My Go To Summer (Super Easy) Party Recipe

It's been a while since there has been a recipe on the blog, and it's about time to remedy that, don't ya think? So here it is! I also wanted to put this recipe out there now because a) it is a wonderful summer recipe and b) it was made in our old kitchen and it's hilarious to see the yellow countertops! I also wanted to share it with all of you because it is probably one of the easiest things to make ever.

If you are ever invited to a party last minute or someone unexpectedly drops by and you want to whip up something that will knock their socks off and quench their hunger, then here is your answer my friends! Now let me introduce you to my homemade salsa recipe (with salsa as an ingredient - is that cheating?)

Summer Party Salsa

• Can of black beans
• Can of petite diced tomatoes
• Can of mexicorn
• Some of your favorite salsa (optional but makes it juicier)
• Cilantro to taste (also optional)
• Chips for dipping 

So what do you do with all of those ingredients? You just pop open the cans, drain and rinse them all well, and then stir together. Then add some of the salsa to make it juicier if you want. I like to add some fruity type of salsa (like mango). Then chop the cilantro and stir it in.

That's it! Isn't that easy? Now just serve it up. Or, you don't have to serve it to anyone but yourself. I have been known to make this my dinner! You definitely don't even need to just save it for summer; it can be a really yummy dip all year round.

How about you? Any go-to party recipes to share? I would love to hear about them - and make them!

Recipe: Peanut Butter Ball

Mmmm peanut butter and chocolate. My all time favorite combination! Now add-in cream cheese...maybe a new favorite in the line-up. In one of my late night browsings of Pinterest (anyone else seem to get addicted to this only late at night?!) I stumbled upon a delicious peanut butter ball recipe from Buns In My Oven. Think of a cheese ball but dessert style. Oh yes. So when we were invited to a game night the other weekend I new I had to bring this little ball of yum. Such a good decision.

Such a great party food for a laid back snack, talk, and play party. This is it pre-party and I brought it with chocolate animal crackers and graham cracker stick dippers.

I didn't actually get any of the full set-up of the dips with the ball at the party. I thought about ripping open the bags and staging the whole thing in the house, but then I thought it would be tacky to bring open bags of goodies to the party.

However, my mom came to visit and I took the opportunity to share this recipe with my mom. Note: My mom taught me everything I know about sweets. I blame her for my incredible sweet tooth and am so thankful for that. We have also made many, many sweet memories over sweets. :) I did get a few "action" shots before this ball was devoured. Just barely though...

Yes, after a short while this is what your hard work will look like. A sad little remnant on the plate. Yet still quite delicious.

Here is a closer picture so you can see the texture of what it is like inside.

I highly recommend the chocolate animal graham crackers as a dipping apparatus. They add the perfect taste and whimsy to this snack. (Confession, this picture was taken around 10am. I actually did eat that bite!)

Peanut Butter Ball

Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar (I ended up using about 3/4 cup)

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (not all-natural)

3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (I used 1 tablespoon)

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

3/4 cup peanut butter chips (or can use just chocolate chips)

Graham cracker sticks, chocolate graham cracker animals, apple slices, etc., for dipping

Directions:

1. Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar.
2. Spoon onto a large piece of plastic wrap; bring up all four corners and twist tightly to form a ball.
3. Freeze for an hour and a half or until the peanut butter ball is firm enough to keep its shape. Mix peanut butter and chocolate chips on a plate. Remove the plastic wrap from the ball. You may need to slightly knead out the cracks and roll it into a perfect ball. Then, roll it in the chocolate and peanut butter chips to completely cover, pressing them into the ball if necessary.
4. Place the ball on serving dish; keep refrigerated until serving. Serve with the dipping goodies of your choosing!

Prepare to get oohhs and ahhs from guests from a magnificent looking dessert with such a simple recipe!

Question:
What are your favorite party foods to bring? Any recipe suggestions? I would love to share them with the blogging world!

