the go-to girl

Staying in for Cinco de Mayo? Easy dinner recipe!

2011-05-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo! If you're not hitting up your favorite Mexican cantina, you can still have just as much fun at home...and have food just as good! Below is an easy recipe for a tossed taco salad that is a staple at the in-laws house. The first time I had it, I was hooked! There is also a YUMMY strawberry margarita recipe. Have fun celebrating...and careful with the tequila shots!

Tossed Taco Salad
1 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
1 taco seasoning envelope
1 head of lettuce of your choice, torn into salad sized pieces (Romaine is my fave!)
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese (or cheddar, monterey jack, etc.)
1 cup black beans
1 cup tomatoes (fresh or canned-petite diced if canned)
1 14oz can black olives
1/2 bag tortilla chips
sour cream or ranch to dress...I prefer ranch, hubby prefers sour cream

Brown ground beef and fix according to taco seasoning instructions. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, but not sour cream/ranch and toss well and dress it up on top or on the side!

Strawberry Margaritas
2 shots tequila
1/2 shot lime juice
1/4 shot sugar syrup
8 strawberries

Muddle strawberries with tequila in mixing tin, add other ingredients and lots of ice, shake and strain. Serve in a Coupette glass and garnish with a strawberry!
(Mix Shake and Pour)

Quiche-it's what's for dinner, or breakfast, or lunch, or brunch...

2011-04-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

Thankfully my husband will eat just about anything so we had ham & spinach quiche for dinner last night, and it got me thinking how versatile quiche really is. I have decided that quiche is the perfect food. Here is my list of reasons why:

-it can be can served for any meal
-it is filling without being too heavy
-you can make it with ingredients you probably already have
-it's quick and easy
-it requires only a few ingredients
-it is actually a good "leftover" food

My mom made it often when we were kids and now I have a greater understanding and appreciation of why! If you have never made one before, below is a basic, foolproof recipe that merges my Mom's with my own. You won't be disappointed!

Ingredients:
-4 eggs
-2c grated cheese (I use cheddar & colby jack)
-2c fresh baby spinach chopped or 1 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach
-1/2c milk
-1/2c mayo
-10 slices of bacon (cooked & crumbled) or 10 slices of ham
-1 frozen pie crust

Beat the mayo with the milk with wisk until smooth. Add in eggs and beat. Layer spinach, cheese and meat in pie crust. Pour egg mixture over. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes, until quiche is set.

*you can do broccoli instead of spinach, add onions, peppers, whatever your heart desires!
*feta is a great alternative as well
*you can add spices like onion powder, oregano, garlic to add a little flavor
*you can nix the mayo and sub another egg

Party Time!

2011-04-14T06:10:00.000-07:00

'Tis the season for PARTIES! Spring is in the air, so with it comes wedding, birthday & baby celebrations. Although these events do take place year round, there seems to be an influx once March hits! Below are some photos of two recent celebrations!

My dear friend from high school, Anna, asked me to make the cupcakes for her son's 2nd birthday party. The party was at the farm at Oak Mountain...which by the way, is a GREAT place for kids! The park is kept up so well and the animals were awesome! A peacock almost destroyed the cake, but we were able to "shoo" him away JUST in time! It was pretty funny! The cake and cupcakes turned out pretty darn cute! Anna found the recipe here:
www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/barn-cake-with-farm-animal-cupcakes
It was definitely a labor of love, as they took about 5 hours to make from start to finish, but it was well worth it to see a smiling face on the sweet birthday boy!

One of my best friends from college, Kristen, is having a baby boy and we showered her with lots of love, lots of gifts & lots of yummy food!!! We really wanted it to be a special shower because Kristen is such a special friend to all those who hosted! The shower was held at the gorgeous home of our friend Fran. From the vintage milk bottles with polka dot paper straws to the tree with baby photos of the parents to be, every detail was covered!