Pistachio Dessert Salad: Day 86 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

Today we are featuring a recipe that will add a hint of festive green color to your celebration of Christmas, Pistachio Dessert Salad, from Jerri at Simply Sweet Home.

(Photo used with permission; Credit: Jerri, Simply Sweet Home)

What's not to love about this one... easy, beautiful and delicious. Head over to Simply Sweet Home for the recipe!

If you have a Foodie on your Christmas gift buying list that is a serious baker but does not have a Cuisinart stand mixer, consider giving them one this year!   It helps drastically decrease prep time, giving you more time to spend with those you love.

Disclosure:  For your shopping convenience, we are including a link when possible for each gift idea so that you can purchase if you know someone who'd enjoy it. These are affiliate links, through which we are paid a commission percentage from each purchase.  We are donating 100% of the profits from the Christmas event through our blog to The Spoon Foundation.  We are passionate about helping provide good nutrition to children struggling with malnourishment. Read more about our family's experience with the problem of malnourishment here.

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Celebrating "The Reason for the Season"...

We participate in a number of link parties where we enjoy sharing our recipes. One such party, Titus 2sdays, is hosted by Darlene Schacht, New York Times Best Selling Author, on her blog. One of her blog posts suggests some great ways to celebrate Christmas with young children for its true meaning and origin: Teaching Christmas to Young Hearts.

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If this is your first day joining us during the series or if you missed when we announced it, be sure to check out our current giveaway, a prize package that includes a picnic basket/market tote AND a beautiful table covering, sponsored by Sheri's Art Studio:





Today is the last day to enter!

Thanks for joining the party today!  

 Click here for a complete list of the features from previous days.  You will also find a link to our Christmas Smorgasbord there and a list of giveaway winners so far.  Have a great day!

*We thank the following Participating Blogs for helping us spread the word about the event.  (Find out how you can do the same here).  Please visit any of them that are of interest to you:

 

For Such a Time As This, Cup of Delight, The Freshman Cook, This Little Light of Mine, Everyday Mom's Meals, Simply Sweet Home, Angel Food's Kitchen, Happier Than a Pig in Mud, Sweet Nothings, Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365, Pat's Pink Apron, Bloggerette Sorority, Ms. enPlace  *Be the next one*

 

NOTE:

If you have a Christmas food-related recipe, craft, or DIY project that you would like to be considered as a feature, we still have some spaces left. Please contact Tricia at Recipe Roundup at: 

reciperoundup.m2 {at} gmail {dot} com

 

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Day 87 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

Good morning! 

Please visit Tricia at Recipe Roundup,  

co-host for The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas, 

for today's ideas... and enjoy! 

Come back here tomorrow for Day 86.

Homemade Limoncello {DIY Christmas Gift Idea}: Day 88 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

We have a special treat for you with today's recipe for Homemade Limoncello, a guest post by Krysta, of My Life in Food, and also a great gift idea for those who love liqueur.  The No-Sew Felt Wine Bag Wraps from a few days ago have been so popular, I know you are going to love this idea as well!

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree...and homemade Limoncello:

Making liqueurs for the Holidays is one one my favorite ideas because it's so festive, fun and unusual since most people don't know how to make it. Anyone can come to a Christmas party with a bottle of wine in tow, but making something with your own hands says you put forth the time and effort to give your hostess something special.

Bring to parties, give to friends and family along with the recipe on decorated paper and spread a little Holiday cheer. Long after the cookies are eaten, stockings have been hung and presents are passed, the bottle of Limoncello will still be around (unless you have very thirsty friends!) in the freezer, ready to be pulled out after dinner for a sweet, icy, lemony shot to sip on. Drink alone, or drizzle between layers of white cake before frosting, for an interesting twist. Really, you are only limited by your imagination!

This liquor takes about a month and a half to brew, so make sure to plan early. You only need to buy one 750 ml bottle of Everclear to make three bottles of liquor of the same size, so it is an economical option as well. Also, since Limoncello is usually consumed in small quantities (a shot at a time) you could also buy smaller bottles and stretch your batch even further. Half of a 750 ml bottle is a great gift. I have found bottles for packaging here and here, but if you Google "glass bottles" there are endless sources out there.

This recipe is extremely simple but the sweetness of the drink can be adjusted to your liking. After you make your first batch of Limoncello, you can sample after it is done, and assess whether you would like it more sugary, or less sugary, for your next batch (and there will be a next batch.

