One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍
I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also m I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also my lips are never chapped, so there’s that. 😂 And this is only one of my refill stashes. When I was in middle school, I had literally THE WORST chapped lips ever. Like a complete red ring around my top and bottom lips. I don’t think that’s where my lip balm obsession started, but it certainly didn’t help. Jersey winters are no joke (or our hot summers), so don’t mind me while I just add to my collection. What’s your fave?
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Marinated Cheese {Appetizer}

March 20, 2014 · Narrative

An easy-to-make marinated cheese appetizer that is perfect for entertaining small and big crowds alike.

Marinated Cheese appetizer-003

To say I have masses amount of new recipes I want to try would be an understatement.

Which may or may not explain my penchant for risking new recipes on new dinner guests.

Must.make.all.the.recipes.

So it’s safe to say that whenever company comes calling, whether new friends or old, there will be new recipes on the table.

And heck, even when company isn’t calling too.

The only difference is that entertaining allows me to try three or four new recipes, and when it’s just me and the kids, it’s likely one or two.

A few weeks ago, my friend Cathy and her family came over for dinner. A casual affair, kids playing, grown-ups chatting, a perfectly chill vibe hung in the air.

Which, if you need to know, is kind of my favorite vibe.

And appetizers? Pretty much my favorite part of the meal.

I bet you thought it was dessert.

Nope, that course is relegated to my eat-all-the-sweets six year old.

Who lives for dessert.

For this dinner party, we went Southern with a marinated cheese appetizer.

I had seen this recipe floating around for years. Years and years and years. I had clipped the original when I first saw it in Southern Living magazine, and then recently I spotted it on Pinterest. Gotta love a virtual recipe box … all in the name of reducing paper in my house.

It makes for such a pretty presentation, how can you not be intrigued by this one? I’ve gotta say, though, I was a little leery of eating straight-up cream cheese. I mean, it’s just not something you do.

Smear it on a bagel?

For sure.

Use it as an ingredient in a recipe?

No doubt.

But all but its lonesome?

The jury was out.

The recipe comes together in nothing flat and has just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. The most challenging part is cutting the cream cheese in small squares. And it’s not like that’s rocket science. Although the recipe suggested freezing the cream cheese to make it easier to cut neatly, well, ain’t nobody got time for that. All was ok, albeit a little messier, without the freezing.

And, I mean, look at the finished product.

Total party pleasing fare.

The finished cheese stacks have a garlicky vinaigrette-type dressing poured over it and that is just a total game changer.

Marinated Cheese appetizer on cracker-001

Especially when it comes to the cream cheese portions.

Just take a little fork and put a cream cheese and cheddar square on a good cracker and pop it in your mouth.

This, folks, is good stuff.

And even better the next day after it got a chance to marinate even longer in that awesome garlicky dressing.

Spring has officially sprung and outdoor entertaining can begin, in earnest, soon! She says with great hope in her voice. Whether you’re having some girlfriends over, entertaining a small group, or just want something a little special to perk up a ho-hum weekend dinner with your fam, give this one a whirl.

It’s a keeper.

…

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Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

March 10, 2014 · Narrative

A super quick, sure to impress, stuffed jalapenos recipe featuring bacon. And really, how can you go wrong from there?

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos - side view-001

On Mondays, I try to have my blog post written earlier because I want to watch The Bachelor live so a girlfriend and I can do a play-by-play on everything that went down.

#commitment

Because, well, how better than to exclaim with shock when you hear some of the things that come out of The Bachelorettes’ mouths? And if there isn’t a drinking game for Juan Pablo’s go-to line of “…es ok,” well, then, there should be.

#Bachelorhumor

So tonight’s post had to be an easy one to write. So I’m not behind on Bachelor shenanigans.

Of course I went with bacon.

Because, you know … bacon.

I first made this new-to-me bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeno recipe last weekend when friends came over.

And omg.

Really.

So this weekend, when I needed a go-to, sure-to-impress appetizer recipe while entertaining  a new friend of the male persuasion, I made these again.

Because, you know … bacon.

And as he said after his first bite, “…these are f***ing good,” and then he followed that up by apologizing for swearing. Which was then followed with asking me how I feel about swearing.

Now, in all honesty, me and jalapenos do not have a good track record. Which means I mostly avoid cooking with them, because oh the burn! No matter how careful I am, I always end up cursing the moment that I decided to cook with jalapenos and swear I will never do it again.

