easy entertaining

Avocado and Chorizo Dip Recipe

This Avocado & Chorizo dip recipe comes from my friend talented and funny friend, Carly, who says 'this dip will win you friends'!  It is such a delicious dip that is hearty and colourful and a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

 

What You Need:

1 link of chorizo sausage, diced
2 avocadoes, diced
1 large tomato, seeded and diced*
1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
1/4 cup of diced red onion
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper or green chile, minced, or add some dashes of hot sauce to taste
2 tbsp of red wine vinegar (you can also use balsamic vinegar in place of the red wine)
Juice of 1 big lime (add more if you think the dip needs more zing)
A good glug of olive oil
Salt to taste

*seeding sounds more complicated than it is, and it's also necessary to do because otherwise the dip will get too liquidy. Just chop up the tomato into quarters, or eighths if it's quite big, and scoop out the seeds in the middle.

 easy avocado dip
Photo Credit

 

What You Do:

 

Preheat the oven to broil, and place the diced chorizo in a single layer on a sheet pan. Run it under the broiler for anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, until it gets browned and crispy. Remove from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Blot the chorizo with the paper towel to remove the excess grease.  In the summer, grill the sausages on the BBQ and then dice once cooled.

 

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the avocado, tomato, cilantro, red onion, garlic, jalapeno or chile pepper, vinegar, lime juice, olive oil, and salt to taste. Be gentle with the mixture, as you want to maintain the nice dice on the avocado without mushing it up.  Add in the sausage and mix just until combined.

 

This is best after sitting at room temperature for about a half an hour, to give the flavours a chance to mingle. Serve with tortilla chips. Makes a bowl that will serve about 4 as a snack or hors d'oeuvres. This recipe doubles well.

 

Submitted by momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 02/20/2013 - 10:10
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The Best Oven Baked French Toast Recipe

This is the perfect recipe to make for the holidays- Christmas, Boxing Day or even New Year's Day!

It's perfect for a crowd and super easy for hosting as you make it the night before and then just bake the morning of your gathering.

challah bread baked french toast recipe

 

What you need:

7 eggs
2 to 2 1/4 cups milk (if you use more bread, add the extra 1/4 milk)
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
12 – 18 slices Challah bread*, crusts removed (2 loaves usually)
½ cup butter, melted
½  cup brown sugar

What you do:

Lightly butter 9 X 13 pan.

Combine eggs, milk and cinnamon.

Dip bread in egg mixture, coating both sides, and layer in pan.  Pour the rest of the egg mixture on top.

Stir together butter and brown sugar and drizzle over top.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, bring to room temperature, preheat oven to 400 F and remove foil.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden and custard has set.

baked french toast recipe

 

*Another name for Challah bread is egg bread.

submitted by momstown Oakville

Posted by momstown team on 12/24/2012 - 10:55
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3 Festive Christmas Cocktails and Mocktails

 

christmas cocktails and mocktails

 

Mistletoe Cosmo

 

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add;

1 oz vodka

1 oz Chambord

½ oz lime juice

2 oz cranberry juice

4 mint leaves, torn.

 

Shake and strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a mint sprig.

Adapted from LCBO Holiday Recipes

  

Cran-Raspberry Christmas Mocktail


2 cups cold water

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

1 pouch (1/2 of 15.6-g pkg.) Crystal Light Raspberry Ice Low Calorie Drink Mix

2 cups cold champagne

1/2 cup frozen raspberries


ADD water and juice cocktail to drink mix in 1.5-L plastic or glass pitcher; stir until mix is dissolved.

STIR in champagne.

POUR over raspberries in glasses. Serve immediately.


Non-Alcoholic Variation

Substitute your favourite non-alcoholic sparkling beverage, such as sparkling water or club soda, for the champagne.

 

Adapted from Kraft

 

Spiced Apple Hot Buttered Rum

 

momstown top festive cocktails4 cups (1L) PC Spiced Apple Cocktail

1/2 cup (125 mL) dark rum

1/2 cup (125 mL) Canadian whisky (rye)

2 tbsp (25 mL) cold unsalted butter, cut in 6 equal cubes

 

Instructions

1. In medium saucepan, heat apple cocktail, rum and whisky over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until heated through. Remove from heat; whisk in butter cubes one at a time until melted. Pour into mugs or glasses; serve immediately.


Adapted from President's Choice Recipes

Posted by momstown team on 12/05/2012 - 16:10
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Tex Mex Chili Recipe


We are certainly into comfort food season.  And while I love a good meaty chili, this Tex Mex Chili recipe that uses chicken instead of beef is so delicious that its part of my dinner roster just as often as the more traditional versions.  I also love that you can add a few different toppings to dress it up and make it your own. This is a perfect recipe to have simmering on the stove while you play outside in the snow!  This recipe makes 6 servings.


tex mex chili recipe

 

Ingredients:


3 chicken breasts, diced
1/4 all purpose flour
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/4 cups canned corn, drained
2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 1/2 cups canned black or white beans, drained and rinsed
2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (store bought or home made)
3/4 cup chicken stock
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp sedded and finely chopped jalapeno pepper OR 1 1/2 tsp hot chili sauce
pinch of pepper


Topping options (divide between the 6 servings):
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
1/2 cup shredded aged cheddar
1/4 low fat sour cream
1/2 diced avocado


As with any chili recipe, adjust the spiciness level to your liking by adding more or less chili sauce or jalapenos.


