big bag of rolos! (I used short skewer sticks)

Parmesan Cilantro Lime Corn

WARNING: You will never eat corn the same way after this...

A few summers ago my BFF Emily shared the most delicious corn recipe with me! I immediately fell in love, shared the recipe with my mom(she added the cilantro), and now we seriously don't eat corn any other way now! We have even shared the recipe with friends and now pretty much everyone we know LOVES this corn!!! 

Need:

corn(on the cob)

olive oil

cilantro

shredded parmesan cheese

cayenne pepper

lime

How To:  

While grilling(or boiling your corn) Finely chopped up your parmesan and cilantro and combine in a bowl and add a couple table spoons of cayenne pepper. Wedge Lime. Once corn is done, drip olive oil on it, sprinkle on your cheese/cilantro/cayenne pepper mixture and lastly squeeze on lime juice! ENJOY!! Seriously make this tonight, I PROMISE you will not be sorry! 

Hope everyone has a great week!!! We have 2 photo shoots, and our Craft Night this week!! Yay us:)!

DIY Spicy Pickles

Ever since I was little I have been a pickle freak and just last year I started canning my own pickles! I started with a generic recipe, and 'spiced' it up, literally!!

It's just about that time again, so I decided to share my recipe! It really is the BEST! &&& They only take 3 days to cure unlike weeks with other recipes!!

What you need:

6to8 pounds of pickling cucumbers

40 fresh dill sprigs

2 large onions(thinly sliced)

10 fresh jalapeños

red pepper flakes

5 garlic cloves

1 quart water

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup canning salt

 1 quart white vinegar 

How to:

Cut each cucumber into spears and onions into slices. Stuff pickles, dill, onions, garlic, & jalapeños into your canning jars, as full as you can stuff them!(Makes about 8 large jars) In a pan combine water, vinegar, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and stir until salt dissolves. Pour hot liquid into all of your jars and let cool for about an hour with the canning lids off. After cools, add red pepper flakes, put the lids on and put in refrigerator for 3 days minimum! Open and enjoy!

Happy Weekend!



MOM MONDAYS ARE BACK: The Best Guacamole you will EVER eat.

 

 

She's Back, She's BACK!!!! Who missed 'Mom Mondays'?!?!? I have been trying to talk my mom in to coming back for the past few weeks, and today I demanded it! :) She is making her famous guacamole for my craft night tomorrow, and I thought it would be fun to share the recipe! Seriously people beg her to make it for every party, and I swear people who don't even like guacamole, love hers!

 

 

Its actually super easy, and I have even learned how to make it to perfection....although its never quite the same as 'Mama Sales Guacamole'!

 

 

Start with 6 fresh avocados (firm but not hard)

 

4 plum tomatoes seeded prior to chopping (I like plum as they are meaty and are full of flavor

 

1 small red onion -- chopped fine

 

2-3 fresh jalapenos--chopped fine (jar type can be used but I like fresh whenever possible)

 

the juice of one lime (roll on counter prior to cutting in half to get the most juice)

 

1 large bunch of fresh cilantro--chopped (ONLY FRESH)

 

salt and pepper generously to taste

 

3-4 dashes of hot sauce

 

 

-------------------------------

 

 

Directions:

Cut avocados in half and remove pit.

 

cut a grid patten in avocado halves and scoop out with spoon--leave chunky

 

squeeze lime juice over entire bowl of avocado (for flavor but to also prevent browning

 

add remaining ingredients--mix & enjoy!!

 

Serve with hearty chips to hold up this chunky hearty dip!

 

Try a variation with roasted corn added.....soooo good!

 

 

This pic is actually from Tony's Mexican Fiesta    blog post, it's so good he even uses it!!!

 

 

TIP--cover with plastic wrap and push plastic to touch all guacamole and leave no air.....air is what causes it to brown by the following day!

 

Ps. How cute is it served in the left over avocado shell! Love it!



It's Friday, let's have a cocktail, shall we?!

 

Wanted to share our FAVORITE fancy party drink!! We have served it at a few showers, and honestly beside the bride it was the star of the show! Ha, really though!

 

 

Bubbles & Berries:

 

Ingredients:

Berries

Grand Marnier

Citrus Vodka

Chambord

Cointreau
Champagne

Dry Ice

 

Directions:

First let the berries soak in the Grand Marnier for 3 days. Add a tiny piece of dry ice to your glass. Next mix 1 part Citrus Vodka, 1 part Chambord, and 1/2 part Cointreau. Add berries and a splash of champagne.... watch bubble and smoke and enjoy!
(It sound like a lot but you can make the mix a head of time in a big pitcher!)

 

 

 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! XOX



COMFORT FOOD PART 2---MOMMA'S SUPER SECRET CHEESECAKE---You do not want to miss this!

