Super Bowl Foods

I confess that the only reason I'll be watching the Super Bowl this Sunday is because I love football.  I'm just not excited about either team this year.  There's always hope for the Bucs next year!  We're not having a watch party but I will be preparing food for the family.

If you have never tried Savory Saltine Seasoning, you are missing out.  This mix turns an ordinary saltine cracker into a gourmet party cracker.  I first tried the crackers at Save the Date in Macon.  They keep a canister of the crackers for tasting at the checkout desk.  These are so addicting y'all!

These crackers are great by themselves or try some of these recipes.  Serve them at tailgates or watch parties and they will definitely be a crowd pleaser!

The love the Original spice, but it's also available in Texas Chipotle or Garden Dill.



Recipe for Savory Saltines:

1 package Savory Saltine Seasoning
1 2/3 cups Canola Oil
4 sleeves of saltines
2 gallon zip lock bag

Combine Savory Seasoning and Canola Oil in a 2-gallon zip lock bag and mix well.  (The mixture will look similar to bar-b-que sauce).  Add the crackers and seal bag (leaving as much air as possible).  Toss crackers in the bag every 5-10 minutes for one hour to evenly coat crackers, or until Savory Seasoning is absorbed.  Allow crackers to sit in the bag overnight.  The next day, remove the crackers from the bag and they are ready to serve.  You may also transfer them to another airtight container and they should stay fresh for 2 weeks.

To make 1 sleeve of saltines, add 5 teaspoons of seasoning to 1/2 cup Canola Oil and follow the above directions.

Need a quick hostess gift?  Give the Savory Seasoning along with a box of saltines!

Of course, we're not just having saltines on Super Bowl Sunday.  I'm fixing a big pot of White Chili from my Taste of Gourmet pantry and loaf of Roasted Onion Garlic Bread.

The White Chili is fabulous!  I add 4 cans beans, chicken broth, and 2 pounds of shredded chicken breast.  The Roasted Onion Garlic bread mix is easy to prepare with one can of beer/club soda.

Y'all enjoy the game!

Friendship Gifts for the Christmas Season

Every Christmas I get all excited about the scents and tastes of the season...Cinnamon, gingerbread, balsam fir, peppermint, egg nog, et cetera. Right now, I'm enjoying everything peppermint! I decided to include a little bit of peppermint in my bags of "Friendship Gifts".

Here are my little gifts...ready to go!
Of course, I added my signature gingham ribbon to the cello bags and some red paper shred.
I purchased loads of the 'Twisted Peppermint' hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works. Everyone uses these and since we are in the flu season, I'm hoping they will be welcomed by my family and friends during the month of December. I also added some peppermint candy to each bag. These treats are tres inexpensive y'all!
The scent and taste of peppermint...so fresh and cool!
Of course, I'm going around the house washing my hands all the time...with Bath & Body Works 'Twisted Peppermint' hand soap...LOVE it!!! Try it y'all...you'll love it too:)

The Day After Halloween

My my, we had an unbelievable amount of trick-or-treaters last night. My front porch quickly became the neighborhood portrait studio with Mamas photographing their little costumed-clad youngins next to our Halloween tree. We saw some really creative costumes and met a lot of new faces during the Halloween parade of visitors 2011.

Well today's another day...All Saints Day--a celebration of all Christian saints, particularly those who have no special feast days of their own. I need to get busy taking down the Halloween decorations and transforming the front porch tree into a Thanksgiving tree! But first, I must treat myself with a bagel and some Cranberry Chutney Bagel Spread*...a tradition on the "Day After Halloween!"

What is Chutney you might ask? Chutney is a relish orginating in India made with fruit and spices. The Chutney preserved the fruit itself so that it could be eaten out of season and it also acted as a cooling condiment to tone down the hot and spicy flavor of Indian curries.

Taste of Gourmet's Cranberry Chutney is a sweet, flavorful condiment filled with whole cranberries and spices to serve with roast turkey, chicken, or pork. You can mix a little of the Chutney into chicken salad or spread it on sliced turkey/ham sandwiches. A great party food treat: Cover the top of Brie cheese with the Cranberry Chutney, wrap it in pastry, and bake until browned! Tonight I think I will serve the Chutney with roasted chicken, green beans, and rice & gravy...yum yum y'all!

