Recipe Box: Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

What does the SuperBowl mean to me? Cooking. Lots of cooking – which, let’s be honest, usually means I get to my Super Bowl parties around halftime.

‘Cuz with a friend in town, a brunch date and 2 parties to attend yesterday, that doesn’t leave a girl a lot of time. Hence, I whipped up two of my #QuickieQuarterback dishes, beginning with this one. And, y’all, it was a hit with guys and girls alike!

Reuben Beer Dip with rye crackers. You heard me. Yep. Reuben sandwich in a bowl. And it was delicious. It was SO good, my friends didn’t even mind a bit that I was late to the festivities, and it even brought a little post-Halftime glee.

Dawn Do? Try putting dippers, that accompany dips, in muffin tins. Perfect for separating and showcasing dippers for impromptu entertaining!

Recipe Box: Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

 Quickie Quarterback Rowdy Reuben Beer Dip

1/2 lb. Shredded Corned Beef

1 8-ounce Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1/2 c sour cream

1 1/2 c shredded Swiss cheese

1 1/4 c Sauerkraut, drained

1/2 c Kraft Thousand Island dressing

Dippers: rye crackers, toasts, tortilla chips and fresh vegetables

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place mixture in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Serve with dipper and enjoy!

p.s. How much do we love that southern dishtowel? My sweet neighbor, Hope, gave it to me for my birthday!

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What’s your favorite SuperBowl or tailgating dip recipe?

Recipe Box: BeautyFrosting’s Cucumber Dill Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches

Oh, how I love a tea party! And for me, no tea party is complete without tea sandwiches  – or finger sandwiches – as they used to be called in Dallas from which I hail.

So when I hosted a “sprinkle” tea party for a good friend a few weeks ago, I simply had to include a few dozen of my Cucumber Dill Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches.

Recipe Box: BeautyFrosting's Cucumber Dill Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches

Now, here’s the recipe so you can whip some up for your next tea party! And remember a tea party doesn’t have to be a formal affair! It can be as simple as inviting over a friend you haven’t caught up with in a while and sipping a cup of cream tea and enjoying a sandwich. You know me…life’s all about those daily delights

 

BeautyFrosting’s Cucumber Dill Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches

Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature

4 tablespoons freshly chopped dill

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp garlic salt

Dash of salt

Dash of pepper

Approx. 1 cucumber, thinly sliced (with skin or without)

12 slices white sandwich bread (or preferred white bread)

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, lemon juice, dill, garlic salt, salt and pepper.

Prepare a sandwich work station by laying out two long strips of wax paper. I usually cover my stainless steel bar to do this. Lay out 12 slices of bread. Coat each slice of bread with the cream cheese mixture. Cover 6 slices of bread with your thinly sliced cucumbers. Top with the remaining bread. Cut off crusts and cut into quarters. I prefer triangles or rectangles depending on the shape of the other sandwiches I’m making. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve. *BF Tip: If you have to wait to serve, layer damp, wrung-out paper towels between each layer of cut sandwiches. These will keep the sandwiches moist.

Prep work...

Enjoy with your favorite cup of tea! Personally, I prefer a cream tea with sugar cubes!

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What’s your favorite finger sandwich or tea sandwich to have at a tea party?

Thirsty Thursday: Charlotte’s AppleJack Brandy Cider

This past Sunday, I hosted an intimate gift wrapping party for my friend, Lindsey, and I. The ultimate girly, holiday-prepping day, I had to serve Christmas cookies and, of course, Charlotte’s Cider. Whenever I make this cider, I think of Christmas in Nashville.

See, I lived in Nashville for 4 years and one year I couldn’t make it home to Dallas for Christmas. I was busy, my mom was sick and it just wasn’t the time to go. So I spent Christmas with my neighbors and it ended up being one of the most memorable Christmases I ever celebrated.

One of my best friends, Charlotte Cooper, made this delicious cider and we drank mugs of it all night long as we went caroling door-to-door in East Nashville.

Sometimes the unexpected Christmases that end up making the sweetest memories.

I hope this cider can be part of your holiday memories this year! Enjoy…

Thirsty Thursday: Charlotte's AppleJack Brandy Cider - perfect for the holidays!

Charlotte’s AppleJack Brandy Cider 

Perfect for the Holidays and Has an extra kick!

2 1.5 liters Martonelli Apple Cider

1/4 cup orange juice

2 ts lemon zest

2 ts orange zest

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

whole cloves

4 whole allspice berries

Dash of nutmeg

Dash of salt

1 Bottle Apple Jack Brandy

 

Bring to boil on medium high. Then turn to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes.

After simmering 30 minutes, add 1 bottle Apple Jack Brandy (Laird’s).

The ingredients...

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What beverage gets you into the holiday spirit? 

Recipe Box: Dawn’s Comforting Egg Custard

Comfort Food. It’s the food from our childhood that soothed us, nurtured us, healed the hurt, made us well when we were sick, mended our broken hearts and made us happy when we were sad. These heart-and-tummy-filling foods are the ones we’ll turn to for the rest of our lives.

