Pretzel and Peanut-Crusted Chicken

Last week was the last day of Paula Deen's May/June 2011 Dinners Planned for a Week Series.  Even though it was weeks ago when I actually made the receipies, it was a fun experience full of totally different meal experienes every night!

Today we have a sweet & savory menu of  Pretzel and Peanut-Crusted Chicken with served with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Honey.  Another Rachael Ray exclusive!  Although I have yet to try this recipe myself, I must say my mouth was watering when I watched her make this on her show this week.  Try it out this weekend and let me know how it turns out!

Picture from the Rachel Ray Show Website

Buy Me Cake

Today I want to put a vendor spotlight on a new bakery out of Burlington, NC.  Buy Me Cake is a bakery that just moved out of the owners house and into its own space in December 2010.  I had the pleasure of meeting the owner at an Association of Bridal Consultants Networking Meeting this month.  The shop is adorable and everything is pink!  Jennifer had a very interesting story and tons of delicious treats!  If you're in the area, please stop by, grab a cupcake, and take a look at some of her amazing work!

Slower-Cooker Swiss Steak

Today is the end of our Paula Deen Magazine May/June 2011 dinners planned for a week series!  Today's meal is Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak Mashed Potatoes with Green Salad.  Simply delicious!

1 1/2 pounds round steak, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 (8oz) package sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roased diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) cant tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 (0.87 oz) package brown gravy mix
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1.  In a 4-to-6 quart slow cooker, combine steak, mushrooms, onion, celery and garlic.

2.  In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, tomato sauce, 1/2 cup water, gravy mix, salt, and pepper.  Pour over steak mixture.  Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.  Serve over mashed potatoes with a mixed green salad.

I hope you all enjoyed this series!

Best Way to Pack a Suitcase

If you are like me, I hope you can totally relate to this post.  I ABSOLUTELY LOATHE PACKING!  Packing for vacation or packing to move, either or, they are just as horrible to me.  I'm headed to vacation to sunny (SUPER HOT) Florida and before I can get excited about the trip I have to get over my packing anxiety first.  For me it's all about packing just enough to take on the trip, no more, no less!  I mean, who really wants to drag 5 bags to the airport for a week long trip and not even use half of what you packed!

Well lucky for you (and me!) I've found some helpful tips from Real Simple and a handy dandy You Tube Video put together by The Times on packing light.

Hearty Meatless Taco Salad

Three recipes down two to go!  Today we have Hearty Meatless Taco Salad served with Orange Wedges, the "Wednesday" meal from Paula Deen Magazine.  Being a lover of Spanish foods, I must say I was a bit skeptical but ended up being pleasantly surprised!

1 head iceburg lettuce, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into 1-inch pieces
1 (15.5 oz) can chili beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15.25 oz) can corn, drained
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8 oz) package of shredded Mexican Cheddar Jack cheese blend
1 tomato, diced
1 (9.25 oz) bag of corn chips
Light Catalina salad dressing

1.  In large bowl, combine lettuces, chili beans, corn, black beans, cheese, and tomato.

2.  Just before serving, add corn chips and desired amount of salad dressing; tossing gently to coat.  Serve immediately with fresh orange wedges.

Post Wedding Keepsakes

After the wedding is all said and done and your settling into your new life as a married couple wouldn't it be nice to have "functional" reminders of your special day?

Art Vows is a wedding vendor that takes the very vows you and your husband exchanged and turns them into a work of art.  You get to design the layout, design and font styles they arrange the final product.  In the end you get to display you personal promises to one another where you can see them and be reminded daily.

http://www.artvows.com/

http://www.artvows.com/

Wedding toasts are another memorable element of any wedding.  Corked has found a way to recycle and turn your champagne, wine or cider bottle into family heirlooms.  Being a candle lover,  the thought of having a personalized candle holder to display as newly weds is pretty amazing me to me.  An even sweeter gesture to present your mom and new mother in law with a pendent to remind them of an important day in their child's lives!

http://www.corkedmemories.com/

Onion-Smothered Pork Tenderloin

Up this week for Paula Deen's Magazine "Tuesday" meal in her May/June 2011 issue we have onion-smothered pork tenderloin.  It was delicious and filling and would be perfect for a Sunday dinner!  She suggests Wild Rice and Steamed Green Beans as sides, but I had some asparagus leftover and made a substitute instead :-)

2 tablespoons bitter
2 large sweet onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup beef consomme
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
1 teaspoon crushed rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
2 1/2 pounds pork tenderloins, trimmed

1.  Preheat oven 400 degrees, spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic; cook for 5-6 minutes or until onion is tender.  Remove from heat, and stir in consomme, cream, mustard, rosemary, salt and pepper.

3.  Place pork tenderloins in prepared baking dish.  Pour onion mixture over tenderloins.  Bake 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 155 degrees.  Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

4.  Serve sliced pork with wild rice and steamed green beans.

How Did You Celebrate You Independence Day?

It was on July 4, 1776 that the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence; however, a little know fact is that it was not until August 2, 1776 that most delegates actually signed the Declaration.

Now that the fireworks, parades, picnics and barbecuing is over and the memories are still fresh in your mind, tell us how you celebrated the 4th of July?  What did you enjoy best?  What can't you wait to do again next year?

Thanks to my sister who snapped this picture while spending her 4th in the nations capital!