Your friends will ask for it; your neighbors will come over to drink it. You might have to make it every year!) This recipe, as written, is pretty sweet but also standard as far as Limoncello goes.

Important note: The original recipe uses 75% vol. Everclear. I could only find Everclear with a 95% vol (or 190 proof), and found that that is all many other people can find as well. Needless to say, I had to add much more water to compensate and adapt the recipe to make it drinkable.

I am really happy with the way it turned out, and found that I can make more bottles per bottle of alcohol when done this way. If you can find 75% vol. Everclear, I will also note the correct measurements for that in the recipe, as it is the more correct way of making it. While quantities are different, directions for each are the same.

A quick overview of the easy process: Peel a bunch of lemons and combine with your Everclear in a big glass jar and let rest in a dark place for two weeks.

After macerating for two weeks, the alcohol is ready to be drained and mixed with water and sugar. Combine it all in a container big enough to hold the whole mixture. Then divide into jars or something that seals tightly and let rest for 1 month (again, in a dark place).

After a month, it is time to bottle and stash in the freezer. There you have it folks...Liquid gold!

Do not use vodka. Everclear is totally pure and I have heard it is not ideal to sub vodka in it's place. Read the whole recipe before you try and make this. It makes your life easier. This makes a small batch, so feel free to double it if necessary.

Homemade Limoncello

adapted from Extra Virgin, Gabrielle Corcos and Debi Mazar

If using 95% alcohol vol. Everclear

Makes enough for 3-750ml bottles (or 6 bottles half that size, which is the recommended size for giving away)

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) of Everclear Grain Alcohol, 95% vol (190 proof) (about 3 1/4 cups)
• 10 large lemons
• 6 cups of water (*Note: You can always add more water to the finished recipe if too strong, but in this case, I don't think you will need it.)
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar (1.2 pounds)
• glass bottles for giving away

If using 75% alcohol vol. Everclear

makes enough for 2 750ml bottles of alcohol (or 4 bottles half that size, which is the recommended size for giving away)

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle (750 ml) of Everclear Grain Alcohol, 75% vol (about 3 1/4 cups)
• 8 large lemons
• 3 1/4 cups water (*Note: *You can always add more water to the finished recipe if too strong for your taste.)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• glass bottles for giving away

Cooking Directions:
This recipe occurs in two different stages: first the macerating of the lemon peels in alcohol, and then the actual brewing with the rest of the ingredients. 

First Movement:

1. Wash your lemons well. Peel the lemons, making sure to only separate the yellow part of the peel from the fruit, and not to go too deep. A potato peeler does the trick. Try not to get a lot of the white on your peel.
2. Place the peels in a big glass jar with the alcohol; try to find one big enough to accommodate all the ingredients in the recipe, (or divide mixture in half to fit containers accordingly), seal tight and let rest for two weeks. Find a dark corner in your house, like the basement, cellar or closed kitchen shelf where you let the Limoncello rest. Absolutely do not leave it exposed to sunlight. Also, do not open the jars while they are resting.

Second Movement:

1. After macerating for two weeks, the alcohol is now ready to be drained and mixed with the water and sugar.
2. Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan on low until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool.
3. Strain the lemon peels from the jars and mix the alcohol with the sugar and water in a large pot or some other container big enough to hold all the ingredients. After everything is mixed, transfer the liquid back into jars and seal tightly for the second resting period.
4. Again, for the second time, let rest in a dark place for 1 month. You can shake the liquid gently if you start noticing some sugar deposited on the bottom of the jars.
5. After a month, it is time to bottle in whichever glass container seems fitting for you. Just make sure you can fit your bottles in the freezer. Keep the Limoncello in the freezer, like you would vodka, and enjoy anytime. The liquor can set out at room temperature as well, so it's no problem when shipping or wrapping and giving them to friends. Just instruct them to keep it in their freezer as Limoncello should be served ice cold.

Happy Holidays and Brew Responsibly!

Krysta lives in a little ski town with her husband & three kids & is passionate about cooking, baking, & entertaining. She would love it if you stopped by her blog,My Life In Food , to see what she's cooking up these days.