 

My ultimate comfort food: Dawn's Comforting Egg Custard

 

One of these for me is my mom’s egg custard that she used to make for me. I got chronic sore throats growing up and this was both tasty and soothing going down. It felt like a hug for my throat. I know, I know. That sounded, um, weird.

Nevertheless, it’s the oh-so-comforting dessert recipe I always go to when a friend has their wisdom teeth taken out, has a baby or just needs a little pick-me-up.
I hope you – and your loved ones – find as much comfort in it as me and mine have.

p.s. Serving the custards in cute-shaped dishes, such as hearts, is totally optional but I highly suggest it!

The Chantal heart dishes are optional...but highly recommended

 

Dawn’s Comforting Egg Custard

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

*Makes approximately 6 individual servings

6 Slightly beaten eggs

1 c sugar

1/2 tsp salt

2 c Scalded whole milk

2 c Scalded Heaving Whipping Cream

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

 

Heat the milk and cream just until scalded (very hot) – not boiling. Take off stove and let cool.

Combine eggs, sugar and salt.

Slowly stir in milk and vanilla.

Fill six-ounce oven-safe custard cups, ramekins or bowls. Set in shallow baking pan on oven rack.

Pour hot water into pan 1 inch deep.

Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Serve warm (for a creamy crème brulee-taste) or chilled for a straight-up, comforting custard.

*Note: If you’d like to make one large custard, bake in a 2-quart casserole dish or standard cake pan for 60 minutes.

 

You know how I love a good bath? Well, even my desserts sometimes love taking a long, hot bath.

Thirsty Thursday: The Blackberry Bunny champagne cocktail

For my Classic Southern Easter Dinner this past Sunday, I wasn’t sure how I could top my Blackberry Patch Punch from last year’s fête.

But then it hit me! A champagne cocktail with the same blackberry sweet-tart taste was the perfect pre-dinner cocktail. Hence, The Blackberry Bunny was born!

Now, here it is for you to enjoy at your next spring or summer soiree!

Introducing...The Blackberry Bunny!

The Blackberry Bunny ( by BeautyFrosting)

3 ounces Chilled Champagne

1 ounce G.E. Massenez Creme de Mûre (Blackberry Liqueur)

1 ounce Chilled Trader Joe’s Blackberry Patch Juice

Combine in glass and garnish with a blackberry and mint sprig.

Sip and enjoy.

Foodie Friday: BeautyFrosting’s Jalapeño Popper Dip

Dippity-do-da!! Do I love a good dip!!
After considering a variety of jalapeño dip recipes, I decided to come up with my own.

I then baked it for my friend Dave’s Super Bowl Party a few weeks ago and waited for the feedback. It was a hit! Everyone wanted the recipe.
I may not play football but – in my world – that’s a field goal, folks!

Try it out yourself and enjoy!

BeautyFrosting's Jalapeño Popper Dip

BeautyFrosting’s Jalapeno Popper Dip

2 – 8 oz packages of Cream Cheese, room temperature-softened
1 c of Mayonnade
2 cans diced jalapenos
1 can diced green chiles
1 1/2 c Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 c Mozarella cheese
Topping
1 c Panko bread crumbs
1/2 stick of butter, melted
1/2 c of grated parmesan cheese
Sliced fresh jalapneo for topping garnish
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine all ingredients, except for topping ingredients, in a medium mixing bowl. Stir well. Use fingers if necessary to combine thoroughly.
Spatula the mixture into an oven safe dish. I use an 8x8x8 or an oval dish but it just depends on the desired depth.
Combine topping ingredients and top dip with topping.
Slice jalapneos and place on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until top is golden and the dip is bubbling.

Valentine’s Day: Home is where the heart is!

Happy, happy Valentine’s day, beauties! Sending a virtual hug your way…right…now.

Here are some fun ideas to celebrate Valentine’s Day in a BEAUTYful way!
Whether it’s creating a signature Valentine hairstyle at home or whipping up some homemade lip balms for you and your girlfriends, the key to this Valentine’s is home is where the heart is!

 

THE HEART BRAID

 

Cozy Friedman’s Heart Braid is her signature Valentine’s Day style, featured in Cozy’s Complete Guide to Girls’ Hair. If you have the French Braid down packed then this style will be an easy feat!

 

What You’ll Need: Wide-tooth comb, fine-tooth comb, decorative hair clip, ponytail holders

 

Directions:

Step 1: Starting with damp hair (either towel-dried or misted), use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair.  Then, using a fine-tooth comb, part the hair down the middle of the head.  Clip one side up right above the ear.

 

Step 2: On the other side of the part, use the fine comb to gather a thin section of hair from the crown.  This section should measure about 2 inches from the hairline to the top of the head.

 

Step 3: Divide this section into three, and begin a French braid starting at the crown and curving toward the temple, then toward the back of the head, like the top lobe of a heart.  You will be lifting hair into the braid only from this side of the part.  Leave no loose hair in front of the ears.

