Tag Archives: Easter entertaining

Easter Entertaining Part 2

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First of all, how awesome does this set look?  Big shout out to Party City for the Egg-celent Easter decorations!  Now, let’s talk about what I like to call “deceptively delicious” menu planning.  I don’t have kids (yet!) but I do know from my experience with children that sometimes you have to get them to be creative when it comes to eating the “good for you” stuff.  It’s as easy as swapping out milk for Premier Protein in this delicious recipe.  They come out thin and crispy and super delish!  I added just a touch of Grade B maple syrup.

proteinpancakes

Then, the whole family gets a boost of energy without all the sugar.  The recipe calls for Premier Protein’s Vanilla Shake – which is packed with 30g of protein, only 1g of sugar and 160 calories.  It’s a yummy and healthy option for your family’s Easter brunch.

In the mood for a smoothie instead?  You can make a Carrot Cake smoothie that you, the kids (and the Easter Bunny) will rave about!

Carrot Cake Smoothie
A healthy alternative to carrot cake all packed into a smoothie with 30 grams of protein
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Premier Protein vanilla shake
  2. 1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped
  3. 1/2 frozen banana
  4. 1 cup spinach
  5. 1 1oz box of raisins
  6. 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  7. Dash of ground nutmeg
  8. Dash of ground cloves
  9. Splash of honey
  10. 3 ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Blend until smooth and enjoy!
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Filling the kiddos’ eggs with sweets?  Swap out junk food for scrumptious, healthy Honey Bunches of Oats Crunch O’s.  Fill your kids’ Easter basket with colorful eggs stuffed with the cereal. It makes the perfect snack — as well as traditional cereal.

honeybunchesoats

New Honey Bunches of Oats Crunch O’s is made with the addition of whole grain O’s to to the traditional mix of flakes and bunches, which adds more crunch, texture and variety in every spoonful.  My favorite is the Honey Crunch O’s!  You know when you finish a bowl of cereal and then there’s milk left over that the cereal has been soaking in?  OMG. Creamy, yummy sips of honey! 

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Now let’s talk Farm to Table Sandwiches with Hellmann’s Organic Original Mayonnaise.  Specifically, Asiago & Prosciutto Toasts with Hellmann’s Organic Garlic Mayonnaise and an Open-Faced Salmon Sandwiches with Herb Cucumber Relish.  Can anyone say, Easter Brunch?  

Hellmann’s just introduced 2 new products – the first-ever organic mayonnaise and plant-based, eggless spread – both of which make great bases for lighter twists on classic spring and summer recipes– from salads to dips.  The organic mayo is USDA-certified with no artificial flavoring or preservatives and is available in 3 delicious flavors: Original, Roasted Garlic, and Spicy Chipotle.  This creamy delish from Hellmann’s, free from cholesterol, eggs, and artificial colors and flavors.

asiagoclose

This is going to be my new GO-TO entertaining appetizer– I was literally licking the melty mayo cheese off the toasts after the segment on Atlanta & Company!  

Asiago & Prosciutto Toasts
A creamy, melty, savory topping with asiago, prosciutto and garlic mayo on crostinis.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup grated Asiago cheese
  2. 1/3 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Organic Garlic Mayonnaise
  3. 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, about 5 slices, chopped
  4. 1 loaf (12-in.) French baguette, sliced into 18 pieces
  5. 3 Tbsp. balsamic glaze
  6. 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
  1. Combine Asiago, Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Organic Garlic Mayonnaise and prosciutto in small bowl.
  2. Spread cheese mixture evenly on baguette slices, then arrange on baking sheet.
  3. Broil until golden, about 3 minutes. Arrange toasts on serving platter, then drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with basil.
Notes
  1. Tip: To make your own balsamic glaze, simmer balsamic vinegar over medium heat until thickened and it coats the back of a spoon.
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 The open faced salmon sandwich has an herb cucumber relish that takes it to a whole new level of awesome.  It’s so refreshing and tastes like spring!

salmon open faced

Open-Faced Salmon Sandwiches with Herb Cucumber Relish
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods Organic Original Mayonnaise
  2. 1/4 cup finely chopped cucumber
  3. 3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
  4. 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh herbs, (dill, tarragon or parsley)
  5. 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  6. 4 slices pumpernickel bread, toasted
  7. 1 cup lightly packed arugula
  8. 4 slices beefsteak tomato
  9. 8 ounces salmon fillet, broiled or poached, cut into 4 pieces
Instructions
  1. Combine Hellmann's® Organic Original, cucumber, onion, herbs and mustard in small bowl.
  2. Spread 1 tablespoon cucumber relish on each toast slice. Evenly top with arugula, tomato, salmon, then remaining relish.
What's on Parker's Plate? https://whatsonparkersplate.flywheelsites.com/
Now that the little ones have had their fill of the Easter candy, it’s time to get them to brush their teeth!  The dreaded before bed task!  Hello Toothpaste has flavors the kids will LOVE: choose from hello’s bubble gum, blue raspberry or fluoride free natural watermelon.

hello

When I was a kid, my parents would always give us stockings filled with toiletries, like toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo.  Easter is the perfect opportunity to do a “Clean and Healthy Teeth” basket!  And, hello’s flavors not only get the kid’s teeth clean (after eating that chocolate Easter Bunny) the flavors tastes so good that they won’t argue with you!