As you can see, Krysta is a talented cook and food blogger. Be sure to pay her a visit and thank her for this wonderful idea for Christmas and to check out the delicious recipes she offers on her blog.  If you liked this one, you may also enjoy:

Vanilla Grapefruit Granita Cocktail
Sangria
Vanilla Rum Cola
Cranberry Champagne

Make sure to leave her a comment to let her know that you enjoyed her guest post today!


To go with this fun, creative DIY gift idea, check out a few other gift ideas you may want to consider:

Disclosure:  For your shopping convenience, we are including a link when possible for each gift idea so that you can purchase if you know someone who'd enjoy it. These are affiliate links, through which we are paid a commission percentage from each purchase.  We are donating 100% of the profits from the Christmas event through our blog to The Spoon Foundation.  We are passionate about helping provide good nutrition to children struggling with malnourishment. Read more about our family's experience with the problem of malnourishment here.

If this is your first day joining us during the series or if you missed when we announced it, be sure to check out our current giveaway, a prize package that includes a picnic basket/market tote AND a beautiful table covering, sponsored by Sheri's Art Studio:





Just a couple days left to enter!

Thanks for joining the party today!  

 Click here for a complete list of the features from previous days.  You will also find a link to our Christmas Smorgasbord there and a list of giveaway winners so far.  Have a great day!

*We thank the following Participating Blogs for helping us spread the word about the event.  (Find out how you can do the same here).  Please visit any of them that are of interest to you:

 

For Such a Time As This, Cup of Delight, The Freshman Cook, This Little Light of Mine, Everyday Mom's Meals, Simply Sweet Home, Angel Food's Kitchen, Happier Than a Pig in Mud, Sweet Nothings, Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365, Pat's Pink Apron, Bloggerette Sorority, Ms. enPlace  *Be the next one*

 

NOTE:

If you have a Christmas food-related recipe, craft, or DIY project that you would like to be considered as a feature, we still have some spaces left. Please contact Tricia at Recipe Roundup at: 

reciperoundup.m2 {at} gmail {dot} com

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment, subscribing to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Find more great recipes at Making the World Cuter Monday, Tip Me Tuesday, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin' It, Friday Favorites, Sunday Showcase, The Mommy Club

Day 89 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

Good morning!

Please visit Tricia at Recipe Roundup,  

co-host for The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas, 

for today's ideas... and enjoy! 

Come back here tomorrow for Day 88.

Interview with Children's Author, Deborah Underwood {A Balloon for Isabel, Part 2}

I am excited and honored to introduce you today to the author of the children's book, A Balloon for Isabel, Deborah Underwood:

Photo used with permission; Credit: John Vias

We featured A Balloon for Isabel on the first day of our Christmas series, September 16, 2011.  I learned through Deborah Underwood's website that A Balloon for Isabel is a 2010 Smithsonian Notable Book, has been selected as one of the best children's books of the year by The Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee and is a Junior Library Guild selection.  Needless to say, I was not surprised the book has received these recognitions!

When Ms. Underwood left a comment to our series post, which I was so surprised to receive, I emailed her out of curiosity as to how she came across the post, to say thank you and to see if she might share about how the book was inspired.  She graciously agreed and shared the following:

A BALLOON FOR ISABEL sprang from a single question: what if a porcupine wanted a balloon? Writers try to give their characters big problems, because typically the bigger the problem, the more interesting the story. And desperately wanting a balloon seemed like a pretty enormous problem for a porcupine!

When you're a child, longing eclipses everything else--nothing in the world seems as important as getting that balloon/that ice cream cone/that toy. I find balloons irresistible. Even as an adult, when I see a balloon, part of me thinks, "Oooh, I want that!"

In the book, I wanted to communicate the porcupines' yearning for balloons, and also to show that strength and resourcefulness can overcome seemingly-insurmountable obstacles. I think that sometimes kids can see solutions grownups can't, since adults can be set in their ways. I love Isabel's determination and creativity, and her unwillingness to accept a situation that is inherently unfair.

When she offered for me to let her know if she could answer anything else, I took her up on it and asked her how the gumdrops entered the storyline.  She said that she wishes she could remember for sure, but she thinks it was simply out of her, like Isabel, desperately trying to find a solution to the problem in the story!

And finally, I asked her if she would share with us how she became a children's author (something I've often thought would be a lot of fun).  Here's what she shared about that:

I'd done various other kinds of writing before I started writing for kids--I'd sold magazine articles, greeting cards, and puzzles, and I'd even tried writing romance novels and screenplays, although those didn't sell. But I've always loved children's books, and finally it dawned on me that that's what I should be writing. 

