Caeser Salad

Ok. Another week has passed and people are still isolated inside keeping their distance from others. I made dinner yesterday. We had mini pizzas (they are super easy to make just grab some pitas, pizza sauce, your favorite toppings, and cheese and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes) and Caesar salad which was made with homemade fish free dressing. Today I will share with you that recipe so you can give it a try while you’re at home.

Fish Free Caesar Salad Dressing (for those with allergies)

You will need...

3-5 cloves of garlic

1 cup of mayonnaise

½ cup of shredded parmesan cheese

4 tbsp. of olive oil

1 tsp. of salt and 1 tsp. of pepper

2 tbsp. of lemon juice

Put all of the ingredients into the food processor and process for 1-2 minutes.

Put into an air tight container and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Toss it with Romaine lettuce, more parmesan cheese, and if you’d like, top with croutons. Add grilled chicken breast slices if you want more of a meal salad. 

Use the leftover dressing to dip fresh veggies in for a snack.

Poolside - Pool Party

I can’t believe that we are half way through August already and Summer is slowly coming to an end. This week’s shade is very Summery, it’s called Poolside and it’s a metallic violet colour.

We’re going all out and “planning” a pool party. We’ve got some snacks, decorations, and games that you can use as inspiration for your party.

Decorations:

We found a couple decorations worth trying. So check them out...

Pool Noodle Beverage Boat – To start, find a sturdy plastic storage container. Make sure it’s not too heavy and make sure it’s clean. You can try and put some containers (cans, bottles, etc.) into see how it’ll hold as a test. Factor in the weight of ice as well. Cut a pool noodle into four parts and string it around the top sides as sort of a bumper floatation device. Test it out one more time and then fill with ice and drinks and put in your pool during your party.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Noodle-Beverage-Boat

Garlands – Garlands are easy decorations that you can string up or hang anywhere by the pool for your party. For a pool noodle garland, you will need some string and three different noodles in three different colours. Cut the noodles with and exacto knife into ½ inch slices and layer them on the string. Make the garlands as long as you like and at each end you can tape the string securely so that they don’t fall off.

For a popsicle garland, you can use different noodle colours but this time cut them into five inch lengths. Apply hot glue to a popsicle stick and attach to the inside of the noodle. You can make a double popsicle by applying hot glue to the sides of the single popsicles and then glue them together. For this one, you can’t really string it together so attach the string to the popsicles with clear sturdy tape. Try and get them equal distances apart but feel free to make them whatever length you choose.

Finally a beach ball garland would be a really cool and colourful sight at a pool party. You’ll need some smooth foam balls and primary yellow, blue, and red paint. Paint the balls to look like a beach ball. You can use painters tape to mark off the different colour sections or you can freehand it depending on how steady your hand is. String them up by hot gluing some string to the tops of the balls and space them how you see fit. Make as many garlands or as long garlands as you like just make sure you have enough of the foam balls and enough time to paint them all.  

https://sugarandcloth.com/diy-pool-noodle-garland/

http://ohhappyday.com/2014/06/jumbo-popsicle-garland/

https://studiodiy.com/2012/07/31/diy-beach-ball-garland/

Food

We didn’t get a chance to try these food ideas out so take a look at the links and see what you think because you can’t have a pool party without some yummy food.

Watermelon Lemonade – This one looks cool and refreshing, just right for a pool party.

https://www.cookingclassy.com/watermelon-lemonade/

Strawberry Frose - For a more adult drink for the party by the pool, take a look at this divine drink.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a52864/strawberry-frose/

Orange Spritzer – If you like a citrusy drink, give this one a try that’s packed with orange flavour.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/orange-juice-spritzer/

Watermelon Popsicles – These look super cute and refreshing for any pool party.

https://www.cookingclassy.com/watermelon-popsicles/

Pool Party Cupcakes - If you’re looking for a pool dessert look no further than these super cute teddy graham cupcakes!

http://www.meandmypinkmixer.com/2009/07/pool-party-cupcakes.html

Sand Dollar Cookies   - For another quick dessert at the party, you can try these creative cookies.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sand-dollar-cookies/

Barbequed Chicken Pizzas – If you’re having a pool party, you’ll most likely have your BBQ nearby so give these delicious looking pizzas a try.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/barbecued-chicken-pizzas/

Jersey Style Hot Dogs – A pool party staple is hot dogs! Try this one that is a little bit different (it has potatoes on it!)

