{On the Menu:} Crab Cakes

May 22nd, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

Looking for the perfect summer delight? This crab cake recipe is a family favorite (we even served them at Lauren’s first birthday party), but they come with a serious warning.  Once you make them you will NEVER be able to eat crab cakes in a restaurant again.  These crab cakes are so good that no others will compare and you’ll only be left disappointed (trust me it’s happened).

Maryland Crab Cakes

Printable Crab Cakes recipe.

1 lb cooked crab meat, picked over

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tbs. finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tbs. finely chopped green onion with top

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. freshly ground white pepper

2 tbs. unsalted butter

2 tbs. olive oil

all-purpose flour

tarter sauce (recipe follows) Read more

{Menu Monday:} Week of May 20, 2013 & a BIG surprise!

May 20th, 2013 4 Comments
Posted in: Eats, Family

It’s hard to believe that just one month from today we’ll be back here (Kauai, Hawaii) celebrating this (our TENTH wedding anniversary)! The time has flown by, and while this won’t be our first return visit to the Garden Island since our big day back in 2003, it will be Lauren’s first trip to the Aloha State.  She’s such a fantastic little traveler and did so great on the longs flights to and from Paris earlier this year that we figured there was no better time than now for a trip to this place we love.

Here’s our menu for this week: (and keep reading for a BIG surprise at the end of today’s post) Read more

{Easy} Valentine’s Breakfast Ideas

Feb 11th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats, Entertaining

Since we’re away, I don’t have my regular {Menu Monday} post to share with you today.  Instead, I have some easy Valentine’s breakfast ideas.  Lauren and I served up these goodies to our friends last week.  They are perfect for a Valentine’s morning playdate or just a quite morning at home with the ones you love.

“We’re Bananas for You!”

Serve up some of homemade banana bread or muffins.  My Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an extra sweet start to the day.

“We’re Berry Glad We’re Friends!”

How about some simple yogurt parfaits.  Strawberry yogurt topped with blueberries and diced strawberries.

“You’re the Apple of My Eye!”

And, I’ve saved the easiest for last! Apple slices!

A well stocked craft room and five minutes on the computer allowed me to whip up the buffet labels.  Another cute idea for a beverage is “You’re My Cup of Tea.

Come back soon because I’ll be sharing a few more cute Valentine’s ideas as well as my most recent party (a “Snow Sprinkle”) later this week!

{On the Menu:} Asian Meatballs

Feb 7th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

These deliciously saucy Asian meatballs, for via FoodGawker years ago, make a great appetizer or accompaniment.   Try whipping up a batch to celebrate Chinese New Year this weekend.

Asian Meatballs

1 pound ground beef or pork (I used half a pound of each)

1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 cup Panko
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 eggs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup thinly-sliced green onions

Sauce:
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat oven to 400.

In a large bowl, mix together meatball ingredients until well-combined.  Shape into balls, and place on a greased baking sheet or in a 9×13 baking dish.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until meatballs are golden on the outside and no longer pink on the inside.

While the meatballs are baking, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients until blended.  Once meatballs have finished cooking, pour the sauce over the meatballs and gently stir them until covered. Serve warm.

If you’re looking for a great children’s book on Chinese New Year, I highly recommend Sam and the Lucky Money  by  Karen Chinn.  It’s a heartwarming story that not only teaches about Chinese New Year traditions, but also about the importance of helping those who are less fortunate.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Best wishes and congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year.)

{On the Menu:} Sweet & Sour Chicken

Feb 5th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

They say necessity is the mother of invention and that’s definitely the case with this recipe.  It’s no secret that Andy’s a bit of a picky eater, especially when it comes to Chinese food.  Currently there aren’t any “acceptable” options in our area for take out, so after a bit of experimenting Andy has created his own recipe for all white-meat Sweet & Sour Chicken.  I don’t think I’m being biased when I say it’s the best I’ve ever had!  What I love most about this recipe is that you know exactly what’s in it, and it’s really nothing out of the ordinary.  We hope you enjoy! Read more

{Menu Monday:} Week of February 4, 2013

Feb 4th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

I’m often asked how I go about planning our menu each week.  One of the primary things I consider when deciding what we’ll eat is what we already have on hand.  Not only what’s in the pantry, but especially any perishable items.  Our menu this week’s menu is a good example of this.

