Yam & Apple Bake -Easy Holiday Side Dish -Bruce's Canned Yams

If you have a food delivery service you've probably experienced an occasional surprise when receiving your order. This happens to Ma quite often... While visiting one day she sent me home with two cans of (un-ordered) Bruce's Yams. Yep, a holiday staple in many families, I thought it would be a good opportunity to try a new recipe. And when better than as we are planning our Thanksgiving and Christmas menus:@) Today's side dish is a Yam & Apple Bake. My version has been altered a tad from the Bruce's website, but that was the starting point. Another thing I love about this simple recipe is, you can get both the yams and pie filling anywhere, including Dollar Tree. $3 for a pretty holiday side that will easily feed at least four to six people, not bad..

Gorgeous holiday color...

I have a feeling most folks associate these soft canned yams with sweets, and they serve them with either marshmallows or a streusel topping. We carry the sweetness here, but by the addition of apple pie filling. I like that the syrup gets drained from the potatoes, allowing the pie filling to act as a little thickener. I also like that this isn't mashed, the potatoes and apples maintain their texture.

**Today I used 15 oz sweet potatoes and 15 oz pie filling. I think the -best- ratio would be 29 oz yams: 15 oz apple. Unless you know your crew really loves apples:@) You honestly can't go wrong with any ratio, but I'd keep the two smaller cans of yams to the 15 oz apples, and use the larger cans together.

From this point we have options... 

1. We can leave it as is, and the colors are beautiful:@) I like this color combo for Thanksgiving.
2. Or maybe add additional traditional warm spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc. 
3. Or how about rough crushing some cookies, Nilla Wafters or ~preferably~ Ginger snaps, tossing with butter and adding a crunchy topping. That would lean it more towards a sweeter dessert type side dish. 
4. Nuts would be great. 
5. I like dotting the top (after baking) with some maraschino cherries... That's pretty for Christmas.
6. Maybe a handful of cranberries mixed in, oh that would be pretty. But I'd add extra sugar to offset the tart.
7. And of course the original recipe adds a sprinkling of mini marshmallows. 
8. Best suggestion: Split the toppings into segments. That's a fun idea if you know Aunt Susie loves marshmallows but Uncle Sam wants only pecans...
9. Anything goes!

Leftovers? Heat in microwave and sprinkle with granola for breakfast. Or... Maybe enjoy at night with a scoop of ice cream. 

Yam & Apple Bake

15, 29 or 40 oz can Bruce's yams, drained well

15 or 21 oz can apple pie filling

*Any add-ins or toppings of choice. Honestly folks, this is the most versatile and foolproof side dish.

1. Butter a 2 to 2 1/2 quart baking dish. *I used a 1 quart, it was plenty big enough for 15 oz cans.
2. Mix yams and apples, and add-ins. Lightly break up the yams so they are about the same size as the apples.
3. Top if/as desired. 
4. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30-40 minutes (just keep an eye on the marshmallows).

Let's plan those holiday meals and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Embellished Store Bought Cookies for Holidays and Occasions

I had a good friend that was not a baker, but every year the girls in her office would have a cookie exchange. So we'd kick ideas around, microwave fudge, easy candies, no-bake cookies (great recipe here)... I do like this idea to Easily Embellish Store Bought Cookies. Any holiday, any season, any sporting event. There is no end to the sprinkles we can find, I even have little pink pigs:@) I chose fall and Halloween for this example, and used simple sugar cookies. 

I like to leave one end as is, that way it's easier to pick up and less messy. My best tip: While I love chocolate, it can be a little fussy with melting and tempering. Candy Melts are a nice foolproof way to ensure success. Also, disposable icing bags work great too. I add the melts to the bag, toss in microwave for a few seconds, knead until smooth, snip the end, and good to go!

Choose any sturdy cookie and match it to your function... Sugar cookies or vanilla wafters for a kids party, maybe Milanos if it's tea with the ladies... And speaking of Milano's, did you see the new flavor this year? Oh yes, Espresso Martini...

I found this holiday display at Walmart.

My Pinterest Boards for more treat ideas:

Candy for All Seasons 

Chocolate for All Seasons

Christmas & Thanksgiving Food

Halloween Food

Spritz Cookies

Let's not stress about holiday functions,

enjoy a cookie, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies & other pink desserts...

