Sweet Fruit Dip

Tags

cookies, cream cheese, fruit, orange zest, yogurt

Most know I’m a big fan of dips, sweet or savory, it makes no difference. This is a light and refreshing dip, perfect for fruit, chocolate, and cookies. Serving it at the end of March, it brings to mind Spring and its arrival.

Sweet Fruit Dip

Ingredients

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 tsp orange zest
• 2 1/2 Tbsp powdered sugar

Beat the first 4 ingredients at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add sugar, beating until creamy. Cover and chill at least  hour or up to 3 days. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve with cookies, berries, and chocolate.

Source: Southern Living, April 2008

Caroline’s Second Birthday Party!

Tags

cake, chocolate, dessert, desserts, entertainment, ice cream, party, puppy theme, snacks

My daughter’s second birthday party was last weekend and I had so much fun planning it and throwing it for her. I love to throw a good party, but I love putting a smile on her face even more! We had lots of kids, friends, and family over to celebrate. We rented a bounce house and the kids had a blast. Of course, there was plenty of food so I wanted to share that with you along with a few of my favorite pictures from the day.

Puppy favor boxes that included a stuffed puppy, sugar cookies with royal icing, and a puppy balloon. I added felt ears to the balloons rather than using construction paper and I created my own boxes out of little take out boxes.

My little birthday girl. She woke up from her nap and came downstairs to a party!

Her puppy cake!

Nutella Puppy Chow

Ham & Cheese and Bologna & Cheese bone and paw shaped sandwiches

Make a wish!

After all of that taste-testing the past few weeks she was very happy to finally dig into the ice cream, cake, and cupcakes!

The Menu

Crudites and Ranch Dressing

Fruit with Sweet Fruit Dip

Nutella Puppy Chow

Chips and French Onion Dip

Pineapple Salsa and chips

Bone and paw shaped sandwiches

Dogs in a blanket

Yellow Cupcakes with butter-cream frosting

Puppy Cake – Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Fondant

Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Chocolate Ice Cream

Sources: Puppy Balloons – adapted from Martha Stewert, Favor Boxes – idea from The Container Store,

If you like what you see, please vote for me at Circle of Moms Top 25 Foodie Moms!

Pineapple Salsa

Tags

cilantro, jalapeno, Mexican, salsa

I make a lot of salsa for my husband, but I’m not a fan of ones that have a lot of heat in them. Every once in a while I like to sweeten things up. Is anyone surprised? This is a great salsa if you’re entertaining and want something for everyone.

Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 cups, fresh pineapple chopped
• juice of 1 lime
• handful of cilantro
• 1 jalapeno, chopped
• salt

Place all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse 2 or 3 times. This will give you the crushed pineapple texture. For a chunkier salsa, stir all of the ingredients together and salt to taste. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Pumpkin Dip

Here’ a delicious and quick little dip to share with your guests. I’ve tried a few different pumpkin dip recipes, and this is my favorite by far. I love serving this with Thanksgiving since it looks so festive. The best part is, even the picky “I don’t eat cream cheese” eaters enjoy it! This recipe makes a lot so it can definitely be cut in half.

Pumpkin Dip

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Ingredients

• 1 can (29 oz.) pumpkin
• 2 pkg. (8 0z. each) cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Mix all ingredients together. Serve with gingersnaps.

Source: Maine 2005 Almanac

Basil Dip

Here’s a perfect Summertime dip. It’s light and airy and doesn’t have that heavy taste of French Onion Dip or Ranch dressing. You can use it for crackers, veggies, chips,  with shrimp or scallops, or as a condiment for sandwiches! For me, it was a great way to use up some basil. I’ve had an abundance this season! Next time, I think I’ll try using yogurt, rather than mayonnaise.

Basil Dip

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Ingredients

• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest

In a food processor, blend all of the ingredients until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Source: ingredients, inc.

Restaurant Style Salsa

I love going to a restaurant that has nachos and good salsa. Throw in some queso and I’m a happy girl! I’ve tried a few homemade salsa’s, but they just have that taste and texture that restaurants seem to get. I’ve found one that works! This is so easy to whip up and tastes great. It’s a bit hot when you leave the jalapeno ribs and seeds in it, so unless you want something really, really hot I’d take them out!

Restaurant Style Salsa

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• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
• ¼ cups Chopped Onion
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
• ¼ teaspoons Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
• ½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
• ½ whole Lime Juice

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like. I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.

Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.  This makes a large batch, so you can also freeze it for 3 months!

Source: Pioneer Woman Cooks