Andy loves avocados and they’re a staple in our house.  We buy bags of them at Costco a few times a month.  Rightnow we have several that are ripe and ready to be enjoyed.  For this week we’ve chosen dinners that highlight them.

Monday: Tacos
Read more

{Spicy} Potato Skins

Feb 1st, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

Every year since we were in college Andy and I have had our own little Super Bowl party.  Some years family or friends joined us, and other years it’s just been us.  One thing we always make is potato skins.  Since Sunday is the big day, I though I’d share our recipe.

 Potato Skins

(adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook)

4 large baking potatoes

2 teaspoons cooking oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

4 ounces cheddar cheese or reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)

sour cream or ranch dressing, optional
Read more

Christmas Candyland Cookie Exchange

Dec 20th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats, Entertaining

Wednesday, Lauren and I hosted our Third Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange.  Our theme this year was “Christmas Candyland.” I think my candy-themed December Wreath of the Month really had me in a sweet holiday mood this year and inspired the party’s theme.

This adorable (and free) printable set from Forever Yours Prints via PIZZAZZERIE was perfect and made styling the party SO easy! Thank you, Forever Yours Prints and PIZZAZZERIE!

Drink Table featuring Christmas Candyland Punch

Water Bottles with Printable Wraps

The party started at 11:00 AM.  A small group of around fifteen friends joined us for a lunch of salad and baked ziti with meatballs.  After lunch the kids all played and the moms visited.  Finally it was time for dessert and cookie collecting!

Dessert Table

Read more

{Menu Monday:} Week of December 17, 2012

Dec 17th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

Monday: Barbecue Hamburgers

My great Aunt Thelma’s recipe.  As it says in the cookbook, “Just an old family favorite!”

Tuesday: BLTs & Fruit Salad

Wednesday: Meatball Sandwiches & Salad

Thursday: Barbecue Chicken Salad

Friday: Tacos

Only 8 days until Christmas!

This Just P{IN}ned: S’mores French Toast

Dec 13th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats

My obsession with s’more is no secret.  I’m pretty sure I’ve gained an extra five pounds over the past six months because I realized you can make them in the oven.  They’re a legitimate and healthy snack, right? Seriously, I would eat them daily if I could.

Anyhow, when I saw this pin (via on BS in the Kitchen) Pinterest a few weeks ago it was move over pancakes and “HELLO” S’mores French Toast for Saturday morning breakfast! Now I can eat s’more for breakfast too!

S’more French Toast

2 slices white bread

4 graham crackers (crushed)

1/2 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar (6 rectangles)

4 marshmallows, toasted in oven

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

Whisk together eggs, cream, and vanilla.  Dip bread into mixture egg mixture, coating both side, and then coat with crushed graham crackers on both sides.

Cook the first side of each piece of French toast as you normally would.  Flip and top cooked sides with toasted marshmallows and chocolate squares while the second sides cook.  Sandwich both pieces together and enjoy the googey s’mores goodness!

It’s not rocket science, but it is yummy! I should also mention that original pinned recipe included adding cinnamon (and nutmeg) to the egg mixture.  I tried this on my first attempt at making this dish and didn’t care for the cinnamon flavor with the chocolate.  I’m not a huge fan or cinnamon to begin with, but if you are you might consider adding a teaspoon or so. Enjoy!

French Toast not your thing? My friend Jen email me this pin for S’more Waffles last weekend.  See? My obsession is no secret, but at least my friend have accepted it as a part of me.

 

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