brecho cheapchic: recipes

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Low Key Pool Party Ideas

I'm getting a few friends together tomorrow for a low-key pool party. I hate to even call it a "party" because then my psycho snobby brain starts thinking I need favors, labels, a dessert buffet... you get the jist! But, "pool get-together" doesn't have the same ring. I think I'm calling it a pool play-date. Ooo-kay, this is turning into a tangent that needs to end!

Anyway, here's a few ideas that are inspiring me:

I am thinking of giving the girls this cute free printable in 4x6 from Vintage Marigolds:

I don't have a source, but I have this on my pinterest board and it looks easy enough:

This one is like the pool party in my dreams! The Joys of Home Educating has the cutest idea for serving food at a pool party, I might end up with a version of this if my friends are lucky!!!

And MMMmmmm, I think I must make these pina colada cupcakes from Keri at Pressed Down, Shaken Together:

*update!! Of all my fun ideas, I actually only did the pina colada cupcakes, here's mine:

They were sooooo good! But they seemed slightly more pineapple upside down cake that straight pina colada. I did use the pineapple juice I had leftover from the can to add to the buttercream instead of as much milk. I liked it better than I was feeling about the buttercream. So just FYI :) But head over to her site and try this recipe out!

And I saw a recipe in the latest issue of Family Fun, but there isn't a picture. It's for a "pool noodle" salad. You use ziti pasta so that it looks like pool noodle toys, cucumber rings, and watermelon cut into balls. And it doesn't have mayo so it should outlast the heat. I know it needs a picture, but here's the recipe anyway from Family Fun's website:

Hands-on Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4

Pool noodles, swim rings, and beach balls -- this splashy pasta salad has it all. Plus, it's mayo-free for easy, delicious picnicking.

Ingredients

1/2 pound ziti pasta
3 pickling cucumbers
juice and grated zest from 1 large lime
1/2 cup vegetable or light olive oil
1 tablespoon suger, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 tablespoons slivered fresh mint
1/2 cup crumbled feta
2 cups balls cut from a seedless watermelon

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, cook the pasta until just tender, and drain.
Cut the ends off the cucumbers, then use an apple corer or run a wide drinking straw through the center to core them. Slice them into rings. Whisk together the lime juice and zest, oil, sugar, salt, and garlic.
Toss the still-warm pasta with half of the dressing, then add the cukes, mint, and feta, toss again, and taste. Add more dressing and salt to taste, then fold in the melon.

cupcake, Holiday parties, recipes, summer |

Fireworks Floats and Firecracker Popcorn

So I LOVE LOVE the 4th of July...don't you? I love to celebrate it, I love to decorate for it, I love to dress up for it and I love to cook up fun things for it. My kids as I have said many times before have become somewhat snobby in what they now think all Holidays entail...not that I am complaining it is actually quite endearing to mommy's little snobby heart! And the 4th of July is a super fun time around this house. (maybe its because treats are abundant hmm...) And today's post is one of our family's favorite 4th of July treats. Firecracker Floats which we have on the 4th and firecracker popcorn (which we have on the 4th and many other times of the year because it really is to die for good and red really works well for a plethora of holidays!) We like to make little treat packages for friends and neighbors with the popcorn to wish them a happy 4th. So what makes a float a firecracker float? Those special little candy pop rocks--they really do ROCK. And of course red and blue soda--the combo creating a red, white and blue float complete with the firecracker sound effects and all.

So here is what you will need to make your floats. (Any red and blue soda will work of course!) Then make a float as you normally would and when ready to ~~explode~~ eat, have the kids sprinkle the pop rocks on top. Listen for the explosion and drink up!! Always a hit...no matter how many times we have done it.

Now for the Red Hot Firecracker Popcorn Recipe. This really is a treat and I mean so good you can't stop eating it, so beware and don't say I didn't warn you!

