Pink Lemonade Champagne

                     Ladies - do I have a delicious cocktail for you! It's sweet and very girlie.
                   But not girlie enough that your husband wouldn't totally enjoy it! It makes a
                  good amount....so share and be the hit of the party. I hope you all have a very
                    spectacular New Years and Cheers to a healthy and happy filled 2013!!

                                                            Pink Lemonade Champagne

                                1 pink lemonade - concentrate in the freezer section - thawed
                                1 bottle champagne - chilled
                                1 cup vanilla vodka
                                sugar for rim
                                ice cubes - optional

         1) Mix lemonade and vodka in a pitcher. Slowly add champagne to sugared glasses.

                                                        Happy New Year - My Friends!!
               

Best Of 2012 - Recap

Prosciutto Asparagus and Parmesan

This recipe by far has been my most popular of the year!

I thought I would put together my favorite recipes of 2012! It has been one

tasty year. I have enjoyed sharing so much with you and am looking forward

to an even tastier 2013. Thank you for for always being supportive!

Hawaiian Bubble Bread

A simple great recipe that your kids will love.

Pina Colada Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple

A wonderful recipe for entertaining.

Bbq Chicken Mac and Cheese

Ultimate comfort food.

Mediterranean Spread

Donut Hole Breakfast Skewers

Magical breakfast food that you can put together in a flash!

Grape Feta Orzo

Key Lime Cheesecakes with Pretzel Crust

Very simple and impressive.

Cherry-Bruschetta

Dreamy

                                                       Baked Goat Cheese with Marinara

Peach Pizza with Basil and Blue Cheese

                                 What would a year in review be without cocktail hour? 

                                                                       Blueberry Mojitos

                                                                   Coconut Lime Margaritas

                                                                  Watermelon Margarita

                                                     Blueberry and Gingersnap Crumble

Coconut Pie

              Merry Christmas, everyone. I'm posting this pie today just in case you have
         to do a little but more holiday baking. This pie doesn't get any easier. All you have to
         do is mix everything in one bowl and you don't even need a crust...See, easy peasy!
         I crave any and everything coconut...serve with whip cream and festive cherries and
         you my friends have the easiest and tastiest pie in town. Happy Holidays!

                                                              Coconut Macaroon Pie

                          1 cup shredded coconut
                          3/4 cups sugar
                          2 teaspoons vanilla
                          1/4 cup butter, room temperature
                          2 cups of milk
                          4 eggs
                          1/2 cup bisquick
     
                 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch pie pan.
   
                 2) Mix everything in a medium bowl.

                 3) Bake 55 to 60 minutes or until center is done. Let cool.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

              Please, pretty please put these delicious cookies on your baking list this holiday
           season. There is so many reasons to fall in love with these tasty little treasures and
          they are nearly impossible to mess up. They are fudgy in the middle and crisp on the
            outside Pour yourself a big glass of milk and eat a few cookies. You deserve it.

                                                         Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

                 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa
                 2 cups of white sugar
                 1/2 cup vegetable oil
                 4 eggs
                 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
                 2 cups all-purpose flour
                 2 teaspoons baking powder
                 1/2 teaspoon salt
                 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

         1) In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs
         one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt, stir
         into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
         2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray
         with Pam. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and generously coat into powdered sugar.
         3) Bake for 10 minutes. Leave on cookie sheet for about 2 minutes before taking off.

                                                   Santa - is going to love these cookies!!

Spinach Mashed Potatoes

                  There is no greater comfort food than potatoes. It's like a hug in a bowl.
             I came up with this with you all in mind. Holiday dinner is fast approaching and
             this needs to be on your holiday menu. It will make everything taste better. It is -
             so dreamy and creamy. The spinach gives it an added touch of decadence. enjoy!!!

