Mandy's Recipe Box

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:00:00 +0000

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Welcome to Totally Tasty Tuesdays! I was so happy to see some new blogs link up last week. And I am always happy to see my "regulars" each week. You guys are the best! My little Emma is 5 as of Monday. She will start Kindergarten in the fall. Whaaat? I don't know why my kids won't listen when I tell them to stay little. I mean, Isaac has started rolling over and plays with toys, Hannah is starting middle school this year, and Preston won't stay home to play if he can help it. He has to go farm with his dad, which is really cute. He would be disgusted if he knew I said that. You know I have to show you Emma's pictures that I took...

Now on to the party. I dedicate this one to the birthday girl.

Last week's most viewed recipe...

30 Days of Crock Pot Recipes

on Saving You Dinero

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies

from New Mrs. Adventures

Chocolate Glazed Baked Doughnuts

from Beela Bakes

Salted Nut Roll

from Memories by the Mile

Farmer's Market Spaghetti

from Semi Homemade Mom

Charlie's Steakhouse Cheese Spread

from Everyday Mom's Meals

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Donut Drops

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

I love donuts. Or doughnuts. However you like to spell it. That isn't important. What's important are these delicious fried balls of amazingness. Yes, that's a word now. They are super fast and super easy and super addicting. You won't be able to stay away from these. I couldn't. My kids couldn't.

Printable Version

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 C. sugar, divided

1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1 C. milk

1 tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

3 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

oil for deep frying

Directions

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until light and fluffy.

Blend in 1/2 C. sugar, melted butter, milk and vanilla.

Add in flour, baking powder and salt.

Mix to make a soft dough.

Mix together cinnamon and remaining sugar; set aside.

Heat several inches of oil to 365 degrees in a deep saucepan or fryer.

Drop dough into hot oil by teaspoonfuls, a few at a time.

Fry until golden on all sides.

Drain on paper towels.

Roll in cinnamon sugar mixture while still warm.

Veggie Bars

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Hello dear readers from Mandy's Recipe Box!

We at MadeFromPinterest are tickled pink to be back at Mandy's great site! Last month we guest posted here on my sister Tracy's Homemade Marshmallow Fondant . If you missed it, then make sure you check it out. It seriously was beautiful! And today it's my turn to bring you an eye-catching appetizer so let's get started! Are you famous for a specific recipe that you have? Four years ago, my husband and I moved from Southern California to Utah and soon after I was invited to a potluck brunch. Wondering what I should bring, these Veggie Bars came to mind. Back in California, I had made these a lot and my friends were probably very used to them. But now we were in a new neighborhood and a new community and that meant that all of my recipes were new! YES! I was going to bring these Veggie Bars. I arrived early carrying these beautifully colored, eye-catching bars and the hostess oohed and aaahed appropriately. She had never seen them before. See what I mean? My old recipe had become new! As the guests arrived, these veggie bars were the topic of conversation and I now became famous because of this veggie bar recipe. Martha would be proud. If you'd like to become rich and famous too, okay maybe not rich, but maybe famous for these bars, make these for your next event!

Ingredients:

2 packages crescent rolls
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 package ranch dressing mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
Grated cheese
Suggested Vegetables: cauliflower, diced broccoli, diced zucchini, diced carrot, finely grated celery, diced red peppers or green pepper, diced green onion, cut tomato, diced
Instructions:
Roll out then press down your crescent rolls into a jelly roll pan with sides. Don't judge me for my well-used pan!

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Blend together mayonnaise, dressing mix and the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Spread over cooled crust:

Then just start layering whatever veggies you have chosen over the entire crust - garnish with a little grated cheese and it will make a beautiful masterpiece like this:

These are light, fresh and a great appetizer for the summer. And they just MIGHT make you famous! Thanks so much Mandy for having us today. We'd love for you to hop on over to madefrompinterest.net and say hello!

You can also find us on Pinterest │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Instagram │ StumbleUpon │ Hometalk

Adobe Lightroom 4 Review

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Full disclosure: Staples provided me with Adobe Lightroom 4 to review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. To check out their full line of computer software, visit Staples.com.

I am always trying to improve my photos. Whether it be my food photos or photos I take of my kids or other people, they always need some editing. All photos do. They just need that little bit of help to brighten or add a pop of color.

