Recipe Card- Free Printable!!!

My Husband LOVES Salsa.  If you were to ask him what his favorite food is he would say "chips and salsa".... if you can even call that a food.  Anyway, I have tried many salsa recipes and tweaked a few to make them my own and thought I had salsa mastered.  Turns out I was only close.

The other day I was browsing Pinterest (of course) and came upon a salsa recipe that intrigued me.  The reason I was so intrigued is that it was my exact "perfect" recipe but with two added ingredients.  Rotel tomatoes and honey.  Weird.  I had to try it out.

Turns out those two little things make all the difference.  This stuff is insane.  My husband thinks he has died and gone to salsa heaven.  In fact, he is on this 6th jar this week. (and 2nd box of Prilosec.)

Well, one of his buddies from work begged for a jar so I made up another batch to send to work.  I wanted to give him the recipe with it too but I don't just give away recipes.... I give away freaking adorable recipes.  :)

 And there is no point in making a freaking adorable recipe card without giving it to you guys too.

(Please be a follower of Sassy Sanctuary before using this image.  Personal use only!)

It's created at 4x6.  Just save the image to your computer and print on card stock.

Oh, and if you want to see the original recipe for the salsa and pay your respects to the salsa queen, you can visit Mountain Mama Cooks HERE.

Enjoy!

As always I'm linking to these great parties and events:

Scrumptious Sunday

Yeah, yeah... I'm sure most of you are saying "scrumptious what?!"   Its been awhile, but I do occasionally cook.  And when I find a recipe that is amazing, I'll share it with you....on a Sunday.  ;)

Anyway, for Easter I made this cake.

Photo and Recipe thanks to The Girl Who Ate Everything

And if cakes could kill, then this thing is deadly.  I served mine with a dollop of whipped cream on the top.  Go make it.  You can thank me (or Christy) later.

Scrumptious Sunday

It has been awhile since I did a Scrumptious Sunday post so I thought I'd share the goodie I made for Valentine's day.

The day before V-day, I asked my hubby what special dessert I should make to celebrate with.  His reply was "Do you remember that melting chocolate cake we went crazy over on our cruise? Make that!."  Uhh.... he must have greater faith in my cooking abilities then I do.  But that same day while blog hopping I came across a recipe from Chocolate and Carrots for Nutella Chocolate Souffles.

So I gave it a shot and they were incredible... amazing... unbelievable... rich chocolaty goodness.

 

That's her picture, not mine.  Mine were gone before the camera could even cross my mind.  They were actually really easy to do too, so you have to try it!

Recipe found HERE.

(Note: In the original recipe, she forgot to tell you to bake the cups in a water bath.  You just put the cups in a roasting pan and fill with boiling water about half way up the cups, then bake as directed.)

Inspiration File

Its been a busy week and I didn't get a lot of blog surfing in, so I only have one thing to share.

How Does She made the CUTEST v-day cookies.  I love them to bits and think they would be so much fun to make. 

Aren't they funny?  Shelley was worried about offending people but I think they are great.  I'd even give them out to neighbors... but I'm like that.  ;)

Anyway, since I only had one inspiration post to share I'd thought I'd answer a readers question in case anyone else is curious.  Heather wanted to make some vinyl inspired by my family rules subway art and was wondering what fonts I used.  So here they are.

All of these font can be found at either Kevin and Amanda or Scrap Village Fonts.  (except simsun and paperback are ms word fonts I believe)  I have a thing for fonts and have a bazillion.  As you can imagine, doing blog designs I get to work with all kinds of fonts... but my subway art actually came about after a font download spree.  I had to try my new fonts out!   So I encourage you go download some new ones, you never know what kind of inspiration can come from it.

Oh, and speaking of fonts, have you all noticed that blogger added a ton of fonts to their template designer?  Go check them out!

Scrumptious Sunday- Goodies

I'm on a diet.  I realise that half of the female population is probably on a diet right now too.  But for me, being on a diet means obsessing over food.  As soon as I put myself on a diet I start watching food network and browsing recipes like a crazy women.  My husband asks me why I torture myself, but its actually therapeutic.  I enjoy thinking about all the good things I can eat once I'm done and it helps me not feel deprived. 

Anyway, since nothing delicious is coming out of my kitchen right now, I thought I'd share a couple goodies that are on my "I will eat you one day" list.

Both these recipes come from Kevin and Amanda. (great resource for blog tips and fonts, btw)

First up Mascarpone Oreo Snowflake Cookies.

She describes them as "incredibly rich, dense, and chewy" but she had me at Oreo.  Recipe found HERE.

