Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bunco Night - Picnic Style {Recipes}

This month it was my turn to host our bunco night. I went with a picnic them (not that you need a theme) for food and prizes. I made Chicken Salad Sliders, Mini Hotdogs in Puff Pastry, Artichoke Squares, Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips, and Bunco Cupcakes. The recipes for all of these are at the bottom of this post, following the photos. Had a great time having everyone over. We looked out and had a great weather so we were able to play bunco outside on the deck as well is inside in the air conditioned house.

Bunco Cupcakes ...

I've been into cupcake decorating lately. You will see more posts soon since I've been asked to teach a class or two in the fall at a local community center. I will be testing out techniques and recipes later in the summer (after we get back from our vacation in Florida).


Chicken Salad Slider Sandwiches ...


I made these using Paula Deen's recipe... what's not to like when it comes to Paula's recipes. These were absolutely delicious served on potato rolls from a local bakery.



Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips
...

Always a favorite item to make in the summer when the fruit is so fresh and tasty.

Pigs in A Blanket
...
These are super easy to make and everyone enjoys.


Recipes from Bunco Night
Picnic Style
...


Bunco Cupcakes


1 Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
Buttercream frosting, colored with pink gel food coloring

Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (may need more depending on the consistency you want)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp - 2 tsp of light corn syrup (I add this to make a smoother texture)

Directions
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 to 2 teaspoons of corn syrup until desired consitency. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate.

Chicken Salad Sliders
Recipe from Paula Deen

Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 1/2 cups finely diced cooked chicken
  • 1 cup finely diced celery
  • 1/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 12 mini slider rolls
Directions:
  1. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, mayonnaise and salt. Toss with the chicken, celery, and almonds in a medium bowl. Serve on mini slider rolls.(I served on potato rolls from a local bakery. Yum!)
Note: For the chicken, I poached chicken breasts in water, bay leaf, celery, onion, salt & pepper.


Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips
Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:
  • 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
  • 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
  • 3 peaches
  • 1 pint of blueberries
  • 8 ounces raspberries
  • 1 pound strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor

  • 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
  • butter flavored cooking spray
  • 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

Pigs in a Blanket
I found this recipe over at Make and Bake. This is actually a Martha Stewart recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs (about 60) mini hots dogs (I used two packs of Hebrew National cocktail wieners)
  • Cheddar cheese, cut into small pieces, optional
  • 1 large egg
  • Flour, for working with pastry dough
  • 1 box of puff pastry, or two sheets of homemade puff pastry (2/3 of the recipe here), thawed
  • poppy seeds or sesame seeds, optional
Directions:

1. Slice all hot dogs about 3/4 of the way length-wise and put a small piece of cheese inside the hot dog. If you're not using the cheese, just poke the hot dogs a couple time with a fork.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll one sheet of puff pastry at a time into a 11x14 inch rectangle. Cut lengthwise into 7 1 1/2 strips, then cut each strip into 4 rectangles, each about 3 inches long.

3. In a small bowl, beat together the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or baking mat (I am out of parchment so I just sprayed my sheets with some baking spray). Wrap each hot dog with a piece of the puff pastry. Using a pastry brush, brush the top with the egg wash and then sprinkle with poppy or sesame seeds. Chill the baking sheet of hot dogs in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

4. Preheat oven to 450ºF. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden.

Artichoke Squares
Photo coming soon...

Ingredients:
  • 2 small jars marinated artichoke hearts (or 1 large jar),
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 4 eggs well beaten
  • 1/4 c dry bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • a couple of grinds of black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. dried basil
  • 2-3 drops hot sauce to taste
  • 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, gruyere, swiss, etc.)
Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray the inside of a small lasagne sized pan (8x 11) with with non-stick spray. Drain marinated artichokes, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid. Chop artichokes into small pieces. Add reserved artichoke liquid to a heated skillet. Add onions (and garlic if using) and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs well, stir in onion/garlic mix, breadcrumbs, salt, oregano, hot sauce and pepper. Add in half of cheese and all the chopped artichokes. Pour mix into pan and spread out evenly. Top with remaining cheese. Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes. Cool slightly and cut into squares. Serve either hot or at room temperature. Makes 24 squares.


