boneless chicken recipes: December 2011

Best Vegetable Recipes of 2011

Best Recipes of 2011 from A Veggie Venture

The best vegetable recipes of 2011 from A Veggie Venture, just one per month, all in one handy spot for easy reference.

It's that time of year, the week when we food bloggers look back over a year's worth of recipes and pick our favorites!

I love-love-love this process! It really helps us hone our recipe collections, highlighting the best of the already very good, especially for sites like A Veggie Venture and my food column Kitchen Parade which by design, already post only really good recipes, the ones that work, the ones that are special or especially useful.

But I also love all the many sources of "best of the year" lists for movies, books, gadgets, etc. So this year, I'm collecting "best of the year" lists on Pinterest. (Food bloggers, be sure to let me know when you post your own best of 2011 list.) Follow me there and you'll see all the new entries over the next couple of weeks. And hey! Follow me on Pinterest and I'd love to follow you, too! Need an invitation? Just send me a quick e-mail via recipes@kitchen-parade.com. All I need to know is which e-mail address you'd like to use for Pinterest.

But okay, here you go, my favorite recipes for 2011. Do we share a favorite? Have I missed one you loved? Let me know in the comments!
Keep Reading ->>>

Cookie Dough Truffles

One last sweet I have to share this holiday season because these are my favorite!! I could seriously eat the whole batch!! Good thing my sweet friend Mikayla made and shared them with me. I finally begged her for the recipe because it is a keeper!! It gives you the perfect excuse to eat cookie dough!!

Cookie Dough Truffles

by Mikayla

1/2 c butter, softened

3/4c packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 C flour

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup miniature semisweet choc chips

1-1/2 pounds dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped (or milk chocolate)

In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour, atlernating with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in the chocolate chips. Shape into 1-inch balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.

In a microwave bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip balls in coating; allow excess to drip off; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerateuntil firm, about 15 minutes. If desired, remelt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies. Store in the refrigerator. Makes about 5 dozen.

OH YUM!

Watch out they are addicting!

Thanks Mikayla!!

Santa Hat Pretzels

If you are in need of a last minute Chirstmas treat this is so perfect! It is simple, quick, delicious and oh so CUTE!!

Santa Hat Pretzels
Mini Twist Pretzels
White Chocolate chipa or white almond bark
Red Sanding Sugar
Mini Marshmallows

Melt the white chocolate according to the directions on the package.
Dip each mini twist pretzel halfway into the melted white chocolate.
Place on waxed paper.(Or in my case I was out so I placed them on plastic wrap.)
Sprinkle each chocolate covered pretzel with the red sanding sugar until only a small amount of the white chocolate is showing.

Cut the mini marshmallows in half. Use additional white chocolate to adhere a mini marshmallow half onto the side of each pretzel.

Allow time for the chocolate to set.

Add to your treat trays, bag up

Or just enjoy!!

Merry Christmas!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

I LOVE hot chocolate and was instantly intrigued when I saw these over at Lark's Country Heart (Lots of delicious thing over there. It's a great blog!). What a brilliant and cute gift! They turned out darling and were really pretty easy to make. I used them for handouts for a lesson and most of them did not make it into milk..the girls ate them on the way out the door!!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick

From Lark's Country Heart

1/2 C. Heavy Cream

1 (14oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk

3 C. Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips *(You can mix this up too, 2 C. semi./1C. Milk )*

1 (4 oz.) Bar of Unsweetened Chocolate

Optional: 1 Tablespoon flavoring (use any flavor you like)

Dash of Cinnamon

In a medium size sauce pan mix together the cream and condensed milk.

Stirring often until it begins to "steam". (DO NOT BOIL)

Remove from heat and add all the chocolate, stir just enough to cover the chocolate.

Set it aside for 10-15 minutes. While you are waiting lightly spray your 9x5 loaf pans with cooking spray(makes 2 pans). After the time is up you will then return it to the heat on low/med whisking it until all pieces of the chocolate are melted. Stir in your flavoring and cinnamon.

Pour 1/2 the mixture in each pan. Spread evenly and smooth the top.

Here is the "hard" part....now you have to let it set up for at least 6 hrs.

Or just do what I did and make this up before going to bed and let it set overnight.

Remove it from the pan and cut into 1 inch pieces. 6 x 3 (18 pieces per/pan).

