Sunday, February 28, 2016

Irish Shepherd's Pie / #SundaySupper

Irish Shepherd's Pie is something I have made many times. Shepherd's Pie does not really have an Irish origin, but it is a staple of Irish cooking and it is so, so wonderful! It's like the poster child for comfort food! This pie is full of ground beef, corn, shallots, and seasoning. Then it is topped with mashed potatoes, covered with cheese and baked in the oven! Simple to make and a pleasure to eat!
Shepherd's Pie
Irish Shepherd's Pie

Friday, February 26, 2016

Southwest Santa Fe Pizza

My love of Las Vegas is no secret. It is where I spent most of my adult life. It is where I  graduated college, and got engaged. It is where my son was born, and my husband and I went into business. We picnicked at Mt. Charleston, hiked Red Rock and skied Lake Mead. Needless to say, Las Vegas is such an important part of me, and close to my heart. I've teamed up with Vegas.com and I am excited! The Annual International Pizza Expo that is held in Las Vegas every year is coming up in March, and I am taking part in a fun challenge to create a unique pizza that is inspired by one of the hotels. I created a pizza that is southwestern in style, inspired by the Santa Fe Hotel and Casino.
pizza, southwestern
Southwest Santa Fe Pizza

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!

It's time for Celebrate It!
Thank you for stopping by today! I am so glad that you are here!
I hope you have busy creating whatever makes you heart sing and
I hope you will be sharing them here!
We want to celebrate with you!
Have a Happy Week!




Here are last weeks most clicked links:

 Wedding Morning Gift
from

Stuffed Green Peppers 
from


Tangled Paper Lantern
from
Designs by Miss Mandee

Thank you to everyone that stopped by to link up or to look around!
So glad you are here to share your projects or just your thoughts!
We want to celebrate with you!
Here are a few things that will make this party fun for everyone:
 
1. Visit 2 or 3 other party goers if you can. It makes it so much more fun
to link up when someone clicks on your link and visits your page.

2. I pin each of your link ups to the Celebrate It! board,
 and I will also pin them to another one of my
 board that fits the pin.
 Your link up will get tweeted both times also!

3. By linking up you are giving me permission to feature your post on social media.
  Proper credit is always given. You may receive an 
email reminder about this party.
Let's start the party!




Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Shamrock Mini Cheesecakes

I am a huge St. Patrick's Day fan, so I am excited to show you what is definitely the first of several recipes to celebrate March 17. These Shamrock Mini Cheesecakes should be a part of your party plans! They start with a chocolate base, are filled with vanilla cheesecake, topped with a milk chocolate ganache, and the topper is melted candy melts shaped into a shamrock. It is easy to make these sweet, festive treats!
chocolate, vanilla, cheesecake
Shamrock Mini Cheesecakes
Crust
1 1/4 cups Crushed Chocolate Graham Crackers
1/4 cup Melted Butter
Shamrock 
1/2 bag Green Candy Melts 
Gold Sprinkles 
Filling 
3-8oz. blocks of Cream Cheese, softened
2/3 cup of Sugar
1/2 cup Whipping Cream
5 teaspoons Cornstarch
4 Eggs
1 Egg Yolk
1/4 cup Vanilla flavored Syrup
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Ganache 
8-10 ounces Milk Chocolate
1/4-1/2 cup Whipping Cream


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

chocolate graham crackers
In a small bowl, mix together the graham crackers and the butter. Place a tablespoon of crust in to each cavity opening of the pan. You can also use cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. They work great. There will be fewer cheesecakes because they are a bit larger.
candy melts. green, cookie cutter
Use your shamrock cookie cutter and trace around it on parchment paper. You will need one traced shamrock for each cheesecake. 
candy melts, sgold sprinkles
Melt the green candy melts, and place it in a plastic decorating bottle. Turn your parchment paper over and trace the outline of the melts, and then fill it in. Sprinkle the gold over the shamrocks while they are wet. Let dry.
cream cheese, vanilla, sugar eggs
Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, whipping cream, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Beat with mixer until smooth. Add the eggs and the egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the vanilla flavored syrup and the extract. 
baking, cheesecakes
Pour batter into each opening, on top of the chocolate graham cracker crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Check if it's done like you do for a cake~with a toothpick. Take a toothpick around each cake, then let cool completely. Remove from pan. Let cool some more.
chocolate,whipping cream
Chop the chocolate in to small pieces. Place in a double boiler and melt on low. Heat the whipping cream in a separate pan or in the microwave. Add the warm cream to the chocolate a little at a time, until the consistency is smooth and drizzly.
milk chocolate ganache, cheesecake
 Use a spoon to drizzle the ganache over the cheesecakes.
shamrocks
Release the shamrocks by pulling the parchment from the bottom. They release very easily.
cheesecakes
Place a shamrock on each cheesecake and enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by today! I am so happy you did!

