Best French and Italian Food Recipe

New Year's Party Shooters

New Years Eve is the perfect occasion to serve cocktail shooters.  You can mix up a batch of a few of your favorites and serve them all night with plastic shot cups or shooter vials.  Both are available at your local party stores.
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New Year's Party Appetizers

There is no better food option on New Year's Eve than finger food and appetizers!  We have picked out our favorites to share with you.  These disappear like magic at our parties and I am sure they will be a huge hit at yours too!

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Cookie Party 2012 - Week 3

Are you busy baking your favorite Christmas cookies or looking for amazing cookie recipes for your holiday celebrations? Then you need to check out our fabulous cookie party.  It is a 4 week long celebration and it already has over Cookie 250 amazing cookie recipes shared!  Have you shared yours yet???

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Candy Cane Shooters

Continuing our Cookies and Cocktails party this week with this fantabulous Candy Cane Shooter, loaded with peppermint flavor, amaretto to wake up your taste buds and the creme de cacao makes this cocktail smooth, creamy and incredible!

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Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake in just 30 Minutes

Italian Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake is loaded with ooey gooey cheese, sun-dried and fresh grape tomatoes. Ready in just 30 minutes! 

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National Blogging Day of Remembrance

The Genuine Candy Cane Martini

No flavor 'says' Christmas quite like peppermint.  The candy cane is the perfect celebration of this fabulous flavor.  Chad can't seem to get enough candy cane.  We have been enjoying candy canes in ice cream, cookies, cakes, hot cocoa...  Well you had to know a candy cane cocktail was just around the corner.

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Green Chile and Cheese Sausage Poppers

Picking party food is tough for any occassion, but when you gather your closest friends and family you really want them to enjoy themselves.  My 'crew' is pretty laid back.  It's all about the company with us.  But, lets say we are never hurting in the food department. 

Finger food is the perfect dinner for our parties. For our Christmas party I decided
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Christmas Sugar Cookies

The days are escaping quickly which is a pretty good indication that Christmas is almost here.  Another sign would be the four batches of sugar cookie dough that are chilling in the fridge waiting to be rolled and cut.  Cookies to ship, cookies to go into Christmas gifts and also ones to fill the gratitude baskets we give out each year (to the people who have touched our lives - mail carrier, bank teller, mechanic, neighbor, cashier at Wal-mart.  Anyone who has been special to us this year).

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Cookie Party Blowout 2012!!! - Week 1

Are you busy baking your favorite Christmas cookies or looking for amazing cookie recipes for your holiday celebrations? Then you need to check out our fabulous cookie party.  It is a 4 week long celebration and it already has over 50 amazing cookie recipes shared!

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Grandma's Sugar Cookie Martini

Sugar cookies are the most popular cookie around these parts (in my life).  That is the one cookie that I am known for and it is HIGHLY requested every year.  "What can I bring to Christmas?"  "Your star cookies!!!".  Well, last year I was so busy with commitments that I did not make any for Christmas.  You would have thought I had brought coal for everyone when they realized there were no cookies.  I am pretty sure that if that happens again this year I will be kicked out.

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My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know it is hard to believe that in 19 months of blogging you don't know all of my secrets yet. 
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Spiced Eggnog Cookies

The holiday baking season wouldn't be quite the same without a few flavors.   Eggnog and peppermint are two of those flavors and when I started planning out my baking this year I decided to begin there.

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Perfectly Pecan Pie Martini

Christmas Parties, holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges...  So many occasions to celebrate this season.  We are preparing for another fabulous annual Christmas party at our house.  Chad and I love having our closest friends and family over for a celebration.  We will be serving appetizers, desserts and ooohhhh so incredible cocktail creations.

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The Best Ever Roasted Tomato and Serrano Salsa

The best salsa you have ever eaten is a bold statement, however...  We are making it.  This salsa is so amazing that I can't stop making it.  Chad literally devours it.  I worked on this recipe for quite a while adjusting the ingredients and the heat.  Well, finally it is perfect.  Wonderfully full and balanced.  I am so excited to share this recipe with you. 

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Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup in 25 Minutes

Whenever I think of Chicken Noodle Soup, visions of an old fashioned 20 quart milking pot packed full with a whole chicken and vegetables simmering on the stove all day long dance in my head.  The unmistakable aroma of chicken soup wafting through the air, A-L-L  D-A-Y  L-O-N-G.

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Power House Veggie Burgers

Let me start out by saying; I am not a vegetarian.  I just choose to eat as healthy as I can.  Some days that means enjoying a meat free meal.  These burgers are so delicious, I actually crave them.  Loaded with 3 kinds of beans, sautéed vegetables and my favorite southwestern flavors, this burger will blow your mind.

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Simple Death by Chocolate Bundt Cake

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!  Don't you love it???  I can't get enough of the new blog design.  I swear I just left it open on my browser all day on Saturday.  Just taking it in.  My family loves Christmas.  L-O-V-E-S Christmas.  I have been singing Christmas songs since at least June.  With Beyora (our Christmas collectible store) being in full bloom this time of year (and psst! since we love you all so much, enter coupon code SLOWROASTER at checkout and get 10% off your order!) we really feel like a couple of Santa's elves, so it was perfectly fitting to get a facelift inspired by our favorite season.