Before I cut mine I dipped the tops of marshmallows in some melted chocolate and then dipped it in crushed candy canes. Let chocolate set up. Then push your sticks into the marshmallows.

Then push the stick into each piece of the chocolate mixture.

Now simply package them up and attach a tag telling them to add their Hot Chocolate in a stick to 6-8 oz. warm milk and stir until dissolved.

Here's the copy of my tags if you want to use them.

Right click and save to Word or something similar.

Loved this recipe! The only thing I am going to try on the next batch is use 2 cups milk chocolate chips and 1 semi sweet or maybe even all 3 milk chocolate. I used vanilla flavoring, but the choices are endless. Mint, orange, raspberry..etc.

Enjoy this fun and delicious recipe!
Check out Lark's Homemade Peppemint Marshmallows! Amazing!!

Thanks Lark!!

Hair Stylist

Hair Stylist

What will I be doing?

Fixing and styling the hair of people attending special occasions

What will I need to start?

Eric Bautista is a hair and make up artist with his own salon in Pateros, and he says you’ll need to spend P20,000 on basic equipment like setting gadgets (hot curlers, Velcro rollers, ceramic flat iron), styling products (mousse, spry net, gel), brushes (roller, paddle, and skeleton), and blow dryers. You may buy cheaper hairstyling equipment from MTN Marketing in Binondo and learn the basics of hairstyling from Reyes haircutters

Who will my customer be?

Brides and their entourage, celebrities, fashion models, VIPs, students attending junior or senior proms and graduations, birthday celebrators, and party goers

How much should I charge?

If you’re beginner, P500 per head. Bautista and Ferdie Orivida of Uver salon charge P1,000 to P3,000 per head for services outside the salon. You may also charge a package rate like Eric who does hair and make up for three people for P5,000 or Ferdie who charges P12,000 to style a bride and two other people

How much will I make?

You could make P8,000 extra monthly charging P1,000 per head and getting at least two booking a week. The peak months for styling are December and May.

Personalized Photo Calendar Maker

Personalized Photo Calendar Maker

What will I be doing?

Designing and making personalized calendars or desk planners using your client’s pictures

What will I need to start?

An inkjet printer (P3,000), a graphics handling desktop computer (P35,000), Printshop or image software like Adobe Photoshop Pro, etc. (P2,000 to P10,000), an internet connection(you may use prepaid Internet card), and wire-binding machine (P30,000 to P50,000). You’ll also need graphic designing skills

Who will my customers be?

People interested in personalized gifts for family and friends

How much should I charge?

Angela Aguiluz(jincos_makati@yahoo.com) charges P980 for a deluxe calendar (a wire bound calendar with her client’s chosen image or picture on every month), P175 for an A3 size (11”x17”) poster calendar, and P675 for a tear off calendar

How much will I make

30 to 40 percent of your gross profit

Cell Phone Casing Decorator

Cell Phone Casing Decorator

What will I be doing?

Personalizing cell phones to the extent of putting a client’s name or even picture around the casing with sticker cutouts.

What will I need to start?

A layout cutter machine (P40,000) from Taiwan or Hong Kong the size of an inkjet printer; a graphics-handling computer, a printer, a scanner for digitizing hard copies of pictures or image from clients; and a blower or hairdryer to tighten stickers when installed. You may order special sticker abroad or from a local distributor, and their cost – P5 to P25 for an 8”x11” sticker – will depend on their designs and texture. The designs include standard, checkered, wood panel, hologram, velvet, copper, carbon and metal with an aluminum texture. You may buy a 50-meter roll about 60cm wide for P12,000 if you expect brisk business

Who will my customer be?

Almost anyone with a cell phone, but trendy people particularly. You may also tap cell phone vendors in bazaars by supplying them with precut designs that they can retail

How much should I charge?

Around P75 for a personalized name sticker and P150 for a wrap around design. Arthru Ng has been in the cell phone business for six years, and he says you may offer them stickers at a 20 percent discount.

How much will I make?

As much as 60 percent of your selling price. You’ll be able to make four wraparound cell phone stickers from a bond size sticker

Room Renter

Room Renter

What will I be doing?

If you have a spare room or two in your house, you may consider renting them out to transients, local tourists, and other people needing an inexpensive but clean place to stay.

