Monday, April 1, 2013

Perfect Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Sweet Potato Fries 05 711x360 Perfect Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

Every time I go out to eat at a restaurant and they have an option to substitute or upgrade my french fries for sweet potato fries, I don’t know about you, but I do it (and usually up-size them too… don’t judge me). Always. They’re so sweet, and crunchy, and salty all at the same time. Problem is, whenever I try to make them at home, I can never get them right. One, I bake mine to try and make them a little healthier. Two, they are pretty temperamental, so they’re either not cooked enough, or they burn. Sad face.


One night I decided to make them, the same night I made the super delicious Cheesy BBQ Bacon Turkey Sliders, I was talking with my mom on the phone and she told me how she cooks them. This time, they turned out perfectly. Mom knows best, right?


Enjoy our perfect Sweet Potato Fries Recipe!



Sweet Potato Fries 01 711x360 Perfect Sweet Potato Fries Recipe






Perfect Sweet Potato Fries Recipe




Prep Time: 10 minutes


Cook Time: 45 minutes


Total Time: 55 minutes






Ingredients



  • 2 large sweet potatoes (skins optional)

  • 2 tbsp. cornstarch, divided

  • 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided

  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste


Directions



  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

  2. Line a baking pan with non-stick aluminum foil and set aside.

  3. Rinse sweet potatoes, scrubbing the dirt off the skins with a brush.

  4. Dry, then peel if you wish. I left the skins on.

  5. Cut each sweet potato in strips about ½ in. wide.

  6. Place half the potatoes in a large Ziploc® bag and add 1 tbsp. cornstarch.

  7. Seal the bag and shake it to evenly coat potatoes.

  8. Open the bag and add 1 tbsp. olive oil, seal and shake again.

  9. Evenly spread the fries onto the baking sheet with plenty of room in between.

  10. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, to taste.

  11. Place in the oven and flip each fry after 15 minutes.

  12. Return to the oven after flipping, for another 5-10 minutes.

  13. Repeat with the rest of the potatoes.


Notes



Cook time reflects cooking for both batches of fries.





http://www.funknfoodies.com/recipes/sides/perfect-sweet-potato-fries-recipe/




Thursday, March 28, 2013

Olive Stem Turkish Coffee Pot

711x360 OliveStemTurkishCofeePot Olive Stem Turkish Coffee Pot

This morning, while sipping my second (fourth?) cup of coffee, I just happened to stumble across an amazing, and stylish looking coffee pot on the Anthropolgie Kitchen Tools & Accessories section. It’s an Olive Stem Turkish Coffee Pot that would look great in any kitchen. It comes in four fabulous colors, and is designed for brewing directly over your stove. This olive-stem pot makes a thick, foamy cup of coffee in minutes!


Turkish coffee is a special, and intriguing process of making coffee that dates back into the 16th century. When done right, which is actually easier than it seems, the coffee if very intense, but very pleasing to the tongue. Like the old proverb says “Coffee should be as black as hell, as strong as death, and as sweet as love.”


Pick yours up today over at Anthropologie for only $98.00!


Monday, March 25, 2013

Easter Desserts – Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

711x360 Fruity Pebbles 03 Easter Desserts Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

We’re back from Vegas, after a bumpy ride at the Blackjack tables… but came back on the up side, so all is well. Now, I’ll be hitting the gym like a madman after all of the buffets we gorged at. Uuuuhhhhhhh! Anyway.


The other morning, while getting myself some cereal for breakfast at work, my co-worker and I started reminiscing about all of our favorite childhood cereals: Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cap’n Crunch Berries, Cocoa Krispies, and who could forget Fruity Pebbles? The thought of Fruity Pebbles brought up my youth when my mom would make us Rice Krispies treats, but with Fruity Pebbles instead.


When it would be our turn to provide the “team treats” after our soccer games, these were often my mom’s go-to sweets. I mean, seriously. You can’t go wrong! My co-worker, however, grew up under a rock and has never experienced the sweet, fruity goodness that is the Fruity Pebbles “Rice Krispies” treat. I told her that I would bring some in for her to try, and I am always true to my word (especially when Fruity Pebbles, or any good food, is involved).


Then it dawned on me: these delicious treats are the PERFECT Easter desserts to make for your family gatherings, or simply just for the kids to have a yummy, fruity treat! Enjoy!


Enjoy!


711x360 Fruity Pebbles 01 Easter Desserts Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats Recipe Fruity Pebbles 02 669x1000 Easter Desserts Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats Recipe






Easter Desserts - Fruity Pebble Rice Crispy Treats Recipe




Prep Time: 10 minutes


Cook Time: 15 minutes


Total Time: 25 minutes






Ingredients



  • 1 11 oz. box of Fruity Pebbles

  • 1 16 oz. package of mini marshmallows

  • 5 tbsp. butter

  • 1-2 cups of white chocolate chips (depending on how much chocolate you want on them)


Directions



  1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

  2. Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.

