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Adorable Halloween Decorations!

August 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

As a Matter of Fact, Yes, I am Ready for Fall...

Halloween Decoration Vampire with Bowl

Cute stuff above is named Victor the Vampire and I’m pretty sure I must buy him asap. I’m one of those people who GOES BIG when it comes to seasonal and holiday decorating and celebrating.

A few days ago, one of my daughters was talking about “the many, many pumpkins” she planned to buy, as well as “lots of bales of hay,” and “every mum in town.” I had to fight the tears of joy. I raised that girl right.

Victor’s Profile:

Victor the Vampire wins over all the ghouls and boys with his charm and candy of course! Designed by Melissa Vasquez, this handsome figure stands ready to dish out the treats for Halloween.

Features:

  • Country of Origin: China
  • Weight: 6.8 lbs
  • Dimensions: 36″h x 20.75″w x 15.5″d

To adopt your own little smiling vampire for Halloween, click through is photo or the link above and get those bags of candy corn ready.

Friends of Victor’s:

Filed Under: Food Blog, Halloween Decorations, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays!, Shop Tagged With: , ,

Caramel Corn Recipe

November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Starring Pecans from Oh Nuts!

Southern Living 1988 Annual Recipes Cookbook

As I said in a recent post, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with Oh Nuts.  Their delicious pecans are the star in the recipe below.  Caramel Corn is outstanding for snacking on during ball games or as you run in and out of the house finishing up your Christmas shopping!

This recipe is from a favorite old cookbook in my collection, Southern Living 1988 Annual Recipes (Southern Living Annual Recipes). Try it, you’ll absolutely love it and your family will sing your praises through their sticky teeth.

Caramel Corn

Vegetable Cooking Spray
6 Quarts popped corn
1-1/2 cups pecan halves
1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 cups raw peanuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coat 2 large roasting pans with cooking spray. Combine popcorn and pecans in pans; set aside.

Combine sugar, butter, corn syrup, and peanuts in a large saucepan; bring to a boil, and boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in soda and vanilla.

Pour mixture evenly over popcorn mixture. Stir with a lightly greased long-handled spoon until popcorn is well coated. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and immediately pour onto waxed paper, breaking it apart as it cools. Store in airtight containers.

Yield: 6-1/2 Quarts

*** Be sure to check out Oh Nuts! for nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and gift sets. Keep them in mind year-round as well (Valentine’s Day, Easter, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, Halloween, Thanksgiving…)  Buy nuts in bulk for the best bargain.

Filed Under: Christmas Baking, Game Day, Halloween Treats, Oh, Nuts!, Tailgating Tagged With: , , ,

Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies!

September 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Just In Time for the Holidays

Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies

This human equivalent of Cookie Monster was recently sent the Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies to review for the food blog. Oh how it pays to live right!  I’d have been excited to get my hands on this any time of year – after all, we Cookie Monsters don’t have “off seasons,” but I’m extra excited to get it right before the holidays.  As you probably know, I go ALL OUT for special occasions.  My kitchen becomes like Iron Chef’s Kitchen Stadium as I launch into and out of cooking and baking battles.

It’s quite the sight, trust me.  The tales my cat could tell. Thankfully I’ve bought her silence, paid in full with tuna fish.

I flung myself onto the sofa and escaped into the pages as soon as Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies arrived in the mail.  I read “The Golden Rules of Cookie Making” (pages 13 -15), “Helpful Hints for Dough Making and Rolling” (pages 16 – 19), everything you’d ever need to know about icings, including a great Basic Royal Icing recipe (pages 21 -31), then lost myself in page after glorious page of cookie recipes and pictures.  I was reminded that iced cookies aren’t a delicacy that should be saved ONLY for Christmastime. Granted, I can’t imagine Christmas without iced cookies, but since they’re one of life’s sweetest treasures, why save them for one month a year?

  • There are cookies that celebrate gardening, summertime, London, New York, garden creatures (ladybugs, snails, dragonflies, frogs, etc), pirates, circuses, safaris, and more.
  • There are cookies for little girls, big girls, little boys, and big boys.
  • There are cookies for shoe lovers.
  • There are cookies for cat lovers (be still my heart) and cookies for handbag lovers (be still my heart, again).
  • There are even cookies shaped and decorated like cupcakes – possibly the cutest cookies ever made. They look as delicious as they are beautiful.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’d be here all day if I told you about each and every cookie in this very special cookbook.

