Sunday, May 31, 2015

Strawberry S'more Swirls

Yum
Last night I could not take my eyes of the television.
I was watching the Blackhawks vs Ducks hockey game, specifically game 7.  I'd look away for a few seconds and then I would hear the announcer's voice get fast and high pitched over some play that was happening.  I would look back  trying to figure out what happened and find the location of the puck.  I tell ya, it was exhausting!  The pace was so fast.  And to think, I never even watched hockey while living in the Sunshine state.  Now I am a big fan.  Living in the Chicago area one must be a hockey fan.  I even know the player's names.  I know you are impressed right?  :)  The results of the game?  I'll get to that.  While you anxiously await the results, check out this recipe for Strawberry S'more Swirls!  You won't be able to take your eyes off this goody.


Each swirl has all the "fixins" found in a s'more with the addition of strawberry pie filling.  It's ooey, gooey good!


No fire needed!  Just gather up all the s'more lovers in your house and tell them to meet you in the kitchen!


Ingredients:
1 can refrigerated pizza crust
1/4 cup marshmallow cream
1/4 cup hazelnut spread
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 Tbsp strawberry pie filling
nonstick spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly grease a 13 x 9" cookie sheet.  Roll out refrigerated pizza crust onto prepared cookie sheet, spreading the dough to fit the sheet.  Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool slightly.  Spread on marshmallow cream and then hazelnut spread on top of the marshmallow cream.  Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs.  At one short end of the dough, spread the 3 Tbsp strawberry pie filling.  Start at that end and roll short end to short end.  Place roll, seam side down, into an ungreased bread loaf pan.  Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Slice and serve.


Chocolate, marshmallow, graham cracker crumbs and strawberry pie filling all swirled together.
I think this might just be my new favorite way to serve s'mores!
Don't take your eyes off this dessert or it will disappear!
As for the Blackhawks game?
Blackhawks are heading for the Stanley Cup Finals!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
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make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can be social together.  
It's over there on the right.
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,
Christine


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Saturday, May 30, 2015

Margherita Pizza with Home-made Parmesan Basil Crust

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I am so excited today for 2 reasons!
(I know you want to know why.)
Reason 1:  One week from today our local farmer's market will be open for the first time this season.  I wait the whole brutal winter  to stroll among tables and tables of fresh produce.  Most of it comes just from the south at this point...planting season has just begun in the upper Midwest...but I don't care because it will be great to be outside and plan my meals based on the "pickins" from the market.  Ok, so that's reason number one for my abounding enthusiasm today.

Reason number 2 for my excitement level:  
this Margherita Pizza with Home-made Parmesan Basil Crust.
The flavor of this crust is so good.  The toppings may seem simple, but they are the perfect compliment.  I get excited over food (strange?) and this pizza is worthy!


Making your own crust is totally therapeutic.
So if you are feeling stressed, this pizza is for you.  Really, if you breathe air, Margherita Pizza is for you!  Ha!


Each Margherita Pizza is sized so that you have your own personal pizza.
Fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes top each Parmesan basil crust.


Let's start with the pizza crust.

Ingredients for Parmesan Basil Crust:
1 packet quick rise yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tsp honey
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup dried Parmesan
2 Tbsp dry basil
1 tsp garlic salt
Directions:
In a large bowl, place the yeast.  Pour the warm water, honey and olive oil on top of the yeast.  Stir slightly and then let the yeast activate for 5 minutes.  Stir in flour, Parmesan, basil and garlic salt.  When combined, knead dough for 2 minutes.  Cover dough in plastic wrap and a damp dough.  Let rise covered in bowl for 1-2 hours. 
After rising has completed, divide dough into 6 wedges.  Shape into flat circles with your hands.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Bake dough on an ungreased cookie sheet for 15 minutes.


Now for the toppings.

Ingredients for Margherita Pizza:
6 Parmesan Basil Pizza Crusts
1 28 ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, drained
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp salt
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thinly
olive oil from brushing on crusts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Crush drained tomatoes in a large bowl.  Add olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes and salt.  Top each pizza with the crushed tomato sauce mixture and thin slices of mozzarella.  Brush edges of pizza with some olive oil.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes are until cheese is melted.  Serve warm.