So I started reading books about writing for kids, I joined the Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, I joined some critique groups, I went to conferences, and I read a gazillion picture books to research the market. Over time my writing got stronger and I found an agent. I started writing for kids in 2001, and my first picture books didn't come out till 2010, so it's been a long haul. It's a thrill to have my books in print at last.

Her website also offers information on other books of hers that have been published, including her first published children's picture book, Granny Gomez and Jigsaw.  Read about the inspiration for Granny Gomez and Jigsaw here in an interview by Our Hen House with Deborah Underwood.  It was published in 2010 and is a story that all animal lovers, adults and children alike, will enjoy! 

I am really looking forward to reading more of her books with my children.  I'm thinking many of her books will have a permanent place in our home library of favorites!

Thank you so much, Ms. Underwood, for sharing with us, and congratulations on your success and seeing your dream come true.  Please keep them coming!

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Shared with other great ideas at Women Living Well Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays

DIY Picnic Basket {Christmas gift idea}: Day 90 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

On Friday, our co-host, Tricia, over at Recipe Roundup announced our second giveaway for the series, a prize package that includes a picnic basket/market tote AND a beautiful table covering, sponsored by Sheri's Art Studio.  Check out the giveaway if you have not already:





In keeping with the picnic idea, take a look at this DIY picnic basket, which would make a neat gift idea for those who enjoy the outdoors:

Photo used with permission; Credit: Joy, Thrifty Parsonage Living

This idea comes to us from Joy at Thrifty Parsonage Living.  You've got to go over to her blog to see additional pictures and the tutorial for the project, which shows how she made the silverware holder and bag for putting any dirty dishes in to transport back home following the picnic.



Our other gift idea for today is something I just recently came across.  Because our son's earliest experiences with food were in an orphanage, and likely very unpleasant, mealtimes have often been a big struggle.  We love discovering new ideas of ways to make food and mealtimes more enjoyable for him, such as this:

Disclosure:  For your shopping convenience, we are including a link when possible for each gift idea so that you can purchase if you know someone who'd enjoy it. These are affiliate links, through which we are paid a commission percentage from each purchase.  We are donating 100% of the profits from the Christmas event through our blog to The Spoon Foundation.  We are passionate about helping provide good nutrition to children struggling with malnourishment. Read more about our family's experience with the problem of malnourishment here.

We have no personal experience with this book yet, but I can tell you it is going on my constantly-getting-longer list of books to purchase!

Thanks for joining the party today!  

 Click here for a complete list of the features from previous days.  You will also find a link to our Christmas Smorgasbord there and a list of giveaway winners so far.  Have a great day!

*We thank the following Participating Blogs for helping us spread the word about the event.  (Find out how you can do the same here).  Please visit any of them that are of interest to you:

 

For Such a Time As This, Cup of Delight, The Freshman Cook, This Little Light of Mine, Everyday Mom's Meals, Simply Sweet Home, Angel Food's Kitchen, Happier Than a Pig in Mud, Sweet Nothings, Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365, Pat's Pink Apron, Bloggerette Sorority, Ms. enPlace  *Be the next one*

 

NOTE:

If you have a Christmas food-related recipe, craft, or DIY project that you would like to be considered as a feature, we still have some spaces left. Please contact Tricia at Recipe Roundup at: 

reciperoundup.m2 {at} gmail {dot} com

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Debt-Free Living/Dave Ramsey {MaFF Monday #31}

We get to meet two Food-"e"-Friends today and also learn more about debt-free living and Dave Ramsey, another topic of great interest to The Chef and me, personally.  I have really enjoyed spotlighting certain topics or issues that aren't directly food-related through our Monday features.  It's great to hear when one of these features has impacted someone else's life, too, as we did through Facebook with last week's feature.

Thank you to each of you who participate through linking up each week and for allowing me to feature you when your blog is selected, which is done completely randomly from a list of those of you who participate regularly with us.  It's a joy to help spread an important message from a fellow blogger that might be of help to someone else.

Here is what Alexandra and Kathryn, co-authors of Talking Dollars and Cents, have to share with us about debt-free living:

Tell us a little about the "birth" of your blog.  When and why did you decide to start?

