Bloody Caesar ~ the perfect way to toast ~ The Ides of March

 

Bloody Caesar ~ the perfect cocktail to enjoy on The Ides of March!

Today is March 15th, aka The Ides of March.  Today is the day I traditionally consume something with the name 'Caesar' in it.  Today, instead of making/ordering something for lunch named Caesar, I decided I'd rather drink an adult beverage called a ~ Bloody Caesar ~ just to shake things up a bit.  It's similar to a Bloody Mary...but with a beachy attitude.   Some Bloody Caesar recipes are a Clamato juice version, and others a mix of tomato juice and clam juice version, and there are even vegan versions and bacon vodka versions ~ just pick your poison.  After learning about what happened to Caesar, on The Ides of March, that drink is aptly named, I must say.   I was first introduced to this cocktail a couple of years ago, by my dear, old friend, Captain Rick.  It was in a little bar I used to frequent, waaaay back when I used to live/work in Port St. Lucie, Florida, in a place known as Club Med Sandpiper Bay. (you can see my Sandpiper Bay reunion post here)  Ya gotta love foodie friends who will share their favorite foods and drinks with you.   Now, you will have to excuse me, it's brunch time...and time to get this party started.  See ya at the next reunion, Capt'n!   :)

Homemade Fat-Free Irish Cream Liqueur

One of my favorite liqueurs is Baileys Irish Cream.  I love the taste...but not the fat calories.  So, I decided to tinker with this copycat Baileys Irish Cream version that I posted about on the blog earlier in the year.  I changed up a few things then, and did a bit more tinkering with the recipe once again.  I was going for a fat-free version that was comparable in taste to the copy-cat recipe...and I'm pretty happy with the results.  Over ice or in my coffee, it's all good!

Homemade Fat-Free Irish Cream Liqueur

recipe can be halved

inspired by this recipe

Ingredients

• one 12 ounce can of  fat-free evaporated milk
• one 14 ounce can of fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 1 2/3 cups of your favorite Irish whiskey
• 1 1/2 tsp instant coffee
• 3 Tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)

Directions

Throw all the ingredients into the blender & blend on high for 30 seconds.  Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge & serve well chilled.  Some ways to enjoy this fat-free delight ~ straight-up over ice; as part of your favorite Irish Cream cocktail; with a little extra milk for a lighter Irish Cream flavor OR add it to your coffee for a special treat.  Make sure to shake well before pouring...or for a more 'whipped' taste, throw it into the blender for another quick spin to get it nice & frothy.  Enjoy!  :)

  

Baileys Irish Cream ~ Homemade Copycat Version

Baileys Irish Cream, Homemade Copycat Version ~ This stuff is the BOMB!  Now I can have this delicious creamy drink anytime I want, for mere pennies.  That blog is right, I'll never have to buy a bottle again,  I'll just make it up fresh!  Check out the fantastic recipe  ~ HERE!

Today is St. Patrick's Day ~ the day when everyone is Irish!  For our little family's get together, I'll be cooking our traditional March 17th Irish meal of ~ slow cooked corned beef and cabbage with potatoes, carrots, onions and celery (just like Grandma Bunni used to make), Homemade Irish Soda Bread (my long standing recipe that I shared last year, baked last night since it tastes better the next day), a green/orange/white side salad (the colors of the Irish flag) and this year I'm making my son's favorite festive green lime jello mousse for dessert. (he's 8, what ya gonna do? :)

The grown-ups usually start out our celebration with a little nip of Baileys Irish Cream, just to get our 'Kiss me I'm Irish' happy on...but I forgot to buy some yesterday.   DRATS!!  BIG problem when you live in a 'dry on Sunday', 'you can't buy/sell booze on Sunday' state!!  So...

I searched the web and found this blog that has a homemade copycat version of Baileys.  COOL!!   I had most of the items she calls for, so I was able to make this quick and easy batch on the fly.  I substituted ingredients for what I had on hand ~ I used whiskey that we had in the liquor cabinet, milk instead of the cream, a 1/2 cup of Cool Whip and just mixed up half a batch, since there are just a few of us.  Luckily for me, I've got a couple of hours before our guests arrive, so my Irish concoction has a chance to chill.  I love having the food blogging world at my fingertips, I can always count on finding just what I need in a pinch.  :)

Check out the super easy and SUPER tasty homemade copycat version of Baileys Irish Cream recipe ~ HERE.

