Valentine’s Day Fun

    By / 13th February, 2017 / Everything Else, Things To Eat / Off

    Valentine’s Days Fun

    Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Normally we don’t either but I have something fun up my sleeve this year! I decided I am treating my boys Zig & Zag to a day of simple, inexpensive Valentine’s Day fun. First off, we are not a family that buys gifts for every little thing or celebrates every nationally listed holiday, but I thought it would be great fun to do something to celebrate Valentine’s Day showing them they are all special to me.

    Happy Valentine's Day

     

    Rules of The Day

    1. Wear Red.
    2. Surprise the family with the fun I have planned.
    3. Have a great day!

    Prep

    With the intention of following my K.I.S.S. rule (Keep It Simple Silly) my prep always comes with a list of what needs to happen to accomplish the goal. Fun in my book shouldn’t have to involve a huge time consuming list of items that have to be done to pull off a good time. Of course this is 100% dependent upon your personality. Personally I love to plan events to the 9’s but will keep it simple this time! (At least by my book 😉 )In this case  my list consists of:

    • Have a Valentine for each person for the morning of.
    • Check to make sure I have all the ingredients for breakfast.
    • Make sugar cookie dough the night before. Here is a great recipe I use that always works out for me plus has a yummy frosting too.

    Valentine’s Day

    Today is the day! I take and get up a little early today so I can get my loves Valentines place on the table so when they get up and around they find them first thing! I love to watch the excitement in their eyes at something so simple. Next on to breakfast.

    Heart Shaped Pancakes are what’s on the menu so let’s get started! Since Valentine’s Day is on a school day this year I picked a simple breakfast that is quick to make and clean up. I also turn on the oven and get the sugar cookie dough out of the fridge so I can get the cookies in the oven and baked before we head out the door for school and work.

    Valentine Heart Pancakes

    Hence I have a go to pancake recipe that is super simple and all the ingredients can be found most likely in your pantry. The image above is stellar and not mine. You can find the photo and Susan’s great recipe pancake recipe at www.simplehealthykitchen.com for an alternative high protein pancake. In this case Susan used a heart shaped egg/pancake rings which you can find them on Amazon if you want perfectly shaped hearts, I free hand mine, either way I know the family will love them!

    Here is my pancake recipe:

    SIMPLE PANCAKES  w/ STRAWBERRIES – yield 8-10 hearts    Prep: 5 mins     Cook Time: 2-4 mins each 

    Ingredients:

    1 1/2 c. Flour

    2 t. Baking Powder

    3 t. Sugar

    1/2 t. Salt

    2 Eggs

    1 1/4 c. Milk

    3 T. Melted Butter or Vegetable Oil

    1 t. Vanilla or Almond Extract

    2 c. Strawberries, sliced.

    Directions:

    Place skillet on stove and turn on to medium heat. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl and whisk together. Make a well in the center and add the eggs, milk and butter/oil. Stir together until there are no lumps remaining in the batter. Pour batter into a container with a spout. It is easier to free hand them this way.

    Spray skillet, if needed, with cooking spray. Starting with the outer shape of the heart draw it on the skillet. Fill in the center last. You will use about 1/4c – 1/3 c. of the batter. Cook 1-2 minuets or until the center bubbles and/or the edges become dry. Flip and cook another minute or two until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.

    Plate each plate with 1-3 hearts and sprinkle with strawberries! Serve while warm.

    While the family eats I roll out and bake the cookies. I try and make as many different cookie shapes as possible. This way I know they will be nice and cool for decorating later today! I am a huge Wilton fan so I have a great assortment of cookie cutters I have acquired over the years.

    Next, I tell the kids to get dressed in red for today and everyone gets ready for the day!

    Sugar Cookies

    Once home I frost the cookies and get them set out before anyone else arrives home for the day. I love to make them all different but we all know that takes a huge amount of time. So I do a design for each type and realize I was a little over zealous when cutting out so many shapes. I ends up where I take the time to make four special cookies and then just basic ice the rest.

    For a special presentation I put each one on a little paper doily that I have written their names on. In they walk and hugs and kisses all around.

    Day accomplished!

    Hope you have a great day too with doing something simple, inexpensive and fun with your family this year!

    Til’ Next Time,

    Tracy

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    Bloody Mary Recipe

    By / 28th December, 2016 / Recipes, Things To Eat / Off

    Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe

    Bloody Mary

    As promised in celebration of the Annual National Bloody Mary Day we decided we needed to share our recipe for all to enjoy so here you are!

    Ingredients:

    1 Gallon Pitcher

    1/2 Gallon Tomato Juice

    2 Limes, juiced

    1 Lime, Sliced

    1-3 Tablespoons Horseradish (Add to taste)

    2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

    1 Teaspoon Celery Salt

    1 Tablespoon Salt

    1/2- 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

    1/2 Tablespoon Onion Powder

    1 – 2 Teaspoons Crushed Garlic

    1-2 Teaspoons of your Favorite Hot Sauce ( Add to taste, I personally like Chlula)

    Vodka of choice

    Additional Items Needed:

    Garnish of choice

    Ice

    Margarita Salt (optional)

    Glasses (Not plastic cups if you want to do a salt rim)

    Garnish Ideas:

    Fully load your drink or keep it simple either way it is a refreshing addition to brunch, afternoon or evening cocktails. I have had all of these items garnish my Bloody Mary at some point and found them all to be a nice addition. Choose from Celery Sticks, Cocktail Shrimp, Bacon, Large  Stuffed Green Olives, Cocktail Onions, Lemon Slices, Lime Slices, Pepperoncini Peppers, Pickled Asparagus, Hamburger Sliders, Salt Rim or a Spiced Salt Rim Mix (recipe to follow).  Depending upon who is making it it might even be your meal!

    If you are throwing a party make up a Bloody Mary Bar for all of your guests where they can pick and choose what goes in their party refreshment. Here is a great blog post on how to do your own Bloody Mary Bar so check it out then call up your friends to try it out!

    Directions:

    1. Mix all of the ingredients together EXCEPT the Vodka and chill at least 1-2 hours so all of deliciousness can combine.
    2. While you wait prep your salt for the rim of your glasses. I find a small flat plate and pour approximately 1/2 c. of Salt or Spiced Salt on to the plate. Yep it’s that simple.
    3. For a Salted Rim you will take a piece of lime and rub it around the rim on the outside and slightly inside to moisten with juice.
    4. Take the glass and dip is straight down into the salt.
    5. Add ice to the top of the glass.
    6. Add 1-2 shots of Vodka (per taste)
    7. Fill remaining with Bloody Mary Mix
    8. Garnish
    9. Enjoy!

    And there you have it! There are hundreds, if not, thousands of recipes for this famous cocktail so we hope you like ours.

    Cheers!

    Tracy