Lemon Almond Crinkle Cookies

I may be in a bit of a hurry for the summer to end.  I am already in cookie baking mode.  I couldn't help myself.  I don't usually get into cookie baking until end of summer.  But Munchkin is in a hurry for Santa to come already and that makes me think of cookies.  Ok, let me back up a bit.  Yes, Munchkin is in a hurry for santa...  A few weeks ago we were at Costco.  I decided to walk through their newly placed Christmas section.  I was perusing the toys and all of a sudden she spotted a toddler size drum set.  She totally flipped with excitement.  I thought the best course of action to avoid a scene in the middle of Costco was to say "If you are a good girl maybe Santa will bring it for Christmas".

32 Perfect Treats for your Memorial / Labor Day Party: Cocktails, Desserts and Ice Pops

Choosing the perfect treats for your Labor Day get-together can be the most challenging part of your party.  Here are 32 of our favorite summer treats, cocktails, desserts and ice pops to make your job easier!

Stars and Stripes - Red, White and Blue Layered Shot

Happy Thursday Slow Roasters!  It has been a fabulous summer so far.  Sadly it is coming to a close and many of us will be hosting our last summer party this weekend.  We really need to blow it out and go out with a bang. With Labor Day just around the corner, it seems a patriotic inspired cocktail is in order.

50 Perfect Dishes for your Memorial Day / Labor Day Party

September is almost here.  I can hardly believe it.  It has been such an amazing summer.  Our Summer Grilling Celebration was a huge success.  So, Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer for most of us.  The last blast.  Well, if it has to end...  Let's make it spectacular!!!

Here are 50 ideas for your perfect Labor Day Party.  Burger, chicken, steak, fries, sides, condiments and salads are all included.   We are going to start you out with 10 of our favorite TSRI burgers and ten Grilled Chicken recipes.  There is something for every barbecue!  Check back for more ideas for your party.  We will be sharing fabulous cocktail and dessert idea tomorrow. 

The Best Ever Simple Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe

Being married to a meat and potatoes Iowan there is a high standard for certain dishes.  One of the high standards has been a pulled pork sandwich.  A classic Iowa dish that has apparently been nearly perfected.  In fact when we went back to Iowa for Chad's 20 year reunion we enjoyed some fabulous pulled pork sandwiches and out of this world sweet corn.

Easy One Skillet Meal: Hearty Italian Sausage and Potatoes

 CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

Some nights I struggle more than others to find the perfect dish that will please everyone's palates.  Just when I think I have run out of ideas or don't have the ingredients on hand, this Easy One Skillet Meal comes into my life.  In an effort to please Mr Meat and Potatoes and use some amazing produce and fresh herbs I developed this recipe.  It was so good Chad asked me to make it again, immediately.

Made with all fresh ingredients from my garden and our produce superstore (Sprouts - although they call themselves a farmers market, I still think of them as a grocery store).  Dinner truly brings the family together.  This one is no exceptions.  However, you may want to make a double batch if you are hoping for left overs.  It is that good!  Trust me.  Click the link below to read more and get this must have recipe!

GET THE RECIPE HERE

KC Style Barbecue Sauce (Kansas City Style)

There is this barbecue restaurant around the corner, that is within smelling distance.  I kid you not they send out subliminal smoke signals several times EVERY day.  In the summer this isn't too bad, as you are rarely outside to smell it.  But as the fall approaches and we are more frequently outdoors, this gets to be an issue.  It usually works like this... 

Snickerdoodle S’mores Bars

 

I am so excited about the get together we have coming up this weekend.  Friends, family, food and fabulous conversation.  My favorite kind of get together!  In anticipation of this "BBQ" that we are having, I've been working on some amazing recipes.  I have the main dish down and we will be sharing that this week too.  We have really enjoyed burgers this summer, so we are going to change it up and do something different.  Off the grill...  Gasp!  Yes, you heard me right.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

I love the summer for all its bounty.  The fabulous berries, squash, melons, and beans just to name a few.  I especially love the peaches, but seeing them arrive is bittersweet.  You are excited to eat them, but it is a sure sign summer produce is coming to an end!

The Classic Ladies Martini - The Cosmopolitan

It's Thursday Slow Roasters and that means its Ladies Night at The Slow Roasted Italian!!!  Chad and I really love Ladies Night.  It has given us a chance to try so many different cocktail recipes and given Chad a chance to spread his mixology wings.  He has developed so many amazing drinks over the past year.

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Breathtaking, isn't it?  Boston Cream Pie is quite the classic favorite.  A beautiful torted moist cake with a thick layer of the most delicious vanilla custard, topped off with a fabulous chocolate ganache and a maraschino cherry.  All that in a cupcake...  it is just life changing (at least for the moment).

This vanilla custard is so good you will have to hide the bowl.  Really, behind the veggies is a good place.  I stick mine in the crisper drawer, seriously Chad (meat and potatoes man) is never going to look in there. Munchkin is too little still.  That is actually a great place to hide small Christmas presents too!  Ok, yes I have.  shhhh!

