Recipes and Layouts

Ok, so I promised lots of recipes and I have a few layouts. So to keep this post from getting MEGA, I'm just gonna do those two subjects and I'll do a different post soon. So first, the requested recipes:

Better Than Your Typical Potato Salad
Ingredients
6 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 pounds (about 8 cups) small new red potatoes, cut into large chunks.
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon dried dill weed
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
5 slices crisply cooked bacon, crumbled
2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced
2 tablespoons sliced 1/8-inch green onions

Directions
1. Bring water and 1 teaspoon salt to a full boil in 8-quart saucepan or Dutch oven; add potatoes. Cook over medium-high heat until potatoes are fork tender (12 to 15 minutes). Rinse with cold water; drain.
2. Stir together remaining salt and all remaining ingredients except bacon, eggs and onions in large bowl. Add potatoes; toss gently to coat. Top salad with bacon, egg and onions. Cover; refrigerate to blend flavors (4 hours or overnight).



Chicken Tortellini Salad
Ingredients
2 cooked boneless/skinless chicken breasts (diced)
1/2 TBS Italian Seasoning
1 large garlic clove (crushed)
3 stalks celery (chopped)
6 green onions (chopped)
1 jar (5 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts (use the juice as well)
7 oz. pkg of cheese filled tortellini
1/2 cup Italian dressing (I think it is 100 times better if you use Paul Newman's Italian dressing)

Directions
Make this dish the night before because it definitely tastes better if it marinades over night.
Cook tortellini according to package directions. Mix with chicken. Add all other ingredients and mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Stir before serving.



Homemade Citrus Punch
Ingredients
6 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate (thawed)
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
4 cups cold water
1 liter lemon-lime soda (chilled)


Directions
In a large pitcher, combine the first 6 ingredients, mix well. Gently pour in soda and serve immediately.


Chocolate Cheesecake Pie
Ingredients
16 oz. cream cheese (room temperature to soften)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted and cooled)
1 oreo pie crust (9-inch)


Directions
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (about 1 minute at 50% power) and set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 325.

Beat cream cheese in an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Add sugar; beat until well-blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time (mixing on low-speed after each addition until well-blended). Stir in melted chocolate.

Put pie crust on a baking sheet. Pour batter into crust and bake for 30-40 minutes (until the center is almost set). Refrigerate for a minimum of four hours before serving.

Peaches Stuffed w/Amaretti Cookies
Ingredients
12 small amaretti cookies
3 ripe, firm peaches (halved and pitted)
3 tsps sugar (1/2 tsp per peach half)
3 tsps unsalted butter (1/2 tsp per peach half)
2 cups fresh whipped cream

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375. Butter the bottom of an 8-inch. baking dish.

Clean out the red flesh from the center of each peach half. Arrange the peaches (cut side up) in the prepared baking dish. Put cookies in a food processor and pulse until finely crumbled. (If you don't have a food processor, put cookies in a ziplock baggie, seal baggie and roll a rolling pin over it). Divide the amaretti crumbs into equal amounts and fill the center of each peach. Sprinkle a 1/2 tsp of sugar over each peach. Dot each peach with a 1/2 tsp of butter.

Bake until the peaches are tender and the filling is crisp on top (about 30 minutes). Serve warm and topped with homemade whipped cream.

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Recent LOs

Going Places

Credits: Kyla's first time riding the little princess car. She was pretty proud of herself. : ) Frames from IOD's new Heirloom Enamels pack and papers are from IOD's new paper pack called Room at San Salvatore. Floral brush by Michelle Coleman. Scripted Brush Stamp by Katie Pertiet. Luggage tag brush from Deviantart. Foil star from Peppermint Creative. Kraft paper behind tag from Gina Miller's "Get Creative" kit. Copper action by Atomic Cupcake. Photo filter by Virtual Photographer. Fonts are Starry Night and SP Wonderful Wendy.

Beautiful Joyful Kyla

Credits: Gina Miller's beautiful "Designer's Studio: Collection Two". Nail from Collection Four, Tag from Collection Seven. Fonts are AL Age Old Love and FG Script Elegant.
Journaling says: How is it possible that someone so young can find and bring so much joy in life? You stop everyone in their tracks with your smile. You fall in love with everyone and make them fall in love with you just as quickly. You are the definition of a joyful heart. My beautiful Kyla.

Giggles

Credits: Look at my cutie pie nephew, Gavin. He is such a sweetie face. I used Carrie Stephen's "Delightful Wee Boy" and the star stamp from her "Soft" kit. Other additions: felt heart and notebook paper by Amy Martin, file folder labels and doodle brush by Katie Pertiet, glitter flower by Jen Wilson, doodle scrolls by Karen Hunt, eyelet by Holly McCaig, twine by Angie Briggs, tin foil stars by Miss Mint. Fonts are FG Linnea and Holtzschue.

Adore

Credits: "Plantation" and "Carriage House" papers and chipped metal tacks by IOD. Lace trim and teal loops from Gina Miller's new "The Finishing Touch" element pack, butterfly from Gina Miller's "Designer's Studio: Collection Four" kit. Button by Kim Christensen. Crochet flowers and Chenille heart by Gina Cabrera. Adore tag by Eve Recinella. Aged paper by Mary Fran. Antiquated Swirl Brush, Boho Chic brush, Mini tags by Michelle Coleman. Beads by Jen Wilson. Paper tears by Steph Krush. Inked edge action by Atomic Cupcake. Goldenrod Photo Action by Photoblast. Fonts are AL Old Remington and 4990810.

Ok, that's it for today. I'll do a post with some cute kid updates soon. ; )