Ambassador Shirley Temple

Last week I posted a recipe for 'dirty shirley's' - I came across another recipe that is a little different and also includes 2 recipes to make grenadine so I thought I'd share another Twisted Shirley Temple idea. Actually you can omit the alcohol and just have a different spin on a Shirley Temple.  The  ginger beer instead of sprite or ginger ale is a fun swap - as is the luxardo cherry garnish, I love them!

AMBASSADOR SHIRLEY TEMPLE

combine all in a tall glass over ice:

• 1 1/2 T. (3/4 oz.) lime juice
• 1 1/2 T. (3/4 oz) chile grenadine, homemade grenadine, or store-bought grenadine syrup
• 3 T. (1 1/2 oz) silver tequila (optional)
• 4 to 6 ounces ginger beer, chilled
• Luxardo cherry for garnish

GRENADINE

• 16 oz. 100% pomegranate juice
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 T. lemon juice

Combine the ingredients in a medium pot and cook over medium heat until the edges of the liquid begin to bubble and sugar is fully dissolved. Do not let it boil.

Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Pour into a bottle and refrigerate. Syrup will last for about 1 month in an air-tight bottle in the fridge. 

CHILE GRENADINE

• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 pasilla or guajiro chile, seeded and crushed

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Cover and let steep 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and chill before using. Makes 1 3/4 cups. 

recipe found here

8.20.21: banana cream pudding pie

8.20.20: sushi tower

8.20.18: Marcia's green chili frittata

8.20.17: potato squash gratin

8.20.16: chopped competition

Snackle Box

Look at how fun this is - Mickey made this portable charcuterie box and sent pics, my sis said 'it's a snackle box' which is hilarious and I said I was blogging it for sure. Jen then said she didn't make up the name, she saw it on FB and didn't want me to credit the genius name to her LOL. So - whoever came up with a 'snackle box' gets all the credit, and Mic gets all the credit for making it look gorgeous and yummy. She even has a salami rose which is one of my favorite charcuterie additions (click here to see how to make a salami rose).

Meats, cheeses, crackers, berries, goat cheese topped with fig jam - all in a (obviously) clean divided plastic tackle/craft box. Love this so much!!!

8.19.21: personalized mimosa glasses

8.19.20: gingersnaps

8.19.19: shadow box memory collage

8.19.18: 🔥 week 33

8.19.17: twisted frozen grapes

Sautéed Chicken Breasts in Cream Sauce

LeDonna shared this recipe and photos with me, how great does this sound and look? Maybe I'm really hungry as I'm writing it up, but I bet the cream cheese sauce is delish. Can't wait to make this for us very soon! Thanks for sharing, L!  

I typed the recipe out exactly as written, I'd make a couple changes - use butter not margarine, dice the celery 'cuz I don't like big slices, and I'll probably use Italian seasoning instead of the individual ones listed. I don't know what 'whole chicken breasts, split' means and will just cook enough regular ol' chicken breasts that will be enough for dinner. It looks like LeDonna added shredded cheese over top, and why not?! 

2 whole chicken breasts, split, boned, skinned 

2 T. margarine

1 1/2 cups mushroom slices

1 cup celery slices

1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced

1/2 r. pepper

1/2 t. dried basil leaves, crushed

1/4 t. dried chervil leaves, crushed

1/8 t. dried thyme leaves, crushed

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, cubed

1/3 cup milk

2 1/2 cups (8 oz.) tri-colored corkscrew noodles, cooked, drained 

Cut chicken into strips. Melt margarine in large skillet; add chicken, vegetables and seasonings. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 10 min. or until chicken is tender. Add 2 T. wine; simmer 5 minutes. Combine cream cheese, milk, and remaining wine in saucepan, stirring over low heat until smooth. Place noodles on serving platter, top with chicken mixture and cream cheese mixture. 

4 to 6 servings

8.18.21: oreo rice krispie treats

8.18.20: tip-sy tuesday: measuring sticky ingredients

8.18.19: 🔥 week 33

8.18.18: scrambled eggs and toast 'chick'

8.18.17: school hairstyle by Brooke

8.18.16: 30 day ab challenge 

Yard Sign

My sis had a bunch of leftover yard signs from Brooke's open house and gave me the idea to turn them into a sign for Dave's ukulele meetings in our side yard. For the past few years he's put out a garden trellis with my handwritten sign and balloons attached showing where the meeting is - now it's so much better looking and practical because it can stay out in the rain unlike my old paper sign! We left battery-operated twinkle lights on the trellis left over from the open house to draw even more attention to the sign incase people miss the big ol' L.A.U.G.H sign hahah. 

