Apr 22, 2021 | Adult Parties & Events, Appetizers, Desserts, DIY Boys Party, DIY Girls Party, DIY Kid's Parties, Main Course, Parties, Recipes, Sides, Snacks
Hear we go again! Another Star Wars movies was recently released. Yes Disney’s Han Solo movie is a Star Wars story, meaning it’s not part of any of the Star Wars trilogies. Instead it’s a stand alone movie designed to enhance or explain the major characters or story lines. In this case Han Solo’s beginings. We all wondered about his early years before he joined up with the Rebel Alliance, didn’t we? Regardless if you had the burning desire to learn more about Han or not one thing is certain the new movie has renewed interest on all that is Star Wars. This means more Star Wars themed parties and events which need of course Star Wars inspired recipes!
So I’ve rounded up some Star Wars inspired recipes for you to try at your next Star Wars movie night or Marathon. (At our house we have Star Wars Marathons on rainy weekends. )
These Star Wars inspired recipes are super cute and mostly fairly easy to make. It might just make you the super cool parent of the year when you roll them out at your kid’s Star Wars themed birthday party!
Carbonite Jello
Ok I couldn’t resist so I posted this jello picture I found on Pinterest twice. After it is the Han Solo movie and the most memorable thing that ever happened to Mr. Solo, at least in my book, was when he was entombed in carbonite by none other than Darth Vader at the end of episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
I’m sure exactly which site has the recipe for this jello, but do you really need one? All you need is a box or two of jello and a Han Solo action figure. Place him at the bottom of the pan and follow the directions on the jello package. Pour the jello over the man and let it gel!
Personally I’d use green jello simply because I like lime jello. But we all know carbonite is gray and I don’t think there’s gray jello, maybe you can use blue. Or if you’re really inspired use Knox unflavored jello, add fruit juice and a few drops of black food coloring, you could possibly end up with gray colored gelatin. It might work. But me I’d stick with green lime jello.
Star Wars Pizza
Another Star Wars inspired recipe that doesn’t really need a recipe. The picture says it all. Arrange toppings on a homemade or frozen pizza to make BB8, use a half a pizza crust topped with tomato slices and olives for his head.
Use your imagination and turn pizzas into the Death Star or planets!
If you want to get creative shape the dough into your favorite Star Wars character, Yoda, R2D2, C3pO, Darth Vader, Chewbaca, or whoever. Remember shape the dough, spread with sauce, sprinkle with cheese, add toppings, and bake.
You can even use refrigerated or frozen pizza dough!
BB8 Quesadilla
Prefer quesadillas to pizza? Never fear here’s a recipe from Totally the Bomb for this BB8 Quesadilla using cheese and colored cream cheese.
Click here for the recipe![spacer height=”-20px”]
Star Wars Rice Krispy Treats
I think everyone loves rice krispy treats. They’re a great snack and they’re pretty easy to make.
Here’s the recipe from Mom Endeavors![spacer height=”20px” id=”2″]
Stormtrooper Cupcakes
Here’s the recipe and directions from Yummy Mummy Club! They use food writer pens to make the faces on marshmallows.
If you don’t want to make the cupcakes then just make the marshmallow pops! It’s made the same way as the cupcake toppers using the food writer pens, just stick them on lollipop sticks instead![spacer height=”-20px”]
Princess Leia Oreo Truffles
Seriously yummy!
Make these Leia Truffles by The Cookie Rookie! Click here for the recipe![spacer height=”-20px”]
Princess Leia Cupcakes
Paintbrushes and Popsicles has an awesome recipe for Leia Cupcakes!
Click here for recipe and directions![spacer height=”-20px”]
Star Wars Macaroons
This one’s probably the hardest to make if you’re going to make macaroons at home. I’m not that patient! But you can use store bought macaroons. (I get a box of frozen ones from Sam’s Club or Costco, they’re pretty inexpensive).
If you use store bought macaroons then all you need is a steady hand. Just pipe the colored icings on the macaroons to make R2Dc, the Death Star, or Chewbacca.
