Salsa Bar!

 
For our Memorial Day Cookout and Pool Party I thought I would do a bunch of different salsas and lots of fun chips to have out all afternoon while we swim & smoke the pig! I found some great salsas that I thought I would try from some of my favorite Foodie Friends!!Here is what I did.
Katie’s Watermelon Salsa & Crippen’s Country Inn in Blowing Rock inspired my NEW Fav

Watermelon Salsa
2 cups diced watermelon
1 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced red onion
sea salt & pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 oz feta cheese
I make a wonderful salad that uses many of the above ingredients and thought that the salt of the feta and the twang of the balsamic really pushed this over the top!!
My Carolina Salsa
this is always a hit and was the first gone!

Ninfa’s Green Sauce THIS IS A MUST TRY!!! It really deserves a post all it own. Coming soon!
Mango Salsa

2 mangos, diced
1/2 pineapple, diced
1 jalapeño, diced super fine
1/2 red onion
1 T fresh cilantro
2 T fresh lime juice
1 T lime zest
sea salt
The Mango/pineapple Salsa was by far the least eaten, it was good I am not a cilantro fan but those who are enjoyed it, those who are not didn’t! It would be really good with fish.

Whatcha Got Cooking Wednesday? Link-up

Recipe Link-up

Please join me in sharing your favorite recipes!

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What am I cooking for MEMORIAL DAY? 

 

I am planning a Memorial Day Cookout and Pool Party

The "Smoked" Boston Butt

This is one of Hubs all time favorite Memorial Day traditions. For the past 10 or 15 yrs he has spent this holiday at the in-field of Charlotte Motor Speedway and this is the 1st year since I have known him that he and his buddies are not going. SO, I think they decided to "smoke" the meat in honor of CMS and the Coca-Cola 600! I make up a rub and really like to do a wet & dry combo. I use equal parts of apple & grape juice and soak the butt overnight, towel dry and then do the dry rub.

Dry Rub
Please note, I do not really measure this I use a tablespoon and just wing it.
Sea salt
black pepper
crushed red pepper
brown sugar
cumin
paprika
garlic

Wet Basting Sauce
1 c apple cider vinegar
1 T each; dark brown sugar, crushed red pepper & salt

BBQ Sauce
1 c cider vinegar
1 c ketchup
3 T brown sugar
1 T molasses
1 T mustard
salt
1/2 tsp red pepper
1 stick butter
Melt butter and add everything, bring to low boil, reduce heat and sauce will thicken a bit. Serve warm or room temp.

Everyone is bring a side dish since we are doing the "main" course. I am also going to do a salsa bar! I will share those recipes tomorrow!


How are YOU celebrating Memorial Day?  What's on your menu?

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps & Sesame Noodles

This is a great quick and easy take on the famous Thai Lettuce Wraps from Cheesecake Factory!
Chicken Breast, boneless & skinless- pound thin and marinate overnight with Asian Vinaigrette (below) 
English Cucumber, sliced thin and marinated
Water Chestnuts, sliced 
Carrots, shaved
Cashews, toasted and crushed
Boston Lettuce, for wrapping
Asian Vinaigrette
3/4 c rice wine vinegar
¼ c water
1 Tb each of soy sauce, sugar & sesame seeds
1 tsp sesame oil 
Grill chicken and slice thin, serve with the above veggies and lettuce for wrapping.
Sesame Peanut Noodles
Prepare 2 packs oddles of noodles w/out seasoning pkt and dress with the following.
Dressing
2 Tb Peanut butter, creamy
2 Tb soy sauce, low sodium
1 Tb rice wine vinegar
1 Tb balsamic vinegar
1 Tb peanut oil
Red Pepper Flakes
Enjoy!!
Linked to the following Recipe Exchanges

How does your Garden grow?

Mine? Like wild fire! Here are some pics from yesterday.

 

I am so excited! We have some great lettuce, baby spinach, tomatoes are turning RED! Herbs are doing great. Hot diggity dog SUMMER IS HERE!!!

Strawberry Cake & Cupcakes

I was asked to make a cake for a dear family friend who is turning 65! I thought since strawberries are so abundant this would be a great time to whip up a new creation! I started with a very simple vanilla batter and then folded in the macerated strawberries and egg whites. Then I made a strawberry lemon curd to put between the two layers and finished it off with a strawberry cream cheese frosting! um, um GOOD!!!

Strawberry Cake

2 3/4 cup flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking powder

2 sticks butter

3/4 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

3 egg whites

1/3 cup macerated strawberries, (pic above, blitz in food processor, add 1 Tb lemon juice and allow to sit 5-10 mins)

Place flour, sugar & baking powder in mixer, blend on low to mix. Add 2 sticks butter (1 Tb at a time). Add vanilla to milk and add a some milk then an egg & rotate. Fold in berries and egg whites, one at a time. Place in 2 9in cake pans or lined cupcake pan and bake cakes apx 25 mins and cupcakes 18 min at 350. Cool completely prior to frosting.

