Packaging Kitchen Treats

Hope YOU all had a wonderful Fathers Day weekend.

Today's post is written with my friend Pat~the author of GYPSY HEART~in mind.  She has made several comments regarding packaging of things...so, I thought I would make a little post out of it.

Anybody can make anything look nice!!!  It is pretty simple if you keep a few things close by and in one spot so that you can "pretty up" something within minutes.

Growing up in Europe was a wonderful thing...and their packaging was simple and beautiful.  Stopping by the bakery on the way to school and occasionally the candy store was a treat, but I was always impressed by how the smallest of items purchased were packaged.  Even a pretzel was tucked into a small paper bag!  Candy and sugared nuts were placed into floral paper cones and sealed with a sticker.  Talking about attention to detail.  If they could take the time to wrap flowers with cellophane and twine with a line out the door, I certainly could take a few extra minutes to make my goods look a bit prettier with keeping a few essentials on hand.

My father-in-law used to always remind me that white is the absence of COLOR.  I think he was afraid that our home was turning into a sterile-looking hospital ward.  The fact that I painted over the solid oak kitchen cabinets and the faux rock around our fireplace was more than he could handle. Anyhoo, he loves me despite my love for all.things.white!
But, truth be told, white goes with everything unless you are into goth.  It is easiest to go with white or the KRAFT color when it comes to packaging kitchen treats...and the best thing about white is that your treats look even more delicious because the color of what you made just POPS!  OH.YES!  Even plain ol' oatmeal raisin cookies packaged in a white sandwich bag or small cookie box look lovely!  Just imagine how M&M Monster cookies would look!

  There is no need to keep up with the trendy trends either which gives you one less thing to think about in keeping your kitchen treat supply stocked year-round.  BUT for those of you who need color and frills {PAULA} it is fun to add a favorite color of twine, ribbon or stamp color for your tags.

You can use anything really to keep your supplies in, but if you have no idea where to start, I suggest getting a caady that you can use.  They are in season now and you can usually find them in with the bbq and picnic things.  You may even find one on clearance now.

Here are a few ideas to keep on hand.  Keep it SIMPLE with very few choices so that it is do-able and not overwhelming.  This is supposed to be fun and practical.  Too many choices will take TIME which we are trying to save on.

SUPPLIES:

*cellophane bags

*paper sandwich bags

*small white paper bags

*small, sharp scissors and a few paper punches

*tags

*stick glue and tape

*plain kitchen twine, a spool of colored twine and a fun ribbon or two.  When certain holidays approach, you may want to add a festive twine that goes along with the holiday you are celebrating.  Then, when it is past, pack it away until the following year.  If you want to keep it super duper easy red and white twine goes perfectly with most holidays...the 4th of July, Labor Day, Christmas, Valentines Day etc.

 

I hope this gives you a few ideas.  Have fun with it and I would love to hear YOUR ideas!


ENJOY!

Happy Monday!




Shared with:  comfy in the kitchen

Share

Scott's Firehouse Grilled Fajita Taco Salad

Since it is Father's Day weekend and this is our family blog...I must talk about my hubby just a bit.

Since my hubby knew our Caleb was graduating and our Riss was getting married, he decided to make some major lifestyle changes.  Loosing weight was something he had been working on for awhile, but it kept coming back.  Of course, my cooking and baking weren't helping the situation either!  But fitting into a smaller size dress pants for Caleb's graduation and the daddy/daughter dance at his little girl's wedding was the elusive dangling donut carrot!!

On the way back from a long walk, with a free coupon in hand, we stopped into WOOHOO for a smoothie.

We were met by Tracy who just started talking to us as though we were old friends.  She was starting a BIGGEST LOOSER class {where they would weigh in, take a walk as a group and then come back for a short class on nutrition, portion control etc.} and invited my hubby to join and welcomed me to stroll along for the walks...

He DID IT...and is doing GREAT!!! 

NEVER in the 25+years that my hubby and I have known each other have I seen him so happy about his weight.

He is hovering around the minus 30lb. mark!

I am so thankful for Tracy and for her passion to help those who struggle and who have tried a million and one ways to loose the weight and to keep it off.