The second is Candy Dipped Peanut Butter Ritz Sandwiches.

Umm... hello!!!  Peanut butter, Ritz crackers, and candy coating all in one place? Yes please!  Recipe found HERE.

I can't wait for this stinking diet to be over!  (But I have lost 10lbs already.  Go me!)

Inspiration File

Hey everyone! I have a couple of things to share this week, first up Craftily Ever After made the CUTEST clay pot nativity with her scout boys.  I think these are one of the cutest kid Christmas crafts I've ever seen and will definitely make a set with my kids next year!



Then WipperBerry shared a tutorial on these adorable ribbon trees.  There has been a ton of tree forms around blogland this season, but I think these are my favorite...ever.  In fact I will probably unwrap my yarn trees next Christmas and make some like this.  Love!

And last but not least, How Does She shared a fabulous ham recipe.  We are all about the ham over here.  This looks particularly delicious and I can wait to try it!

If you were featured you can grab a button from my sidebar.  Merry Christmas!

Scrumptious Sunday- Poppy Seed Pasta Salad

This is my all time favorite pasta salad recipe.  I don't make it very often because I can't resist it and will eat myself sick.  However, we had a church potluck a few weeks ago so I made this to bring and snapped a few pictures so I could share it with you.  (You can thank me later...or curse me as the case may be.)

Poppy Seed Pasta Salad
(adapted from Betty Crocker's Recipe)

1 package tri-colored pasta (prepared according to package directions)
1-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cups red grapes, halved
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cups slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 cup of your favorite store bought creamy poppy seed dressing. ( I like Brianna's Poppy Seed Dressing)

Now, like most things I make, I don't actually measure.  I just chopped up my ingredients in the proportions I think look right, add my cooked pasta, and then add enough dressing to give everything a nice coat.  Toss all together and enjoy!

This recipe is best when served soon after its mixed with the dressing.  If you plan on making it in advance then just wait to toss the dressing until you are ready.   If you do end up refrigerating leftovers you may have to add a little bit more dressing before you eat it again.

Inspiration File

Its a big one today.  I have found a bunch of things I want to share with you (and remember for myself) so here we go.

First up, I discovered a new "must read" blog this week, Grand Design.  Now there are a bunch of great things on her site, but I came across this one and about died.  You can make your own "mason jar" snow globes.  I know, I know...who knew?!?  I TOTALLY want to do this!


A few weeks ago A Little Lovely showed this reindeer re-do.  Its an old decoration from her Mom and turned out so cute.  I think what I love about it is that anyone with some wood cutting skills could do a knock-off.  I hope to develop some of those wood cutting skills over the next year so I want to remember this cute little guy for next year. 

Now here is a super cute kids craft idea from Impress Your Kids.  Mini Pot Trees.  My kids love to paint and would think this was the coolest thing ever.  I think we might have to make these for the kids to give to the Grandparents.  How fun would that be with a picture of their little face on the star with the year written somewhere.  Okay, I've convinced myself, we are making these.

Here is another adorable Christmas tree idea from Lemon Tree Creations.  I think they are too cute for words and look fairly simple to make.  Definitely gift worthy.  Love them!

Poppies at Play made the cutest printable gift tags.   As in seriously adorable.  So hurry over and print some off so that you can finish your wrapping.  Thanks Andy!

Now, I am more then just kinda in love with Crafts & Sutch's sweater snowman.  Don't you just want to squeeze him?!  Another super fun, inexpensive and totally gift worthy craft idea. 

Now for a couple of recipes.  First up, The Scrap Shoppe has been featuring a bunch of recipes that look amazing, but I really want to try this Watergate Salad.  I have a weakness for jello salads but this one looks so pretty and delicious!

And finally, Craftaholics Anonymous made Pumpkin Fudge.  Uhh... hello!  She describes it as creamy, melt in your mouth pumpkin pie without all the baking, but she had me when she combined the words pumpkin and fudge.

Wow! I told you it was going to be a lot! Great projects though huh?  If you were featured you can grab a button from my sidebar if you'd like.  Thanks guys!



Scrumptious Sunday- Acorn Squash Rings

Now, I will have to say this is my all time favorite holiday recipe.  We got it years ago off a Martha Stewart show but its no longer listed anywhere.  I've scoured the internet and can't find anything quite like it.  Now I was planning on making these this week so I could take a pretty picture but have been seriously so busy and it just didn't happen.  So this will have to do for now and I promise to update with a picture after we eat these this week.  I can't wait!

