March 28th, 2013
I had a great time showing off my fun PEEPS projects on Better Kansas City. To see the video segment, CLICK HERE
For some, PEEPS symbolize Easter, spring, and pure happiness! So whether you love them or hate them, these marshmallow molded sugar coated candies are one of the most popular treats in the United States! Over 4 million are created each day and 1 billion are made every year! Best of all, there is an endless variety of ways you can use them for snacking, baking, and even decorating. Here are my five favorite (super easy) PEEPS projects and the secrets to making them perfect!
1. Secret #1 – when planning to hot glue your PEEPS, “CURE” them. Curing is another way of saying, let the Peeps dry out. As they dry, they harden and are much easier to work with when you are using any type of adhesive. I created two PEEPS TOPIARIES and cured my PEEPS for two weeks. Then, I purchased topiary forms and hot glued the PEEPS directly on them. Just be careful where you start and stop and make sure the seam is in one place, preferably the back. And yes, with a little direction, this can be a great project to do with the kids.
2. Secret #2 – Bunny PEEPS look great Layered! A great tip is to use the paper grass instead of jellybeans or other candies to fill in spaces between layers. It is a lot more affordable and looks great! I created a layered PEEPS CENTERPIECE (pictured above) with a “layered” look that used PEEPS and paper grass. The PEEPS bunnies are perfect for this project, because unlike the doves or chicks, which are rounded, the bunnies are nice and flat. This wonderful shape makes them perfect to layer on cakes, in centerpieces, and even wreaths.
3. Secret #3 – When using for edible projects, make sure the PEEPS are as fresh as possible by embellishing your desserts right before serving them. One of the easiest and most popular projects is a PEEPS CAKE. Simply make your favorite cake in a round pan (or purchase one at the store) and embellish with PEEPS. For many, PEEPS are best when they are soft and fresh, so decorate your cake a few minutes before serving. As many of us know, Peeps harden when they are exposed to air, so the less time they are out of the package, the softer they are.
Another delicious project where I recommend you serve soft PEEPS are these wonderful PEEP-kabobs. They are made with Little Debbie’s Easter marshmallow treats, and chocolate covered marshmallow eggs. If you have some extra time, dip your PEEPS in chocolate and give the PEEPS some drying time so the chocolate can harden. I use the candy chocolates you can buy at any craft supply store that has a baking section. Or check your grocery store, now you can purchase ready-made chocolate dipped PEEPS. Absolutely DELICIOUS!!!
Secret #4 – PEEPS are indestructible! Peeps are famous for their 2 year shelf life and indestructibility. Scientists at Emory University could not dissolve PEEPS in water, sulfuric acid, or sodium hydroxide. What that means for the PEEPS lover is that they can submerge their PEEPS in practically anything without the fear of them being destroyed. I got excited about the possibilities and created this PEEPS TRIFLE – The trifle was super easy. My bottom layer consisted of sugar wafers. I layered the PEEPS around my trifle bowl directly on the wafers. My second layer was Lemon or Lime pudding combined with cool whip. My third layer was cake but I also highly recommend using breakfast waffles, they are less sweet and when saturated with the pudding, are delicious!! My third layer was pudding and cool whip. My fourth layer was more cake (or breakfast waffles). My fifth layer was more pudding. And my final layer was the pink Peeps on top. If you would like a slightly less sinful version, use sugar-free pudding and incorporate the breakfast waffles instead of the cake and sugar wafers. Also, give your Trifle some time in the refrigerator, anywhere from 4 – 24 hours. All the layers have time to “marry” and soak up each other’s goodness.
Another famous dessert for Easter are the PEEPS S’mores. It’s fun to watch the PEEPS morph in the microwave and once you put them in between two graham crackers… well… you best clear the way, because there will be a mad stampede to the dessert table! The PEEPS S’mores are really simple to create. I dipped my PEEPS in chocolate the night before. Right before I served them, I placed one on top of a graham cracker, popped in the microwave for about 15 seconds and watch them do their thing. Once I felt they were ready, I took them out of the microwave and placed another graham cracker on top. It turns out perfect every time!!!
