Super Bowl Sunday!!!!

Growing up I was not a fan of the Super Bowl. Despite being a cheerleader for a few years, I just could never get into the game. Then in college (and for some years after) the Super Bowl conflicted with my birthday - some years being the same day. That is not the best way to turn me into a fan! Finally the NFL wised up and pushed it back a week. Now I can enjoy my birthday weekend AND top off two months of gluttony with a big greasy finish.

Of course you don't have to go crazy on the calories for the Super Bowl. My contribution to the festivities in 2012 was a wonderful Jalapeno Popper Dip. I found the recipe on Pinterest and then changed a few ingredients to lighten it up. It was delicious!

Last year's dish was a take on the classic sliders and the calorie content was not as closely monitored. If you are hosting a large party, this particular dish is great because it stays warm in the slow cooker so people can help themselves!

Cheeseburger Bites
From Pillsbury Fast Slow Cooker Cookbook

This recipe includes my changes. One the major changes was that I doubled the recipe. The existing recipe only called for 1 lb of meat for 24 burger bites. This was just over a tablespoon per bite. I couldn't imagine anyone (especially guys) that would use so little! I also changed the cooking time thanks to the reviews on the website. 3 to 4 hours sounded crazy!

Bites
2 lb lean (at least 80% - I used 90 or 95% lean) ground beef
4 tablespoons ketchup
4 teaspoons instant minced onion (I didn't have minced onion so I finely chopped some onion and sauteed it before adding the meat.)
2 teaspoons yellow mustard
16 oz (2 blocks) cheddar cheese, or whatever cheese you like (the recipe called for American and I used 1 block of cheddar and 1 Monterey Jack), cut into 2 inch cubes
24 miniature burger buns

Toppings
Dill pickle chips
Sliced plum (Roma) tomatoes
Shredded lettuce (I used butter lettuce from a bag of salad.)
Additional ketchup and mustard
Other toppings you enjoy - I also provided relish, sauteed onions, and mayo.

1. In 10 inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in ketchup, onion (unless you cooked fresh onion with the meat), and mustard.

2. Spray 3 1/2 to 4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spoon beef mixture into slow cooker. Top with cheese.

3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting for 1 - 2 hours. Check at one hour to see if the cheese is melted. It may still look "cubed" but if you start to stir it the cubes fall away. I found that mine was ready in a little over an hour. With occasional stirring, this dish will hold on Low heat for several hours. Eventually I did turn off the slow cooker and with the lid on it stayed warm. It can burn if left on for too long.

4. Serve with the buns and toppings. Either assemble yourself or create a buffet for guests to top as they desire.

Photo courtesy of Pillsbury as I forgot to take one.

Looking for some more great recipes for the big game? Thrillist posted some great recipes earlier today. You can find them here.


So now that you have your food squared away, you need to think decor. Here are a few easy ways to dress up your Super Bowl party.

Free Signage
There are a number of free Super Bowl printables available online. You can do a simple search via search engine or Pinterest. This set from A to Zebra Celebrations is both simple and cute. Here is a sample of what you will find.

Make Easy Signage
I made this little sign to fit the Tolsby frame from IKEA. A simple font was used so that anyone attending the party could make one for their dish. Just pulled the Super Bowl logo online and added a border and a text box in Word. Super simple!

Double Duty Decor
Get this great cylinder set from IKEA and fill with a variety of items including football shaped chocolates and plastic football or helmet rings. Guests can snack on the chocolate and wear the rings!

Hope you have a great Super Bowl Sunday and that you win your score square! If you have some favorite dishes for the Super Bowl, be sure to share them below!

Simple (and Relatively Healthy) Recipes for the Holidays

With only a couple weeks until Christmas, I am looking at recipes and trying to figure out what delicious contributions I can make to my family's holiday meals. In the process I realized that I have a few recipes I could share with you might make your search a little easier!

