My dear sister Brooke is having some women over and asked me if I had any suggestions on what to serve. I'm having a lot of those kinds of cravings lately, so it wasn't hard for me to think of what I would make if it were my party! I told her I'd send the recipes, and decided that as long as I was going to be typing them up, I might as well share them with all of you as well!
Jam Bars (from Michonne)
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
Mix together till crumbly or a soft dough forms.
Press 2/3 of mixture into greased 9x13 pan.
Spread any flavor of jam (about 1 c.) on top and crumble rest of dough over top.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min.
This recipe doubles very nicely for large gatherings. Just use a large jelly roll pan (cookie sheet with sides).
Napoleon Cremes
1st layer:
1 c. butter, softened, divided
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 c. finely crushed graham cracker crumbs (about 32 squares)
1 c. flaked coconut
Filling:
3 T. milk
1 package (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix
2 c. powdered sugar
Topping:
1 c. (6oz.) semi sweet chocolate chips
3 T. butter
In a double broiler or microwave, combine 1/2 cup butter, sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
Cook and stir until butter is melted.
Add egg.
Stir in crumbs and coconut. Press in a greased 9 in. square baking pan.
In a mixing bowl, cream remaining butter.
Add milk, pudding mix and powdered sugar; beat until fluffy.
Spread over crust.
Refrigerate until firm, 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Melt the chocolate chips and butter; cool.
Spread over the pudding layer.
Refrigerate. Cut into bars.
(I cut them into small squares-like an inch square or so)
BLT Dip
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. ranch dressing
1 med. tomato, seeded and diced (about 3/4 c.)
6 bacon slices, crisply cooked, drained and chopped
1/2 c. finely chopped celery
2 T. finely chopped onion
1 tsp. sugar
Blend cream cheese and ranch.
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Reserving 1 T. of tomato for garnish.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend.
(Very yummy with pita chips or toasted baguette slices. If you're having lots of people you'll probably want to double it.)
I think I need to have a party too! This food sounds sooo good! And it's all so pretty!
7 comments:
Ooooh I miss my Tara treats! I hate stupid diets. Why can't I eat dessert instead of dinner every night. Who needs meats and veggies when you can have jams and sugar?!
Sounds good! I'll come if you have a party. Well, probably not, but I'll wish I could!
Yum! Love it when you post recipes :)
Wow Tara, you sound like a gourmet cook! If we move to Richland, I'll have to invite you over just so you can bring dessert! Speaking of which, I'm sorry I didn't make over to your place while I was in town. It was kind of frustrating because one day it would like I would go, then not, and then when Friday came around, I thought that I wouldn't be able to make it because of Joseph's nap and then by the time he would normally wake up, we'ed have to go get Ben, well, it didn't turn out that way. Anyway, just really sorry that we wern't able to see you. But I'm really glad that I was able to talk to you on the phone and see how you all are doing.
I got your comment on my blog about strollers. My new stroller, which I love, is an Instep which is a sister company to Schwinn. So I would think a Schwinn would be good. Baby Trend is bad, in my opinion. Swivel front wheels are all the rage it seems. I didn't get one with a swivel wheel because you can't have a front wheel hand brake with a swivel front wheel and this is very important if you plan on running a lot and in places with any hills. If you don't plan on running in hilly areas a swivel wheel seems like it would deffinitely be more convinient. Besides that the two things that I recommend anyone seriously take into consideration when buying a jogger is weight and shade coverage. My new jogger is over ten pounds lighter and wow what a difference. The shade cover is much lower over the children and keeps them out of the sun much better than my past stroller. Another thing to take into consideration is durability of the fabric the seats are made out of. If you have older children the seats will definitely wear out before the stroller does and you may want to check to make sure the manufacturer makes replacement seats because if they don't you could be out of luck in two years or less. Instep has been good at offering replacement seats because if they do wear out in less than a year they replace them at no charge. I would imagine Schwin would do the same, but I dont' know for sure. Babytrend didn't. Hope this is helpful
Yummy-O! All those recipes sound delicious. I'm so glad everything is going well for you and your pregnancy!!! Congratulations, by the way!!!! So exciting!! And it sounds like you guys are nice and settled, so that's great, and a big relief, I imagine! Give the kiddos big hugs from us. We sure miss you all!!
Um, you're making me hungry! Just found your blog and enjoyed seeing the family photos! -Kara (Dixon) Houser
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