5. Secret #5 – PEEPS are cute when you “stage” them! You may or may not be aware that there are over 60 national contests that take place every year involving PEEPS one way or another. Many of them are Diorama contests. The Dioramas show PEEPS doing all sorts of crazy things (Star Treck scenes, Harry Potter, scenes, etc.) Just google “PEEPS Dioramas” and you will have a plethora of funny things to look at. And if you want to stage your own PEEPS, here are some PEEPS bubble bath cupcakes that take just a few minutes to put together. Your kids will love doing this. Simply make cupcakes and frost them with white icing (or purchase ready made cupcakes at the store with white icing). Put a PEEP on a toothpick and stick the toothpick and peep into the cupcake. Then, open a bag of mini-marshmallows and decorate your heart out. Super simple and incredibly adorable!!
· Posted in Crafts, Easter, Parties, Recipes, Trends, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
February 19th, 2013
Imagine being able to throw a party without spending all your time cooking! Sound impossible? Not with Fondue! This fabulous way of entertaining has been around for hundreds of years and is a boon for the novice or busy host — Here are five easy tips on helping you to create your very own Fondue party which I shared on Better Kansas City. To see the video, please click here.
TIP #1 KNOW THE HISTORY
No doubt, people will ask you where Fondue came from and why it exists. As a gracious host, you should be able to give a quick run down of what is Fondue and how it came to be. The easiest way of explaining it is to say that it has been around for over 400 years and was generally viewed as a peasant dish since it was an easy way of eating stale bread and cheese. Fondue is derived from a french word meaning “to melt” and is traditionally served in a communal pot (caquelon) over a portable stove (chaud), and eaten by dipping long-stemmed forks with bread into the cheese. Although the Swiss are generally known as the originators of this dish, the Italians and French also love Fondue.
TIP #2 KNOW THE ETIQUETTE AND RULES
As with anything which has been around for hundreds of years, there are certain etiquette rules and general guidelines you need to follow when creating your Fondue Soiree! However, all the rules are easy and infused with a bit of European humor and flair! As a host of the party, it’s always encouraged you give your guests a quick run-down of these rules since most people may not be familiar with them
- 1. If you are a woman at the table who drops her bread in the fondue pot, you must kiss the two party guests sitting to each side of you.
- 2. If you are a man who drops his bread in the fondue pot, you must buy a round of drinks or even a bottle of wine for every guest at the table.
- 3. If you drop two pieces of bread (gender not relevant), you must host the next fondue party.
- 4. Double dipping is never allowed, so make sure you have as much cheese on your dipping fork as you need, the first time around.
- 5. Dip your food in a figure 8 pattern, it continues to mix the cheese, keeping it creamy for the other guests and gives you the most efficient “dip”!
- 6. Most important… fondue forks are only to transport your food from the fondue pot to your plate, not to eat off!
TIP #3 KEEP IT HEALTHY BY KEEPING IT SIMPLE!
If this is your first Fondue party or if it’s been a while since you’ve thrown a fondue party, make sure you use the easiest Fondue recipes and accompaniments. Don’t overwhelm yourself with complicated ingredients which will detract you from focusing on your guests. Start off with things and ingredients that you know… like cheese, bread, vegetables, chocolate, and fruit. Simplicity is the origin of Fondue, so you won’t be compromising anything by keeping it simple. Once you get more experienced with all the intricacies, you can expand on what you already know with more complex fondue recipes.
Keeping it simple can also help you keep it healthy. If saving calories is important for you and your guests, you may consider altering from a traditional fondue to a more modern and healthy version. Creating an authentic fondue requires a myriad of cheeses, which are not necessarily healthy. Instead, consider creating fondue from two cans of heart healthy cheese soup, 1/2 cup of fat free shredded cheese, and 1/2 cup of regular shredded cheese. You’ll save an enormous amount of calories and sodium while enjoying the delicious fondue on top of vegetables, lean turkey sausage, and turkey meatballs. For dessert, a chocolate fondue comprised of 1 bag of dark chocolate morsels and 1/4 – 1/2 cup of fat free evaporated milk, will take your breath away!
