Happy 4th of July!

This weekend there are a ton of creative, fun links and recipes that can be dressed up for a festive party or a backyard barbecue. What are your plans for today? Do you have any fun on the menu?

~ Beautiful 4th of July Flag Cake from 17andbaking

~ Star-Spangled Chocolate Stout Cupcakes made with Guinness at The Other Side of Fifty

~ Lava Flow Drink with strawberry margarita and pina colada at Dunkin Cooking the Semi-Homemade Way

~ 4th of July Sugar Cookies from Slice of Sueshe

~ Rum in the Coconut at From the Yak

~ Red White and Blue Crostada from Salt and Chocolate

~ Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers at Foodbuzz

~ Red, White and Blue Stained Glass Jello from Brown Eyed Baker

~ Pink Grapefruit & Strawberry Granita at The Simple Me

~ All American Tarts from Good Things Catered

~ Patriotic Shot at eCurry

~ Cloudy Lemonade from Yumblog

~ Red, White, and Blue Velvet Cake at Cake or Death

~ Watermelon Margarita from The Parsley Thief

~ Red, White and Blue Star Krispies at The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch

~ Red, White and Blue Banana Cupcakes from Soupbelly

~ Cherry Star Cakes at Fahrenheit 350

~ Homemade Bomb Pops from Honest Fare

~ Red, White & Blue Pavlova at Simply Gluten Free

~ The Ultimate BBQ Ribs from Week of Menus

~ Cucumber and Tomato Salad at What’s Cooking in the Orange Kitchen

~ Summer Cocktails from Gastronomer’s Guide

~ Red White and Blueberry Smoothie at Healthy. Happy. Life.

[image used with permission from 17andbaking]

One of my favorite thing about celebrating holidays is the creativity that starts to flow when it comes to cooking, baking and food in general!

For me, one of the best parts about the 4th of July, aside from the fireworks and an excuse to spend the whole day outside with family and friends, are the fun desserts that people are inspired to create and make.

I’ve always loved the now-classic 4th of July berry cake. I made one years ago for a get-together and have wanted to try again, but I’m afraid it would go bad before my family had a chance to devour it, and I hate the thought of any of it going to waste!

Anyway, with some strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream, the cake couldn’t be any easier, and variations of the cake are plentiful! You can easily convert any of the ideas below into cupcakes, and check out the ideas for patriotic cookies, too!

~ Flag Cake from scratch
~ Easy American Flag Cake
~ 4th of July Jello cake with red and blue Jello
~ 4th of July cupcakes from Martha Stewart
~ For a cool spin on the standard cake, try a 4th of July ice cream cake
~ Red, white and blue flag cake using a box cake mix with pudding
~ Step-by-step pictures and instructions for a Flag Cake made using just frosting
~ Red, White and Blue cupcakes with colored cake batter and frosting
~ American Flag Cookies
~ 4th of July cookie cutters — choose from fireworks, a grill, and even an Uncle Sam silhouette!

[image: flickr]

Like many people, we like to keep our oven use to a minimum in the summer. This doesn’t mean we avoid it at all costs, we just try and find recipes and meals that can be done on the stovetop or don’t need much cooking in the first place.

It’s not always easy and yes, the oven does to be utilized sometimes, but overall it’s not too difficult to find oven-less meals to make!

~ Lime Sorbet at Seasaltwithfood

~ Homemade Vanilla Extract from Joy the Baker

~ Fried Zucchini (scroll down a bit past the yummy lasagna) at Living the Justopian Life

~ Easy Mexican Rice from Simply Gluten Free

~ Somen Cold Noodle Dish at Humble Bean

~ Strawberry Shag Drink from Project Foodie

~ Homemade Hummus at eating club

~ Slaw Dogs from Vintage Victuals

~ Adorable Decorated Fourth of July Cookies at Playing with Sugar

~ Fried Chicken from Egg to the Apples

~ Spinach & Sausages Stuffed Cannelloni at Pig Pig’s Corner

~ Red, White & Blue Ice Cream Cupcakes from Annie’s Eats

~ Plum and Pecan Bread at Chef In You

~ Basil & Balsamic Chicken Salad Stuffed Tomatoes from The Noshery

~ The Berry Breeze Drink at Celebrations

~ Pasta Ponzo from Steph Chows

~ Coconut-Currant Butter Bread at Bonbini

~ Sugar Cookie Cutouts from Every Last Cookie

~ Dark ‘n Stormy Cocktail at Dreamy Dish

~ Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms from eCurry

~ Chili-Lime Peanuts at Oishii

~ Tomato Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad from The Cook Mobile

~ Marinated Fresh Mozzarella with Herbs at Kalyn’s Kitchen

[image: flickr]

Though I like to make big dinners for my family once in a while, the majority of the time I’d rather not spend more than I have to, and this is even more true when times are lean!

