Mississippi Mudslide Brownies

I am a sucker for chocolate and that goes double for brownies!  I can't resist brownies so I rarely make them as I want to eat the whole pan in one sitting. This recipe is not the healthiest thing in the world, but just look at it...why would you image something so luscious would be even remotely healthy? Recipe

Individual Seven-Layer Mexican Dip Cups

I love, love, love Seven Layer dip and having my own cup (or two or three) is a great idea. I can finish it all without hogging the space around a large pan of it everyone is trying to get to. These would be great for a Super Bowl party or Cinco de Mayo party too.

How to Peel a Kiwi

If you love Kiwis but hate peeling them, this video is for you!

Sweet and Spicy Roasted Chickpeas

I love roasting chickpeas and this recipe is great when you have a craving for sweet, spicy and crunchy.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups cooked chickpeas
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°. In a large, zip top bag, combine chickpeas and olive oil. Seal top and shake until all chickpeas are coated. Set aside.

In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add spice mixture to zip top bag, reseal and shake until all chickpeas are coated. Spread chickpeas in one layer on a large baking sheet.

Roast in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, or until crunchy and browned.

Source: Backtoherroots

Skinny White Sangria Sparkler Recipe

A fabulous cocktail that's as beautiful to look at as it is yummy to drink. This absolutely gorgeous White Sangria is simple and made without added sugar, it is the perfect “Skinny Girl” cocktail. The White Sangria Sparkler is an entertaining show stopper guests will love!

• 1-2 bottles of crisp white wine, I used 1 bottle Sauvignon Blanc and 1 bottle of sparkling Vino Verde
• 2 ripe local peaches, sliced
• 1 pint raspberries
• 2 kiwis
• several sprigs of mint
• Stevia (health food market)

Simply add the sliced fruit and mint to the wine and add several squirts of the Stevia to attain desired sweetness. Refrigerate at least an hour so the flavors infuse. You can also freeze half of the fruit and add right before serving so they act like ice cubes.  Recipe from Linda Wagner.

Peel Hard Boiled Eggs without Peeling Them

Here's a fun and easy way to peel hard boiled eggs and entertain the kids at the same time!

Lime Sorbet Margaritas Double as Dessert

These fabulous Lime Sorbet Margaritas can double as dessert as they are made with lime sorbet and served with a spoon! Perfect for a Cinco de Mayo celebration or any occasion that calls for margaritas.


Ingredients:
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
1/4 cup sugar
2 pints lime sorbet
1/2 cup tequila

Place the sugar on a small plate larger than the rim of the glasses. Rub a lime wedge around the rims of 8 of your favorite style stemmed glasses. Turn each glass upside down and dip the rims in the sugar to coat. Place 2 scoops of sorbet in each glass and pour 1 tablespoon (or more!) of tequila over the top of each. Serve with a spoon.

Source: Pinterest

Crockpot Salsa Chicken Recipe

I love one-pot and crock pot meals that are easy and tasty. This Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe has another advantage in that most of the ingredients can usually be found in your pantry to throw together anytime. The seasonings can also be adapted or changed to what you like or what you have on hand.

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 cup salsa
1 package taco seasoning
1 cup sour cream (can use nofat or light)
Cilantro, for topping (optional)
Avacado, for topping (optional)
Shredded cheese, for topping (optional)
Chopped onions, for topping or cook with other ingredients (optional)

Put chicken, soup, and salsa in slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything. Cook on low for 6 hours. If shredding the chicken, pull the breasts out and shred; return back to slow cooker. Stir in sour cream and heat just until everything is combined. Top with shredded cheese, cilantro, avacado, onions, hot sauce, lime wedges. Enjoy!

Guiltless Skinny Chocolate Mousse

I looooove chocolate but it doesn't fit in my my New Year's resolution of making good food choices until I found this recipe for guiltless chocolate mousse! I know, I know, avocados? But seriously, you won't believe how good this is! Let me know what you think.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup honey (preferably raw)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Dash of cinnamon

Directions: 
Place avocados, honey, and cocoa in a blender and puree until fully incorporated. Mix in the cinnamon. Refrigerate for about an hour. Serve chilled.

Source: Oprah

Detox Superfoods Salad

For all of us who have vowed to eat healthier this year, this detox superfoods salad is fabulous as is the Yummy Mummy Kitchen blog. I love her healthy, beautiful recipes and 90% vegetarian style of eating. 

Beautiful Quinoa Salad Recipe

If you're like most people, eating healthy is probably number one or two on your New Year's resolution list. Here's a healthy and beautiful Quinoa Salad Recipe that also tastes great!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup sweet corn (fresh, frozen or canned)
• 1/4 cucumber
• 1/2 red onion
• 5 sundried tomatoes
• 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• pinch organic unrefined sugar
• salt and pepper
• handful finely chopped dill
• handful of radish sprouts (or alfalfa etc.)

Awesome Truffle Brownie Rumble Cakes Recipe

Trader Joe's Rumble Cakes

1 stick TJ's Unsalted Butter
2 TJ's Eggs
1 box TJ's Truffle Brownie Mix
1/4 cup TJ's Dried Tart Montmorency Cherries
1/4 cup TJ's Walnut Halves and Pieces
1 box TJ's Frozen Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Preheat the oven to 350°. Bring the butter to room temperature and combine the eggs with the butter and whisk/ mix. Slowly add in the brownie mix. Once the mixture is uniform, add in the cherries and walnuts; set aside. Lightly grease a brownie pan and place the chunks of cookie dough sporadically around the bottom of the pan (there may be a few pieces of cookie dough left, do with them what you must). Pour the brownie mix over the top, evenly coating the cookie dough. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes or until you can stick a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean. Enjoy!