Thank you, Tracy for all your help, support and flexibility with his crazy schedule!!

So, HERBALIFE and WOOHOO is on my list of favorites!

********************************************************************************

Anyhoo, hubby is finding all kinds of ways to add flavor to old favorites.

Normally, the chicken was placed on tortilla shells, slathered with shredded cheese and serrano cream.

Now, the chicken is placed on a bed of dark, healthy, oh.so.good.for.you greens, topped with sliced   chicken and lotsa grilled veggies with serrano cream ~made with yogurt instead of sour cream.

Again, the firehouse recipes are relatively fast.  This one takes a bit more time...but can easily be prepped earlier on in the day and grilled in very little time!

ENJOY this packed-full-of-goodness-meal!

Grilled Fajita Taco Salad

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. liquid smoke

2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 serrano pepper, seeds removed and sliced

Juice of:  1 orange, 2 limes and 2 lemons

3 garlic cloves or less {we just love garlic!}

*Desired amount of greens like spinach, romaine, fancy greens etc.

Grilled Veggies:

1 red onion, sliced

2 red peppers, sliced

2 yellow peppers, sliced

*Place veggies in  ZIPLOC gallon bag with a tad bit of olive oil.  Keep chilled until ready to grill.

Directions:

*Place chicken in ZIPLOC gallon bag along with the liquid smoke, oil, salt, pepper, serrano, juices and garlic.  Let sit for at least 1 hr. and up to 24 hrs. in the fridge.

*Grill chicken on the bbq until juices run clear and it is fully cooked.  Remove from grill and place on a plate covered with tin foil.

*Once the chicken is cooked and "resting" under the tin foil, place the veggies in a veggie grill basket and let it char a bit.  stir it a couple of times and that is it.

{If you don't have a grill basket, they make great Father's Day gifts!  Or, just make sure the veggies are cut large enough so that they don't fall through the grates on the grill.}

*Prepare your salad beds and place sliced chicken, grilled veggies, avocado and serrano cream on top...or you can eat them on a tortilla shell...

Serrano Cream

3 Serrano peppers

1 large clove of garlic

½ tsp. sea salt

½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream

*Seed, devein and cut peppers into small pieces.

*Combine all ingredients in blender until well blended.

*Chill until ready to use.




Shared with:  stonegable, newlyweds, comfy in the kitchen

Share

{mini} Rum Crepes with Whipped Cream

Strawberry season is HERE!  It really.really is...which means berry fields in the morning, fresh strawberry jam, smoothies galore, strawberry shortcake, strawberry milkshakes, and the humble strawberry crepe!

This would be a fun dessert, don't you think? What about breakfast in bed? Not much more indulgent than THAT...unless you were to scarf these babies down on the deck at twilight!


{mini} Rum Crepes with Whipped Cream

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups 2% milk {The more fat, the better!}

1 Tbsp. rum or rum flavoring {vanilla paste or vanilla is also really great if rum is not an option}

3 large egg yolks

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

5 Tbsp. melted butter...I prefer unsalted, but salted is fine if that is what you have on hand

Directions:

*Blend all ingredients together in blender on high for 30 seconds.

*Scrape down sides of the blender and blend on high for 30 more seconds.

*Bring to room temperature before cooking.

*There are quite a few videos online if you need some helpful hints on how to make them.

*If you need to make these like NOW, simply heat a medium sized skillet to medium heat.  Use a bit of oil and ladle desired amount onto hot skillet, flip and place on a warm plate.  I use wax paper or parchment paper on top and draped with a tea towel to keep them warm.  They can also be cooked up ahead of time and kept chilled until ready to warm and serve.


*Use a scalloped cookie cutter {available at Sur la Table} and cut out rounds.

*Dice up fresh strawberries into teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, pieces and coat with a bit o' sugar and fresh lemon juice.

*Fill mini crepes with berries and roll up a bit.

*Serve these sweet little rum crepes with a small dish of fluffy whipped cream.

{I am off to watch good ol' Mr. Ed!!!}

Happy Strawberry Season!!!