Photoshop has always looked amazing on other photos that I see. But I just don't understand it. At all. When I was asked to review Adobe Lightroom 4, I was excited and hesitant. But then decided to just put on my big girl panties and go for it. I found a tutorial on KevinandAmanda that totally helped me to get started without the result of me throwing my computer.

Look at this photo before any editing at all.

Not bad. But look at this version with a few tweaks in Lightroom 4.

See? It makes the first photo look bland. I feel all professional now.

You can also have fun with other photos. I took my kids' pictures and here's the original...

And with some edits...

It just got a little brighter.

One more...

This one was used with one of Lightroom 4's presets. You can just click it and it does the work for you. Oh the fun you can have!

Give it a try and turn you photos into happy photos.

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 04:43:00 +0000

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Happy Tuesday! Here is last week's most viewed recipe... Texas Summertime Cornbread Salad from Cooking with K

Other faves...

Black Bean Burger

from Tastes Better From Scratch

Payday Chex Mix

from Back for Seconds

White Chocolate Butterscotch Cashew Cookies from Lemons for Lulu Grab a button if you were featured!

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The Recipe Critic's Blogiversary Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:00:00 +0000

If you don't know who The Recipe Critic is, I'm not sure we can be friends.

Just kidding. But really, you need to check out her blog if you haven't. And chances are, you've seen her stuff floating around Pinterest or Facebook. She's known for all her variations of Muddy Buddies and she has guest blogged for me here while I took time off to enjoy my new baby. She is amazing and I am happy to call her my friend.

And now for the fun! I am joining up with 12 other incredible bloggers to celebrate the 1st Birthday of The Recipe Critic's blog.

You have a chance to win a $200 Amazon gift card, Slow Cooker, Pots and Pans set and a Six Sisters' Stuff cookbook.

Step 1: Pin the image above.

Step 2: Follow all the bloggers listed below on Pinterest.

Step 3: Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. For additional
entries, follow some awesome new blogs on Facebook! The rafflecopter may take a second to load or you may need to refresh the page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mexican Egg Rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

...and a giveaway! Stick around for that.

I have made Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls and they were a hit. So I knew I wanted to try these Mexican Egg Rolls the second I saw the recipe. I may have had 3. They are not spicy at all, but you could add a kick by using jalepenos if you want. Try garnishing them with avocados and sour cream for a fresh taste.

Printable Version

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. oil

1/2 C. onion, finely chopped

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

4-oz. can chopped green chiles

1/2 C. chicken broth

1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

salt and pepper to taste

12 egg roll wrappers

1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

oil for deep frying

Garnish: guacamole, salsa, sour cream

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Saute onion in oil until translucent.

Add chicken, chiles, broth, garlic, salt and pepper.

Simmer until mixture thickens and most of the liquid cooks out.

Divide mixture evenly among egg roll wrappers.

Top each with some cheese.

Wet all 4 edges of the wrapper and roll up, egg roll style.

Heat enough oil to cover egg rolls in a fryer or skillet on medium-high heat.

Fry rolls a few at a time until golden on all sides.

Drain on paper towels.

Serve with garnish. Serves 4-6.

My Notes: I used a 13 oz. can of shredded chicken from Costco instead of 2 chicken breasts. I also filled them a little fuller and got 7 egg rolls instead of 12.

Now for the giveaway...One of you will win a copy of Gooseberry Patch's Game Day Fan Fare cookbook.

It's filled with over 240 recipes, plus lots of tips and inspiration for the perfect game-day or tailgating get-together. Chicken Wings 4 Ways, Candy Bar Pie, Game Day Meatballs and Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Nachos are just a few of what you will find inside.

To enter this giveaway, simply use the rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Strawberries 'N Cream Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

I made you some cookies. All you gotta do is come get them. They are mighty tasty. They have cran-strawberries in them which I use in my No-Bake Granola Bars. And they are made from my favorite chocolate chip cookies. So much goodness going on I tell you. And if they have fruit in them, they totally count as a health food.

Printable Version

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher (coarse) salt (Or table salt, but I love the flavor of using kosher salt)

3 c. flour

1 C. white chocolate chips

1 C. dried strawberry flavored cranberries

Directions

Mix the eggs, butter, sugars, and extract.

