September Tasty Tools – Bakeware!

I guess summer is really over… but we did end it on a delicious note by cranking up our ovens to welcome fall. This month’s Tasty Tools event highlights bakeware! Whether it’s made out of glass, silicone, metal or stoneware, if you can bake in it, it’s a great addition to our round up. Check out the wonderful things folks are baking up with their favorite pieces of bakeware. Who knows… it just might inspire you to create something comforting and warm on these fall days! Thanks to all that participated and hope you enjoy this collection of recipes warm your soul and oven.

Jenn of Jenn & Food, Perfect Together
from New Jersey
Double Crust Apple Pie
What’s fall without a slice of Apple Pie? Jenn shares with us a Food Network recipe for Apple Pie which is perfect for the fall weather. Using a 10 inch pie plate and a cookie sheet, her entry features 2 pieces of essential bakeware. Check out her blog for links to the recipe and additional mouth watering pictures!
Nancy of Gaga in the Kitchen
from California
Stuffed Baguettes
Move over Hot Pockets (and the like)! Nancy’s got an even better snack with her Stuffed Baguettes. These baguettes are stuffed and baked with your favorite sandwich fillings baked right in. These can be made using a baking sheet, baking stone or peel. Check out Nancy’s blog for the recipe & details on creating the perfect dough for these and what she stuffed her baguette with!
Oggi of I Can Do That!
from Virginia
Hokkaido Milky Loaf
I have been a fan of Oggi’s blog for a few months now… and her entry probably gets the “Coolest Bakeware” award. Using Pullman bread pans, she creates these delicately soft, yet sturdy loaves of bread. Check out Oggi’s blog for details on the bread pans she used and for the recipe!
Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Caramel Bars
Karen is such a fabulous cook & baker that all her entries to my blogging events are so tasty. This one was no exception, especially since I’m a big fan of caramel. Her Caramel Bars were made using an 8×8 Pyrex pan and to prevent a big mess and easy removal from the pan, she uses foil! (Such a great tip, by the way!) Check out Karen’s blog for the recipe!
Jaime of Good Eats ‘n Sweet Treats
from Texas
Peanut Buttercups with Peanut-Penuche Icing
Another one of my fave blogs is Jaime’s. This time she makes me crave something peanut buttery with her entry to Tasty Tools. Using her muffin pan, she creates these Peanut Buttercups… and if that wasn’t enough, she tops them with a Peanut-Penuche Icing. YUM! Check out Jaime’s blog for the recipe and more drool-worthy food pics!
Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow.
from West Virginia
Carly’s on-the-fly Spanakopita
I really like Carly’s entry for this bakeware event. Aside from creating something delicious, she used a special piece of bakeware, a 10 inch round cake pan, used by her husband’s late grandmother. Carly’s version of Spanakopita looks so versatile and easy… check out her blog for the recipe!
Shauna of Little Miss Foodie Two Shoes
from Florida
Low Fat Pumpkin Muffins
With healthy eating on our minds, I’m glad to have Shauna share her tasty Low Fat Pumpkin Muffins for the event! She used her muffin pan to make these beautiful treats, perfect for the fall. If you need to get in the fall spirit, check out the recipe in Shauna’s blog!
Carrie of Carrie’s Sweet Life
from Minnesota
My Big Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Carrie is after my own heart because she shares with us my favorite cookie of all time – chocolate chip! Her recipe is from Food Network celebrity chef, Tyler Florence and he would be proud to see how perfect the cookies came out! Carrie used her trusty cookie sheet which is a definite must in every kitchen. To get the recipe (especially in time for the holidays!) check out Carrie’s blog!
Jess of Cooking Up Memories
from Wisconsin
Mexican Stuffed Shells
Jess shares with us a special recipe from her her aunt. Using a 9×13 baking pan, her Mexican Stuffed Shells is sure to be a keeper recipe. One thing I love about preparing baked pasta shells is the fillings can be an endless possibility and this recipe is a great fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisines. Check out Jess’s blog for the recipe!
Lindsey of Noodle Nights & Muffin Mornings
from New York
Granite Steps Country Blueberry Coffee Cake
Aside from our love of food, Lindsey and I share the same fondness of Crate & Barrel… so much so that she used her Crate & Barrel Bake & Store Cake Pan for her entry. Her Blueberry Coffee Cake has left me speechless because it looks ridiculously good. All those blueberries look so tempting atop the cake. For a fabulous breakfast dish, you’ll need to check out Lindsey’s blog for this recipe!
Kristina of About a Bit of Everything
from Illinois
Brownie Muffins
I had the pleasure of meeting and brunching with Kristina last weekend (along with some other fellow culinary divas) and she definitely has an appreciation of good eats. Her entry is definitely a delicious one because she creatively used a mini muffin pan to make brownie muffins. Is it a brownie? Is it a muffin? Regardless, it sure looks chocolatey good and you’re able to find the recipe in her blog!
Jade of Apples & Oranges
from New York
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
One of my fave food blogs that always has beautiful pictures belongs to Jade. Her pictures tend to make me hungry and tends to have a very artistic culinary vibe… I love that! For this event, she shares with us her Apple Streusel Coffee Cake which is made using a bundt pan. If this picture doesn’t get you to check out her blog for the recipe, I don’t know what will…
Jen of Beantown Baker
from Massachusetts
Zucchini and Turkey Lasagna
Probably the most colorful bakeware entry comes from Jen. Her bakeware, a purple 8×8 Pyrex pan, was used to make a delicious and healthy Zucchini & Turkey Lasagna. I don’t know about you, but lasagna is definitely a comfort food in our house and her recipe looks outstanding. Check out Jen’s blog for the recipe!
Annie of Annie’s Eats
from Indiana
Hamburger Buns
Being a Pampered Chef consultant myself, I was especially pleased to see Annie use her Pampered Chef Pizza Stone for the the Tasty Tool event. Even more pleasing are the gorgeous hamburger buns she made on the pizza stone. Seriously, she’s a natural in the kitchen and her new son is one lucky boy to have a great chef of a mom! Check out Annie’s blog for her recipe!
Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Simple Apple Squares
Becke always has something delicious cooking up in her kitchen and this time around, she’s sharing a dish that uses some seasonal produce such as apples. Her entry, made in a 9×13 baking pan, captures fall in every bite of her Simple Apple Squares. To find out what could top this tasty dessert, check out her blog and get the recipe too!
Kelsey of Apple A Day
from Arizona
Applesauce Spice Cookies
Kelsey joins the round up with some fall flavors packed into these tasty cookies using her jellyroll pan. These would make for some wonderful gift giving for the upcoming holidays too. Check out Kelsey’s blog for the recipe!

