Tropical Breakfast Parfaits

 

Recipe by goodlifeeats

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 10 min
• Serving Size: 4 parfaits
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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pineapple, diced
• 1/2 cup mango, diced
• 2/3 cup kiwi, diced

• 2 cups vanilla or coconut yogurt
• 2 cups granola, homemade or store bought
• 1/2 cup coconut, toasted

•  In a small bowl, combine the three fruits. Stir until evenly distributed. Set aside.
• To assemble: place 1/4 cup granola in each of 4 clear glasses (juice size or dessert dishes).
• Then, top the granola of each cup with 1/4 cup yogurt.
• Next, add two spoonfuls (soup spoon size) of fruit on top of the yogurt. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.
• Repeat steps 2-4 until cups are full and all the ingredients are used up, ending with fruit and coconut for a pretty presentation.
• If desired, you can add chopped macadamias on top as well.
• Enjoy immediately!

 

Mediterranean Crescent Pinwheels

Ingredients

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls

1/2 lb prosciutto or cooked ham, thinly sliced

1 up crumbled feta cheese (4 oz)

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon  Pure Vegetable Oil

6 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick cooking spray. Separate dough into 4 rectangles; place on lightly floured surface. Firmly press perforations to seal. Press or roll each to form 8×5-inch rectangle.
2. 2Arrange 1/4 of prosciutto slices evenly over each rectangle. In small bowl, combine cheese, pepper and oil; mix well. Sprinkle mixture evenly over prosciutto on each rectangle. Sprinkle with basil.
3. 3Starting at short side of each rectangle, roll up; seal long edges. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 5 slices. Place, cut side up, on sprayed cookie sheets.
4. 4Bake at 375°F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheets. Serve warm.

 Image Credit:pillsbury.com

Ladybug Pretzels

 NEED CHOCOLATE AND RED MELTING DISKS, PRETZELS AND CANDY EYES.

  EYES AND DISKS CAN BE FOUND AT MICHAELS. 
 DIP THE MAIN PART IN RED AND CHILL TO SET. 
 DIP SMALLER PART IN CHOCOLATE-ADD EYES AND POLKA DOTS TO THE BODY!
http://www.hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2013/07/choclate-ladybug-pretzels.html

Roasted Garlic Chicken Puffs

Roasted Garlic Chicken Puffs.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts
2 oz pkgs cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
2 tbsp fresh chopped garlic
2 tsp chives
1/2 cup green onions

Cook chicken and shred into fine chunks.

 Add minced garlic to cooking chicken and cook until garlic is browned/reduced.

 Place remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl, add warm chicken mix and incorporate.

 Spoon apps 2-3 tbsp of filling into canned crescent roll and cook as per directions. 

It is better to overstuff the rolls and have it ooze from the sides.

 I recommend buying at least 4 cans of the large flaky rolls as the mixture goes a long way.

Cucumber Dill Recipe N Crudites

cucumber dill dip recipe and crudité how to

what you’ll need

serves 12

dill dip

• 2 sprigs dill
• 1 cup yogurt
• juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cucumber, seeded

crudités

• carrots
• kale
• radishes
• cherry tomatoes
• baby zucchini
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• asparagus

display

• window box
• 4 large glasses or lined terracotta pots to hold vegetables

let’s do it

cucumber dill dip

• combine dill, yogurt, lemon juice, and cucumber in blender
• mix until smooth
• refrigerate four hours or until dip thickens
• serve with vegetables

crudités

• wash all vegetables
• slice carrots into thick cut strips
• separate and wash kale
• wash radishes, cherry tomatoes and baby zucchini
• wash and cut broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus
• bring large pot of salted water to boil over high heat
• add asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower to blanch
• remove from pot once vegetables are crisp and barely tender, about 2 minutes
• place blanched veggies immediately into bowl of ice water for about 30 seconds to stop cooking process
• drain and pat dry with kitchen or paper towel

display

• line window box with 4 terracotta pots or large glasses
• fill one pot with kale, one with cauliflower and broccoli, one with asparagus and carrots, and one with radishes
• fill empty spaces of window box (in-between pots) with baby zucchini and cherry tomatoes
• place crudités in center of table with cucumber dill dip and serve
  