Add the salt, soda, and flour.

Combine and add the chips and cranberries.

Mix all together.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and cool one minute.

Remove cookies from cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack.

You will love these Strawberries & Cream Bars, too!

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:00:00 +0000

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Welcome to Totally Tasty Tuesdays! If you're new, I am so happy you are here! Link up any recipe you want and make sure to link back to Totally Tasty Tuesdays. Here is last week's most viewed recipe... Favorite French Toast from Turnips 2 Tangerines

Other faves...

Crockpot Beefy Queso Party Dip

from Chatting Over Chocolate

Ranch BLT

from Crafty Lumberjacks

Dole Whip Popsicle

from Enchanting Beginnings

Panera Mac and Cheese

from Stumbling Upon Happiness

Strawberry Donut Holes

from Lemons for Lulu

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Hush Puppies

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week I posted a quick and easy Corn Bread recipe. Today I am sharing another recipe using corn meal. These Hush Puppies are super fast and you can even sprinkle some powdered sugar on them to sweeten them up.

They are a great side to lots of dishes like Steak Kabobs or Lemon Chicken with a Kick. I like them on their own as a snack.

Ingredients

2 C. corn meal

1/2 C. flour

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 egg, beaten

3/4 C. milk

3/4 C. cream style corn

oil for frying

Powdered sugar, if desired

Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Add egg, milk and corn.
Stir just until moistened.
In a deep fryer or a skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees.
Drop batter by spoonfuls into oil.
Fry until golden brown.
Allow to cool slightly and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
Serve.

Printable Version

New Feature: ZipList Recipe Box and Shopping List

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Fri, 31 May 2013 02:07:00 +0000

I am excited to tell you about a new feature here on Mandy's Recipe Box! I have added a recipe box and shopping list feature to make it easier for you to save your favorite recipes from my site to an online recipe box, then add the ingredients you need to your weekly shopping list with one click. Just look for the blue“Save Recipe” button on every recipe here at Mandy's Recipe Box to get started.

I teamed up with ZipList.com to make this possible. They power recipe boxes and shopping lists you find online at AOL’s KitchenDaily, MarthaStewart.com, WomansDay.com, and now, Mandy's Recipe Box. Best of all, you can save recipes from any of these websites, including mine, and they all get saved in one place. No more hunting around from site-to-site to locate your favorite recipes.

If you want to access your online recipe box or shopping list from Mandy's Recipe Box, just click the Recipe Box link at the top right-hand corner of the page of my website.

You can also access your recipe box and shopping list from any partner website, as well as from ZipList.com and using free mobile apps from ZipList, so you have what you need to plan meals and grocery shop wherever you go.

So what are you waiting for?! Go get started and make your life so much easier!

Easy Cornbread

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Wed, 29 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Corn bread is one of those things that you gotta make just right or it's not gonna taste very good. If it's all dry then it will fall apart and crumble when you try to put butter on it. Plus who likes dry crumbly corn bread in their mouth? I really like this version of corn bread because it's super easy and not all dry-like. It uses mixes and is a snap to put together. I love homemade corn bread, but this is a tasty version as well.

Ingredients

2 boxes Jiffy Cornbread mix

1 box Duncan Hines Butter Golden cake mix (without pudding in the mix)

Directions

Mix both boxes separately according to package directions or you can put it all into one large bowl and mix together.

Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees until done, about 30 45 minutes depending on your oven.

Serve with honey butter, if desired.

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 28 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

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Happy Memorial Day! Thanks for stopping by, even though it's a holiday. I hope you are enjoying the day and remembering those who have gone before us. Let's see what you've been up to.
Last week's most viewed recipe...

Barbecue Chicken Dinner Packets

from Heavenly Savings

Other faves...

Ranch Chicken Enchilada Lasagna

from Mostly Homemade Mom

Million Dollar Spaghetti

from Life in the Lowcountry

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Bars

from Dessert Now, Dinner Later

Cheesy Pesto Stuffed Chicken

from Busy Mom's Helper

Toasted S'more Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream

from Half Baked Harvest

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Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 25 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Hey friends! I shared an amazing slow cooker recipe recently over at Made From Pinterest.
Doesn't it look mouthwatering?

