A Quick Share From The Cabinet.... Cowboy Caviar! YEEEEHAW!

COWBOY CAVIAR

Just a quick treat to share.... this was one of my Featured 5 and I've made it several times now.  SAVE THIS RECIPE.  It's a keeper.... nice combo of tacky & fresh :)

Thanks to Wine & Dine With Us for this awesomeness....








COWBOY CAVIAR

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of corn, drained... I used the sweet yellow & white combo
1/2 can diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 red onion, diced finely
2 avocados, firm but ripe... chopped
1 can diced green chilis
1 pkg Good Season’s ZESTY Italian Dressing [dry mix]
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/8 cup of vinegar [I used champagne vinegar]

WHAT YOU DO:
Mix all ingredients together, I did them in order listed and combined each as I added....I did not mix the dressing separate, just sprinkled and poured and mixed well again.

I've served with homemade tostadas or Frito Scoops..... YUM!

HAPPY FEATURED 5!!!

When you least expect me.....

EXPECT ME!

HAPPY FEATURED 5!

OK, so Uru has been on "break"
and she comes back with this
CRAZY post full of amazingness. 
Go check it out.... not the least of which
is the Feta & Sun dried Tomato Pull-Apart Scrolls!

 

As Fall is upon us I'm starting to think more and more about SOUP!
Unfortunately it's still in the 90s here!
But I'm stocking up on recipes...
this Roasted Poblano and Sweet Corn Chowder
 had my name written ALL over it! 
Thanks Wylde Thyme

Have I ever described how I do this blog?
Well, when stuff pops in my mailbox I save it in a folder....
 it makes it very convenient
but then when I slack off [like ALL the time it seems]
it's tough to pick only 5 from ALL those messages....
this one from the Hungry Couple was dated 8/31.  EEK. 
Anyhow, Loaded Potato Salad.... how YUM is that?

well.... she had me with her hashtag #kingshawaiian
I freaking LOVE those rolls.
Through some HONEY BBQ Chicken on there....
THAT's how you land a husband!
HA! Thanks Big Bear's Wife

How could I not include what Jennifer at

Peanut Butter & peppers touted as

The Best Coconut Macaroons EVER

Can't wait to try <3 







And ONE for Good luck!
But of course!

Can you say Potato Chip Brownies?
Gerry at Foodness Gracious can!
I'm not going to lie.... I have already had one FAIL at these
but in all fairness..... I didn't make HIS Brownie recipe
I used a prefab mix because I was being lazy. 
It made the chips soggy possibly
because it was too watery....
I'm trying AGAIN and following to a T!

 

 **ALL PHOTO CREDITS TO THE POST REFERENCED, HUGE

Thank you to all for letting me repost****
HOUSEKEEPING:





IT IS THE LAST WEEKEND TO ENTER....
To win this AWESOME saute pan! 
CLICK HERE TO ENTER.....
lots of ways to enter!

& last but never least..
wanted to shout a CONGRATS
to CJ at Food Stories
on her 1st e-Book....
click here for more info!

 

 

Thirsty Thursday & a Rum Collins

RUM COLLINS

I cannot tell you how excited I was when Denizen contacted me and asked if I'd like to try their Rum.... like really?  Me?  Little old Grasshopper?

 

Yup. They had seen my Rum Compilation and decided I was worth a bottle.... how right they are :)

 

So, once it arrived I sat with it displayed at the dinner table for a week.... the children shook their heads at me as they often do, the adults passed it around smelling it and eventually sipping.... it was a nice Rum.  Phew, it was nice [I was so worried it would suck]. It was VERY tropical smelling but not as intense as a Malibu.  Just an essence of tropical fruit.  I finally decided I would try a Collins with it for Thirsty Thursday.  Nothing too complex but a little tart to go with the sweet.  It was VERY nice.  I actually think this will be FABULOUS Mojito Rum.... and I'll report back on that!

 

TRY THIS IN THE MEANWHILE...

 

what you need:

2 oz. White Rum [I really enjoyed the Denizen]

1 1/2 oz. simple syrup

2 oz. club soda

ice

 

what you do:

mix the Rum, lemon juice & simple syrup together and then pack your class with ice.  Top with club soda and garnish with lemon. AHHH.  Cheers!

 

 

A Crostini Bar & some awesome Carmelized Pears: SIMPLE yumminess!