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Bloom Pouch

I am always looking for a way to sew something for my garden..yep, really... I like to sew things for my garden, such as, cushions for chairs, throw pillows, etc. This year I decided to make some "Bloom Pouches". I was inspired to do so after reading a variety articles on growing flowers, fruits and vegetables in portable bags. Such as this article /review on portable garden bags by Gardener to Farmer.
I decided to start small with some pouches for herbs and small flowering plants. I have made a few larger ones but have not photographed them yet (I will soon). They add a nice little touch to any garden. You can directly plant your plants in the pouch or place a plastic or clay planter in the pouch itself. These pouches are holding peat pots with herbs...this works too. The pouches are made out of decorative outdoor canvas and lined with a layer of nylon to prevent leakage...


I directly planted these impatiens right in the the pouch...dirt and all. This pouch is made from outdoor canvas but it is not lined purposely so that the water can drain from the pouch and allows oxygen to flow. I also adde a chalk cloth tag to label the plant...


I've been thinking about adding these to Punkie Pie's Boutique Etsy shop. Leave a comment and let me know if this is this something you buy or use in your garden. Thanks!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Cupcake Wars & {Giveaway}

My son will be moving up from middle school and into the high school next year. Next week is their Moving Up Ceremony. During the celebration they can participate in a cupcake wars game. We all know cupcakes are hot, hot, hot right now and there's so many great ideas that people come up with. To be honest I haven't come up with any ideas on my own but I couldn't resist in participating in the cupcake making. I LOVE to make cupcakes! Why is that? I have no idea!

A few months ago I made these Rainbow Cupcakes for my Taste Tempters Cooking Club and have been thinking I may make these in addition to two other types (still deciding on the other two). The recipe for these rainbow cupcakes can found at Our Best Bites. They are delicious!

I don't know if it's coincidental or what, but I keep running into cupcake ideas on the internet, FB, cook books, friends, etc. Today in my FB, this Marvelous Monday GIVEAWAY from A to Zebra Celebrations came up. So be sure to check out her awesome Giveaway of a $75 gift certificate to the Cupcake Stand shop. If I don't win, then I hope you do! :) :)

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter 2011

Happy Easter to all that celebrate this blessed holiday...

Easter dessert was at my house this year. I love decorating the dining room for all occasions, celebrations and parties. For our Easter dessert table this year, I decorated with printables from Anders Ruff's EASTER has SPRUNG Printable Design Collection, and found some wonderful tutorials and great recipes on the internet to make it all come together. I even made a very novice tutorial of my own on how to make a decorative paper wrap for a 6-pack plant container for a quick tablescape decoration.

Follow below to see all the fun tutorials and great recipes ... all great things to use for any celebration...just use your imagination...


Desserts and Colored Easter Eggs to be had later in the day after eating at a local restaurant for an Easter buffet.


Edible Easter Grass...very strange...kinda tastes good...the kids got a kick out of it.



Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Recipe adapted from Annie's Eats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Ingredients:
For the filling:
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ tsp. vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Cake:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup sour cream
2 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1½ cups sugar
2 large eggs

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
½ cup creamy peanut butter
3¼ cups confectioners’ sugar

reheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.

To make the cake batter, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; whisk together and set aside. In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the sour cream, milk and vanilla extract. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed. With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the dry ingredients and the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until incorporated.

Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, butter and peanut butter until smooth. Slowly mix in the confectioners’ sugar, beating until smooth and well blended. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.


Lemon Angel Pie (this was my favorite)
Recipe from Your Homebased Mom

Lemon Angel Pie

Ingredients:
4 eggs, exasperated
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups whipping cream

Directions:
Beat 4 egg whites, gradually add 1 cup sugar and cream of tartar. Beat until stiff, but not dry. Spread on bottom and sides of buttered 9 inch pie pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes. Cool.