I love using my slow cooker as you can see from my Slow Cooker Potato Soup, Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo, and Old Fashioned Baked Beans.

Want to make this Beef & Broccoli today? Go to Made From Pinterest and get the recipe. You will love it.

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Totally Tasty Tuesdays! I love seeing you all here each week. I notice when someone misses a week and I wonder where they are. I really do!

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Before we get to the party, I just have to show you these photos of me and my girls...

I adore them. We had them taken for Mother's Day and I can't wait to get them on my wall.

This week's most viewed recipe is... Layered Summer Salad from Heavenly Savings Other faves... Frito Pie from Cents Less Deals Peanut Butter Coffee Cake from Crazy For Crust Chicken Crescent Roll Casserole from She Turned Her Dreams Into Plans Crispy Crunch Cheesecake Bars from Sweet Twist of Blogging

Strawberry Mallow Cake Roll from Lady Behind the Curtain Grab a button if you were featured...

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Steak Kabobs

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:03:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TUMS. All opinions are 100% mine.
Grilling season is finally here! Along with picnics and family cookouts. All that good food surely has some spicy seasoning to go along with it. Thank goodness for Tums. When I am pregnant, I live on the stuff. I keep it in my medicine cabinet and also in my night stand. I actually like the taste of them. The tropical is my favorite. Now you can get a TUMS Free Roll at Walmart when you buy Tums, while supplies last. Walmart is the best place to stock up on Tums.
I made some Steak Kabobs and they were spicy! My husband loves spicy food, but me... not so much. I can only handle a little kick. Tums were there to save the day.

Ingredients
2 lbs Sirloin steak, cut into bite sized pieces
1 bell pepper
8 oz. whole mushrooms
1 onion
1 pkg. Grill Mates Montreal Steak Marinade plus ingredients called for on package
wooden skewers (soak in water for 30 minutes so they don't burn)
Directions

Mix together the marinade ingredients.
Place meat in a large resealable bag.
Pour marinade over meat and let sit for 15 minutes.
Assemble shish kabobs by sliding on steak veggies.
Place on a grill and cook until done, turning every so often.

And these were spicy to me! Good thing I had my Tums nearby.

I get an upset stomach if I eat too much greasy food, or if I eat past 8:00 pm. No joke. Sometimes it can't be helped and I am miserable. That's when I reach for the Tums. They totally help! So head over to Walmart and get some Tums for the Summer season of food!

Pina Colada Green Smoothie

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Summer weather is pretty much in full swing around here. Which means it's hot. HOT.

Like high 80's in May.

Not okay. I hate when it's too hot to eat. Weird for me I know, but it happens.

But this smoothie is so good and refreshing that you will want to drink it for every meal. It does not taste like spinach, at all. I have a thing for Pina Colada drinks, non-alcoholic for me. I love the combo of pineapple and coconut so much that when we go to Vegas or Wendover, NV I sit at a machine to play slots just to get a drink from a waitress. Winning money is just a bonus.

But this version is healthy. And your body and taste buds will thank you for it. Make it!

Ingredients

4 C. frozen pineapple (I buy them on sale, cut them up, and freeze)

2 C. fresh spinach

2 C. coconut milk

1 scoop Tropical Monsoon Smoothie (optional but oh sooo good)

Instructions

Place all in a blender and blend until smooth.

Jimmy Dean Delights

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

This post brought to you by Jimmy Dean Delights. All opinions are 100% mine.

Lots of people have a breakfast routine. Whether it means cooking for their family, eating a quick bowl of cereal, or grabbing a bagel to take out the door before work/school, we generally stick to the same routines. Mine often varies, having a baby who calls the shots. Some mornings I can make breakfast for the family. Others it's every man for himself while I take care of a gotta-eat-this-instant and then I-need-a-bath-because-I-just-blew-out-my-diaper baby. With summer on the way and kids being home from school and family vacations, it's just going to get busier.

That's where the new Jimmy Dean Delights come in. I can eat a quick low calorie breakfast sandwich instead of the cookies from last night because that's all I had a chance to grab. And I know my husband and kids would prefer it to a bowl of cold cereal.

