What's New Cupcake on the Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda

I was watching the Kathie Lee and Hoda hour on the Today Show this morning where they featured the What's New Cupcake Book!   Show cased on the show was different ways to use cupcakes, they even made platform shoes out of cupcakes!  Anybody who can make platform shoes out of cupcakes is a winner in my book!  They also made jewel like mini cupcakes from candied beads.  Their book shows you how to use candy and other snacks right from the grocery store, easy to follow techniques make it a great book for anyone who has a passion for cupcakes! 

Husband's Special Event at the Four Seasons in Dallas, TX

Tonight I have the pleasure of accompanying my husband, who is one of several honorees this year, to a special event sponsored by his company.  The Fidelity Investments Texas Service Recognition Event celebrates the time and special achievements that honorees have contributed throughout their years of service.    The event will take place at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas, TX.  

The menu will include passed hors d'oeuvres, pasta, carving and seafood stations and delicious desserts!  Entertainment is also scheduled for the evening event. 

This will be the first time we have visited the Four Seasons in Dallas, TX, but know it is a first class luxury hotel. 

I am proud of my husband's achievements and his everyday support he gives me in anything I want to do!

I will be sharing photo's of the night on our blog tomorrow!  Sampling reviews and photo's of the food tasted will be shared also!

Summer Sunshine Pasta Salad

I used to make this salad all the time when my two son's were little but have not made it in a long time.   Yesterday my youngest son Jason asked "whatever happened to the cold pasta salad you used to make?"  I said you know I don't know why, or maybe because I try so many different recipes I just forgot about it.  So I made my cold pasta salad for my son yesterday and I wondered after eating it, how good it was.  I also find that the longer it sits in the refrigerator the better it tastes.  This salad goes with just about anything but I particularly love it with fresh fish or chicken.  It is a cool, fresh, healthy salad you will feel good about serving.  Leftovers are easy to store in the refrigerator for about a week.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
Serves 6-8

12 oz.    bag of any Multi-Colored Veggie Pasta (cook according to pkg directions.

1 cup     red peppers, small chopped

1 cup     green peppers, small chopped

1 cup     yellow peppers, small chopped

12 oz. pkg frozen broccoli (cook according to pkg directions)  or you can use fresh broccoli

1/4 cup red onion, small chopped

Kraft Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing or Ranch Dressing

Salt & Pepper to taste

METHOD:

-  Cook pasta & broccoli following package directions. 

-  Drain pasta & broccoli in a stainer, run cool water over broccoli & pasta until cool.

-  In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta & broccoli, add chopped peppers & onion.

-  Toss until blended

-  Add dressing & toss until well coated

-  Season with salt & pepper to taste

-  Serve cold

Brown Bag Grilled Corn with Chili Powder & Lime

So on my quest for fast easy meals this summer I think of corn-on-the-cob.  Why, because who doesn't like corn (well maybe a few people) but corn goes with anything and you can flavor corn with herbs, flavored butters and seasonings. It's bright yellow color makes it a happy food and it is also sweet and delicious.   You can impress alot of people by just seasoning your corn, imagine that!  Anyway, my son is just about happy with anything I make and anticipates by lunch time what I will be making for dinner (he has a big appetite!)  I hope you enjoy my Grilled Corn with Chili &Lime Recipe!

INGREDIENTS:
Makes 16 pieces

4 ears shucked corn

1/2 lime

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

METHOD:

1.  Grill corn over high heat, turning until lightly blackened in places and kernels are just tender when pressed, about 12 minutes

2.  Cut each ear into 4 pieces.  Transfer to a sturdy, medium-size paper bag and squeeze lime over corn.  Sprinkle with chili powder and coarse salt.  Close bag and shake to coat.  Serve immediately fro the bag on in a bowl.

Summer Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad

My husband and son are always asking me what is for dinner?  They ask me at breakfast which sometimes I am half asleep and without coffee I cannot answer them, but what makes it so hard is here in North Texas where the temps are already 100 degrees I often struggle with not standing in front of the stove for long periods of time.  So I have tried to schedule a week's worth of dinner's in advance, keeping in mind cool and easy.    So today I would like to share with you my Summer Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad it takes a short 30 minutes and is quick and satisfying, Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
Serves 4

2 cups of fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 limes)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

course salt and ground pepper

1 whole rotisserie chicken (pickup already prepared at your grocery market)
    skins and bones removed, meat shredded for best texture shred with fork.

1/4 medium red cabbage (8 ounces) cored and thinly sliced crosswise

1 red bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed) thinly sliced crosswise

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces

1/2 cup cashews


METHOD:

1.  Make dressing in blender:  combine cilantro, lime juice and oil; season with salt and pepper.   Blend until smooth.

2.  In a large bowl, combine chicken, cabbage, bell pepper, and scallions; season with salt and pepper.  In another large bowl, toss lettuce with 1/2 cup dressing.    Divide amoung four serving bowls and top with chicken mixture.  Drizzle all with remaining dressing and sprinkle with cashews.

Father's Day Grilling Ideas

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!   Most all dad's love a good burger and this is an easy juicy burger recipe for your Father's Day outdoor grilling party!   These burgers are easy to make and can be substituted with ground turkey also.  Tender and juicy with just the right amount of seasonings, serve with sharp chedder and dress this burger your way!   Don't forget the corn-on-the-cob!  Enjoy! Click on for recipe Sam-burgers Recipe Father's Day Grilling Ideas FamilyFun

Berry Delicious Summer Salad

Summer is here!  Time for lighter summer dishes and cool fresh summer salads.  I am a big fan of farmers markets and always looking for new and creative ways to use the farm fresh ingrediants I get from my local market!   I found this recipe for Berry Delicious Salad.    Sweet juicy blueberries are the star of this salad along with fresh greens.  This salad pairs well with grilled beef, pork or chicken.   Enjoy!  Click on link for recipe. Cool Summer Salads 

                                    Casa Moda Coffee Signs Set of Four Salad Plates