Something to be excited about, right?
Making your own pizza is always a good thing!
With the summer coming, make the pizza dough early in the afternoon with the kiddos.  Go to the pool for a few hours, return and whip up that pizza.  Summer fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can be social together.  
It's over there on the right.
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Friday, May 29, 2015

Banana Split Brownie Bites

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It's Ice Cream Season!
What's your favorite ice cream?  I know, it's hard to pick just one.  I like mint chocolate chip, coffee, cookie dough, moose tracks and, ok, I like just about any flavor ice cream.  I'd also love to have a banana split sundae, but that is way too much for me to eat.  I'd need a willing ice cream lover or two to share a sundae of that size.  But wait, what if you could have a banana split in just a couple of bites, ALL TO YOURSELF!  It isn't a dream, it's a reality!



Banana Split Brownie Bites are that reality!
Strawberry ice cream sandwiched in between a mini brownie, topped with a banana, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, sprinkles and a cherry on top!  Take a breath, it can be in your freezer this weekend.


3 dozen of these frozen little treats can be sitting in your freezer awaiting a banana and toppings.


Bite sized so you can pace yourself and still squeeze into that bikini.


Ok, let me show you how to bring the dream alive...

Ingredients to make 3 dozen:
1 Brownie Mix package (eggs, oil and water according to directions)
non-stick spray
1 cup frozen vanilla custard or vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup strawberry pie filling
1 banana
chocolate syrup
whipped cream
sprinkles
maraschino cherries
Directions:
Preheat oven to the temperature listed on your brownie box.  Spray a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray.  Make brownie mix according to package directions.  Spoon brownie batter into prepared mini muffin pan.  Bake for 14-15 minutes.  Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool.  While cooling, mix vanilla custard or ice cream with strawberry pie filling.  Refreeze until firm 2-3 hours.  After that, slice brownies in half. 
Quickly place a small scoop of strawberry ice cream onto 1/2 of the brownie piece.  Place the other brownie half on top.
Refreeze until ready to use.  When ready to serve, place a slice of banana on top, followed by whipped cream, chocolate sauce, sprinkles and a maraschino cherry.

No need to find anyone to share a banana split with.  Each one is just for you!  You can thank me later.  Ha ha ha!  Each bite is a piece of the banana split!  UH...MAAAZE...ING!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can be social together.  
It's over there on the right.
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,
Christine

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You may also like these frozen treats:

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Citrus Flavored Cupcakes

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With the end of school year, oh so very, very close, it's time to celebrate!  Some of you may have finished school right before Memorial Day, others of us had lots of snow days to make up.  But that's ok...I enjoyed those snow days.  I am in the final stretch and ready to celebrate with some cupcakes...not that I need an excuse to have cupcakes.  Really, cupcakes need no reason.  Anywhoooo, I picked out some citrus flavor cupcakes that fit the season.


Key Lime Cupcakes and Luscious Lemon Cupcakes are such sweet cupcakes!


Key Lime Cupcakes.  So yummy!  All the flavors from a key lime pie in the form of a cupcake.  At the bottom of each cupcake is a graham cracker crust with a key lime flavored cupcake baked on top.  A swirl of key lime cream cheese frosting finishes off each cupcake with a dusting of graham cracker crumbs.   Want the recipe?  
Click the link to get the recipe in printable form.



Luscious Lemon Cupcakes are just as scrumptious.  Each cupcake is a little mini poke cake full of lemon flavor and each is topped off with a lemon mousse topping.  Add a few lemon drop candies and you get that total wow factor!  You will want to save this recipe too. 
Just click on the link to print and add to your recipe box!


Cupcake recipes to Pin, Tweet and Share on Instagram and Facebook!
Just looking at those cupcakes won't satisfy your cupcake need.  You need to get baking!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
It really does make my day when you do and especially when you leave a comment.  I love chatting with you!
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected.  I will always get back to you!
Everything is just over there on the right!
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Tomato and Peach Pizza

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There is just something about grilling fruit, whether on an outdoor grill or grill pan in your kitchen.  If you have never tried it, you must!  The natural sugars in the fruit come out and caramelize, creating this unbelievable flavor.  I always thought it was kind of strange until I tried it.  Talk about a summer flavor!  Now, combine fresh peaches with tomatoes on a pizza?  Holy moly!  I know what you are thinking...peaches and tomatoes together on a pizza?  It's one of the freshest, most flavorful, summer-time pizzas ever!