 

Strawberry Lemon Curd Filling

2 cups whole frozen strawberries (I froze fresh ones)

6  Tb  sugar, divided

1/4  cup  fresh lemon juice

1/4  cup  all-purpose flour

Bring strawberries, 4 Tb sugar, and lemon juice to a boil in saucepan, and cook 5 minutes.Whisk together remaining 2Tb sugar and flour in a saucepan. Whisk in strawberry mixture; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thickened and bubbling around edges. Pour into a glass bowl, cover surface with plastic wrap; chill at least 2 hours.

*Cooks Tip: When adding filling, put a ring of the frosting around the outer edge of cake and then put filling in the center so it will not ooze out the side and mess up your frosting!

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz block cream cheese

1/2  stick butter, softened

1 cup fresh strawberries, blitzed in food processor

2 tsp vanilla

4- 6 cups powered sugar

Mix cream cheese, butter & vanilla and 1/2 strawberry mixture, slowly add powdered sugar (1/2 cup at a time) add more strawberries as needed to provide the right texture for frosting.

 

I had a little batter left over so I made the boys some cupcakes and made them a mini version!

I think he liked it!

 

Hope you enjoy!!

 

What’s your favorite summer time cake?

 

Whatcha Cooking Wednesday? Tomatillo Shrimp Burritos

Hope everyone is having a great week! What do you have cooking? Please share and spread the word. I would love to see more of you sharing of your recipes!
Please kindly link back to my blog or this post and it would be fantab if you would add the badge (code can be found in my sidebar).
This is a great new recipe. Hope you will like it!

TOMATILLO SHRIMP BURRITOS

This is under 250 calories per serving!!
2 Tb olive oil
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 sweet pepper, sliced thin
1 lb shrimp, shelled, deveined & cut in half
1 c mexicorn
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
8 flour tortillas
1 bottle (16oz) tomatillo salsa (I like Herdez)
3 T half & half
1 c shredded reduced fat Monterey Jack Cheese
Heat oil in skillet add onion & pepper; cook 3-5 mins add shrimp cook additional 3 mins (until shrimp is opaque. Stir in corn, 1/4 c water & spices. Heat oven to 375. Coat 9x13 in casserole pan in nonstick spray. Warm tortillas in wet paper towels for 20 sec and spread 1 T salsa on each shell. Place 1/2 c shrimp mixture in each tortilla, roll & place in pan. Pour any remaining mix on top. Mix remaining salsa with half & half and pour over enchiladas. Top with cheese. Bake uncovered for 15 mins or until hot and bubbly!
240 calories per burrito. WOO-WEEEE!!

Onion & Tomato Tart

WE HAVE GRAPE TOMATOES!!!
Freaking Amazing! This is a dish that will let your guest know just how much you appreciate them! It looks beautiful, tastes amazing, is so super fresh & yummy & comforting & just dang delish! You could serve it with anything! It is also so easy to make. Now, you can make your own pie crust, however that is just too time consuming for me- You can also use a freezer crust from the store or they have great ones in the cold section at the grocery. You decide how fancy you want to be! TIP: Do not use a deep-dish crust go with the standard shallow version.

2-3 sweet onions (I prefer Vidalia), sliced thin
1 Tb butter
3 Tb olive oil
1 Tb sea salt
1 Tb balsamic vinegar
Swiss Cheese, shredded
Cherry or grape Tomatoes, cut in half

Melt butter & olive oil, add onions & salt cook on med/high for 5-10 mins until they start to get some color then reduce heat to med/low and continue to soften & caramelize for another 15-20mins then add balsamic and cook 5 more mins. Put in bottom of pre-cooked pie shell (cook shell 8 mins). Top with cheese then cherry tomatoes. Cook for 8-10 mins on 350 or longer if not using homegrown.

Linked to... Tempt my Tummy Tuesday and Tuesday at the Table and Tuesday Taste

i’m I on the d-list?

I am betting the answer is yes.
I have a blog, write about all the things I love; meal & party planning, cupcake & cake baking, organic garden growing, Jamie Oliver/Food Revolution loving, green going, multi tasking, hair doing, crazy life with an almost 3 year old and a  Handy Hubby.

Our Garden

My big boy and his girlfriend!

I would love to to be a “famous” blogger. I dream of someday being the Next Food Network Star,writing a cookbook and visiting the set of Iron Chef, but until then I am enjoying sharing all my great, family friendly recipes and cakes and cupcake designs with you.  I hope you find something to share with your family!

Please go by the d-list party and visit all the great blog there!!

