Ok……better late than never…….I have begun to eat with a little more mindfulness. Don’t worry, I will still make a whole bunch of tasty meals, and desserts…….you know the mindless ones, but today the word of the day is FRUIT.
I always think fruit looks really good in the grocery store, so I buy it. I bring it home with every intent of eating it instead of cookies, or ice cream…….well, we know what normally wins…….wha, wha, whaaa……
So, this time I decided if I made a recipe out of it, it would go into me……..it worked. I wanted it to be a fancy, but healthy dessert………instead it was my breakfast. I guess it can be dual duty……..an anytime thing.
It really did turn out pretty. I am all about my food having a picturesque quality……..well, because we take pictures of it, but also because, people eat with their eyes. You can have the tastiest thing in the world and if it looks……for lack of a better world yucky! In my experience, no one will even try it if it doesn’t look good.Continue reading “Sweet Yogurt Fruit Cup”
Cheese and crackers are an easy, go-to appetizer for any type of party, because after all who doesn’t like cheese. No matter what type of event you go to, the traditional cheese and cracker plate is there……so how about making it something to remember……..???
Italian Marinated Cheese is several things:
Easy to make
Easy to take along
Stores for several weeks
Looks elegant
Is super tasty
With the holidays or anytime you are in charge of bringing the cheese tray, make up a batch of this cheese.
I purchased cheese that was already cubed……..because, even with my cheese knife ……..one of my favorite tools…….its still a pain in the a#@ to cut cheese and make it all perfect little cubes. Let the people who make the cheese, cut the cheese….tee hee……….but seriously, it makes this recipe super easy. Place all the cubes in a single layer in a dish about 2 inches in depth.
The marinade is a simple vinaigrette with Italian seasoning, red peppers, green onions, garlic, oil and vinegar. The green onions and red peppers give it a festive look and add a great taste to the marinade.
Once you have the cheese in the dish and the marinade made, pour the marinade over the cheese and let it set for at least 8 hours so the flavors really get into the cheese.
Then when cheese tray duty calls, just put the Italian Marinated Cheese in a pretty container and serve with some nice crackers. Some fresh fruit on the side adds to the elegance, and you will be the talk of the party……..it will be our little secret about how easy it was……..;)
You know that panicy feeling when someone stops by unexpectedly during the holidays………you bolt to the kitchen to see what you can pull together in a hillbilly hurry. Well, never fear I got the thing right here……Red Pepper Jam.
I know everyone is aware of a company called Tastefully Simple. They have really great products…….delicious foods and gifts for every day and every occasion. I have, in the past purchased a product called Sweet Pepper Jalapeño Jam, a friend had a party and it was one of the samples and I loved it. They just poured it over cream cheese and served it with crackers and ooh la la appetizer. So, I figured I could make something similar….and I did.
It’s fairly easy to make, the hardest part and it’s not really hard…..more time consuming is the cooking time. It needs to reduce and that takes about 45 minutes. But it has a beautiful upside…….it will keep in the frig for a month…..yes siree……… a whole month!
Make it just before Thanksgiving and it will help you sail right through the holidays for all those moments when you need to fix something in a hurry.
Keep a package of cream cheese in the frig and when company comes a calling, put the cream cheese on a nice plate, pour over your secret weapon ……..Red Pepper Jam…….and serve with crackers, or my personal favorite…….. pita chips. As you can see, I have a really cute plate that my Elementary staff gave me last year for a Christmas gift………Snowman whose mittens and boots that are little serving spreaders…….it soooo cute! Thank you ladies!!!!
You can also use the Red Pepper Jam as a condiment on sandwiches or burgers, as a glaze for vegetables or meat, or as a dip. It’s sweet and spicy and damn delicious!!!