  3. When melted, add marshmallows and stir until melted, then remove from heat.

  4. Add cereal 2-3 cups at a time and mix well.

  5. Pour mixture into the baking dish and spread evenly.

  6. Set aside and let cool.

  7. Heat 1 cup of chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl at half power for 30 seconds.

  8. Add the 2nd cup of chips (if using) to the bowl, stir, and return to microwave for another 30 seconds.

  9. Repeat as necessary until fully melted, but be careful not to burn the chocolate.

  10. Take a spoon and drizzle melted chocolate over the "crispy treats."

  11. When cooled, cut into rectangles, and enjoy!


Notes



These should for a few days in an air tight container. I let my nephews help me with drizzling the chocolate... they LOVED it! I used Ghirardelli white chocolate chips, and a "healthy" light butter with Omega-3 oils in it... there, I tried to be healthy! :)





http://www.funknfoodies.com/recipes/desserts-and-sweets/easter-desserts-fruity-pebble-rice-crispy-treats-recipe/




Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots Recipe

Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots Recipe
I eat pasta… a lot! Italian is definitely my favorite type of food, though if I HAD to choose one. The savory, vibrant, and full-flavored dishes make my mouth water just thinking about them. With so many herbs, different types of cheese, and olive oil how can you go wrong? Plus, all of the dishes pair wonderfully with wine (like really I need a reason to down a bottle of Moscato). Thankfully, I don’t have to choose, so I can just continue to eat whatever I want. Now that THAT is out of the way…

There’s a restaurant near me in Venice called C&O Trattoria, which is famous for their garlic rolls. If you live in the South Bay, you’ve been there. If you haven’t, what the hell are you doing? GO! These things are like crack. Serious. They’re always hot out of the oven, greasy, and loaded with garlic. The best part is that they WON’T stop bringing them to your table either! So, be careful; you may end up gaining 20 pounds, but it will be totally worth it. Anyway, after visiting there one night with some relatives that were in town, I decided to try my hand at re-creating these addicting little morsels so that I could have them whenever I want, without having to go out and get them at a restaurant.

In this easy recipe, I added some parmesan cheese to the rolls… you know, because I love to add the calories in every way possible. I also had a tube of Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits that needed to be used, so I started with that. I’ll be posting another recipe soon once I actually take a little bit more time and make them from scratch. So for now, enjoy these crazy addicting, super easy garlic parmesan knots.

Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots Recipe
*Interesting fact: each region of Italy shares a love of bread (hello, that’s why we made these easy garlic parmesan knots, right?) and eat it with every meal, EXCEPT for when eating it with pasta. The way restaurants hand it out bread sticks like candy on Halloween, you would think exactly the opposite. I did, at least. The more you know…

Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots Recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (I used Pillsbury Golden Layers Refrigerated Buttermilk Biscuits)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (the Kraft kind in the green bottle is fine)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Roll each biscuit into a rope about 10-12 in. long and tie into a knot, tucking under the ends.
  3. Place about 2 in. apart on a greased baking sheet.
  4. Bake for about 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and brush over the warm knots.
  6. Serve warm.
Funk*n Foodies Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots Recipe




Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Trudeau’s Red Party Cups

Trudeaus Red Party Cups

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner, and you all know what that means: drinking green beer. LOTS of green beer! When planning for a party, the first thing that goes on my shopping list is a big ol’ bag of plastic, disposable party cups (beer is a given).


Since we’re all starting to be more green (get it?) – I have found a great alternative to those wasteful plastic cups – Trudeau’s™ Red Party Cups! These cups look exactly like the infamous red Solo cups except… they are reusable!


The 16 oz., frat-boy approved (not really, but it’s safe to assume) cups are sturdy; being double wall insulated and will keep your drinks colder, longer. They’re also eco-friendly, BPA free, dishwasher safe, AND they even come with a 5-year warranty, believe it or not. What more could you ask for?


So, make your green party even greener and start using these awesome reusable cups. Cheers!


Buy a single Red Party Cup for only $5.99 (or $24.99 for the 4-Pack Stack) over at Trudeau’s website!


Monday, February 18, 2013

Muffin Pan Lasagna Cups Recipe


Need a fun dinner idea tonight? Try these muffin pan lasagna cups!
Get the recipe here: http://bit.ly/134x2h2

Bourbon Chicken Recipe


Bourbon chicken without the bourbon? Crazy delicious!  
Check out the recipe here: http://bit.ly/XpemLZ

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies Recipe


These red velvet crinkle cookies are good for any occasion!
Get the recipe here: http://bit.ly/UHfyIM