A Little Background:

Ever since the company Biscuiteers started making their stylish and enchanting hand-decorated biscuits, they have become the must-have gift and have become a go-to website for cookie decorating.  Now, in their debut book, Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies, Harriet Hastings and Sarah Moore share their icing secrets so you can create your own little pieces of artwork, guaranteed to delight (and impress) friends and family.

Why send flowers when you can send delicious cookies?  These gorgeous creations add originality to your gifts and fun to your kitchen.  From heart-shaped cookies to baubles and tree decorations, cowboys and Indians to savvy stilettos,Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies has ideas for every occasion, including birthdays, weddings, children’s parties, Halloween, Christmas, and other festive celebrations. All Biscuiteers cookies are baked in the easy, old-fashioned way, with no preservatives or additives, and then lovingly iced and crafted to look amazing. Starting with recipes for basic cookie dough such as vanilla, lemon, chocolate, ginger, almond, and spice, Harriet and Sarah guide you through the different types of icing and coloring, before moving on to easy step-by-step piping instructions and 8 pages of do-it-yourself templates. With helpful ideas on packaging and basic equipment, you will be amazed how easy it is to create cookies that can rival any neighborhood bakery.

The best thing that could be said about these cookies is the best thing that can be said about anything…. They’re sure to make someone smile. Which, in turn, would bring a smile to the baker’s face!

Product Description

Harriet Hastings loves cookies. In fact she was a bit obsessed with sending tins of delicious home-baked cookies, lovingly iced for any occasion, and created Biscuiteers, an award-winning food website. This lovely book contains everything you need to create your own decorated cookies to wow your friends and delight your kid: utterly delicious treats that taste as fabulous as they look; ideas for every occasion from birthdays and weddings to children’s parties and holidays; recipes for basic cookie doughs such as vanilla, lemon, chocolate, and ginger; different types of icing and coloring, piping instructions, and templates.

Order your copy of Biscuiteers Book of Iced Cookies and get ready for Holiday baking.  You’re going to love this book!

Filed Under: Cookbook Reviews, Cookies, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: , , , , ,

Halloween Cookies and Candy

September 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Let Someone Else Do Some of the Work!


1/2g Boo! Fun Pail Halloween Treats and Gifts
Okay, maybe it’s cheating when those of us who can cook and bake buy goodies….. but, you know what, I’m okay with that! Every now and again, it’s fun to let someone else do the baking, cooking, and (most importantly) the cleaning up. Especially during the upcoming months. There are cookies and pies to bake, decorations to put up, turkey to cook, Halloween costumes to decide upon,  ham to bake, dressing to make, candy to whip up, and on and on. All on top of those great football games that we refuse to miss a quarter of. I love it with every fiber of my being, but man are these months busy.

That’s why I have no qualms about occasionally buying the fruits of someone else’s labors. The yummies in this post are delicious and a lot of fun to have on hand for loved ones – and for self, of course. Click through any of the links or images for more information. My mouth is SO watering right now.



1/2g Boo! Ghost Cookies Halloween Cookies and Gifts

Filed Under: Candy, Cookies, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays! Tagged With: ,

Adorable Halloween Mug Set

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Frankenstein and Friends

Halloween Mug SetI have a confession to make, when it comes to Halloween, I’m like a kid. I get such a kick out of the whole fun… not to mention the candy.  Seriously? A whole day built around the idea of having good old-fashioned fun while obtaining candy and eating candy? What’s not to love?

The ridiculously adorable Set Of 4 Halloween Mugs Witch,Cat,Frankenstein and Pumpkin, above, is something I want in my kitchen 10 minutes ago. Look at those faces! They’re ready to have nothing but fun, too.

Product Features

  • Set of 4 Halloween character mugs
  • Hand painted ceramic with raised details
  • Each mug measures:3″H. Holds 11 oz.
  • FDA approved/Hand washing recommended
  • Includes Witch, Frankenstein, Cat and Pumpkin mug

Take a closer look: Set Of 4 Halloween Mugs Witch,Cat,Frankenstein and Pumpkin

Halloween Mugs

If you (like me) love Halloween AND happen to collect coffee mugs and tea cups, you’ll want to check out a post on The Crazy Tea Chick showcasing a very unique set of Halloween mugs (shown above) – they’re gorgeous enough on the outside, but when you look inside…. Well, you just have to see for yourself: Special Halloween Mugs with a Surprise Inside!