Hope everyone has a wonderful St. Patrick's Day.   I'll be back later tonight to post the pictures of our St. Paddy's dinner, after all the dishes are done...and a last shot of copycat Baileys Irish Cream has been consumed.  :)

How To ~ Get a Stout or Ale taste out of a Pale Lager Beer ~ great for use in cooking or for drinking!

SPOILER ALERT!! This post is for my readers that are 21 years old and over!!!  If you're under 21, come back on your 21st birthday.

Short on funds, but wanting a more rich and toasting tasting premium Stout or Ale tasting brew?  Need some Stout or Ale for a recipe, but, only have a Lager in the fridge?  Just like to try copycat recipes?  Just feel like watching the beer create a lot of creamy foam head?  Then maybe this beer copycat trick might be right up your alley.  I've been using this little cheat for years ~ it not only works for my cooking, but, it's also an easy way to doctor up a less expensive Lager and make it taste like it has some extra sass.   Happy Cooking or Party On! ~ Cheers!

My How-To on transforming a Lager into a Stout or Ale taste...

For Instant Mock Stout ~ Get an Imperial pint glass and... Dissolve 2 teaspoons instant decaf coffee in a little hot water. Pour one 12oz bottle of Miller MGD beer into the now liquid decaf coffee. It will foam up when they combine ~ so use a steady hand and pour it into a tilted Imperial pint glass (they're 20oz vs a 16oz American pint glass ~ that way the foam has a place to go) or a large similar glass.  It will produce a rich and creamy head, similar in taste/look to what you might get with a Guinness draft pour, but with a bit more tan color in the creamy foam head.

For Instant Mock Ale ~ Get an Imperial pint glass and... Dissolve 1 teaspoon instant decaf coffee in a little hot water.  Pour one 12oz bottle of Miller MGD beer into the now liquid decaf coffee.  It will foam up when they combine ~ so use a steady hand and pour it into a tilted Imperial pint glass (they're 20oz vs a 16oz American pint glass ~ that way the foam has a place to go) or a large similar glass. It will produce a rich and creamy head, similar in taste/look to what you might get with a deep golden Samuel Adams Ale draft pour, but with a bit more tan color in the creamy foam head.

Spiced Eggnog High Protein Smoothie

I'm hungry for breakfast.  J is off to school, the house is quiet and I don't want to cook.  Hmmm... time to make a smoothie.  I recently saw a recipe for a vegan eggnog that sounded interesting, so I was inspired to tinker with it to up the protein and to make it breakfast worthy.  Getting a hit of rum flavor for breakfast?  Sure, sign me up!  (OK, it's only rum extract, but it works for me)

Even my husband, who can be a harsh critic at times, says it's quite nice.  (Roy, you told me to share our little kitchen banter, so here it is, for all to read!)  He also thinks real rum would be better.  Cocktails, anyone? heehee

Real time blending in my kitchen ~ Enjoy!

Spiced Eggnog High Protein Smoothie
serves 1~2

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk of choice (dairy or nut)
• 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced frozen banana
• 1/2 scoop protein powder
• 1 tsp rum extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg, packed
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 4 packets of Equal or sweetener of choice (or to taste)
• 6 ice cubes
• whipped cream and more nutmeg for garnish ~ if desired

Directions

Throw all ingredients into blender and whirl away until smooth and frosty (like the snowman ~ heehee, sorry :)

Pour into your favorite glass and grate a bit more nutmeg on top for an aromatic garnish.  Maybe even add a little festive flourish of whipped cream ~  Enjoy the moment!

Sausage Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers, Coconut Water Martini & Mocktails ~ It's Tropical Cocktail Time!

Labor Day Weekend is almost here & for me, that's the 'official' end of summer.  Summer begins & ends with holiday weekends ~ Memorial Day is the beginning of summer & Labor Day is the end of summer. 

Some of the things I always enjoy making during the summer are cool drinks that give off a tropical vibe ~ cocktails for the over 21 crowd, as well as ones that the kids can enjoy, too.  Coconut Water Martinis & Coconut Water Mocktails fall right into that category.  I also like to make easy to eat-with-your-fingers types of appetizers. (aka ~ hors d'oeuvres ~ if you're feeling a bit fancy & French :)  Of course, salsa is always high on my list ~ as well as jalapeño poppers.