Shared with:  comfy in the kitchen

Share

Carrot Cake at Twilight

This is an old post, but twilight in the Spring and Summer is my favorite time of the day!  Things seem to have settled down a bit from the busy day and there is never a lack of conversation because everybody has new stories from their activities.  Dinner dishes are usually done. :}  The lighting outside is simply stunning.  Twilight seems to beckon us to the back deck and sit.  Sit, talk, laugh, throw the ball for the spoiled puppy, listen to the light breeze as it whispers through the birtch trees, and watch the birdies take their evening baths before gliding into their nests for a quiet evening of rest before they wake in morning song!








There is something indulgent about enjoying the outdoors as the sun starts to fade...and to make it even better...a sweet dessert of any kind will do!  Even a handful of berries would be PERFECT!






Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
Joy of Baking


Preheat oven to 350*
Prepare two 9 inch round cake pans

Whisk together:

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon


Beat together in stand mixer:

4 eggs

1 ½ cups organic sugar

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 cup oil

1/2 cup crushed pineapple

Fold in:

2 1/2 cups carrots, finely grated

*Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.

*Fold in 2 1/2 cups carrots.

*Divide equally between the two prepared cake pans.

*Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

*Remove from oven and let sit on wire rack for about 10 minutes. Invert on to wire rack.

*Let cool completely before frosting.


Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

¼ cup unsalted butter, room temp
8 oz. cream cheese, room temp
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Finely grated lemon zest and/or orange zest of one half lemon

Stack cakes on cake plate, frost and garnish with coconut and DIG IN!



Don't forget to invite friends or neighbors over...




Happy Tuesday!

Share

Hello Monday

Hello to hot water with lemon and fresh mint.

Hello to great deals and spray painting projects.

Hello to silvery-blue...almost ripe blueberries.

Hello to beautiful new blooms.

Hello to reason # 210398463637 why boys need their mommas...and then a wife!!!

Hello to my very favorite bread {or onion} board!

Hello to leftover salad and grilled tuna fish sandwiches for dinner. 

Hello to clean sheet Monday, clean bathroom rugs, and to-do lists made for the week.

Happy Monday!

Shared with:  Lisa Leonard

Share

Crabby Melts

WHEW!! We are officially done with all things "school".  Graduation and our trip to Caldera Springs is behind us.  What an amazing time with 15 of the sweetest graduates EVER!  Now, our girlie is leaving for Kazakhstan and we will be getting Caleb ready for his trip to the Philippines.

Do you ever wake up feeling like a bit of a "free bird"... even if it is for a few minutes?

Anyhoo, hope all of you are well and are starting to look forward to the beautiful months of Summer. 

Crabby Melts

Ingredients:

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

6 oz. can crab meat...{Bumble Bee fancy white crab meat}

1 small bunch of green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 of one red pepper, diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced 

1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

{PUB BUNS}

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together and mix well.  It should be really creamy.  Toast Pub Buns before putting the mix on top to avoid soggy melts.

Place desired amount of crab mix on top of lightly toasted PUB BUNS and bake at 350* until crabby melts are bubbly and lightly browned...about 10 to 15 minutes.

Enjoy with fresh veggies, fruit and lemonade!

This and That:

Don't you wish peonies bloomed all year?

Caleb's Open House 

Simple is BEST!

Our two BLESSINGS:

The little LOVE BIRDS

The LOVE of my life...who makes every adventure so much fun...who wipes my tears, laughs with me and holds me tight!!!

...and PIE...SWEET PIE 

Happy almost Summer!!

Shared with:  stone gable, comfy in the kitchen

Share

Psalm 19

This morning I was soaking up Psalm 19.  How refreshing it is to read God's word and to be reminded of His Majesty.

I attempted to blog about our Caleb's graduation, but could not get the words out as I was so filled with emotion.  Honestly...the tears kept coming, so that will need to be finished soon as I do not want to forget all that we are thankful for.  Our theme for  Laurissa's senior year was With Gratitude and we have carried it over to Caleb, too because there is simply no other words that can be uttered.  It IS indeed with GRATITUDE that we have been entrusted with our two blessings!  God knew we needed both of them!

We are chaperoning the senior trip this week and are so looking forward to spending time with these amazing young adults...GOD IS GOOD!

I hope that you will take the time bask in HIS GLORY!

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice^[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵ It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Happy Sunday

Share