We’re Alexandra and Kathryn. We have known and worked together for 30 years. So after 30 + years in the telecommunications industry, we were both fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of an early retirement opportunity offered by our company in 2008.

With a passion for spending money wisely, saving for emergencies, and living debt free, we had a vision of sharing our knowledge with others while learning something new at the same time. So in November 2010 we decided to start a blog together.

Strangely, we discovered our passion was food. Our blog allows us to help others spend their hard-earned money more wisely by assisting them in preparing economical and tasty meals and desserts. At the same time, we’re learning new recipes and making new friends through our blog. It has been a blessing and we have enjoyed it greatly.

The Chef and I are big fans of Dave Ramsey and have taken steps to decrease our debt, moving towards a debt-free lifestyle.  There must be lots of people looking for the kind of information you provide on your website, especially with the current state of the economy.  Where would you suggest someone start who'd like to get better control over their finances and move towards debt-free living?  It can be overwhelming if it's not something you've thought about or attempted before.

Alexandra is a big fan of Dave Ramsey and has read all his books and listens to his broadcast. She even downloads his broadcast onto her MP3 player and listens while she works around the house. 

While Kathryn has not caught the Dave Ramsey ‘bug’, she like Alexandra, is a huge believer in debt free living. Both Kathryn and Alexandra are totally debt free, including their homes. Through frugal living they have set aside money for emergencies, paid for college expenses for their kids, and built up their retirement savings so when the opportunity presented itself, they were able to take an early retirement offer. 

Their best advice is to live below your means and when you get a pay raise, put it in the bank, or invest it, and continue to live like you didn’t get that raise.

Which recipe would you recommend as the first your readers should try from your blog and why? 

We recommend you try our Cheese and Broccoli Casserole recipe first:

Of course, it is delicious! But, it is also easy to make, inexpensive, versatile, vegetarian (meat can be added, if desired) and can be prepared ahead of time. In other words, it’s the perfect dish for dinner and those “potluck” gatherings.

What feature of your blog would you like most for us to know about?

We would love everyone to know about our Muffin Monday and Sweet Temptations features. Every Monday we share a recipe for muffins and invite readers to share their muffin (and cupcake) recipes with us. Then on Thursday we share a tasty recipe for yummy desserts. As it gets closer to the holidays, we love to see what new recipes we can find, create and share.

Alexandra and Kathryn's most popular recipe has been their Mandarin Orange Muffins, which they've added to our Star Recipes Collection.  Check it out if you haven't before or in a while.  New recipes are added there regularly.

Now on to the party for your recipes/food posts!  If you are new, check out our Make a Food-"e"-Friend (MaFF) Monday page for more information on what this party is all about, specifics about how to link from your blog, and for more on how you can be a Featured Food-"e"-Friend in the future.

Just a few reminders before linking:

1) You can link any type of food-related blog post. Just make sure you use the URL for the actual post and not your blog so visitors can easily find what you wanted to share!

2) Don't forget to link back to MaFF Monday, using either a text link, Make a Food-"e"-Friend Monday, or the button:

3) Most of all, have fun and be sure to grab a pen and paper, open Pinterest in a new tab, open up your notepad to jot down the recipes you find that you know you want to try.

(Link-up open through Wednesday):

Thanks for joining us for another week of MaFF Monday!  If you haven't had a chance to check out our Christmas series yet, I hope you'll join us soon for that.  We have daily ideas, The Christmas Smorgasbord, which is an ongoing link-up party throughout the event, and more.  We also have a giveaway that will run through September 30th you may be interested in if you enjoy picnicking with your family.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week and that we'll see you again here soon!

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post in any way.  We simply wanted to share our opinions about Dave Ramsey, as we have found his information helpful in pursuing the goal of becoming and living debt-free.

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Find more great recipes at My Meatless Mondays, Tip Me Tuesday, Titus 2sdays,Women Living Well Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays

The Feast of the Ages, 20th Course: Block Cheese "Neapolitan"

This recipe is the 20th in a 21-week series, The Feast of the Ages, developed to share our faith with our readers, realizing that as much as we love food, our faith is an even more important and bigger part of our lives. We thought it would be fun to bring the two together.

In Revelation 19:9, the Bible says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” The Bible refers to the church, or the Christian body of believers, as the “bride of Christ.” The wedding supper, or feast, represents a time of great celebration when Jesus is united with the church in heaven.

