Garden party Easter brunch menu

the Perfect menu for
a spring garden party

What is more elegant or beautiful than a springtime garden party? Simulate a stunning fit-for-a-queen garden party brunch this Easter with this delicious brunch menu. All that's missing are the fancy hats and floral frocks!

If the weather isn't ideal where you are, take the garden party inside by placing a few vases of fresh blooms (like colored roses) on your brunch table. Then serve up this spring-inspired menu for a sophisticated brunch everyone will rave about.

Mango whole-wheat muffins

Yields 12

Ingredients:1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour1/2 cup all-purpose flour1/3 cup brown sugar1/3 cup white sugar2 teaspoons baking powderDash of salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1 cup chopped fresh mango3/4 cup low-fat milk1/4 cup applesauce1 egg1 teaspoon vanillaDirections:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk the flours, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. In another bowl, mix the milk, applesauce, egg, vanilla and mango. Pour wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir to combine.Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full with muffin batter. Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Bacon & cheese deviled eggs

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Serves 12

Ingredients:6 hard-boiled eggs, shells removed1/4 cup mayonnaise1/2 tablespoon mustard3 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheeseSalt and pepperDirections:

Cut each peeled egg in half and carefully remove the yolk. Place yolks in a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper and cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.Scoop about one teaspoon or so of filling into each egg half. Sprinkle with bacon bits and enjoy!

Hash brown & garden vegetable strata

Yields 6 individual servings (about 1 cup serving size)

Ingredients:2 cups frozen hash browns (diced, not shredded)*1/2 large onion, chopped1/2 medium orange pepper, chopped6 stalks asparagus, chopped with stems removed2 tablespoons butter3/4 cup frozen peasAbout 5 ounces soft goat cheese2 tablespoons milk1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces)6 tablespoons fresh mozzarellaFresh basil, choppedSalt and pepper to taste

*Sub in fresh potatoes if you'd like, just boil slightly to soften and add the skillet.

Directions:

Grease 6 cocottes with nonstick cooking spray (or ramekins). Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, pepper and asparagus. Cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add frozen hash browns and peas and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in milk, cheddar cheese and goat cheese. Stir to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.Pour mixture into the prepared dishes. Top with one tablespoon mozzarella cheese and fresh basil. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture has thickened.

Jelly bean & lemon-infused Bellini

Serves 4

Ingredients:1/4 cup pink jelly beans1/2 cup vodka12 ounces prosecco2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice (1 ounce)Directions:

To infuse the vodka, place 1/4 cup jelly beans (we used pink) in a Mason jar. Top with vodka and screw on lid. Shake vigorously. Let sit for about 2 days, shaking every few hours. Then strain through a wire mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the excess sugar from the jelly beans.Pour one ounce of vodka into Champagne flutes. Top with 3 ounces of prosecco and 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice.

More elegant brunch recipes

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Easy but elegant Easter brunch menu

Tonight's Dinner Bean and Beef Burrito

Mexican Food Made Quick And EasyMexican food is one of those ethnic foods that's easy to make and has tons of options. It can be spicy or mild, appeal to vegetarians or carnivores, and always has people coming back for more. This beef and bean burrito is no exception.

Tacos and quesadillas seem to be the first entrées people think of when making Mexican food at home. They're easy to prepare, take practically no time, and are always a treat. But there are other favorites as well. Carne Asada, fajitas, carnitas, and of course, the burrito, although these don't seem to be made at home nearly as often. These are the entrées people tend to order when they go out to eat. Maybe it's because of the seasonings, or maybe it's because they seem to be more complicated than the other choices. But fear not, turns out a bean and beef burrito is just as easy to make at home as a taco or quesadilla and only takes a little more time.

Bean and Beef Burrito

Ingredients

1, 16-ounce can refried beans1 pound ground beef1 packet taco seasoning2/3 cup water4 large flour tortillas1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar and jack cheese, separated4 tablespoons salsa

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.In a medium saucepan, heat the refried beans over medium heat.While the beans warm up, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, 6 to 8 minutes; stir in taco seasoning and water; simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.Place tortillas flat on work surface; spread 1/4 cup warm refried beans onto each tortilla; add 1/2 cup ground beef to each tortilla and sprinkle 1/4 cup shredded cheese over beef.Fold the sides of the tortilla into the center and roll tortilla into the form of a tube; place tortillas, seam side down, on a large foil-lined cookie sheet; sprinkle tortillas with remaining cheese; cook burritos for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and lightly browned; serve with your favorite salsa.