What will I need to start?

Some money to fix your spare rooms. After years of working as headwaiter of Mario’s restaurant in Baguio City, Reperto De Ocampo converted two units in his eight-door apartment into lodges for transients, spending P150,000 to fix them in such a way that they could accommodate up to 12 people each and had cold and running water, a stove and cable television.

Who will my customer be?

Tourists on a budget, usually backpackers

How much should I charge?

De Ocampo Charges P2,500 to P3,500 a room a day most of the year but higher during Holy Week and the Christmas holidays

How much will I make?

De Ocampo make enough money to pay for maintenance and the power bill and something extra that he earmarks for improving his apartments.

Tai Chi Instructor

Tai Chi Instructor

What will be I doing?

Teaching Tai Chi, a soft-style martial art that is said to improve people’s health and fitness

What will I need to start?

Tai Chi instructor Emee Chua(emsvangoth@yahoo.com) suggests you affiliate with the Wushu Federation of the

Philippines

by taking up classes with them.

Who will my customer be?

People aged 30 and above are said to be the most appreciative of this sport because of its slow and delicate movements. Most of these people have health concerns, but they get to burn a lot of calories without rigid or speedy movements that are likely to cause injuries.

How much should I charge?

P300 to P500 per student per session lasting one to two hours. Ideally, you should meet your students twice to three times a week.

How much will I make?

P900 to 1,500 per session depending on how many students sign up.

Film Critic

Film Critic

What will I be doing?

Watching firm and then writing reviews for publication in newspapers or magazines.

What will I need to start?

Love of all types of movies. If you don’t like films or like only some genres(action films and dramas but not musical or westerns, for instance), forget it. You must also know something about filmmaking: it’s history and some of the greatest firlms that have been made; how films and made; how characters are fleshed out; how action is sustained; what camera shots are available to the director, and how he uses them fro effect; how films are edited; and how the musical score adds to or dilutes the film’s overall effect.

Reviewing a film is pretty much like reviewing a book of fiction or non fiction: you’ll have to write an essay. (To get an idea of the film reviews that you must emulate or try to beat, read Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Playboy, and other first-class publications.) and if you’re just starting out, you’re not likely to get invited to advance screening-that will have to wait until you’ve established your credential –so try to attend the first-day screening of any film you want to write about, write a review, and then send it for publication before the film ends its run. With luck, one of your reviews will get published, and you may look forward to getting more in print if you do your job right

Who will my customer be?

The entertainment section of daily newspapers, weekly magazine, and teen, women’s, and men’s magazine. But remember that a review is not a one-size-fits-all thing: you’ll have to write in a language that your readers can understand and relate to.

How much should I charge?

Expect P800 to P2,000 for a review of 400 to 800 words and P1,000 to P2,000 for a capsule review(4,000 to 5,000 characters) of several films

How much will I make?

Your expense in this business is mainly the price of the movie ticket, and if you write great reviews, you may expect many publication to welcome your contributions

Necktie Maker

Necktie Maker

What will I be doing?

Making customize neckties

What will I need to start?

An eye for fashion, a pattern maker, a sewer, a designer, and sewing machine

Who will my customer be?

People looking for unique gift items and companies needing neckties for employee uniforms or giveaways

How much should I charge?

As high as triple the cost of making them, says Chiristine Aguiluz of King’s Treats neckties. Make excellent neckties and you’ll be able to charge higher for them.

How much will I make?

Aguiluz says she makes as much as the salaries of three executives on a good month.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Get ready for action, adventure, and explosive entertainment like you´ve never seen it before! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to check out Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol in IMAX theatres.

Beginning December 16th, a full five days before its North American premier, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol will be shown in a mind-blowing IMAX experience in 300 theatres across the country. Join Ethan Hunt and his team of rogue IMF agents, in this awesome spy adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With 30-minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras, fans will be able to enjoy certain sequences of the movie in larger than life proportions. You will be right in the action as Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) scales the world´s tallest building; the Burk Khalifa Tower in Dubai, as this and other thrilling moments expand to fit the entire IMAX screen. As an added bonus, IMAX will offer the first previews of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, prior to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. Love the Mission Impossible movies and the IMAX experience is Awesome!! You can check out the trailer here!

Go Like IMAX on Facebook for more great information!!