Take 4 egg yolks and beat slightly. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice and 1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind, 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook until thickened in microwave for 4 minutes (stir every 30 seconds) Cool.

Whip 2 cups whipping cream and fold 1/2 of whip cream into lemon mixture. Pour into cooled meringue shell. Top with the remaining whip cream. Chill for 24 hours.

Napkins & Forks (for eating yummy desserts)




Wrapped each yellow fork with a pink paper napkin, then tied a "Happy Easter" tag on each one with ribbon (tags from the Easter has Sprung printable design collection).

Easter Egg Coloring

From this ..



To This..








My daughter's quote on the yellow egg above "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" ... her favorite saying.



Kids working hard on their egg coloring.

Paper Crafting

A few close-ups of how I used Anders Ruff Easter has Sprung Design Printables


For an added touch of Easter-ness, I made some paper covered clothespins withe Anders Ruff printable paper and tags (using my paper covered clothespin tutorial from this past Christmas)



My daughter has quite the collection of Iwako erasers .. she even had a watering can and flowers to add to our Easter grass decoration.


Easy as 1-2-3 Happy Easter banner

From the Easter has Sprung collection, I printed the Easter banner on cardstock and cut out each letter and sewed the letters to some dark pink pom-pom trim and ribbons.









Cupcake Socks

I like to add one handmade gift to my kids baskets. This year it was Cupcake Socks. Seven Thirty Three has come up with an adorable gift idea using those thick cozy socks. Here’s her tutorial on how to make sock cupcakes! For the paper cupcake holders I some of the printable paper designs from the Easter has Sprung design collection. I cut a decorative borders around the 12 x 2.5 paper using my paper border punch.

I made two cupcakes for each of my kids. Each cupcake has 3 no-show socks rolled up, topped with a Dove chocolate Easter egg. I wrapped each cupcake in a plastic treat bag and tagged each one. Each treat bag had a card saying, "This cupcake in not to eat. It was 'baked' with love to warm your feet!" Love, The Easter Bunny (got this from Seven Thirty Three).





6-pack Plant Wrap

I love fresh flowers but didn't have a chance to get Easter flowers so I grabbed a 6-pack of pansies at the grocery store and my plan was to plant them in a decorative container but I didn't get the chance to get that either...so I quickly made this 6-pack planter wrap for the pansies and placed the pansies on some plastic and then put this cute little wrap around them. This worked great since the pansies were only going to be on the table for a couple of days and wouldn't need watering.


Cut a 10 inch x 2 inch piece of decorative paper


Make a decorative border using a border punch






Cut this strip of paper into two pieces so that you have a 6 inch x 2 inch and 4 inch x 2 inch


Line up the two pieces of paper (front to back), punch holes in each corner with a paper hole puncher.


Slide a piece of ribbon through the punched holes in each corner


tie in a knot or bow


Trim the ribbon to desired length


After tieing the sides together, open like a book and you will have something like the above. You will now want to make another one of these and then be sure to tie all the sides together to make a bottomless box.








Place your 6-pack wrap around the container of flowers and then place all on a tray or something that will keep your table from getting wet or dirty from the plants.



Earth Day

Earth Day was on Good Friday, the same day we were coloring Easter eggs. Without doubt there's always an egg or two that don't make through the color process. So I kept those egg shells, cleaned them out and then sowed some herbs in them in honor of Earth Day. (This would be in addition to the 700 plus seeds I have sowed for my gardens this year).







Flower Eggs

Some where on Facebook a DIY tutorial from Pizzazzerie for flower eggs popped up and I was totally drawn to them and HAD to make them!! I SOooooooooo love her blog and I'm in total awe of her talent. I could droll all day reading her blog along with reading Anders Ruff...

Here is what I came up with using her tutorial . Of course I had to make one in every color...they were fun and easy to make and oh, so cheerful.













Happy Easter