3 bags microwave popcorn, popped
1 C. Butter
9 oz Red Hots Candy
1/2 C Corn Syrup

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Have popcorn ready in a large bowl. Have a roast pan or large jelly roll sheet sprayed with cooking spray and ready to go. Mix butter, syrup and candy over med/high heat. Once it boils let it boil for 5-8 mins longer. It should then reach soft ball stage on a candy thermometer. All the while stirring constantly. Once it reaches soft ball remove from heat and pour over popcorn and mix well. Pour popcorn into pan or sheet and place in oven. Roast for 45 min stirring after 20 mins. Remove from oven and pour out onto parchment paper or sprayed wax paper to cool in a single layer. Store in an airtight container.

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4th of July, recipes |

Father's Day Breakfast..snobstyle!

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So what would be more perfect for Father's Day Breakfast than cinnamon rolls? Oh I found something even better...Cinnamon Roll Pancakes!! Genius right? I mean no effort in kneading and no time to rise which means moms everywhere will be sleeping in a little later this Father's Day! I was no less than thrilled (and drooling) when I stumbled across these babies from recipegirl.com.

I immediately knew these were a snobby find and added them to the Father's Day Menu along with some bacon and fresh OJ and you are so golden mamas!!


photo courtesy of recipegirl.com

So enjoy a later morning and please let us know what you think of these pancakes.

Recipe is found here.

Father's Day, recipes |

Peach Mint Mocktail for Mothers Day

Okay all you mama's out there--we have a special treat for you today!! I am drink freak. Well let me clarify that, I am a no-calorie carbonated drink freak and when I came across this end cap at Walmart full of these delightful 2 litres of Sparkling Peach, Blueberry, Pink Lemonade and Cherry Limeade I about ran over the woman in front of me. They were all no calorie--score number 1 and they were $0.68--yes you read that correctly and that is not a sale price just the good ol regular Walmart price. (This is why I torture myself with this store) So drink freak here buys a few (it could have been 12 or more) to try and then passes the tip on to my mom, sister, sis in laws, friends etc... So yummy especially with sonic ice. And if that alone is not enough we have a mommy mocktail recipe for you that will definitely take our $0.68 walmart special to the next level. (And I am sure for those of you who want something a little stronger than a "mocktail" have at it you won't be disappointed!!) But either way you will most definitely want to hit your favorite Walmart (except those of you in the areas surrounding Parker and Southlands I can't promise that there will be any of the Sparkling Peach left I have filled my food storage with it--wink wink) and add this to your Mother's Day Menu.

Ingredients:

1 Bottle of Sparkling Peach Soda

Fresh Mint, minced

Diced Peaches, either fresh or frozen

Ice (I prefer Sonic Ice)

Take the mint and place in the bottom of a glass

Place the peaches in the glass

Muddle (I can't believe I am actually using that word but I don't know what else to say and I have heard it used on Food Network so just go with it) the peaches and mint together and then put ice in glass and pour soda over the top. Stir with a straw and enjoy!!

Linking here:

Sunday:

http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/, http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com

Monday:

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/, http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/, http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/, http://www.skiptomylou.org/, http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/, http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com

Tuesday:

http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://ladybug-blessings.com/, http://tipjunkie.com/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com

Wednesday:

http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/, http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/, http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/, http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/, http://www.mybackyardeden.com/, http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com

Thursday:

http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/, http://www.houseofhepworths.com/, http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/

Friday:

http://www.whipperberry.com/, http://www.kojodesigns.blogspot.com/, http://www.thegirlcreative.com/,http://tidymom.net/, http://sassysites.blogspot.com/, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/, http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/, http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/

Saturday:

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com

Mother's Day, recipes |

Cinco de Mayo

I don't know about you, but I don't need much of an excuse for Mexican food! And not having any Latin heritage and living in a state that is only loosely considered "southwest" I'm not totally sure that my Cinco de Mayo is completely "authentic," but who cares?? Not me! And being a bit of a snob about my holidays (as you know) I get a little crazy in my plans for holidays like this!