I turned 2 open house signs over and used the blank white backside to stick on cricut-ed letters and an arrow. The 2 signs weren't exactly the same size so I trimmed them to match, put them together with the open house graphics on the inside, poked holes in the corners and attached it to the trellis with zip ties.  Easy and look how good it looks ;)

8.17.21: tip-sy tuesday - fruit filled crescent rolls  

8.17.20: painted letters and an engagement cake

8.17.19: grape and broccoli salad

8.17.18: morse code bracelets 

8.17.17: caprese salad (tomato mozzarella salad)

8.17.16: chocolate peanut butter layered dessert

Tip-sy Tuesday: Things to Toss

I posted this list of things to get rid of back in '17 - I've been on a purging mission lately so when I came across this old post I thought I'd remind us of it again, pretty useful guide. I'm not getting rid of all of these things someone else deems not useful, but am guilty of a lot of these obvious things hahaha. 

original post:

Saw this list of 116 things to throw away (or recycle, give away, sell...) and think it's a good reminder to pay attention to the little things that accumulate - you don't have to overhaul the closet or pantry to free up space and get rid of clutter. Check it out and see how many things make you go "oh, I totally need to do that" like I did! Wait, except #2 - we all know I'm totally keeping them (click here to see how I keep them organized tho!).

1. The other side of a pair of lost earrings
2. Scraps of wrapping paper
3. Cards people have given you with no sentimental value
4. Receipts you don't need
5. Ticket stubs
6. Socks with holes
7. Old t-shirts
8. Leftover change
9. Dried flowers
10. Magazines
11. CDs
12. Hair elastics that have lost stretchiness
13. Hair accessories you don't use
14. Shoes that don't fit or that you don't wear
15. Extra photo prints
16. Little knickknacks (designate a bowl and fill it)
17. Kitchen things you don't use
18. Cooking utensils you have two of
19. Tired bras
20. Scarves you never wear
21. Clothes that don't fit
22. Gifts you don't like
23. Old towels
24. Old makeup
25. Old toiletries
26. Old or unused hangers
27. Expired or sample-sized toiletries
28. Extra buttons
29. Expired sauces
30. Toys your pets don't play with
31. Expired medication
32. Dried-up nail polish
33. Bills you don't need to keep
34. Expired coupons
35. Old paperwork
36. DVDs you don't watch
37. Snacks your pets don't eat
38. Damaged clothing you can't mend
39. Stained clothing you can't clean
40. Old prom dresses
41. Scratched nonstick cookware
42. Old underwear or swimwear that's losing its stretch
43. Outdated electronics
44. Rusty jewelry
45. Stockings with runs
46. Pens that don't work
47. Clothing you've outgrown
48. Necklaces and bracelets with broken clasps
49. Cables and wires you don't use
50. Worn-out sheets and bedding
51. Empty or near-empty bottles of cleaning products 
52. Old mending buttons for clothing you no longer have
53. Worn-out bath mats
54. Broken electronics
55. Purses you never use
56. Flatware, plates, and glasses that don't match the rest of your collection, plus dingy children's plates you no longer use
57. Old pillows
58. Worn-out shoes
59. Wedding invites
60. Save-the-dates
61. Wedding favors you don't use
62. Old wallets that you don't use
63. Broken kitchen equipment
64. Spare furniture parts you don't need
65. Furniture manuals
66. Boxes
67. Unused vases
68. Extra tupperware you don't need
69. Old mail
70. Junk mail
71. Travel brochures
72. Bobby pins
73. Old crayons or art supplies, plus markers that have run out of ink
74. Random containers and jars
75. Unused stationery, stickers, and sticky notes
76. Ripped denim
77. Old artwork or old children's artwork
78. Used and ripped envelopes
79. Broken or old iPhone cases
80. Old unused batteries
81. Extra and unused coffee mugs
82. Old spices
83. Address labels for your old house
84. Wrinkled ribbon and bows for gift wrap
85. Cards or gifts from exes
86. Frequent shopper cards you never use
87. Matchbooks
88. Old shopping bags
89. Old calendars
90. Old folders
91. Magnets
92. Clothes that are outdated or from college
93. Broken Christmas decorations
94. Christmas lights that don't work
95. Frayed towels
96. Expired food
97. Computer cords, firewire cord, etc. that you don't use
98. Old and outdated software
99. CDs for old computer programs
100. Old cell phones
101. Hand-me-downs that you're guilt-tripped into keeping
102. Freebie or promotional t-shirts you never wear
103. Old fortune cookie fortunes
104. Old bank statements
105. Old planners
106. Delete email subscriptions from sites
107. Delete emails you don't need
108. Delete unwanted music from your iTunes
109. Extra buttons that come with newly purchased clothes
110. Games that are missing pieces
111. Old schoolbooks you'll never use again
112. Papers you have backed up on the computer
113. Books you've already read and don't want to display
114. Cell phone covers you're over
115. Old manuals to electronics
116. Cell phone accessories you don't use anymore

