My perfect dessert for Mother’s Day. Really simple but looks time involved, doesn’t it? The pastry comes together in 5-10 minutes, and while it bakes those 30 you can whip up the cream and cook (or not) the blueberries. Yes, some may prefer the blueberries uncooked and folded into the whipped cream. This is a rich yet light (heavenly) dessert. Add strawberries or mixed berries instead if you like.
With a few simple changes this kid lovin’ treat can be their & your Easter Favorite! Yep, we changed out the green food coloring for a carrot orange, added cut green licorice strips sprouting from the shoulder of the “carrots” and switched out the vanilla with chocolate cupcakes for a more dramatic surprise with the first bite. Here’s the how to for the basics: Mini Filled Cupcakes
If you’re into the real deal, Carrot Cake, here.
It’s just fun to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day even if you aren’t Irish. Maybe like me you just don’t like the list of ingredients on the corned beef package. It’s not just the Insta Cure, a sodium nitrite that is usually added to impart the red color and the distinctive cured meat flavor, but the tenderizers and who knows what else. So, this year I’m giving my own try at Corned Beef Brine without the Insta Cure, tenderizers and other chemicals. If this is scary for you … you may want to try one of my other ‘sorta’ Irish recipes. You see, until about 6 years ago I thought I was part Irish. It’s not 23andMe that has me convinced otherwise. We are from a different part of Western Europe than previously thought. We are now Scottish Royalty instead according to my Mother. No, I’m not buying it!
If you are into it but want the redness of Corned Beef check out this lovely site. Not into Corned Beef at all? Take a look through my recipes below. I have even included a Chicken Shepherd’s Pie. Happy St. Patrick’s!
My version of Irish Stew. Yep, it has beer!
Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage. It’s just delicious!
Potatoes & Cheese, one of my favorite combinations.
Bangers and Mash, amazing!
Chicken Shepherd’s Pie
Red Cabbage Salad
Meat or Fruit-filled Scones
30 Minute Beef Stew
Brisket and Cabbage
Make it easy on yourself and fun for family and guests. Make it simple and beautiful like my daughter’s, bottom right. Or make it old fashioned like me. Add a few cookies, small cakes, sweet pastries and dessert or continental breakfast preparation is done that fast. It is so cozy.
Peppermint sticks for coffee, tea & hot chocolate stirrers
Crushed peppermint shaker
Cinnamon shaker
Caramel drizzler
Chocolate dipped spoons
Flavored chantilly cream
Espresso with liquor (Anisette, Kahlúa, Baileys, Frangelico)
For a complete Hot Chocolate Bar, here
Fabulous Cakes to give a try! And if you don’t see what you’re looking for in the list below click here for all cakes.
Pumpkin Caramel Balls
Coffee Devil’s Food
Jack-O-Lantern Cookies
Butterscotch Cookies
Spiders
What To Do With Leftover Candy Bars!
White cake to Chai! And because I wasn’t satisfied with the height, after all, this was for someone’s special birthday, spiced nuts in caramel sauce were added. It was an absolute hit!
Friends and Family Blending Palettes! A little wine and fine (fun) painting … this cake, a platter of Italian meats and more … It was a perfect evening.
Chai Cake, Chai Candied Pecans, Caramel Sauce and Buttercream … all here!
Baked Strawberry Shortcake
Family is gathering and for me it’s a time to cook recipes that are tried-and-true. This is a simply baked strawberry shortcake for a crowd. It’s an old time favorite, here. Some feel it’s not dessert if it’s not chocolate. If this is you try my chocolate category for great ideas. Potato salad is one of my favorite BBQ sides and I do have a variety of recipes. If you’re into sweet potato fries you might find this sweet potato salad irresistible. A few of my favorites to get you started into Summer 2017:
Baked Beans
Sweet Potato
Barbecued Corn
Classic Potato Salad
Purple Cow
Portuguese Beans
Mother’s Day was much different decades ago. Mainly a greeting card day. I loved the crafts created by my children and have saved almost all to their horror. For my mom I often made cookies because while she always claimed she didn’t like sweets she never refused them especially cookies. Today, I’ll be celebrating with a nice brunch at the VP, one of my favorite local restaurants. My children have made this day a big deal and I’m almost a little embarrassed but I love it! Enjoy some of my Mother’s favorite sweets. And Happy Mother’s Day!
What to do with those hardboiled eggs! Here are some recipe ideas. Not just sides but main dishes too. I can’t pick a favorite because I love them all.
Sour Cream and Onion Potato Salad
Tweaked Classic Best Foods Potato Salad
Butter Sponge Cake
Spinach and Eggs
Pound Cake