Death Star Watermelon
Ok this one takes skill, carving skills that is!
Find yourself a round watermelon and get out the carving knives!
This would make an awesome centerpiece for your dessert table![spacer height=”-20px”]
Star Wars Popcorn
Two Sisters Crafting makes this yummy popcorn. Awesome snack for that Star Wars Movie Marathon!
Click here for the recipe!
Lighsaber Pretzel Rods
No Star Wars themed party or movie night would be complete without lightsabers.
How about these Lightsaber Pretzel rods from Two Sisters Crafting?
Hey they’d make awesome party favors if wrapped in clear treat bags!
Click here for recipe!
Need some Star Wars inspired party stationary and decor? Contact Savvy Nana Crafts, they’ll design the perfect invitations, favor tags, banners, and signs for your Star Wars themed event!
Oct 3, 2019 | Appetizers, Corner, Halloween, Recipes, Sides, Snacks
Who says Halloween is just for kids? After the kids have returned from Trick-or-Treating and they’ve wound down for the night put them to bed it’s time for some adult fun.
Whip up some adult treats ahead of time, hide them from the kids, and take them out for a bit of spooky fun with your friends, or snuggle up with your significant other for drinks and nibbles as you watch a scary movie.
Here are a few recipes for Halloween treats and drinks for adults.
The Blackbeard cocktail from Honestly YUM is made with chocolate stout. It looks lethally YUMMY!
Recipe click here![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Whip up this Nacho Pumpkin Cheese Ball from Cincy Shopper, it’s creamy, crunchy, with a bit of spicy!
Recipe click here![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Dip the nigh away with this zesty south-of-the-border dip from Mr. Food.com
Recipe click here![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Add a bit of sophistication to your Halloween with this Mummy Baked Brie found on Babble.com.
Recipe click here! [spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
Here’s a lovey Smoking Martini created by Thomas Johnson from Cocktailatlas.com
Perfect for Halloween!
Recipe click here![spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
The Grave Digger Cocktail is a concoction of hard cider, whiskey, and ginger ale designed by Boulder Locavore.
Recipe click here! [spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
May 24, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Appetizers, Recipes
Memorial Day is always the last Monday in May. It is of course the day to remember all the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to this great nation.
But it is also marks the beginning of summer, Yay!
Traditionally it’s the first day one can wear white colored pants (remember back in the day when wearing white pants was only acceptable between Memorial and Labor Days?). It’s a day of rest and relaxation; a day to spend with family and friends; and a day to barbecue!
A Memorial Day barbecue was something I always looked forward to growing up in New York. It was the first day my dad would fire up the backyard grill and the women would bring out all sorts of meats to grill, tons of side dishes, and my favorite part all the dessert! Yes Memorial Day was a big deal at our humble home in Queens.
I’m not too sure if it was a big deal because my grandfather was a Captain in the Philippine/American Army led by General MacArthur during WWII, or that my great uncle survived the forced march to Corrigedor with his fellow soldiers (American and Filipino) during that same war, or if we were just a house full of first generation immigrants thankful for the welcome we received from our newly adopted country and all the opportunities it offered. Whatever the reason my family took to celebrating Memorial Day (and all the other American holidays) with a gusto only grateful immigrants can muster. So for us a Memorial Day barbecue was a definite must!
Now a Memorial Day barbecue doesn’t mean you’ll just throw some hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, although you can if you like, it can be so much more fun! You can decorate using a patriotic theme, grill all sorts of meats, have all types of sides, and whatever desserts your heart desires. Think of your Memorial Day Barbecue as a trial run for the big event…your 4th. of July Barbecue! Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started!
Decorate the front door (or anywhere) with a basket of flags!
Just grab a bunch of small flags from Walmart or Target and fill up a small basket and tack it to your door. Or if you prefer grab some larger flags and fill up a basket you can place on the table top or even on the ground.
You can even stick the flags in potted plants!
Wood Pallets
Paint wooden pallets of any size in patriotic colors. You can add a wooden star, or not, or paint on the stars if you’re so inclined.
