Popcorn for Movie Night

I got my Better Homes and Garden magazine this week, and they had the funnest ideas for different popcorn themes. We get together with family and friends all the time, and I was thinking that a Popcorn Bar would be a really fun idea. I just wanted to share a few of the ideas they suggested, these ones were my favorites.

Bedtime for Bonzo

Popcorn, banana chips, shaved chocolate, and toasted coconut

Pretty in Pink

Popcorn, Twizzler Bites, Red Cinnamon Candies, Pink Sugar

Parent Trap

Popcorn, Honey Graham Cereal, Marshmallows, Cocoa

They sprinkled cocoa and then mixed it. If that isn't enough, I think I would throw in some milk chocolate chips!!!

All American

Popcorn, Pretzels, peanuts. M&M's

Moonstruck

Popcorn, Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, melted butter, Parmesan cheese

Ideas taken from BHG

Hamburger Soup

Any time Chris hears that we are having soup for dinner, he kind of sighs, because he knows he will be eating again 2 hours after dinner. The only soup that he claims makes him feel full is Chilli. Well, I tried out this recipe, and I got 2 thumbs up from the hubby. It was a hearty and really yummy soup.

1 Lb. ground beef
2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped onion
2 cup water
1 cup sliced carrots
1 15 oz. can undrained pinto beans
2 cup tomato juice
1/2 cup raw macaroni (I used 3/4-1 cup, because I love pasta. I suggest Penne or Cork Screw) they hold up to hearty soups. I even bought whole wheat, and it was really yummy).
1 beef buillion cube
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup diced potatoes
1 cup sliced celery

Brown meat in large pot. Drain. Add onion, salt, tomato juice, beef buillion, water, and pepper. Cook 1/2 hour. Add carrots, macaroni, potatoes and celery. Cook and cover 15 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add pinto beans. Cook 5 more minutes. Serves 4-6.

I served this with Hot Rhodes Rolls, and it was yummy!

Strawberry Scones

Chris and I wanted to wake up Saturday morning and surprise Isabella with an extra sweet Valentines breakfast. I thought I would try these.



RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 cup hulled and finely diced fresh strawberries
2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar, plus a little for sprinkling
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A lemon, for zest
6 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon light cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Heat your oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, using a few spots of butter or cooking oil to stick it in place. Set the baking sheet aside.

2. Place the diced strawberries on several sheets of paper towel to absorb their juice. Meanwhile, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl. Zest half of the lemon into the ingredients, taking care to remove just the outermost skin and not the white pith.

3. Cut in the butter with two butter knives or a pastry blender until the flour-coated pieces are the size of peas. Add the strawberries, tossing them gently with a fork to coat them.

4. Make a well in the mixture. Blend the 1/2 cup of light cream and the vanilla extract in a measuring cup and pour them into the well. Using as few strokes as possible, gently stir the dough until it forms a ball. Let the dough sit for 1 minute.

5. Clean and flour your hands and dust your work surface with flour. Place the dough on the floured surface and knead it gently three or four times. Transfer it to the large baking sheet and pat it into an 8-inch circle. Using a lightly oiled pizza cutter or a serrated knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges, as you would a pizza. Use a small spatula or pie server to carefully separate the pieces, leaving at least an inch between them.

6. Brush the tops of the scones with the remaining tablespoon of light cream, then sprinkle the surfaces with sugar. Bake the scones until the outsides are crusty and starting to brown, about 18 minutes. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then slide the parchment and the scones onto a wire rack to cool for another 20 minutes before serving.

In the picture they took their fingers and pressed down on the top of each pizza slice, making it resemble the top of a heart.

Taken from Familyfun.com

Sweet Heart Krispy Treats

I thought these would be so much fun to give out on Valentines to Isabella and Grandparents. These will be so much fun to deliver to loved ones!

Cooking spray
3 tablespoons margarine
6 cups mini (or 60 regular-size) marshmallows
Red food coloring
9 cups Rice Krispies cereal
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
Plastic bags, yarn
1. To begin, lightly coat a 10- by 15-inch baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside.

2. Melt the margarine in a large pot over low heat. Add the marshmallows, stirring them continuously until they melt. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in drops of red food coloring until the color receives a thumbs-up from the chef.

3. Add the Rice Krispies, stirring until they are evenly coated with marshmallow. Spoon the mixture onto the baking sheet.

4. With waxed paper (or lightly buttered hands), smooth out the mixture, spreading it to an even thickness.

5. Cut out hearts with the cookie cutter. Place each heart in a clear plastic bag, tie on a yarn bow, and they're ready for giving. Makes seven 5-inch hearts.

Taken from Familyfun.com