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Fresh Cob Bar Toppings

how to make a fresh corn cob bar with toppings

shuck the corn 

what you’ll need

makes 8 servings

• 16 ears of corn
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 9 jalapeños, sliced
• 1 ½ cups pico de gallo
• 1 ½ cups black beans
• 1 ½ cups salsa
• ¼ cup chili powder
• ¼ cup garlic salt
• ¼ cup seasoned salt

let’s do it

•  shuck the corn
• boil corn about 5-10 minutes, strain
• cut corn off  cob
• place corn in large bowl or Crock Pot
• put toppings and spoons in bowls, put on table with corn

Potato Head Eats Recipe

What You’ll Need

• Several large russet potatoes
• A variety of veggies such as black olives, broccoli, radishes, cucumbers, carrots (both full-sized and baby), Brussels sprouts, green onions and red bell peppers
• Lots of toothpicks

Let’s Do It

• Clean and wash your potatoes and then slice off just enough of the bottoms to allow them to stand up straight
• Chop and slice your pre-washed veggies and place in separate bowls arranged around the table
• Set potatoes and toothpicks around the table
• Using the toothpicks, pin the veggies into place to assemble the potato face
• Don’t let the potatoes go to waste, bake them as usual and enjoy

Self-Serve Chili Bar Ideas

set up a self-serve chili bar

how to set up a self-serve chili bar

what you’ll need

• chili 
• toppings (diced tomatoes, red onions and avocados, shredded cheese, chopped parsley leaves, tortilla strips, spices, etc.)
• serving bowls and serving ware
• bowls

let’s do it

• cook your favorite chili
• prepare a variety of colorful, flavorful toppings
• arrange toppings in bowls (for fun, we used washed, clean soup cans with the labels removed and a food-safe liner added)
• set out serving bowls and utensils for your guests near the food-serving station
• set out non-perishable toppings (keep any perishable ingredients refrigerated until right before your guests arrive)
• put chili in enamel cast-iron pot to help keep it hot (you can also use a crockpot or electric plate warmer)
• set it on the table right before you are ready to eat

Chunky Guacamole

chunky guacamole recipe

makes 8 servings

what you’ll need

• 4 avocados
• ½ small red onion, grated
• 1 small tomato, diced
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• juice of 1 lime
• salt, to taste
• grater or microplane

let’s do it

• remove avocados from shells; save shells
• mash 3 avocados in bowl with back of fork
• dice 1 avocado and add to other avocado mixture
• add rest of ingredients and mix well
• serve in avocado skins

Mac N Cheese Bites Recipe

macaroni and cheese bites recipe

what you’ll need

makes 12 bites

• ½ / 1 tablespoon butter, divided
• 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs, seasoned or plain
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley (1/2 teaspoon dry)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided into single cups
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3-4 strips bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 cup whole milk

let’s do it

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• grease muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray
• sauté ½ tablespoon of butter with panko crumbs until golden brown
• stir in parsley and set aside
• bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil
• add macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente
• remove from heat, drain and return to pot
• stir in remaining butter and egg until pasta is evenly coated
• add remaining cheeses (reserve 1 cup of Jack cheese), bacon, mustard (optional) and milk
• spoon into muffin tin
• sprinkle with reserved cheese and bread crumb mixture
• bake for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown
• allow muffins to cool slightly before removing from pan and serving
  

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Chicken Salad Cucumber Rolls

chicken cucumber rolls recipe

what you will need

makes 2 dozen

• 2 chicken breasts
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup sliced almonds or pecan pieces
• ½ cup Greek yogurt, plain
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2–3 English cucumbers
• toothpicks

let’s do it

• bring salted water to boil
• add two chicken breasts and cook fully; about 20 minutes
• let cool for 5-10 minutes
• place chicken on flat surface
• secure with fork in one hand and with second fork, pull away shredded pieces
• place chicken in medium-sized bowl
• add celery, cranberries and nuts
• mix thoroughly
• combine yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper
• add to chicken mixture
• slice cucumbers length-wise with mandolin (if especially long, cut in half)
• place heaping teaspoon of chicken salad on one end and roll
• secure in place with toothpick
• repeat until chicken salad is finished
• refrigerate until ready to serve
  

