Welcome to the second week of April stylish sweets! Hope everyone had a terrific weekend. Mine was spent attempting to rest from all the stress that’s been going on around me. Besides all of that, my weekend was filled with Atlanta Braves baseball!
Of course in honor of my 11-1 Braves, the featured coffee mug for Morning Linkage is from none other than tada…THE BRAVES! I don’t own this mug but I would absolutely LOVE to add it to my coffee mug collection 🙂
Grab your mug and get ready for your linkage!
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Are you ready for some football? With the super bowl right around the corner, it’s time to get the party planning percolating! Now that we finally know who’ll be playing to win the Tiffany Trophy aka The Vince Lombardi Trophy bka The Superbowl, we’re going to switch gears from high fashion to hot athletes. Well, maybe on the next post! On Sunday, February 3rd, the NFL will have a new champion between the San Francisco 49’ers and the Baltimore Ravens. Jokingly referred to as “The Harbowl” seeing as though the two head coaches of each team are actually BROTHERS! Yes, you read that right, Jim Harbaugh, the head coach for the Niners and John Harbaugh, the head coach for the Ravens are real life brothers. The siblings will coach AGAINST each other for this years championship!
Are you planning a Super Bowl party, going to one or will your hubby/boyfriend/partner/person who sometimes sleeps next to you and snores through the night, throwing or invited to a bowl bash? I’ve got a few things in store for you! Whether you’re going to a touchdown party or becoming the host for one, check out a few things you’re going to need.
There’s nothing like some good tasting, finger licking, taste bud appeasing foods to nibble on while watching the big game. From appetizers to dessert, I’ve got you covered with some fun-to-try treats. Now, I have to warn you, these aren’t for anyone who may be dieting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
Ingredients 1 store-bought rotisserie chicken 1/4 cup hot sauce (recommended: Frank’s Red Hot) 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 3/4 cups sharp Cheddar 1/4 cup freshly sliced scallions 1 cups all-purpose flour 3 eggs, lightly beaten 2 cups panko bread crumbs Vegetable oil, for frying Blue Cheese Dip: 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 1/2 cup packed blue cheese, broken up 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 teaspoon chopped garlic Directions Have oil heated to 350 degrees F. Pick the meat from the chicken and discard the skin. Place the chicken in a large bowl and add the hot sauce, pepper, cheese, and scallions, and toss to combine. Roll the chicken into 2-ounce balls, about the size of a golf ball. Place the flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in 3 separate bowls. Roll each ball in the flour, then the egg and then the bread crumbs. Set aside. When the oil is hot fry the chicken balls in batches. Cook for about 2 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken to paper towel lined plate to drain the excess oil. To make the sauce, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken alongside the dipping sauce.
1/3 cup mustard, such as Dijon, whole grain, spicy brown or yellow, for dipping
Directions
Split the kielbasa in half lengthwise and then cut each half into six 3/4-inch pieces, slicing on an angle. Cook the pieces in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the skin is crisped and some of the fat has been released, about 5 minutes. Transfer the kielbasa to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece of puff pastry out to form an 8- by 11-inch rectangle. Using a 3 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 6 circles from the pastry; cut the circles out as close together as possible and reserve the scraps. Repeat with the second sheet of puff pastry.
Wrap a circle of puff pastry around each of a kielbasa, pinching the seams together to seal all the way around so no kielbasa is exposed and gently pulling on the ends to make a tapered football shape. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, seam-side down, and repeat with the remaining pastry and sausage.
Brush the rolled sausages with the beaten egg. Use bits of the pastry scraps to make laces on each “football” by placing 1 strip lengthwise on top of each and laying 3 smaller strip crosswise over it. Press down gently to adhere and brush the laces with a bit more egg.
Bake until the pastry is browned and crisped, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve the pigskins with mustard for dipping.
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
Directions
Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix the lime zest and 3/4 teaspoon salt together. Working in batches, fry the tortilla wedges until golden and crisp, about 1 minute, and transfer them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle the chips with the lime salt while they are still hot. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in a 10-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, jalapeno and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions just start to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the beer and cook until all the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Toss the muenster and Cheddar together and add them to the skillet. Stir once or twice to combine.
When ready to serve, preheat the broiler. Place the skillet under the broiler until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot with the chips.