The new Canadian Bacon, Egg White and Cheese is only 210 calories! You can't beat that! It's on a honey wheat Englsh Muffin. Want to try one before you buy it? Head to Sam's Club June 15th and July 1st to sample the Canadian Bacon Sandwich. Then buy a box to bring home to your family! They'll love you for it.

DIY Marshmallow Fondant {Guest Post: Made From Pinterest}

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I am a monthly contributor over at Made From Pinterest. Be sure to go check out my recent post here. In return, I am happy to have the ladies from Made From Pinterest here each month. Enough talk, here they are...

Hello! Debbie, Sherri and I are tickled to be here with you every month.

We are three sisters who make and create the things that we pin from Pinterest and then share our results with you! Some of the pins we make "Rock" and some of them are a "Flop". Our blog helps us to actually make and enjoy what we find on Pinterest, but it also helps us stay in touch with each other. We all live in different parts of the United States. We love that we can work together even though we live far apart. Besides blogging and Pinterest we love spending time together as a family whenever possible. Between the three of us we have 10 children, 2 grandchildren and another Grandchild due any day! On to our post from Tracy today.

One of my families favorite shows happens to be Cake Boss. My 16 year old daughter is the one who got us started watching it during season 2. The only thing that she doesn't like about the show is how everyone on the show pronounces the word fondant. According to my daughter and Merriam-Webster it is pronounced "fond" (like I am fond of you) and "ant" like the bug. The show pronounces it "fond-daunt". My daughter pronounces it fondent. As long as it looks and tastes good I don't care how you pronounce it! My first try working with fondant was a sheet I purchased at Michaels. It must have been close to the expiration date because it was dry and difficult to work with. I knew there had to be a better way. I found this marshmallow fondant from Traylor Made Treats and decided try the homemade route!

Ingredients

First you need to put 3 Tbsp. of shortening in your mixer. Second you need to sift your powdered sugar. As you can see I don't own a sifter, so I made do with this big pasta spoon and it worked just fine. This insures that your powdered sugar will not have lumps. If you do not sift the powdered sugar you will have a lumpy fondant.

Next step is to sprinkle 2 tsp of water on your marshmallows and mix until all your marshmallows have some water on them.

Now it is time to put the marshmallows in your microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Stir and then place them back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Repeat this process until your marshmallows are melted. Once your marshmallows have melted, place them in the mixer with the shortening, add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar and mix on medium speed until the shortening and powdered sugar are incorporated. Keep mixing until the marshmallow mixture looks like icing: nice and soft (if you want to add color, you can do it now.). If you need to make multiple colors you can do it by hand kneading the color in later. Continue to add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until it becomes thicker, but not too thick a consistency of fondant. It should be sticky, but not too sticky.

I divided my fondant into five small pieces.

I made a small indent where I could add my food coloring gel.

Coat your hand in shortening to prevent the fondant from sticking to your hands while kneading in the color. I added double the amount of food coloring you see in this picture to get the rich orange color.

Now that I had my fondant colored, it was time to decorate my cake! Time for my disclaimer....I've never decorated a cake with fondant before, or icing for that matter. I was a little nervous at this point about how my cake would turn out.

I made my cake in three layers, it turned out a little uneven. So I decided to "cut" it into a perfect symmetrical shape like Buddy does on Cake Boss. Ha, easier said than done! My cake is quite a bit smaller than when I started. I decided that this was close enough! I knew if I kept trying to get it perfect I was going to end up with a cupcake! It was time to roll out my fondant. Make sure your work surface is VERY clean. Then sift powdered sugar GENEROUSLY onto your work surface. You can knead in more powdered sugar if needed at this point. Then let your fondant sit until it is room temperature. This is the only time you can let it sit out without it drying out. When it is room temperature sprinkle more powdered sugar on top and roll it out.

Pick it up carefully and place it over your cake. I made my circle as close to the size of the cake as possible to avoid extra fondant that would overlap and cause creases. Cut off the excess and you are ready to decorate.

I decided to go with a very simple polka dot cake since I have absolutely no cake decorating skills. Please do not judge the results too harshly, as the fondant performed perfectly and the cake decorator did not! Definitely lack of skills on my part!