 

Step 4: When you reach the center part at the back of the head, secure the braid with a ponytail holder.  If the hair is very long, end the braid about mid-ear; the ends will hang down the back.

 

Step 5: Unclip the hair on the other side of the part and repeat the process.  Secure with a ponytail holder.

 

Step 6: Join the ends of the braids together in the

 

 

To pucker up for this special day, bond over these beauty recipes from author of Bonding Over Beauty, Erika Katz. These easy recipes can be stored in an adorable heart case or a small jar.

 

FRUITY LIP BALM

To keep lips soft and silky, this fruity lip balm exfoliates dead skin and softens at the same time.

Ingredients:

 

Directions:

Clarify the vegetable shortening by heating it in the microwave for 15 seconds. Stir in the drink mix. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss jar. Let the mixture harden for 10 minutes and your lip gloss is ready! You can decorate the jars with fun stickers and sparkles! Lasts up to six months unrefrigerated.

CHOCOLATE LIP BALM

 

This lip balm contains shea butter, beeswax, and coconut oil, which are all excellent natural emollients. You can get creative and add other flavors like peppermint oil, tangerine oil, or raspberry oil.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons grated beeswax
  • 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
  • 15 chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Directions:

Put all the ingredients into a double boiler on the stove or in a microwavable container.

Warm the mixture until it melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the mixture into a lip gloss container

and refrigerate until it hardens. Lasts up to 3 months at room temperature.

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day today? 

Thirsty Thursday: Super Bowl-ready Fizzy Football Punch

Last week, we featured a Super Bowl punch for the gents but this week, we’re all about the ladies with this sweet punch.
Well, actually, the gents might like this too.

Regardless, between the Super Bowl Beer Punch and this Fizzy Football Punch, we’ve got ya covered!

 

Fizzy Football Punch

Serves 10

Ice cubes
One 750-milliliter bottle dark rum
16 ounces apple juice
10 ounces sweet vermouth
5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
Two 25.4-ounce bottles chilled sparkling apple cider
2 apples, cored and sliced

1. Fill a large punch bowl halfway full with ice cubes. Add the rum, apple juice, vermouth, lemon juice, and orange juice. Stir with a pennant from your team of choice.

2. Add the sparkling apple cider, but in a sustained drive, not in a sprint (meaning, slow and steady wins this game), and the apple slices. Stir well. Serve in punch glasses, mugs, or little plastic footballs.

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: Are you excited for the Super Bowl? If so, whatcha doin’? Whatcha cookin’? Who ya rootin’ for?

Foodie Friday: Get Your Greens Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Is there anything more comforting and delicious than soup in winter?
Well, maybe a bath…but I digress.

This soup is sooo cheesy, sooooo creamy, soooooo dreamy,  and sooooo delicious that your lovies will be BEGGING for more!
Which isn’t a bad thing because this seemingly indulgent soup is also an EXCELLENT way to get your greens!

That’s why I call it Get Your Greens Soup !!

 

Get Your Greens Soup (Crock Pot crack)

2 Tbsp Butter

1 sweet white onion, chopped

2 c Chicken Broth

1 (16 oz) package Frozen Broccoli

1 can Cream of Chicken soup (*Cream of Mushroom can also be used for Vegetarian Soup)

1 can Green Beans (no added salt)

2 c Fresh Spinach (pureed)

Salt & pepper to taste

1/8 tsp Garlic Salt

8 oz Velveeta

3 oz Cream Cheese

1 c Sargento Classic Sharp Cheddar

1 Tbsp Worcesteshire Sauce (or less depending on preference)

1 Tbsp Mustard (or less depending on preference)

1 c Fat Free Half & Half

Set crock pot to low. Place butter in crock pot.

Puree spinach and green beans with 1 c chicken broth in blender or food processor.

Pour remaining cup of chicken broth into crock pot.

Add pureed veggie & broth mixture. Add cream cheese, velvet and cheddar.
Add chopped broccoli, onions, mustard, worcestershire sauce and seasonings.

Stir together.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8. Stir occasionally.

 

Thirsty Thursday: Coconut Vanilla Bellini

Cheers to our first Thirsty Thursday of 2013!

To kick off the year, I can’t wait to try this delicious, delicate and darling cocktail!

COCONUT VANILLA BELLINI

What you need:
– 1 bottle of prosecco
– 16 ounces of a coconut juice blend or coconut pureed nectar

For the sugared rims:
– 1/4 cup white sanding sugar
– 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
– 1 vanilla bean

– To prepare the sugared rims, combine sanding sugar, granulated sugar, the scraped seeds of the vanilla bean and the vanilla bean pod in a large bowl and mix. You can do this a few days ahead of time if desired.
– Coat the rims of 8 champagne flutes in something sticky and sweet, such as leftover frosting or marshmallow fluff.
– To make the cocktails, pour 2 ounces of the coconut juice blend or puree into the bottom of the flute. Fill the remaining space with prosecco and stir with a long spoon to mix.
– Serve immediately!