                                                            Spinach Mashed Potatoes
         
                                                        1 (5 pound bag) of Yukon gold potatoes
                                                        6 ounce bag of spinach
                                                        3 green onion, chopped
                                                        1 stick of butter
                                                        3 ounces cream cheese
                                                        1/2 cup of half and half
                                                        2 garlic cloves
                                                        Salt and pepper

          1) Peel potatoes and garlic place them in a pot of cold water, add salt and boil for
          about 45 minutes....Place the spinach and green onions in the boiling potatoes and
          cook for about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain.
          2) Mash everything in pot and add butter, cream cheese, half and half, salt and
          pepper.
     
             Serve with you holiday meal. It would go great with roast beef or ham.
                                 

Cranberry Couscous

           These Flavors work so well together. A bit salty and a but sweet and perfect for a
          week day lunch with friends. I found myself eating this every time I walked into the
          kitchen. I could not get enough of it. It was so good that I made it twice this week.

                                                                  Cranberry Couscous

              1 box plain couscous
              2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
              1/2 teaspoon salt
              1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
              5 ounce bag dried cranberries
              2 green onions
              1 lemon, juiced
              2 ounces crumbled feta
              pine nuts, toasted

         1) In a medium saucepan, bring broth, salt and butter to a boil.
         2) Stir in Couscous, cover
         3)Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.
         4) Add lemon, cranberries, pine nuts, green onions, and feta.

          Note, to toast pine nuts all you need to do is get a small saucepan with no oil,
          on medium heat and constantly toss until golden.
       

   

Star Peppermint Bark

         I know most people have a peppermint bark recipe in their archives. This is my go to
        one. Very simple and easy. I crave this bark. Sometimes I have to run to the mall and
        go to my favorite store ( Williams Sonoma ) and buy it. You can make it at home for
        a fraction of the cost and it's also a perfect gift. Enjoy.

                                                             Peppermint Bark

          6 ounces dark chocolate ( Godiva )
          6 ounces vanilla bean white chocolate ( Godiva )
          3 peppermint candy canes, crushed
          1 teaspoon vegetable oil

      1) Line bottoms and side of an 8 inch square pan with wax paper. Smooth the paper.
      This is so you can easily lift out in the end.
      ( I used molds but this is not necessary ) Silicone molds work best.
      2) Melt dark chocolate with oil in a heatproof bowl in microwave for about 60 to 70
      seconds. Mix until smooth and put into pan or molds. Refrigerate for about 30 min.
      3) Melt white chocolate the same way but for 60 seconds. Mix and pour on top of
      chilled dark chocolate. Sprinkle with candy canes and chill for until set. Break into
      pieces, if putting in an 8 inch square pan.
       ( Best if kept refrigerated )

Cinnamon Roll French Toast

      Do you have company coming over? Do you want to entertain with ease? I sure do.
   Every Sunday I make a special breakfast for my babies and they look forward to it. They
   actually start talking about it on Saturday night. Mom, what are you making for Sunday
   breakfast? There is no greater joy than seeing smiles on your children's faces when -
   they love your food. So rewarding. You will love it, your kids, spouse and guests.

                                                        Cinnamon Roll French Toast

                  2 cans cinnamon rolls with icing
                  4 eggs
                  4 tablespoons butter, melted
                  1/2 cup half and half
                  1 cup maple syrup, plus 1/2 cup for drizzling
                  2 teaspoons cinnamon
                  a dash of nutmeg
                  2 teaspoons sugar
                  2 teaspoons vanilla
               
          1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
          2) Place melted butter in a 9 by 13 baking pan.
          3) Cut cinnamon rolls in to eight pieces. ( reserve icing until the end )
          4) Place cut rolls into the pan with butter.
          5) Mix 4 eggs, half and half, cinnamon, vanilla, sugar, and nutmeg. Pour
          over rolls.
          6) Pour one cup of maple syrup on top and bake for 30 minutes.
          7) Once rolls are cooked. Drizzle icing on top and serve with extra syrup.

           Note - I microwaved the icing for 10 seconds before pouring on top.

                                               Perfect to serve on Christmas morning!