SANGRIA!

I recently found some complicated sangria recipes that looked way too hard to make for a simple drink. Instead I found this one and added on oranges to it to make it better. This is a unique drink and simple to make, and I usually have most of the ingredients around my house (improvised on the rum with some Sailor Jerry's).

Ingredients:
1 bottle wine (fruity flavor)
1 cup Bacardi Limon
1-2 cans lemon lime soda (Sprite/7up)
2 lemons, sliced
2 limes, sliced
ice cubes
1 orange, thinly sliced

Pour ingredients into a pitcher with cubes, lemons, oranges and limes.




Found this recipe here

LATKES (Potato Cakes)

This is one of my favorite foods and it is always served on Hanukkah. They take less then 15 minutes to make and are a tasty snack for anytime.

Ingredients:
3 lg. potatoes
1 small onion
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. flour
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions: Wash, peel and grate raw potatoes. Grate onion and add to potatoes. Beat eggs well; add to potato mixture. Add salt and flour. Mix well. Fry in frying pan, dropping carefully by spoonfuls into hot fat that is deep enough almost to cover the latkes. Turn when bottom is golden brown. Fry on other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.


Got this Recipe from here

Southern Deviled Eggs

   Whenever I make a hard boiled egg the main key that many people forget is to let the eggs sit in cold water after they are done. It will leave the yolk bright yellow and well turn out perfect. Also when taking out the yolk and mixing it with the other ingredients is done easiest in a zip-lock bag, and cutting a bottom corner off from the bag makes it easier to distribute to the eggs after the mix is done. Overall, this is an easy recipe anyone can make and you should try it.


    Ingredients:

1 dozen hard-boiled eggs
mustard
mayonnaise
sweet or dill relish
paprika
salt or pepper

Directions: Slice eggs in half and put yolk in separate bowl. Add about a tablespoon of each mayonnaise, mustard and relish. Season with salt and pepper. Mash until almost smooth. Add more of any of the above ingredients, since its to be made how you like it. Add filling in each egg, sprinkle with paprika and enjoy!!
Note: you may want to have 1-2 extra hard-boiled eggs handy if you like your eggs extra stuffed. :)


I found this recipe from here.

A Recipe for Homemade Apple Cider

I found this recipe at this blog and it is a perfect recipe to make for a party with some friends. It isn't a very hard recipe for such a great reward at the end, and to make it even better I'd toss a little bit of my favorite booze in each one to have a better time. Sailor Jerry sounds like the perfect addition to me!

Apple Cider Mmmmmm

Wash and dry the apples. Make sure to thoroughly dry the apples. You don't want the apple to slip out of your hand! Using a sharp knife, carefully trace a center around the edge of the apple and use a spoon to scoop out the insides.

Ingredients
12 apples (Granny smith, gala, Red delicious), insides only
1 orange, cut into quarters
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks (more for garnishing)
1/2 nutmeg
1/2 Tbsp cloves
1/2 Tsp whole allspice
Water, to cover the apples

• Set aside the 'apple cups'. You can sprinkle lemon juice over the apples to prevent browning. 
• Bring the apple pulp, water, orange quarters, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and whole allspice to a boil. 
• Stir occasionally and allow to simmer for 2 hours.
• Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the apples and oranges until soft. 
• Allow the cider to come to room temperature before straining.

Apple cider is commonly served warm but I like to enjoy it chilled with a little of Sailor Jerry's.

Try these Apple Cider Cups this holiday, it's a great entertaining piece and a conversation starter at parties. Pop the apple cups in the oven or fridge to serve warm or chilled. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, which doubles as a stirring stick.

Macaroni and Cheese

The Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever
1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted




Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter, add the garlic and cook until the garlic is softened, about 2 minutes.  Add the onion powder, then whisk in the flour and milk, then cook until slightly thickened.  Add three cups of the cheddar cheese and stir until melted in the mixture.

Toss the cheese mixture with the cooked pasta, salt and pepper to taste.  Stir the remaining grated cheese into the pasta.  Spoon into a large baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter.

I always like to add a bunch of freshly ground pepper and a sprinkling of sea salt to this mixture.  Spread over the pasta.  Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.  It will turn out perfect.

