This week’s Tasty Tuesday brings a whole stockingful of ideas for you. From all of us at Arkansas Women Bloggers, we wish you the Merriest of Christmases. Thanks for allowing us to introduce you to some of our fabulous writers each week. We appreciate you.
Jennifer Maune: Gingerbread Decorating Party Ideas
My beloved Grandmother lived on Gingerbread Lane for 45 years, so we have a family tradition to host a Gingerbread Decorating Party each year with the cousins so I thought I would share these ideas with you! This is a highlight of our holiday. It’s a great creative outlet for the kids, they get to eat sweet treats, and play with their cousins. After theyve finished decorating their houses they can either take them home to display, or eat them! We like to do a craft as well. This year the kids made gingerbread ornaments. I love that everyone has something to bring home and hang on their tree. READ MORE
Keri Bucci: Chocolate Covered Almond Cheesecake
Chocolate Covered Almond Cheesecake is a rich and decadent treat that is sure to please any cheesecake fan sitting at your table! With a rich and velvety cream cheese filling flavored with almond butter and topped with a chocolate, how could that not be delightful, right?
I am a huge fan of cheesecakes and they are always easy to adapt to the sugar-free and low carb way of baking, which makes them one of my “go to” desserts when I am having friends and family over. I cannot tell you how many times I have made a cheesecake like this one and had some of my higher carb eating friends tell me “There is no way is this sugar-free!” READ MORE
Keisha McKinney: Cowboy Ranch Chex Mix
Call it nesting or the holiday season, but I just couldn’t let Christmas come without making some of favorite treats. My husband oversees a big processing plant and I think its so fun to love on his people any chance we get. But, when you have to make a treat for 30+ and most of it are men, you have to think on a big scale. And that crew has come to be open to my experimenting.
Growing up my mom always made what we just called Texas Trash. It was basically the Chex Mix recipe with a little something added. But, my mama taught me the art of experimenting so I usually read about 4 recipes and then decide what the @bigpittstop way is going to be.
This year i decided to go a little more spicy and on the same afternoon that I was making my chex mix, Mr. McKinney decided to marinate some steaks…and used all my Worcestershire sauce. So, I had to improvise. I had 2 bottles of balsamic vinegar on my counter so it seemed like the likely suspect and it turned out great. READ MORE
Brenda Embry: Quick and Easy Crockpot Lasagna
For the most part, living in the country, out of the city lights and noise, is a wonderful dream come true.
It does, however, have some disadvantages. As our area continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the drive to work gets longer and longer. I leave my house before seven and get home around six. It makes for a long day and the older I get, the less I want to cook when I get home.
I think this is why I rely on my slow cooker for many of our meals. Most of the time, I throw in a chicken or roast, add some veggies and let them cook all day. It’s so nice to come home to a wonderful smell and a delicious meal ready to eat.
Another great meal I like to make in the winter is Slow Cooker Lasagna. It does take a little more prep time, but you can do this the night before or, if you’re an early riser like me, the morning of. Since the cooking time is a little shorter than most meals, I usually save this one for the weekend so I’m not so rushed during the week. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures because it was devoured quickly and what was left was taken for lunches the next day. READ MORE
Keisha McKinney: Dragon Breath Fire Crackers
My dad and father-in-law love spicy snacks. And for 2 guys its sometimes hard to buy for, nothing seems better than showing up with a baggie or container full of a yummy little snack to say thank you for taking care of my dog or putting up with all of us over the weekend!
My brother-in-law even sent a text this week sending his “request” for a set of his own snacks. I guess since he has brought the cutest little girl in the world to me as my niece and kept her alive for almost a year, he deserves a treat too. READ MORE
Keri Bucci: Chocolate Drop Shortbread
Cookies are such a great treat in our house. As much as I bake and cook you would think that wasn’t so. But it seems I never make it around to making cookies. But lately I have been on a mission to change that. These Chocolate Drop Shortbread Cookies are heavenly and they were my first cookie recipe of the season. The buttery taste of the low carb cookie base goes so well with the dark chocolate drop in the center.
It did take a few tries at the recipe but with some minor adjustments here and there I have finally produced a crispy buttery shortbread base that is super simple and delicious. These have really been a hit with my boys! I must admit I have loved them too. READ MORE