Roasted Acorn Squash Rings with Herb Butter

2-3 acorn squash
1 Tbs fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Tbs fresh Sage, chopped
1/2 Tbs fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 stick butter
1/3 cup brown sugar

Preheat oven to 450.  In a sauce pan melt butter, brown sugar, and fresh herbs together.  Seed and slice the acorn squash into rings.  Line squash rings on a baking sheet and liberal apply the herb butter mixture.  Roast for 15 min. then turn over, reapply herb mixture and roast another 15 min. or until tender.  Remove from pan promptly to avoid sticking.

These are amazing, add them to your menu.

Scrumptious Sunday- Old Virginia Wassail

Now this recipe I actually made for the first time last year, but it was instantly declared a holiday must. My Father-in-law, who had traveled to Germany when he was younger, said it tasted just like the stuff they served there. It's good, try it.


Old Virginia Wassail


recipe via allrecipes.com, image via liz and kate

2 quarts apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice
2 (3 inch) cinnamon sticks
1 tbs cloves
1/2 cup honey

Put everything in a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer on low or transfer to a slow cooker to keep warm until served. Strain out cinnamon and clove before serving. I usually make it up and let it do its thing while I'm cooking so it has plenty of time to get nice and delicious.

Scrumptious Sunday- Candied Yams

It has been awhile since I have done an installment of Scrumptious Sunday and since Thanksgiving is around the corner I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite holiday dishes.  Now, I am a big fan of the yam.  I have never met a yam I didn't like.  That being said, I have never met a yam I liked more then my Mom's Candied Yams.  (And I'm sure she got the recipe from her Mom, who got it from her Mom, and so forth.)  So here it is.

Candied Yams

Now if that isn't a picture of Thanksgiving, I don't know what is!

Serves 4-6  (you will probably want to double this recipe)

1 lg. can cut Yams (or sweet potatoes), drained

1 8oz can crushed pineapple, loosely drained

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tbs yellow mustard

mini marsh mellows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Put yams into a casserole or baking dish.  In a separate bowl combine pineapple, brown sugar, and mustard to form a sauce.  Pour over yams and baked covered for 20 min. or until bubbly.  Remove cover, top with marsh mellows and bake until browned.  This only takes a couple of minutes so watch closely so you don't burn your marsh mellows!  Enjoy!

Scrumptious Sunday- Carmel Dipped Marshmallows

Last week we went to a back to school potluck for the families at my son's preschool.  I was asked to bring a dessert.  I wanted to do something fun that the kids would love and be easy to bring, so after much pondering I decided to make Carmel Dipped Marshmallows.  They turned out so pretty!

Its a really simple process.  You simply heat up Carmel candies in the microwave (follow the package directions)  and then dip a marshmallow in about half way.  Let as much of the excess drip off as you can.  Then dip it into your favorite topping.  I used coconut, sprinkles, and cinnamon sugar.  Then place them, marshmallow side down, on a piece of wax paper to set up.

While this was easy to do, it was a bit time consuming since I made two bags of marshmallows.  But they look way impressive all lined up on a tray!

and the best part? The kids LOVED them!

Scruptious Sunday- Pink Lemonade Surprise

I figured it was high time I did another installment of Scrumptious Sunday, and boy do I have a good one! This recipe is brought to you by my awesome mother-in-law. (Love you Sharon!)  Nothing is better than an yummy, easy dessert right?  Well, what if its yummy, super easy, frozen, and has that perfect sweet and salty combo?  HEAVEN!

Pink Lemonade Surprise

Crust
55 Ritz crackers (or about 2 rolls)
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar

Combine ingredients in a large Ziploc bag and crush.  Press into bottom of a 9 x 13 pan, reserving 1/8 cup or so to sprinkle on top. Chill

Filling
12oz whipped topping
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
6oz pink lemonade concentrate
4-5 drops red food coloring

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl and fold till combined.  Spread into crust and sprinkle with reserved crust.  Freeze and serve frozen.

What I love about this recipe is that it is so versatile.  When made as above it has a key-lime pie taste, but I have also made it using orange juice concentrate and it tasted like an orange creamsicle.  You could use whatever flavor of concentrate floats your boat.  And the Ritz Cracker crust adds that tiny bit of salt.  Divine!

Fire Roasted Cilantro Lime Salsa

How can anything with a name like that NOT be good?!?! This is my version of fresh homemade salsa. It has been altered many time over the years but I can finally say that it is mastered... at least for now. ;)

Ingredients



10 Roma tomatoes
1 sm. yellow onion
1-2 jalapenos (depending on how large they are and how spicy you like it)
1 med. green pepper
2-3 tbs chopped cilantro (or 1/2 bundle)
juice of 2 limes
2 cloves garlic
Salt to taste



In a large skillet with a drizzle of olive oil, char up the onion, tomatoes, and peppers. They don't have to be cooked but you want a good amount of color on the skins. Then transfer everything into a food processor or blender and let it do all the work. Chill before serving.