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Simple Double Chocolate Pecan Brownies

Simple Double Chocolate Pecan Brownies are the perfect brownie for every occasion, or no occasion at all.  Rich, moist, chewy, loaded with chocolate and pecans...  What more could you ask for?
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30-Minute Cheesy Beef and Bean Enchiladas

Cheesy enchiladas made with red and green chile sauces are enough to rock your taste buds. Enchiladas that can be on your table in 30 minutes will rock your night! 

 Delectible Cheesy Beef and Bean Enchiladas in 30 minutes?  Now you can.

Believe it or not, I was intimidated by the thought of making enchiladas for so long.  Then I embraced the simplicity of enchiladas and focused on capturing my favorite flavors of the southwest and wrapping it up into one simple meal that is on the table in 30 minutes.

Click the link below to read the article and get this fabulous recipe.  

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Check out these fantastic, quick and easy dishes from our Simple Kitchen: Creating delicious meals in a snap!   Click on the image or the link and it will open each one in a new tab.

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Caramel Apple Pecan Cake

I am so excited about Thanksgiving dinner this year.  I have been asked to provide dessert.  Unfortunately/fortunately I am not preparing dinner, but I am so happy to be participating.  Of course, a chocolate dessert is a requirement, that I will share with you soon.  But, I wanted to make something really fabulous and perfectly seasonal.  I also need something really simple and spectacular.
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Simple Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread

Our family favorite cornbread is a bit sweet, incredibly moist and gone in no time flat.  I am so excited to share this recipe with you.  This one bowl recipe is so easy to make my 2 year old helped.  Simple Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread is perfect for making stuffing for Thanksgiving or just served along side a great bowl of chili.
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How to Make Homemade Garlic Croutons

Homemade croutons make the most delicious stuffing for Thanksgiving, they are the perfect finishing touch on soups, stews and salads, and make a scrumptious snack.  They are so easy to make, you will never buy them again.
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Rich Chocolate and Caramel Turtle Cupcakes

Turtles are a family favorite treat.  Pecans slathered in ooey gooey caramel and covered in rich delicious chocolate.  Who can resist?
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The Perfect Dessert Cocktail (actually 8 of them)

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  As usual, I have been asked to bring dessert.  I have a few things in mind, it is so hard to settle on just one dessert.  But, then I had this amazing idea...  Why choose just one.  Granted after eating turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn, yams, rolls and whatever else I can fit on my platter sized dinner plate; dessert is probably the last thing I need.  However, a cocktail...  or 3 would be very much loved.
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Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup in 30 Minutes

Days are getting shorter and my time is highly coveted this time of year so I work really hard to turn our favorite dishes into quick and easy meals that are incredibly delicious and fast.
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Caramel Butterscotch Cookies

With a strong craving for butterscotch cookies and a desire to try something new,
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Smoky Chipotle Sloppy Joe's in 15 minutes

Smoky Chipotle Sloppy Joe's are everything you would think they would be and more.  Packed with rich smoky flavor with a little kick this is certainly not your mama's sloppy joe's.

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Black and White Cupcakes - Rich Chocolate and Vanilla Cream Cheese

Black and white cupcakes aren't just pretty to look at.  Yes, they are impressive but the flavor is most incredible.  Perfectly moist and chocolaty cake topped with a rich chocolate ganache and a thick and creamy vanilla bean cream cheese frosting.

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White Russian Cocktail

The White Russian is a fantastic creamy cocktail.  Only 3 simple ingredients and oh so delicious.  Just ask "The Dude".  The White Russian is synonymous with the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski.  You know...  "I'm the Dude. So that's what you call me. That, or His Dudeness … Duder … or El Duderino, if, you know, you're not into the whole brevity thing."
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Black Russian Cocktail

The Black Russian is a classic cocktail and the basis for several cocktails that came from this fabulous combination.  The Black Russian is simply 2 ingredients served over ice.  
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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

30 seconds from freezer to table.  Breakfast muffins to the rescue!

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Soft and Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies with Brown Butter Drizzle

I found these Soft and Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies pinned all over Pinterest.  The name really made me think of home and of simpler days.  Purely comforting.  Something my great grandma may have made for us.  May have.  As in...  I am 40, and a mom, I can't remember that long ago.  Somedays I am lucky to remember my name.  So, I "imagine" that it was something she would make.

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An Ode to 30 Minute Meals (16 - 30 Minute Meals - Something for Everyone)

Time seems to be more and more precious these days. 
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Balsamic Glazed Meatloaf Meatball Poppers

We love meatballs.  Well, who doesn't.  They are incredible and multi purpose.  Appetizers, snacks, meals.  Italian, Mexican, Asian, any flavor you like can inspire a meatball.

This meatball is a family favorite.
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Caramel Apple Spice Cupcakes

After finding how much I love apples in baked good, a cake or cupcake wasn't far behind these amazing cookies.  This cupcake is sensational.  The recipe was created to be a spin on a carrot cake, using grated apple in place of the carrots.  It is warm , moist and amazing.  The caramel filling and vanilla bean cream cheese frosting push this cupcake over the top.  Such amazing Autumn flavor. 