The information was provided by IMAX through MyBlogSpark

Cranberry Cheese Bars

This is one of those treats that has muliple flavor combinations that makes it oh so delicious! With just the perfect amount of sweetness.

Cranberry Cheese Bars
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cup oats
3/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 cup butter softened
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 (16 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl combine flour, oats, 3/4 cup brown sugar and butter. Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture, press the remainder firmly on bottom of a greased 13 x 9 baking pan. Bake 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden.

Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually beat in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in lemon juice. Spread evenly over the prepared crust.

In a small bowl mix the remaining 1 Tablespoon brown sugar and cornstarch together. Stir in the cranberry sauce. Spoon evenly over cream cheese layer.

Top with the reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.

Store covered in refrigerator.

YUM!

Salted Nut Rolls

I'm loving the sharing that goes along with this time of the year. This recipe comes from a master chef of deliciousness! My cousin Rhonda has always been know to make THE BEST stuff! She also has extreme patience, because she painted my nails for the wedding this summer and I believe it was about a 2 hour process (sorry I was a bit high maintenance!!). I was so excited when she shared her latest creation with me and it is a fabulous one.

Salted Nut Rolls
1 1/2 cups butter
1 can evaporated milk
7 cups of sugar
1 large jar marshmallow creme
1 small jar creamy peanut butter
2 cups chopped salted peanuts (may need a little more.)
Melt and stir together: butter, evaporated milk.
Add 7 cups of sugar and cook to softball stage (235-240 degrees F)
Take off heat and stir in 1 large jar of marshmallow creme and 1 small jar of creamy peanut butter.
Beat with Electric mixer for 5 minute
Roll into logs and then rolls into the chopped salted peanuts.

This recipe is delicious as it combines salt and sugar.

I am so craving these right now!!

Thanks Rhonda!

Of Favorite Cookies & Cookbooks: A Christmas Special

No-Roll Christmas Sugar Cookies from Kitchen Parade

For cookie bakers, No-Roll Christmas Sugar Cookies aren't to be missed, they're the best chewy and butter sugar cookies you might have ever tasted but without all the fuss and muss of rolling and decorating. I'm making them for my cookie swap next week, the - get this! - 19th annual.

For home cooks, savory and sweet both, the Food52 Cookbook isn't to be missed either, it's one of two favorite new cookbooks in 2011. It's a collection of "best of the best" recipes from home cooks -- I think it's fabulous and am giving away a copy!

Head on over to Kitchen Parade, No-Roll Christmas Sugar Cookies (or click the photo) for the cookie recipe and cookbook giveaway. It's easy to enter to win -- US and Canadian residents for this giveaway, please, through December 14th.

MORE GIVEAWAYS? I've started posting giveaways (mine and other food bloggers') on a special bulletin board on Pinterest. Follow me there for the latest! And it's Christmas -- right now there are a BUNCH of giveaways going on, including for wonderful LeCreuset Dutch ovens and other cooking gear.

WHERE IN HECK ARE THE VEGETABLE RECIPES? So isn't A Veggie Venture the food blog about vegetables? Yep, it is, except in December when our interest in vegetables falls to the wayside in favor of, well, Christmas cookies, holiday parties, picking out just the right gifts, decorating the tree, sitting by the fire with a hot mug of Scandinavian mulled wine (my recipe is fruity, not sweet and by the way, made for a much-lively Scandinavian dinner party weekend before last) or passing along along family traditions like making Swedish Potato Sausage. Here's my promise, made on a stack of sliced beets: Come January, A Veggie Venture will return to its usual programming, all vegetables, all the time.

Can't wait? Here are vegetable recipes I've featured during December in prior years:
Keep Reading ->>>

Menu Plan Monday

It is most definitely a crazy one at our house this week. Hubby is gone for the week so it's up to me to get everyone everywhere they need to be, luckily I have Kody to help me (Thanks Kody!!) This week's menu is all about simplicity and hopefully no trips to the grocery store for I don't have time!!

Photobucket

This Week's Menu
Monday: Skillet Ham & Cheese Pasta
Tuesday: Potato Soup
Wednesday: Progressive Dinner
Thursday: Bball Banquet
Friday: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Saturday: Wings
Sunday: White Enchiladas

Best Wishes Everyone for a Holly Jolly Week!!

linked to Menu Plan Monday

Red Hot Holiday Trends

The food experts at Betty Crocker have selected trends that will be red hot this holiday season, and have created delicious recipes to bring each one to life. These fun and delicious recipes are sure to fire up any holiday event, and keep you toasty and warm for the New Year ahead. I found this list very intriguing and so would like to share a few of the trends Betty Crocker came up with for the Red Hot Holiday Trends of 2011.