I really like this blog I stumbled across a while ago called $5 Dinners. Each week Erin posts a menu plan and then throughout the week she provides the recipes. Though this isn’t ideal for those of us who shop for dinner ingredients a week or two ahead of time, it works if you use the ideas a week or so behind.

The writing is down to earth, there are pictures when available, and she offers great suggestions, like in her recent Menu Monday where she explains how she’s cleaning out her pantry (I totally need to do this too) and how she plans to do it.

She also provides a Bargain Meal of the Week round-up, which includes a ton of links to other blogs which feature meals and dishes using sales and discounts for items from local grocery stores. How great is that?

With my next grocery trip I’m going to pick up the ingredients for some Breakfast Tacos, which are featured as a “breakfast for dinner” meal:

Breakfast Tacos
from 5dollardinners.com

10-12 eggs
4-5 small potatoes, peeled and diced
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt/pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup salsa
8 corn or flour tortillas

1. In large skillet, add olive oil and let warm for 1 minute. Add peeled and diced potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Saute for 6-8 minutes, stirring often. (Add a little water to help them cook faster!) Season with other favorite seasonings if you like!

2. In bowl, whisk together eggs. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper. Pour over the potatoes after they have been cooking for 6-8 minutes. Cook eggs with potatoes and scramble them as they cook.

3. Warm tortillas in oven wrapped in foil or tortilla warmer (so they don’t get crispy!).

4. Serve potato/eggs with cheese and salsa in a warm tortilla.

[image: flickr]

Happy Father’s Day! Though today’s holiday typical involves fathers of the human variety, what’s to stop dads of pets from celebrating a bit too?

True, they won’t get any sweet handmade cards with stray blobs of glue and glitter from Fluffy or Fido, but they can get one in their email inbox instead!

SloppyKissCards.com is all about pet e-cards, from dogs and cats to pretty much everything in between, including ferrets, chinchillas, and even horses. You can even choose specifically what breed you want featured on the card, and several of the categories let you upload your own pet photos to use.

Of course, it doesn’t just feature Father’s Day - they have a huge range of holidays to choose from, as well as cards for birthdays, thank you’s, thinking of you, congrats, etc. They’ve pretty much got it covered!

[image: flickr]

My husband and I have decided that we should have a lot more fruit in our diets but since we don’t live in an area known for its agricultural sustainability, we have to depend on whatever’s stocked at the grocery store. Sometimes this includes frozen fruit which, while not fantastic on its own, is usually pretty good when it’s adapted to fit a recipe that calls for fresh fruit (defrost it first, of course!).

This week I’ve rounded up a bunch of fruit-filled recipes that I’d like to try out. I’m especially intrigued with the ones that use fruit in a savory dish!

~ Watermelon Frozen Yogurt at Menu for Love

~ Beef Rhubarb Potstickers from Gourmeted

~ Honey Peach Ice Cream at Whisk

~ Coconut Muffins from Foodizm

~ Strawberry Tart at Closet Cooking

~ Lemon Bars from Sugar Cooking

~ Blackberry Polenta Tart at Pham Fatale

~ Pear Butter from BitterSweet

~ Apple and Cherry Turnovers at My Baking Addiction

~ Strawberries and Cream Crostada from Salt and Chocolate

~ Red Currant Meringue Cake at Palachinka

~ Ricotta Crepes w/ Blueberry Sauce from Simply Gluten-Free

~ Blackberry Pie Bars at Joy the Baker

~ Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie from A Little Owl in the Kitchen

~ Freezer Jam at The Bitten Word

~ Cheesecake Berry Bites from The Review Lady

[image: flickr]

I can’t believe it’s already mid-June. Summer’s in full swing around here — kids are finally out of school, the pool’s up and pumping and the sun is zapping any will I might have for being in the kitchen!

~ Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Playing House

~ Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting at Megster Meter

~ Sweet Cherry Orange Peel Poppy Seed Loaf from Healthy. Happy. Life.

