Category Archives: entertaining

Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Pops

Posted in appetizer, cut calories, entertaining, game day appetizer, low-carb, superbowl sunday appetizer by

Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Pops

IMG_8471
With Superbowl Sunday just around the corner, I know many of you are looking for HEALTHY appetizers to balance out all the junk food we tend to indulge in while watching the big game.  Here is a repost of a popular one that is both simple, satisfying and guilt free!  Enjoy!Tomato Basil Appetizer

1 dry pint (basket) of cherry tomatoes
1 carton of fresh mozzarella cheese (small balls or you can cut up larger ones)
10-20 fresh basil leaves (depending on size)
good quality extra virgin olive oil
good quality balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toothpicks

 Directions

Wash tomatoes and basil and allow to dry; Thread tooth picks with tomato, basil leaf and cheese; Arrange on a serving dish; Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl; Drizzle over tomato skewers.   Add more salt and pepper if desired.

Salad Variation: eliminate the toothpicks and cut the basil leafs with scissors. Toss all ingredients together and serve in a pretty bowl for a yummy, fresh side salad.

 

 

Masala Meatballs with Mango Ginger Chutney

Posted in appetizer, entertaining by

img_8040This easy-peasy appetizer is so simple but the flavor combination is devine.

Masala Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 package Trader Joe’s Party Size Mini Meatballs
  • 1 jar Trader Joe’s Masala Simmer Sauce
  • 1 jar Trader Joe’s Mango & Ginger Chutney

DIRECTIONS

Slowcooker Method
In a  slowcooker, heat the meatballs and simmer sauce for about 2-3 hours on high until heated through.

Oven Method
Preheat oven to 350°. Place meatballs on a jellyroll pan  and cover with masala sauce. Place in oven and let cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until meatballs are heated through and sauce is hot.

Serve warm alongside a small dipping bowl of Mango & Ginger Chutney.  What could be simpler?

Herb Roasted Tilapia

Posted in cut calories, entertaining, fish, low-carb, main meal by

 Herb Roasted Tilapia

Yield: 2 Servings
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

2 boneless tilapia fish fillets
1/2- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons EVOO
3-4 large sprigs fresh thyme
4-6 large green olives with pits
1 large egg

Directions

Continue reading →

Gingerbread Hula Dancers

Posted in dessert, entertaining, holiday favorites, sweet treat by

IMG_1086Gingerbread Hula Dancers

My daughter Dani decorates these whimsical cookies around the holidays and they always make me smile.  The dough is easy to make thanks to Trader Joe’s.  We make the dough with their  Gingerbread Cake and Baking Mix.   Here is the easy recipe…

Cookie Ingredients

1 box Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cake and Baking Mix
1 stick melted butter (1/2 cup)
1 large egg
1/3 cup canola oil
3/4 cup water

Frosting Ingredients

3 egg whites
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb.)
1 tsp. cream of tarter

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375degrees. Combine the mix, butter, egg in a medium sized bowl.  Form into a ball and refrigerate for 1 hour.  Roll out the dough on  a floured board about 1/8 inch thick  Cut into desired shapes.

IMG_7678 at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes.  Cool 2-3 minute and transfer to a wire rack.  Yields 4-5 dozen small gingerbread cookies (Less if you use large cookie cutters)
IMG_7677

 

 

 

 

Just before you are ready to decorate the cookies, mix up the frosting ingredients using a high speed mixer until it peaks.  Place in a decorator bag with the smallest tip you can find.  This frosting is great for gingerbread house decorating too!  The recipe makes more than enough.

img_1117

img_1106

Flank Steak with Blue Cheese and Herbs

Posted in AP's Favorites, entertaining, low-carb, main meal by

img_1786
Got a carnivorous craving? If you’re like me who tries to limit red meat intake but enjoys a great steak now and then, try this steak topper and enjoy the delicious taste of going to a fancy Steak House right from your own kitchen.

This is a great date night meal on a budget too.

Yield: 2 servings

Flank Steak with Blue Cheese and Herb Topping

 

Ingredients

½ – ¾ lb. beef flank steak
5-6 oz. mushrooms
¼ of an onion
1 oz. blue cheese crumbles
1 sprig of fresh thyme
1 sprigs of fresh rosemary
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Continue reading →

Mini Blueberry, White Peach & Goat’s Cheese Galettes (a lower sugar recipe) + GBBO 2015

Posted in dessert, entertaining, sweet treat by

I can’t wait to try this! It looks fabulous and I bet, tastes even better.

kellie anderson's avatarfood to glow

This easy to make, light as a feather spelt pie crust dough is the perfect beginner's baking recipe. Filled with blueberries, peaches and complementing goat's cheese make it sophisticated enough for company too. Apologies for non-UK readers. I’m going to gush a bit about something you won’t have seen. Recipe below! Plus SPOILER ALERT!!

‘I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say “I can’t do it”. I’m never gonna say “maybe”. I’m never gonna say “I don’t think I can”. I can and I will.’ Nadiya Hussein’s rousing response to winning the 2015 Great British Bake Off

Over 12 million people tuned in to see Nadiya storm the GBBO final in her usual soft yet steely fashion. But the creme de la creme (or the “creme pat”, if you will) was her astonishing response. Astonishing in a good way. It was the best acceptance speech I’ve ever heard (take note Hollywood: the city, not the grumpy, silver-fox GBBO judge).

View original post 366 more words