 

 

Oh man, how do I even begin with my mom's cheesecake....seriously best ever, ever. Cheesecake factory has nothing on her. People beg her all throughout the year for her to make one for them; especially around the holidays, she usually has a long list of cheesecakes to deliver! This particular cheesecake happens to be for their friends Matt & Brandi, Matt tends to wear out his welcomes when it comes to asking for cheesecakes;), but this time just so happen to be perfect timing for me to beg to blog the recipe! I somehow talked her into sharing her recipe...you all better write this down; chances are she will regret this ever happened and make me delete the post;)! Ha, so get it while you can!

 

 

Per my mom:

 

It seams that my daughter can talk me into just about anything......sooooo, here it is.....my super secret.....best I've found....Cheesecake recipe!!!! ENJOY!
>
Cheesecake has always been my all-time favorite dessert!!! So....when I say I am a little persnickety about it....well you get the idea!
>
There is something about just the right amount of crust and the firm yet creamy deliciousness of the cake itself!
>
 So....First things first.... The Crust!!! ( I like a bigger...thicker, crust )
>
2 cups crushed graham crackers

 1 stick of butter melted
1/4 cup sugar
>
Mix all together in bowl and pour into a 9" spring form pan
 Start by pressing graham cracker mixture around pan....I then like to take a small coffee cup and use to press mixture to sides of pan....continue until all sides are covered.
 Place pan in refrigerator for apx 30 min to chill crust until form.
>
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

>
In the mean time.....Start to prepare the filling.
>
You will need....
 5--8oz packages cream cheese
 1 1/3 cups sugar
 3 tablespoons all purpose flour

3 large eggs

 1/2 cup sour cream
 1 tsp finely grated lemon peel
 2 tsp vanilla extract
>
Start by mixing the cream cheese on med speed for 2 min
Add sugar and mix
>
Gradually add the flour and mix until combined.
 On low speed beat in eggs, one at a time, until just blended
>
Add sour cream, lemon peal and vanilla until just blended.
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Pour into crust and bake for 1hour 15minutes.
>
Remove cake from oven to cool for 15 minutes

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Meanwhile....prepare the topping.
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Beat one egg white until frothy; add 1Tbs of sugar and beat until soft peaks form. Fold in 1/2 cup sour cream until blended and spread on top of cake.

>
 Return cake to oven and bake until topping is set but not brown. (Apx 20 min)
 Turn oven off and and let cheesecake sit in oven with door ajar for 1 hour.
>

After an hour place cake on wire rack and let cool completely.
>
After cooled; decorate as you desire.....I've chosen a valentine theme...

Thanks mom, Love you! And Matt & Brandi I will be over for a piece later!;)


COMFORT FOOD Part 1- Super Easy Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup

 

 

Who doesn't love a homemade pot of Chicken Noodle Soup?! Today is actually 'MOM Mondays' and don't you worry she has something cooking up really delicious as we speak, cough cough  It may or may not be her FAMOUS Secret Homemade Cheesecake, and she may or may not be sharing the recipe with you all later today;)...

 

So in the meantime, I thought I would share one of my other favorite comfort food recipes that I made just last night. Now its no cheesecake or anything, but it will just have to hold you over for now. My husband has been sick along with everyone else I know..so I decided to make him Homemade Spicy Chicken Noodle Soup yesterday!! Now if your like me, I am SOOO NOT a morning person, so that whole crock pot business only happens on days I have off...I mean, really I barely have time to get myself together in the am, let alone get a crock pot meal ready! So this is my quick and easy stove-top recipe, & in my house we like spicy, so if your not a fan just subtract the red pepper flakes and the Sriracha!

 

Enjoy! & Come back later for my mom's top secret, over the top melt in your mouth cheesecake recipe!!

 



Tony's Mexican Fiesta! *Secret Salsa Verde Recipe*

 

 

Last night my mom and I went to an amazing cooking class at Nana Clares Kitchen in Valparaiso, IN! Had no idea what I was getting into, but seriously had the BEST time learning new simple tricks & trades of the kitchen, not to mention eating Tony's out of this world Mexican cuisine! SERIOUSLY BEST MEXICAN EVER!!

 

The best part about it is, I have all the recipes and can now make it myself at home!! My favorite recipe was the Salsa Verde...not only was it SO easy, but literally taste so delicious! I will no longer be buying store bought salsa!!

 

Wanted to share a few photos from the night & encourage everyone to check out all of Tony's Upcoming Classes! And feel free to email Tony with questions or catering needs at: cheftony@tonystable.biz!

 

Scroll down to see my favorite recipe from the night!

 

 

 

 

 

Salsa Verde Directions:

 

Peel tomatillos and de-stem jalapeños and place both in a pan with water. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover. 

Blend tomatillos with 2 cups of water  (avoid over blending), set aside. Blend jalapeños with 2 cups of water & pour into blended tomatillos!  Add chopped cilantro, onion, & lime juice! Add salt to taste and enjoy!!!

 

Seriously so DELCIOUS!!!

 

HAPPY SUNDAY!