Lettuce Heads

This comes from a magazine my husband gets - THE FURROW (Summer 2014).
The article is Plant Talk by Lorne McClinton

I liked the cute look here and saved it ... that's all!

Lettuce heads vs Potato heads ...,  fun playthings!

Spinach Dip in Bread Cups

I really think this looks like a great idea!

Spinach Dip with Veggies in Baguettes comes from

So, How's It Taste?

 

 

 

Verrines

I learned something recently that I'm going to share -

I hadn't heard of Verrines before, but I just saw it used on Kara's Party Ideas, sharing a recipe of Red Velvet Strawberry Mousse Parfaits from Art de Fete

 

Verrines: Luxury In A Glass

A verrine is an appetizer or dessert that consists of a number of components layered artfully in a small glass. (The word verrine refers to the glass itself; literally it means "protective glass.")

The word refers to the glass itself, but has since been used as the type of dessert being layered in those glasses.  I have created my own verrines and didn't even know that is what they are called.


The recipe above makes me think I should try it again ..., soon!

Black-eyed Peas = Good Luck and Prosperity

This is a favor idea I cut from a Real Simple magazine (January 2008) a few years ago.

While trying to de-junk my stuff this year I found this again, scanned it for safe keeping, and tossed the paper clipping.  De-junking is an on going project for me.  It's hard though, because at the same time I keep stuffing new or different stuff away.

I thought this would be a good thing to consider around this time of year.  We only have a few more days before our new year begins.
Let's finish this one strong and be prepared to begin the next year even stronger.

 

 

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What do you know about black-eyed peas?

 I checked it out.

 

pauladeen.com offers this and more, including recipes:

 

Why does Paula eat one black-eyed pea for each day of the New Year? We Southerners know that eating black-eyed peas ensures good luck and prosperity throughout the upcoming year.

 

A coin in the pot promises extra fortune to the one who finds it in his scoop of peas. And a penny is often put under each bowl of peas to boost the luck potential.

 

Legend tells us also that black-eyed peas became a lucky dish during the Civil War. Union soldiers near the town of Vicksburg, Va. burned all crops except the peas; thinking they were animal feed, the soldiers did not bother them. Residents discovered that the legume was the only thing left to eat; they adapted it into their diet, and black-eyed peas were therefore considered the food of good fortune.

 

Today, people wouldn’t dream of starting off their year without a good luck pot of black-eyed peas.

 

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I found info and some recipes at Southern Living, Wikipedia and at Aggie Horticulture.

 

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Here is another paper I filed away - more beans - from a page out of a Rachael Ray magazine (don't know the date).

 

 

 

Mini Desserts

Taste of Home has a post with some Favorite Mini Desserts that look great.

 

Here are a few I really would like to try -

 

 

Jam Topped Mini Cheesecakes

 

 

..

 

Mini Key Lime and Coconut Pies

 

 

..

 

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

 

 

..

 

Mini Caramel Cheesecakes

 

...

And from Cooking Classy comes this  

No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Caramel Sauce




Aren't these some fine looking fall desserts?

 

 

Pumpkin Spice French Toast

This Pumpkin Spice French Toast from Our Best Bites, looks like something I'd like to try.

 

 

You mix it the night before and bake it in the morning after sprinkling with the crumble. That saves some morning time.

 

Tis the Season!

Tis the Season!

 

No - not the Christmas season - I'm really not ready for that to be here.

 

Tis the season for garden produce ... 

 

These lovely lemon cucumbers and tomatoes came from our garden, and the summer squash came from our son's garden. 

 

 

Tis also the season for yummy orchard produce ...,

and for preserving that yummy orchard produce (like these juicy peaches). (Pears are up next!)

 

Ummm Good!

 

I love to hear the lids pop as they begin to cool down after removing them from the hot water bath.

It is a joyous sound ...,

 

Tis the season 

for popping corn lids.

 

Those pops are a sound of accomplishment ...,

it reminds us of the deliciousness available in the several months to come.

 

Those pops bring a smile to my heart and soul.

 

Ah, the simple pleasures in life!

 

 

Glutten-Free Baking

 

I just found this place - The Art of Gluten-Free Baking - and thought I'd share the find.

 

There seem to be some great recipes and info about gluten-free baking, including this

Ingredient Substitutions, which looks like it could be very useful.

 

 

I am not personally a gluten-free person, nor is anyone in my household, so this site isn't something necessary for me, but it was intriguing and I thought it was worthy of note just incase I do need something some day.

 

 

 

 

Lunch Boxes

Fun Stuff - Just something I had in my paper files -

 Wouldn't it be fun to serve a picnic or party lunch to guests in these old style lunch boxes?  Just think of the great assortment that could be collected.   So Fun!

 

 

 

and now days we can even buy this lunch box - too easy huh!



image found on Amazon

Boxed lunches are a fun thing right now.  I have collected a few boxed lunch looks in my Picnics and Outdoor Dining Pinterest Board. 

(Someday maybe I'll change the board to Boxed Lunches, but for now, it remains with my Picnics and Outdoor Dining - even though boxed lunches can be used inside too.)


 

Food Finds

French Toast Kabobs from Martha Stewart

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Caramel Apples?  - nop! - Caramel Grapes!
from The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife



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Dole Whip from Magical Recipes

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Pineapple Whip from The Detoxinista

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Now, how about some s'mores?

these Frosty S'more Cups from Easy Baked look delicious

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S'more Kisses from Doughmesstic

Doughmesstic also has a post with s'more S'mores - with s'more recipes you won't wanna miss it.

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S'more Cookie Bars from Baked Perfection



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Maybe you'll want to give some of these yummy foods away to friends & neighbors - well, put them on these prettied up plates from Make and Takes

Berry Baskets/Boxes

I have seen and love the look of berry boxes used for lunch boxes.