Cocktail

Holiday Floats

Last month I shared a couple signature drinks I have made for previous Thanksgivings. This year I created "Thanksgiving Floats" which are easily rebranded "Holiday Floats". I used Martha Stewart's Everyday Food recipe for Cranberry & Apple Cider Sorbet for these floats. I followed the recipe as it was written with the exception of doubling the recipe. This meant it froze on a different timeline and even though I forgot about it in the freezer and mashed it late, it turned out wonderfully once I put it in the food processor. The flavor is quite strong but really mellows out once made into a float.

The assembly is quite simple. In addition to the sorbet you will need sparkling wine - I personally like Prosecco as it's not too dry or too sweet. Despite what my directions say in the photos below, I think the best way to assemble the floats is as follows:

1. Pour a small amount of sparkling wine in each glass. Allow the foam to subside.

2. Put 1 or 2 (depending on taste) small scoops of sorbet in the glass. I used a melon baller to get the right sized scoop for a champagne flute.

3. Slowly and carefully top with sparkling wine. The combination of the bubbly drink and the cold sorbet really causes it to foam up!

In order to keep the sorbet frozen, I took an ice bucket, filled it with ice, and then placed the bowl of sorbet on top. If you are hosting a party and want this drink to be self-serve, I would recommend doing something similar.

Appetizers

Tortellini Caprese Skewers

1 package whole wheat cheese tortellini
cherry tomatoes (I used Sweet 100s from my garden)
basil, cut or torn into skewer size pieces
Trader Joe's Balsamic Glaze
olive oil
coarse sea salt

1. Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Cool. If you don't have time to allow the tortellini to cool on their own, you can prepare an ice bath (ice & water) and plunge them for a quick cool down.

2. Assemble skewers using toothpicks sandwiching the basil between the tortellini and tomato. Be sure to skewer through the "meatiest" part of the tortellini and tomato for a sturdy appetizer.

3. Arrange dipping "sauces". Balsamic Glaze (can be substituted for a balsamic reduction) in one bowl, good quality olive oil in another, and coarse sea salt in another (or via a salt grinder) with small serving spoons. While I prefer to offer the selection of classic toppings, you could also just drizzle one or the other over a platter of skewers.

Note - I actually originally made these for a picnic at the end of summer but the colors and simplicity make them a perfect appetizer for the holidays!

 

 

 

Caramelized Onion, Gruyere and Bacon Spread

 

I made this delicious spread last year for Christmas and it was a huge hit! I found the recipe on the Cooking Light website. At only 100 calories for 3 tablespoons, you can feel free to indulge! The creamy cheese, caramelization of the onions and subtle saltiness of the bacon makes this dip seem much more decadent than it actually is.

 

Something to note - you have to cut up A LOT of onions for this recipe (this is what makes it so low cal despite all of the other delicious ingredients). If you are sensitive to the aroma, you may want to wear eye covering. I had to keep stopping because I couldn't stop crying! Also, I prepped the entire spread the day before with the exception of adding the final layer of cheese. If you are trying to get a number of items ready, just having to pop this in the oven is a big time saver. I served this spread with Trader Joe's Rye Crisps and crostinis.

Photo courtesy of Cooking Light

 

 

 

Side Dish/Salad

 

Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots

 

This was another great find from Cooking Light! Our main dish last Christmas was a pork roast and these potatoes went wonderfully. I think this dish would go equally well with any number of proteins as the shallots and rosemary really help tame the sweetness of the potatoes.

Photo courtesy of Cooking Light

 

 

Christmas Spinach Salad

 

This is a salad that was inspired by one my friend brought to an event several years ago. I just love the contrast of the pomegranate seeds against the spinach leaves. Unfortunately no photos of this one but I promise it is very simple.