This is the first time I've ever actually written the recipe down. A few things to note: You can help control the heat by removing the seeds and ribs from the jalapeno. Jalapenos can vary in heat throughout the year, so start small and add till its right for you. This particular batch had one, whole, large jalapeno and I would say it came out on the hot side of medium. I almost always use two limes, but if your lime is particularly large and juicy, you might get away with one. Add one first, taste it, and add the second if needed. Salt to taste but be prepared to add a lot of salt. Even though it tastes great right away, its even better after a day or two.

Enjoy!

Scrumptious Sunday- Easy Chocolate Frosting

As I mentioned, this past week was my son's birthday. I really like to make birthday cakes. Even though they are far from perfect, I think they are extra special, super fun, and taste Divine. My son is big into motor sports so this year he requested a dirt-bike cake. This is what I can up with.



Pretty cute don't ya think?

I used two devil's food cake mixes and made one sheet cake and an extra one in a 8 x 8 pan. I used the small cake to make the two hills. I frosted everything in my Mom's yummy chocolate frosting. The grass is shredded coconut died with green food coloring and I made the track more dirt like by sprinkling it with crushed cookies. My son loved the cake but especially loved the new dirt bike toy he got from the top!

Mom's Super Yummy (and easy) Chocolate Frosting

1 stick butter
1/3 cup milk
3 heaping tbs Cocoa Powder
1 tsp vanilla
Powder Sugar

In a sauce pan melt the butter, milk, and cocoa till bubbly. Remove from heat. Beat in powder sugar till desired consistency is reached. (about 1/2 bag) When almost done, beat in vanilla.

EDIT: Mom caught a typo! I had listed 1/2 cup milk but the recipe actually calls for 1/3 cup. So sorry!

Scrumptious Sunday- Cowboy Caviar

For today's scrumptious Sunday I'm going to share one of my absolute favorite recipes. If we are ever going to a BBQ or potluck, this is what I bring. It is SO good!

Cowboy Caviar

5T red wine vinegar
up to 4T hot sauce (depends on how spicy you like things.)
1T olive oil
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 (large) avocados, chopped
1 (15oz) can black eyed peas
1 (11oz) can corn
2/3 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 lb Roma tomatoes, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and salt to taste. Serve with tortilla chips and try not to eat the entire bowl!

Scrumptious Sunday- Shipwreck

For today's scrumptious Sunday I'm going to share a meal that my family really enjoys. It is a Kraft recipe that my mother-in-law found in a "food and family" magazine. Its way yummy, the kids love it (so does my husband) and best of all SUPER QUICK AND EASY!!!!

Shipwreck Dinner

photo credit

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 pkg KRAFT Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen green peas
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese

BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat; drain, if necessary.

STIR in Macaroni, Cheese Sauce Mix, tomatoes, peas and milk. Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 12 min. or until macaroni is tender, stirring occasionally.

TOP with mozzarella. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 min. or until mozzarella is melted.

Next time you need a quick, yummy, kid friendly meal you'll know just what to do!

Scrumptious Sunday- Chicken Tortilla Soup

So this is supposed to be an "interior design" blog but Remodelaholic is hosting a recipe link party so I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes. (Everyone likes a little crossover anyway right?!?!) In fact, I have several great recipes that are definitely share worthy. So I've decided, from this day forth, I will hold what I'm going to call "Scrumptious Sunday" and share a new and delicious recipe every Sunday.

* If you also read my family blog, this first recipe will be a repeat.

I consider myself a fairly decent cook. I have been pretty proud of some of the things that have come out of my kitchen, but when I made Chicken Tortilla Soup and my husband declared it "the best tortilla soup ever and possibly the best thing I have EVER made," I knew it was too good not to share. And the best part? It is SUPER easy!

The recipe originally came from allrecipes.com but I've changed it up a bit to get it perfect.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

3-4 frozen chicken breasts
1 lg can whole tomatoes (mashed)
1 can red enchilada sauce
1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 cans chicken broth
1 cup frozen corn (add more or less as you like)
1 can black beans
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 bay leaf

*note: seasoning measurements are approximate. I just eyeballed everything so be sure you season to taste.

Place all ingredients in a large slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. I just put the chicken in frozen and then removed it about an hour before I was going to serve and shredded it. Garnish with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream and/or avocado slices. Serves 8 but make the whole batch as the leftovers are killer!