Really, get the recipe for the cupcake!!!  It is unbelievable in its entirety.  Make a double batch of the vanilla custard and enjoy...  with a spoon in the middle of the night when no one is watching.  So, you can truly savor ever moment.  Trust me it is Ahhhhh Mazing!!!  Complete with time saving tips...

Read the article and get the recipe after the jump~

20 Minute Homemade Taco Bowls - Better than Takeout

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

I love parties.  Give me any excuse or no excuse and I am off planning one.  Birthday parties, holiday parties, Christmas parties, and taco parties (just to name a few).  I love them all but, an any occasion taco party is so much fun!  Loaded with taco shells, toppings and the perfectly seasoned filling; simplicity is the true theme here.  With fun easy to make baked taco bowls, this fun twist on an ordinary taco night is just what your family night needs!

This is a fun twist on taco night an amazing homemade spice mix (you really need to check out the recipe), homemade baked taco bowls and LEAN GROUND TURKEY!  Yes, made with lean ground turkey that is so moist your guests will never know the difference.  Chad (he's anti-turkey) was very surprised to hear this was turkey!

One spice in this mix really makes the flavor pop, these Turkey Taco Bowls are a must try!!!

Read the full article and get the recipe after the jump ~

Simple Asian Honey Grilled Chicken with Marinade

After enjoying the 30 Minute Sweet and Sour Pork so much, Chad surprised me by admitting that he does indeed like Asian flavors. Imagine my surprise after 9 months of Chinese food cravings and a husband that I had to drag kicking and screaming.  So, this was a great piece of news.  Immediately the wheels started turning. So, first I decided to bring it to the grill.

Virgin Piña Colada Ice Pops - Munchkin Pineapple Coconut Pops

Last week when I was buying fruit for the piña colada cocktail my munchkin pointed at the coconut and pineapple and said, "pops mommy"!  Well, I thought, I can do that.  So, after Chad created the fabulous Classic Piña Colada for Ladies Night I decided to follow his lead and create an amazing Virgin Piña Colada Ice Pop.

Campfire S'mores Martini

Longing for the flavors of the campfire this summer?  There is nothing quite like enjoying a s'mores in front of the campfire on a cool summer night.  Well, now I like to enjoy those flavors at home with this amazing Campfire S'mores Martini.  It is loaded with all of your favorite S'mores flavors and all in a martini glass! Chocolate and more chocolate with graham crackers and marshmallow, and a little something special to kick it up a notch!  This cocktail is a must try, you are going to love this!

Read the article and get the recipe after the jump ~

Grilled Breaded Chicken Sandwich - Grill it or Bake it!

Hey Slow Roasters, there's a new chick in town!  This Grilled Breaded Chicken Sandwich is a healthier version of the old fried chicken classic, with a fresh TSRI twist.  Every opportunity to make this sandwich is the perfect one.  This chicken is our family favorite; in fact Chad wants it on the menu every week!  The grilled breaded chicken is even divine on a tossed salad, just don't forget the pickles. 

Don't want to grill?  This breaded chicken cooks up beautifully under the broiler too!  A fabulous marinade keeps this chicken so moist you won't believe it!  Check out the special marinade that makes this so recipe delicious.

Read the article and get the recipe after the jump ~

Lemon Cucumber Salad

Whew!  It's hot out there!  In Phoenix, we are breaking records once again. We are having a record shattering heat wave.  For the last 8 days we have seen high temps over 110° and have not dipped below 90° (for a low).  Are you sure this isn't death valley?  Poor Sammy the squirrel is MIA.  I am hoping he hitched a ride north for the worst of summer.

This is the perfect time to hibernate a little (hey bears do it during the winter) and pull out some more cold dishes.  I find that lemon and cucumbers are extremely cooling and refreshing so I created this fabulous salad using them both. It is unbelievable!

Incredibly Easy 30 Minute Sweet and Sour Pork

 

 Click on the picture to open the recipe page

Chad and I are excited to share with you that we are now authoring a blog for Dash Recipes (from the editors of PARADE).  The Simple Kitchen - creating delicious meals in a snap!  This is an evolution of TSRI's "Simply Delicious" dishes that we were sharing with you.

You can now see these new delicious dishes exclusively on Dash Recipes, every week.  Check us out, you are going to love these quick and easy recipes!

This week we are sharing a quick and easy popular Chinese dish that goes from prep to plate in 30 minutes.  Quicker than you can pick up take-out, you can have this Incredibly Easy 30 Minute Sweet and Sour Pork on the table ready to eat.  With a Sweet and Sour Sauce that rivals ANY Chinese restaurant and a special ingredient to really get crisp pork without deep frying, this recipe is a keeper!

Click here to read the article and get the recipe ~

Big Kahuna Hawaiian Burger

Last week I was brainstorming new ideas for chicken recipes and I had put together this fantastic idea for a Hawaiian inspired chicken.  I had the recipe all written up when it hit me... BURGER!!!  Oh yeah!   This monster of a burger here is all Hawaiian inspired (at least from the opinion of this main lander).