On a related note, my mom and I had lunch at the Peaks of Otter and part of her meal consisted of cream cheese balls rolled in coconut and served on a pineapple ring. Doesn't that sound like a great party appetizer that adds glam and interest but soooo easy?! I'll share that one with you when I make it!

Easy Lunches: Quiche

Back by popular demand is another installment of easy lunches for the week. I started this segment with a frozen meal clone. I had back from a few people that they actually made it (score!) so I thought I would share another. This one is probably one of the easiest things. If you can scramble eggs you can make quiche!

This is my go-to for when I am looking for an easy, fast meal with whatever I have in the house. Keep a few frozen crusts in the freezer and you can make a quiche with basically whatever you have in the house. So the other week when I sort of forgot to buy food to lunches for the week, I pulled out my quiche supplies and had lunch for every day of the week!

My Quiche Recipe

Ingredients:
4 eggs
1-2 cups of milk
1 frozen pie crust (yes the dessert kind!)
Vegetables, meat, cheese, etc for the insides

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl whisk together eggs and milk. Start with one cup of milk. Depending on the amount of filling you put will determine how much more milk you use. Add in filling and stir thoroughly. The mixture will be slightly runny. Pour mixture into pie crust. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.

That's it! You can also add some flour into the mix to thicken it up, but I find no need. Let's keep it simple people! I just cut the pie into 5 slices and call it a lunch. Don't forget to add in the fruit as a side!

Question:
Do you have any ideas for more easy healthy lunch ideas? Also, let me know if you make this. I would love to hear how you personalize it and any feedback you have!

PS - I realize my food pics end up being, well yellow. I am working on it! The kitchen is so yellow toned (see for yourself). Since the yellow counter tops and florescent lighting just don't help (especially at night when many dishes are made) I am working on taking food pictures elsewhere. Thanks for being patient as I get there!

Frozen Meal Clone for Healthy Lunches!

I have had my first request for a blog post. Yay! All thanks to my lovely friend Katie, pictured below at my wedding!

Katie recently moved and started a new job and asked me for ideas for healthy lunches. I was all for that! Who hasn't struggled to bring a tasty and healthy lunch to work?! There is only so much a toaster oven can do (but it can do quite a bit) and I don't advocate frozen meals for lunch every day. Sure, they are low in fat but HIGH in sodium. Although there is a place for them. I have my favorites. I have found that the Steam Fresh that cooks right in the bag are great for low(ish) sodium and low fat, yet very good and filling!

Then, the other day when I was chowing down on this baby, I thought to myself, "Wait a minute, I can do this!" So after work I set out to the kitchen and checked out the bag a little closer.

I went to the frig to check out what I had. Since there was no recipe, I just used what the bag said for ingredients, albeit loosely. Thankfully I had a huge amount of red potatoes (tip: buy potatoes by the bag because they are so much cheaper!). They were first on the chopping block.

Next ingredients: a green. The frozen meal had green beans but I didn't have those. I did have broccoli though. In it went!

Then I added a few of my favorite ingredients that were not in the original inspiration: garlic and onions! Yum! They add flavor to anything!

Top it off with Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and milk. All ingredients are in! Keep it on medium heat, stirring frequently to help the potatoes to cook evenly. Once the potatoes are tender it is done! Sorry not to provide exact amounts. It all depends on how many potatoes you use. You want the sauce to cover the ingredients but not make it soupy. So here it is all ready to eat up.

Yum! All ready to be packaged for easy grab and go lunches! I divided up all the food into their own lunch sized containers to make those early mornings even easier.

Now, I like to ensure that I have fruit and veggies at lunch. So what's an easy thing (that stays long in the frig and is economical by the bag?): oranges! I eat one every day!

There you go, a meal that will last you days with just one evening of work! Don't want to eat the same lunch every day? Just throw it in the freezer and pull out another day.

Do you have any easy lunch ideas? I am always looking for new ideas!