Memorial Day Mason Jar Strawberry Shortcakes/Back by Popular Demand

Making these desserts ahead of time is a great way of limiting others from too much exposure to food items this holiday. You can use mason jars or any glassware you have. 

Six (12 oz.) mason jars

1 Angel Food cake

6 cups sliced strawberries

2-3 cups blueberries

1 pint heavy whipping cream 

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup powdered sugar

**To make the whipped cream from scratch, place a large mixing bowl into the freezer for 10 minutes. Add the whipping cream and vanilla to the chilled bowl.  Whip the mixture on medium speed while gradually adding the powdered sugar.  Increase the speed to high and whip the cream until it holds its shape and appears stiff. (2-3 minutes).  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Or shortcut and use canned whipped cream or Cool Whip.  Works beautifully!

Slice the angel food cake into 2" cubes and layer angel food cake, sliced strawberries, and whipped cream and top with sliced strawberries.

Delicious! 

Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue for your Valentine

Celebrate Valentine's Day with your loved ones with a recipe I found in Midwest Living.  Decadent, rich and magical is the only way to describe the flavors of this delight.  It takes 10 minutes to prepare and 2 1/2 hours in the slow cooker.  This recipe contains alcohol but orange juice can be substituted for the Grand Marnier liqueur if desired.  

Combine the following ingredients in the slow cooker. 

 2 1/2 cups whipped cream, 12 ounces bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate, chopped and 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur),  or apricot brandy.  

Cover and cook on low heat for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, until mixture is smooth.  Whisk once halfway through cooking.  

Serve immediately or keep warm on low heat for up to 1 hour.  It may become grainy if held longer. If it thickens too much, thin with a bit of whipping cream or milk.

Serve fondue with Assorted Dippers (such as large marshmallows, graham crackers, cookies, cut up angel food or pound cake, pineapple chunks, halved strawberries, sliced bananas or any dried or fresh fruit or your liking.  

Happy Valentine's week & loving birthday wishes to our dear son Ryan💗

Campfire Pies - Where Have You Been All My Life?

Photo by AndreasRecipes. com

Photo by AndreasRecipes.com

Photo by AndreasRecipes.com

Photo by Roni Reino

Our neighbors invited my husband and I to a bonfire in their backyard a few days ago.  After sharing stories, laughs, and wine, they brought out their pieiron containing bread and apple pie filling.  After cooking this over the fire for 5-6 minutes, we had a delicious apple dessert.  We have had our lake house for 20 years and enjoy getting quite creative with our s'mores, but this is over the top with possibilities.  I immediately went online to research Pie Irons, and found endless recipes for this new cook "toy".  I will be featuring a few of these in future weeks, but the fruit filled pies gets my vote this week!  These Pie Irons can be found on Amazon.  Of course I have ordered a couple of sets!  And may be getting more.

Here's how simple.  

Can of pie filling of your choice (blueberry or apple are delicious)

White bread

Butter

Butter 2 slices of bread (one side only).  Place a piece of bread butter side down in the pie maker.  Add 3 spoonfuls of pie filling on the bread, top with the other piece of bread, making sure the butter side in against the pie iron.  Close the pie maker and place over the fire.  Cook for 5 minutes or until the bread is browned.  Cool a few minutes and enjoy.

How do you like your Campfire Pies? 

Rio Olympic Opening Ceremony Viewing Treats

Are you hosting an Olympic Opening Ceremony party?  Check out these easy and clever ideas below for tasty ways to add flavor to your party.  Click on the websites below for how to's.  

Main course thoughts?

Team USA menu ideas are barbecue chicken, pasta or potato salad, peach or apple cobbler, and Local craft beers.

China - Egg rolls

Japan - Sushi

Germany - Hot pretzels and beer cheese

France - Serve crepes

Italy - Pizza

Russia - Moscow mules

Great Britain - Fish and chips

These are just a sampling of delicious and fun ideas.  

** History question.  Do you know why the Olympic Flag ring colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field?

Answer. The colors stand for the countries who competed in the 1912 games.  

"The blue of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the tri colors of France, England, America, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Hungary, and the yellow and red of Spain are placed together with the innovations of Brazil or Australia, with old Japan, and with new China.  Here is truly an international symbol."

(quote found on wikipedia.)

Photo and idea by Tasteofhome

Idea and Photo by NoBiggie

Photo by asmallsnippet

Enjoy the Ceremonies and your Weekend.  

~I appreciate you taking the time to stop by~

Rocky Road Grilled Banana Split Anyone?

Photo & Recipe byTaste of Home

Rocky road ice cream has always been my number one favorite for years so I jumped for joy when I saw this dessert using all of my favorites!  Fire up the grill.  You are 20 minutes away from awesome.

~Serves 4~
All you need: 4 medium firm unpeeled bananas
1 dark chocolate candy bar with almonds (3 1/2 oz.)
3/4 cup miniature marshmallows
1 quart rocky road ice cream
Whipped cream in a can

Place each banana on a 12 inch square of foil, crimp and shape foil around bananas so they sit flat.
Cut each banana lengthwise about 1/2 inch deep, leaving 1/2 inch uncut at both ends.  Gently pull each banana peel open, forming a pocket.  Finely chop haf of the candy bar.  Fill pockets with chopped chocolate and 1/2 cup marshmallows.
Grill bananas, covered over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until marshmallows are melted and golden brown. Transfer each banana to a serving plate.
Top with scoops of rocky road ice cream.  Break remaining chocolate into pieces.  Sprinkle chocolate pieces and remaining marshmallows over the tops and garnish with whipped cream (best part!)

Can you think of anything better? ......Happy Tuesday and thanks for stopping by.