We all love to be in the kitchen. Julia and I like to bake yummy treats, while Ray and the boys like to create savory dishes. Ray would actually like to spend more time cooking, and I certainly won’t complain. I always look forward to noshing on his dishes.
Ray was most excited about one of our latest packages. It was a big box of items from Giada De Laurentiis’ Target line… lovely red mixing bowls, shiny measuring cups, white ceramic bakeware and jars of yummy foods. Not only did we have a blast trying a few of Giada’s recipes, but we look forward to using most of these items this weekend, as we celebrate Christmas here at home.
Here is one of Giada’s recipes that we plan to try this Saturday:
Pea Pesto Crostini
Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis
1(10oz) package frozen peas, thawed
1 garlic clove
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2/3 cup olive oil
8 (1/2 inch thick) slices whole grain baguette or ciabatta bread, preferably day old
8 cherry tomatoes, halved or 1 small tomato, diced
For the pea pesto:
Pulse together in food processorthe peas, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.
With the machine running, slowly add 1/3 cup of the olive oil and continue to mix until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with more salt and pepper, if needed.
Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
For the crostini:
Toast the bread for 2 – 3 minutes on an oven’s broil setting.
Transfer bread to platter and spread 1 to 2 tablespoons of pesto on each slice.
Top crostini with 2 tomato halves, finely chopped herbs or parmesan cheese and serve.
Yield: 4 – 6 Servings/ 8 crostini
If you are entertaining during this Holiday season, I’m sure these simple entertaining tips from Giada De Laurentiis will be helpful::
Plan ahead! Prepare most of your dishes ahead of time, rather than trying to cook everything at once. You’ll feel less stressed and will be able to enjoy the party. Giada recommends leaving only one item for last minute prep – this brings everyone into the kitchen and sets the tone for a cozy, comfortable evening.
Don’t overdo your menu – keep it simple! As a general rule, Giada suggests offering four to five appetizers. During the holidays, choose foods that have vibrant colors for an added festive touch. Also select foods that are beautiful to serve and easy for guests to eat.
For guests who pop-in unexpectedly, keep ready-to-serve delights in the pantry. Giada’s Genovese Basil Pesto and Eggplant & Pepper Pesto are easy and delicious treats. Serve with toasted bread or crackers and display on a festive serving platter.
Create less work for yourself by using multipurpose kitchen tools. The Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware can go directly from the oven to the table. The bakeware beautifully displays the dish and makes less clean-up for you! Kitchen and food items also make wonderful gifts. Add a personal touch to a hostess gift by baking your favorite homemade pie in the Ceramic Pie Pan.
What are your must-have items when working (or playing!) in the kitchen?
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Giada De Laurentiis for Target and received product samples to facilitate my review.
Everyone here in the Young household will agree that Monkey Bread is definitely listed in the “best baked creation ever” category. Made as a special treat, mostly around the holidays, a batch of this gooey goodness is sure to elicit squeals of delight from all.
And, with the directions right on the package of Pillsbury biscuits, there’s no searching for the recipe. Making Monkey Bread is a fun and easy way to get the kiddos in the kitchen.
The only problem? You can’t leave the Monkey bread to cool on the counter unattended without expecting to return to find it devoured!
On Friday some of my best friends and I spent the entire afternoon doing one of our favorite things – baking! Eggland’s Best sponsored this fabulous baking party and we even had door prizes! We made Quiche, Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies and homemade ice cream, all with Eggland’s Best eggs. (See recipes below.)
QUICHE
Line pie pan with pie dough and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Layer with grated cheese, sauteed spinach, sauteed mushrooms, sauteed onions and diced tomatoes. Pour mixture of 6 Eggland’s Best eggs and 1/4 cup milk. Bake at 375º for 45 minutes.
VANILLA ICE CREAM
Beat 2 Eggland’s Best eggs in a large bowl until thick and lemon-colored (about 5 minutes). Add 1 cup sugar and beat until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Stir in 2 3/4 cup half & half, 1 tablespoon vanilla and 1 cup whipping cream and pour in to ice cream canister. Follow manufacturer’s directions. Makes 2 quarts.
My family and I make lots of goodies during the Holiday season – Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Pumpkin Cake and Fudge are just a few of our favorites. Baked goodies are not only extremely yummy, but they also make great inexpensive gifts for neighbors, family members and friends, especially when packaged up nice and pretty.
You can find many ingredient items on Rollback at Walmart right now. Be sure to look for festive goody sacks and tins at great prices, too!
Some of my kiddos and I just recently made homemade fudge. I wasn’t able to include the recipe in the following video, but see below the clip for step-by-step directions (courtesy of Nestle!) on how to make these scrumptious bits of chocolatey goodness that your favorite people will go nuts over!
COMBINE sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
STIR in marshmallows, morsels, nuts and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared baking pan; refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces.
Do you enjoy baking with your kiddos around the Holidays? What do YOU give as gifts?
I am a part of the Walmart Moms program, and Walmart has provided me with compensation for this post and video. My participation is voluntary and opinions are my own.
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I am a part of the Walmart Moms program, and Walmart has provided me with compensation for this post and video. My participation is voluntary and opinions are my own.