But then I find a recipe with bacon and all bets are off.

…

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Recipe: Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites

February 15, 2013 · Narrative

Untitled
When it comes to the “buffalo chicken” flavor, I am admittedly a late adopter. The Ex loved buffalo wings. Well, any kind of wings, really. It’s like guy code or something. And Nick started liking buffalo chicken anything a few years ago.

So basically, if you can’t beat them, join ’em.

When I was trying to figure out what I was making for our recent Girls Night In party, I knew that our current potluck offerings were heavy on the sweet side (not that that’s a bad thing, of course), so I concentrated on finding something savory to balance it out a bit. And I turned to the easiest source of inspiration.

Pinterest. Natch.

Namely my Appetizers board, because I wanted finger food. I pinned this recipe for Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites ages ago. Simple, easy to find ingredients, the buffalo chicken flavor profile that everyone likes, and baked (so healthier).

Win/win.

I did give pause when I saw the directions, because it was a bit fiddly and time consuming for a last minute addition to a party menu. Particularly when I don’t want to be stucking dredging chicken bites in flour, egg, and crumbs when everyone is arriving. I’d much rather be drinking Mom Juice.

And as I was in the kitchen dredging while everyone was filtering in, I swore I probably wouldn’t make these again.

Because of the dredging.

But that’s probably not true.

Because these fiddly and time consuming Baked Buffalo Chicken Bites are pretty darn tasty.

They have the heat of buffalo chicken, are perfectly bite size, and a bit healthier because they’re baked.

And the first platter I put out was gone within minutes.

And really, in the grand scheme of things, they took all of thirty minutes to make. So whining aside, they’re worth making.

Good for a little bite when you have friends over. An appetizers-only party. Tailgating. A cozy night in when you just want to have finger food and pop in a movie. Whenever.

Make ’em. Dredge them. And all will be good.

Tomorrow? Book review!

PS Speaking of Pinterest, did you know that the White House has an official Pinterest page? This might be the hippest White House we’ve had since the days of Jackie O. I also found out that the White House actually invited bloggers/pinners to a small little fete there over the Christmas holidays – how cool is that?!

…

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Recipe: Stuffed Spinach Cheddar Crescents

November 14, 2012 · Narrative

Stuffed Spinach Cheddar Crescents
So did you hear? Thanksgiving is next week?

I know. I know.

No panic over here because my sister is hosting it, so short of making a few simple items to bring with us (like our favorite Cranberry Conserve!), I’ve got it easy.

Which is the perfect way to kick off the frenetic pace of every day that follows from then until, well, the end of the year, right?

But if I was hosting Thanksgiving (are you? whatcha making?), then these little bites of deliciousness would surely have a very important place on the table.

Like within reach of my seat.

Creamy spinach is one of those awesome sides that is perfect along side most meals. But then I thought … why not add some sharp Cheddar to it, and put it in a little hand-held vehicle to boot?

All the better to get it to your mouth, right?

I knew we were on the same page.

These tasty stuffed crescents come together in nothing flat. Mix a few ingredients in a bowl, unroll the crescents, stuff, bake, and devour.

Light from the buttery, flaky dough. A subtly sharp bite from the bits of Cheddar. Creaminess from the spinach.

Aw yeah.

I happen to think it’s the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table, and as a bonus, the spinach is disguised just enough to make it a little kid-friendly. While I am not a fan of completely disguising food (no sneakiness here, thankyouverymuch), if I can make it a little more palatable and delicious for the little mouths at the table, then, well, why not?

Hungry for more Pillsbury crescent roll recipes?
We first had these Bacon Cheese Crescents five years ago, and they’ve been a favorite ever since.
These Mediterranean Crescent Pinwheels pack a delicious flavor punch, and came courtesy of The Neighbor Husband some years back.
Crescent dough is perfect to make mini pigs-in-a-blanket.
And lastly, if you’re looking for a sweet dish, instead of savory, this breakfast danish from the early months of blogging was a hit at Nick’s school.

…

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One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛

Pinterest

One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍
I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also m I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also my lips are never chapped, so there’s that. 😂 And this is only one of my refill stashes. When I was in middle school, I had literally THE WORST chapped lips ever. Like a complete red ring around my top and bottom lips. I don’t think that’s where my lip balm obsession started, but it certainly didn’t help. Jersey winters are no joke (or our hot summers), so don’t mind me while I just add to my collection. What’s your fave?

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