My neighbors, Bill & Cheryl, shared some of their Sausage Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers with us not long ago & I just had to make some for myself.  My spin is baked in the oven, instead of cooked on the BBQ & I used lower fat ingredients, but the flavors are the same.  I just love this unusual flavor combo in the ever popular jalapeño popper!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Happy End of Summer!

Happy Tropical Cocktail Time ~ It's always 5 o'clock somewhere!

Baked Sausage Stuffed Jalapeño Poppers ~ Low-Fat

makes 12 tasty, spicy morsels

Ready to bake...

• 6 large jalapeños ~ sliced in half length ways, seeds/veins removed
• 4 oz low-fat or fat-free cream cheese
• couple drops of liquid smoke ~ or more, to taste
  
• 5 cooked turkey sausage breakfast links, crumbled
• smoked paprika, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.

Combine the cream cheese of choice with the liquid smoke until fully combined & creamy, taste & add more liquid smoke if desired.  Add the cooked & crumbled turkey sausage to the cream cheese & blend all together.

Spread the cream cheese mixture into the halved jalapeños, then sprinkle with smoked paprika. 

Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes, or until done.  Enjoy!

OPTIONAL VEGETARIAN VERSION ~ Just replace the turkey sausage with soy sausage

To see my other recipe for Low-Fat Baked Jalapeño Poppers ~ click here!

Coconut Water Martini

Coconut Water Martini ~ Ahhh, the taste of the tropics!

• one shot    Malibu Coconut Rum
• one shot    Vodka
• one shot    Badia Coconut Water with Pulp

 How do I enjoy this tropical cocktail?  ~ Shaken, not stirred, of course!

Coconut Water Mocktail ~ perfect for everyone

Coconut Water Mocktail ~ Great for kids & grown-ups alike. For the simplest mocktail ever, pour well chilled coconut water over ice, into a pretty glass.

• Badia Coconut Water with Pulp

• Optional ~ a splash of ~ French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
• ice

If you want a frozen version, pour the coconut water into the blender, add a couple of ice cubes & a splash of French Vanilla Coffee Creamer.  Whirl away until frosty.  Enjoy!

This canned coconut water is lightly sweet, has a nice coconut flavor & has bits of coconut pulp floating around in it.  It's amazingly good!   I find this brand (Badia) over in the ethnic Mexican food section of my market.   This stuff is hands down my favorite sweetened drink in a can!   :)

Salsa

JR's Tex-Mex RO*TEL Salsa ~ Just had to share this salsa again.  It's so freakin' good & so simple to prepare.  It's perfect for a summer party or just 'cause you're in the mood for some good, traditional Mexican flavored salsa.  I just love it!  Check out the post ~ for the recipe.

Grilled Cuban Chicken Tenders & Mango Salsa

Grilled Cuban Chicken Tenders with Mango Salsa ~ served with Cilantro Lime Rice & Black Beans.  Fresh mangoes really make this salsa rumba & the George Foreman Grill makes cooking the tenders a breeze!

Whole Foods had a sale on mangoes the other day, so I bought a few...OK, I bought a lot.  They looked so good, I just couldn't refuse.  So, I've been enjoying playing around with them & indulging in a few tropical recipes.  I decided a fruity salsa would be a perfect way to add some pizazz to a weekday chicken dinner & as long as I was making salsa ~ I decided to give the meal some Cuban flair.

Cuba Libre cocktail & mangoes ~ doesn't get any fresher than this!

I marinated some chicken tenders, for about an hour, in a Cuban inspired marinade.  While the chicken tenders were doing their thing, I made some rice, black beans & the Mango Salsa.  To jazz up the rice, I added some chopped, fresh cilantro & a squeeze of lime juice.  I doctored up a can of my favorite black beans with ~ a little bit of cumin, fresh lime juice, fresh chopped white onion & cilantro.  I let the black beans simmer gently, while the rice was cooking/chicken was marinating/mango salsa was being made ~ so all the flavors could meld.  While I was in the kitchen, I decided to really get into the Latin spirit of the meal & had a Cuba Libre cocktail while I was making dinner.  Ahh...  :) 

The dinner was full of rich, Latin flavors & the Mango Salsa was the perfect topping for the grilled chicken tenders.  The meal was really easy to pull together & was pretty simple to do.  Marinating the meat took the longest, but cooking it was only 5 minutes on the George Foreman Grill.  I already had everything ready to go long before the marinating was done, so once the chicken was on the grill, dinner got to the table pretty quick.  I love when the idea in my head for dinner works out so well in the kitchen!

