Ginormous S'mores

My Mom sent a little care package for the kids that included these GINORMOUS MARSHMALLOWS! The photo doesn't even do justice...they are at least 4 times bigger than the normal marshmallow. So, we had a family s'more roast, and everybody got good and sticky!
These Marshmallows are made by "Campfire" and are called "Giant Roasters." I have no idea where she found them, but I'm sure you could find some on-line. Anyway, these are not only giant, they are also the best marshmallows I've ever had...and super soft, they are easy to roast to perfection! So, If you're planning a camping trip this summer, these are a must!

Yummy Edible Nests

Level: Easy! Time: 30 min

I've seen 'edible' nest made out of chow-mein noodles and chocolate, and they are super cute, but I don't consider them 'edible!' I wanted to make a cute nest that also tasted good! So I modified this recipe I got from my sister, she uses it to make home made 'almond joys,' but I omitted the chocolate covering, and added mini cadbury eggs instead. What's not to love about coconut, chocolate, and sugar? Here you go!

Ingredients:

4 egg whites

1 Cup Sugar

6 Tbls Flour

4 Cups Sweetened, Shredded coconut

Oven: 350

Mix Egg whites, Sugar, and flour until well blended. About 3 min. You do not need to form still peaks. Stir in Coconut. Prep cookie sheet with PARCHMENT PAPER. (This is the most important step...I tried it without, and ruined a whole batch!) Drop cookies onto in a round shape. Bake aprox. 12 min, or until coconut is lightly browned. Remove from oven and press 3 candy eggs into cookie so it resembles a nest.

See, super easy, and super yummy! Way better than crunchy chow-mein and chocolate. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!
Check out ore easter crafts at these blogs!

Little Leprechaun Hat's

Difficulty: EASY! Time: 10 min

As far as I know, I made this up completely, and I'm proud of myself for that! So if you've already thought of this, don't tell me and just let me revel in my pride for once! This was so simple and fun for the kids and I to do together. (although, I have to admit, I did try to pawn them off on a movie, but It was a no-go....so we enjoyed getting covered in chocolate together :)

Supplies:

-Chocolate chips (I like Milk, not dark)

-Large Marshmallows

-Round Chocolate Covered Cookies

-Green Licorice, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (twizzler makes green)

-Small Yellow Candies (I used M&M, or Reeces)

-Small Shamrock toothpick or confetti (optional)

Melt the Chocolate Chips in microwave, stirring at 30 second intervals. Use a toothpick or skewer to dip the marshmallows in melted chocolate, and place in center of cookie. Wrap licorice around base of marshmallow, and cut to fit. Place small drop of chocolate on back of yellow candy, and secure to seam of licorice. Add shamrock toothpick or confetti piece if wanted, but be sure to remove before eating (especially with young children).

Like I said, Easy Peasy! Enjoy, and let me know if you try it, or post and link back here, I'd love to see a photo.

Don't forget to enter out "Rainbow of Bows" giveaway and take a guess on our "Countdown to our New Baby!"

Spinach and Egg Salad for Valentine's Dinner

This is a recipe from my Sister, who's a wonderful chef! It seems strange to put eggs in a salad, but this is a family favorite at my house! And the pink dressing makes it perfect for Valentines Day! Pair it with the heart enchiladas for a easy and yummy valentine meal!

Here's all it takes!

20 oz spinach

6 hard boiled eggs cut into slices

1 cup mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup bacon bits

1/4 cup almond slices

Toss all this together! Then toss with dressing, or serve on the side

Dressing:

1 Tbs red onion chopped ( I just guess on this!)

3/4 C white vinegar

1 C oil (canola or olive is my favorite)

3/4 C sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp dry mustard

1 1/2 tsp poppy seeds

Blend chopped onions and 1/2 cup vinegar to blender. Blend until onion is fully crushed...no chunks left! Add the last 1/4 C. vinegar and all other ingredients EXCEPT poppy seeds. Blend until well mixed. Add poppy seeds and blend briefly. If you mix the poppy seeds too long, they get pulverized! Toss over salad, or serve to the side. I like to serve on the side, since the pink dressing is really beautiful! Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Valentine Dinner! Easy Enchiladas

Heart Enchiladas make a great Valentine dinner! This is a recipe that's been in my family for years and years, passed on to my mother by her grandmother, who was raised in Mexico! It's simple and low cost, and even my kids eat it!

Here's the Recipe:

corn tortillas (as many as you eat!)

1 can tomato juice (76 oz)

1 can tomato's (whole, crushed, diced...your choice)

1 tsp or more Chili powder (to taste)

1 tsp salt

Grated Cheese and diced onions(opt.)

Pour the tomato juice and other canned tomato's into a large saucepan and heat on med (I like tomato chunks, so I use whole tomatoes and cut them up into the pan. My sister doesn't like chunks, so she uses crushed tomatoes...whatever you prefer).

When warm, remove 1 cup of tomato juice and add 1 Tbs flour at a time until you get a thick paste. Add chili powder and salt to taste. I use about 3 Tbs. flour, and 2 tsp chili powder. Pour back into pan and mix. Let tomato juice mixture simmer until thickened. If it gets too thick, add a little water. If you like it thicker, let simmer longer.

Heat about 2 inches of oil in a sauce pan big enough to fit your tortillas! Use med to med-high.

Pre-cut tortillas into a heart shape (or any shape! Usually I just leave them round, but this was fun for Valentines day)!

When oil is warm it will bubble when a tortilla is placed inside. You don't want it so hot that it pops at you!

Cook tortillas in oil about 1 min, flipping 1/2 way through, then dip into sauce, and place on plate. Cover with cheese, then stack another cooked and sauced tortilla on top. Stack as many as you'd like. My kids eat about 2, my husband eats 4-5, I eat 3! Serve warm, with an egg or salad. Pictured is Spinach Salad, which is coming in a future post!

This recipe is very simple, but takes a few times to get perfect since it's such a 'feel' recipe. The good news is it makes so much sauce, there's plenty for left-overs! I usually get 3 meals out of this for my family of 6. I just reheat the sauce and make the tortillas fresh every time!

I Love Chocolate! Valentine Heart Cookies!

Difficulty: Easy Time: 1-2 hours (including bake & cooling time)

These Yummy Cookies are easy and fun for the kids to help make! Leave plain chocolate, or fill with frosting for a variety. One of our favorites, we call them "Home-Made Oreo's!" We usually make them round, but wanted to try a heart shape for Valentines day. Here's the Recipe, so you can try them for yourself!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies:

1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil

4 Squares Baking Chocolate (melted)

2 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla

2 Cups Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp salt

Powdered sugar (1-2 cups)

Mix Vegetable Oil, Chocolate and Sugar until well blended. Add Eggs one at a time and Mix well, Add Vanilla. Mix flour, Baking Powder and Salt, then add to Chocolate Mixture and mix well. Chill dough in Fridge for several hours or overnight (I stick it in the freezer to speed up the cooling time!). Drop by Tablespoons full into the powdered sugar, coat well and then shape into hearts (or, for normal circle cookies, balls).

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (depending on size)

Makes 3 doz. single cookies

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting for filling:

3 oz Cream Cheese, Softened.

aprox. 1 Ib powdered Sugar

1 tsp. flavoring, if desired

(you might try mint, strawberry or raspberry)

Food Dye (optional)

Mix until a smooth and creamy consistency, adding more or less Powdered sugar depending on desired thickness. Spread onto one cooled cookie, and top with another cookie. Cookies filled with Cream Cheese frosting should be kept in the refrigerator.

Hopefully you enjoy these cookies as much as we do! Happy Valentines Day!