TIP #4 ALWAYS PREPARE AHEAD!
The beauty of Fondue is that there is nothing to cook! However, don’t let this benefit keep you from doing what all good host and hostesses know… prepare ahead! Do as much of the preparation the day before and just focus on preparing the fondue on the “day of”. This means, cut up your vegetables and arrange your meats. For items which tend to “turn” quickly, such as fruit, prepare those an hour prior to your guests arriving and drizzle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration, then refrigerate. The goal is to have everything prepared so all you have to do is remove the platters from the refrigerator and serving when guests arrive.
TIP #5 DRINKS TO ACCOMPANY FONDUE
The good news is that, like fondue, choosing the right drinks are super easy. Traditionally the wine that was used to prepare the fondue, is also served to accompany it… that’s probably the only major rule. White wine is typically the choice, but that has changed over the years to be practically anything. Now, people put beer in their fondue and also drink it to accompany the meal. Brandy or kirsch is a traditional accompaniment since it’s said to help the digestion process. However, don’t feel stifled, practically any drink can be accompanied with the fondue.
· Posted in Guilt Free Party Snacks, Parties, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
January 27th, 2013
Do you know that A Super Bowl Party is the second biggest eating day of the year, right behind Thanksgiving? But unlike Thanksgiving, Super Bowl parties focus on a menu filled with heart-stopping junkfood and an endless supply of alcohol. It’s no wonder that most people consume their entire day’s caloric intake in just one Superbowl meal.
But as with all parties, your guests expect to be indulged, not put on a diet. And since for some guests, the food may be even more important than the game itself, it’s important not to bring out the tofu sliders and kale chips and instead, make some quick alterations to the indulgent treats your guests have come to love.
I had a chance to show off some healthy Super Bowl party ideas to the folks at Better Kansas City and the best part… these ideas can be incorporated into appetizer menus for ANY party! Below is a photo of myself with one of the wonderful hosts of Better Kansas City, Kelly Jones. Don’t let her glamorous looks fool you, Kelly is a SERIOUS football fan! So, without further delay, here are my top healthy Super Bowl ideas you can easily “sneak” into your party menu!
THE POP-CORN BAR:
As many of you know, pop corn is an amazing snack. It’s fat free, gluten free, and packed with fiber… which you’ll probably need after a night of junk food feasting. Create a “station” where people can fill a cup of pop-corn and offer a variety of pop-corn seasoning. The seasoning can be purchased at most super markets and come in a variety of flavors, such as ranch, pizza, and white cheddar. Or, offer various flavored salts and herbs. For an added treat, incorporate different nuts into the pop-corn bar/station which can be added to their pop-corn mixture. Even a nutty trail-mix filled with dried cherries, cranberries, and roasted seeds will guarantee to score a touch-down with your guests!
FOOTBALL PEROSHKI
These are russian meat filled pies. Now, you can fill them with anything… leans meats, broccoli and cheese, pizza and cheese, and even sweets. They are made with regular store-bought biscuit dough and filled with whatever you choose. And they also happen to look just like footballs. And if you think you need to make them even more authentic, add a seam to the top and the peroshki will look EXACTLY like a football! A great alternative to sliders or even… dare I say… oily pizza. FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE.
SEVEN LAYER DIP
The King of all high calorie dips, the seven layer dip is the ultimate power junk food! It combines multiple layers of unhealthy ingredients into one artery clogging dip! But my alternative not only shaves a number of calories but also looks great when sitting on your buffet.