September Tasty Tools – Bakeware!

I guess summer is really over… but we did end it on a delicious note by cranking up our ovens to welcome fall. This month’s Tasty Tools event highlights bakeware! Whether it’s made out of glass, silicone, metal or stoneware, if you can bake in it, it’s a great addition to our round up. Check out the wonderful things folks are baking up with their favorite pieces of bakeware. Who knows… it just might inspire you to create something comforting and warm on these fall days! Thanks to all that participated and hope you enjoy this collection of recipes warm your soul and oven.

Jenn of Jenn & Food, Perfect Together
from New Jersey
Double Crust Apple Pie
What’s fall without a slice of Apple Pie? Jenn shares with us a Food Network recipe for Apple Pie which is perfect for the fall weather. Using a 10 inch pie plate and a cookie sheet, her entry features 2 pieces of essential bakeware. Check out her blog for links to the recipe and additional mouth watering pictures!
Nancy of Gaga in the Kitchen
from California
Stuffed Baguettes
Move over Hot Pockets (and the like)! Nancy’s got an even better snack with her Stuffed Baguettes. These baguettes are stuffed and baked with your favorite sandwich fillings baked right in. These can be made using a baking sheet, baking stone or peel. Check out Nancy’s blog for the recipe & details on creating the perfect dough for these and what she stuffed her baguette with!
Oggi of I Can Do That!
from Virginia
Hokkaido Milky Loaf
I have been a fan of Oggi’s blog for a few months now… and her entry probably gets the “Coolest Bakeware” award. Using Pullman bread pans, she creates these delicately soft, yet sturdy loaves of bread. Check out Oggi’s blog for details on the bread pans she used and for the recipe!
Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Caramel Bars
Karen is such a fabulous cook & baker that all her entries to my blogging events are so tasty. This one was no exception, especially since I’m a big fan of caramel. Her Caramel Bars were made using an 8×8 Pyrex pan and to prevent a big mess and easy removal from the pan, she uses foil! (Such a great tip, by the way!) Check out Karen’s blog for the recipe!
Jaime of Good Eats ‘n Sweet Treats
from Texas
Peanut Buttercups with Peanut-Penuche Icing
Another one of my fave blogs is Jaime’s. This time she makes me crave something peanut buttery with her entry to Tasty Tools. Using her muffin pan, she creates these Peanut Buttercups… and if that wasn’t enough, she tops them with a Peanut-Penuche Icing. YUM! Check out Jaime’s blog for the recipe and more drool-worthy food pics!
Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow.
from West Virginia
Carly’s on-the-fly Spanakopita
I really like Carly’s entry for this bakeware event. Aside from creating something delicious, she used a special piece of bakeware, a 10 inch round cake pan, used by her husband’s late grandmother. Carly’s version of Spanakopita looks so versatile and easy… check out her blog for the recipe!
Shauna of Little Miss Foodie Two Shoes
from Florida
Low Fat Pumpkin Muffins
With healthy eating on our minds, I’m glad to have Shauna share her tasty Low Fat Pumpkin Muffins for the event! She used her muffin pan to make these beautiful treats, perfect for the fall. If you need to get in the fall spirit, check out the recipe in Shauna’s blog!
Carrie of Carrie’s Sweet Life
from Minnesota
My Big Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies
Carrie is after my own heart because she shares with us my favorite cookie of all time – chocolate chip! Her recipe is from Food Network celebrity chef, Tyler Florence and he would be proud to see how perfect the cookies came out! Carrie used her trusty cookie sheet which is a definite must in every kitchen. To get the recipe (especially in time for the holidays!) check out Carrie’s blog!
Jess of Cooking Up Memories
from Wisconsin
Mexican Stuffed Shells
Jess shares with us a special recipe from her her aunt. Using a 9×13 baking pan, her Mexican Stuffed Shells is sure to be a keeper recipe. One thing I love about preparing baked pasta shells is the fillings can be an endless possibility and this recipe is a great fusion of Italian and Mexican cuisines. Check out Jess’s blog for the recipe!
Lindsey of Noodle Nights & Muffin Mornings
from New York
Granite Steps Country Blueberry Coffee Cake
Aside from our love of food, Lindsey and I share the same fondness of Crate & Barrel… so much so that she used her Crate & Barrel Bake & Store Cake Pan for her entry. Her Blueberry Coffee Cake has left me speechless because it looks ridiculously good. All those blueberries look so tempting atop the cake. For a fabulous breakfast dish, you’ll need to check out Lindsey’s blog for this recipe!
Kristina of About a Bit of Everything
from Illinois
Brownie Muffins
I had the pleasure of meeting and brunching with Kristina last weekend (along with some other fellow culinary divas) and she definitely has an appreciation of good eats. Her entry is definitely a delicious one because she creatively used a mini muffin pan to make brownie muffins. Is it a brownie? Is it a muffin? Regardless, it sure looks chocolatey good and you’re able to find the recipe in her blog!
Jade of Apples & Oranges
from New York
Apple Streusel Coffee Cake
One of my fave food blogs that always has beautiful pictures belongs to Jade. Her pictures tend to make me hungry and tends to have a very artistic culinary vibe… I love that! For this event, she shares with us her Apple Streusel Coffee Cake which is made using a bundt pan. If this picture doesn’t get you to check out her blog for the recipe, I don’t know what will…
Jen of Beantown Baker
from Massachusetts
Zucchini and Turkey Lasagna
Probably the most colorful bakeware entry comes from Jen. Her bakeware, a purple 8×8 Pyrex pan, was used to make a delicious and healthy Zucchini & Turkey Lasagna. I don’t know about you, but lasagna is definitely a comfort food in our house and her recipe looks outstanding. Check out Jen’s blog for the recipe!
Annie of Annie’s Eats
from Indiana
Hamburger Buns
Being a Pampered Chef consultant myself, I was especially pleased to see Annie use her Pampered Chef Pizza Stone for the the Tasty Tool event. Even more pleasing are the gorgeous hamburger buns she made on the pizza stone. Seriously, she’s a natural in the kitchen and her new son is one lucky boy to have a great chef of a mom! Check out Annie’s blog for her recipe!
Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Simple Apple Squares
Becke always has something delicious cooking up in her kitchen and this time around, she’s sharing a dish that uses some seasonal produce such as apples. Her entry, made in a 9×13 baking pan, captures fall in every bite of her Simple Apple Squares. To find out what could top this tasty dessert, check out her blog and get the recipe too!
Kelsey of Apple A Day
from Arizona
Applesauce Spice Cookies
Kelsey joins the round up with some fall flavors packed into these tasty cookies using her jellyroll pan. These would make for some wonderful gift giving for the upcoming holidays too. Check out Kelsey’s blog for the recipe!

