Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Southern Grilled Cheese/#FoodieExtravaganza

     It is Foodie Extravaganza day and grilled cheese is on the menu! Southern Grilled Cheese, that is! I grew up eating grilled cheese sandwiches every Friday for dinner. They were made on white bread with american cheese, and we usually had tomato soup to go along with it. It was okay when I was a child, but my tastes have changed, and for the better!
     I wanted a grilled cheese that was different, but made with ingredients that are loved by pretty much everyone. So, I present to you: Southern Grilled Cheese, made with breaded pork, swiss and manchego cheese, and an avocado and cream cheese spread, served on grilled wheat bread. I think you are going to like it!

Grilled cheese with pork
Southern Grilled Cheese

Monday, March 30, 2015

Final Four ~ Wolfpack Wings

It's Final Four time! Which also means it's Wolfpack Wing time too! Is the NCAA basket tournament exciting or what?!  We are all about the North Carolina State Wolfpack here at The Freshman Cook house, and we were so sad when they were eliminated. But now, we have transferred our excitement to Duke. Of course we are also all about the game food and what could be better than hot wings!!  These wings have one distinct difference to a lot of chicken wings~they are baked! And they are yummy tasty and crispy!



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Celebrate It! Blog Party!


Colorful White Chocolate Truffles

These Colorful White Chocolate Truffles are a wonderful, tasty, and colorful addition to Easter Baskets, Easter Brunch, Mother's Day, Weddings or a Spring Celebration. They are easy to make with just a few ingredients. Use a good quality white chocolate and you can change the coating color on the outside to customize them to match any event for a personalized, custom look!  The soft creamy inside will be loved by everyone.

 White chocolate truffles

Friday, March 20, 2015

Yoplait Greek 100 Whips Cookie Cups and a Cash Giveaway!

I just went in for my annual physical last week, and things are good! Of course, I need to watch what I eat and my doctor wouldn't be upset if I lost a few pounds. Overall, I was happy, but the losing some weight thing is something I really want to work on. As we are coming in to spring, I think now is the time to lose those 20 pounds and get ready for summer and lazy days at the beach! I started doing just that this week when I was asked to make some desserts for a church group that I am a part of. I wanted something light, yummy, fresh, and pretty! That's how these cookie cups filled with Yoplait Greek 100 Whips came about, and they were perfect for the luncheon! Yoplait Greek 100 Whips come in the two flavors I used, Strawberry and Black Cherry, plus several more and at only 100 calories each they only taste like a rich indulgence. Enter the giveaway at the end of this post for $15 in Paypal cash to try all the flavors of Yoplait Greek 100 Whips to find your favorite! Shop at Publix, for a great coupon value!

Yoplait Greek 100 Whips Cookie Cups
 Yogurt Cookie Cups

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake/#BundtBakers

This Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake is like a blast from the past! We used our favorite Girl Scout Cookies as the inspiration for this months BundtBakers. Do you enjoy Girl Scout Cookies? I have loved them since I was, well.... a girl scout. Of course that was eons ago, and we sold those yummy cookies door to door. In those days, we took orders and then weeks later, we delivered the cookies to our customers, in my case, my neighbors and relatives. If you were lucky, your Dad would take the sign up sheet to work, and he would return with lots of orders. I was not that lucky girl scout. But I sold my share, and sometimes I got to eat a couple of my favorites, Thin Mints! So today the Thin Mints are my inspiration for this Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake. I hope it evokes good memories for you too!

 Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake
Chocolate Mint Bundt Cake

Monday, March 16, 2015

Triple Chocolate Shamrock Cupcakes

I love St. Patrick's Day, don't you? I thought it would be fun to celebrate with some Triple Chocolate Shamrock Cupcakes. They are made with milk, dark, and bittersweet chocolate and topped with thin mint frosting for a festive, fun, and tasty St. Patrick's Day celebration!

St. Patrick's Day Cupcakes

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Celebrate It! Blog Party!

Welcome to Celebrate It!

Championship Party Dip

As we are getting into the first games of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament, I want to share this simple Championship Party Dip! This party dip came about after I bought a box of Everything Crackers from Trader Joes. I tore in to the bag as soon as I got home. I was curious as to the taste and if they were anything like the everything bagel. Well, they were really a little too strong for me. I figured that a dip was the perfect solution. I know I needed to start with cream cheese, because it certainly makes an everything bagel taste good! So I came up with this recipe. The ingredients may seem rather bland, but when you dip the everything crackers into it, it's totally amazing! It brings out all the great taste of the crackers, and is rather addicting!

Championship Party Dip
Championship Party Dip

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Leprechaun Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are some of my favorite cookies. I love their versatility to fit in to any party or celebration. Plus, they are so tasty!! These Leprechaun Thumbprint Cookies are all dressed up for St. Patrick's Day and ready to party!

St. Patrick's Day Cookies

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Celebrate It! Blog Party!

Welcome to Celebrate It!

St. Paddy's Day Popcorn

St Patrick's Day is always a special day around our house. We indulge in Irish food, always wear something green, and some of us have been know to dance a jig or two! This year when we are dancing and celebrating, we will also be enjoying this yummy, festive St. Paddy's Day Popcorn!
It is so easy and quick to make, you will be munching on it faster than you can say,
"Top 'o the morning to ya"!

St Patrick's Day Treat

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters/#FoodieExtravaganza


Today I have some Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters for your tasting pleasure! This recipe is part of the #Foodie Extravaganza food group I participate in. It's a lot of fun, and really makes me work at coming up with something different and unique that you will enjoy! Even though I use the word work, I really love the challenge! 
These Chocolate Caramel Peanut Clusters are yummy and chocolatey, gooey and nutty. That is a lot to ask for from such a small piece of candy, but it delivers and you won't be disappointed! 

Chocolate Candy


Tuesday, March 3, 2015

A DIY Cookie Bouquet!

Have you ever wanted to give someone a little gift, but you didn't want it to look like a big deal.? You just wanted to let them know you were thinking of them, or you wanted to thank them, or maybe you don't know them very well, but you like them and want to wish them a Happy Birthday! This Cookie Bouquet is your answer.

Cookie Bouquet

DIY Cookie Bouquet