Trend: Double Desserts

Taking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It’s a 1+1=3 kind of thing

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange.

Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.

Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food!

Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers
Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack ‘em up and watch ‘em go.

Trend: Better Than Bought

From canning to candy making, there’s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity.

Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge
Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge

Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-G

Man’s best friend deserves man’s best effort. That’s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido’s list.

Recipe: Dog Bark
This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog’s favorite ingredients – bacon and cheese. Bow WOW!
ayered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt—a recipe to impress.

Trend: Food Craft

The kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat.

Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps
Naughty or nice, everyone will love these easy cho-coal-late treats. Cocoa Puffs® cereal dipped in melted chocolate and marshmallows create these tasty stocking stuffers.

I'm loving these trends! Gotta try some of them out! You can check out the entire

Red Hot Holiday Trends list here!

Happy Holiday Baking!!

I received the details of The Red Hot Holiday Trends from Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark.

The Black Shard..A Must Read!!

My name is Kelsee. I am 10 years old and today I am taking over my mom's blog to tell you about an incredible book you need to read called "The Black Shard" by the talented writer Victoria Simcox It is full of action, excitement and lots of twists and turns. It is a book you don't want to put down.

The sequel to The Magic Warble is an incredible exiting tale about how Kristina Kingsley
randomly is back in the land of Bernovem, where she meets Werrien again and catches up with all her friends there. When Kristina arrives she is not used to all the attention, statues, people exited to finally meet her, and when they head to Tezerel the boat they went on was named after her!! She is reunited with all her friends and life seems perfect. But when Werrien becomes fascinated with an unusual seeing stone the Black Shard. The morning they got on the ship Kristina did not have a very good breakfast, and from then on she felt terribly sick. On the way of this incredible trip Werrien and Kristina spent much time together. Kristina is haunted by a ghostlike hag. Stuggling against lots of obstacles and ultimately the one who wants to possess her soul. After a few days on the ship they stopped at an island where Werrien and Kristina went swimming. When they were going back the " old hag" tried to drown her and left cuts in her leg. Kristina did not have very good luck on this trip, but discovers she the most strength she has ever had.

I recommend you read this series. It is so good! My mom loves these books too!!

You can buy The Black Shard here and The Magic Warble here.

Check out The Black Shard on Facebook.

Happy Reading!!

Kelsee

Caramel Nut Chex Mix

This is the perfect fix for that sweet crunchy craving. It is delicious and easy to make.

Caramel Nut Chex Mix
8 cups Chex Cereal (I used equal amount of Rice and Corn Chex)
2 cups nuts (I used almonds and cashews)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup brown sugar
Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
Put chex and nut in a large bowl. Combine the corn syrup, butter, vanilla and sugar in a saucepan. Over medium high heat, stirring constantly bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Pour over the cereal mixure and stir to coat. Spread on to a cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Stir a couple times while baking. Cook and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recently, my friend announced she was sitting on the floor in front of her oven just waiting for the cookies to get done, of course I had to know more! Then she explained that these cookies had a secret ingredient, when I heard it called for bacon I was immediately intrigued! Her family loved them and the neighbors gave them the thumbs up! My good friend Kim gets all the credit for this ultimately delicious and clever recipe!!

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies

Good bacon, chopped ( 1 cup diced and cooked well )

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup softened butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees

Dice bacon into small pieces and cook on stove until well done, you don't want soft bacon. Drain and let cool, can't be warm.
Beat the sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy and smooth.
Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to wet mixture, mix
Mix in the chocolate chips and bacon.
Wrap and put in fridge for 30 min
Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 11 minutes in the preheated oven

Thanks KIM!!

Holiday Baking Tips + A Cookbook Giveaway ♥

Holiday Baking Tips from Kitchen Parade

Hello Vegetable Lovers!

Anyone gearing up for Christmas baking will definitely want to check out Holiday Baking Tips from a Certifiable Cookie-Baking Fiend. That "fiend" would be me: during December, your 'veggie evangelist' is turning into a part-time 'cookie evangelist'.