Mango Salsa

makes approx. 2 cups
 

Mango Salsa is my new summer favorite, it's amazingly good!

• 1 cup chopped fresh mango (can use frozen mango, but the salsa will be mushier)
• 1 medium tomato,  chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion, sweet or purple (rinsed & drained after chopping)
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice, or to taste
• 1/2 fresh jalapeno ~ or to taste, finely diced ~ optional
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste (try 1/4 tsp first, then add more if needed)

Blend all together in a medium bowl & let salsa sit for 10 minutes so the flavors can develop.  Taste & adjust seasonings if needed, then serve over the grilled chicken tenders or with chips.

Grilled Cuban Chicken Tenders

marinade for 3/4 pound of chicken tenders, can be doubled
the longer it marinates, the more flavor it absorbs

• 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp rum (optional ~ could also use wine, beer or sherry)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp salt (optional ~ some like to marinate with, some without)

Blend all ingredients together, then pour into a ziplock bag, toss in chicken tenders & massage marinade onto the tenders.  Seal the ziplock baggie & let marinate in fridge for at least one hour.  Turn the bag over a few times as it sits in the fridge.  When ready to cook, drain off the marinade & discard.  Pat the chicken tenders to remove some of the excess marinade before cooking on the preheated Foreman Grill. (I've found if I leave too much marinade on meat, when I use the Foreman Grill, it 'steams' it more than grills it.  Personal preference, so leave it all on if you like)   Cook chicken tenders for approx. 4-5 minutes, or until done.

Spoon the Mango Salsa over the grilled chicken tenders & serve with the jazzed up rice & black beans.  Now it's time to enjoy your Cuban feast!  Care for another Cuba Libre?  Don't mind if I do...   :)

  

Homemade Apple Schnapps ~ making homemade Hooch

I learned how to make this very easy version of Homemade Apple Schnapps while visiting some friends, up in Canada, back in the fall of 1993.  They served this delightful beverage to the houseful of guests that were staying with them during the Oktoberfest festivities.  Schnapps is originally from Germany & is a favorite of mine, from way back.  When I first started making this concoction back home, I dubbed it 'Hooch' & I've been making, enjoying & sharing it for almost two decades.

You can easily change up the flavor of the schnapps, just by choosing a different juice concentrate.  I'm partial to the apple flavor, probably because it's the original way I had it.  (my trademark hooch is only made with apple juice concentrate :)   I decant the schnapps/hooch into pretty bottles & keep it in the fridge.  It's perfect to drink before/after dinner or turned into a cocktail, using your favorite mixer. **  Please note:  This is an adult mixed alcoholic beverage.  No underage drinking allowed! Do not overindulge.  Enjoy responsibly.  :)  **


Homemade Apple Schnapps                       

• one 750ml bottle of Vodka
• five cans of apple juice concentrate, thawed
• water to taste

Empty the Vodka into a large pitcher & add all the cans of thawed apple juice concentrate.  Stir until well combined.

Taste & add water if desired, to get it just the way you like it ~ whatever suits your fancy.  Store in the fridge & always keep chilled.

Enjoy straight up as a cordial for sipping after dinner; serve it over ice; maybe a small glassful before dinner or with your favorite mixer as a cocktail. 

Ultimate Strawberry Banana Smoothie ~ double the fruit, double the flavor

Ultimate Strawberry Banana Smoothie ~ Have it for a breakfast, snack, dessert or cocktail ~ This drink does it ALL!

I've mentioned before how much I like V8's V-Fusion Juices.  In my opinion, it's the ultimate fruit/veggie beverage, a full serving of fruit & a full serving of veggies in every 8 ounce glass, and you NEVER taste the veggies in it.  How do they do that?  This morning I decided to use the Strawberry/Banana Juice Blend & came up with the ultimate in strawberry/banana smoothie flavor.  Using the juice blend, along with the frozen fruit, gives this smoothie a real depth of flavor.  Best ever strawberry banana drink I've ever had ~ Oh, yeah!  Love when that happens!

This would make the perfect breakfast drink, snack, dessert or even cocktail.  Dress it up any way you want ~ drink it from a tumbler or a pretty glass ~ drink it as-is or with the low fat whipped cream & a strawberry 'sidecar'.  Depending on how you serve it, it would make a sweet end to a meal or if you just add some coconut rum, you've got a healthy adult tropical beverage.