What a celebration this will be! Imagine what the elements of the greatest party you could plan or attend would be like. The atmosphere would be comfortable and very inviting. People would want to be there because each person would be accepted for who he/she is. Each person would be made to feel special and everyone would feel included and a part of the activities. The fellowship and interactions between people would be real. The food would have the freshest ingredients and the flavors would be perfect. There would be no concern about the effects of pesticides or chemicals used in the growing process of the food. There would be something for everyone, and the individual taste preferences of every guest would be completely satisfied. This is what we would anticipate the wedding supper of the Lamb to be like.

The most formal of feasts includes 21 courses. When we thought about what the Wedding Feast of the Lamb might look like, a celebration for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, we thought it could definitely involve 21courses! We thought it would be fun to provide a sample 21-course “Feast of the Ages” menu, with a different recipe a week over 21 consecutive weeks.

We offer cheese for the 20th course:

Block Cheese "Neapolitan"

Ingredients:

• 8-ounce block sharp cheddar cheese
• 8-ounce block colby/jack cheese
• 8-ounce block mozzarella

Cooking Directions:

1. Square up each block of cheese by trimming any ends as needed, as shown in photo 1 below.
2. Cut each block of cheese in half lengthwise, as pictured below in photos 2 and 3.
3. Slice each half into 1/4-inch squares as shown in photos 4 and 5 below.
4. Take 1 slice each type of cheese and stack on top of each other to form a cube.  Insert a toothpick to hold.

Serving suggestion:  Can be served alone or with Ranch dressing or salsa for dipping.

Photo 1/Step 1

Photo 2/Step 2

Photo 3/Step 2

Photo 4/Step 3

Photo 5/Step 3

Did you know you have been invited to attend the real “Feast of the Ages,” the Wedding Feast of the Lamb? Revelation 22:17 says, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Learn more and/or RSVP here

*(You will be able to select from the following versions: English, Chinese-traditional characters, French, Japanese, Spanish, or Children's -- preferred by some adults due to its simple style.)

(Join us next Sunday for the 21st, and final, course.)

If you'd like to see the previous courses:

1st Course (amuse): Shrimp and Pineapple Wontons,

2nd Course (second amuse): Mini Brats,

3rd Course (cold appetizer): Tangy Cuke and 'Mater Salad,

4th Course (thick soup): Creamy Chicken Curry Soup,

5th Course (thin soup): Apple "Cider" Soup,

6th Course (beef): London Broil with Cranberry and Portobello Reduction,

7th Course (antipasto): Tomato and Mozzarella Crostinis,

8th Course (in place of pasta): Mini Soft Tacos,

9th Course (caviar): Country Boy Caviar,

10th Course (ice cream): Lemon-Lime Ice Cream Soda Shots,

11th Course (game): "Jack" Rabbit Gravy over Biscuits,

12th Course (wild mushrooms): Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Sausage and Smoked Gouda,

13th Course (shellfish): Mediterranean Scallop and Shrimp Pot Pie,

14th Course (salad): Garlic Potato Salad on Cucumber Discs,

15th Course (creme-filled pastry): Berry Canapes,

16th Course (fruit): Berry Citrus Fruit Kabobs with Caramel Dipping Sauce, 

17th Course (pudding): Banana Pudding Discs, 
18th Course (frozen dessert): Mango and Coconut "Congelar"
19th Course (nuts): Nutty Cherry Chocolate Drops

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Find more great recipes at My Meatless Mondays, Get Your Craft On, Recipe Roundup, Wow Me Wednesday, Foodie Friday, I'm Lovin' It, Friday Favorites, Sunday Showcase

Day 91 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

Good morning!

Please visit Tricia at Recipe Roundup,  

co-host for The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas, 

for today's ideas... and enjoy! 

Come back here tomorrow for Day 90.

One-Pot Recipe: Stovetop Hoppin' John

This one-pot recipe is yet another product that originated out of our experience with the elimination diet for food sensitivities.  It is a simple, hearty and well-flavored dish, so much so that we feel it is a keeper regardless of what type of diet one is on.

Traditional Hoppin' John is field peas cooked with smoked ham hocks and white rice.  This adaptation gives a very similar result, in my opinion, but is much "safer" for one who has to be aware of reactions to certain "problematic" foods.  Enjoy.