Plus I'm giving away a copy of Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cookies, the award-winning cookie cookbook by Alice Medrich.

Contest open through December 8, 2011 to readers from across the world - hello, Canadian readers! : - ) To enter, click the photo >>>>>>>

Happy Baking!

Keep Reading ->>>

Update the Traditional Cookie Exchange: Host a Chex Party Mix-Change!

This Christmas season I am going to try out a fun, new and super-easy idea for the holidays from Chex cereal- a Chex Party Mix-Change. Chex® Party Mix is mixing it up with a fresh idea that puts a new spin on the classic cookie exchange. Ditch the hours of baking and make 15 minute Chex Party Mix recipes instead – all you need is a microwave and some friends to stir up the fun.

The concept is simple – invite some friends over for a party and ask everyone to make enough of their favorite Chex Party Mix recipe to exchange with party guests. Taste, mix, swap, and share the recipes, putting the treats in easy DIY packages for everyone to take home.

Highlighting the flavors of pumpkin pie, cinnamon, brown sugar and caramel, your guests are sure to “fall” in love with these seasonal favorites that can be made in the microwave in 15 minutes or less. These five Chex Party Mix recipes are sure to get your guests excited for fall and the upcoming holiday season-

Original Chex Party Mix – A tried and true classic of many holiday gatherings.
Chex PB & Chocolate Blast – Is there really a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate? Yes, when Chex cereal is added!
Chex Pumpkin Pie Crunch – Mix things up and try this mouthwatering alternative to the beloved holiday pie.
Hot Buttered Yum Chex Mix – A combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, honey and marshmallows blend effortlessly together in a crazy-delicious, gluten free crunchy mix.
Chex Caramel Chocolate Drizzles – Melted chocolate, chewy caramel and a delightful crunch carry this gluten-free party mix recipe from microwave to table in 15 minutes.
A couple of my personal faves: Coconut Almond Chex Mix and Muddy Buddies.

Try these easy tips and tricks for wrapping up the fun so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go-

Cello Gorgeous! – Packaging your favorite Chex Party Mix recipes in cellophane bags is simple and cute. And, they’re endlessly customizable to add personal touches.
It’s My Party – Flip a party hat upside down, line it with cellophane and it instantly becomes a festive cone-shaped container.
Chex Cupcakes – Arrange cupcake liners filled with Chex Party Mixes neatly in a box.
Chex-To-Go – Packaging Chex Party Mix recipes in a takeout container is quick and easy to “carry out.”
Tin Tower – Tin is “in” when it comes to creating a hip holiday container for Chex Party Mix-Change guests. Discover oodles of holiday tins at craft or dollar stores.

As I prepare to host my party one lucky reader will get the supplies to host their own Chex Mix Exchange party! The gift pack will include:

5 boxes of Chex cereal to create Chex Party Mix recipes

5 featured Chex Party Mix recipes

10 takeout containers so your guests can take their Chex Party Mix to-go

$20 gift card to purchase recipe ingredients and decorating supplies

To Enter be a follower of One Crazy Cookie and tell me

which Chex Mix recipe you wold like to make first!!

For an additional entry like One Crazy Cookie on Facebook.

Winner will be chosen by random number generator

on December 7, 2011.

I'm planning on making some different versions of Chex mix that I will share with you this week!!

Good Luck and Have fun Chex Mixing it up!!

Disclosure: The Chex Party Mix-Change product, information, and giveaway have been provided by Chex through MyBlogSpark

What's On The Menu??

Last week I got to attend my first professional football game!! It was a blast and now I am so hooked! Check out the sky! COLD and raining. Luckily, our seats were under the cover. There was the most beautiful pink sunset just after the game. Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out well.

This week I am attempting to get ahead of the game by getting my menu done a day early. We will see if it helps out for this crazy week ahead. I can't believe the Christmas season is here and going very fast. Lots to do so here it goes..

This Week's Menu
Monday: Parmesan Chicken
Tuesday: Naked Chicken Burrito Bowls
Wednesday:Crock Pot Minestrone Soup
Thursday: Picnic Night
Friday: Cheese Burger Sliders
Saturday:Church Christmas Dinner
Sunday: Stuffed Meatloaf

Best Wishes!!