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Sunday, January 15, 2012

Healthy desserts: Blue ribbon sour cream coffee cake

Healthy Desserts: Blue Ribbon Sour Cream Coffee Cake


If you love dessert and hate to give it up, but vowed that 2012 would be the year to get slim, this guilt free treat is a delicious solution.
The perfect cold weather comfort, the Blue Ribbon Sour Cream Cake, is made extra flavorful with applesauce, blueberries, and a crumbly brown sugar topping.

Click here for the recipe.

CraftFancy: Ranger product technique workshop

Ranger Product Technique Workshop at CraftFancy



Want to learn some cool techniques to use in your scrapbooks and card making using the awesome Ranger/ Tim Holtz products?  Then the Ranger Product Technique Workshop offered at CraftFancy is for you!
Join Jessica, a certified Instructor for Ranger, in this fun workshop. Learn some new ways to use some of your old products, and learn how to use some products that are new to you. You won't want to miss this one! Some products are included in this class that you will get to take home with you. Remember your basic tool kit, including adhesive and scissors. 
Click here for registration details.

Appetizer: Warm jalapeño popper dip

Warm Jalapeno Popper Dip




January means Super Bowl time and having friends over for a huge Super Bowl party. Whip up a batch of this Jalapeño Popper Dip and you will have them screaming for more!
Why take the time away from the game to make jalapeño poppers? This dip is such an easy appetizer to make and it tastes just like the traditional jalapeno poppers. The hardest part of this recipe is not eating it all by yourself!
Click here to see the recipe!

Beef entrée: Steak and potato salad




Dinner doesn’t mean having to spend hours in the kitchen. You can easily whip up this tasty Steak and Potato Salad in less than 1 hour by doing most of the prep work the night before.

The steak can be prepared on stovetop grill, indoor grill (such as the George Foreman grill), or outdoor grill during the summer months.


Click here to go to the recipe.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Recipe Friday: Robin Miller’s Risotto

I have a confession! I am addicted to the Food Network and really love watching shows such as Paula’s Home Cooking, Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller, and the Pioneer Woman.

Today’s recipe is from Robin Miller. Robin has fifteen years of experience as a food writer and nutritionist and is the author of the bestselling cookbook Quick Fix Meals. She is the host of Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller.

Robin's recipes and nutrition features can be seen regularly in Cooking Light, Health, Shape, Men's Fitness, and Toddler magazines. She also provides recipes to the American Heart Association, The American Institute for Cancer Research, and Weight Watchers.

Robin’s Risotto with Cheddar, Bacon, and Scallions


Satisfying risotto cooks up creamy and rich with melty cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, and a bit of crunch from freshly chopped scallions.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup Arborio (short grain) rice, about 6 ounces
4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth with roasted garlic
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, about 4 ounces
6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp, crumbled
¼ cup chopped scallions (white and green parts)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
  • Heat oil in medium pot over medium heat.
  • Add rice and cook 2 minutes or until rice is translucent, stirring frequently.
  • Add ½ cup broth: simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently.
  • Continue adding broth ½ to 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender (entire process takes about 20 minutes).
  • Add cheese; stir until melted.
  • Stir in bacon and scallions (reserving a bit for garnish).
  • Remove from heat: season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to serving dish and garnish with reserved bacon and scallions.

Sue’s Notes:
  • I couldn't find broth with roasted garlic in the grocery store,  so I added 1 teaspoon minced roasted garlic to regular chicken broth.
  • You can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon and the scallions with diced red onions.
  • Experiment with the cheese. While this recipe calls for cheddar cheese, you can always substitute with a more flavorful cheese such as Asiago.

Happy Eating!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Monday, January 9, 2012

Crafting Examiner Roundup for January 9, 2012

Looking for a few new places to shop for crafts in Illinois, interested in taking a few classes, or trying your hand at a new project? Then come check out this week’s craft roundup from the Arts& Crafts Examiner and the PaperCrafting Examiner.



Warm Up Lake Zurich was launched last fall at the Ela Area Public Library and organized by employee Laura Cloud as a community project/program for local knitters.



I'd Rather BeKnitting Yarn Studio was founded in 2003, by Linda Goone. Her mission is to continually strive for a friendly, welcoming community where one can shop for the finest yarns and knitting accessories, while enjoying a warm, inviting atmosphere.



These molded bird seed ornaments are a lot of fun to make, and very inexpensive. You may already have all the materials you need in your home - we were able to make gifts for all the wonderful friends in our life for around $3.



The Cultured Purlsof McHenry County are a fun and friendly group of knitters in Northern Illinois meeting together to share ideas , the love of knitting, and to spread knitting in the community.

Happy Crafting!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue

Foodie Examiner Roundup for January 9, 2012

Are you looking for a few new recipes to make in the crockpot, serve at parties, or bring to a potluck? Then you might enjoy this week’s recipe roundup from the Wauconda Food Examiner.


Looking for something interesting to serve at your next party?  Appetizers are perfect to serve at graduation parties, on New Year's Eve, showers, at cocktail parties, before dinner to keep your guests appetite whet, or at the next Super Bowl Sunday event.

Side dish: Oven baked fries



Create healthy side dishes to go along side your favorite meat dishes.



Most of our healthy habits focus on what to eat instead of how to eat. The core concept of mindful eating is to eat when you are hungry, instead of for other reasons such as boredom, stress, anxiety, or anger.



You promised to eat healthy this year and even add a few new food items to your repertoire. Then consider making this heart healthy soup of winter lentil soup filled with lentils, leeks, sweet potatoes, and kale.



Pull out your slow cooker/crockpot and let it do all the work in your kitchen. Instead of venturing out into the cold night air for fast food, fill homemade Italian bread bowls with hearty chunky potato soup featuring potatoes, onions, carrot, celery, and savory seasonings.

Happy Eating!
Creativity Bug ~ Sue