I found this list on Pinterest here

8.16.21: personalized drink cups

8.16.20: 🔥week 33

8.16.19: tuna avocado egg salad

8.16.18: sloppy joes

8.16.17: s'more pie

8.16.16: mashed cauliflower

Baked Walleye

I don't always love fish so don't tend to make it very often (unless it's grilled tuna, swordfish, or mahi mahi - I like the firmer, meatier texture)  but Dave asked me to bake some walleye fillets he got at Costco so I did a simple coating of Kentucky Kernel Fish Fry seasoning and he hasn't stopped raving about how great it is so I thought I'd share a very easy recipe. Oh, and I had a piece and have to agree with him, I really liked it coated and baked in the seasoned mix!

Brush or spray the fish all over with olive oil, dip in the seasoning mix, lay in a single layer on a parchment paper covered baking sheet (or spray the sheet with non-stick spray) and bake at 450' for 10 minutes, flip over and bake for about 4 minutes or until the fish is cooked thru. (Or follow the package directions, this is just what I did). Done. Easy, right? 

8.15.21: 🔥 week 33

8.15.20: mini succulent shadowbox

8.15.19: cheeseburger shepherds pie

8.15.18: zucchini bread or cake

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 33)

 Dear Campers ~

Here's your weekly recap in case you missed anything at camp last week:

Posts ~

8/7: 🔥 week 32

8/8: painted knife block

8/9: TT how to dice a mango

8/10: healthy black bean salsa/salad/side dish

8/11: salted caramel chocolate ice cream cake

8/12: candied almonds

8/13: dirty shirley

What's Cooking ~

• pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, broccoli/cauliflower, make your own salad (thanks again Al and Cathy!)
• chicken, cherry and apple sausages, orzo with tomatoes and mozzarella balls, steamed broccoli
• steak, caesar salad
• grilled tuna, sticky rice, roasted broccoli

That's it for this week, hope you'll stop back often for more projects, crafts, recipes, whatever else I can think of to make at camp next week! Bye :)

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor

8/14.21: buffalo dip

8.14.20: mason jar lunchable

8.14.19: chocolate chip cookie ice cream cake

8.14.18: tissue paper flower gift topper

8.14.17: make a personalized shopping bag

8.14.16: quebec chicken

Dirty Shirley

I haven't made this yet but I'm going to a party at my sis's later and I'm going to bring this as my byob - I'll add a pic later! Thought I'd share now so I don't forget (after I've had a couple of these LOL).

To make a Dirty Shirley, pour 1 ½ oz vodka (or your spirit of choice), ¾ oz grenadine, and 4 to 6 oz soda or ginger ale in an ice-filled glass. Stir and top with a cherry (or two).

According to Juli Hale, senior culinary specialist in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen, the traditional Shirley Temple recipe includes lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, grenadine, and a maraschino cherry. The Dirty Shirley just adds a shot of booze. Often it's vodka, but you can opt for tequila, rum, or gin. "Choose your white spirit," Hale advises. Another plus to adding alcohol (on top of the obvious): It helps tone down the excessive sweetness.

article found here 

PS: Happy Birthday to my sissy!!! 