Red Red Wine… & Event Round Up!

This month for our wine & dine event series, we focused on red wines and fall foods. We had a fabulous turnout with quite a bit to eat and drink. I provided 12 various red wines including: Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Syrah, and Sangiovese. To pair with these wines, friends shared some of their favorite fall dishes. Unfortunately I couldn’t take pics of everything that graced the table, but here are some pics I did manage to take of the event:

Sesame Peanut Noodles shared by Yumi:Macerated Peaches in Red Wine shared by Linda:
Fresh Artisan Goat Cheese shared by Linda:
Grape & Rosemary Foccaccia Sticks shared by Linda:
Onion, Tomato & Avocado Salad shared by Lennie:
Butternut Squash Soup shared by Dorothy:Chicken Pesto Rolls shared by Teresa:Roasted Lemon & Caper Chicken shared by Howard:
Turkey Meatloaf shared by Art:
Digging in!

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted favorite fall recipes and/or recipes using red wine! As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Karen of Loves to Eat Weblog! Karen has won a fall favorites cookbook and a bottle of red wine. Congratulations Karen and thanks to all that participated in the blogging event! Read on to check out the recipes submitted by my fellow bloggers…

Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Beef Strogundy
Becke shares with us a twist on 2 fall classics – Beef Stroganoff and Beef Burgundy. Aside from the creative dish, it sure looks ridiculously delicious! What a tasty way to enjoy a crisp fall day. Check out Becke’s blog for the recipe!
Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Crockpot Red Wine Beef Stew
What’s fall without a hearty stew to warm you up? Karen shares with us a savory beef stew using red wine. This is definitely a dish you’ll want to check out, especially because it’s one that can easily cook while you’re away… and will be ready after a long day of work. Check out Karen’s blog for the recipe!

Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Healthy Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin is definitely a fall flavor many take advantage of this time of year. Karen shares with us a fabulous fall muffin that’s sure to sweeten up your morning! Check out her blog for the recipe!

Red Red Wine… & Event Round Up!

This month for our wine & dine event series, we focused on red wines and fall foods. We had a fabulous turnout with quite a bit to eat and drink. I provided 12 various red wines including: Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Syrah, and Sangiovese. To pair with these wines, friends shared some of their favorite fall dishes. Unfortunately I couldn’t take pics of everything that graced the table, but here are some pics I did manage to take of the event:

Sesame Peanut Noodles shared by Yumi:Macerated Peaches in Red Wine shared by Linda:
Fresh Artisan Goat Cheese shared by Linda:
Grape & Rosemary Foccaccia Sticks shared by Linda:
Onion, Tomato & Avocado Salad shared by Lennie:
Butternut Squash Soup shared by Dorothy:Chicken Pesto Rolls shared by Teresa:Roasted Lemon & Caper Chicken shared by Howard:
Turkey Meatloaf shared by Art:
Digging in!

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted favorite fall recipes and/or recipes using red wine! As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Karen of Loves to Eat Weblog! Karen has won a fall favorites cookbook and a bottle of red wine. Congratulations Karen and thanks to all that participated in the blogging event! Read on to check out the recipes submitted by my fellow bloggers…

Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Beef Strogundy
Becke shares with us a twist on 2 fall classics – Beef Stroganoff and Beef Burgundy. Aside from the creative dish, it sure looks ridiculously delicious! What a tasty way to enjoy a crisp fall day. Check out Becke’s blog for the recipe!
Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Crockpot Red Wine Beef Stew
What’s fall without a hearty stew to warm you up? Karen shares with us a savory beef stew using red wine. This is definitely a dish you’ll want to check out, especially because it’s one that can easily cook while you’re away… and will be ready after a long day of work. Check out Karen’s blog for the recipe!