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/jersey-style-hot-dogs/

Tropical Island Chicken – Again grilling is so simple for a pool party. You can make a lot and still be part of the party instead of being cooped up in the kitchen while everyone else has fun. Plus, it’s a finger food so really to serve and eat at a pool party.

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/tropical-island-chicken/

Games

Lastly we have games and activities. No pool party would be complete without some fun things to do.

Inflatable Jousting – This one is sure to be a hit!

https://shoptourismkit.com/products/4-pieces-set-joust-pool-float-game-inflatable-water-sports-bumper-toys-for-adult-children-party-gladiator-raft-kickboard-piscina?utm_source=Click&utm_medium=Channel&utm_campaign=Google_US&ref=SFDR_70623762&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqr-Yr47q1QIV3IuzCh12xwxMEAkYAyABEgLPXPD_BwE

Inflatable Bull Riding – Oh, this one looks like lots of fun for the adults. It’s sure to entertain and delight everyone watching and participating.

https://www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/details/3345117646285/_/A-5831862?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo5jp0f_k1QIVhmV-Ch1aKgByEAkYCCABEgLry_D_BwE

Some other fun things to do at your party might include...

Movie -  Ending the night with a poolside movie would be fun. You can borrow or rent a projector and pop some corn and wind down after a day of fun in the pool and sun.

Greased Watermelon – This could be fun and messy. Break into two teams and grease up a watermelon. Toss it into the middle of the pool and you want to try and pass it to your teammates until it reaches the opposite end of the pool; then you score a point.

Beach Volleyball – Set up a net over the middle of your pool and then break into two teams and go for it.

Tug of War – Grab a large long rope and break into teams. Draw a line about five feet away from the edge of the pool (you don’t want to go over this line) and start tugging. The losers are obviously the ones that end up in the pool.

Wet Shirt Relay – You can do this to break the ice at your party. Again break into two teams. Each team gets an oversized t-shirt. The first person of each team, puts on the t-shirt and swims the length of the pool and back and then hands off the t-shirt to the next person. The first team to have all of their participants complete the laps, wins.

Pumpkin Cookies

Thanksgiving is near and we are talking about pumpkins today. In particular, baking/cooking with pumpkins.

I do love a good pumpkin pie with whipped cream, but we thought we’d try something a little different...pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing. In our search for things to bake with pumpkin, we found some other dishes/creations that you can use pumpkin in that I never would have thought of trying so you can give them a try if you’re adventurous.

Try Pumpkin chili, curry, superfood bars, risotto, oatmeal topping, tiramisu, pizza, brownies, ricotta stuffed shells, custard, salads, roasted onions, waffles, pancakes, stuffing, stir fry, pudding, ice cream pie, lasagna, relish, glaze for ham, margarita, bruschetta, dip, meatballs, grits, cornbread, chowder, Alfredo, fries, ravioli, burgers, hummus, grilled cheese, salsa, and spaghetti!

http://www.edsmith.com/en/recipes/?search=pumpkin

http://www.foodnetwork.ca/thanksgiving/photos/30-unique-ways-with-pumpkin/#!whole-pumpkin-pie-soup-recipe

http://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g619/our-best-pumpkin-recipes-1008/?slide=57

Back to the cookies, I got distracted by things you can make with pumpkin, Nicole has made these before, so we are using the recipe that she has used in the past while adding in our own little touches. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

You will need:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 1 cup plus 1 tbsp. evaporated milk, plus more if needed
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 4 cups icing sugar, sifted

How to:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. 

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside.

Cream 12 Tbsp. of the butter and the brown sugar on medium speed in until pale and fluffy. Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low. Add pumpkin, 3/4 cup evaporated milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix well. Add flour mixture; mix until combined. 