Oven Chilli Dogs

These look and taste like gourmet chilli hot dogs but are extremely easy to make. A restaurant can get away with charging $6 or more for a chilli dog, but this meal will cost you under $3 for one. I also tried mixing hot chilli sauce with the mayonnaise and it turned out to taste similar to spicy buffalo sauce. Mmmmm


8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns
1 can of chili
1/2 an onion, diced
cheddar cheese
mayonnaise
mustard
sweet relish

Line inside of hot dog buns with mayonnaise and sweet relish. Evenly add mustard. Fill with hot dogs and squish into a 13×9″ baking pan.
T
op hot dogs with chili, cheese, and diced onion. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 15-30 minutes.

Taco Casserole

This is a healthier choice then nachos and taste even better when you make it yourself with fresh ingredients. All of these ingredients will cost you under $20, and some of the ones listed you can exclude according to what you prefer more.

Prep time: 10 min; Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings

• 24 Tortilla Chips, plus additional for serving
• 1 Tbs Chili Oil (or olive oil and red pepper flakes)
  
• 1 Onion, chopped
  
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  
• 1 pound Ground Chicken
  
• 2 Tbs Taco Seasoning
  
• 1 can Black Beans, drained
  
• 1 cup Salsa
  
• 1 cup shredded fat free or reduced fat Cheese
  
• Optional: Other toppings such as jalepenios, olives, etc.
  

Heat oven to 350.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and sautee until soft. Add meat and taco seasoning. Cook, breaking up meat with a spatula, for about 5 minutes. Add beans and salsa. Mix well and continue to cook until salsa thickens.

Line the bottom of a large baking dish with tortilla chips, pressing down on them lightly to break them into bite-sized pieces. Spread the meat and bean mixture over the chips and top with cheese. Add sliced jalepenos or other toppings that you ant to be cooked. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and gooey.

Scoop up with additional chips if desired.

Garlic-Lime Chicken

Even if you don't have half of these ingredients it will still turn out great. I usually use about half of these ingredients and it still turns out looking and tasting the same. Also you can cook the chicken on the grill or bake it to add to the flavor of the seasoning.




Adapted from All Recipes

Ingredients:
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons lime juice

1. In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and parsley. Sprinkle spice mixture generously on both sides of chicken breasts.

2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken until golden brown, about 6 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons garlic powder and lime juice. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently to coat evenly with sauce.

Favorite Recipe for Perfect Guacamole

This is another recipe anyone can make and is a delightful snack. Will cost you under $10 to get everything and takes about 5 minutes or less to make.

Ingredients:
2 ripe Avocados, peeled and pitted
juice of 1 Lime
1/4 Cup minced Red Onion
2 Tablespoons minced Cilantro
1 small clove Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or 1/2 teaspoon Table Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 Tablespoon minced Jalapeño *optional

Directions:
Halve the avocado and remove the pit. Remove the avocado from the skin by scooping it out with a spoon. Place the avocado in a bowl and mash it gently with a fork. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Serve immediately. The recipe also says you can cover and chill for up to 3 hours, but I would just leave everything prepared and put it together in the last minute.
Makes 3-4 servings.

Bubblegum Vodka!

Here is how you make bubblegum infused vodka:

All you need if your favorite vodka and bubble gum. I used Absolut and Double Bubble. I decided to go with a ratio 1:1 for shots to pieces of gum. For every shot I poured, I added one piece of bubblegum. I would suggest cutting the gum into small pieces to increase surface area. This will allow for the color and flavor of the gum to dissolve into the vodka faster.

Depending on the size of the party you are having, you can make this infusion as large or as small as you decide. I suggest storing the infusion in a container that has a lid. It will take several hours for the infusion to work. I left mine overnight and it was done by the next morning.
All that is left to do is remove the gum and give the vodka a stir.

Making Potato Chips in Less then 5 Minutes!

Microwave Potato Chips
(makes 4 servings, 12-14 chips each)
1 1/3 pounds Yukon Gold or red potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed
2 teaspoons or so of extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
Cooking spray

Slice potatoes into 1/8-inch rounds for thicker potato chips. For thinner ones, use a mandolin to cut very thin slices. Toss slices in a medium bowl with oil and salt to coat evenly. Coat a large microwave-proof plate with cooking spray. Arrange some potato slices in a single layer on the plate. Microwave, uncovered, on High until some slices start to brown, 2 to 3 minutes (depending upon potato thickness and microwave power).