Tomato and Peach Pizza has fresh, grilled peaches, large beefsteak tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil all on top of prepared mini Naan flatbreads from the bakery section of your grocery store.



Only 7 ingredients!
How lucky is that? 


The fresh mozzarella and basil bring the tomatoes and caramelized peaches together.
Totally a light lunch or dinner with a glass of wine.  Can't you picture yourself sitting outside, watching the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine and a Tomato and Peach Pizza?  I sure can.
Check out how easy it is to make this delicious summer combo!


Ingredients:
1 - 2 large tomatoes, sliced
1 - 2 peaches, sliced
1 package of 4 mini Naan flatbreads (can be found in the bakery section of your grocery store)
8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls, sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, slices
salt
non-stick cooking spray
Directions:
Sprinkle tomato slices with salt.  Let stand for 10-15 minutes, pat the tomatoes dry.  Heat an indoor grill pan over medium heat.  When hot, place peach slices onto grill pan for 2-3 minutes.  Flip and grill other side of peaches for same amount of time, or until grill marks appear.   Set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place Naan flatbreads on a baking sheet.  Spray each Naan flatbread with non-stick cooking spray.  Top with 1 slice of tomato.  Place grilled peaches in a spiral pattern around the center of the tomato.  Slice fresh mozzarella balls.  Place slices  scattered on top of pizza.  Top with 1/2 of the fresh basil slices.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until cheese melts.  Remove from oven and top with remaining fresh basil.


Summer on a flatbread!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
It really does make my day when you do and especially when you leave a comment.  I love chatting with you!
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected.  I will always get back to you!
Everything is just over there on the right!
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Chopped Salad Round Up

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I hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day weekend!
We had beautiful weather on Saturday and spent the day catching up on all the yard work that needed to be done.  Every tree and bush was trimmed, every weed pulled...at least for that day...and garden planted.  The rest of the weekend we relaxed and used the time to catch up on all those pesky little chores that never seem to go away.  
Up in the Midwest, summer is short and one needs to eeek out every last moment of it!
In the meantime, I totally switch gears on what I cook.  The Farmer's Market helps to drive my meal planning and I love to serve lighter desserts and meals for the season.  Chopped salads are a big one included in my meal rotations, so I thought I would share some of my favorites.



Grilled Chicken Pita Salad With Tzatziki Salad Dressing

Lime Chicken Chopped Salad with Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Micro Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing

Grilled Pineapple Summer Chopped Salad with a Sweet Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
I am going to love every minute of summer!
How about you?

Thanks so much for stopping by.
It really does make my day when you do and especially when you leave a comment.  I love chatting with you!
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected.  I will always get back to you!
Everything is just over there on the right!
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,
Christine

Check out all the Summer Fun I am pinning!
Everything from food to fun and games!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day and The Burger Quest

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As we attend parades, barbecues and retail sales, let us not forget those who served and died in the name of our country.  Prayers to all those families who have lost loved ones.  
This year's Memorial Day is also my hubby's birthday and the beginning of the my foodie quest.  Wow!  A triple celebration of sorts.  So, what is the foodie quest?  It involves a TON of research!  The hubby and I are going be looking for THE BEST BURGER!  Each week I will be featuring a burger recipe for you to serve at your summer barbecues.  The most popular burger that is pinned and shared on social media will win the title of A SPRINKLE OF THIS AND THAT BEST BURGER 2015.  The "crowning" will take place on Labor Day.  Make sure to follow along so you can vote for your favorite.  Vote as often as you like!  The more you vote, the better!  Pin, tweet, share on Facebook or Instagram! Each and every week there will be a new version!  And, if you have an idea for me to try...let me know!  I'd love to!  I can't wait to see which will be your favorite!

Happy Memorial Day
Happy B'day to my hubby
And let the Burger quest begin!

Thanks so much for stopping by.
It really does make my day when you do and especially when you leave a comment.  I love chatting with you!
If you don't want to miss any recipes,
make sure you sign up to receive recipes directly to your inbox.
You can find me on social media too so we can stay connected.  I will always get back to you!
Everything is just over there on the right!
Celebrate the little things that make life sweet,
Christine


Lot of Barbecue Ideas for today and all summer long!
Memorial Day BBQ Round Up