Toss the chicken with the flour.  Lightly coat a sauce pan with non stick spray and add 1 tsp of the vegetable oil and heat on medium.  Cook the chicken until it is brown on all sides but not cooked through.  Remove from the pan and set aside.  Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes.  Stir in corn and garlic and continue to cook until the corn is browned.


Stir in the rest of the ingredients (not the toppings) and bring to a boil.  Once boiling, stir and reduce the heat to a simmer and add the chicken back in.  Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes or until thickened. 


Pick your garnishes and serve!

Posted by momstown team on 11/27/2012 - 17:36
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The BEST Lemon Bars

Mamas are raving about this recipe from our cookie & dessert exchange - and say these are the squares that didn't make it home!  Credit goes to Glory from momstown Burlington.

 

The BEST Lemon Bars

 

best lemon squares

 

Ingredients:

1c. unsalted butter, softened

1/2c. white sugar

2c. all-purpose flour

4 eggs

1 1/2c. white sugar

1/4c. all-purpose flour

2 lemons, juiced (or 1/2 c. lemon juice)

 

Instructions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


2.In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar.  Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.


3.Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.


4.Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool.


5.Sprinkle with powdered sugar once cooled down.

photo credit: TinyBaker.com

 

If you love this recipe, you HAVE to try these two amazing dessert square recipes!

Posted by momstown team on 11/22/2012 - 12:16
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My Favourite Dessert Squares- Hello Dollies and Marshmallow Squares

My mom has some great recipes that remind me of growing up and sneaking into the freezer with my sister for a treat!  So it seems fair that I share two of my favourite recipes for easy dessert squares!  They are a huge crown pleaser, with requests each holiday for my mom to make them...best part...they freeze beautifully!

 

Hello Dollies


Melt ¼ cup of butter in square cake tin. Add 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs. Stir and mix well and press to create a crust.

Pour the following in layers:

hello dolly squares, my favourite dessert squares

1 cup choc chips
1 cup coconut
1 ½ cups of white mini marshmallows
½ cup of chopped nuts ( I use sliced almonds)

Drizzle 1 can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Milk on the top and bake at 350°F for approx 25 minutes or until golden brown.

 

http://restingonabranch.blogspot.ca/2010/09/my-grandmothers-squares.html

photos from On a Branch 

 

 No-Bake Social Tea Marshmallow Squares


1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 egg

 

no bake social tea and marshmallow squares

 

Mix in a double boiler and stir. Cook 8 minutes. Beat with a spoon until creamy. Cool slightly and add ¾ pkg. of coloured marshmallows. Crush and add 30 Social Tea biscuits (don’t pulverize them). Mix well and press into a buttered pan and refrigerate.

 

Alternatively.... create an even MORE decadent treat by adding 1 cup of peanut butter and 11oz of butterscotch chips!

no bake marshmallow squares

Posted by momstown team on 11/15/2012 - 17:13
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Dishing on Healthier Holiday Entertaining

The holidays are a time overflowing with family, friends and, of course, food. So let's express our special love for those near and dear to us by making this holiday season a much healthier one. And it’s easier to do than you might think! You can decide to modify your favorite recipes or continue to dish up your family's traditional fare…and just eat less of it. It’s also a great time to try some delicious new recipes. Here’s how we’ve started to make the holidays healthier in our home. I hope you find these five tips to healthier holiday entertaining not only helpful but so effortless that they become parts of your new traditions.

 

Healthy Holiday Entertaining

 

Five Tips to Healthier Holiday Entertaining…

 

1. Drink Bubbles: If you customarily say “cheers” with mixed drink cocktails, simply exchange the tonic for seltzer or club soda…or buy calorie-free tonic. An even better option is to serve lower carbohydrate drink options such as champagne and white wine. Your best bet is to forgo the alcohol completely in exchange for bubbly water like Perrier or seltzer. Be sure to serve it festively—in crystal flutes with a few champagne-infused raspberries. And of course, never drink and drive!

 

2. Move Straight to the Meal: You can clearly prevent overeating by simply serving less food! Skip the hors d’oeuvres and start the celebration with a sit-down appetizer featuring a vegetable and a lean protein. Ideas to consider include roasted asparagus wrapped in a thin layer of smoked salmon or a petite salad of lobster, grapefruit and avocado.

 

3. Hold “Recess” Periods: Rather than sitting down to eat your holiday meal in three consecutive courses, change the pace this year by holding “recess” periods. Plan two activities—one in between each course—to get you and your guests up from the table and moving around a little bit. Not only will this give everybody time to digest their food but it also affords time for their brains to recognize their levels of fullness. Ideas for these mini breaks include watching a family video montage, playing a game of touch football, opening and sharing gifts…or even playing charades!