Recipe for Cranberry Chutney Bagel Spread:
2 to 3 tbsp Cranberry Chutney
8 oz cream cheese at room temperature

Mix the Cranberry Chutney into softened cream cheese. You can add a bit of milk or orange juice, if needed for softness. Spread onto warm bagels and enjoy! (The spread will last in the frig for a week).

The Cranberry Chutney is the Taste of Gourmet "Product of the Month" during November. Taste of Gourmet has a "Product of the Month" each month...a fundraising project to benefit the St. Jude Children's Hospital. Purchasing the Cranberry Chutney during the month of November will generate a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

It's time to start thinking about hostess gifts for the holidays. Food is a gift of love and is a perfect gift to give in this economy. We all have to eat y'all! Stock your entertaining pantry and gift closet while making a donation to St. Jude! A 12 oz jar of the Cranberry Chutney is only $8.95. This is delish y'all and will make a great hostess gift during the holidays. Just take your hostess a jar of the Chutney and some bagels that she can enjoy the next morning. You can order your Cranberry Chutney online here.

Gobble Gobble Y'all...we're on the road to Thanksgiving!

Starbucks Happy

Being a frequent Starbucks drinker, I love this little gift for a hostess, house guest, teacher, or just as a "Happy." I used a Starbucks frapp container, added some shred, placed a Starbucks gift card inside and attached a ribbon with a "Happy Fall Y'all" sentiment. I have a special someone in mind who will be receiving this from me real soon:)
The ribbon really does say "Happy Fall Y'all!" Please excuse the photo {I've been blogging for three years and using this very inexpensive camera the whole time...Lord me.}

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that it's no secret I LOVE Starbucks! I've been known to make multiple trips to the drive-thru in one day! This sign inside Starbucks makes me happy!
Goodness gracious. The Pumpkin Spice Latte. Love 'em!

Couldn't resist posting this y'all!

What to nibble on with that latte? Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins...Lord have mercy!
Not an everyday habit, but oh what a delicious treat!!!

What's your favorite Starbucks beverage? Are you like my Mama...you just don't get it? "What's all the fuss about that place?...she's always asking me!

Well I'm off for a quick Starbucks run!!! Thank you for stopping by today!

'NANA PUDDIN' TO GO

My goodness y'all, I got so busy this week and forgot to publish this post. We went for Sunday Night Supper at the home of our friends Lester and Lane. I offered to bring the dessert...'Nana Puddin' to go.



I layered Jello banana cream instant puddin', vanilla wafers, and sliced bananas inside some tall Ball Jars. I embellished the lids with yellow and white gingham card stock, black polka dot ribbon, and a little gift tag. Easy dessert to go...keepin' it Southern and cute!

I found these new-for-Autumn special-flavored coffees at Cracker Barrel on Sunday and placed four packs inside a cello bag with some shred and tied 'em up with a black polka dot ribbon. This made a great hostess gift for my friend Lane. Even though she is the best Cuban Coffee Barista in South Florida, I do hope she will be able to enjoy these coffees on quiet mornings after her youngest child is off to pre-K in a few weeks.

"HERE'S WHAT I WORE" Keeping it very casual, I decided to wear black linen slacks and a white linen blouse..."Golden Girl-ish outfit!"

My "just in case it rains" umbrella is a cheery black and white polka dot!

The accessories...Black patent pouchette and matching slide sandals, by Ferragamo. The silver choker necklace has a monogrammed pendant. The earrings and charm ring are both by Chanel and the 'Return to Tiffany' bracelet is by Tiffany. The watch is 'Oyster Perpetual' by Rolex and Lord have mercy, I forgot to wear my wedding band! My ponytail was adorned with a white grosgrain ribbon, my fragrance of choice for the evening,by Ferragamo. My pedicure is 'Love That Red' by Revlon and lipstick is 'Star Red' by Chanel.

