Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts

Thursday, September 29, 2011

5 Fall Soup Recipes

I know, I know - it has seriously been AGES since I've blogged anything.  Let me give you a brief rundown of what's been going on in my life {and I mean brief... who wants to read about my life when there's parties, recipes, fall design and many other more fun things to capacitate your brain with?!}.  So, the day after Labor Day I started a new full-time job with an advertising/marketing agency that's based her in Minneapolis {previously I was working for the fuel industry doing market analysis and data input}.  With this new job, my regular hours have changed and I'm still getting adjusted with all of this extra training that's consuming my brain!  But don't you worry - fall and winter are coming and I'm more than ready to jump back on the blogging-train... as well as get all the ducks in a row to fully get Cammi Lee Events up and running.  I'm hoping to launch my new blog and web site before the end of the year... and roll out a new brand, too!  I've got a couple of 2012 weddings on the books.  So that's an update!


So... on to the good stuff!  The official start of fall was last Friday, and besides yesterday and today, the weather has been less than stellar!  And when the weather gets chilly... I like to make soup!  So here are my top 5 soups to try for fall {side note: I haven't tried all of these recipes... but they're on my radar!}  Click on the name of the soup below the photo to get the recipe!


Chicken Tortilla Soup via Pillsbury.com

Baked Potato Soup via Foodies @ Home

Bobby's Lasagna Soup via Paula Deen

Slow Cooker Chili via BettyCrocker.com

Chicken Noodle Soup via In the Kitchen with Kath


So there you have it - we have the classic fall/winter recipes like chili and chicken noodle, but then I've thrown in a couple of others that I'm dying to try {especially that chicken tortilla... mmmm!}


What are you favorite fall/winnter soup recipes?  I always love adding a new recipe to the box! :)


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Recipe Love: BBQ Shredded Beefs {Crock Pot Style}

I don't normally post recipes that aren't drink or dessert related, but I just had to share this delicious recipe that I used to make Monday night's dinner {thank you Betty Crocker}.  After tasting how yummy it turned out {both the night of and as leftovers}, I thought it would be a great recipe for a party... who doesn't love a set it and forget it recipe for a party?



SOURCE
 So, first thing's first - Betty Crocker's recipe is super easy for a "set it and forget it" dinner - you simply place the ingredients in the crock pot, set it on low and head out for the day.  I'm going to give you MY version of the recipe {as I changed a few things}, but you can head over to the Betty Crocker site to get her actual recipe to compare.


INGREDIENTS:

1 boneless beef rump roast (2 1/2 lbs)
1 3/4 cups barbecue sauce
3/4 cup root beer
   Garlic Powder, Minced Onions, Pepper  {I didn't really measure how much I used,
   sorry!}
Hamburger buns, split


DIRECTIONS:

1.  In a 3/12- to 4-quart slow cooker, place beef.  Sprinkle garlic powder, minced onions and pepper over beef.
2.  Mix 3/4-cup root beer with 1 1/4-cup barbecue sauce in a measuring cup or bowl.  When combined, pour over beef.
3.  Set slow cooker on low for 9 to 10 hours {depending on how fast your slow cooker tends to cook meals.  Mine was on for about 9 hours}
4. Test doneness of meat by using two forks to pull a small chunk apart.  If it shreds easily, remove meat from crock pot and set on plate. 
5.  Pour liquids into a 12-inch skillet.  Let boil over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, for liquid to thicken.  Once boiled down, add 1/2 cup barbecue sauce.
6. Meanwhile, shred meat down and return to slow cooker.  Pour liquid mixture over meat in crock pot, mix well.  Let sit on low for another 15 minutes.
7. Serve over a hamburger bun.

** These turned out juicy and continue to be juicy once reheated.  My only complaint would be lack of flavor - I think next time I'll try adding some real garlic... and maybe a little bit of horseradish to kick the flavor up a bit **

Sounds easy enough, huh?  These are the perfect dish for an informal party {just think of your hubby's fantasy football draft party coming up, the start of college football season, Labor Day weekend, cabin weekends - seriously, this recipe is perfect for them all!}. Also, being able to make it ahead of time will save you some serious stress!

What are some of your favorite crock pot recipes?  Or some easy recipes you use for your parties that guests go nuts for?