I seem to always have a pouch of brownie mix in the cabinet, it's my one favorite store bought mix. And then my coworker picked up Red Velvet Peanut Butter Cups on clearance after Valentine's Day... So I just had to try some Peanut Butter Cup Brownies. I'm guessing the pink topped candy is out for Easter, and there's green at Halloween... So this is a fun way to add a little something-something extra to a favorite sweet snack:@) I used some pink, some regular peanut butter cups, and made some plain brownies. And we all know sprinkles make it a party...

Best Tips: If using cupcake liners, be sure to use the foil ones. Paper will stick. If using sprinkles, for best presentation, shake them on before adding the peanut butter cups, let's all learn from Lynn's mistakes...

Whether it's a Barbie birthday, 

planning for Easter,

or dreaming of spring...

Other Pink Desserts:

Two ingredient Strawberry Cupcakes, Pink Jello Fluff, Chocolate Covered Marshmallows, Sugar Cookies with Jello Frosting

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Your favorite brownie mix

Ingredients called for in the mix

Unwrapped Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Foil liners

1. Make brownie batter.
2. Place liners in cupcake tin.
3. Fill liner about half way, not more.
4. Variable: Baking time... I did 350 for 25-27 minutes. You'll have to try to gauge doneness as best you can, a test batch is always a good idea before a party:@)
5. Remove to rack to cool.

Pour a cuppa, enjoy a snack and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Radish Rabbit -Spring or Easter Charcuterie Board

The inspiration for this silly Radish Rabbit was the "whiskers" coming off of the root end of the radish. I just had to give it a try:@) I cut the bottom off of a large radish so it would sit still, and added a couple peppercorns for eyes. Bits of black olive would work too, especially if you're making a larger charcuterie or relish tray and serving the olives as well. The ears were sliced from another radish and held on by a cut in half toothpick. If you're concerned about the rabbit looking a little dry (as radishes can at room temperature), it could be rubbed with the smallest dab of oil olive to keep it shiny.

Just a fun idea to add to a spring get-together... They'd be cute on a deviled egg tray too. **Because of the toothpicks, adult supervision is recommended around little kids.

Make something just for fun and,

Have a Happy Day🐰

Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice -Appetizer or Charcuterie Board

I've made a few different marinated olive recipes on the blog, but I have to say this is the most robustly flavored one to date... These Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice pack a big garlic punch and the crushed pepper flakes help back that up:@) The olives will drink up the flavors more as the days go by, and some comments really say to give it the full 10 days. I've even seen this recipe referred to as The Christmas Olives. So if it's holiday fare, you know it will be great as we're entertaining and throwing a couple steaks on the grill this summer. I'm even thinking about using it to top some pasta with chicken... My only suggestion, give it a good 30 minutes at room temperature before serving so the olive oil has a chance to loosen back up. Don't hesitate to give this a try folks, if you love garlic, you'll like these olives!

Perfect for charcuterie boards, cocktail parties, and along side a hearty sandwich on game day. My best suggestion: I would eat these within the 10 days, I wouldn't store them longer. And with the Christmas reference above... This will ~loosely~ be my Christmas in July post for this year. But don't wait until the holidays to make them:@)

And a tip: If you don't have tomato juice on-hand, substitute half tomato sauce, half water.

Other olive recipes: Pepperoni, Cheese & Olives in Italian Dressing - Lemon & Herb Marinated Olives - Marinated Almond Stuffed Olives - Garden Tomato & Green Olive Salsa - Marinated Mozzarella Cheese & Olives - Citrus Marinated Olives - Bloody Mary Tomato & Olive Salad

Spiced Olives in Tomato Juice-from Taste of Home

7 oz jar green olives with pimento

1/2 C tomato juice

1 Tblsp olive oil

1/2 - 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1. Drain olives, discarding liquid.
2. Mix everything else in small bowl, pour into jar of olives.
3. Cover and refrigerate 3-10 days, turning jar daily.
4. Drain before serving.

🌴🦩🎅Happy Christmas in July,

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Easy Cake Mix Bars -a.k.a. Last Minute Any Occasion Bars...

This idea was too simple to pass by without trying... These Easy Cake Mix Bars are a tasty treat that starts with a boxed cake mix. The original idea was to mix sprinkles into the batter mimicking a funfetti cake, I like adding them to the top of the batter for a more colorful presentation:@) I will suggest that you take a minute to press the sprinkles down gently into the batter before baking though. The recipe calls for a jelly roll pan, I used a 9x13 (a lot of other commenters used that size), I will try the 15x10 next time and update this post. This is the kind of treat that comes together quickly but will appeal to most people because it tastes like birthday cake, and let's say it, sprinkles are just fun! Don't hesitate to give it a try folks, I think you'll be pleased. And they are perfect not just for birthdays or sleepovers...