Here are some past St. Patrick's Day treat you might enjoy! Look for some new ones coming soon!

cookies, marshmallows, chocolate

sugar cookies, glass candy
 
popcorn, candy






 

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Orange & Walnut Baby Spinach Salad w/Quinoa & a Citrus Vinaigrette / #SundaySupper

Today, I am talking about this Winter Salad, just full of wonderful ingredients, like baby spinach, inca red grain quinoa, fresh orange segments, juicy grape tomatoes, and candied walnuts. Top it off with a citrus vinaigrette, and you have a quick to put together salad the whole family will love. This plateful is enough for one if it is the main course, or two if it's a side!

Orange and Walnut Baby Spinach Salad w/ Quinoa and a Citrus Vinaigrette

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!

It is time for Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake / #BundtBakers

Today is #BundtBakers reveal day and our special ingredient this month is cinnamon! Isn't that a yummy one? So many choices! Which is how I ended up baking this dreamy Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake!  This cake started with white cake batter. It has a ring of cinnamon in the center and it is topped with a simple glaze sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. That's a lot of cinnamon, and it packs a lot of flavor. Oh, and it tastes great as a breakfast cake too!

cinnamon cake, breakfast, dessert, snack, glaze, cinnamon filling
Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake

Monday, February 15, 2016

Chocolate Marbled Vanilla Cheesecake

Today it is cold, wet and icy and it's Monday! That's a quadruple whammy! All those things together equal the need for a Chocolate Marbled Vanilla Cheesecake, which will make everything better! I made this cheesecake a mini, using a  4" round springform. There is milk chocolate running through the cake, and I topped it off with a  few drops of Nutella and some sprinkles! Happy Monday!

cheesecake, chocolate, vanilla,
Chocolate Marbled Vanilla Cheesecake

Friday, February 12, 2016

Last Minute Valentine Gifts~Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix and Chocolate Dipped Thin Oreos

Valentine's Day will be here on Sunday! Are you ready?  These two, cute Last Minute Valentine Gifts are fast to put together, and anyone would love to receive them! The Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is easy, and the Chocolate Dipped Thin Oreo's are even easier!

hot choclate mix, chocolate covered oreos
 Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Monday, February 8, 2016

Mardi Gras Doughnut Holes

Fat Tuesday is almost upon us, and it is time to celebrate with some Mardi Gras Doughnut Holes! These deep fried doughnut holes are full of flavor with cinnamon and nutmeg in the mix, and then they are dunked in a clear glaze and sprinkled with purple, green and gold sanding sugar. Tradition states that the color purple stands for justice, the gold for power, and the green for faith. So, as they say in New Orleans, "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! (Let the good times roll)!

Donuts, green, yellow, and purple
Mardi Gras Doughnut Holes

Friday, February 5, 2016

Panther Popcorn Pops

It is Super Bowl week, and that is pretty much all anyone is talking about! Especially if you live in North Carolina, like I do! So these Panther Popcorn Pops are doing double duty. I get to show my love for the Panther's and decorate my party table! And what's even better is that they are so much fun to make! Start with a simple popcorn ball, add a few drizzles of my new favorite colors, and you have a fun, festive centerpiece for your party! Go Panthers!

Panther Popcorn Pops

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!

Welcome to Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!!

Red Chip Valentine Cookies/ #Fill The Cookie Jar

What are Red Chip Valentine Cookies? After Christmas I found this bag of mint baking chips at a local store. I picked them up at a good price, but the reason I even looked at them twice was because they were red.  I don't think I have ever seen or used red chips before. So along comes Valentine's Day and what could be more perfect than red chips. But I wanted a white cookie recipe. After looking around, I decided to bake my "go-to" sugar cookie recipe that I usually use for cut out cookies. I made a batch and they were yummy and Valentine festive!
sugar cookies, red chips
Red Chip Valentine Cookies

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Red Velvet Cream Pie / #FoodieExtravaganza

I love Valentine's Day, but I try not to take it too seriously. Of course, you should show your love to those that are important to you everyday, but it is fun to send funny, lovey dovey heart cards, eat chocolate, and make Red Velvet Cream Pie! This pie is rich and sooo creamy. Add the whipped cream topping and you will be in love with this pie! Make sure you make it the day of the morning  you want to serve it. It needs 4-6 hours to set up and chill. Happy Valentine's day! 

Looking for more pie recipes? No worries! We are all about pie today at #FoodieExtravanganza. Scroll down below this post to see what everyone else made for this day!
chocolate, red coloring, graham cracker crust, whipped cream topping
Red Velvet Cream Pie