Sunday, February 13, 2011

No Bake Oreo Cookies and Cream dessert

As some of you may have read in my last post, I'm in the beginning stages of planning my niece's Baptism, which will be on April 17th.  The Baptism will be at a church with a luncheon/reception following at my sister and brother-in-law's house.  I will be her GODMOTHER {such a huge honor} and since I'm the one in the family who LOVES planning parties, I volunteered to plan the luncheon.

While I'm thinking the color scheme is going to be different shades of purple with white and silver mixed in {since it's a week before Easter, finding items in purple shouldn't be too hard - at least I hope}. I'm also thinking a dessert table would be a great spruce up to the party.  In my research for easy and quick desserts, I came across these delicious looking no bake Oreo cookies and cream cheesecakes on Bakers Royale.  Read on below for the directions on how to make these yummy treats!



*This recipe makes 16 mini 2-inch cheesecakes or one 8-inch cheesecake*


What you will need:

Crust
- 1  1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 7 tablespoons unsalted butter {melted}

1. Combine graham cracker crumbs with sugar.
2. Add melted butter and blend until combined.
3. Press into pan and set aside.

Cheesecake
- 2  1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 pound cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla powder
- 3/4 cup Oreo cookies, crushed

1. Beat heavy cream until medium peaks form.  Set aside.
2. Add cream cheese, sugar, salt, vanilla powder and lemon juice to a bowl and beat with a paddle attachment until smooth (about 3-5 minutes).  If you do not have a stand mixer or a paddle attachment, a hand beater will work as well, but will take longer to achieve a smooth consistency.
3. Add cream cheese mixture to heavy cream and be until incorporated.
4. Gently fold in Oreo cookies.
5. Fill chosen pan with a slight mound at the center as the cheesecake will be slightly sunken at the center.
6. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours to set, or overnight for best results.
7. Remove from refrigerator and smooth top to level with edges.  Serve with whipping cream and garnish with a mini Oreo.


Additional notes:
- Although these were made as mini cheesecakes, you can also make one large cheesecake in a 9-inch baking cheesecake pan or springform.
- If you don't have vanilla powder, you can omit it.  Vanilla extract can tint your cheesecake with a brownish color, so it's not recommended.  If you choose to use it - about 1  1/2 teaspoons is recommended.
- Keep refrigerated until 20 minutes before serving.
- Chilling overnight will yield the best results.


To get a printer-friendly version of this recipe, and the check out many more delicious dessert recipes, head over to the Bakers Royale site.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Viva la Cake Pops!

This past weekend I stopped into a couple of stores and you know what I saw... Christmas decorations!  I then headed to work, and you know what my sister and I talk about - Christmas lists.  Yep, that's right, the most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner and I thought I'd start an inaugural post about the holidays with some lovely cake pops I came across on Flickr!

Maria, aka Cake Pop Lady, has some adorable Christmas, Thanksgiving and fall/Halloween cake pops to show off.  I've chosen just a few of my favorites to show you below.  If you're in need of some cake pop inspiration (in addition to Bakerella), just pop on over to her Facebook or Flickr page and check out all the goodies!

How cute are these reindeer pops?!
How about these Frosty the Snowman pops?!
I love this Snowman with his scarf!
I love these Christmas tree
Beautiful hostess gifts!
OK, OK - I had to throw this turkey in there! I love rice krispy treats too much!
I love the chocolate snowflakes that were added to these pops!
rice krispy man (get it? it's not a gingerbread man cuz it's not gingerbread!)
cake pop place settings - love it for your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner!
gobble, gobble!  Meet Tom the Turkey!
cute pumpkins for fall season
meet Frankenstein!

Aren't these too adorable!  It's making me want to try making some cute cake pops for the upcoming holiday season!  And remember, Maria has WAY more cake pops to show off on Flickr and Facebook, so be sure to check her out!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Diet Cherry 7up Cupcakes

I love anything with cherry flavoring in it - especially my soda - so when I saw this awesome recipe for Diet Cherry 7up cupcakes on Grin and Bake It back in March, I just knew I'd have to bookmark it.  Well, I'm just finally getting back to the recipe and I'm totally thinking about making these this weekend.  Here's the yummy recipe Kate from Grin and Bake It shared with her readers:




What you'll need:

   - 1 box of white cake mix
   - 1 can of Diet Cherry 7up
   - 2 egg whites

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Add the cake mix and egg whites in a mixing bowl; pour in the can of Diet Cherry 7up.  Beat according to the directions on the box and fill cupcake liners about 2/3 way full.  Bake for around 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.