5 a.m. & it's a breakfast smoothie or 5 p.m. & it's cocktail time... Like the song says ~ It's 5 o'clock somewhere.  What time is it at your house?   :)

Ultimate Strawberry Banana Smoothie 

serves 1 (two if you'll share, but I usually won't  :)

• 1 1/2 cup   V8's V*Fusion Strawberry Banana Juice
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 frozen banana, sliced
• 6 frozen strawberries, whole & unsweetened
• one packet of Equal (or favorite sweetener)
• 4 ice cubes
• low fat whipped cream & fresh strawberry, for garnish ~ optional

Throw first six ingredients into a blender & blend until smooth & frosty.

Garnish with low fat whipped cream & strawberry if desired.

* For a little adult fun ~ Add a shot of coconut rum for a tropical drink that tastes fantastic & gives you over one serving of veg, over 2 servings of fruit & a mega hit of protein!  Doesn't get any better than that.  Booyah!

Enjoy!

Homegrown tomatoes & veggies ~ Waiting to start the summer garden...

Heirloom tomatoes, in their many colors, turn any salad into a stunning dish!

 

I can hardly wait to get my tomato plants into the ground.  By trial & error I have learned that waiting, until after Mother's Day, is the prudent way to go with tomatoes ~ at least for the locations I've lived in for the past two decades.  If I plant the seedlings too early, they just sit there, doing nothing, while I worry if they will be OK if it suddenly turns cold for a few days.   They don't care if I want them in the ground as soon as I see them at the local nursery.  Tomatoes will grow & thrive when they are good & ready, and not a day before.  What is an eager gardener to do??

Well, this gardener goes through her old photo albums & now that I have a blog, I can also post the old pictures here, too.  If I can't plant my tomatoes yet, at least I can see what I grew/cooked the year before.  I'm reminded of the famous quote by Longfellow ~ "All things come round to him, who will but wait."  I know, I know ~ but, ohhh, I so HATE the waiting!

So, here I sit, waiting for Mother's Day ~ not for a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates, but for the day I can go out & buy/plant my tomato seedlings & start the gardening cycle once again.  Waiting, too, for the time I can enjoy eating my tomatoes ~ just like I did last year...

 

Homegrown goodness...

...never looked so pretty!

Here are some salads I've made, using only my homegrown veggies.  I get such a kick out of being able to create  pretty & tasty dishes from the veggie garden, just outside my kitchen door...


 

Homegrown tomatoes, basil, sliced cheese & French bread ~ add a bottle of wine & you've got the perfect summertime meal.

Tomato Water Martini

When I make salads featuring my tomatoes, I usually like to make a simple vinaigrette dressing with olive oil, a few herbs, salt/pepper & either a balsamic or red wine vinegar.  I will sometimes use ranch dressing if I'm tossing the tomatoes with cucumbers and/or beans.  Fresh shaved or grated Parmesan cheese is always a nice touch.  Another meal Roy & I REALLY enjoy eating in the summertime, when the tomatoes are sun-kissed & vine ripe, is warm, crusty French bread with sliced tomatoes, basil & cheese.  This is a full meal for us, we hardly ever have any left.  We eat it slowly & enjoy it with a bottle of wine.  Now, that is my kind of 'happy meal'!

Last year, I had a TON of yellow tomatoes get ripe, all at the same time.  I chopped them up for my Salsa Fresca & found that I had a large amount of 'tomato nectar' hiding in the bottom of the bowl.  It truly is the pure, clear, essence of summer.  What a treat!  I turned that golden liquid into a Tomato Water Martini ~ just using the nectar/tomato water as it was.  I like having the color along with the flavor, besides it was all ready to go without additional fuss.  Works for me!

Well, thanks for listening to this gardener go on about tomatoes.  The wait is almost over....  :)

Mad Men Cocktail Party ~ Celebrating the 60's

March 25th is the day Season 5 of ~  Mad Men ~ finally arrives.  AMC has created a Mad Men ~ Online Party Planner for celebrating the start of the new season, as well as all things 60's.  Just to help get everybody in the Swinging 60's mood, after all, it has been awhile...  Food, cocktails, invitations, menu ideas, party playlist, what to wear, party games, decorating tips...way cool!  I've checked out all the nifty ideas they have & what fun, they really have captured the 60's party mood.  I remember Grandma Bunni making many of the things they have on their party menu.  I was happy to see some of the items are ones I have already blogged about, or ones that I have already taken photos of, but haven't posted yet.  Guess I like cooking retro food & mixing retro drinks ~ even when there isn't a party planned. :)   

So, here are some of the things I like to make at my house.  They have that original 1960's vibe & are still fun to eat & drink, even today.  Let's get this mid-60's party started!!!



