It's hard for me to believe that yesterday was the blog's third anniversary. I have published over 650 posts! To mark the occasion, I have given it a fresh look and am going to test a new schedule. Rather than posting daily, I am going to try to do every other day beginning next week. In theory, I would have something M, W, F one week and T, Th the following. We shall see how this plan works. 😉 I will still use Tuesdays for tablescapes and will likely do a recipe the opposite week on either M, W or F. Nothing is written in stone, however! I still hope to share, provide ideas and possibly inspire. Thank you for following and encouraging me as it helps me feel connected to you!
Since America's birthday is Wednesday, I have pulled some of the patriotic recipes from past postings. Perhaps you will want to use one or two as you celebrate the 4th of July!
How about beginning your day with a patriotic parfait? This is simple and delicious!
In a container, pour 1/4 cup of old fashioned rolled or steel cut oatmeal (not instant oats). Pour just enough milk to barely cover the oats. Sprinkle fresh berries, of your choice, on top. I used a combination of blueberries and blackberries. Spread a container of yogurt (again, your choice) over all of that. I happened to use strawberry yogurt to achieve a "patriotic" effect! Sprinkle cinnamon on top and, as an option, drizzle-on a bit of honey (I just used the cinnamon). Put on the lid to the container and pop it in the refrigerator. In the morning, stir and eat. Enjoy!
For a printable version, click here.
When you grill your brats and hamburgers Wednesday, you may need a tasty salad to go along with your meal. I could provide you with many ideas, but settled on this refreshing side for hot weather since watermelon is so flavorful right now.
Watermelon Salad
torn greens
watermelon balls
thinly-sliced cucumbers
crumbled feta cheese
oil and vinaigrette dressing of your choice (raspberry is tasty on it, but I used Italian last night)
Combine all ingredients and toss with the dressing.
Serve right away.
For a printable recipe, click here.
After dinner, do you need a sweet treat for your guests? I have a few "berry" simple, yummy desserts.
How about beginning your day with a patriotic parfait? This is simple and delicious!
For a printable version, click here.
When you grill your brats and hamburgers Wednesday, you may need a tasty salad to go along with your meal. I could provide you with many ideas, but settled on this refreshing side for hot weather since watermelon is so flavorful right now.
Watermelon Salad
torn greens
watermelon balls
thinly-sliced cucumbers
crumbled feta cheese
oil and vinaigrette dressing of your choice (raspberry is tasty on it, but I used Italian last night)
Combine all ingredients and toss with the dressing.
Serve right away.
After dinner, do you need a sweet treat for your guests? I have a few "berry" simple, yummy desserts.
Patriotic Dessert Skewers
fresh strawberries
fresh blueberries
marshmallows
brownie squares (my friend used Brownie Bites while preparing hers)
bamboo skewers for food use
chocolate sauce
Assemble two brownie squares, a marshmallow, two large strawberries and approximately eight blueberries on each skewer, as shown above. Ingredient quantities depend upon the size of your stick and/or fruit. After placing on plate, drizzle with chocolate sauce for presentation.
To print out this idea, click here.
Berry Brownies
1 box brownie mix
water, vegetable oil and eggs as called for on brownie mix box
1 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Cool Whip, thawed
1 1/3 cups quartered fresh strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and bake in a 9 by 13 inch pan. Allow to cool completely.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth and creamy. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread on brownies. Arrange berries over top of cream cheese mixture. Cover and store in refrigerator.
Strawberry Trifle
one angel food cake, cut into one inch cubes
instant vanilla pudding mix, 3.4 ounce box
2 cups milk
1 large tub Cool Whip
2 (plus) pounds fresh strawberries
Prepare the angel food cake according to box directions. Allow to cool and then cut into one inch cubes. Set aside.
Wash fresh strawberries and set aside. When completely dry, slice berries.
Mix one box of instant pudding with 2 cups cold milk. Wisk for two minutes and then fold in one large tub (or two small) Cool Whip.
In a deep glass bowl (I inverted my glass cake plate to use the lid as my bowl and rested that in the inverted base), spread about a third of the pudding mixture in the bottom of the bowl. Sprinkle half of the angel food cubes over mixture. Layer half of the sliced strawberries on top. Repeat. Use remaining third of pudding mixture over top of trifle. I used three whole berries as garnishment on top.
Keep well chilled in refrigerator.
Notes: I was concerned that the angel food cake would get "soggy" if I assembled this way ahead of time. I put it together about 6 hours beforehand it was perfectly fine.
You could add blueberries and raspberries to the strawberries if you wish.
I hope this helps as you prepare for our approaching holiday!