Millrose restaurant: Girls night out

Girls Night Out

The Millrose Restaurant in Barrington says “ladies it is cold outside” and they feel you deserve a break! Pamper yourself with a special girls night out event.

The event highlights include:

• Free goodie bag to first 50 ladies
• Free door prizes and games
• Bring 5 friends and get a special gift
• Free buffet
• Fun and games
• 15 prizes given away
• Trivia and scavenger fun for all

Click here for more information!

Barrio guacamole

Barrio Guacamole

If you ever have been to Phoenix, then you might be familiar with the Barrio Café. This is not Mexican food as you know it, but you are richly rewarded by some of the tastiest fare available in the Phoenix metro area.

If you have had the opportunity to try the Barrio Guacamole appetizer, then you know it has a festive Phoenix twist -- pomegranate seeds.  The tart/sweet pomegranate fruit combined with the avocado, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers is an extraordinary taste.

If you have not tried the guacamole or are not in the Phoenix area, then don’t despair! I received the copycat recipe from a good friend and she was gracious enough to allow me to share it. 

Click here for the recipe!

The Chopping Block (LS): Sweets for the sweet

The Chopping Block: Sweets for the Sweet

The Chopping Block invites you to sign up for “Teens’ Cooking Class: Sweets for the Sweet”.

The Chopping Block, Chicago's largest recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes offered at two locations cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes.

Students (ages 12 -16) are guided through the preparation of simple-yet-sophisticated menus that they will enjoy recreating at home. They will learn the basics of knife skills, menu planning, and organizing prep work. The menu includes Cherry Divinity; Buttery English Toffee. 

Click here for more information!

Game day Chex mix

Game Day Chex Mix

The best part of the Super Bowl is getting together with friends, eating lots of party foods, drinking a few beers, rooting for your favorite team, and critiquing the Super Bowl commercials.

Having grown up in Illinois near the Wisconsin border, my friends and I were huge Bears fans but would root for the Packers if the Bears weren’t playing. Over the years, we have gotten together for more than a few Super Bowl games and the favorite snack has always been Chex party mix.

Click here to see all 5 recipes!

Tortellini kabobs

Tortellini Kabobs

Are you looking for a quick and easy dish to bring to a potluck or party? These tortellini kabobs are just the right appetizer to get the party started.

Italian dressing lends a Tuscan-style taste to savory skewers stacked with tender tortellini, fresh mushrooms, and juicy tomatoes.

Click here for the recipe!

The Chopping Block (LS): Love at first bite

The Chopping Block: Love at First Bite

The Chopping Block invites you to sign up for “Love at First Bite: Appetizers to Put You in the Mood”.

The Chopping Block, Chicago's largest recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes offered at two locations cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes.

Start your Valentine's weekend off right with these sexy aphrodisiacs you can sink your teeth into. Instructor Hugh Amano will teach you how to make Warm Nut-Crusted Brie with Port-Infused Pears; Rum-Glazed Shrimp with Avocado Salad; Honey, Fig and Blue Cheese Tartlets; Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus; Fried Plantains with Fiery Jalapeño Dipping Sauce. 

Click here for more information!

Baked Asiago and caramelized onion hummus dip

Baked Asiago and Caramelized Onion Dip

When I first saw this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, I was intrigued.  With just a few basic ingredients and a short time in the oven, everyday hummus is transformed into a sophisticated-tasting dip that is casual enough for the Super Bowl but elegant enough to serve for a shower or dinner party.

Jus like any other basic hummus recipe – garbanzo beans, garlic and olive oil are pureed together in a food processor. This version adds a bit of sesame oil along with the olive oil for a punch of flavor, and a little bit of rosemary and Asiago cheese. Then you put the hummus into a small casserole dish, top with gorgeous caramelized onion and more Asiago cheese, and pop it into the oven.

This dip comes out warm, cheesy, and popping with lots of flavor. It can be served with chips, crackers, toasted baguette slices, or pita chips.

Click here for the recipe!

Cherry chip cupcakes

Cherry Chip Cupcakes

In less than 2 weeks is Valentine’s Day and in my household it also is the birthday of both parents. Every year we get together with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and niece to celebrate both events.

The tradition is to go out to dinner at the place of dad’s choice and then everyone comes over to my house for cake.  The birthday cake is always a bakery bought decadent cake with lots of flowers, chocolate, and a fruit filling.

This year as a special surprise, I plan on making Cherry Chip cupcakes which my niece can pass out leftovers to her neighborhood friends with their Valentine cards. What I love best about this cupcake recipe is that all the ingredients are from scratch and it uses maraschino cherries and their juice. 

Click here for the recipe!

The Chopping Block (LS): Midnight in Paris

The Chopping Block: Midnight in Paris

The Chopping Block invites you to sign up for “Midnight in Paris” cooking class.

The Chopping Block, Chicago's largest recreational cooking school and gourmet retail store, offers demonstration and hands-on cooking classes, as well as wine classes, private cooking parties and corporate team building events. Classes offered at two locations cover subjects from cooking basics to intensive Boot Camps as well as seasonal, date nights, healthy and kids classes.

Oh la la! These Parisian recipes bring a whole new meaning to the City of Light. Instructor Sara Salzinski will teach you how to make Mussels Steamed with Fennel and Crème Fraîche; Coq au Vin (Chicken Braised in Red Wine with Pearl Onions and Mushrooms); Celery Root Puree; Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème.

Click here for more information!

Whole Foods: A chocolate gluten free valentine

Whole Foods: A Chocolate Gluten Free Valentine

Don't let your Gluten Free Valentine feel left out this Valentine's Day. Whole Foods in Deerfield invites you to come by for a sweet class featuring resident Gluten Free expert, Roh Doylida.

Chef Doylida will reveal the secrets of making delicious chocolate brownies and cupcakes to delight your gluten-free sweetheart. 

Click here for more information!

Central library: Craft teens

Central Library: Craft Teens

The Central Library invites teens in grade 7 – 12 to join them for a fun crafting session.

Join in on a variety of craft activities at each session including scrapbooking, paper crafting, and other unique crafts. 

Click here for more information!

Lorraines Memories: Valentine tags

Lorraine's Memories: Valentine Tags

Lorraine’s Memories has a fun new class just in time for the Valentine holiday called “Valentine Tags”.

Instructor Kim will walk you through 3 tags using Tim Holtz techniques and products.  This class is heavy on methods along with new techniques. It is a wonderful way for you to be creative and learn some new things. 

Click here for more information!

Featured Freebies for the Week of February 6, 2012

Hello and Happy Monday to Everyone!

Here are this week's free digital images or printables found on websites, blogs, or submitted to us from friends and followers:

Scribbles by Sandy has a number of free digital images from herself and the Digital Divas: Diet Queen, Catman, Birthday, and Biker Babe.

MelonHeadz Illustrating shares a few digital freebies, but catch them quick as they will soon disappear from the blog: Henry, groundhog, airplane, and house cleaning.

Anji’s Antics shares a number of free digital images: St Patrick’ Day, butterflies, and hearts.

That’s all for this week!  Happy Crafting!

Creativity Bug ~ Sue