How to make Kate's Low-fat Cream Cheese Icing

What you'll need:

   - 8 oz. light cream cheese, softened
   - 1 cup marshmallow cream
   - 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
   - 1 tsp. vanilla extract
   - 1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, marshmallow cream, lemon juice and vanilla extract until well combined.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar.




Don't these just look {and sound} just scrumptious?!?!  Ugh - I may be drooling! :)  Be sure to check out the other delicious recipes Kate has to offer on her blog!  There's no way you could be disappointed!


What fun cupcake recipes do you have to share?

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Cookies for a Cure

I know these photos I'm about to show you were made for breast cancer awareness, but really, they could be baked and sold for any type of cancer (ahem... like Multiple Myeloma... see my previous post). I just love the cookies and cupcakes!



Love, LOVE these cookies! The cancer ribbon design with "hope" and "cure" written on them. Too cute.


You can buy these little cute cookie cutters online and make some of your own (I definitely will be purchasing one!)


How cute are these little cupcakes?!


These cookies were made for an event called "Cut for a Cure". You can find more bakery goodies (for all kinds of events) made by Tesoro Cookies on Flickr by clicking here.

Maybe that's what I need to have... a bake sale? Or I could sell those cute little cancer ribbon cookies to raise money. Oh the possibilities.... and the decisions!

Who doesn't love a chocolate covered strawberry?

.... especially one that is made to look like a baseball! (Are you sick of all my baseball related posts yet?!)

I saw these on the fabulous Grin and Bake It blog and just had to share with you the cuteness of these delectable treats!



Seriously - don't they just look amazingly delicious? Curious how they were made?

What you'll need:

- Strawberries
- White Chocolate
- Red candy melts

Instructions:

1. Dip your strawberries into the melted white chocolate. Let dry.
2. Pipe two thin lines of white chocolate on each side.
3. Pipe the red lines to create a stitched looked over the previous piped white lines.

Voila - you've got Chocolate Covered Strawberries that will be a "grand slam" with all your baseball moms! :)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Cool Cookie Cutters!

I love, love, love the Sex and the City series (which means I'm loving all the party posts out there from the latest movie being released!). While perusing the 'net for a martini glass cookie cutter for a bachelorette party I'm helping plan, I came across a set of "Sex and the City" cookie cutters.

This cute set includes 6 pieces - a tube of lipstick, the Statue of Liberty, a purse, a martini glass, a stiletto heel and a little black dress.




Seriously, how cute would all these be at your next Sex and the City party? These could also be used for a girls night in/out party or a bachelorette party!

The set can be found on CheapCookieCutters.com for $22.95 plus shipping.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

mmmm... Fruit!

So, whaddya know - I come back from vacation and what happens - I've gained a couple of pounds! Ugh! So while I'm making myself get into the gym, I've also decided to try eating healthier... after all, you know that delicious produce is in season and ever-so juicy and delicious!

To make sure I start eating healthier, tonight I cut up a pineapple and strawberries and picked some grapes. What a good afternoon snack for tomorrow at work (instead of my Swedish Fish candies that I've become so obsessed with lately...) I also cut up some celery and threw it in a baggie with some carrots. Nothing like MAKING yourself eat healthier after putting the time in cutting it all up, right?!

Any-who, I saw these delicious fruit kabobs online. Don't they look tasty! I think I'm going to try these babies out when we head to the cabin we rented in a couple of weekends - what do you think?


I thought the watermelon in the shape of hearts was soo cute! I'd really like to try making those cute flowers that you see in the Edible Arrangement fruit gifts! You know, the ones with the pineapple shaped like the petals and a cantaloupe round for the middle. The fruit used for these kabobs included red seedless grapes, cut pineapple, a clementine orange, strawberries and watermelon.

Do you have some recipes that would be great for a cabin weekend? I'd love to hear them and surprise our friends who are joining us!