Other Burrito Recipes from SheKnows

Baked Breakfast Burritos

Burritos in a Crock Pot

Curry Turkey Burritos

Turkey sausage and herb stuffing recipe

A Savory Stuffing For Your ThanksgivingTo me, stuffing is the most important part of the Thanksgiving meal. I can’t imagine celebrating without a plate of this savory comfort food. The smell and the flavor remind me of my Thanksgiving pasts where I would help my mom and grandma make it from scratch. Although the bagged mix is delicious, it doesn't compare to the incredible taste of homemade stuffing. Plus, it doesn't take much longer to prepare!

With turkey sausage, hearty, fresh bread and tons of sauteed and caramelized vegetables, this stuffing recipe has all the makings of a delicious meal!

Turkey sausage and herb stuffing

Yields: 8 (3/4 cup) servings

Ingredients: 10 cups cubed sourdough bread3 tablespoons butter2 cups chopped onion1 cup chopped celery15 ounces turkey sausage, casings removed3 tablespoons dried thyme3 tablespoons fresh sage3 tablespoons fresh parsley1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper2 cups low-sodium chicken broth1 cup water1 large eggCooking sprayDirections:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Arrange bread in layers on a cookie sheet or shallow pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes or until golden, flipping bread if it's layered. Turn oven off; leave pans in oven for 30 minutes or until bread is crisp.Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.Add onion and celery; cook for 11 minutes or until tender. Stir frequently.Transfer vegetables to a large bowl.Add sausage to pan. Increase heat; sauté until browned, stirring to crumble into pieces.Remove sausage from pan and add to vegetable mixture. Stir in bread, herbs and pepper and toss. Set aside.Combine broth, one cup water and egg.Drizzle broth mixture over bread mixture and toss.Spoon mixture into a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray and cover with foil.Bake for 25 minutes, and then take off the foil and cook 25 minutes more, until browned.

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Food recall River Ranch Foods bagged lettuce

food recall
Bagged lettuce gets recalled again

Bagged lettuce, sold nationwide under various brand names, is being recalled due to possible listeria contamination.

River Ranch Foods of Salinas, California, has initiated a voluntary recall of bagged lettuce after a routine and random test by the FDA found possible listeria contamination.

What to look for

The products in question were sold nationwide in various sizes and varieties. They are sold under several brand names including River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, and The Farmer's Market.

The bagged lettuce was sold to consumers as well as food service distributors. The products have use-by dates between May 12 and May 22, 2012 or Julian dates between 116–125. Look for the code date on the upper right-hand corner of the bag. For more information see the press release on the FDA website.

Listeria infection symptoms

This comes just a few days after Gill's Onions recalled thousands of pounds of chopped red onions for possible listeria contamination.

Listeria can cause fatal infections and is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, young children and elderly people. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, diarrhea and high fever.

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Valentine’s Day martini menu

Bring on the pink cocktails!

Not only is Valentine's Day a great excuse to overindulge in chocolate and candy, it's also the perfect reason to drink pink martinis. Whether you're raising your glass to true love or drowning your sorrows in it, these cocktails will help with either.

District American Kitchen & Wine Bar brings us this cocktail as part of their Valentine's Day menu. Start your romantic dinner off with this festive drink at the bar, or end the evening with it as a sweet nightcap. Just don't forget the goodnight kiss!

All-American sweetheart martini recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:2-1/2 ounces vodka1-1/2 ounces peach schnapps1 ounce orange juice1 ounce strawberry pureeIceHeart-shaped gummy candy (garnish)Directions:

Mix all ingredients with ice in a shaker.Shake.Strain into a chilled martini glass.Garnish with a heart-shaped gummy candy.

And just in case you don't get your fill of chocolate during the day, this martini recipe has you covered with chocolate in liquid form. It doesn't get much better than that, does it?

Pink chocolate martini recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:1 ounce vanilla vodka1-1/2 ounces crème de cacao1/2 ounce amaretto1/2 ounce grenadine syrup4 tablespoons Cool WhipIceDirections:

Combine all ingredients in a shaker.Shake until Cool Whip is completely dissolved.Strain into a martini glass.

More Valentine's Day recipes

Healthy Valentine's Day treats
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Photo credit: Kelley Karnes

How to make the best brownies

Best Brownie
PracticesBake the best brownies every time with these easy best brownie basics. Everyone loves ooey gooey fudgy brownies and making them at home is the way to go. Bake up some of the best brownies ever and share them with your family and friends and they will be begging for more. Here are some best brownie practices and ideas.