If you have extra fondant left over, roll it in a ball and cover with shortening. Then store it in a thick ziplock bag. (Freezer ziplock bags are best) It should stay soft for a week or so. I wanted to make sure that this fondant really works like it should, so I called a friend of mine who just happens to decorate cakes for a living. This is the exact recipe that she uses and loves. I asked her for a picture of a cake that demonstrates how well marshmallow fondant works in the hands of a true professional. Here is a picture of the darling cake she sent me!

Yup....This Pin totally ROCKS! Wouldn't it be fun if you could make a polka dot cake inside and out? Well, you can! Check out this tutorial for how to make polka dots on the inside of your cake.

Fondant Homemade Recipe

Recipe Type: Homemade Marshmallow Fondant

Author: Adapted by Made From Pinterest

Ingredients

1 bag mini Marshmallows
2 tsp water
3 tablespoons shortening
2 to 3 cups Powdered Sugar
Food coloring(s) of choice

Instructions

Sift powdered sugar and set aside. If your powder sugar is not sifted you will have lumps in your fondant.
Place 3 tablespoons of shortening in your mixing bowl or kitchen aid.
Place bag of mini marshmallow in a micro safe bowl. Sprinkle 2 tsp of water over marshmallows and mix to coat.
Microwave for 30 seconds and stir. Continue to microwave for 30 and and stir until Marshmallows are melted.
Pour melted Marshmallows over shortening, add one cup sifted powdered sugar. Mix until the Marshmallow mixture looks like icing; nice and soft. (If you want to add color you can do it now) If you are using multiple colors you can hand knead it in later.
Add more powdered sugar, adding a 1/2 cup at a time until it comes to a thicker, but not to thick consistency of fondant. You want it sticky but not to sticky.
Make sure your work surface is very clean, sprinkle generously with sifted powdered sugar. Use a spoon to scrape your fondant out of the bowl and place on the sugared work surface. Coat your hands with shortening if you need to knead more powdered sugar into your fondant. Or if you are going to hand knead in color.
Roll out your fondant to the shape you want, carefully transfer it to your cake.
Tips for a square/rectangle cake; do the corners first by forming them around the cake, then do the sides. Use a small roller to cut the excess fondant from the cake.
For a round cake, shape your fondant into a circle that is the same diameter as your cake. Cut off the excess fondant, tuck the edge of the fondant under to cake bottom.

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

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Well hello! How was you weekend? Mine was wonderful. My birthday was on Mother's Day this year and to celebrate Lance and the kids bought me a glass storm door. I am so excited to have the cool night air come through during the summer. Well, hopefully some nights will have cool air.
The kids also gave me my favorite gifts of all-handmade. Hannah made me a paper bouquet of flowers, Preston made me a necklace with matching earrings at school, and Emma colored some awesome Tangled coloring pages for me, and Isaac only got up to eat once during the night and slept in until 8:30 am! They also made me breakfast. I got spoiled!
Let's see the most viewed recipe from last week... Bacon Cheeseburger Roll from Hot Eats and Cool Reads

Other faves...

Upside Down Apple Pie
from Flour Me With Love

Pretzel Pizza Rolls
from Somewhere in the Middle

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Cake
from Dieters Downfall

Apple Toffee Crumble
from Something Swanky

Mini Grasshopper Cheesecakes
from Paint Chips and Frosting

Be sure to grab a button if you were featured...

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Pea Salad

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Remember how I love Pasta?

Remember how I love Bacon?

This salad has both.

And peas for the health factor.

Ingredients

1 C. elbow macaroni, cooked

3 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

1/2 C. green onion, chopped

2 C. frozen peas, thawed

1 C. mayonnaise

1/2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

In a bowl, combine macaroni, bacon, green onions, and peas.
Stir in mayonnaise; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Sprinkle with cheese just before serving. Serves 4 to 6.

Note: I used half mayo and half Miracle Whip. I like the tang. Also, I saved some bacon and sprinkled it on just before serving so it would be crispy on top.

This yummy recipe comes from Gooseberry Patch's 101 Farmhouse Favorites cookbook.

It absolutely fits right into our kitchen. It is full of tasty farmhouse favorites like Fried Green Tomato Biscuits, Chocolate-Raspberry Brownies, Gooseberry Conserve, Farmhouse Pot Roast, and Quick Picnic Pickles to name a few.