Filed Under: Coffee Mugs, Halloween Treats Tagged With: , ,

Wild Halloween Recipes

October 17, 2010 By 2 Comments

For Spook-tacular Fun this Halloween

Richard Ruskell, Executive Pastry Chef at Montage Beverly Hills and Food Network Challenge star, shares these creative Halloween recipes with Get Cooking and its readers.

VILE BILE WITH BLOOD CLOTS

The walking dead can refresh their bones with Chef Ruskell’s kalamanzi soda and habanero brew!

1-1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup kalamanzi juice, frozen or fresh
1 habanero chile pepper, roughly chopped
One pint of raspberries
One litre Club Soda

Remove the raspberries from the package and lightly rinse with water. Spread onto a cookie sheet and place in the freezer.

Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the kalamanzi  juice and chile pepper. Vigorously stir every 2-3 minutes.  After 2 minutes taste the mixture to detect the amount of heat you desire.  Once that point is reached, remove all traces of the habanero.  Refrigerate the mixture.

When ready to serve, pour the kalamanzi base in a pitcher and add one litre of club soda.  Put some frozen raspberries in glasses with ice and add the kalamanzi soda.  Yum!

BRAINS!!

The old saying “food for thought” finds new meaning with Chef Ruskell’s panna cotta and raspberry dessert.

4 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 packets powdered gelatin (about 4 1/2 teaspoons)
6 tablespoons cold water
1 pint fresh raspberries

Heat the heavy cream and sugar in a saucepan or microwave. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Lightly spray eight custard cups with a food release spray.

Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water in a medium-sized bowl and let stand 5 to 10 minutes.

Pour the very warm Panna Cotta mixture over the gelatin and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.

Divide the Panna Cotta mixture into the prepared cups, then chill them until firm, which will take at least two hours; it’s recommended to let them stand at least four hours.

To Serve:  Put the fresh raspberries in a bowl, add one Tablespoon of sugar and crush the berries.

Remove the Panna Cotta from the refrigerator, flip them out into bowls.  Add the Berries and loosely mix the custard with the berries (so it looks like….brains!!)

Great recipes! Thanks so much to Richard Ruskell, Executive Pastry Chef at Montage Beverly Hills and Food Network Challenge star for sharing them with us.

Filed Under: Beverages, Desserts, Fruit Recipes, Halloween Treats Tagged With: , ,

Delicious Treats at IHOP this Month

October 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

No Tricks When It Comes to Great Pancakes

I love pretty much everything about where I live (Owensboro, Kentucky) but I’d change one thing for sure if I could, we’d have an IHOP!  When we lived in Florida, I fell head over taste buds in love with the restaurant and have had a wicked desire for an IHOPs in my neighborhood since.

Just to add salt to my wound, IHOP is embracing the season and having as much fun with it as I like to.

IHOP, one of America’s favorite restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner, today announced plans for a month-long celebration this October to welcome fall and observe Halloween in a fun, frightful and flavorful way.  Throughout the month, participating IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat-Buttermilk Pancakes and “design-your-own” Scary Face Pancakes.  On Friday, October 29, Scary Face Pancakes will be offered free of charge for children 12 and under (one per child).

“There are no tricks, just treats and a lot of flavorful fun at IHOP this October,” said Carolyn O’Keefe, IHOP’s senior vice president, marketing.  “Our guests have come to expect great food, a good value and specials that offer a little something extra, and in October, we have something to satisfy every taste, appetite and budget.”

Available from October 4 through October 31 at participating locations, IHOP’s Trick or Treat All-You-Can-Eat Buttermilk Pancakes are available a la carte or as part of a combo, which starts at $4.99 and begins with two, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, eggs any style, and golden hash browns.  For a little bit more, guests can also add pork sausage links, crisp bacon or ham.  Pancakes are then served three at a time until the guest is satisfied.

In observance of Halloween this year, IHOP’s famous Funny Face Pancakes are turning Scary as IHOP introduces “design-your-own” Scary Face Pancakes for kids 12 and under.  The Scary Face Pancake includes an oversized signature buttermilk pancake with a whipped topping mouth and strawberry nose, served with two mini OREO® cookies and candy corn on the side to allow kids to create their own Halloween hotcake.  The Scary Face Pancake will be offered throughout October and, like all IHOP Kids menu items, is under 600 calories.  Throughout IHOP’s new menu, items under 600 calories are designated with a SIMPLE & FIT icon.