 

1 bag of pre-washed spinach leaves

feta cheese, crumbled (I like the fat free or reduced fat.)

fresh pomegranate seeds (dried can be substituted but it isn't as good)

walnuts, chopped & lightly toasted

balsamic salad dressing

 

1. Fill a large bowl with spinach leaves and top with the feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts - use your best judgement as to proportions. You want to garnish the salad - not have the toppings in equal proportion to the spinach.

 

2. Just before serving, toss with dressing or allow everyone to dress their own salads.

 

 

I hope these recipes have given you a place to start when planning your holiday meals and gatherings. The options really are endless! I am a crazy Pin-aholic so please check out my Pinterest page for lots more recipe ideas!

 

 



 

 

On the Tart Side's Holiday Gift Guide

Everyone and their brother is doing a holiday gift guide this time of year so I figured I would throw one more in the mix! While I still stand by the advice from my previous gift giving entry - You Shouldn't Have! - A Guide to Gifting - here are some creative items for everyone on your list!

Ladies first....

Gentle Reminders Pencils - Even though we ladies strive to embody all of these attributes, it never hurts to have a little reminder at our fingertips! These cute pencils come in a variety of colors (though I think the gold on white is very chic) and at just $12 a set are perfect for small gifts for co-workers or stocking stuffers. In addition Amanda Catherine Designs, the Etsy shop that sells the pencils, donates a portion of their proceeds to end child sex slavery & exploitation. These pencils are not quite the "write" sentiment? There are several other fabulous designs as well as a number of cute prints for your walls.

 

 

 

Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler Gold Chevron Picture Frame - As a huge Jonathan Adler fan, I was thrilled when he started designing a line for JCPenney! While MY wish list has a number of items from his regular store, you can't go wrong with this adorable $15 frame. The neutral tones of gold & white give it flexibility to work with a variety of different decors. Other stylish frames are priced similarly so you can bring that Jonathan Adler look to your home for a fraction of the cost! Also, right now all of the holiday themed items are on sale! Very cute stockings to dress up your mantel!

 

 

 

Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely All of It - Nothing says friendship more than crazy Patsy & Edina from Absolutely Fabulous! This just released DVD box set includes every episode, every special and lots of extras. While at the higher end (currently approximately $143 on Amazon) it would make a very memorable gift. Don't forget a bottle of Stoli and some champagne sweetie darling!

 

 

And now for the Gentlemen....

 

Antonio Glasses Holder - I am a big fan of anything that makes boring more fun. Lose your shades frequently? Not anymore! What guy wouldn't want to see his glasses perched on top of a moustache? At only $6.99, it also can double as a conversation piece on your entry table. Is it practical? Is it art? It's both! Available at The Container Store.

 

 

 

 

 

Recycled Vinyl Record Bookends - Regardless if he uses these bookends to hold up his own vinyl collection or a bunch of encyclopedias, give his bookshelf a facelift! IKC Designs confirms that no viable records are harmed in the creation of these bookends so for $24 a set he can cozy his books up next to some vintage vinyl. One can only hope that such classics as Air Supply and Milli Vanilli end up in your order. These records are coming from my home state of Ohio so you never know what you might get!

Craft Beer Connect - Shopping for a craft beer lover? Give them the gift that keeps on giving with a membership to Craft Beer Connect! Memberships start at just $30 per shipment and you have several options depending on the types of beer you would like to gift/receive. Prefer to do a one time shipment? That is an option too - same options and prices but as single transaction. You can even select your beers if you want! Please read any shipment restrictions carefully as not all states allow the shipment of alcohol.





 

 

 

 

Don't forget the kiddos!

 

Fingernail Friends - I remember the year that Santa brought me my first nail polish. It was supposed to be kid friendly however I recall sitting in my parents' bathroom waiting FOREVER for it dry. Kids are not known for being great at the waiting game which is where this product comes in. Choose either Butterflies or Zoo Animals and have fabulous nails in seconds with these great stickers from The Container Store. At just $4.99 they make a great stocking stuffer!