The number one tip… start with fresh ingredients, such as home-made salsa and guacamole. Then, instead of real sour cream, use greek plain yogurt. It has a similar taste to sour cream, I promise no one will be able to tell. Last but not least, serve the dip in individual cups. The presentation is beautiful and you won’t see your guests doing the ultimate “no-no”… double dipping! And, if you want to receive RAVES all evening, calculate the calorie content of your seven-layer dip in each individual cup. If your guests know that each cup contains 50 calories, they’ll be able to keep track of their calorie intake, which is a huge help for your health and calorie-conscious party goers. Add baked chips (more info. below) and you’ve got a winning combination!
BAKED CHIPS AND FRESH HOME-MADE DIP
Chips and dip are staples of any good party, and super bowl parties are no exception. But instead of surrendering to the fats and calories, make a healthier alternative that everyone will love! Simply purchase flour tortillas at the store and cut them up, brush them with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and your favorite herbs. You’ll have a “gourmet” looking baked chip that is a healthier and even better tasting alternative to the store-bougt ones. Less sodium, less trans fat, and a TON of flavor!
PIGS IN A BLANKET
Last, but certainly not least (in calories or fat) is the ultimate “heart stopping” junk food… Pigs In A Blanket. With enough sodium and trans fat to leave you in an ER, making this snack healthier is not only easy but a health necessity!! When purchasing the sausages, choose the turkey sausages which are a reduced fat version and will cut close to 75% of the fat… yes, 75%! Hillshire Farms makes delicious turkey mini-sausages. The reduction in calories is also significant. For an added benefit, use reduced fat croissants to help this snack be a true winner! Just applying these two easy alterations can significantly reduce the impact on your guests’ waistline!
· Posted in Appetizers, Guilt Free Party Snacks, Parties, Recipes ·
December 31st, 2012
Here is a delicious Babka cake I made a few days ago. After doing some research on the MANY different varieties and recipes for this fabulous cake, I found the best recipe on Cooks.com. I also played around with a wonderful recipe in one of my cook books but it used shortening as well as asked that you let the dough rise for 6 hours. I hate shortening and am always short on time!
Note to all who are in a time crunch. This would NOT be the bread/cake for you! This is one of those “old school” European recipes where you have to assume that the people who made this, spent the entire day in the kitchen making a plethora of other food for hours and hours! For instance, you have to knead the dough for 1/2 hour by hand and as I mentioned above, let it rise for 6 hours!
So I cheated a little bit. I found a great recipe on cooks.com which used butter and only required that you let the dough rise for about 2 hours. This recipe also asks you to knead the dough, by hand, for 1/2 hour, but I only did it for about 10 minutes.
The above photo was of my successful Babka Cake. The only thing I did differently was that I used Figs instead of raisins. Next time, I’ll use raisins since I think they will make the cake a bit sweeter.
5-6 cups of flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cake yeast (or 1 package of active dry yeast)
1/2 cups warm water (104-115°F)
3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 lb. butter
3/4 cups golden raisins or 1 package of figs.
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
In a saucepan, heat milk. Add butter and heat until the butter is melted. Pour into a large bowl. Stir in sugar and salt. Allow to cool to lukewarm.
Crumble (or stir) yeast into warm water until yeast is dissolved. Let sit approximately 5 minutes. Add to cooled milk.
Stir in eggs and vanilla. Gradually add flour and knead dough in bowl (for approximately 1/2 hour if done by hand) until dough no longer sticks to hands. Add raisins and knead into dough.
Note: We used the kneading attachment of an electric mixer for 12 minutes.
Cover with a clean towel and let rise a in warm place, free from draft until doubled (approximately 1 hour).
Punch down dough. Cover and let rise again. Punch down again.
Divide dough in half and put into 2 greased 9×5 inch bread pans or 1 angel food cake pan (without tube) for a large traditional bread.
Mix 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush top of bread with mixture and let rise uncovered in a warm place until doubled.
Bake at 350°F 30-35 minutes for 9×5 inch pans or 40-50 minutes for large pan, or until bread is golden and loaves sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
This is a traditional Polish bread recipe that is served during the Easter and Christmas Holidays.