Karen of Loves To Eat Weblog
from Florida
Healthy Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Muffins
Pumpkin is definitely a fall flavor many take advantage of this time of year. Karen shares with us a fabulous fall muffin that’s sure to sweeten up your morning! Check out her blog for the recipe!

Joy Luck Club: Family Favorites Round Up!

This month for my Read, Watch & Eat event, the chosen book & movie my friends and I read/watched was The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. It’s a wonderful story that captures various dynamics of mother and daughter relationships… some of which come very close to home for me. In honor of the book and movie, friends shared Chinese-inspired dishes which we ate before watching the movie. Here are some pics of our “Joy Luck Club” lunch:

Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings shared by Joyce: Mixed “Bento” Box shared by Lennie: Chinese Baked Goods shared by Diana: Chinese Dim Sum shared by Diana: Fortune Cookies shared by Lane: Steamed Bao filled with sweet bean paste shared by Erin: Sauteed Bok Choy & Water Chestnuts shared by Emma: Chinese Rice Crackers shared by Yumi: Shrimp Stir Fry & noodles shared by Joelen Napa Cabbage Slaw shared by Joelen:

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted family favorite recipes! Being that the book and movie story line had to do with family, this blogging adventure highlights family favorite recipes. As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow! Carly has won an Family Favorites recipe collection cookbook. Congrats Carly and hope you enjoy the cookbook, especially with the upcoming holiday entertaining season around the corner!

Stina of Eat Something
from Tennessee
Grandma’s Chili
One of my favorite fall comfort foods is chili and Stina shares with us a special chili recipe from her husband’s Grandma. To find out how Stina ate mashed potatoes as a child and for the recipe of this delicious comfort food, check out her blog!
Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream
Becke shares some tasty food porn featuring pierogies. I don’t know about you, but I have a real craving for some Polish eats and pierogies! Check out Becke’s blog for pierogie making tips and recipes!
Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow.
from West Virginia
Chock Full O’Veggies Soup & Grown Up Grilled Cheese
It’s soup season now that fall is here and Carly creates one that is filling, high in fiber/protein and low in fat and sodium. To pair with the soup, she has a flavorful sandwich made with cheeses, sun dried tomatoes and basil. For the tasty recipes and pics, check out Carly’s blog!

Joy Luck Club: Family Favorites Round Up!

This month for my Read, Watch & Eat event, the chosen book & movie my friends and I read/watched was The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. It’s a wonderful story that captures various dynamics of mother and daughter relationships… some of which come very close to home for me. In honor of the book and movie, friends shared Chinese-inspired dishes which we ate before watching the movie. Here are some pics of our “Joy Luck Club” lunch:

Sweet & Sour Chicken Wings shared by Joyce: Mixed “Bento” Box shared by Lennie: Chinese Baked Goods shared by Diana: Chinese Dim Sum shared by Diana: Fortune Cookies shared by Lane: Steamed Bao filled with sweet bean paste shared by Erin: Sauteed Bok Choy & Water Chestnuts shared by Emma: Chinese Rice Crackers shared by Yumi: Shrimp Stir Fry & noodles shared by Joelen Napa Cabbage Slaw shared by Joelen:

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted family favorite recipes! Being that the book and movie story line had to do with family, this blogging adventure highlights family favorite recipes. As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow! Carly has won an Family Favorites recipe collection cookbook. Congrats Carly and hope you enjoy the cookbook, especially with the upcoming holiday entertaining season around the corner!

Stina of Eat Something
from Tennessee
Grandma’s Chili
One of my favorite fall comfort foods is chili and Stina shares with us a special chili recipe from her husband’s Grandma. To find out how Stina ate mashed potatoes as a child and for the recipe of this delicious comfort food, check out her blog!
Becke of Columbus Foodie
from Ohio
Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream
Becke shares some tasty food porn featuring pierogies. I don’t know about you, but I have a real craving for some Polish eats and pierogies! Check out Becke’s blog for pierogie making tips and recipes!
Carly of Live. Laugh. Grow.
from West Virginia
Chock Full O’Veggies Soup & Grown Up Grilled Cheese
It’s soup season now that fall is here and Carly creates one that is filling, high in fiber/protein and low in fat and sodium. To pair with the soup, she has a flavorful sandwich made with cheeses, sun dried tomatoes and basil. For the tasty recipes and pics, check out Carly’s blog!