 

 

 

 

Incog-Neato Moustaches - Movember might be over but kids will love playing with this fun selection of moustaches from The Land of Nod. Hours of make believe await for just $7.95!

 

 

 

 

 

What about a gift for the ENTIRE FAMILY?

 

 

Zoku Quick Pop Maker - Kids want popsicles, parents want to provide a healthy snack with minimal time and effort - enter the Zoku Quick Pop Maker. You simply store your pop maker (makes either one, two, or three pops simultaneously depending on model) in the freezer and when the popsicle mood strikes, simply fill with your favorite juice, chocolate almond milk, etc. In just seven minutes you will have fully formed popsicles! Each slot can make up to three pops before needing to be fully refrozen. The maker comes with instructions on how to make fancy layered pops if you want to get creative. The single pop maker starts at just $24.95 and is available directly through Zoku as well as Williams Sonoma; Amazon; Bed, Bath & Beyond among others.

 

 

 

 

Show your favorite Host or Hostess that they truly are the Mostest!

 

Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato - Last year I traveled to Australia and while there discovered this wonderful, light, sweet sparkling wine - Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato. While a traditional champagne is a safe choice, I think this particular wine is a very fun and festive option for a hostess gift. Rather than a champagne cork, the bottle is topped with a bottle cap which is very unique. In Australia they also serve this wine on draft at bars in fabulous beakers. K&L is selling this wine for just $10.99 a bottle so at this price you can pick up a case!

 

 

 

 

Journals from Kikki K - Kikki K is another discovery from my time down under - a Swedish themed stationary company based in Australia. Kikki K has the most amazing journals - not just a book with blank pages but one that helps take you on a journey. The two examples I included below are two of my personal favorites. The "A Sentence a Day Journal: Celebrate Today" is a three year journal where you write one sentence about your day each day. It is a wonderful way to reflect on the little things that make up the days of our life. Another favorite is the "Happiness Journal" which provides activities and places to write you monthly objectives to exploring your own happiness. I could go on and on so it is better to just take a moment and see for yourself (I bought my guestbook from this store - it is similar to this book). Prices vary and international shipping is free with orders of $150 or more.

 



 

 

Last but not least a fun item for your office gift exchange!

 

Misheard Lyrics Coaster Set - I just saw these coasters this week and thought they were just too fun! Coasters with commonly misheard lyrics are an automatic conversation starter - Did you ever think they were singing that? What lyrics did you realize you sang wrong for years? With a price of $20 they are the perfect price point for your gift exchange!

 

 

 

What is the best gift you've ever received? Any favorites for this year you are hoping to find under the tree? Happy Gifting!

 

 











Product Placement Wednesday - Trader Joe's Pita Crisps with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds

Yes, I know that it isn't Wednesday but I couldn't wait until Wednesday to share this product with you! Earlier this season our friends at Trader Joe's teased us with a great product called Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps. They were very similar to the Raisin Rosemary Crisps but in far less supply. As with so many of their seasonal products, these guys flew off the shelves. Don't miss out next year! In the meantime, I have a slightly different product that you will love equally as much!

Trader Joe's Pita Crisps with Cranberries and Pumpkin Seeds

In case you are wondering how good these pita crisps are I will tell you I wish I never opened the bag - they are that addicting! Of course addicting in the best possible way! They are the perfect combo if you don't know if you want something sweet or savory. They lean towards the sweet side as they have a sugar coating though have that crunchiness of savory snacks. I have been enjoying mine with the Mini Brie Bites (for portion control) but I think they would be equally good with other soft cheeses like goat cheese. They are also delicious on their own! Trader Joe's recommends enjoying then with egg salad but I really think the cracker is too sweet for that flavor profile. I would stick with plain hummus, cheese (be careful if the flavor is too bold), and sliced turkey. Also, they are whole wheat so they are TOTALLY good for you! No matter how you serve them, they are the perfect addition to your holiday spread. Don't miss out!