On Friday, October 29, IHOP will celebrate Halloween a little early and offer trick or treaters 12 and under a free Scary Face Pancake (one per child) from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at participating locations.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com. Prices may vary by location.

Fortunately, we live near towns that are lucky enough to have an IHOP. I think I feel a road trip coming on….

Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch, Halloween Treats, Restaurant Reviews Tagged With: ,

Autumn Jumbo Gourmet Gift for Thanksgiving

November 15, 2009 By 1 Comment

Mrs. Prindables Gourmet Autumn Candy Apple

Are the kids in your family less than enthusiastic about traditional pumpkin and pecan pies after Thanksgiving dinner?  Sometimes kids (counting kids in their 20′s) can be very particular about their desserts – if they don’t detect chocolate, their mind tunes completely out.  While I can certainly relate to that, I”m all about Pumpkin and Sweet Potato pie.  However, if you have loved ones in your family who don’t care for these Thanksgiving pies, Mrs. Prindables is a delicious and oh-so-beautiful alternative.

I got a Autumn Wreath Jumbo Apple in the mail a few days ago and my family and I were blown away.  It came in a gorgeous box and was wrapped in a very, very classy manner!  What can I say, it was stunning.   The beautiful autumn wreath at the top of the apple is a real work of art.  I have mine perched in a brass candle holder (I happen to collect them, with a collection in the hundreds) – it makes a lovely Autumn decoration.

The best part, of course, was the treat, itself.  A huge Granny Smith apple (delicious!) is coated in caramel.  Then the real fun begins:  It’s covered with peanut butter chips, almonds, and the richest chocolate candy you ever tasted. There are other flavor combinations available (click here for all of them).

You could sit the beautiful apple in the middle of the dessert table as is, or slice it into many pieces and present them on a platter – either way, it’ll be the talk of the day.  If you have more than 10 people, you’ll need 2 apples – one easily will serve 8-10 people.

Mrs. Prindable’s, the #1 maker of handmade gourmet apple gifts, has created the “Autumn Wreath Jumbo Apple”, a new, jumbo Granny Smith apple coated in homemade caramel, rolled in peanut butter chips and almonds, then doused with dollops of milk chocolate and dark chocolate, topped off with a decorative Autumn Wreath ornament. This unique apple gift is also available in all eight signature Mrs. Prindable’s flavors, with a variety of premium chocolates and gourmet nut and candy toppings. Each decadent apple weighs up to 1.5 lbs., and is easily sliced to serve between 8 and 10 guest.

Cost is $26.95 plus tax and shipping. – Mrs. Prindables.com

There’s plenty of time to order for Thanksgiving. For Standard Delivery, order by Monday 11/23.

If you are looking for a unique gift idea for your Thanksgiving hostess, Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet treats are also available in gift baskets. Friends and
family will enjoy a natural basket filled with an assortment of chocolate and caramel-coated apples, pretzels dipped in caramel and peanut butter or chocolate chips, gourmet caramels, premium caramel truffles, almond bark and more. Mrs. Prindable’s gift baskets are available in a wide variety of sizes and price points.

View Signature baskets here: http://www.mrsprindables.com/store/item.asp?rectype=occasion&item_id=231&department_id=84

About Mrs. Prindable’s: Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet apples are a far cry from the simple caramel apples you remember from childhood. Instead, Mrs. Prindable’s gourmet apples are true works of art that emerge after artisans handcraft them during a meticulous, 11-step process involving gourmet caramel, premium chocolates and a variety of gourmet nuts and candy toppings.

After delivery directly from the orchard, the premium apples are dipped by hand in creamy, smooth caramel cooked that same day. Using only the best all-natural ingredients — butter, sugar, cream and vanilla — the caramel is prepared in traditional copper pots in small batches that allow for precise monitoring of the quality and consistency. Such attention ensures that each layer is up to the soft and creamy standards that have made Mrs. Prindable’s caramel famous for 25 years.

For more information on Mrs. Prindable’s products, or to place an order, visit www.MrsPrindables.com or call 888.215.1100.

This would make a gorgeous and ideal gift for a hostess during Thanksgiving as well.

Filed Under: Candy, Candy Reviews, Chocolate!, Desserts, Fall Favorites, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays!, Thanksgiving Recipes

Why Your Heart Loves Pumpkin and A Pumpkin Pudding Recipe

October 19, 2009 By 1 Comment

According to SuperFoods HealthStyle: Simple Changes to Get the Most Out of Life for the Rest of Your Life, a wonderful superfood is in abundance at this very moment: Pumpkins!