So for this next step, we just used spoons to place the batter on the trays, but you can use a pastry bag to pipe the batter into 1 1/2-inch rounds. Using the pastry bag will get you a more precise nice looking cookie, but if you don’t care what they look like you can use the spoons and you’ll get a unique looking cookie.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until tops spring back, about 12 minutes. Cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely.

To make the icing, put the icing sugar in a large bowl; set aside. Melt the remaining 10 Tbsp. butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until golden brown.

As soon as it’s brown, immediately add the butter to icing sugar, scraping any browned bits from sides and bottom of pan. Add remaining 5 Tbsp. evaporated milk and remaining 2 tsp. vanilla; stir until smooth. Spread the icing evenly on the cookies. If the icing stiffens, stir in more evaporated milk.

Father's Day Pizza

It’s the weekend! Father’s Day is just around the corner and we are going to help you get some crafty gift ideas and dinner ideas for dad in the next few weeks.

Today we are going to share with you some pizza ideas. I love making homemade pizza and I think that it would be a fun idea to make for your dad for Father’s Day. If you have a bread maker it makes it easier, but if not, that’s ok too. Here is my bread maker recipe for perfect pizza dough...

1 ½ cups warm water  (I warm mine in the microwave for 1 minute)

1 ½ tsp. salt 

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tbsp. butter or margarine

4 ¼ cups of flour

2tsp. yeast

Directions:

Measure the first five ingredients into the baking pan in the order listed. Sprinkle the yeast on top.

Close the lid and select the dough setting. Mine takes about 1 ½ hours. When it is completed remove and form the dough into pizza shapes or press into a pizza pan.

Brush a little bit of olive oil on the dough and then put your toppings on and bake for about 18 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here is a recipe I found, if you don’t have a bread maker, for pretty simple pizza dough...

1 package active dry yeast

1 tsp. white sugar

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)

2 1/2 cups bread flour

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

So the fun part is creating different pizzas. Come up with creative pizza toppings that you think your dad would like. You can make a bunch of individual pizzas or you can make big ones and divide them up into sections with different toppings or you can just have one big pizza with all of the same toppings. It is up to you. Here are some topping ideas that we came up with...

Cheese (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Feta, Ricotta, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Havarti, etc.), Peppers (red, green, yellow, orange), Chicken, Pepperoni, Ground Beef, Salami, Bacon, Shrimp, Ham, Crab, Pulled Pork, Potato, Spinach, Onions, Broccoli, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Corn, Pineapple, Basil, Tomato Sauce, Cream Sauce

And here are some “types” of pizzas that you can make if you want to follow a recipe. These are just suggestions; you can look on pizza restaurant websites where they will have a list of  different types of pizzas that they offer and you can pick one and try making one of those at home!

Hawaiian (Ham and pineapple)

Breakfast Pizzas (Features breakfast foods like fried eggs and bacon)

Meatlovers (All types of meat like ground beef, salami, pepperoni, bacon)

Neapolitan (Tomato, basil, and mozzarella)

Vegetarian (Veggies like peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, olives)

Deep Dish

Thin Crust

Greek (Feta, artichokes, olives)

Gourmet (Could include caviar, lobster, cray fish, dandelion greens, artichokes, eggplant, goat cheese, shrimp, oysters, scallops)

BBQ Chicken

Chicken Bacon Ranch

Seafood

Here’s a website that features some very unique and inventive “pizza flavors”

https://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/if-it-is-pizza-i-will-eat-it?utm_term=.xk5KkPYmgR#.qclvk29GKy

Another cool thing if you want to keep with the pizza theme is making a dessert pizza for your dad. I found a few recipes for these as I have never tried one before. I have heard about them and my mom has a recipe, but I have never actually made one before. Here is a link to a cool blog with some dessert pizza recipes. The cinnamon streusel one looks so yummy!

http://www.thekitchn.com/take-a-walk-on-the-sweet-side-10-swoon-worthy-dessert-pizzas-178261