Change up the color of the sprinkles for holidays...

🏈And of course game day:@) 

While sprinkles or jimmies are best, I only had nonpareils in red, white, and blue so that's what I used. They worked fine too:@)

Try different cake and chip flavors, 

you know your crowd:@)

Easy Cake Mix Bars-from here

Yellow boxed cake mix

1 egg

1/2 C milk

1/3 C oil

1 C white baking chips

1/3 C sprinkles/jimmies or enough to cover top

1. Combine cake mix, egg, milk and oil. Mixture will be think.
2. Stir in chips and sprinkles if not saving them for the top.
3. Spread into greased 15 x 10 x 1" pan. Some comments have used a 9 x 13.
4. If adding sprinkles to the top, add them now.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Enjoy a snack and Have a Happy Day:@)

Fresh Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake

Did you know today is National Chocolate Chip Day? In honor of that I thought I'd re-post a pretty darn good cake...

I like chocolate covered strawberries and figured not only would this Fresh Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake be a little easier, the extra sugar would help sweeten up the first strawberries of the year. We really enjoyed this cake and thought it was the perfect little dessert for a casual Sunday dinner. Truthfully, I think it would be perfect any time of day and suggest tucking this recipe away for a special brunch or occasion.

We have lots of options here... The original recipe comes from Martha Stewart and she sprinkles an additional 1-2 Tblsp of sugar over the berries before baking, I didn't do that but think sanding sugar would be pretty. You can top it with a sprinkling of powdered sugar before serving if desired. The chocolate chips were an addition from another blogger, and I think they were a good idea:@) She also subbed half yogurt instead of all butter, I used butter.

I'd say this was absolutely perfect as soon as it cooled off fresh out of the oven. The top was crispy, the chocolate chips were still soft and the berries tender and gooey. It's written that this cake stores well, but I think it's best eaten as soon as possible-share it with the neighbors if you have any leftover!

The cake almost has the appearance of a cobbler with the way it bubbles up around the berries. I happened to have a 10" pie plate so that's what I used, or use any similar sized baking dish.

I think you'll like this if you try it folks, 

we sure did:@)

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cake-adapted from Martha Stewart
1 1/2 C A/P flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
6 Tblsp butter
1 C sugar, plus two for sprinkling over the berries before baking-optional
1 egg
1/2 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 C chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling on top
1 quart strawberries, washed, hulled and cut in half-you may not use all of them

1. Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 
2. Add egg and mix well, add milk and vanilla, mix well.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt, mix until just combined. Ideally the dry ingredients would be sifted first.
4. Stir chocolate chips into batter. 
5. Pour batter into a well greased 10" pie plate or baking dish. 
6. Arrange strawberries, cut side down, all over the top. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips, let them fall between the berries.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes then turn the oven down to 325 and bake an additional 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 
8. Cool and serve with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, whipped cream or ice cream if desired.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Apple and Marshmallow Salad

I love it when I see something a little different and realize I already have everything on-hand to make it:@) That was the case with this Apple and Marshmallow Salad. This is cool and creamy, and what I like best is, it calls for mayonnaise, so no need to run to the store for pudding or Cool Whip. I also feel that the mayo tames the sweetness a bit, and makes it a little more of a side dish as opposed to a dessert. But, you can honestly call it either/or, or both. One son would eat it with dinner, one after dinner. Good stuff folks, and easily cut in half for a smaller batch. My apple was a little sad so I peeled it, the pretty red would add some nice color.

Other sweet apple salads:

Snickers Apple Salad ~ Fruit Salad w/Pudding

I've added a Marshmallow Love Pinterest Board...

All Pig In Mud Pinterest Boards here.

Apple and Marshmallow Salad-from Taste of Home

3 C apple, 1/2" diced-peeled or not, your call

2 Tblsp fresh lemon juice

1 C celery, sliced

1 C miniature marshmallows

2/3 C mayonnaise-original calls for fat free, I used regular

1/2 C pecans or walnuts, toasted is best

1. Mix apples and lemon juice in large bowl.
2. Mix in everything else except nuts, store covered in refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Mix in nuts and serve.

Eat well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Nora Fleming Minis for Any Occasion (Literally...)