You can get small pallets at craft stores or even Walmart’s craft department. They make great wall or door plaques.
You can find larger pallets at home improvement stores or ask your local stores if they have any from their deliveries. They’ll more than likely be happy to give you a pallet or two just so they don’t have to throw them away.
Mason Jars
Paint mason jars in patriotic colors using acrylic paints. They make great vases and utensil caddies for your table.
Painted Cans
You can also paint cans to use as utensil caddies, napkin holders, vases, centerpieces, etc.
This is a cute and inexpensive way to decorate for your Memorial Day Barbecue.
Colored Water Vases
Don’t want to paint? No problem turn clear jars or bowls into patriotic vases with food coloring. So simple yet so pretty!
Of course the most important part of any Memorial Day Barbecue is the food! Here are some yummy recipes you can try for your Barbecue!
Try these Butter Burgers they are the best burgers ever!
Click here for the recipe!
Kalbi Beef Kebabs
Looking for something other than burgers and dogs? Try these Kalbi Beef Kebabs, they are awesome!
You can even use them to fill small corn tortillas. Add some shredded cabbage and sprinkle with chopped green onions and you’ve got the perfect Kalbi Street Tacos! Click here for the recipe!
Chipotle Lime Corn On the Cob
No barbecue is complete without some corn on the cob.
Try these Chipotle Lime Corn on the Cob, they are super delish!
Click here for the recipe!
Skillet Frozen Corn
Prefer your corn off the cob? Try this Skillet Corn dish using frozen corn.
Use the same seasoned butter used in the Chipotle Lime Corn on the Cob (click here for that recipe)
Melt the seasoned butter in a cast iron skillet.
Add Frozen Corn
Sprinkle with 1 Tbs. Smoked Paprika and 1 Tbs. Chipotle Pepper Powder
Keep mixing the corn so it doesn’t burn and evenly distribute the seasoning.
When the corn is cooked sprinkle with chopped cilantro and squeeze the juice of 1/2 of a lime over all before serving.
Garlic Parmesan Asparagus Spears
Take advantage of summer veggies like asparagus.
These Garlic Parmesan Asparagus Spears are super easy to make in the oven.
Just take 2 lbs. spears with bottom ends cut off and arrange them in a baking pan.
Mix together: 1 Tbs. Lemon Pepper, 2 Tbs. Olive Oil, 1 Tbs. Minced Garlic and drizzle over asparagus spears.
Sprinkle with 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese.
Bake in 425º oven for 15 -20 minutes.
Click here for more Memorial Day Barbecue ideas and recipes!
Jan 28, 2019 | Adult Parties & Events, Appetizers, Corner, Main Course, Parties, Recipes
Gung Hei Fat Choy! Chinese New Year falls on February 5th. this year. Why not ring in Year of the Pig with a Chinese themed dinner for your friends and family?
Chinese New Year also called the Lunar New Year or the Chinese Spring Festival is the most important Chinese festival of the year; it’s a time for merry making and also a time to go to temple to pray to the deities and honor the ancestors. It’s a 15 day celebration filled with parades, lion and dragon dances, family reunions and parties, firecrackers and fireworks, gifts of money stuffed in red envelopes, wishes for a new year filled with joy, prosperity, and good fortune, and lots of wonderful Chinese food.
During Chinese New Year many of my friends head off to the Chinese restaurants for extravagant feasts of huge prawns, lobsters, dim sum, roast duck and pork, and other Chinese specialties. I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to some of these gatherings and believe me you walk away pleasantly stuffed!
2019’s Chinese New Year ushers in The Year of the Pig. The Pig symbolizes wealth and affluence in Chinese astrology so what better way to celebrate Chinese New Year than sharing a Chinese themed meal with your loved ones. You don’t have to be Chinese to honor this very important festival nor do you have to splurge on a 9 Course Meal at a fancy Chinese restaurant, although that would be a great treat! You can celebrate Chinese New Year at home with a bit of creativity and preparations in the kitchen.
First off you can decorate with red the traditional color for Chinese New Year decorations.
Red paper lanterns are the least expensive way to go. You can order a set from Amazon or buy some at your local party store.
