Tried it Out Thursday: Simple Gift Ideas From the Kitchen

I should really title this post" Tried and True Thursday" for these simple gifts have been given and then asked for in the years after. 

*A Frozen Meal: One year I prepared some Pizza Pasta, put them in foil dishes, double wrapped and froze them.  I put the directions on the top and included the recipe.

*White Chocolate Popcorn & Caramel Popcorn Puffs: Last year I put these in separate cute Christmas bags tied with a ribbon.  (Watch out they are both ADDICTING!!)

*The top most requested gift from the kitchen I have given is.......Home Made Salsa with a bag of chips.

Here are two recipes that I have used: Salsa Supreme which is canned and Mi Casa Salsa which is more of a fresh version that can be made year round.

*Also check out Fairy Wands, Holiday Bark and other great gift ideas over at Ma What's for Dinner. (She is a genius!!)

*This year I have got something good planned, but is being kept secret until they are delivered!!

Just a couple more ideas!!

Hope you enjoy!

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Easy Gifts: Bacon Dip Mix

BACON, BACON, BACON... My family could eat bacon for every meal.   So this dip recipe is so perfect, delicious and makes for a cute gift.  One year I made it up and put it in a bag with a cute label and then added a small dip dish to the package. Oh course I saved a mix for myself.  Oh YUM!!
Bacon Dip Mix
4 Tablespoons bacon bits
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
2 Tablespoons minced onion
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
Combine all ingredients together and stir until well blended.  Seal in a zip lock bag or air tight container.
Attach the directions to the bag:

Bacon Dip

1 package Bacon Dip Mix

2 cups sour cream

Combine the dip mix with the sour cream and stir until well blended. 

 Cover and refrigerate for atleast 1 hour before serving.



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My Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes Hint: They're Not Just for Fries Anymore!

Finally! It's a veggie evangelist's dream come true, sweet potatoes named a food trend for 2011. In honor, I hereby present my best and favorite sweet potato recipes.

Finally, there's a food trend for vegetable lovers. And it's a vegetable that's found in every grocery store in the world (I'm betting) not an obscure plant grown every third year on a certain hillside in the far reaches of Outer Mongolia reachable only to people who trek in on yaks. And it's affordable not the price of an orthodontist visit. And yahoo, get this -- it's healthy! And maybe famous! Will 2011 be remembered as the Year of the Sweet Potato?

On Monday, Food News Journal (a great source of well-organized and timely food tidbits from both mainstream media and food blogs, best way to follow is via a free e-mail subscription) linked to Food Trend Predictions for 2011 from Tanya Steel at Epicurious. And right there, at #8, were "sweet potatoes". Yes, imagine sweet potatoes going all trendy! The New York Times thinks sweet potatoes are hot too, see Sweet Potatoes Step Out from Under the Marshmallows.

That's the good news. The bad news is that much of the trend is headed toward sweet potato fries -- and you know what I think about sweet potato fries, see Frozen Sweet Potato Fries: Are They Worth the Price, the Calories?.

So I've got a new campaign slogan, whaddaya think? Sweet Potatoes: They're Not Just for Fries Anymore. Here are my favorite sweet potato recipes, hold the fries, please.
Keep Reading ->>>

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Easy Gifts: Friendship Tea

For many year it was a tradition for my cousin and I to create neighbor gifts together.  A tradition that I miss, since moving away.  Two heads are so much more creative than one.  Friendship Tea was actually one of the most popular things we gave away.  It is something that after I give it, I always get calls wanting the recipe.  It holds special memories for me because it is my Grandma's recipe and I remember her making it for us to enjoy. It is so enjoyable on a cold day!! Double (or more) the recipe divide it among containers (I found containers at the dollar store).  Put a cute label on them and your gift is ready!!

Friendship Tea
2 cups powdered orange drink mix
1/3 cup sweetened lemonade mix ( or 1- 3 oz. package)
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Combine ingredients and store in a airtight container.   Add 2-3 teaspoons to 1 cup hot water. 
Makes 3 1/2 cups of mix.

Linked to:

Tuesdays at the Table

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

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Menu Plan Monday

I am a little slow getting this done this week, but better late than never.  Another busy week at our house, so also a simple meal week. 

This Week's Menu
Monday: Crescent Dogs
Tuesday: Cream Cheese Chicken
Wednesday: Shepherds Pie
Thursday: Malibu Chicken
Friday: Cheesy Cracker Ranch Chicken
Saturday: Hamburgers
Sunday: Pulled Pork

This week my plan is to share a few simple gift ideas!! 

Congratulations to Alex from Ma What's for Dinner for winning the Helping Hands Giveaway!!

Happy Holidays!!

Linked to Menu Plan Monday!



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Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

My family loves chocolate pie and this year I wanted to make something a little different. After much thought this is what I came up with it and it was delicious!! The melted chocolate chips added a very light texture and almost a surprise flavor to the pie.  It is simple, but looks like you spent hours making it.  

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

1 baked pie crust

Cream Cheese Layer

1- 8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons milk

1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping

Mix cream cheese, sugar and milk together until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.

Place mixture in the pie crust.

Chocolate Layer

1 large (6 1/2 cup serving) instant chocolate pudding

2 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping

Mix the pudding mix with the milk.  Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Stir into the pudding mix.  Fold in the whipped topping.

Spread over top of cream cheese layer.

If desired grate a small amount of chocolate on top of the pie. Refrigerate for a few hours, if you can wait that long!

Serve with whipped cream on top!!

Linked to:

Friday Favorites

Foodie Friday
Friendly Friday

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Dill Dip

Dill dip has always been a family favorite.  Growing up it was somthing we usually only had during the holiday season.  The last few years I have not been able to find it in the store and when I did it was not the same.  I was excited to find this recipe in one of the cookbooks my grandma gave me.  With a few minor adjustments, I found it delicious and addicting.  Next time I will double the recipe because it did not last long around our house!

Dill Dip

makes about 2 cups

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoons dill weed

1 Tablespoon minced onion

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

2 Tablespoons pickle juice

1/2 cup diced dill pickles

1/8 teaspoon seasoning salt (Optional)

Mix and let chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to mix.  Serve with chips or veggies. 

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