~ Italian Soda at Cooking Dunkin Style

~ Inside-out Pizza from Our Best Bites

~ Strawberry and Rhubarb Pate De Fruits at Tartelette

~ Savory and Sweet Zucchini Cups from Culinerapy

~ Malt Gasoline Cocktail at Kaiser Penguin

~ Pecan Bars from Annie’s Eats

~ Salted Caramels at Finding New Flavors

~ Homemade Maraschino Cherries from Cupcake Project

[image: flickr]

It seems to be a doughnut week this week, what with National Doughnut Day last week and Jelly Filled Doughnut Day today!

Jelly doughnuts are one of my favorites. When I was a kid I wasn’t crazy about how dry a regular doughnut could be and always thought adding jelly to the equation was brilliant. Given the choice, I always go for a jelly-filled over my default favorite, maple bars!

There are several methods for making your own jelly doughnuts, from using regular white bread for a “faux”nut, a bread machine for the dough, or getting as authentic with an all-handmade dough.

You can also check out jelly doughnut muffins, jelly doughnut cupcakes, jelly doughnut pudding, and a jelly doughnut cocktail!

My favorite filling is cherry - what’s yours?

Cheaters Jelly Doughnuts
from Nancy’s Recipes

6 tbsps butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup raspberry jelly
1 (12 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 in a can)

Heat oven to 375º.

In a bowl, melt butter in microwave. In another small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. In yeat another bowl, stir jelly until it’s smooth. Place a piece of foil on the tip of the baster so the jelly won’t drip out. Spoon the jelly in the baster and replace top. Using a pastry bag and tip would be much easier.

Bake biscuits according to the directions on the can. Immediately dip each biscuit into melted butter and coat all sides of the biscuit. Roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture, coating all sides.

Remove foil from tip of bulb and insert into the side of each biscuit. Squeeze a small amount of jelly into the center. You may need to refill the baster with jelly.

Serve warm or cool.

[image: flickr]

There’s a lot to be said for making your own homemade foods!

Aside from being economical, you usually get more out of a batch than you would a package, and it can be a lot of fun for everyone in the family to help out with.

~ Homemade Italian Dressing at The Parsley Thief

~ Homemade Strawberry Balsamic Jam from A Chow Life

~ Homemade Yogurt at Sabores de Canela

~ Strawberry Margarita from Mix Shake and Pour

~ Beer Battered Vidalia Onion Rings at Vintage Victuals

~ Homemade Horchata from The Comfort is Always Here

~ Home-baked Cheesy Poofs at Croque Camille

~ Homemade Granola from Kiss My Spatula

~ Fresh Guacamole at Week of Menus

~ Homemade Doughnuts from Living Tastefully

~ Homemade Mayo at Gourmeted

~ Macaroni Salad with Tomatoes from Skinny Weight Watcher Recipes

~ Homemade Miso Soup at Healthy Tasty Chow

~ Basic Dinner Rolls from The Repressed Pastry Chef

~ Fried Zucchini Flowers at Kitchenlander

~ Homemade Cured Olives from Gastronomic Musings

~ Layered Jell-O at Cafe Zupas

~ Chicken Curry from Happy Tummy

~ Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade at Life’s Ambrosia

~ Milk and Honey Jelly from Kitchen Wench

[image: flickr]

Another week down, another list of yummy links and recipes. You can tell summer’s coming — everyone’s dusting off their warm-weather dishes!

~ Spaghetti with Mushrooms, Garlic and Oil from Gina’s

~ Lemon Bar Lover’s Delight at Bloomacious

~ Homemade Spaghetti-O’s at Chez Us

~ Authentic Ethiopian Injera from MzKitchen

~ Lobster Mac n Cheese made with Quinoa at Culinary Adventures of a New Wife

~ Whole Wheat Cranberry-Apricot Bread from Tung in Cheek

~ Angel Food Cake at Life or Something Like It

~ Pork Sausage & Red Onion Pasta Bake from Greedy Gourmet

~ Balsamic and Brown Sugar Strawberry Shortcakes at The Bitten Word

~ Braised beef brisket with carrots from Pig Pig’s Corner

~ Tortelloni and Spring Vegetable Salad at Dishing up Delights

~ Key Lime Pie Fruit Dip from Real Mom Kitchen

~ Healthful Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce at Active Life Cooking

~ Wonder Breakfast from Spirited Miu Flavor

~ Spearmint Ice Cream at SippitySup

~ Shrimp and Avocado Pasta from Delementals

~ Greek Lamb Chimichurri at FotoCuisine

~ Sweet and Sour Chicken from Rasa Malaysia

~ Rainbow Cupcakes at The Noshery

[image: flickr]