Peach Cobbler Smoothie Milk Shake

With peaches finally in season I have been so excited to make my Southern Peach Cobbler.  Again this falls into the "so good I can eat it for breakfast" category.  Now that I am a mom though, sitting down with a pan of cobbler for breakfast is not the best example to set.  Not to mention, a pan of cobbler is not the healthiest option.

Triple Berry Parfait

Sometimes getting my toddler to eat fruit can be a challenge.  It seems to be a texture issue.  She loves strawberries and raspberries.  Blueberries have been more of an issue.  It seems to be the texture of the blueberry.  I really love the nutritional value of blueberries, so I decided to dress them up.  Pretty much like stuffing vegetables into her favorite meatballs.

Peaches and Cream Ice Pops

After getting a case of some of the most delicious peaches ever, last year, I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of peach season.  As soon as I spotted the 49 cent/lb sale, I knew it had arrived.  We headed off to the store and carefully picked about 20 pounds of the beautiful and fragrant fruit.  I was so excited I got them home and waited for them to become ripe enough to enjoy.  Almost giddy with anticipation, I cut into the first peach and topped it with a dollop of whipped cream.

Heaven!  Certainly destined for a popsicle, but I could only see peaches and cream...

Classic Pina Colada

It's Ladies Night Slow Roasters!  Tonight we have a fabulous classic cocktail for you; the Pina Colada.  This classic originated on the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico in 1954.  This cool and refreshing drink will transport you to the island before you finish your first glass.

Raspberry Lemonade Cupcakes

Celebrate the summer with this Raspberry Lemonade Cupcake; with a light and fresh, tart and tangy cake; topped with a fabulous raspberry icing.

The lemon flavor is simply to die for, with a little something extra that makes this a 'happy dance in the kitchen' kind of cupcake.  Take 2 you will thank me!

Fast and simple with a gourmet flavor, check out the recipe.

 Read the article and get the recipe after the jump ~

30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake

Chad and I are excited to share with you that we are now authoring a blog for Dash Recipes (from the editors of PARADE).  The Simple Kitchen - creating delicious meals in a snap!  This is an evolution of TSRI's "Simply Delicious" dishes that we were sharing with you.

You can now see these new delicious dishes exclusively on Dash Recipes, every week.  Check us out, you are going to love these recipes!

This week we are sharing a quick and easy dinner that goes from prep to plate in 30 minutes.  It is so delicious that Chad, Munchkin and I devoured this dish! The secret ingredient really makes this dish pop!  30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake.

Read the article and get the recipe after the jump ~

Oreo Cookies and Cream Trifle

I really have been craving a sweet treat.  Something decadent and delicious.  A no bake dessert that does NOT require turning on the stove or oven was at the top of my list.  I decided on a trifle and no sooner had I decided than I was thinking of cookies and cream with chocolaty goodness!  I have to confess, I love Oreo's.  I have since I was a teenager.  Oreo's were one of the things my parents always gave me as a welcome gift whenever I would see them.  Oreo's and Mountain Dew.  Whew!  What a thought.  To be young again. 

Bacon Cheddar Beer Potatoes Au Gratin

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

Are you looking for the perfect side dish?  I have been dreaming of a side dish so insanely divine that I would need to build a meal around it.  Loaded with bacon, beer and cheese I am pretty sure this is it!!!  Even though I am not a big beer drinker (I would much rather sip on one of our Classic Margaritas) I really love the flavor beer gives to a dish when cooked with it.

How To: Ice Pop Making 101 - Part 1

Sublime Strawberry Popsicles are the perfect icy cold summery treat to help beat the summer heat!

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We tend to receive the most questions about ice pops, during the summer months. How do you make them? How do you layer them?  Where did you get the popsicles molds?  How do you store your ice pops?  How do you pick the flavors?  These are all frequently asked questions.  Over the next 3 weeks we are going to answer these questions and more.

Cantaloupe and Cream Lime Ice Pops

Sometimes a summer produce sale is the next best thing to heaven.  While I was out grocery shopping last week I found my store had cantaloupe for 50 cents each, so of course all of a sudden I desperately needed cantaloupe.

After taking them home, my picky toddler took a stand against trying the cantaloupe.  So, sometimes you pick your battles and sometimes you formulate a better battle plan.  I opted for the latter.  Ice pops it is.  I have mentioned before that ice pops are our 'no fail' fall back when Munchkin won't eat anything else.  Those are usually packed them with yogurt.  However, yogurt is not a great companion for cantaloupe in an ice pop.  So, I needed something thick rich and creamy.  Heavy cream won out!

Blue Arrow Cocktail

Happy Thursday, Slow Roasters!  It's Ladies Night!  Grab a cocktail and pop over to Facebook to join our virtual Ladies Night party.

Today we present you with this gorgeous Blue Arrow Cocktail.  This drink looks like the ocean and tastes like the sunshine state.  We are celebrating with two new spirits.  Blue Curaçao is flavored with the peel of a citrus fruit that grows on the island of Curaçao.  It tastes similar to orange, with a hint of bitterness.