My friend Lane is the best cook evah! She prepared this fabulous appetizer...Bobby Deen's Hot Tomato, Jack, and Crab Dip. The recipe is below...y'all must fix it...it's delish!

Recipe for Hot Tomato Jack and Crab Dip:
1 8 oz. package softened cream cheese
1 cup (4 oz.) grated pepper Jack cheese
1/2 cup mayo
2 limes, juiced
1 tsp. hot sauce
1 lb. lump crabmeat, drained and picked clean of shells
1 cup seeded & diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed black peppercorn
2 avocados
Crackers, crusty bread, or chips for serving (Lane used chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 1 qt. baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, pepper Jack, mayo, lime juice and hot sauce until smooth. Fold in the crabmeat, tomatoes, green onions, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Smooth the texture into baking dish. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Dice avocados and sprinkle them over the crab dip after it has cooled slightly. (Lane served sliced avocados--fresh from her Mama's own tree--with a fresh salad).

The hostess, Miss Lane, also prepared Paella, with fresh lobster, mahi, shrimp, and crab, and chicken. FABULOUS!

Of course, I enjoyed some of Lanes's homemade flan and Cuban coffee, while others chose the 'Nana Puddin'. After living in Miami for so many years, I'm a huge fan of flan and Cuban coffee. Of course, I didn't sleep a wink that night...after two cups of this caffeine fest!

Isn't it wonderful when someone else does the cooking? This is what entertaining is all about--making others feel wonderful and welcome in your home. People just want somebody else to do the cooking y'all! My friend Lane has it all down pat...she sticks with what she knows best and makes it special!!!

I thought I'd throw in a picture of their little Yorkie, Sissy...she's Miss Coco's little cousin. Prissy dog. Very prissy!

Oh, I almost forgot...one more thing. My friend Lane is into "Coupon-ing!" She is what you might call an "Organized Hoarder!" I'm not telling a story, she sent me home with a large grocery sack full of cleaning supplies and toiletries...hilarious and very much appreciated!

Thank you for visiting with me today!

Taste of Gourmet Product of the Month - May 2011

Today, I'm featuring the "Taste of Gourmet" Product of the Month...Toffee Crunch Cheesecake Ball. Crunchy chunks of chocolate and caramel are hidden throughout this sweet delicious Cheese Cake Ball! A packet of toffee is included with this mix and all you need to add is butter and cream cheese for a yummy no-bake dessert! This is one fabulous appetizer y'all:) There are two mixes in the box and the cost is only $8.95/box. You may purchase your Cheesecake Ball here at my Taste of Gourmet site online.



Taste of Gourmet's Product of the Month is a fundraising project to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Purchasing the mix of Toffee Crunch Cheesecake Ball during the month of May will generate a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Hospital!

When you purchase a Product of the Month through my site, you are making a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The cheesecake ball is great to serve at any casual soiree or also makes a cute hostess gift or a party favor!
So go online today and order yours...remember a $1.00 donation will be made to St. Jude Hospital for every box you purchase!

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me today! I'm off to visit my Royal Family in Georgia...so, I'll be back soon with a 'Proper Giveaway' for one of my lucky 'Proper Followers'!

Friendship Gifts--April 2011

My "Friendship Gifts" for the month of April are very simple...Jelly Beans! With Easter not arriving until the end of the month, I thought everyone would love to be nibbling jelly beans all month--and, they are fat-free! I found the cute lavender & pink polka dot cello bags at Michaels, filled 'em up with the jelly beans, tied up the bags with lavender and pink gingham ribbon, and attached tags I stamped with a cute little rabbit! Voila...my "Friendship Gifts" are ready to go. I bagged up a lot of these so that I can give them out to guests who visit my home, offer them as a "Hostess Gift," or just give them to someone to brighten their day! "Friendship Gifts" Very easy...very festive! Thank you so much for visiting with me today. On this first day of April, I'm enjoying the Spring season...still holding back on the white shoes & pants and patent leather shoes until Easter, however!