Still looking for a cocktail to serve on Thanksgiving? Be sure to check out my last post here!

Turkey Day Cocktails

Last week I shared with you a couple fun ideas for Thanksgiving tablescapes using the same products on each table. As promised, I am pleased to share some delicious cocktails to make your Thanksgiving more festive! The two recipes I am sharing today are for Apple Cider Margaritas and Lingonberry Royales. Both are drinks I have successfully served at previous Thanksgivings. The Lingonberry Royale has been a recurring Thanksgiving drink whereas the Apple Cider Margarita was inspired by my initial discovery of Pinterest!

Apple Cider Margaritas
This recipe is modified from the recipe on How Sweet it Is. Photo credit also goes to this site as I was too busy drinking margaritas to take a photo! I changed this recipe due to cost of ingredients as well as simplicity in serving for a large crowd. The margaritas in the original recipe would need to be individually made and at an event with over 20 people that was not realistic. The portions below are for one drink so multiple for the quantity of drinks/size of pitcher.

1 ounce Citronge
1 ounce gold tequila
5-6 ounces apple cider (I used both Trader Joe's Spiced Cider and their Pear Cinnamon Cider and thought both were great.)
orange wedges
sugar (coarse preferred)
cinnamon
ice

1. Mix Citronage, tequila and cider together in a pitcher. I recommend having the cider chilled in advance.

2. Mix sugar and cinnamon together and place on a saucer. This will be used to rim the glasses. I did a 50/50 mixture.

3. Take a glass and rub the lip with an orange wedge. Dip the glass lip into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Squeeze the remaining juice from the orange into the glass and toss the wedge into the bottom of the glass.

4. Fill the glass with ice and the tequila mixture. Enjoy!

Lingonberry Royale
This is a take on the classic Kir Royale. If you have never tasted a lingonberry before, I like to say that they taste like a cranberry and a raspberry had a baby but in reality it is probably more like a tiny cranberry. Sounds perfect for Thanksgiving doesn't it!?!? I get the lingonberry concentrate from IKEA however if you don't have an IKEA handy you can order from Amazon. I think an unsweetened cranberry juice (or at least a naturally sweetened - NOT cranberry juice cocktail) could probably work in a pinch as well.

lingonberry drink concentrate
water
sparkling wine

1. Mix 1x lingonberry drink concentrate to 2x water. Keep in mind that you will end up with 3x the amount of lingonberry so choose your proportions carefully. The water is key in order for the concentrate to mix with the sparkling wine. Otherwise it is too heavy and does not mix well.

2. Place lingonberry mixture in a champagne flute (to taste) and top with sparkling wine. Serve!

 

NOTE: Not an actual photo of a Lingonberry Royale however a close approximation.

 

 

What will you be serving with your Thanksgiving dinner? Do you have a favorite seasonal cocktail?

 



Thanksgiving Tablescapes - 1 Set of Decor, 2 Ways

While we are still a few weeks away from Thanksgiving, it is never too early to start thinking about your holiday tablescape! The past two years I have been a host/co-host for the big Thanksgiving dinner and figuring out the plan for the table has been one of my primary tasks. Here are two examples of how I took the same basic items and created two very different tablescapes.

Tablescape #1 - Classic Meets Childhood Nostalgia

Items purchased from Michael's:

• Silk Autumn leaves (since in California ACTUAL leaves are difficult to come by)
• Clear votive holders
• Pine cones
• White banner paper
• Crayons

Items purchased from Trader Joe's:

• Assorted mini pumpkins and gourds

Thanksgiving this particular year was a large group that did not know each other well (multiple friend groups) so we wanted to make sure the table was festive but also fun. We also had a lot of table top to cover so we wanted to get the most bang for our buck. We used folding tables which are not as wide as a standard dining table so the best use of space was to do a "runner" of decor down the center of the table. As you can see in the photo below, we alternated the various elements to create variety along the center of the table.