Best Brownie Basics: The Chocolate

The best type of chocolate to use when making the best homemade brownies is unsweetened cocoa powder instead of solid chocolate. Your brownies will come out with a smoother consistency and super fudgy. It's also easier to control the sweetness and texture of the final brownie product.

>>Oreo Brownies with Marshmallows

You can use either Dutch processed or natural cocoa powder, but you should do a simple taste test to determine which you like better. Natural cocoa is typically better suited for brownies because it has a more intense flavor, but if you like a darker-color brownie, then Dutch processed is the way to go.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Remember, however, natural cocoa is the only option if you're also using baking soda in the recipe. Dutch process can be used with baking powder.

>>Cocoa Brownies

 

Best Brownie Basics: Cakey v. Fudgy v. Chewy

Whether you like cakey, fudgy, or chewy brownies there is a way to make them.

To make the best fudgy brownies, use less flour and an added egg yolk will do the trick.For the best cakey brownies, use less butter and flour and add baking soda to keep them light.For the best chewy brownies, more flour and whole eggs will make them perfect.

>>Brownies with Irish Cream Icing

These are, of course, just general guidelines; feel free to experiment with ingredients to get your perfect, desired texture. You should try to start out with a baseline recipe and add or reduce ingredients as needed.

>>Dark Chocolate Brownies with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

As far as baking to get the perfect texture, keep a close eye because a few minutes too much or too little in the oven can be the difference between the best and worst brownies.

 

Best Brownie Basics: Extra Flavors

If you are a chocoholic, then you probably will not want to add anything else to your brownies (unless you are adding chocolate chips), but if you need a little something extra, then keep reading.

>>Chocolate Cream Cheese and Marble Brownies Nuts are the first go-to ingredient, which add some texture and taste.Marshmallows or marshmallow fluff are also great in brownies.Peanut butter is one of my favorite add-ins as are toffee or cream cheese.Coffee and mint can be something different or even butterscotch and caramel.For something even more different, swirl in jam like strawberry, grape, or raspberry flavor for a fruity surprise.

>>Super Easy Chocolate Fudge Brownies

There are so many different options, simply mix in your favorite flavors for a truly unique and delicious brownie.

 

>>NEXT: Best Brownie Recipes

Continue »12

Apple juice faceoff Dr. Oz vs. the FDA

How Much Arsenic
Is In Apple Juice?Dr. Oz made headlines when he suggested that parents should be concerned about the levels of arsenic in apple juice. The FDA, however, disagrees. So, who's correct? Could apple juice be dangerous?

Dr. Oz set the internet ablaze when he suggested that apple juice contains concerning levels of arsenic and that parents should take note. He said that we're very careful about protecting our children from arsenic in the environment in the U.S. -- keeping the water supply safe and keeping it out of pesticides -- but not all countries have those standards. He points out 60% of our apples come from overseas.

He conducted tests and concluded that the levels of arsenic in apple juice were high. Still, he didn't suggest that parents empty out those containers of apple juice in their fridge and never buy it again.

"I want everyone out there who has already purchased apple juice to keep drinking it," Dr. Oz said to ABC News. "I don't have any concerns about it in the short run. My bigger concern is over the next decade or the next generation. We may be exposing our kids to needlessly high levels of arsenic."

The Food and Drug Administration, however, disagrees. In a statement posted on its website, the FDA explains, "The FDA's test results do not support the findings of the Dr. Oz Show, and, in fact, are significantly less (2 to 6 ppb) than the levels found by the television program's analysis. Moreover, the vast majority of apple juice samples tested by the FDA over that past 20 years show that apple juice typically contains less than 10 ppb total arsenic."

The FDA also posted copies of two letters it sent to The Dr. Oz Show producer, explaining that the tests used to conclude that the arsenic levels in apple juice were not correct.

"The FDA believes that it would be irresponsible and misleading for The Dr. Oz Show to suggest that apple juice contains unsafe amounts of arsenic based solely on tests for total arsenic," the FDA concluded in its first letter. "Should The Dr. Oz Show choose to suggest that apple juice is unsafe because of the amounts of total arsenic found by EMSL Analytical, Inc.'s testing, the FDA will post this letter on its website."

The FDA then sent a second letter to Dr. Oz, citing test results that did not support those offered by Oz. The L.A. Times reports that Dr. Oz isn't backing down and that he has scheduled a follow-up show for Sept. 21.

Tell us:What do you think? Are you concerned about the level of arsenic in apple juice? Or do you think Dr. Oz's apple juice claims are blown out of proportion?

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