Meal Planning

WOW what a weekend! I had so much fun with G man’s ROCK STAR 1st Birthday and the golf bag cake! Now onto the week…

Monday~ Tomatillo Shrimp Enchiladas  {NEW, under 250 calories per serving!!!)

Tuesday~ My NEW fav salad & grilled chicken

Wednesday~ Peanutty Flank Steak with broccoli

Thursday~ leftover buffet for the boys!

Friday~ Pizza Night! NO Cooking!!

What’s on your menu this week?

 

Rock Star 1st Birthday!

How much fun did I have doing the “Rock Star” themed birthday party this weekend? TONS!!!

I did a big guitar cake for all the guests at G-man’s Party and this adorable smash cake for the Birthday Boy!  His cake was a banana pound cake with chocolate frosting and the guitar was a choco-chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. OMG it is MY new fav! De-fricking lish!!

Best EVER Peanut Butter Frosting

1 stick of butter
1 8 oz cream cheese
1 cup peanut butter
1 t vanilla extract
1 32 oz bag powdered sugar
Cream all ingredients, but sugar. Slowly add powdered sugar in 1/2 cup increments.  Sometimes you will use the whole bag, sometimes more, sometimes less. I think it has to do with the humidity. Which here in NC we already have had 90 degree sticky days and I am finding I am using more sugar in all my frosting recipes. Who knows?
For G’s cake I used red fondant stars and threaded craft wire between 2 stars and sealed with a little vodka! I know you must have just gasped! It was literally less than a drop! I read somewhere that we working with fondant using alcohol opposed to water would seal quicker as the alcohol evaporates and the water just makes a sticky mess. It worked! I made them around midnight last night and the were perfect this morning!! And didn’t they turn out cute! I am posting another pic cause I just love it!!

I know I am a dork!

 

Next up….

Paw-Paw’s Golf Cake

How to Train your Dragon cake & cupcakes

Bunko, Cupcakes and a Party

Tonight was a success! The food was delish, everyone said they loved it and asked for the how-to’s! Check out the FAB Greek Menu What a great way to kick start the weekend! We didn’t actually play bunko, but we did enjoy some girl time and dinner my the pool! Perfect weather!!
As for cupcakes I must say that I totally have outdone myself with a NEW carrot cake recipe (will post soon) They are yummy!!
UPDATE!! The cupcakes won 2nd place at Grove Park Inn for Best Cupcake!!!

Here is a great pic of the Buzz Lightyear Cupcakes from C’s 3rd Birthday!!

This weekend I am doing a ROCK STAR 1st Birthday Party!! (pics and menu to follow!!)

Garden Update

My, ole my how my garden is growing!!! I have almost a dozen or more green tomatoes, wonderful lettuces and great fresh herbs ready to be used. I am so excited I can’t stand it. I feel like a little kid waiting for Santa and Hubs keeps telling me that it is only May and I have to be patient. The cucumbers, melons, peppers, peas, squash, eggplant etc will be a good month or two!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH. I have NO patience. He knows this. Guess my herbs & lettuces will have to do for now. Until something else pops up! Happy Gardening!!

I have Pineapple Sage. Smells great. Yep, I bought it solely for the smell. Anyone know what to do with it?

 

Meal Planning

I feel like the past couple of weeks have just been a whirlwind! Goodness, baking lots of cupcakes! I am catering a party this weekend for Baby G he will be 1!

Monday~ Spaghetti

Tuesday~ Mama’s working late! Boys will have leftovers

Wednesday~ Quiche {freezer cooking}

Thursday~ BUNKO at MY house! Greek Theme {menu to follow}

Friday~ Pizza Night

What’s are you cooking this week?

Please share on Wednesday at

Whatcha Cooking Wednesday?

 

Happy Mother’s Day

August 15, 2007

The day my life totally changed.

I wanted to be a Mom since I was 5, that is when my sister was born, the family was all concerned that I would be jealous. Ha! I just told everyone she was mine! Motherhood is by far the best and the hardest thing I have ever done.  It is like a roller coaster just as you are plunging towards the bottom and about to rip your hair out, the tide will change and you will begin shooting up towards the stars! It really is the wildest ride I have ever been on and let me tell ya, I have had some adventures! This beats them all. MOTHERHOOD!

Here he is (center in the gator outfit) at the Mother’s Day program at pre-school.

He painted me a box that had the sweetest little poem

I wish I had a little red box

to put my mommy in

I’d take her out and kiss, kiss, kiss

and put her back again!

 

I hope you had a beautiful day!

More cakes!!

Like I mentioned before, it was a crazy busy weekend!! Here are a few other cakes that I did.

Ava Grace’s 3rd Birthday Cake

D’s 40th Birthday Cake

(My 1st fondant bow!!)

Baby Shower Cupcakes Pink & Red Theme