TEQUILA TWIST SHOOTERS

Tequila Twist (makes 5-6 shooters)



Ice for shaker
6 oz. tequila
1 cup (8 oz) orange juice
1 oz fresh lime juice
finely grated rind from 1/2 of a lime
sugar
5 strawberries or orange wedge



Place 5-6 large shot glasses in the freezer until frosty. Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of each
glass and dip the rim in a small plateful of sugar.


In a shaker combine tequila, orange juice, lime juice and lime rind. Shake vigorously for 10-20
seconds until ingredients are incorporated. Let it sit for about a minute to allow the lime rind to
flavor the mixture. Add ice to shaker, shake again to cool and then pour into each glass. Garnish
each glass with a strawberry (optional to use an orange slice to garnish)


Recipe courtesy of about.com

TACO LASAGNA

Taco Lasagna (serves 9)

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2/3 cup water
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained
6 flour tortillas (8 inches)
1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend



In a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add water and taco seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Stir in black beans and tomatoes. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.


Place two tortillas in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Spread with half of the refried beans and beef mixture; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining tortillas and cheese.



Cover and bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.


Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

COLICO CORN CAKES

Calico Corn Cakes (serves 3-4)

1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon canola oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 tablespoon diced pimientos
1/2 cup salsa



In a small skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender; set aside. In a large  bowl, whisk the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt, oregano, baking powder, cumin, egg and milk just until combined. Fold in the corn, pimientos and onion mixture.


Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray; drop batter by 1/4 cupfuls into skillet. Cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Serve with salsa. 


Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

CHEESE-STUFFED JALAPEÑOS

Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños (makes 30)

8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 2-inch x 1/2-inch x 1/4-inch strips
15 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup real bacon bits



Place a cheese strip in each pepper half; sprinkle with bread crumbs and bacon.


Grill peppers, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4-6 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Serve warm. 


Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS

Black Bean Quesadillas (makes 5)

1 medium sweet yellow pepper, chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon canola oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
10 flour tortillas (6 inches)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese





In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the yellow pepper, onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and corn; cook 2 minutes longer. Add the black beans, pepper and salt. Cook until vegetables are tender; drain.


Spritz one side of each tortilla with cooking spray; place plain side up on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Spoon bean mixture onto half of each tortilla; sprinkle with cheese. Fold tortilla over filling.



Bake at 400° for 6 minutes. Carefully turn over; bake 4-7 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.


Recipe courtes of tasteofhome.com 

NYC SALTY PRETZELS

One of the things I miss about home is the wonderful street corner pretzels, if you enjoy pretzels as much as I do or if you just want to try them, here is a fun and easy recipe so you can have them right in your neck of the woods. 

New York Pretzel ( serves 8 large pretzels)

• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 (1/4-oz) package active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp)
• 3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp table salt
• 1 1/2 cups water 
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tsp pretzel salt*

• Parchment paper

Brown mustard - optional 

Stir together sugar, yeast, and  water - lukewarm  (105 to 110°F) in a glass measuring cup, then let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. (If mixture doesn't foam, discard and start over with new yeast.)

Whisk together 3 1/2 cups flour and 1 tablespoon table salt in a large bowl. Add yeast mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until it forms a dough. Dust work surface with 1 tablespoon flour, then turn out dough and knead, gradually dusting with just enough additional flour to make a smooth sticky dough, about 8 minutes. (Dough needs to be somewhat sticky to facilitate rolling and forming into pretzels).

Return dough to bowl and cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap, then let dough rise in a draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes. Turn out dough onto a clean work surface and cut into 8 equal pieces. Using your palms, roll 1 piece back and forth on a clean dry work surface into a rope about 24 inches long. If dough sticks to your hands, lightly dust them with flour. Twist dough into a pretzel shape. (Dough will retract as you form the pretzel.)

Transfer pretzel with your hands to an oiled baking sheet and form 7 more pretzels in same manner with remaining dough, spacing them 1 1/2 inches apart.

Let pretzels stand, uncovered, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put oven rack in upper third of oven and preheat oven to 425°F. Bring a wide 6-quart pot of water to a boil.

Using both hands, carefully add 3 pretzels, 1 at a time, to boiling water and cook, turning over once with tongs, until pretzels are puffed and shape is set, about 3 minutes. Transfer parboiled pretzels to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining 5 pretzels in 2 batches.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper and oil paper, then arrange pretzels on sheet. Brush pretzels lightly with some of egg and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake until golden brown and lightly crusted, about 35 minutes. Cool 15 minutes, then serve warm.

*Available at King Arthur Flour (800-827-6836).  If not available you can substitute with kosher salt.

Chef's notes: ~ Dough can be mixed and kneaded in a standing electric mixer fitted with dough hook.

 ~ Pretzels are best the day they are made. (When they are kept overnight, salt may dissolve and may get harder  than desired)

Grab your favorite refreshments and enjoy the amazing taste of a warm salty New York Pretzel!!

Above all, make sure you have fun with it, 

you can make it in any shape you'd like. Remember, 

they don't necessarily need to look pretty, they HAVE TO BE TASTY!!

HAVE FUN!!

BEAUTIFUL SPRING BOUQUET

This arrangement took my breath away and I had to share it with you and some great tips described for it!!

Spiral-Stemmed Posy

A posy is a classic English hand-tied bouquet. Use long-stemmed flowers such as snapdragons, roses, tulips, and lisianthus and then add eucalyptus and viburnum for various shades of green.

Combining fresh roses, peonies, and hyacinths in exciting new ways allows us to enjoy their beauty each day. Fashion this delightful bouquet as a centerpiece whenever company's coming or any time you're ready for a wonderful treat.

Tips for Arrangements

Use a plentiful amount of blossoms and greenery, and combine plant materials with different colors, textures, and shapes. Use fern fronds, ivy, moss, and eucalyptus to frame the flowers and to fill out arrangements.

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Look for blooms with unbruised leaves and buds that are just starting to open. Re-cut all stems, and stand them in a mixture of cool water and flower preservative until it’s time to arrange them.

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Balance the lushness of your arrangements with simple containers such as baskets, clay pots, glass vases, and iron urns.

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