Add in some paper fans and you’re good to go!
You can set the table with red lacquer rice bowls and bamboo chopsticks.
To complete the look set us a nice centerpiece that includes red flowers!
But the most important thing is the food! So here are some of our favorite recipes that you can try for your Chinese New Year celebration dinner!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for recipe!
Click here for the recipe!
Click here for recipe!
Jan 26, 2017 | Appetizers, Cookies, Cakes & Pies, Corner, Desserts, Recipes, Snacks
Super Bowl Sunday is on February 5. Just about everyone I know is looking forward to the big day. The Game of course is the main event, but many of us are waiting for the half-time show and the commercials. Whether sport fan or not I think we can all agree that a big part of that Sunday revolves around the Super Bowl Snacks we will all be munching on during the game.
Here are some great snack ideas and recipes for Super Bowl Snacks, most can be made ahead of time so you can get out of the kitchen and enjoy the game with friends and family.
Add some sophistication to your Super Bowl Snacks menu with this Awesome Shrimp Scampi Dip! Make plenty it’s delicious!
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
It’s less messy than the traditional dip version and looks good on the buffet table too!
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
But if you’re a traditionalist and must have your dip, here’s a Baked Spinach Dip for you!
It’s one of the easier Super Bowl Snacks, you can prep it ahead of time, store in the fridge, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve!
Recipe here![spacer height=”-20px”]
For those who don’t mind getting their fingers dirty here’s a yummy shrimp dish.
BBQ Shrimp from SnapguideBBQ Shrimp [spacer height=”-20px”]
If you like cheese dip you’ll love this White Pizza Dip!
I like to dip pita chip, the garlic flavored ones!
White Pizza Dip from Howsweeteats.com
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
Recipe here! [spacer height=”-20px”]
Instructions here!
How to video here!
Sweet-Spicy Deviled Eggs from myrecipes.com
Recipe here!
Football shaped asiago & prosciutto rice cake from hungryhappenings.com
Recipe here!
Nutella Chocolate Football Truffle from Justataste.com
Recipe here!
Double Chocolate Football Cupcakes from The Baker Chick.
Recipe here!
For more Super Bowl Party ideas and recipes follow my Super Bowl Party board on Pinterest.
Nov 15, 2015 | Appetizers, Corner, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized
Every year Thanksgiving Dinner is at my house. My family expects everything to be the same year after year, it’s tradition! By now I have this whole meal down pat; the menu, shopping list, and recipes are etched in my brain.
Each year I add a couple of new items to my menu, usually appetizers and desserts. I figure as long as I don’t mess with the classic menu items my family won’t rebel. This year I’m trying out 3 appetizers and 2 desserts, maybe some of them will make return appearances next year.
Even tho I can prepare this holiday meal in my sleep I still plan the meal as I would any other event I host. The key to a successful event is planning, in my world this means lists. I make a menu, a shopping list, and a timeline. This helps me budget my time and helps keep the holidays stress free.
Here is this year’s Thanksgiving menu. Links to recipes are also given. Click here for printable menu!
Appetizer
Spinach & Artichoke Bites. So easy to make!
Awesome Shrimp Scampi Cheese Dip w/ Crostini
Recipe click here!
Main Course & Sides
Roast Turkey w/ Simple Bread Stuffing
Learn how to roast turkey using large brown grocery bags.
Click here!
SIDES
Garlic Mashed Potato w/Gravy
Baby Carrots Glace
Potato Macaroni Salad
Candied Yams
Garlic Bread Knots
Dessert
Once I have my menu I can compile my shopping list with all the ingredients I will need for the menu items. I check off items I already have in my pantry and buy the rest.
I also take the time to jot down a timeline. This keeps me on track and makes the holiday stress free. This year I’m using a Fall cleaning schedule I found on line.
Planning Thanksgiving Dinner helps take the stress out of the event and allows me to enjoy my family and other guests on Thanksgiving day. Don’t forget to schedule some “me” time during this busy week; you’ll need a bit of R&R.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Butter Burgers