Caramelized Pears

I know I've been MIA way too much....  the good news is we've been pretty busy catering {which means I'm cooking!} and the bad news is I've no time to write about it and so the blog has been set aside..... I know, AGAIN.

So, don't want to waste this free time with excuses... one of the things we've added to our repertoire is the Crostini Bar. It is FABULOUS!  I originally saw this idea on the Yummy Mummy Kitchen {on the post I happened to WIN a $100 Layla Grayce Gift Certificate doncha know!}

Best part of this appetizer is that you can really include what you LOVE. 


Recommended set up includes:
          3 cheeses 
          3 toppings
          something crunchy or an herb.

I only have time to share one of our treats from our recents bars.... and I choose our caramelized pears.  SO. YUM. and yes, SO. EASY.

WHAT YOU NEED:
3 pears
1/3 cup granulated sugar

WHAT YOU DO:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.


Halve pears lengthwise; remove cores.
(A melon baller removes cores easily,
but a small spoon works, too.)
Place sugar on a plate.
  Press cut side of each halved pear in sugar.

Place cut side down in heated skillet;
cook until beginning to brown,
7 to 8 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup water.
Cover; simmer until pears are tender,
about 10 minutes (depending on ripeness),
adding more water if sugar begins to burn.

Once tender, chop them into large chunks and pour pears and sauce in a bowl.... this goes great on any cheese.... goat would be my favorite but Gorgonzola also a great match.

ENJOY!

p.s. this would be a GREAT time to try to win the PERFECT pan to make these in!  Click here

And here are a couple of our recent Crostini Bars...

Honey Roasted Tomatoes
Roasted Grapes
Sweet Hot Pepper Jelly
Caramelized Pears
Ricotta
St. Albay
Goat
Candied Pecans
Assorted Toasted Breads

Roasted Grapes
Sweet Hot Pepper Jelly
Caramelized Pears
Bleu Brie
St. Albay
Goat
Candied Pecans
Fresh Basil
Assorted Toasted Breads

Never Forget.

Slacker Blogger But It's My Birthday Month So Cut Me Some Slack {Giveaway to make up}

Isn't this the funniest?
 I wish I knew where it
originated so I could give credit
but suffice it to say, it's not "mine"
I just love it LOL

It's my Birthday this month.... so I am very excited to do this Give-A-Way so I can end it ON my birthday..... so that we can get gifts TOGETHER.... plus this way you won't forget my birthday! HA!

My lovely lovely winner of ROUND 5.... Kayle from the Cooking Actress got to pick your poison!  and she chose  Calphalon Nonstick 12-Inch Everyday Pan .... LOVE. IT.  And so, even though I'm a slacker with no Thirsty Thursday cocktail I give you ROUND 6 of the 12 THINGS I LOVE GIVEAWAY to make up for it ....

So, what do you need to do? Well, I loved Rafflecopter and am using it again for this contest and it will tell you what I'm wanting for loads of entries for each of you. 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BONNE CHANCE MON AMI!

 

p.s. I recommend you try a Dark and Stormy for your cocktail today :)

Fine print:

• I can only accept US entries on this contest.
• Now, although my site allows anonymous comments if you are anonymous I cannot contact you! So make sure you leave a way to contact you...
• I will announce winners in a post and contact you via email, your blog if you're a blogger or any other method you provide in your comment! If I cannot find you I will do a second drawing one week later.... someone is gettin' the stuff!
• PLEASE do not hesitate to email me with any questions you might have at heidisuewebb@yahoo.com.

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

Round 5 of the 12 Things I Love In My Kitchen GIVEAWAY ...August's Winner of the 12 THINGS I LOVE GIVEAWAY has been picked!

Yuppers, Pampered Chef nesting measuring cups for KAYLE the COOKING ACTRESS! So excited!  Email me Kayle at heidisuewebb@yahoo.com with your shipping info....

AND Kayle.... will you pick from the remaining items for September's Contest.... you COULD win AGAIN!

 

my Magic Bullet

my Too Cute Totes Apron

my Kyocera Ceramic knives

my Calphalon saute pan with silicone handles

my candy stripe William~Sonoma pot holders

my silicone potholders {see profile picture!}

my Sea Salt collection

my Scentsy burner

my hanging measuring spoons from the Purple Dragonfly Boutique

my Pampered Chef nesting measuring cups

my Tom Colicchio "Think Like A Chef" cookbook

my POMI tomatoes

 

CONGRATS AGAIN KAYLE! XXOO