· Posted in Christmas, Recipes ·
December 20th, 2012
As always, I had a wonderful time ending 2012 with two segments on Better Kansas City TV show! The beautiful and classy Lisa Holbrook, one of the hosts who interviewed me (on the left), always makes me feel special and welcomed. The gorgeous and hip Kelly Jones (on the right), is the other host. Kelly and Lisa make a great team and both make my time at Better Kansas City fun and memorable.
My two segments covered super easy centerpieces and creative ways to showcase your appetizers. Below are the tips for the centerpieces. I hope you enjoy them and if you would like to see the actual TV segments, I’ll be posting them soon on my ”videos” page. Or, you can see them directly on the KCTV 5 Web Site:
CREATIVE APPETIZERS VIDEO
SUPER SIMPLE CENTERPIECES USING DUCT TAPE, EMPTY BOXES, GIFT BOXES, AND CANDY
Stunning Christmas centerpieces don’t necessarily have to take a lot of time or expensive materials. If you are looking to create something budget friendly, yet creative, this holiday season, here are some great ideas on re-purposing things you may already have sitting around your house!
1. METAL CANS, JARS & DUCT TAPE : Before you throw out those coffee cans, veggie cans, or even pickle jars, STOP! Because now you can re-purpose them as fun containers for your holiday centerpiece. Simply purchase decorative duct tape at any craft store and cover your cans and jars. Before you know it, you’ll have a great centerpiece to wow your friends with! I used polka-dot decorative duct tape. I re-purposed used ribbon and tied it around the can. I filled the cans with fresh flowers and set a red Christmas ornament on top. It turned out great!
2. CANDY TOPIARIES: One of the many things we are tempted with during the holidays is the plethora of candy that
seems to pop-up from just about everywhere. Well, instead of watching your waistline grow, watch how impressed your friends and family will be when you create these fun and easy topiaries perfect for your table, buffet, or just about anywhere. I used hot glue to adhere the peppermints. I also used toothpicks for the gumdrop trees. Both were super easy and I did them with my kids while watching a Christmas movie.
3. EMPTY BOXES: I don’t know about most people, but my house seems to get an inordinate amount of boxes during the
holidays. With a little creativity and help from wrapping paper, you can transform those boring old empty boxes into beautiful
displays perfect for anywhere in your home.
4. GIFT BAGS AND GIFT BOXES If you ever thought that vases were the only things you could put flowers in, you’re about
to be pleasantly surprised! These “ready-made” table decorations can transform a boring table into a beautiful showplace!
For those of you who know about Elf on A Shelf and wondered why he’s hanging out with me. Well, it’s because he tagged along with me to the TV studio. My kids wondered what happened to him in the morning since he was no where to be found. But when they watched my TV segment, they were so surprised and thrilled to find him in the midst of my centerpieces.
· Posted in Christmas, Crafts, Dollar Store, Flowers, Parties, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
December 3rd, 2012
Nervous about falling prey to the holiday eating frenzy? If you are hosting a party, you can say good-bye to that frustrating feeling that your table has to be laden with rich and unhealthy foods. Here are five simple tips on displaying healthy veggies in an attractive and fun way to dress-up your next holiday party… or any party for that matter! Trust us, your guests will thank you for it!
Here’s my latest segment photos from Better Kansas City when I had a chance to talk about “re-inventing” the way we look at vegetables when it’s time to throw a party!
TIP #1 - RETHINK THE VEGGIE PLATTER: Many hosts approach the vegetable tray as an afterthought, but since the holidays tend to reak havok on our waistlines, most guests appreciate healthy options at the holiday buffet. But you don’t have to forego creativity when serving veggies. There are so many fun ways you can incorporate vegetables at a party. A great idea is a salad bar. “Interactive” bars have become one of the hottest party trends… such as candy “bars”, cupcake “bars”, even potato “bars”. Why not do the same with veggies and allow your guests to create a custom salad with their own ingredients and dressings.
TIP #2 - HAVE FUN WITH PRESENTATION: Again, the platter is great, but other serving ideas are even better. Check your cabinets for items you use everyday, such as flower vases, martini glasses, mason jars, and just about any container to display your veggies.