Scones Scones Scones & English Tea Party Roundup!

Time to warm up our ovens now that fall is almost officially here. Today friends joined me in a Scones adventure where we made a base scone dough and added various ingredients to customize them. There are some wonderful scones made given the ingredients available.

For add in ingredients, I offered:
nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds
fruit: raspberries, blueberries, lemon zest
chips: chocolate chips, cappuccino chips
sprinkles: caramel sprinkles, cinnamon sprinkles

Here is the base recipe we made for our scone dough, an ATK recipe that I previously highlighted in my blog:

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Place the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together.

3. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, quickly cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with a few slightly larger butter lumps.

4. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of additional DRY ingredients until thoroughly incorporated.

5. Stir in the heavy cream with a rubber spatula or fork until the dough begins to form, about 30 seconds.

6. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of additional WET ingredients (such as fruit, preserves, speciality butters) and gently fold into the dough so that everything is evenly distributed throughout.

7. Gather the dough and all dry flour bits and press the dough into an 8 inch cake pan, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. With a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 8 wedges.

8 Bake until the scone tops are light brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Here are pictures of our event and final scones, which we swapped:

The parade of scones!

Chocolate chip, cappuccino chip & walnut:Chocolate chip & caramel sprinkle: Chocolate chip, almond & caramel sprinkle: Cappuccino chip & caramel sprinkle: Raspberry Chocolate Chip: Blueberry & Rasperry:

While our scones were baking, we enjoyed lunch and great conversation. Here are pics of the dishes I served for our English tea party inspired lunch:

English inspired lunch: Corn & avocado salad: Tea sandwiches: Caprese stuffed portabello caps:Crudite platter w/dill & garlic dip:

Cheese & crackers:Bruschetta bites:

Peanut butter cookie cups:

(purchased)

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted English tea party-inspired recipes! As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Kristina of About a Bit of Everything! Kristina has won an Easy Entertaining cookbook compliments of Tone’s spices. Congrats Kristina an hope you enjoy the cookbook, especially with the upcoming holiday entertaining season around the corner!

Kristina of About a Bit of Everything

from Chicago, IL
Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Kristina isn’t a big fan of tea so she created these chocolate chip biscotti which she would prefer pairing up with a skinny vanilla latte. These biscotti look so delicious and you’ll need to check out Kristina’s blog for the recipe!

Niki of Big City Cooking
from Chicago, IL
English Peach Scones
Niki joins us to share these beautiful peach scones. What a great flavor to enjoy with a cup of tea. To find out what inspired Niki to make these and the recipe, check out her blog!

Scones Scones Scones & English Tea Party Roundup!

Time to warm up our ovens now that fall is almost officially here. Today friends joined me in a Scones adventure where we made a base scone dough and added various ingredients to customize them. There are some wonderful scones made given the ingredients available.

For add in ingredients, I offered:
nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds
fruit: raspberries, blueberries, lemon zest
chips: chocolate chips, cappuccino chips
sprinkles: caramel sprinkles, cinnamon sprinkles

Here is the base recipe we made for our scone dough, an ATK recipe that I previously highlighted in my blog:

2 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Place the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together.

3. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, quickly cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with a few slightly larger butter lumps.

4. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of additional DRY ingredients until thoroughly incorporated.

5. Stir in the heavy cream with a rubber spatula or fork until the dough begins to form, about 30 seconds.

6. Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup of additional WET ingredients (such as fruit, preserves, speciality butters) and gently fold into the dough so that everything is evenly distributed throughout.

7. Gather the dough and all dry flour bits and press the dough into an 8 inch cake pan, then turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. With a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut the dough into 8 wedges.

8 Bake until the scone tops are light brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Here are pictures of our event and final scones, which we swapped:

The parade of scones!