Each toothpaste is as natural as can be with products free from dyes, parabens, microbeads or artificial sweeteners.

Just don’t be surprised when they start going through the tubes faster than normal!  On that note, hello and Happy Easter!

*This is a sponsored post by Premier Protein, Honey Bunches Of Oats, Hellman’s and hello toothpaste, but all opinions are my own.

Easter Entertaining Part 1

tomatoplate Easter was never my favorite food holiday because I’m not a huge fan of ham.  The thick, spongey, salty ham that everyone serves?  Not my jam, ham.  So now that I’m hosting the holidays (most of them, anyway) I get to pick out what I want to cook!  And that means changing it up a little and getting creative.  I partnered with some really awesome brands this week to showcase scrumptious ideas you can bring to your Easter table.  

Minute Rice’s Mutli-Grain Medley includes 4 gluten free grains including quinoa that is so easy to make!  Try substituting chicken stock for water in this recipe for a boost of flavor!  (Try using apple cider or juice instead of water and then adding fresh fruit and nuts for a yummy breakfast idea too.)

StuffedTomato

What I love about this dish is that there is so much flavor and texture– little bits of feta and mint totally elevate the Mediterranean vibe.  

Minute Rice Greek Stuffed Tomatoes
A Greek inspired rice combination with garlic, feta, currants and mint.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 bag Minute® Multi-Grain Medley, uncooked
  2. 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth, optional
  3. 6 large tomatoes, ripe but firm
  4. 1/4 cup olive oil
  5. 1 each fresh garlic, chopped
  6. 1 tsp dried oregano leaves
  7. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
  8. 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  9. 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  10. 1/4 cup dried currants or raisins
  11. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  12. salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly oil a 2 quart baking dish. Prepare Multi-Grain Medley according to package directions, substituting chicken or vegetable stock for water, if desired.
  2. Place a mesh strainer over a medium-sized mixing bowl. Cut the tops off of the tomatoes (as you would a jack-o-lantern), reserving the tops, and scoop the flesh out into the bowl using a spoon. Using the same spoon, press as much of the tomato mixture through the strainer as you can and discard the remains. Add the cooked rice into the tomato mixture as well as the garlic, oregano, parsley, mint, feta, currants or raisins and cinnamon and stir to combine.
  3. Lightly salt and pepper the insides of the tomatoes, stuff each one with the rice mixture and place into the prepared baking dish. Put the tops back on each of the tomatoes, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and bake for about 45 minutes or until the tomatoes are almost collapsed. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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 Instead of traditional ham, beef up your Easter dinner with tenderloin.  I partnered with the Georgia Beef Board to showcase this showstopper dish- beef tenderloin in a shiitake mushroom cream sauce.  It tastes so exotic and it couldn’t be easier to make!  Plus, 3oz of beef has less than 200 calories and is packed with protein, B12, zinc and iron.   

BeefTenderloinShiitake

The shiitakes give the sauce an earthy, rich flavor, and the cream is thickened over medium heat until it’s velvety smooth!  I always keep Dairy Pure cream and half-and-half in my fridge– not just for my coffee, but for cooking, y’all!  Dairy Pure’s Purity Promise means that there are never any artificial growth hormones in their products and they’re cold shipped from your trusted dairy.

Beef Tenderloin with a Shiitake Mushroom Cream Sauce
Tender beef tenderloin with an earthy, sherry cream sauce
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Ingredients
  1. 2 beef tenderloin filets
  2. 2 Tb butter (to cook filets in)
  3. 2 cups shiitake mushrooms (stems removed, sliced)
  4. 1 Tb butter (to saute mushrooms)
  5. 1/4 cup dry sherry
  6. 2 cups Dairy Pure heavy cream
  7. 2 Tb tamari
  8. kosher salt to taste
For the tenderloin
  1. Dry off beef tenderloins and sear on both sides with melted butter. Make sure the pan is very hot.
  2. Cook off in a 425 oven for 15-20 minutes until meat is medium rare.
For the Shiitake Cream Sauce
  1. Saute shiitakes in 1 Tb butter on medium heat until lightly browned, about 7 minutes.
  2. Add sherry and crank up the heat-- coat mushrooms and cook down sherry until almost completely absorbed.
  3. Add cream and tamari and bring to a simmer. Turn down heat to medium and let sauce thicken.
  4. Serve with steaks.
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When you’re whipping mashed potatoes, add in some half-and-half for super smooth, melt-in-your-mouth potatoes!

DairyPure

For dessert, look no farther than the iconic Lindt’s Gold Bunny.  It’s the perfect centerpiece to any Easter celebration, for favorite traditions, whether filling baskets, decorating tablescapes, or creating new holiday memories with family and friends with a Gold Bunny Easter Egg hunt!

Even more awesome, this is the only bunny that gives back…Lindt has partnered with Autism Speaks for the 8th year to raise funds for the cause, and now through Easter (March 27), Lindt will donate 10 cents to Autism Speaks for every 3.5 oz Bunny bought.

LindtBunny

How cute are those little gold bunnies?  They make a great table decoration for your Easter spread as well….not to mention, they’re EGGceptionally delcious!  Happy Easter!