Thanksgivng menu

I can't believe Thanksgiving is in one week!!!

I'm super excited that we'll be staying at our own house and having family over this year. I thought I'd share what dishes I'll be in charge of making. Enjoy!

This first one will surely be a crowd-pleaser. It's called Cranberry Slush, and it's a great way to incorporate cranberries into the meal rather than a sauce or jelly.
It's also great because you can make it the night before and get it out of the way. I made it last year and everyone LOVED it.... so naturally (and by order), I'll be making it again.
 Recipe and complete instructions from This Week for Dinner,  (I made the quick recipe).
You'll need:
- 4 cans whole cranberry sauce
- 3 quarts cranberry juice
- 2 quarts ginger ale

 

Next up... Turtle Pumpkin Cheesecake!

I'm a little worried, being that I've never made it before. But after searching for a good pumpkin cheesecake recipe, this one looks the best. After reading pumpkin, cream cheese,  chocolate, caramel, nuts... it had me hooked. 

For ingredient lists and instructions go to Betty Crocker.

 

 And also from Betty Crocker, easy-peasy, classic..... Green Bean Casserole 

I LOVE the french fried onions on this one...

What are you planning on making for Thanksgiving!? 

I'm interested to know your recipes.

Mini funnel cakes

Ever since we lived in Texas a couple years ago (for a few months) and had a funnel cake at the state fair, I've been dreaming of making them myself. It was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten  (my husband will beg to differ, he gnawed on the ginormous turkey leg pictured below- that thing was the size of my arm!)

I came across this recipe and decided to give it a whirl this coming week. 

Who wants to come over and try it?

 

Have a Happy Weekend!

Ice Cream Cone Rice Krispies

I stumbled upon this fun idea the other day- 

an ice cream cone rice krispie coated in chocolate with hidden candies inside. 

 What could be better?

from confessions of a cookbook queen

 

Strawberry cream sandwiched cupcakes

We had some friends over for dinner this week and they brought, for dessert, the yummiest cupcakes I've ever eaten. 

They came out not too sweet and very light and fluffy. 

You basically bake your choice of cupcake, split the tops off when done baking, peel off the wrapper and stuff a whipped cream/berry mixture between the two cupcake pieces. YUM! 

And a very extra YUM when eaten with ice cream. 

(don't forget the powdered sugar on top. it makes a big difference. in a good way)

She said she got the recipe here.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

For those in cold weather.... or those in warm....

Here is a yummy hot chocolate recipe:

 

• 1 (14 ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 1/2 cups hot milk (2%)
• Mini marshmallows (optional)

Directions:
In large saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in water. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Top with marshmallows, (optional). Store covered in refrigerator. 

by allrecipes.com

maybe one day I'll tackle these homemade marshmallows

image credit

......................

Homemade Reeces peanut butter snacks

Thanks to my mom and this recipe, this is what happens to the extra peanut butter in the house. 

sorry, I didn't snap a photo of the latest ones I made. 

They were consumed way too fast

-image credit

Homemade Reeces peanut butter balls:


1- 18oz jar of peanut butter (whatever kind you like: natural, reduced fat, extra crunchy, etc.)
1 stick of melted butter or margarine
1 lbs bag or box of powdered sugar
melted chocolate


Mix peanut butter and melted butter together with spoon in a bowl. Add sugar and knead with hands until well blended. Roll into tablespoon sized balls and dip in melted chocolate. Eat. Enjoy. Store in fridge. Eat more.

tip: you can add other yummy extras if you want: shredded coconut, raisins, pecans, M&Ms, etc.

extra tip: this is a great edible play dough recipe too. Just be sure to keep it stored in the fridge.

Happy Easter Weekend... now what to do with all those boiled eggs??

While making 3 dozen hard boiled eggs to dye over this weekend, the leftovers can be overwhelming. Here are a few ideas on what to do with them afterwards:

• cracker and egg salad
• green pea and egg salad
• classic egg sandwich
• bacon cheddar deviled eggs
• avocado egg salad
• hard boiled egg mice
• macaroni salad
• potato salad
• ham and egg spinach salad with honey mustard dressing -great to use leftover ham too
• broccoli, egg, olive salad
• tuna-stuffed eggs
• egg salad stuffed tomato
• cobb salad (pictured above)
• cookie?!?! yes, COOKIE, a hard boiled egg chocolate chip cookie recipe to be exact. I haven't tried it, but if you do let me know how it turns out.

HAPPY EASTER!