Cocktails

What can I get you to drink?

Seven & Seven ~ I hope Don doesn't mind me borrowing one of his cocktail glasses...  This is one of my favorite 60's cocktails.  When I was a kid, I used to steal a sip of Grandma Bunni's when she wasn't looking.  Check out the fab Sally Draper Cocktail Cheat Sheet for the recipe.

Dirty Martini ~ I'm sure Roger must switch it up from time to time & goes for olives instead of onions.  Sometimes you just need to get down & dirty...

Bloody Mary ~ I like mine made with Sake instead of Vodka ~ maybe Joan would too, when she is in the mood for something exotic...

Brandy Alexander ~ I bet Trudy likes these...

Pink Squirrel ~ I can just hear Betty ordering one of these in her flirty, naughty-girl voice...

  

Manhattan ~ The perfect drink for when Peggy is at a business lunch. A man's cocktail, but with a hint of sweetness...

Old Fashioned Lemonade ~ You need to always have some ready, just in case Sally or Bobby are still wake & get thirsty.  Of course, you could spike it with Vodka or Limoncello, for an adult version of Lemonade ~ or maybe, use it as part of an impromptu Whiskey Sour. You never know when or where the mood will strike...

Mad Men Online Party Menu ~ 

These recipes really are the tastes of the 60's. It's all here, they have gathered all the dishes that will allow you to have a successful 60's cocktail party or swanky 60's dinner party. I had a lot of fun making these drinks & dishes, and I'm sure you will, too...

Hors d'oeuvres, anyone?

Chicken Liver Pâté, Pimento Cheese Spread, Deviled Eggs

Dinner is served...

Waldorf Salad & Sirloin Tips en Brochette

How sweet it is...

Ambrosia

I hope all these photos, from my kitchen, will inspire you to check out the AMC Mad Men Party Guide & to try making some of these great vintage cocktails & recipes yourself.  And don't forget the retro party ideas that will make your gathering memorable ~ you'll be the talk of 1965/66.  OK ~ Let's get this party started!

Irish Cream Pudding ~ Easy & Elegant Dessert

Easy & Elegant Irish Cream Pudding

Looking for something that is easy & elegant for the ending to your St. Patrick's Day meal?  Or, maybe for a weekend dinner party?  Or, just because you feel like having a sweet, sinfully good treat...   Well, have I got something for you!

I just made this rich & decadent Irish Cream laced pudding, topped with whipped cream & shaved chocolate & it turned out AWESOME!!!  It was just too simple to make & it tastes like it is much fancier than it is.  I could easily see ordering this in a restaurant, but since we mostly eat at home, I say let's have the good stuff right at our own kitchen table.   I know 1/2 cup of Irish Cream sounds like a lot, but it is only 2 shots. I know, I measured it & it's true, that surprised me too!  So, you are only getting about a 1/2 shot per dessert.  It really gives the pudding the full flavor of the Irish Cream, without going overboard.

This would be so easy to convert to low cal by using sugar-free pudding & nonfat milk.  You could also use an Irish Cream flavored coffee creamer (regular or sugar-free) instead of the liquor, if you wanted to make it non-alcoholic.  I think this would also be good if you used chocolate pudding instead of the vanilla, if you were so inclined.  This is something I will definitely be playing around with in the future.  Don't know why it took me so long to combine these two taste treats.  Better late, than never.

I've already had a little bit, I had to make sure it was worth posting about.  It sooo is.  It'll be hard to stay out of the rest of it until after dinner... Maybe I'll just have a little bit more right now.   Shh, don't tell Roy....   :)

Super Simple Irish Cream Pudding

serves 4

1 small box                 French vanilla instant pudding
1 1/2 cups                   milk
1/2 cup                        Irish Cream liquor

~  whipped cream (I use canned & always keep some around for times like this)

~ shaved chocolate curls (use a veg peeler, on a square of chocolate, shave off to make curls)

1)  combine milk & Irish Cream
      liquor in a bowl& add instant
      pudding

2)  beat with whisk or hand
      mixer,on low, for 2 minutes
      to combine

3)  pour into pretty glasses & set
      in fridge for at least 10
      minutes to firm up

4)  top with whipped cream &
      shaved chocolate curls

So simple to make & it presents itself like a fancy dessert

                                                          Enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day ~ Green Food & Beverage Fun

Looking for some fun 'green food' for your St. Patrick's Day celebration?  Then look no further. 

