Forgotten Food

I guess it’s not technically “forgotten” but there are a few things that I’ve been messing my up kitchen making that I haven’t mentioned!

Honey Bun Cake

Not the most photogenic cake but Big Guy loved it!  In fact, it’s on the way to the guys he works with now.  The only change I made to the recipe was using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.

chewy pumpkin spice granola bars

These lovely bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free…healthy!  I did leave out the dried cranberries (due to lack of dried cranberries) and I plan on taking these to work tomorrow AM.  I made mine into little granola bites instead of bars for portion control.  (Obviously that’s not a picture of the bars that I made…)

Joe made me dinner!

I worked late earlier this week and needed something quick and easy for dinner.  Joe to the rescue!  Pumpkin soap with goat cheese crumbles.  Delicious.  (Tomorrow is all about TJs! Get excited!)

Ritzy Rolos

These were a fantastic tailgate treat!  Two ingredients:  Ritz crackers and Rolos.  Simply lay our the Ritz, top with a Rolo and bake…once soft, top with another Ritz and let them cool.

And I can’t wait to share last night’s dinner with you!

Happy Thursday.

 

 

First Friday Favorites of October

I was getting tired of having the title “Friday Favorites” hence the long title of this post.  But it’s the usual – my Friday Favorites from Pinterest.

Favorite Fall photo: This makes me like fall.

Favorite Must-Have for Fall:  Going Incognito by Essie

Favorite Football Food:  Kicked-Up Spinach Dip.  I’m 99.9% sure this is happening Saturday.  And no, it’s not a “light ‘n healthy” food.

Favorite Comfy Clothes:  If I owned this sweater, I would wear it every Sunday during the Fall and Winter.  With leggings.  And thick socks.  (Boy, wouldn’t I be attractive?)

Favorite Bite:  Sweet Potato Casserole Bites.  I squealed when I came across these cute lil things.

Favorite Cocktail:  I’m kicking myself for not buying clementines at TJs this week.

Favorite Bathroom “Upgrade”:  Instead of a towel rod…

What’s your “Friday Favorite”?

White Pizza Dip…It happened.

On Friday I listed White Pizza Dip as one of my favorites that was bound to happen at some point this fall.  Well, it took all of one day to make it happen.  It didn’t take much to convince Big Guy that we needed the pizza dip in our life on Saturday.  I mean, he did get to watch football all.day.long so I should at least get something out of that deal.

 

Ummm, this was, like, out of control good.  It tasted JUST like pizza.  I actually halved the original recipe knowing that we’d eat it all if given the opportunity and that did not need to happen.  And instead of provolone cheese, I used Gruyere and it was glorious.  I also used dried oregano instead of fresh.  Other than that, I followed the recipe and I can promise you that this will be made again.

 

Because we had such an indulgent “snack” I kept dinner on the lighter side.  Apricot-Glazed Pork Kebabs with a side or roasted green beans.  It was a perfect Saturday.  And I’m already looking forward to this Saturday.

I know, wishing my life away, but the weekends are so much better than weekdays.

 

Friday Favorites never gets old

I wonder if I’ll ever get tired of Friday Favorites?  Well, until then…

Favorite Blast from the Past:  Please tell me you wore wind breakers growing up…

the wind doesn’t stand a chance against this family

Favorite Fall Side Dish:  I love anything brussel-related.  Throw some pecans, cranberries and cheese in the mix and it’ll find a way into my kitchen.  I’ll leave out the barley.

this side dish screams fall

Favorite New Must-Have Fall Wardrobe Staple:  Oxblood colored pants. I just purchased some from the Loft and I’m obsessed.

oxblood + navy

Favorite Flamingos: Did you know that I love all things “flamingo”? Well, not that plastic ones in yards…

flamingos

Favorite Football Appetizer:  This will be made before the end of college football season.  White Pizza Dip.

holy cheese

Favorite “not-so-neutral” nail color:  Frenzy!

Frenzy by Chanel

Favorite “this will be my child”:

5 years from now

Happy Weekend!  I can’t wait to watch football (by that I mean cook and eat and nod my head when spoken to) and hang out with Big Guy alllllllll day Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Officially Fall.

As of Saturday, it is officially Fall.  And this morning it was a cool 54 degrees on my way to the gym.  After sitting through three scorching hot Pirate ball games, I’m welcoming the cool air with open arms.  Speaking of Pirate football – we lost (again) against UNC this weekend.  The game was pathetic but the tailgating was fun!

shooters with Sarah

game day fun

purple ‘n gold vs. carolina blue

Such a good time.

Let’s rewind to Friday night to “appy” hour.

caramelized onion, gruyere and bacon spread

This appetizer was amazing!  We obviously had some left over, so I’m scheming on how to use the remains.

The only substitution I made was using fat-free Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.  I almost left out the bacon (on accident), almost being the key word.  That would have been a tragedy.

so delicious

Happy Monday – Have a fantastic first week of Fall!