One-Pot Recipe: Stovetop Hoppin' John

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds frozen field peas with snaps
• 5 fully cooked frozen turkey sausage patties, thawed and diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup brown rice, uncooked
• Approximately 2 quarts water

Cooking Directions:

1. Place 2 quarts of water in a 3 or 4-quart stockpot.
2. Add diced sausage and onions.  Bring to a boil.
3. Add garlic, field peas and 1 teaspoon of salt.  Simmer for approximately 30 minutes or until peas are almost cooked.
4. Add in uncooked rice.  Simmer until rice is completely cooked.  Taste and season with second teaspoon of salt if needed.

NOTE: Do not cover the pot and add water if needed.

NEED ANY OF THE TOOLS USED?

Rating scale

1 star - Feed it to the dog
2 stars - Surprise your neighbor

3 stars - Definite keeper

4 stars - Looking forward to leftovers

5 stars - Clean plate and nap time! Are there enough ingredients left to make it again soon?

The Chef - 4 Stars

The Lucky Wife - 3 Stars

The Well-Fed Son (4 years old) - 4 Stars 
The Well-Fed Daughter (13 months old) - 4 Stars

*Rate it yourself in the comments!

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No-Sew Felt Wine Bag Wrap [Christmas DIY Gift Idea}: Day 92 of The 100-Day Countdown to Christmas

Check out these beautiful wine bag wraps, a simple DIY Christmas gift idea for any winos on your Christmas gift giving list:

Photo used with permission; Credit: Stephanie Lynn, Under the Table and Dreaming

Like?  If so, you are in good company!  When I contacted Stephanie to discuss featuring these today, she shared with me that they are in the process of being published in a book.  Congratulations, Stephanie!

Visit her beautiful blog for the wine bag wrap tutorial and other amazing ideas.  You will be blessed by her talent and inspiration, and not only that, she's just as amazing as a person.  I've only "known" her for a very short while through blogging but found an authenticity and a gracious and generous spirit right away.

I'd like to return that generosity by "plugging" another of her ideas I think you all will enjoy.  The DIY photo tile coasters from a few days ago have been very popular.  Those of you who've been looking at them might also enjoy Stephanie's tutorial to make your own photo canvas... we told you we had more surprises in store during the series!  ::wink, wink::  You just never know what might be coming next!
 
If you are giving to any winos this year, we have several more great ideas throughout the series for you, so if today isn't a good fit, stay tuned...



Do you ever wonder what type of drink would be best to pair with what's on the menu?  If so, or if you are giving a gift this year to someone who'd enjoy a resource for making that decision, we've got one for you to consider today with information based on expert advice:

Disclosure:  For your shopping convenience, we are including a link when possible for each gift idea so that you can purchase if you know someone who'd enjoy it. These are affiliate links, through which we are paid a commission percentage from each purchase.  We are donating 100% of the profits from the Christmas event through our blog to The Spoon Foundation.  We are passionate about helping provide good nutrition to children struggling with malnourishment. Read more about our family's experience with the problem of malnourishment here.

We don't have any personal experience with this book, but at the time this post was written, it had a 4.5 star rating with 58 customer reviews.

Please drink responsibly!  :)

Thanks for coming to the party today!  

 Click here for a regularly updated index of previous days if you missed any or are just now joining us.  You will also find a link to our Christmas Smorgasbord there and a list of giveaway winners so far.  Have a great day!

*We thank the following Participating Blogs for helping us spread the word about the event.  (Find out how you can do the same here).  Please visit any of them that are of interest to you:

 

For Such a Time As This, Cup of Delight, The Freshman Cook, This Little Light of Mine, Everyday Mom's Meals, Simply Sweet Home, Angel Food's Kitchen, Happier Than a Pig in Mud, Sweet Nothings, Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365, Pat's Pink Apron, Bloggerette Sorority, Ms. enPlace  *Be the next one*

 

NOTE:

If you have a Christmas food-related recipe, craft, or DIY project that you would like to be considered as a feature, we still have some spaces left. Please contact Tricia at Recipe Roundup at: 

reciperoundup.m2 {at} gmail {dot} com

*If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment (don't be a stranger!), subscribing (it's free!) to receive e-mail updates of future recipes, or sharing it with your family/friends:

Find more great ideas at Tip Me Tuesday, Titus 2sdays, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Works for Me Wednesdays, Friday Favorites