I do dream of throwing this shindig for my family and friends:

courtesy of kara's party ideas

But my Cinco de Mayo might get as festive as running by Chipotle! (I almost just typed Taco Bell but then threw up in my mouth a little and thought, "Dot, you'd never sink that low...")

Here's some ideas to help us all land somewhere in between! (Although if you celebrate on par with Kara's Party Ideas up there: More. Power. To. You.)

First off you might want to stop by Christy Robbin's blog where she has a round up of good ideas, including this Churro cupcake (filled with dulce de leche):

recipe here

I'm also thinking of just buying a couple of Costco churros, slicing them up into fourths and serving with Haagen-Dazs Dulce de Leche ice cream. But if you want to make some real Churros from scratch, Christy has a recipe for that too!

Personally, I have to have some good guacamole with any Mexican food too. My friend Kristin has a recipe that I'm going to try this Cinco de Mayo!

efn recipes

I might also make fish tacos, if you haven't tried them, you need to! My friend Pam has a super yummy recipe but I substitute in the tortilla-crusted tilapia filets from Costco. 'Cause I'm classy like that.

Pam’s Fish Tacos

Inspired from the Fish tacos at The Mission in Scottsdale

Lemon/Herb Marinade*

Chop together:

½ c. cilantro leaves (or whatever herb you want)

zest of one lemon

Then add:

Juice from the lemon

1/8 c. white wine

¾ c. olive oil

1 t. garlic/shallot puree (or 1 T. garlic)

Whisk then let meld for 30 min.

Marinade white fish (Mahi Mahi is best) for 30 minutes, then grill approx 8 min.

*Delish for any meats or white fish

Garlic/Shallot Puree

10 cloves garlic

½ shallot

1 t. olive oil

Blend in food processor

Then add 1 T. olive oil and blend longer

Use 1 t. when recipe calls for 1T of garlic

Refrigerate for 7 days or freeze

Fish Taco Sauce

1/3 c. mayo

1/3 c. plain yogurt

1 t. lime juice

1 dash of chipotle sauce

Serve sliced white fish on small white corn tortillas

Along with:

Chopped white (Chinese) cabbage

Chopped tomatoes

Sliced mini sweet red peppers

And another few delish recipes to try are these copies from a popular Mexican restaurant scattered through the southwest, Cafe Rio. My SIL emailed them to me ages ago when we left Salt Lake City for Seattle and I was dying for some Mexican food. Her words:

These are REALLY good copies. Try them, you will not be disappointed.

Café Rio Pork

3# Pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 c dark brown sugar
1 c Worcestershire sauce
1 t dried oregano
1 t powdered ginger
1 t salt
1 t chili powder
1 t garlic powder
2 T dried minced onions

Cook all ingredients in a crock pot all day. One hour before serving, remove roast and shred it, dump out cooking juices. Put shredded pork back into crock pot and add…

1 c dark brown sugar
1 c red enchilada sauce

Lime Rice

1 c white rice
2 T chicken broth, + broth to cook rice in
1 T fresh lime juice
1 T garlic powder
1 T dried minced onion
Pinch of salt

Cook all ingredients for rice directions, substituting chicken broth for water. When rice is done, add…

½-1 c chopped cilantro
1 T fresh lime juice
1 c green enchilada sauce

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing

Place the following in a blender:
3 tomatillos, peeled and cut in ¼’s
Juice of ½ lime
½ c buttermilk
½ c mayo
½ c sour cream
1 pkg dry ranch buttermilk dressing
1 c fresh chopped cilantro
6 green onions, with ends
2 cloves crushed garlic
3 t sugar
1 jalapeno, sliced thin, and added to taste

Mix well, refrigerate 1 hour.

And I think I am going to make the completely swoon-worthy pinatas from One Charming Party. They are AMAZING! Or I might get sucked into the ones on sale at the grocery store. But I dunno, these are pretty dang cute!