To cap off Baseball Week I wanted to share a collectible that's new to me... Have you heard of Nora Fleming Minis? The idea is, you pick a base, anything from a serving dish, to a paper towel holder, to a charcuterie board, and then add the mini. Mini's are small figural pieces that commemorate any occasion, every holiday, and just about every day... I scrolled through the Amazon page, and counted roughly 22 bases and 136 minis to chose from. You can go to Amazon or find her web page here. Now, I'm not saying this is an inexpensive gift, but it is certainly one that can be added to over time:@) There is even a scalloped edge square that's blank so you can write whatever message you'd like on it.

How it works:

More examples:

And I'll leave you with...

📌All of my Pinterest Boards here.

Just sharing a fun idea,

Have a Happy Day:@)

Welcome Sign Update & Leftover Ham, Pineapple and Noodle Casserole & Spinach Plants...

I've been having fun with my new Welcome Home Sign, and now that Easter is over the next holiday icon isn't until Memorial Day. So I decided to look around the house for an idea and made this little Phillies O to hold me over until I come up with something I like better... Logo fabric from my stash (thank you Ma) and I simply glued it to a wide mouth metal canning lid. The best part, the lid automatically sticks to the magnet on the sign, didn't even have to add another magnet. Life is good:@)

And speaking of Easter being over... Have leftover ham? This Ham, Pineapple and Noodle Casserole is a great way to use some up! My ham was huge this year, this might just be Sunday dinner on the next cool day when a little oven heat would be welcome in the house.

I'll leave you with a garden update: I took a quick pic of the spinach in my raised bed garden. I planted these seeds in the fall, the few plants that came up literally wintered over on their own (no cover or cold frame, with freezing Philadelphia temperatures and snow covering the plants). They are hearty little things:@)

All Pig In Mud Pinterest Boards-click here.

Have a great weekend:@)

Charcuterie Bouquet -A Bloggy Blooper...

I saw some really cute Meat & Vegetable Cut Flowers for Charcuterie Bouquets and just had to give them a try. The idea was to cut a jalapeno to resemble the bottom of the flower, stuff it with rolled meat, and then add either a scallion or chive for the stem. Creating a 100% edible bouquet... Once again I say, trying to shape and form lunch meat requires... patience. But I am happy that I took the time to give it a try, even though I didn't end up with what my mind's eye pictured:@) 

Let's try something new, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Fancy Cut Deviled Eggs -New Kitchen Toy

I saw a fun new set of egg cutters and just had to give them a try. If you search on-line, you can find them for anywhere from under a dollar, to about $7 delivered the next day. They come in a set of two, one is a zig-zag, the other makes a kind of swirl. They worked well and add just one more element of fun to deviled eggs. They would make a cute little extra gift for the designated deviled egg maker in your life:@)

The cutters:

Simply roll the egg on the cutter.

In case you can see the cuts better:

Bon Appetit:@)

Let's try something new and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Easter Crafting, Marinated Olives & Bacon Wrapped Maraschino Cherries

I've had a few different Bunny Butt Easter posts over the years, and wanted to share my latest quick craft. I picked up this seasonal Welcome sign on QVC. It came with eight holiday icons to use as the O, but I wasn't too fond of the supplied Easter bunny. So I found a pack of wooden cut-outs at Dollar Tree, added a little pink paint and a pom-pom tail... Wa-la, loving my cute little bunny butt welcome sign, it just makes me smile:@)

And how about a couple appy ideas for the holiday brunch or dinner: These Italian Marinated Olives are a great nibble or addition to the charcuterie board. They come together quickly and you can use any type of olives that sound good to you. I kept my celery a nice bite size too, it's all very flavorful and fresh:@)

And if you're looking for an appetizer that nobody else will be bringing to Easter dinner... May I suggest these Bacon Wrapped Maraschino Cherries. They require a little assembly, but only have two ingredients and are truly an unexpected treat.

🐣🐰Happy Easter Weekend-Enjoy:@)

Happy Easter Weekend!

 

Pom-pom bunny craft here.

🐰Wishing you a 

Wonderful Holiday Weekend:@)

Bunnies in the Garden -Chocolate Covered Peeps

I wanted to share a simple idea to add to the dessert buffet or charcuterie board... These Bunnies in the Garden, aka Chocolate Covered Peeps come together quickly and can be decorated in any seasonal sprinkles. I used semi-sweet chocolate and some green jimmies for the 'garden' look, but white chocolate works well too. Have some candy melts? Yep, even easier. This would be a cute project for the kids to make, they could leave some out for the Easter Bunny... I think finding a nibbled ear in the morning might give them a chuckle:@)

Chocolate Covered Peeps

1. Separate Peeps.
2. Melt chocolate in small bowl or cup in microwave. Stir until smooth.
3. Dip Peep into chocolate, then into sprinkles.
4. Place on wax or parchment paper until chocolate firms back up.