Turn slices over (they will be hot, so take care with your fingers) and continue microwaving until they start to crisp and brown around the edges, about 35 seconds for very thin potato slices to 2 to 4 minutes for thicker slices. Check frequently and rearrange slices as needed to prevent scorching. Transfer chips to another plate and allow to cool completely. (They will crisp up more as they cool.) Repeat process with remaining slices. Another option that will add calories but are delicious is just to deep fry the chips, which will take just as long.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Per serving: 141 calories; 2 g fat (0 g saturated; 2 g monosaturated); 0 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 2 g fiber; 291 mg sodium; 807 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Potassium (27 percent daily value)

Adapted from a recipe published in EatingWell, January/February 2009

Stuffed Bell Pepper's from Dr. Oz

Dr. Oz is a medical doctor who has a TV show who knows how to make a good stuffed bell pepper. I found this recipe at this blog, but added a few changes to it. This whole meal will also cost you less then $15 and all the ingredients are easy to find. It's another way to impress someone with making awesome food that doesn't take that much time.

Cut the bell peppers sideways so there is a larger filling-to-pepper ratio, but either will turn out amazing. The chili powder and cumin give the meal a great Southwestern flavor that's wonderful with a little avocado and sour cream on top. Also to make things easy you can just toss a taco seasoning packet in with the ground beef and cook it on the skillet with onions/garlic. 

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped

16 oz lean ground turkey or chicken

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 T chili powder (decrease to 1/2 T if you don't like spicy food)

1 T ground cumin

16 oz jar salsa (any flavor)

1 cup cooked rice

1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese

2 cups baby spinach

sour cream

avocado

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350. Cut three large bell peppers in half and remove seeds.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown turkey with onions. Add minced garlic, chili powder and cumin and stir and cook 1 minute. Stir in salsa and rice.

3. Place cut bell peppers on a cookie sheet and divide turkey mixture evenly among them. Top with cheddar cheese and bake for 7. 

4. Serve with sour cream, avocado and spinach on top.

Simple Breakfast Food That Will Impress

Smoked Salmon Pizza from Michelle's Recipe

You will impress anyone by making this breakfast pizza and you will only have to spend about $14. The salmon costs around $6, cream cheese $4, pizza base $4. I would recommend some basil seasoning/leaves for a better look and taste.

Takes very little time to make and is impossible to mess it up!

.

Looking at how good these look make me want to eat an entire one!

Shopping List
1 store-bought partially baked thin pizza crust (Preferably)
Extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 finely sliced shallot
Capers or green beans
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill *I added crushed red peppers instead for a spicy kick.
3/4 lb. Sliced smoked salmon

Preheat the oven to 450°. Drizzle the crust with olive oil, arrange the shallots evenly on top and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Spread the room temperature cream cheese on top of the crust then arrange the salmon pieces on top evenly.

Serve and enjoy!

Great Group Grub: DIY Spring Rolls

Great Group Grub: DIY Spring Rolls: If you've got a group of hungry people to feed, get all this stuff and make some spring rolls. The coolest thing about this meal is you can get this at your local super-market for under $20. Easy and healthy option that can feed a large amount of people and looks nice in general. Instead of the tofu I would use tuna salad, potato salad, or anything else that goes well with the veggies.

The following article was written by peta2 youth marketing coordinator Helena Soh.

Some of the best meals come from getting creative with what you already have in the fridge. Last week, I had a whole lotta veggies from the farmer's market and a group of hungry people to feed, so instead of making a monster salad or stir-fry, I prepared all the fixin's for DIY spring rolls.

What I love about these:

• You can pack them with fresh veggies
• I love foods that are "make as you eat."
• You can customize each one with only the fillings that you like (great for picky eaters).
• Every spring roll you make can be different than the last (great for adventurous eaters).
• All in all, a major crowd-pleaser!

To make your own, just follow the easy steps below:

DIY Spring Rolls
Rice paper
Veggies
Soy beef and/or firm tofu
Dipping sauces
Water

• Cut up all your favorite veggies nice and thin. I used mung bean sprouts, cucumber, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, purple cabbage, cilantro, some sesame leaf I bought from the local Korean market, and red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. Tip: Organic veggies are much more flavorful.
• Cook up some faux beef (I used Gardein's Beefless Tips) and/or tofu strips (I drained and baked strips of firm tofu).
• Fill a wide bowl with hot water. Dip the rice paper in the hot water, putting one portion in the water and slowly turning it all the way around until the entire circumference is wet.
• Lay the fillings of your choice on the rice paper and roll it up.
• Dip and enjoy! I'm a huge fan of dipping, so I served these with several different sauces: peanut, sweet chili and garlic, and plum.

Serving suggestion: I used cilantro and crushed peanuts as a garnish.