Munch Mix for Fall

This easy-to-make snack mix is perfect for any Fall occasion  or gift.  I plan on taking it with us to the tailgate on Saturday.  The best part, mix and match to make it unique to what you like.

In my Fall Munch Mix:

Cheese crackers

Pretzels

Cinnamon popcorn

Peanuts

Reese Pieces

Cocoa Puffs

Candy Corn

What would you add to this Munch Mix to make it “yours”?

Another Whirlwind Weekend

Our weekends are simply jam-packed this fall.  This past weekend we headed to Raleigh for the “debut” of Big Guy’s sisters (debutante) and then woke up bright dark and early (4:30am) to head to Columbia to see ECU get spanked my USC.  Despite losing, we had an absolute blast with my brothers.  Here’s a peak at our whirlwind weekend:

 

 

For dinner last night, we went with burgers.  Green Chili Turkey Burgers with a green beans from the garden and sweet potato fries.  These burgers were insane!  Super flavorful and moist.  Instead of ground chicken I used turkey because that’s all our local store had (small town!).  Make these burgers!  I don’t care if summer is almost over (I refuse to admit it’s coming to an end).

Crazy-Fun Weekend

What a weekend!  Here’s a review of our crazy-fun weekend in pictures…from an early birthday dinner with friends to the Pirate’s beating App to pool time with Baby Haines to Pawpaw’s 80th…it was amazing.  Oh – and there’s a recipe at the end.

Dinner at BCC

ECU vs. App

Sunday Funday

 

Ladies on the dock.

all the kids

 

pig time

precious Baby Haines discovered rocks

And now for a recipe…apparently at some point over the weekend my dad and Big Guy had a deep discussion about Chinese food.  (Don’t ask – I still don’t get it.)  Because of this discussion, Big Guy wanted Chinese last night…so that’s what he got.  Sweet-Spicy- Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry with Double-Sesame Rice.  The only changes I made were using zucchini instead of snap peas and I omitted the fish sauce.

stir-fry

Chinese is served.

 

Toffee Tuesday

This past weekend all of the 5am “crazies” that have become friends over the past 2 years gathered together for a “wing-ding.”  There was pork butts cooked to perfection, the “famous” Brunswick stew, slaw and out-of-this-world beans.  I’m serious when I say these beans were out-of-this-world, I’ve never met beans quite like those.  I was put in charge of desserts.  Calorie-free desserts.  ;)

After much thinking and getting Big Guy to weigh in on this uber-important decision, I went with White Trash Toffee, Paula Deen’s Tailgating Brownies and Not-Yo-Momma’s Banana Pudding.  Some how or another, I did not get a picture of the banana pudding (it was soooo pretty, too!) but I plan on making it this weekend again, so I’ll share more on that next week.

White Trash Toffee.  I’ve made these many times and it’s always a hit!  I think the two sticks of butter and the bag of chocolate chips plus the salty saltines have something to do with it’s popularity.  Sinful, I tell you.  This recipe couldn’t be simpler…melt the butter and brown sugar together and bring to a boil.  Boil for 3 minutes – but don’t let it turn into caramel.  Pour the butter and brown sugar mixture over saltines that have been set side-by-side (about 40 of them) on a rimmed baking dish.  Place back into the oven and let it come to a bubble.  Sprinkle on the chocolate chips and let them melt for about 2 minutes in the oven – remove and spread the chocolate over the toffee layer carefully.  Sprinkle on chopped peanuts.  Let cool then place in the freezer for about an hour.  Remove and break into pieces.

Toffee (aka Tailgating) Brownies.   These are also a cinch to make.  And they’re very decadent.  These have been a hit football game after football game.  Walnut brownies with a layer for toffee in the middle.  What more could you want?  (Besides a scoop of ‘nilla ice cream.)

Is that enough Toffee for Tuesday?

Pin it, Superbowl eats.

Need any ideas for Superbowl eats?  Don’t lie, you know that’s why you like the Superbowl.  That or the new commercials.  This year, I’m all about the eats – Big Guy is making ribs.  Fall-off-the-bone, like-your-fingers, saucy ribs.  I hope they live up to my expectations.  p.s. I don’t even know who’s playing on Sunday.

1.  Say it isn’t so…Copy-cat Chic-Fil-A nuggets.

2. I have the recipe printed.  Perhaps for an upcoming girl’s night?  Toasted Almond Parmesan Dip.

3.  I’m going to call these Gourmet Corn Dogs.

4.  Who doesn’t like Queso Dip?

5.  Beer cupcakes, anyone?

6.  Cheese and Carbs.  Enough said.

7.  Pizza Dip.  Worth every calorie.  I know from experience.

8. Cookie Dough Dip.  Also worth every calorie.  Sugar coma.

9. Mini food is just adorable.  And mini means you can eat more than one, right?  Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork Sliders.

10. Last, but not least, Dill Pickle French Fries.

Why do you watch the Superbowl?  And can we move the Superbowl to Saturday’s from now on?