Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday Foodday!

Hey lovebugs! It's back, Friday Foodday! Have an absolutely fabulous weekend!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dip
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 8oz. package cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping
1/2 tub Cool Whip

Directions
1- In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously, until the brown sugar dissolves.
2- Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla.
3- Beat the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar for 1 minute.
4- Stir in the cooled butter mixture and beat again for another minute.
5- Stir in the chocolate chips. 
6- Fold in the Cool Whip until evenly dispersed. 
7- Pour into a bowl. Top with additional chocolate chips, if desired.
8- Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Remove from fridge at least 15 minutes before serving.
9- Serve with assorted small cookies (Nilla Wafers, Teddy Grahams, animal crackers, etc.)

 
Summer Tomatoes, Corn, Crab and Avocado Salad
 Ingredients 
12 oz lump crab meat 
1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half 
1 hass avocado, diced 
2 hot peppers such as serrano or jalapeƱos, diced fine (seeds removed for mild) 
1 1/2 cups roasted corn kernels 
1/3 cup chopped red onion 
2 limes, juice of (or more to taste) 
1 tsp olive oil 
2 tbsp chopped cilantro 
salt and fresh pepper to taste

Directions
In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion.  In a large bowl combine chopped crab meat, avocado, tomatoes, hot pepper and corn. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust lime juice, salt and pepper to taste.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Ingredients
for meatballs
3 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
1 onion, finely diced
4 cloved garlic, finely minced
1 egg
Salt
Pepper
1 tablespoon parsley, minced
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Olive Oil for frying

for sauce
1 can gelled cranberry
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 cans of chunked pineapples,  juice reserved
1 tablespoon Chinese mustard
1 tablespoon sweet and sour/duck sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 cups water
1 red pepper,  sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
cornstarch, if needed

Directions
for meatballs
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl, salt and peppering to taste.  If the mixture feels too wet add more breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan. I usually use my electric frying pan for this recipe because it holds so much more at once and this way I do not have to make the meatballs in separate batches. 
Make a small patty out of the meat. Place in frying pan. Fry patty on both sides until cooked through. Taste patty to see if it is well seasoned, adjust seasoning accordingly (I usually need to add more salt). When you are happy with seasoning roll the rest of the meat into balls. Fry until almost cooked through (they will continue to cook in the sauce). I then place them on brown paper bags or paper towels to soak up the excess oil. Once cooked remove from pan leaving some grease in the pan for the sauce.

for sauce
With the pan still greasy from the meatballs add gelled cranberry, barbecue sauce, juice from the pineapple cans, mustard, suck sauce, and soy sauce. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add water.

Return meatballs to the pan. Add peppers. Cover and cook for 45 minutes. If the sauce appears to be very thin add cornstartch to thicken. Add pineapple chunks and cook for 15 minutes. 
Serve over rice or noodles.  Enjoy!

 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Hot Pink

Yep. That's the color of the day.  Hot pink.  Nothing pastel, nothing safe. Bright, wild, hot pink.

Yum.  Neon, lace, pink, great waistband.

I would save this dress for a birthday dress, or maybe an event your ex will be at- work it girl.

Forever 21, Bright Owl Necklace, $5
What an adorable yet bold necklace. This will stand out on any outfit.

Just yes. Love.  It's like Barbie exploded on these heels.

So, feeling girly enough? Yes black and white is sleek but when worn correctly, pink can do just the same.

Be fabulous today!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Get the Scoop

I'm a big fan of a v-neck for dresses and tops, but sometimes mixing in a scoop neck really sweetens up the look.

Modcloth, Texas Blue Belle Top, $35
I love this sweet top in such a rich hue.  I'd pair with yellow shorts for the weekend and a khaki pencil skirt for work.

I'm a sucker for sequins but I also love the scoop neck with the more severe lines of the squares in the pattern.

I love the side pockets on this dress. Makes it super casual.

I'd wear this dress with green heels. Something that pops.  I really like the neckline and how it makes the torso seem longer.

Scoop neck is a nice solution no matter what size your chest is- it works for everyone.  

Be fabulous today!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Charm Necklace

So often we talk about statement necklaces.  Something with a ton of weight, big impact.  How about something a little more delicate? I'm really liking smaller pendant or charm necklaces.

Dogeared, Dive In, $54
I love Dogeared jewelry in general but this one is really special.  Such a wonderful sentiment.

Betsey Johnson, Asian Jungle Peacock Necklace, $50
Hello beauty! My goodness what a gorgeous piece.

Fred Flare, Lucky Horseshoe Necklace, $20
I like the simplicity of this, I would add a simple ring or another pendant to it.

Urban Outfitters, Diament Three Little Owls Necklace, $39
I really love the antique look of this piece.  So vintage!

So statement necklaces or charm? I like to mix it up, but for summer, I tend to stay lighter on the jewelry.

Be fabulous today!