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DIY Infused Water Recipes

flavored water recipes

what you’ll need

grapefruit & basil

• 4 sprigs basil
• 1 gallon water
• 1 grapefruit
• ice
• pitcher or water dispenser

lemon & rosemary

• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 1 gallon water
• 2 lemons, sliced
• ice
• pitcher or water dispenser

sweet peppers

• 2 cups sweet mini peppers (green, red and yellow)
• 1 gallon water
• ice
• pitcher or water dispenser

let’s do it

Grapefruit & Basil

• use spatula or back of large wooden spoon to bruise basil
• put basil in bottom of pitcher/water dispenser, add water and let steep about 2 hours
• cut grapefruit into thick slices and discard end pieces
• add grapefruit and ice to pitcher/water dispenser; chill another 2 hours before serving
• add more ice as needed

lemon & rosemary

• use spatula or back of large wooden spoon to bruise rosemary
• put rosemary in bottom of pitcher/water dispenser, add water and let steep about 2 hours
• cut lemon and discard end pieces
• add lemon and ice to pitcher/water dispenser; chill another 2 hours before serving
• add more ice as needed

sweet peppers

• halve mini peppers and remove seeds
• put peppers in bottom of pitcher/water dispenser
• add water and ice; chill for 4 hours before serving
• add more ice as needed

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Pulled Beef Slider Recipe

pulled beef slider recipe and slider bar setup instructions

what you’ll need

• slow cooker beef roast recipe
• sliced jalapeños
• chopped onion
• sliced pickles
• sliced red pepper
• avocado slices
• cheese slices
• ketchup
• mustard
• mayonnaise
• horseradish sauce
• barbecue sauce
• dinner or potato rolls

let’s do it

• cook beef roast using our slow cooker beef roast recipe
• once cooked, carefully shred with fork
• keep pulled beef slider meat on warm setting until ready to serve
• prepare toppings and put in small bowls
• put slider rolls in basket
• set out serving utensils and napkins
  

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Guys Night IN

Keep it simple but not boring

There’s nothing wrong with serving burgers and dogs so long as you offer up plenty of fun, colorful fixings. A nice spread of fresh-cut toppings and gourmet sauces can class up any offering, from chili and Buffalo wings to nachos and cheesesteaks.

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Personalize it

If your man is into sports, think about using foam fingers as lap trays or turning his old trophies into beer buckets. If he’s into cars, maybe use old oil cans as utensil holders and set out a roll of shop towels for napkins. Clean ones, of course.

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Think beyond the BBQ

Sure everybody loves a good backyard barbecue, but when the big game is on, or the weather takes a turn for the worse, the garage or the game room can make a great makeshift venue.

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Finger food

Think about serving kabobs, sliders or anything else that can be eaten with one hand (because the other will be busy holding a beverage)!

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Can the can

Set a stack of chalkboard beer glasses and a white marker next to the drink cooler so the guys can pour their beers into a personalized cup. Or order some custom beer cozies online and pass them out to each guest.

DIY Mix Don't Match Your Table Settings For Party

Monkey Party Ideas

Outdoor Party Ideas

DIY Children's Baking Themed Party Ideas

kids’ baking themed party ideas

1. it’s a wrap

Line your counters and floors with plastic wrap, parchment or wax paper to make cleanup a breeze.

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2. you are here

Prepare a chef’s station for each guest featuring an apron or chef’s hat and a sturdy stepstool so they can easily reach any ingredients and cooking implements.

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3. a measure of preparation

Set out pre-measured ingredients as well as any mixing bowls or cooking tools at each station.

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4. no sharp edges

Look for recipes that don’t require any slicing and dicing with sharp knives, or simply pre-slice your ingredients before the little ones arrive.

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5. take five

Schedule a break or two (maybe while the frosting is setting or the cupcakes are baking) featuring a fun activity, or just time for the kids to run outside and play. Remember, you want cooking to be festive and fun, not an ordeal.

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6. double the fun

Make sure you cook enough food so that the kids can eat some right away, as well as take some home to show off to their families.

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7. go with the flow

Expect that something will go wrong and be ready to roll with it. Don’t let a little spilt milk or burnt toast take away from the fun times.

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8. have a back-up plan

Pre-make a secret stash of the food you’re cooking and store it in the fridge, either to serve as a model for the kids, or to handout in case the kids’ batches are inedible.