🐰Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie Easter Crafts Using Pipe Cleaners -DIY Fun

Easter is this weekend so I thought I'd group a few fun crafts together that all start with inexpensive pipe cleaners. ♥Love the fuzzy bunny slippers, and why not make a bubble wand for Barbie too, as the kids will probably be getting some bubbles in their Easter basket! All of the projects are small enough to complete in a short amount of time, and all would fit inside a plastic egg... If The Bunny is so inclined:@)

How to make:

Fuzzy Bunny Slippers for Barbie  ~  Bunny Ears from Bottle Ring and Pipe Cleaner

Fairy Bubble Wand  ~  Bead and Safety Pin Easter Basket

More fun ideas:

Pom-Pom Easter Bunny ~ Baby Carrier from Plastic Egg ~ Easter Basket from Egg Carton ~ 6 Barbie craft ideas for plastic Easter eggs HERE.

You can see my cute diorama of the kid dolls dyeing Easter eggs here.

Bunny Hat from Plastic Egg

Make something just for silly fun 

and Have a Happy Day🐰

Sweet Jalapeno Pickled Eggs & Deviled Egg Suggestion

Ok folks, buckle up... It's time for this year's pickled egg recipe and it's a good one:@) You might think these Sweet Jalapeno Pickled Eggs would pack some heat, but it is mellowed by the sugar. I find these particular eggs to truly be more of a snack because of the sweetness. The thyme is also a different and nice addition. I give these two thumbs up, please don't hesitate to try it if you'd like to preserve some extra hard boiled Easter eggs after the holiday.

Do yourself a favor... Mix those pickled onions and 'penos into your next batch of egg, potato, or macaroni salad. Or small dice and stir into your deviled egg mixture. Seriously good stuff! (And yes, I made everything suggested:@)

Recipe easily cut in half.

All of my pickled egg recipes here.

Deviled Eggs Pinterest Board here.

Sweet Jalapeno Pickled Eggs-from Backyard Poultry

1 C white wine vinegar-I used cider vinegar

1 C water

1 C sugar

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp mustard seed

12 hard boiled eggs, cooled and peeled

1 fresh sweet onion, peeled and diced

1 fresh jalapeno with sliced

1. In small pot bring vinegar, water, sugar, thyme and mustard seed to full raging boil for 5 minutes, then reduce to simmer for another 5 minutes.
2. Mix eggs, onion and jalapeno in clean jar leaving 1" head space.
3. Pour hot brine into jar, release air bubbles and fill with additional brine to cover eggs if necessary.
4. Cover jar and store in refrigerator.
5. Allow to pickle for up to 2 weeks before eating. I started eating mine after 2+ days.
6. *The National Center for Home Food Preservation states that homemade pickled eggs will keep up to three to four months when stored covered in the refrigerator.

Let's use up those Easter eggs, and

Have a Happy Day🐣

Pineapple Pie, K-Cup Easter Egg Holders & Easter Tiered Tray

The countdown to Easter is truly on, so for this week's ReView... If you're looking for a dessert that's little different for the Easter buffet this year, may I suggest this Pineapple Pie. It only requires one 20 oz can of crushed pineapple and a double crust. I used a cute chick cookie cutter to vent the center:@)

These Recycled K-Cup Easter Egg Holders are a fun project, especially great to keep the kids busy for a while... Then maybe the Easter Bunny could set his favorite dyed egg out for each kid to have for breakfast. You know, before they start in on the candy:@)

My 2024 Easter Tiered Tray: "Chocolate" bunny is a 98¢ plastic candy container from Walmart. I tied a pretty bow around the neck. Dollar Tree chick S&P's (bought years ago), and an old Christopher Radko Easter Bunny ornament. Luckily the bottom is flat, my ornament holder won't fit on the top tier.

Bottom Tier: How to make Flameless Candle Wrap here, colorful appy food picks, napkins, functional S&P grinders, vintage ducks on pond S&P, and of course we have to have some jelly beans:@)

🐣Easter is next weekend folks,

Have a Happy Day!