Southern Praline Pie

During the Christmas season, give the gift of food...everybody's gotta eat y'all! This weekend I served my guests some pie and coffee...Southern Style. {The magnolia print apron I'm wearing is from The Country Porch.}

Southern Praline Pie...Oh how Southerners love this sweet pie. Imagine the taste of the fabulous praline candy found in the French Market of New Orleans. That's the flavors found in the Southern Praline Pie! The Praline Pie has a rich, dark, sugary, crunchy flavor and texture that is just delicious.
You can call it by the Mississippi-Louisiana name and pronounce it PRAW-LEAN or you can say PRAY-LEAN...either way, it tastes great!

The Southern Praline Pie mix is the Taste of Gourmet "Product of the Month" during December. TOG has a "Product of the Month" each month...a fundraising product to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Purchasing the Southern Praline Pie Mix during the month of December will generate a $1.00 donation to St. Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute.

The TOG Praline Pie mix doesn't have nuts, but I added chopped pecans to the recipe...

Recipe for Southern Praline Pecan Pie:
1 box of Southern Praline Pie mix
2 eggs
1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup of chopped pecans
1 unbaked pie crust

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Follow the directions on the box of the Southern Praline Pie mix. Add the eggs and butter as directed. Stir in the milk and pecans and pour into the unbaked pie crust. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream or serve cold. Either way...it's delish...and it's oh-so Southern y'all!

Here's my sideboard...a dessert setting. The sweet cherub in the urn with magnolias made the cutest centerpiece...
The magnolia linen napkins I found at Pottery Barn are perfect for my Southern-style tablescapes!


You can order the Southern Praline Mix here. One box of the mix is only $7.95 {makes 2 pies} and is great to have in your Entertaining Pantry. The pie mix also makes a fabulous hostess gift and would be a great gift to give during the Christmas season! I gave a box of the pie mix to Daphne at FlipFlopsAndPearlsGirl as one of my gifts to her in a blog swap. Here's how I wrapped the box for Miss Daphne...

I found the plate with a wire mesh cover at HomeGoods and added some shred and a fleur de lis pewter spreader...

LOVE this wire cloche and plate. LOVE.

Wrapped it in cello, tied it up with a fleur de lis motif ribbon, and finished it off with a Eiffel Tower gift tag...voila!...Southern Praline Pie mix gifted to a girl who loves all things Southern...especially New Orleans themed stuff!

Be sure to put this pie mix on your shopping list! You can visit my site at Taste of Gourmet here to place your order.

Thank you for visiting with me today!

O'FLAMINGO COCKTAIL PARTY

It's been raining all day today in South Florida...I've been running around town in these little Wellies...

But, I'm ready for a cocktail and here at Bedford Park in Tradition we have the "Flamingo Cocktail Group" which meets {ahem, drinks} once a month for cocktails. This month Sandra Henderson, who is also one of my bookclub members and an Atlanta girl, is hosting O'Flamingo Cocktails! There will be green beer, appetizers, and cocktails...of course! While I'm not sure about green beer for moi, I'm sure it'll be loads of fun partying with the hostess from Atlanta!

"Here's What I'm Wearing." The pullover cardigan is the 'Gloria Cotton Sweater in Grass Green,' by Lilly. The white cotton turtleneck is by Ralph Lauren. The capris are the 'Pink Resort Capri,' by Lilly. I'll tie the Lilly 'Jubilee Scarf' around my neck...love this scarf!
Well, until Miss Tory Burch comes out with grass green and Lilly pink leather Revas, I'm stuck wearing these gold Revas. I'm wearing my silver engraved earrings with the matching engraved bangle bracelet and the matching ring. I'll also wear my silver 'Oyster Perpetual' watch by Rolex and my rollring wedding by Cartier. My ponytail will be adorned with a pink grosgrain ribbon bow and my fragrance for the evening will be 'Wink,' by Lilly.I'll carry my own personalized goblet, given to each hostess of 'Flamingo Parties,' by the founder Stacey.
Of course, I never show up at someone's door empty-handed! So, for the hostess, I taking these white chocolate covered green drizzle pretzels...
Packaged with a little bit of St. Patrick's flair...

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend and thank you for stopping by to visit with me!