Search Results for: blog simple snacks to take on the road

Road Trip Sanity Savers

If you are trying to maintain your sanity on a long car ride this Labor Day weekend, you know that being prepared is a critical component to achieving your goal. These boredom busters will go a long way to keep your end of the summer road trip on the right track: GEOGRAPHY BEE There are different versions of this game, but this one best suits a road trip. Have one member of the family think of a place (city, state, country, etc.), then the next person has to think of another destination that starts with the last letter of the … Continue reading →

Simple Party Snacks

Whether you are celebrating a graduation, birthday or anniversary, the following simple recipes will help you get the party started without breaking the bank: FETA ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped 8 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 chopped Roma tomato 2 chopped green onions Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients together. Place mixture in a pie pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes and green onions. Serve warm … Continue reading →

Graduation Party Snacks

Get ready for the pomp and circumstance, the caps and gowns, tassels, diplomas and cheesy grins. Students around the world are gathering to mark a major milestone this weekend—-graduation! Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten or high school, you’ll likely be commemorating the event with some type of celebration that involves food. For those of you who are leaving the hard labor to caterers or restaurant staff, consider the following simple snacks that can turn an ordinary commencement reception into an affair to remember: BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA Ingredients: 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed) 1 can … Continue reading →

Ask a Food Blogger: Ode to the Divided Plate

Question: I am curious to ask you, what do you consider a necessity to have that helps you feed your family? I’m sure that this question was referring to what kitchen gadgets I consider a necessity but honestly, I consider anything that I have space for a necessity. The more versatile, good quality cookware that you have, the more you can do in the kitchen. However, since the question technically asks what do I consider a necessity to feed my family, my answer is simple: the divided plate. This is the best tool that I’ve found to get healthy food … Continue reading →

Simple Snacks to Take on the Road

In my regular TRAVEL blog I’ve been writing a series of articles on ways to save when traveling with children. Most parents know that next to transportation and lodging expenses the biggest hit to a family’s budget while on vacation is food. Which is why I make a habit of packing snacks to bring with us on our family trips. The following recipes are for very simple and affordable snacks that travel well. In fact, they are so simple that my 3-year-old daughter often helps me prepare them. Not only does it allow her to gain cooking experience, but also … Continue reading →

Football Playoff Party Fun

The NFL Playoffs continue this Sunday as the road to the Super Bowl heats up. Of course, no place is hotter right now than Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowls. I happen to live near legendary Lambeau Field–a.k.a. Party Central–and while I don’t have tickets to the big game versus the New York Giants, I will be partying it up along with the rest of the state’s residents. Only our pre-Super Bowl shindigs will be taking place in the comfort of our homes. If you are planning to host a NFL Playoff party … Continue reading →

Easy Potluck Party Recipes

My family will be attending a retirement party potluck later this week. My young daughter is hoping that there will be plenty of desserts there since we were selected to bring an appetizer. I assured her that there would be more dessert options at the party than her little stomach could possibly hold. She was thrilled. That’s the beauty of potlucks—-variety. Still, I always get nervous preparing dishes to pass because I’m afraid that someone might not like what I’ve made… save for the two recipes I’ve listed below. The Sunburst Taco Dip and Easy Pasta Bake are two of … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving Appetizers

The turkey is the star of any Thanksgiving buffet, but before you can get Tom the bird to the dinner table, you might consider offering the following appetizers to your holiday guests. The pre-dinner eats are simple to make and can be served well in advance of your Thanksgiving feast, so as to not ruin anyone’s appetite. CRAB AND SHRIMP STUFFED MUSHROOMS Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely diced onion 1/4 cup finely diced celery 1/4 cup finely diced red pepper 2 tablespoons chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon … Continue reading →

Labor Day Potluck Picks

Don’t let the last unofficial weekend of summer go by without taking advantage of perfect picnic weather. Gather the clan and head to the park or beach for a Labor Day potluck. The following simple dishes are sure to be winners at your holiday fiesta. Not only are they portable and tasty, but also, you don’t need utensils to feast on them: TEXAS CAVIAR Ingredients: 1 can black-eyed peas, drained 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup celery, finely sliced 1 green bell pepper, finely diced 1 tomato, diced 1 small onion, finely diced 3 chopped scallions, divided … Continue reading →

School’s Out Party Foods

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks. When the school bell rang today, thousands of students in my neck of the woods grabbed their backpacks and ran like heck straight into summer vacation. Whether your child has already been released from his educational “prison” or is very close to wrapping up the school year, there’s no time like the present to celebrate the start of summer vacation. The following sweet treats are ideal to serve your summer lovin’ students as they close the books on another school year: DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups vegetable … Continue reading →