TIP #3 - GET CREATIVE: This goes without saying! Displaying your veggies in a creative way brings the WOW factor. Create Christmas Trees from your broccoli and vegetable wreaths from your asparagus… the possibilities are endless.
TIP #4 - DON’T FORGET THE KIDDOS! If your party will include children, create a fun platter just for them. They’ll love that someone thought of them and you can feel better knowing that you are encouraging healthy eating. This fun Elmo veggie platter is easy to make and if you google “elmo vegetable platter” you will also see lots of Sesame Street characters made into veggie and fruit platters.
5. TIP #5 – MAKE LIFE EASY! Buy the veggie platter at the store and ditch the plastic. If time is of an issue and budget is not, let the professionals at the grocery store cut and arrange your veggie platter. Then take it home, ditch the plastic, find fun containers and create something fun within half the time. Also, the best part about veggies… they can be prepared ahead of time. That’s always a huge help for the host on party day!
· Posted in Appetizers, Parties, Trends, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
November 17th, 2012
It’s always really exciting when I get to appear on Better Kansas City! The hosts are fun and the crew always makes me feel like I’m among friends! It was Kelly’s (one of the hosts) birthday the prior week and I wanted to create something special for her to celebrate her belated birthday! What better way to do that than with a cheese spread? Lucky for me, the producer agreed that since the holidays were just around the corner, most watchers would probably appreciate a “how-to create a cheese platter 101″. So, equipped with my “no-fail” tried and true tips, I arrived at the studio with tons of cheese, accessories, and a slew of ideas.
Many people wonder where to start when planning your cheese platter. I’m certainly no cheese expert but the good news is that creating a cheese presentation is basically a “no-fail” endeavor. As long as you have cheese and crackers, your guests will be happy. However, if you want to take it to the next level, there are many things you can do to create something unforgettable. I’ve done my research on the internet and also met with a “Cheese Steward” at a local store who gave me some great advice. So, here’s what I learned:
TIP #1 – Try to have at least three milk types (cow, sheep, and goat). Also, try to incorporate cheeses from different countries or regions. For example, I had sheep cheese from Spain, goat cheese from Holland, and cow cheese from the United States.
TIP #2 – Have fun with the presentation! Don’t worry about arranging things on special cheese platters. Simply using cutting boards… large and small… will create a warm setting that is not only practical but beautiful as well! Additionally, don’t ever feel like you have to buy fancy equipment or presentation items. Cheese is all about being casual and rustic… nothing fancy-schmancy about it!
TIP #3 – Have a different knife for each cheese. There are few strict rules in cheese presentation, but having a knife dedicated strictly to each cheese is one of them. No one wants a hunk of bleu cheese intruding on their cheddar.
TIP #4 – Label, label, label! Another rule not to break is to make sure your cheeses are well labeled. Unless you plan to be next to your cheese plate all evening, ready to go into explanations with every guest, there should be a label next to each cheese. The reasons are pretty obvious. Some people may not be able to tolerate cow cheese, but can enjoy sheep or goat cheese. And no matter how obvious some cheeses look, there are always people who have no idea which is the brie or the bleu cheese. So do your guests and yourself a favor – label… label… label!
TIP #5 – Arrange the cheese. Although this is not a die-hard rule, most cheese afficiandos will tell you that when placing multiple cheeses on a circular tray, place the cheeses in a clockwise direction starting from the mildest at the twelve o’clock position to the strongest, like your bleu cheese, at eleven o’clock. When arranging on a rectangular board, start with the mildest flavors on the right and work your way toward the strongest cheeses on the left. Again, no one will call the cheese police if you don’t follow these rules, but you may impress the cheese afficionados.
TIP #6 – Don’t spend a ton of money on crackers! Most people think that crackers have to be fancy or gourmet to serve with cheese, but the truth is, your cheese should be your main investment. Gourmet crackers are not a “must”. In fact, most cheese experts recommend you stay with neutral crackers with no herbs or additional flavorings. The important thing is to make sure the seasonings on the crackers do not interfere with the taste of the cheeses. So save your money!