 

4. Recipe Rehab: If you choose to modify your favorite recipe to make it healthier, you can make just a few changes or decide to revamp the entire dish. Examples include using whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta; replacing vegetable oil with canola oil; decreasing the recommended amount of sugar by 25-50% (2 cups become 1 cup); and doubling the amount of vegetables.

 

5. White Wonderland: White is the magical color of winter…and the most magical color for your plates. Research conducted by Dr. Brain Wainsink and his team at Cornell's Food Lab suggests that using white dinner plates to create contrast between foods and their settings helps to decrease overeating. So, plan to serve your favorite traditional recipes on white plates and just eat less of it to help ensure your (and your family’s) overall health throughout the holidays…as well as every day throughout the year!

By Mom Dishes It Out's Laura Cipullo, RD, CDE and Mom

Posted by Mom Dishes it Out on 11/03/2012 - 10:14
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Top 10 Slow Cooker Recipes

 

I'm having a love affair with my slow cooker.  Now that the cooler weather is upon us, I've moved it from the basement shelf to a permanent spot on my counter!

 

The truth is that I didn't open this wedding gift until we had been married 11 years (unbelieveable, huh?). I really didn't know what I was missing! I started to see recipes all over the internet last fall and I had to jump on this retro cooking bandwagon. I finally took it out of the box and never looked back! While the look of my slow cooker could use an update, I sure do love what I can create for my family!

 

Reasons I Love the Slow Cooker:

1. It can cook all day while I work!

2. It is a healthy and simple alternative on those crazy days when you rush to your kid's programs and head for the drive thru.

3. My husband thinks I slaved over the stove...but I really went for a manicure while dinner was cooking!

4.  It is one pot to clean!

5. My kids love to help with the prep work- it is easy and safe for them.

6. There are incredible recipes on Pinterest and spice packages in the grocery store to add to your own imagination!

 

Hearty Beef Chili

slow cooker chili

 

Mexican Chicken

 

Classic Pot Roast

 

Southwest Steak and Potato Stew

 

hearty steak and potato stew

 

Easy Entertaining Meatballs

 

Lemon Herb Drumsticks

slow cooker chicken

Hot Apple Punch

 

Vegetarian Indian Cauliflower

 

Hamburger Casserole

 

 

Turkey and Stuffing Meal in a pot!

 

slow cooker turkey and stuffing

Posted by momstown team on 10/26/2012 - 13:27
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Mini Florentine Cups

Mini Florentine CupsOur friends at Philadelphia Cream Cheese have come up with an appetizer that looks & tastes great - perfect for your next party or entertaining experience. And we love the fact that there's a 'make-ahead' option for more time savings!

 

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, cooked, well drained
1/2 cup Kraft Part Skim Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
1/3 cup Philadelphia Light Cream Cheese Spread
1 Tbsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onions
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
24  thin slices deli turkey breast (250 g)

 

Directions:

  • Combine all ingredients except turkey.
  • Unfold turkey slices; use to line insides of 24 miniature muffin cups. Fill with spinach mixture.
  • Bake 15 min. or until heated through. Cool in pan 5 min. before serving.

 

KRAFT KITCHEN TIPS:

Make Ahead

Appetizers can be assembled ahead of time. Refrigerate up to several hours. When ready to serve, bake, uncovered, as directed.

 

Special Extra

Add 1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped water chestnuts to spinach mixture before using as directed. (This is not recommended for those watching their carbohydrate intake.)

 

prep time - 20 mins
total time - 35 mins
servings - Makes 24 servings, 1 appetizer (24 g) each.

 

Posted by momstown team on 10/20/2012 - 12:47
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OREO Cookie Balls

Oreo Cookie BallsLooking for an easy no-bake holiday treat that's great for gift giving and for creating kitchen memories with your little Jr. Chefs? Don't miss these cookie treats made only three simple ingredients!

 

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (350 g) Oreo Cookies, finely crushed, divided
1 pkg. (250 g) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese, softened
2 pkg. (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

 

Directions:

  • Remove 1 Tbsp. cookie crumbs. Mix cream cheese and remaining crumbs until well blended. Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls. Refrigerate 30 min.
  • Melt chocolate squares as directed on package. Dip balls in chocolate; place in single layer on parchment- or waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs.
  • Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.


KRAFT KITCHEN TIPS: 

 

How to Easily Dip Cookie Balls:

To easily coat cookie balls with melted chocolate, add cookie balls, in batches, to bowl of melted chocolate. Then, use 2 forks to roll cookie balls in chocolate until evenly coated. Remove cookie balls with forks and allow excess chocolate to drip back into bowl before placing cookie balls on prepared baking sheet.

 

How to Store

Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

 

Gift-Giving

Pack these delicious cookie balls in small containers. Then, add a colourful bow and gift tag to each container and you've got the perfect holiday or hostess gift.

 

prep time - 30 mins
total time - 120 mins
servings - Makes 21 servings, 2 cookie balls (38 g) each

 

 

Posted by momstown team on 10/19/2012 - 16:22
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