holiday - Around My Family Table

St Patrick’s Day Rewind

March 8, 2012 · by amft · 9 Comments

We love St. Patrick’s Day at our house. It’s a fun little holiday for us. Leprechans visit us and cause havoc while they are here, but they always leave a little surprise too.

Do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? You don’t have to be Irish to have fun. And I bet your kids would love it. Check out some of these great recipes that I’ve shared over the years. And I have a couple more for next week as well.

St. Patrick’s Day Rice Krispies Treats

St. Patty’s Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pizza

Corned Beef & Cabbage with Irish Soda Bread

Ideas on Celebrating with Kids

Spinach Ice Cream

Leftover Corned Beef? Make Grilled Ruben Sammies

Filed Under: holidays and activities, st. patrick's day · Tagged: holiday, St Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day Rice Krispies Treats

February 28, 2012 · by amft · 14 Comments

I know what you are thinking! I do, really I do! You are thinking that I post way too many Rice Krispies treat recipes. LOL! I can’t guarantee this will be my last, but probably my last for awhile. I still had some ingredients left over from the last challenge that I needed to use up before it they went bad. I didn’t want to make just plain treats….that’s not my style. So I dug and dug through my pantry and found some chocolate chips and almond bark! Light bulb moment!!!

I made St. Patrick’s Day inspired treats, but how easy are these…and so customize-able for any holiday or occasion. I’m thinking treats to match a birthday theme in my son’s near future. What do you think? Aren’t they adorable?

St. Patrick’s Day Rice Krispies Treats

4 tbls butter

1 10 ounce bag of marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 pkg almond bark

1 16oz bag chocolate chips

2 tbls shortening

holiday sprinkles

Heat butter in a sauce pan over medium heat until melted. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispies.

Make sure your hands are clean and greased well to avoid sticking. Gently press your treats into a rimmed baking sheet. Allow to cool completely and then cut into large strips (about 2 inches by 4 inches).

Add chocolate chips and shortening to a deep bowl or coffee mug. Melt according to package instructions. Add almond bark to a separate bowl and melt according to package. Dip treats in chocolate or almond bark, sprinkle with decorations, and lay flat on wax paper until chocolate is hard.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/02/st-patricks-day-rice-krispies-treats/

Filed Under: brownies/bars, desserts, holidays and activities, st. patrick's day · Tagged: chocolate, holiday, kids, rice krispies, St Patrick's Day

White Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

January 10, 2012 · by amft · 31 Comments

Are your kids like mine? My kids will eat anything if it’s dipped in chocolate. They love pretzels, but they love chocolate even more. So, when I surprised my daughter with this after school snack she was over the moon.

I may have even snapped a picture and sent it to my husband at work. He asked if any would be left when he got home because he thought he would need to sample them to make sure they were okay. I said that he better not work late and I could make no promises as to the status of these treats! It’s fun to harass him at work with pictures of my treats…he gets almost more excited than the kids.

While I was taking the pictures for this post, I turned around and caught this pretzel thief in action! He was punished severely for stealing a pretzel…he got to have an extra one.

These pretzels could not be any easier to make either. And if you don’t use up all your chocolate, pour it into a glass container with a lid. The chocolate will save for a couple weeks and you can use it for other holidays, quick treats, after school snacks, or desserts.

I even had some natural dyed pink sprinkles that my daughter could have. So instead of making just plain white ones for her, I was able to get super festive. She enjoyed the colored sprinkles and I just love seeing her face light up when she can actually enjoy something too!

White Chocolate Dipped Pretzels

1 bag white chocolate chips

1-2 tbls shortening

1 bag of pretzels (use whatever size you like)

festive sprinkles

wax paper

Line work area with wax paper. Place white chocolate chips in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Stir and add one tablespoon of shortening. Return to microwave for an addition 15 seconds. Stir. Repeat until chips are melted and smooth.

Dip one end of each pretzel in the melted chocolate. Cool for 30 seconds to 1 minute and dip in sprinkles and place on wax paper. Or lay on wax paper directly after dipping in chocolate and sprinkle the sprinkles on the pretzels. Allow to cool completely. Enjoy!

Notes

White candy melts could be used as well, but omit the shortening and follow package directions for melting. However, using real white chocolate chips tastes much better.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/01/white-chocolate-dipped-pretzels/

Filed Under: appetizers, candy, desserts, holidays and activities, kid friendly, kids in the kitchen, party food, snacks, valentine's · Tagged: desserts, holiday, kids, snacks

Crescent Cranberry Wreaths

December 19, 2011 · by amft · 5 Comments

Are you wondering what I ended up making for my Pillsbury Potluck party? I polled everyone and several dishes got the top votes but the number one recipe was the Crescent Cranberry Wreath. It was really easy to make and everyone (especially the kids) loved it. It went together super fast, I started making on 30 minutes before guests arrived. I love dishes like that.

I invited several of my favorite girlfriends over for the brunch. Our kids all played while we chatted about parties we were going to, Christmas, and of course ate a TON of food. Everyone brought a dish created using a Pillsbury product. We did a recipe swap too and all walked away lots of tasty new recipes to try.

We played a little game for prizes too! It was guess Wendy’s least favorite pie. Any guesses? I’m starting to think my friends only like me for my parties, food, and prizes. LOL!

Crescent Cranberry Wreaths

1/3 cup finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries

2 tbls cherry or strawberry preserves

1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1 tsp shortening

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix cranberries and preserves.

If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough into 2 rectangles. Press each to form 8x6-inch rectangle, pressing perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut into 2 rectangles. Press each to form 8x6-inch rectangle.