So what about these crayons and the childhood nostalgia? Do you remember back to your early educational years when you made Thanksgiving turkeys by tracing around your hand? Yep, we brought them back! Since we wanted to mix up the group and encourage people to get to know each other we thought this was a fun way to do our placecards! Then once you were done eating (or taking a break) you could use the crayons on the table to decorate your bird. I wish I would have taken some photos of the finished products - this was a very creative group!

 

 

While our group was a mixed bag of ages, this idea could work for the "kids table" even if you plan a more formal tablescape for your Thanksgiving.

 

Tablescape #2 - Eclectic Chic

 

When year number two rolled around and I looked to repurposing our Thanksgiving decor, I was dealing with a very different venue and group size. Dinner was for just six around the dining table at my home. I wanted to go with something a bit more formal but still fun. Items I used from the previous year include:

 

• Silk Autumn leaves
• Clear votive holders (I used some with texture that I picked up at a garage sale for just $.25 each!)
• Pine cones
• Mini pumpkins (Purchased new)

To this I added a printed tablecloth (borrowed from a friend) and a modern white vase (also from a garage sale though originally from CB2) with flowers from Trader Joe's. My original vision was with a white tablecloth and while that would have showcased the decor a bit more, I do think the table came together nicely with the addition of the lime green napkins.

 

 

 

Last year post holiday I picked up these great mini ceramic pumpkins from Crate and Barrel on sale for just a couple dollars each! They are meant to be used as a vase but could just as easily be used as a candle holder or even just on their own! Unfortunately they are no longer sold online but I did see them last month at the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Carlsbad and they ship! I believe they were just $3 a piece.

Crate and Barrel does have a great product that is available this season - dried Gourds. These are perfect if you want stick with reusable products. They come in the two colors in the photo below.

 

 

I hope these ideas have helped inspire your own Thanksgiving tabletop! Please let me know what creative ideas you are incorporating this year.

Coming later this month - Thanksgiving Cocktails!







Happy Halloween on the Cheap

Happy Halloween! This is my favorite time of year - costumes, scary movies, and candy! What's not to love about Halloween?! Next weekend will likely be the big weekend for Halloween parties and I have got some great accessories to share with you that will make your bash chic on the cheap!

We all know what a gem Target is for our regular household needs, inexpensive DVDs, etc. however they are really outdoing themselves at the "Dollar Spot" these days. The following items can all be found there or in the Halloween section for just $1!

Halloween Coasters - The perfect way to keep your furniture safe from the libations you are brewing in your cauldron. At 8 for $1, you can pick up a bunch and not feel guilty about recycling them at the end of the night!

Bottle Labels - Printable bottle labels are all the rage. You can download them online (some are free, others may charge a small fee) or simply pick up these great labels for $1! They come either in a set of 4 wine bottle labels or a set of 8 assorted bottle labels

Favors & Accessories - Target has a great selection of party favors and accessories at that low low price of just $1. My personal favorite is the set of 8 glow in the dark fangs. Let's be honest - this is an item that is fun for all ages. Who DOESN'T want glow in the dark fangs?

Of course everything magical can't cost just $1 but Target doesn't disappoint with a few other great finds for a bit more coin.


Fancy Pumpkin Decorating Kit - Pinterest is full of clever ways to decorate pumpkins beyond the traditional carving. Thankfully Target put this kit together for just $5 that takes the guess work out of fancy pumpkin decorating! You too can fool your friends into thinking you are the next Martha Stewart!

Chris Marsh Big Fun Wigs - Chris Marsh (of Project Runway fame) has designed the crazy foam "wigs" featured below. With each wig priced between $15 and $20, they are very affordable. With a wig like these, you can probably find something simple in your closet to complete the look! My personal favorite is the pink one titled "Pink Afro".

This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg at Target. Please let me know if you pick up any of these great items for your own Halloween bash or find another gem!

Happy Halloween!!!