TIP #7 – Take care of your cheese! Put your cheese out an hour prior to serving so it has a chance to soften. Keep cheeses covered during the party so they don’t dry out. When putting leftover cheese away, wrap in wax or parchment paper to let the cheese “breathe”. Store in the most humid section of your refrigerator, which tends to be the vegetable drawer.
TIP #8 – It’s all about the pairings! Even though cheese and crackers are great together, adding additional items to the cheese plate is not only delicious, but gives guests a sense of variety. Here are some suggestions for pairing cheese.
1. Artisan breads are wonderful for practically any cheese. Soft breads and crusty toasts will work with mild, strong, soft, and hard cheeses.
2. You can’t go wrong with fruit! Fresh or dried, fruit is a wonderful accompaniment to any cheese. Choose fruits that are in season and arrange them to create a colorful presentation. Fresh apples, pears, grapes, kiwi, and pomegranate look beautiful together. Dried figs, apricots, and cranberries are perfect to serve on a cold winter evening alongside your gourmet cheeses.
3. Dried meats such as prosciutto, salami, and sopresetta are perfect next to sheep cheeses. Place small crocks of mustard and horseradish nearby so guests can create small sandwiches with their meat and cheese pairings.
4. Don’t forget the nuts! Nuts and cheeses go hand in hand. You don’t have to spend oodles on gourmet nuts. Simple nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, and even peanuts work well with cheese. There are even hybrid nuts which are made especially for cheese pairings.
5. The sweet stuff! Did you know that drizzling honey over your bleu cheddar cheeses is DELICIOUS! Try it! Your guests will also be surprised. Other items like fig spread over brie is absolutely unforgettable. Great for an after-dinner cheese spread as well!
6. Pickled anything! Some of my most favorite pairings are pickles and even olives! They go great with mild or strong cheddar. Place some pickles or olives next to your cheddar and watch them disappear!
· Posted in Appetizers, Parties, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
October 21st, 2012
This is by far one of the most popular Halloween treats in 2012. If you are on Pinterest, you know exactly what I’m talking about. These are wonderful because they are SUPER easy and need little skill. And this is why I love them. All you need are soft cookies, red icing, marshmallows and almond pieces.
If you will make your own cookies, make sure you bake them so they are still soft and moist. If you will buy cookies from the store, just purchase the “soft baked” ones, not the crunchy versions. You can use any cookie flavor… it tastes great no matter which one you use. You can also use chocolate frosting, if you don’t want the red gums.
Just break or cut the cookie in half. Spread the red icing on each cookie. Place the marshmallows on the bottom cookie half and sandwich the other half on top. Then, just stick the almond pieces to create the fangs and you are all set! Trust me, it will be a HIT at your next Halloween party!
· Posted in Halloween, Parties, Trends ·
October 15th, 2012
Seriously, how can you not fall in love with this great idea for an appetizer. It’s easy to put together and fun for guests to nibble on. All you need are carrots, parsley, green onion, toothpicks, and hummus.
Then, just slice the carrots, take some parsley leaves and attach them to the carrot with a toothpick. Slide a piece of green onion over the toothpick to have a look of a “stem” and arrange on a bed of hummus. Told ya it was simple!
Thanks to the folks at Disney magazine for inspiring me with this recipe.
· Posted in Appetizers, Halloween, Parties, Recipes ·
October 13th, 2012
I love appearing on Better Kansas City. I always have so much fun creating ideas and simple projects which (hopefully) inspires the viewers to have some fun on their own. Here is a photo of my most recent appearance when I talk about all the fun and trendy ideas for this year’s Halloween Pumpkin decorating. PLUS… they are all no-carve ideas, so you never even have to pick up a knife! Here is the link to this video segment. NO CARVE PUMPKIN IDEAS
· Posted in Halloween, TV Appearances, TV Spots ·
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