Spread cranberry mixture over 1 rectangle to edges. Place second rectangle on top; press lightly. With sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut lengthwise into six 8-inch-long strips. Twist each strip 3 times, and shape into ring on cookie sheet; pinch ends to seal.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in small microwavable bowl, microwave baking bar and oil uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir until melted and smooth. If necessary, microwave 10 to 20 seconds longer. Drizzle over warm wreaths. Serve warm.

http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/12/crescent-cranberry-wreaths/

Recipe courtesy of Pillsbury. I made a slight modification but mostly kept to the original recipe that I was supposed to use.

Disclosure: The Pillsbury product, information, food ideas, online coupon link, and prize pack have been provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark.

Filed Under: appetizers, brownies/bars, christmas, desserts, holidays and activities, party food · Tagged: appetizers, baking, dessert, holiday, party food

Cake Truffles

December 16, 2011 · by amft · 6 Comments

For my long time fans, you might remember that I wrote about my Cake Balls (ummm…Cake Truffles are the fancy way to say cake balls) last year. These are the same thing, but with a fancy name. However, I have a new version that is probably a better version for beginners. It is very easy and forgiving. No need to worry about thinning the chocolate or coming up with the perfect flavor combo (although, check out the Cake Balls recipe if you want some ideas for a more “gourmet” cake ball). The names should probably be reversed…oh well.

I sersiously get requests for these from all over the country, though I haven’t mastered the shipping aspect. And local family and friends beg me to make them. Really it’s super easy, but isn’t it always better when someone makes your favorite treat for you.

Here is the cute little goodie bag I made for the Ladies Holiday Treat Exchange at church. Trust me…two was enough, they are super rich and sweet! Want to know what was in the other bag? Peppermint Chex Mix.

**Want to make the cute colored drizzle? Use these Decorating Squeeze Bottles and melt the colored candy melts in the bottles using a bowl of hot water. Easy!**

Print

Cake Truffles

1 9x13 cake prepared (boxed mix or scratch)
1 tub buttercream frosting
2-3 packages candy melts for dipping (additional colors for drizzling, opt)

Crumble baked cake, add about 1/2 a container of frosting, and mix well. You should be able to form a ball when gently squeezing a handful of cake together (like the way wet sand does). Using a cookie dough scoop out cake and roll into balls. Freeze. Meanwhile, melt candy melts in a deep medium sized bowl, dip frozen cake balls in melted candy using two forks, then place on wax paper. For easier dipping, keep balls frozen until ready to dip.
Store in an airtight container in the the refrigerator for up to a week.
**Balls can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Dip as needed.
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Filed Under: cakes/cupcakes, christmas, desserts, holidays and activities · Tagged: cake, desserts, holiday, leftovers, party food

Super 6: Halloween Treats

October 30, 2011 · by amft · 3 Comments

Filed Under: desserts, halloween, holidays and activities · Tagged: Halloween, holiday, picture

Pink and Green Birthday Party

August 16, 2011 · by amft · 14 Comments

Last weekend was my daughter’s 7th birthday party. She decided on all the party details and picked the pink and green birthday party and since it is really, really hot here in August my daughter requested a swimming party. I think it turned out really cute. My daughter even asked her Nana (my mom) to make her a swimsuit cover-up to match.

We had simple sandwiches, chips, potato salad, and watermelon. The kids all got beach towels as party favors and little boxes that had pink and green candies. I let my birthday girl help pick out the centerpiece feathers and also the candies. What fun is a party if the birthday child can’t help in the planning?!?!

I made the cake, but we had a mishap with the “7″ and so it was a little unstable on the cake and started to lean, but we made it work. I think the party was a hit and the kids LOVED getting a towel as a party favor. It really didn’t cost any more than putting together a goody bag filled with junky toys.

Check out the the recipes for these party foods:

Sparkling Pink Punch

Vanilla Bean Cake with Strawberry Cream Filling and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Filed Under: birthdays, parties, party themes · Tagged: birthday, holiday, party

Yummy Chicken Salad with Grapes

July 4, 2011 · by amft · 7 Comments

Happy 4th of July! If you missed my posts last week, I shared some of my favorite picnic dishes which would be perfect for your party or picnic today!

- Patriotic Fruit Kabobs
-Classic Mustard Potato Salad
-Roasted Sticky Chicken

I always make this chicken salad with leftover chicken. It’s so easy and the best chicken salad I’ve ever had. I made my Roasted Sticky Chicken recently, so I had to make this with the leftovers to share with y’all. You can use any type of bread, the kids usually prefer a 9-grain bread, but hubbyman and I usually splurge and use croissants. YUM!

Chicken Salad with Grapes

3 cups diced cooked chicken
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 ½ cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup chopped pecans
1 small minced onion
1/2 tsp salt
1 ½ tsps Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup mayonnaise

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Awesome for sandwiches or even for dipping with crackers.

*I love adding some cheddar cheese and spinach to my sandwich!

Filed Under: main dishes, picnics, poultry · Tagged: chicken, holiday, leftovers, make ahead, mexican, salad, sandwiches

Patriotic Fruit Kabobs

June 28, 2011 · by amft · 16 Comments

I thought for the rest of the week I would share some ideas to make your 4th of July picnic a hit. And then next Monday, there will be a recipe for using up some of the leftovers.

I love 4th of July, but here in AZ it’s often too hot to just hang out at the park so we usually crash a friend’s house that has a pool, eat, and then head out to see fireworks. Even when the fireworks start at 9pm, it’s still around 100-110 degrees outside! It’s hot!!!!

Patriotic Fruit Kabobs

strawberries
blueberries
mini marshmallows
bamboo skewers

Wash and dry berries. Cut strawberries into pieces about the same size as the mini marshmallows and blueberries. Thread fruit and marshmallows onto skewers into a pretty red, white, and blue pattern. Keep in the fridge until ready to eat!