Serves: 10 Cooking Time: 45 Minutes            Recipe from Trader Joe's

Skinny Layered Apple Pie Recipe

Oh my, I have to try this! I was going to make it for Thanksgiving, but I don't think I can wait. Instead of the calories of a traditional pie crust, the baked cinnamon and sugar wontons are the perfect replacement. They look pretty, they are flakey and delicious, and are only 20 calories each! Add a little whip cream (low calorie, fat free or regular) and cinnamon, and you have all the taste of a classic apple pie without the calories! 

Ingredients For Pastry Layers:

• 12 wonton wrappers
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sweetener of choice

1800 Manzana Spiked Apple Cider Recipe

Here's a yummy recipe for tequila spiked apple cider.

Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in:

• 1 ounce of 1800 Reposado Tequila
• ¼ ounce of crème de casis (a blackcurrant-flavored liqueur)
• 1 ounce of apple cider
• ¼ ounce of lemon juice

Shake the mixing glass to blend and then strain the drink into a Collins glass. 

Garnish it with a slice from a crisp apple.

Enoy!

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe

I swear the main reason we go to Olive Garden is for their salad dressing.  Here's a copycat recipe that just might have you staying home more often.

• 2 envelopes Good Seasonings Italian Dressing, prepared
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian spices
• 1 teaspoon salt
• black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons water

1. Prepare the two envelopes of Good Seasonings Italian Dressing as per the package directions
2. Combine all other ingredients in a blender on high until combined, about 30 seconds.
3. Add the prepared Good Seasonings Italian Dressing to the blender ingredients and pulse til blended.
4. Pour into a bowl or carafe and cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Stir before serving.

Recipe does make a ton of dressing.
Source:  barenakedchefsaidso.com

Skinny Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip is easy to prepare ahead of time, then throw it in the oven when you are ready to eat. Serve with Pretzel Crisps or baked chips. No one will know this is a light recipe.

Ingredients:

• 13.75 oz artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
• 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 cup fat free Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 2/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
• 4 oz shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
• salt and fresh pepper to taste
• olive oil spray

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In a small food processor, coarsely chop the artichoke hearts with the garlic and shallots.
• Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Place in an oven-proof dish and bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes, until hot and cheese is melted. Serve right away.
• Can be made one day in advance and stored in the refrigerator before baking. Makes about 3 3/4 cups.  

From Skinnytaste.com 

Servings: 15 • Serving Size: 1/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pts

Calories: 73.3 • Fat: 4.4 g • Carb: 3.4 g • Fiber: 0.9 g • Protein: 5.2 g • Sugar: 0.6 g

Sodium: 244.7 g

Paloma Cocktail Jello Shots

Who knew jello shots could be beautiful and taste good?  How lovely would these be to serve at a birthday party, a bachelorette party, bridal shower or even a wedding reception.

Recipe:

• 1 1/3 cup grapefruit soda (we used Izzy's sparkling juice)
• 2 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate (thawed)
• 2 envelopes Knox gelatin
• 2/3 cup agave tequila
• Fresh grapefruit segments for garnish, if desired
• Recommended Pan:  1-pound loaf pan (approximately 8” x 4”/20 x 10 cm) or flexible silicon molds

Pour soda and limeade concentrate into a small saucepan and sprinkle with the gelatin. Allow the gelatin to soak for a minute or two. Heat over very low heat until gelatin is dissolved, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Mixture may be foamy initially, but this will disapate. Remove from heat.  Stir in the tequila. Pour mixture into loaf pan or molds. Place in refrigerator to set (several hours or overnight).

To serve, cut into desired shapes (or unmold).  Garnish each jelly shot with a small grapefruit segment, if desired.

Makes 18 to 24 jelly shots.

Pictured is the Paloma Jelly Shot from the Jelly Shot Test Kitchen

Easy Way to Serve Ice Cream with Birthday Cake

If you're serving cake and ice cream at your party, here's a great idea to make a sticky situation a breeze. Place individual scoops of ice cream in a cupcake pan lined with paper baking cups.  Put in the freezer for up to several hours. After the cake is cut, remove the scoops from the paper baking cups, or serve them in the cups, and drop them onto the waiting plates. Source: Real Simple

Fall Invitations and Pumpkin & Salted Caramel Macarons

Invite friends to celebrate the season, for dinner or just for fun and serve these delicious Pumpkin and Salted Caramel Macarons (recipe from One Vanilla Bean.) 

The Tangerine Fall Leaves Invitations is a beautiful way to invite your guests to your party.

Shop all Fall and Autumn Party Invitations

Cheesy, Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

My son loves Tortilla Soup and I'm not a big fan of cooking, so we adapted this recipe we found on Food.com and made it last night. It appealed to me with the time saving use of condensed soups. It's cheesy, creamy and a little spicy, and you'll love it! My son ate two bowls and even took the photo for this recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans Campbell's condensed cream of celery soup
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans Campbell's cheddar cheese soup
• 2 (15 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 cup picante salsa ( Pace brand medium hot)
• 1 (4 1/2 ounce) cans green chilies ( Ortega brand)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon red new mexico chile powder ( NOTE -- This is not the same as ordinary red chili powder. It can often be found in specialty foods)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cooked chicken breasts, cut into small chunks (or use canned chicken)
• Tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 lb shredded colby cheese or Mexican cheese blend
• Avocado (sliced or diced)

Directions:
In a large (8-10 quart) stockpot, combine and whisk together until smooth all eight cans of soup. Add chicken broth. Add tomatoes, salsa, green chilies, onion, garlic, chile powder, salt and pepper. Bring all ingredients to a full boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour. (We've done it for only 1/2 hour and still great). Add chicken. Simmer another 1/2 to 1 hour.

To serve: Ladle soup into bowls, top with shredded cheese, crumbled tortilla chips, chopped cilantro, and avocado.