Cook’s Note: Although this cheesy dip should be eaten fresh from the oven, you can have everything ready to go before your guests arrive. You can fry, season and cool the chips and store them for 2 to 3 hours in an airtight container. Cook the vegetables and reduce the beer, then remove the skillet from the heat. Grate your cheeses and combine them. When you’re ready to serve, stir the cheese into the vegetables, broil and enjoy.
Makes one 8Ă—8 pan | Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line pan with a foil sling. INGREDIENTS: 8oz. cookie dough (ready-made or homemade) 16 Oreos 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature 1/3 cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla Topping 3 oz.Whoppers, chopped 5 Oreos, chopped INSTRUCTIONS: Roll out or using your fingers, press cookie dough to an 1/8 inch thickness and bake until crisp. Place whole Oreos on top of baked cookie crust. To make cheesecake filling: Place cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla in a bowl and beat until blended. Pour mixture over Oreos. Sprinkle chopped Oreos and Whoppers on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before cutting. *This can be prepared 3 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator tightly covered. Remove from refrigerator 20-30 minutes prior to serving. (Cut while cold for bars with nice clean edges).
Ingredients 4 pop sticks 3 cups vegetable oil 4 candy bars, such as Mars Bars, Snickers, and Milky Ways Powdered sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1/2 tbsp sugar 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt powdered sugar
Directions
Preheat oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pierce each candy bar with a pop stick, place on the prepared baking sheet, and refrigerate 30 minutes. Whisk all batter ingredients until little to no lumps remain. One at a time, dip chilled candy bars in batter and coat well. Once oil reaches 390°F, carefully place candy bars in oil one at a time and fry about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel, sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired, and serve hot.
3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4 cups miniature marshmallows 1/2 cup peanut butter 6 cups Kellogg’s® Cocoa Krispies® cereal Canned frosting or decorating gel Why use Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies®? 1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until melted. 2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated. 3. Cool slightly. Using buttered hands shape mixture into sixteen 3-inch footballs. Decorate with frosting. Best if served the same day. MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add peanut butter, stirring until melted. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Note For best results, use fresh marshmallows. 1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows. Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in single layer on wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Let’s get ready to party!
Hope that helps! Have fun, be safe and always… Happy Shopping!
Now that the biggest college football game of the year is over, wait, was that really a game? Notre Dame literally got their heads handed to them on a silver platter! Final score after 4 quarters of football: Alabama 42 – ND 14. Yea let’s just say it was a game simply because ND wasn’t left scoreless. In more sad news, my losing Dallas Cowboys fired our defense coach Rob Ryan…speechless doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt when I heard the news.
Since my favorite NFL team is out of the Vince Lombardi Trophy hunt and college football is over, there won’t be much football left to enjoy. What else is there to look forward to besides baseball? If you’re a fan of tennis, the Australian Open starts next week, I’m happy. Then there’s college hoops and NBA basketball. If those aren’t your favorite sporting events, you’re probably looking forward to the big one. The Super Bowl. We’ll get closer to finding out who’ll be playing after this weekends playoff games. Who’s going to be able to hoist the Lombardi on February 3rd?
Ok, I’m probably boring my fashion readers by now, if you’re still here LOL! I do have something for everyone just in case you’re wondering. The Vince Lombardi Trophy (given to the winner of the Super Bowl) is made by Tiffany & Co. believe it or not! So ladies, if you’re not a sports fan, just think of him watching and waiting to see who wins the “Tiffany Trophy” & who’s getting a “Tiffany Ring”!
USA Today has an interactive page that takes you through the process of the trophy goes through. From start to finish you can explore how Tiffany & Co. makes the Vince Lombardi trophy.
It pains and angers me so much to see that New York Giants ring posted on here! That’s the ring that the New York Giants won last year. Amazing, right?! Yes those are D-I-A-M-O-N-D-S ladies and gents! Made by Tiffany & Co. Too bad those NY Giants won’t be defending their title, oh yea, that’s correct, they sucked this year too! So that made the pain and anguish feel a little better. I still feel the need to show you a glimpse of what the Dallas Cowboys have won! I’ll be glad when we win more!
Remember fellas, all those good things come from this little blue box.
Photo via Google image search courtesy of Tiffany & Co.
The next time your girlfriend/wife/significant other says she wants something from Tiffany & Co. remember those are the people who make the Lombardi trophy. She put up with you watching football all year long, she definitely deserves a little blue box!