Would you like a copy?

I knew it.

Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

15 Salad Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:39:00 +0000

May is National Salad Month. How fitting since it's Spring and everyone is wanting to slim down for bathing suit season as well as eating all the fresh food that is coming in season.

I've rounded up 20 great salad recipes for you to help you eat healthy but also enjoy it!

{Click on the photos for the recipes}

Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

Pulled Pork Enchilada Salad

Spicy Barbecue Chicken Salad

Copycat KFC Coleslaw

Blackberry Feta Salad

Chicken Fajita Southwest Salad

All-Spiced Up Raspberry and Mushroom Salad

Refreshing Colorful Salad

Chopped Tropical Chicken & Mango Salad

Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad

Cantaloupe and Cucumber Salad

Pizza Salad

Veggie Salad in Jars

The Perfect Salad

Mediterranean Greek Salad

Arby's King's Hawaiian Sandwiches

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Arby's. All opinions are 100% mine.

Whenever I go to Arby's I always order the same thing: Beef 'N Cheddar sandwich which I top with Horsy sauce, Curly Fries, and a Diet Coke. It's my favorite!

But on my recent visit, I tried two different sandwiches. For a limited time only, Arby's is partnering with the iconic King's Hawaiian brand to introduce these two new irresistable sandwiches to their menu. One bite is all you need to love these sandwiches.

Served Hot and made fresh to order, there are two King's Hawaiian sandwiches to choose from:

Arby’s KING’S HAWAIIAN roast beef sandwich comes with an extra helping of freshly sliced roast beef piled high on a soft and slightly sweet King's Hawaiian bun.
Arby's KING's HAWAIIAN Roast Beef and Swiss has the same extra helping of roast beef and King's Hawaiian bun, topped with Swiss cheese, crunchy pickles and creamy Dijon spread.

I really liked them but preferred the Roast Beef and Swiss...

I am just a cheese lover. Plus the spread was a tasty addition. It was Roast-Beef-atopia!

To celebrate this unique partnership, Arby's is hosting a Hawaiian Getaway sweepstakes to offer customers the chance to surf in paradise! The grand prize winner will win a round trip for two with four nights stay in Honolulu, HI. Plus a premium group lesson at one of the island's premier surf school's, Hawaiian Fire. For more details on how to enter Arby’s Hawaiian Getaway Sweepstakes visit Arby's King's Hawaiian from April 29- May 26.

Head on over to enter the sweepstakes and be sure to try Arby's new sandwiches.

Totally Tasty Tuesdays

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

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Welcome, welcome! I am so glad you stopped by! Here's the most viewed recipe from last week... Apple Dumplings Cobbler from Cooking with K Other faves... Derby Truffles from Home is Where the Boat Is
Chili Dog Casserole from Olla-Podrida Cinnamon Roll Bites from High Heels and Grills Make Your Own Gatorade from Made From Pinterest Disappearing Double Strawberry Cookies from A Handful of Everything Grab a button if you were featured...

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Beef Jerky

noreply@blogger.com (Mandy Bird) — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I used to love beef jerky. Then I got sick of biting into the yucky white parts that you can't chew. Gross, I know. So I switched to Turkey jerky and I love that. It is much more tender and tastier, in my opinion. When I found this recipe, my husband said I had to make it. This was so easy. The hardest part was waiting for the meat to dry so I could eat it.

Ingredients

4 lbs London broil beef or 4 lbs flank steaks

2 teaspoons black pepper

2 teaspoons chili powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup Frank's red hot sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions

Place London broil in freezer for about 45 minutes- meat is much easier to slice thinly when partially frozen.
While it's chilling, mix all ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
Once meat is chilled, slice as thin as you can get it- about 1/4 inch thick.
Place all the sliced meat in a gallon size ziplock bag and pour marinade over meat.
Seal the bag & squish to evenly coat all the meat slices.
Refrigerate 4-6 hours.
Place tin foil on two cookie sheets and lay the strips of beef all over cookie sheet, but DO NOT overlap.
Dry in oven set at lowest setting 150-160 for 3 hours.
Flip the meat and dry for another 3 hours. Meat is done when it's dry.

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