Whether you are celebrating the love of all things Irish for the entire week, or just for the day, on March 17th ~ here are some vibrant green drinks & foods, both savory & sweet, that are sure to please!

It's time for breaking out all the 'Kiss Me I'm Irish' t-shirts, hand knitted Irish sweaters, Clancy Brothers & Chieftains  CD's, pints of Guinness, Soda Bread, Corned Beef & Cabbage, &...  the list just goes on & on.  

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems and songs with pipes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.
~Author Unknown
 

I will say to you, now, as so many will say to those they meet on the 17th ~ Cead Mile Failte!

Colors of Ireland Jello Parfait

Old Irish Saying ~ “An old broom knows the dirtiest corners best.”

(The elders in the family know the family secrets)

Colors of Ireland Jello Parfait ~ Grandma Bunni was a true green eyed, red haired, Irish lass.  She might not have been born in Ireland, but she certainly had the fiery temperament  & fierce loyalty that the Irish women are known for.  She was an amazing cook & loved making Corned Beef & Cabbage every March 17th, as well as all the foods & drinks that celebrate that day.  She was also fond of jello salads/desserts, as so many of her generation were.   This is a dessert that she liked to make for special occasions.  It's a pretty & versatile treat ~ you just change up the colors of the jello & fruit to suit the holiday you're planning for.                      
                                                                                                                                        

TO MAKE GRANDMA BUNNI'S JELLO PARFAIT 

Take prepared green jello, cottage cheese (or vanilla pudding if you want a more modern spin) & diced peaches or mandarin oranges ~  Find a pretty glass & layer the ingredients as follows: your favorite green jello, diced,  as the bottom layer, cottage cheese or vanilla pudding for the middle layer & diced peaches or mandarin oranges as the top layer.  Finish it with a dollop of whipped cream & little bits of green jello sprinkled around the edges of the glass.  Enjoy as either a starter or as a dessert.


Baked Kale Chips

St. Patrick -- one of the few saints whose feast day presents the opportunity to get determinedly whacked and make a fool of oneself all under the guise of acting Irish. ~  Charles M. Madigan

You can't get any fresher or greener than this.  These Baked Kale Chips are an amazing treat.  I was skeptical when I first read about these on the Internet, but since I am trying to eat more kale, I decided to give the recipe a try.  I'm so glad I did, these are absolutely addicting!  So crispy, crunchy, healthy, easy to make & so darn tasty, too.                        Lucky me ~ Lucky you!  

Broccoli Soup

Irish Saying ~   What is Irish diplomacy?  It's the ability to tell a man to go to hell, so that he will look forward to making the trip.

If you want a quick & healthy green meal for St. Paddy's Day, try this incredibly easy, tasty & low-cal Broccoli  Soup ~ from Gordon Ramsay's cookbook ~ Healthy Appetite

  
Baby Bok Choy with Vinaigrette
                               
Irish Saying ~
There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were.

If you want a little different spin on cabbage for the big ~Luck 'o' the Irish ~ day, try this simply prepared & low-cal Bok Choy recipe from Alicia Silverstone's  ~  The Kind Diet

Key Lime Pie Martini

Traditional Irish Toast

 "May those who love us, love us; and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if He doesn't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping."

If March 17th inspires you to find unusual cocktails to try & if you love the fresh taste of Key Lime Pie ~ then try this low-cal, fun & festive martini from ~ Hungry Girl

Green Tea Swappuccino  

 Irish Saying  ~  Life is like a cup of tea,  it's all in how you make it!

Looking for something smooth & creamy to kick-start your mornings?  Then try beginning your day drinking this mock Starbuck's  Green Tea Smoothie.  I think it would be a fun way to start your St. Patty's Day reveries.  Another low-cal treat from   ~ Hungry Girl

Shamrock Green Cake Batter Smoothie

What color should be seen, Where our fathers' homes have been, But their own immortal Green?  ~~Author Unknown

If drinking something green is right up your alley for the upcoming St. Paddy's Day parties & you want something that is good for the you, the kids, is alcohol-free & really does taste just like cake batter ~ than this bright green smoothie is for you!