Pumpkin is a superfood, whether it’s canned or fresh. This big, beautiful squash is especially good for your heart because it’s loaded with carotenoids that are known to reduce heart disease risk. But there’s more: According to the book’s authors, Steven G. Pratt, MD, and Kathy Matthews, pumpkin is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidant vitamins C and E.

Below is one of the many outstanding recipes from SuperFoods HealthStyle: Simple Changes to Get the Most Out of Life for the Rest of Your Life.

Recipe: PATTY’s PUMPKIN PUDDING

1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
2 to 4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, optional
2 large eggs (the SuperFoods authors recommend eggs with extra omega-3s)
One 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
One 12-ounce can evaporated nonfat milk (or evaporated 2% milk)

Mix all the ingredients together and pour the mixture into an 8-by-8-inch casserole. Bake it in a preheated (350 degrees Fahrenheit) oven for about 30 minutes. Don’t overbake; the center should be slightly wiggly. Cool and enjoy, or refrigerate for later use.

This would be a fantastic recipe for Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Fall Favorites, Halloween Treats, Health and Fitness, Thanksgiving Recipes, Vegetables Tagged With: , , , ,

Recipes for Day of the Dead!

October 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Delicious Honey is perfect for countless recipes.

I’ve noticed lately that a lot of Hispanic traditions and celebrations are going mainstream. Such is the case for Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The National Honey Board has even recreated traditional Dia de los Muertos recipes made with honey, a customary ingredient that according to legend, gives a unique sweetness to the journey from life on earth to life after death.

Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1 and 2, is originally an Azteca custom honoring their dead during the ninth month of the Solar Calendar. Although the original festivities have changed through time, their essence is intact. And, even though the authentic human skulls have been replaced by candy imitations, these representations along with paintings, costumes and art forms symbolize death as the birth of a new life.

This year, Dia de los Muertos falls on a Sunday; a great opportunity to extend celebrations with family and friends at the end of the weekend and enjoy delicious dishes made with honey.

Calabaza en Tacha (candied pumpkin)

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 1/2 cups pure honey
zest of one orange
juice of one orange
3 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
4 cloves of allspice
2 quarts of water (8 cups)
1 medium pumpkin, seeded and cut into large pieces (8 to 10 pieces)

Preparation:
In a medium stockpot combine brown sugar, molasses, pure honey, orange zest, juice of one orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and water. Bring to a boil.

Add pumpkin pieces to stockpot and simmer for approximately one hour until sauce has reduced by almost half and has become a thick syrup. The pumpkin should be fork tender, but not falling apart. Allow to cool and serve.

Atole (traditional Hispanic hot drink)

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/2 cup masa flour*
4 1/2 cups warm milk, divided
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup pure honey

Preparation:
Dissolve masa flour with 1/2 cup hot milk until smooth.

Pour remaining hot milk into a saucepan, add masa flour mixture, cinnamon stick, vanilla extract and honey. Stir constantly over medium heat until fully combined and mixture has thickened. Serve warm in mugs.

*Masa flour is available in large grocery stores or Hispanic grocery stores.

Sugar Skulls

Makes 50 small skulls!

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1 Tbsp. pure honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups granulated sugar

Preparation:
Combine egg whites, honey and vanilla extract; mix well. Pour honey mixture over sugar. With your hands, thoroughly combine sugar and honey until you have a consistency similar to wet sand. (Mixture should form a ball when squeezed in your hand.)

Tightly pack the sugar mix into the skull molds and wipe off excess. Invert onto a flat surface and allow to dry for 24 hours.

Decorate skulls using royal icing*, sequins and/or edible paint.

*Royal Icing: 1 egg white for every 3 cups of powdered sugar. Add food coloring of your choice. Mix ingredients until completely blended.

Honey-Drizzled Buñuelos (fried tortillas)

Makes 12 to 15

Ingredients:
3 cups vegetable oil
1 package (8 to 10) fresh, unbaked flour tortillas
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup granulated sugar
pure honey, to taste

Preparation:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry unbaked tortillas in hot oil until golden brown and place over paper towel to drain excess oil.

Mix cinnamon and sugar, sprinkle over fried buñuelos. Drizzle honey over buñuelos to taste and serve.

Photo and Recipes courtesy the National Honey Board.

Filed Under: Fall Favorites, Halloween Treats, Happy Holidays!, Honey Recipes, South Of the Border Tagged With: , ,
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