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Autumn Spice Cocktail

Now that it is November and we are settling into Autumn with rustling leaves, fireplaces and cool evening breezes this Autumn Spice Cocktail is sure to warm your taste buds.  Whether you are snuggling up with a loved one for a cozy night in or gearing up for Ladies Night, this cocktail is just what you have been waiting for.

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Cinnamon Walnut Sweet Bread

Fall is in the air and nothing says fall quite like the warm comforting scent of cinnamon wafting from the kitchen.  This fresh bread baking brought my family to the kitchen as if the scent itself had carried them by their noses, like in a cartoon.   
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Cheesy Pesto and Chicken Pasta Bake in 30 Minutes!

Baked ziti is one of my all time favorite dishes, if not THE favorite.  It makes me think of special occasions growing up and has become my comfort food extraordinaire.  I love to take the classic baked ziti and twist it up.  With cravings for comfort food and a garden full of basil, there was only one thing to do. 



Check out these fantastic, quick and easy dishes from our Simple Kitchen: Creating delicious meals in a snap!   Click on the image or the link and it will open each one in a new tab.

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Hawaiian Muffins: Pineapple, Banana, Coconut and Macadamia Nuts! TWO POST TUESDAY

A simple and delicious breakfast usually leads me to muffins.  I love to freeze them as defrost them as I need them.  In the mood for a change I decided to bake up some Hawaiian flavors; coconut, macadamia nuts, bananas and pineapple.  Oh my, was this a good idea!  These are moist and delicious.  To be honest they are so good I haven't had a chance to freeze them.  The whole family loves them and I am sure you will too!
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Sweet and Sour Meatball Poppers

Dinner party, cocktail party or game day food, meatballs can be dressed up and taken anywhere.   No matter how you enjoy them, you will enjoy them.  My munchkin gets so excited to eat meatballs, she says "Mommy, I love meatballs.  They taste like candy".  Well these ones do for sure!

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Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats

Two great loves come together and create one purely heavenly treat.  Chad has an undying devotion for 2 foods:  Candy corns and Rice Krispies Treats!  I decided to combine the two and surprise him.

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White Chocolate Ghost Cocktail Shooter

Chocolate covered marshmallows are a Halloween trick or treating score!  Getting white chocolate covered marshmallows are nearly a miracle.  While creating the cocktail for this weeks Ladies Night Celebration Chad was incredibly inspired by some of his favorite candies from his days Trick or Treating.  In the end he had created 3 amazing cocktails and couldn't choose so he decided to share them ALL with you today.  He created a scrumptious and fun White Chocolate Ghost Shooter for me.  It is creamy, sweet and chocolaty. LOVE!

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Candy Corn Cocktail Shooters

As soon as forth of July is here Chad is looking for candy corn. Oh no, I am not kidding.  So, being the supportive and loving wife that I am, I buy a few bags for him.  So weeks later I have an epiphany and decide to make a candy corn dessert.  I ask Chad where are the candy corns.  He looks at me as if I were speaking Greek.  Turns his head to the side...  You know the look.  So, here we go back to the store to buy more. Much to Chads excitement we found a 4 pound bag this year.

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Bubble Gum Cocktail Shooters

This year Halloween has us thinking of Trick or Treating.  It brings  back memories of bags and bags of Halloween candy.  Or for some of us... pillowcases full.  But, I won't go there.  I remember after a long and exciting night of Trick or Treating coming home and sorting the 'haul'.  A pile for tootsie rolls, bits 'o honey and candy corns.  A separate pile or Twizzlers, Nerds, Laffy Taffy and gum.  Of course chocolate earned its own pile.

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Quick-Draw Cowboy Chili

With two types of meat and three bean varieties this is a cowboy chili for sure. This simple recipe is packed with southwestern flavor and a little kick. It is sure to knock your boots off.  By the way ladies, you better believe it's a chili the whole family will love. It goes from prep to plate in just 25 minutes. 

Cowboy Up!  It's Chili Time!  This is now Chad's favorite chili.  I created this recipe with the intention of making it 'stick to your bones good'.  Well, apparently it is "Stupid Good" according to the men that have tried it.  I guess maybe that means it is so good, you can't quite come up with the words to describe it.

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Candy Corn Creeper Pops

It is almost Halloween and candy corns and Halloween treats are everywhere.  The 'Candy Corn People' have gotten dressed up for a night out of Trick or Treating.  Featuring your Candy Corn Creepers!

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Tuscan Lemon Muffins

Fall and comfort food seem to go hand in hand.  This week has been the perfect time to break out all my favorite comfort dishes and desserts.  Lemon and cheese are 2 of my three comfort sweets, chocolate being the third.  Not to be a snob, but chocolate and lemon...  Not my thing.

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Cookies, Cookies and a COOKIE BAKE-OFF with PRIZES!!!

Elmo Sugar Cookies were perfect for a 2nd birthday party for our munchkin. They are even more perfect to enter into PARADE's Holiday Cookie Bake-Off!!!

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