8.13.21: taco cake

8.13.20: notebook paper frame

8.13.19: TT - opening a can

8.13.18: framed travel coins

8.13.17: chicken tortellini salad

8.13.16: copycat purple drink

Candied Almonds

Made these candied almonds for a little hostess gift - I've never made them before and they turned out just like the warm ones I get at hockey games (or the mall). I'm not a huge nut lover in things, like baked goods or salads, but nibbling these sweet and salty almonds is hard to resist; and I wish I had a smell button so you could experience how great my kitchen smelled afterwards!

I actually just googled which is correct in the above sentence - smelled or smelt! Either works, fyi, but smelt is more used primarily in British english...fun fact hahaha.

Now you gotta make these almonds!

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/4 t. nutmeg
• Himalayan sea salt (flakes or coarse)

Instructions:

Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray - or use a silicon mat instead which is what I did. Set aside.

In a medium nonstick saucepan, combine water, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and heat on medium-high, Stir until sugar dissolves then bring the mixture to a boil. 

Once it's boiling add the almonds and reduce the heat to medium. Stir frequently until the sugar crystallizes around the almonds, it took me about 10 minutes. 

When the sugar crystallizes it's a little difficult to stir but keep at it. I was worried the nuts were going to burn so I stirred constantly. The few recipes I looked at said eventually the sugar will remelt and carmelize, with the liquid caramel coating the almonds. While it did eventually start to remelt for me, it really seemed like it was going to burn - so once I got the texture like my favorite stadium nuts (it's a hard and coarse texture, not smooth like candy coated) I removed them from the heat and poured the mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Separate the nuts while still warm so they aren't in clumps. Sprinkle with salt to taste. 

Let the almonds stand at room temperature until cool and hard. Break them apart and serve. 

8.12.21: room assignment cards

8.12.20: mini banana cream pies

8.12.19: zucchini chickpea patties

8.12.18: 🔥 week 32

8.12.17: baked spinach dip

8.12.16: candy bouquet

Salted Caramel Chocolate Ice Cream Cake

I made this for Jeff's birthday last weekend and it was a big hit - unlike some past desserts (I'll never hear the end of the whole 'frozen milk dud jawbreaker' ice cream cake hahaha!!). I was inspired by a recipe I found on Pinterest, then changed it up a bit. I mostly changed it up a bit because she made her own ganache and caramel sauce and I have both of those on hand and figured I'd skip a couple steps hahahha. Yes, sometimes skipping steps is ok ;) Here's how I made it and I'll link the inspo recipe after. 

• 1 (12.5 oz) Keibler fudge graham crackers (minus 1 that I couldn't resist eating)
• 2 T. sugar
• pinch of coarse salt
• 6 T. melted unsalted butter 
• 2 half gallons vanilla ice cream with caramel swirls
• caramel sauce 
• milk chocolate hot fudge sauce (we like Sanders for both sauces)
• mini chocolate chips
• cool whip
• chocolate magic shell
• caramel magic shell

Spray a 9" springform with non-stick cooking spray and line with foil or plastic wrap and spray again. 

Crush the graham crackers in a food processor (or by hand - put in a big ziplock bag and smash) into crumbs. Mix with the sugar, salt, and melted butter - remove a handful of the crumbs for later and firmly press the rest into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread a thin layer of chocolate sauce on top of the crust. Put in the freezer for a few minutes. 

Meanwhile, let 1 of the half gallons of ice cream sit out until it gets soft enough to spread. 

Remove the crust from the freezer, spread with the softened ice cream. Drizzle some hot fudge and caramel sauce over the ice cream, top with the reserved graham cracker crumbs and sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips. Put back in the freezer to firm the ice cream back up.

While that layer is freezing, remove the other half gallon of ice cream from the freezer and let it sit out until it gets soft enough to spread. 

Once the first layer is firm, remove it from the freezer and add the second half gallon of ice cream. Add a layer of cool whip and put back in the freezer to firm up. Note: this is a birthday cake and (obviously) it's too hard to try to insert candles when serving - this time I was smart enough to put the candles into the ice cream before freezing it for the last time. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve. 

Run a knife around the cake before removing it from the springform pan. Before cutting the cake we drizzled magic shell over the top, more chocolate and caramel sauce would be good too - Jeff likes magic shell so I went with that. 

8.11.21: baked breakfast frittata

8.11.20: TT - brownie liners

8.11.19: 🔥 week 32

8.11.18: boozy bears (gummy bears soaked in vodka!)

8.11.17:  bead bracelets with charms

8.11.16: citrus pesto