Berry boxes are great for berries, of course.

This look comes from Easy

They look great with cookies too, from here.

They are great for salads - info can be found in a previous post here,

I have a few purple berry boxes from several years ago - purchased with fruit in them, but I don't remember anything more than that.

They have some berry stains  and are a bit faded around the rim, but I love the color of these purple berry boxes.  I could spray paint them to clean them up, or wrap a ribbon around the part that is stained.  

Check out the painted boxes and the ceramic and plastic boxes I shared about in a previous post here.

I have searched for these berry baskets/boxes (online) and have found a few sites that sell them.  I'm sharing what I  have learned; from where they can be purchased and what the prices are.

(shipping is not included in any of the prices listed here) 

(This info is as of August 2013 - of course all this may change)

I haven't seen purple in my search for berry boxes (except for some ceramic here and here), so these are all the green or turquoise color. 

Bake It Pretty - 6 pint size for $3.75.

The Party Studio - 5 pint size for $4.00.

Kara's Party Ideas - 10 for $4.40.

Shop Sweet Lulu - 10 pint size for $5.00.

Rose Paper Products - 600 1/2 pint size for $49.03, 420 pint size for $35.90.

Zurchers - 10 (looks like pint size) for $4.47.

Amazon - 420 pint size for $33.95, 250 quart size for $33.95.

I'm sure there are more sites out there, but this is what I found - send me a comment or email if you have found a great deal some where else.

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update:
Look what I just found -
A Tutorial for Fabric Berry Boxes at Noodlehead

SaveSave

Appetizers, Hors D'oeuvres, Party Foods

You'll find several Mouth Watering ideas at Chef In Training
like these avocado fries


...

buffalo chicken bites


...

pineapple cheese ball


...

cheddar bacon ranch pulls


...

and bloomin' onion bread



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There are some Unique Wedding Hors D'oeuvres at Brides

like these mini burgers on a skewer.

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and Shepherds Pie Puffs

Rolo Stuffed Ritz Crackers and Bark

Just keep two things on hand for a quick fix ... food fix that is.

 

Rolos and Ritz

from Something Swanky

 

 

 

but don't stop there, check out her Ritz Rolo Bark (which is actually what she started with) here.

 

 

 
Note -
We tried the stuffed crackers and they are good,
but personally, I like the pretzel and pecan best.

 

Pretty Pink Favors

A very sweet look from Green Wedding Planner

 



At first glance I thought this was a pink lemonade.

Isn't it a lovely look!  It's a soft and sweet delicate look in a tin pail!  Very Lovely!

 

 

but then I saw this

 

 

Though it is still quite lovely to look at, it's not lemonade at all!

It's a beautiful jelly favor.  I've never seen one that color, but then I've never used pink grapefruit or champagne for a jelly.  I might have to find a pink grapefruit jelly recipe ..., without the champagne. 

 

 

 

Just Lovely!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red White Blue - Good Eats!

I may have posted something like this before, but if not, this is from tipjunkie

 

 

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How about some stars and stripes for treats?
These are cute cookies from Design Sprinkle



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This beautiful white drink from I Heart Naptime would be perfect on any summer day, but the white makes it perfect for the 4th of July - pop in a red and/or blue straw for a perfect look with a perfect taste.



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Pans

Happy July 1st!

Today I am sharing

One of my FAVORITE THINGS

Remember - this is not a paid advertisement - it's just a review of one of my favorite things.

This is one of those things that I'm grateful for, because it makes baking more enjoyable.

Today's favorite item is

 good bread pans and pizza pans and cookie sheets 

Okay, maybe this is more than one of my favorite things, but they are my favorite pans.

These pans are the best for golden brown instead of burnt brown.  Somehow we get along just fine, but those dark pans are not something I've learned to use and like.  Probably never will, because I like these so much!

Darker pans, including non-stick, mean darker food for me and my oven.  I don't care for that. Other people love them and consider them some of their favorite things. I'm glad they know how to use them and like them.

The only dark baking pans I own are these round cake pans (and I don't use them very often).

 

What are your favorites?


---
Since I am sharing about my favorite pans, maybe I should share one of our favorite recipes we make in these pans. 

I choose to share the recipe for

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

FYI, this image is a recipe card I made (at Heritage Makers) for my kids.

Happy Baking!


 

Pressure Cooker Recipes

I love using my pressure cooker for pulled pork.

I have seen recipes using soda but haven't tried them.  Maybe I'll try this someday.
Pressure cooker pulled pork recipe using Root Beer, from here
 

 

 I also love using my pressure cooker for chicken.

My daughter learned of a yummy recipe that I hadn't tried yet ..., and we decided to use that same recipe in the pressure cooker instead of the slow cooker.    I like my slow cooker, but sometimes I just can't think of a meal far enough in advance to use a slow cooker.  That's my favorite thing about my pressure cooker - it has saved me a few times.

Okay, the recipe my daughter shared with me might be familiar to others (no doubt it is), but it was new to me.  And since our tomato allergy issues aren't living in this house anymore (and we do miss our tomato allergy guy), we could try it.

Sorry I don't know what it is called, but here are the ingredients - at least it's how I make it.

1 bottle salsa
1 can corn
1 can black beans

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pour it in and cook it.
I cook it in my pressure cooker for 30 minutes.

(I've drained the corn and the beans and I've also left the liquid, and it works either way, just depends how much sauce you want.  We kinda like the sauce over rice.)

1 brick of cream cheese added at the end.
Stir it in and shred the chicken (still inside the juice).

How's that for easy and fast.

We added one more (drained) can of corn because we like more corn.  We will probably add one more can of beans sometime too, cause we like them. 

We've eaten it without the cream cheese and it's good that way too, but the cream cheese is a nice addition.