Chocolate chip, cappuccino chip & walnut:Chocolate chip & caramel sprinkle: Chocolate chip, almond & caramel sprinkle: Cappuccino chip & caramel sprinkle: Raspberry Chocolate Chip: Blueberry & Rasperry:

While our scones were baking, we enjoyed lunch and great conversation. Here are pics of the dishes I served for our English tea party inspired lunch:

English inspired lunch: Corn & avocado salad: Tea sandwiches: Caprese stuffed portabello caps:Crudite platter w/dill & garlic dip:

Cheese & crackers:Bruschetta bites:

Peanut butter cookie cups:

(purchased)

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted English tea party-inspired recipes! As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event’s winner is Kristina of About a Bit of Everything! Kristina has won an Easy Entertaining cookbook compliments of Tone’s spices. Congrats Kristina an hope you enjoy the cookbook, especially with the upcoming holiday entertaining season around the corner!

Kristina of About a Bit of Everything

from Chicago, IL
Chocolate Chip Biscotti
Kristina isn’t a big fan of tea so she created these chocolate chip biscotti which she would prefer pairing up with a skinny vanilla latte. These biscotti look so delicious and you’ll need to check out Kristina’s blog for the recipe!

Niki of Big City Cooking
from Chicago, IL
English Peach Scones
Niki joins us to share these beautiful peach scones. What a great flavor to enjoy with a cup of tea. To find out what inspired Niki to make these and the recipe, check out her blog!

Margarita Adventure Round Up!

My friends love their drinks… especially when I’m hosting my monthly TGIFriday Happy Hours! This month we celebrated all things Mexican with margaritas and their delicious cuisine. For the event, I provided a margarita bar. Actually, it was more like a margarita room because there was so many things involved to create it that it took up a whole room.

For my margarita bar, I provided the following for my guests to have free reign to experiment and whip up some custom margaritas. Everyone had so much fun creating some fun margarita flavors!

Blender, Shakers, ice
Liquors: 2 kinds of tequila, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Papaya liquor, Bacardi rum
Juices/nectars: pineapple juice, mixed berry puree, pear nectar, mango nectar, peach mango juice, sweet & sour mix, sweetened lime juice
Wines: red & white
Beers: Corona, Malt Goya
Sodas: misc assortment
Condiments: rimming salt, rimming sugar, limes To pair with our margaritas, we feasted on a fabulous spread of Mexican inspired fare. Here are pictures of the event and unfortunately, not everything was pictured: And to end our event with a bang, our friend John brought a special treat… a pinata! It was a blast to give the ol’ pinata a whack after a long week. It was seriously the pinata that would not break open. Here are pics of our pinata whacking…

Lisa of Lime in the Coconut
Firecracker Shrimp & Fiesta Peppers
Lisa joins us to share 2 fabulous Mexican inspired recipes for Firecracker Shrimp & Fiesta Peppers! Both look wonderul and so colorful. Check out her blog for the recipes and learn where she found them!

Margarita Adventure Round Up!

My friends love their drinks… especially when I’m hosting my monthly TGIFriday Happy Hours! This month we celebrated all things Mexican with margaritas and their delicious cuisine. For the event, I provided a margarita bar. Actually, it was more like a margarita room because there was so many things involved to create it that it took up a whole room.

For my margarita bar, I provided the following for my guests to have free reign to experiment and whip up some custom margaritas. Everyone had so much fun creating some fun margarita flavors!

Blender, Shakers, ice
Liquors: 2 kinds of tequila, Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, Papaya liquor, Bacardi rum
Juices/nectars: pineapple juice, mixed berry puree, pear nectar, mango nectar, peach mango juice, sweet & sour mix, sweetened lime juice
Wines: red & white
Beers: Corona, Malt Goya
Sodas: misc assortment
Condiments: rimming salt, rimming sugar, limes To pair with our margaritas, we feasted on a fabulous spread of Mexican inspired fare. Here are pictures of the event and unfortunately, not everything was pictured: And to end our event with a bang, our friend John brought a special treat… a pinata! It was a blast to give the ol’ pinata a whack after a long week. It was seriously the pinata that would not break open. Here are pics of our pinata whacking…

Lisa of Lime in the Coconut
Firecracker Shrimp & Fiesta Peppers
Lisa joins us to share 2 fabulous Mexican inspired recipes for Firecracker Shrimp & Fiesta Peppers! Both look wonderul and so colorful. Check out her blog for the recipes and learn where she found them!