Have Your Cake and Ice Cream, Too

Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae
Ice Cream and Cake Sticks

(Family Features) The combination of cake and ice cream is a must-have for any special occasion. To have one without the other is a travesty-it’s like leaving the cheese off macaroni or peanut butter without jelly. While this perfect pairing is usually reserved for birthdays, anniversaries and other special events, the new line of cake and ice cream flavors from Blue Bunny and Chef Duff Goldman allow you to enjoy this dynamic duo of desserts no matter the occasion. Simply open the freezer and enjoy!

Blue Bunny and Chef Duff also collaborated to create fun, decadent recipes that are sure to excite and entice even the most discriminating cake and ice cream connoisseurs. Ice cream and cake sticks are great for individual bite-sized desserts and the Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae is packed with flavor and fun. Try both recipes and determine for yourself which one takes the cake.

Triple Chocolate Cake Sundae

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons half and half cream
• 1 bar (3.5 ounces) high quality white chocolate cut into small pieces
• 4 1/2 cup scoops Blue Bunny Chef Premium Chocolate Lovers Triple Chocolate Cake Ice Cream
• 1 cup fresh raspberries, divided

Preparation

1. In small microwave-safe bowl, combine half and half and white chocolate. Microwave on high, 30 seconds. Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat an additional 10 seconds if not melted.
2. Cover and refrigerate until thickened to a medium sauce, about 50 minutes. Gently fold in 1/4 cup raspberries.
3. If sauce thickens too much during refrigeration, re-warm in microwave for 10 seconds. (Recipe tested in a 1250 watt microwave. Adjust cooking times accordingly.)
4. Place ice cream into 4 serving bowls. Top each with 2 tablespoons white chocolate-raspberry sauce and 4 fresh raspberries.

Serves
Makes 4 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Chocolate lovers will adore this sundae topped with a white chocolate-raspberry sauce.

Ice Cream and Cake Sticks

Ingredients

• 8 scoops (1/2 carton) Blue Bunny Premium Red Carpet Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• Vegetable oil
• 8 Lollipop sticks
• Butterscotch, chocolate or caramel sauce, optional
• Whipped cream, optional

Preparation

1. Place ice cream balls on baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for at least 2 hours. In a medium-sized bowl, beat eggs and sugar with fork until well blended. Place panko crumbs in another soup bowl or medium-sized bowl. Dip ice cream balls into egg mixture, then roll in panko bread crumbs, coating completely. Freeze 1 hour.
2. Heat oil in deep-fat fryer to 375°F. Fry ice cream balls, one at a time, until golden brown, or 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from oil and insert lollipop stick. Top with drizzle of butterscotch, chocolate or caramel sauce and dollop of whipped cream, if desired. Serve immediately.

Serves
Makes 8 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
This version of the recipe includes the popular Red Carpet Red Velvet, but experiment with ice cream flavors and toppings and find the combination you enjoy most.

SOURCE:
Blue Bunny

Top Tips for Party Prep

(Family Features) Holidays, graduations or barbeques – no matter what the occasion, the gathering place at any home party is the kitchen. It’s where we cook, where guests congregate, and often where refreshments are served. Because of this, the kitchen also is a likely place for clutter, spills and the general chaos that results from party food preparation. Home entertaining expert Jeanne Benedict offers tips for preparing your kitchen for a celebration, including beautifying what she calls the centerpiece of the kitchen — your countertop.

According to Benedict, the kitchen is the room that will make the first – and most lasting – impression on guests. Keeping surfaces glistening is the easiest thing a host can do to make an immediate difference in its look and feel.

“When properly cleaned and protected, there is nothing that surrounds a room in luxury and stands the test of time like natural stone,” says Benedict, host of DIY Network’s “Weekend Entertaining” and author of four books including “The Sophisticated Cookie” and “Celebrations.”

“And, just like leather and wood in your home, specialty products should be used to care for natural stone. You want products that are designed to protect and enhance your granite, marble and slate surfaces by protecting them and keeping them clean and pristine.”

Jeanne’s Tip:  To keep natural stone countertops looking new over time, use a protective sealer such as DuPont Granite and Marble Countertop Sealer. For everyday cleaning, avoid the use of all-purpose cleaners that can degrade the sealer and dull the surface. A better choice would be DuPont Granite and Marble Countertop Cleaner + Protector, because it cleans and reinforces stone’s protective seal as you use it.

Benedict’s next prep step is to de-clutter. ecause kitchen counters and tables are magnets for stray take-out menus, phone books, crayons and gadgets, she recommends finding them a permanent home when possible – or at least a temporary spot in a toy chest, a home office, the junk drawer or even the recycling bin.  Once the clutter is clear, it’s time to get your room ready to rock.

Jeanne’s Tip: Decorative container options are easy to find – from stylish boxes to desktop organizers. In a pinch, she suggests storing items such as keys or cell phones in an empty cookie jar and slipping papers into cookbooks that may be displayed on the counter.

Finish off the natural look of stone with fresh flowers or a plant to add some life to the atmosphere. “Flowers simply make people smile, which is exactly the mood you want for a party,” said Benedict.

Jeanne’s Tip: Because you’ll be busy making party preparations, call your local florist and have them deliver an arrangement based on the theme of your party. You can cross that chore off your list.

Once the kitchen is tidy and looking terrific, hosts can focus on decorating the rest of the house – from the table to the front door. “Let your creativity and countertop shine through, and you’ll have the most fun of all,” said Benedict.

SOURCE:
Dupont

Tips for Soothing Babies During Teething Time

(Family Features) Soothing a teething infant can be challenging in the wee hours of the night, especially when the entire household is feeling junior’s pain.

Finding just the remedy to make your little angel a little more, shall we say – angelic, may take a bit of trial and error. And as any mom can tell you, what proved to be the miracle cure for your firstborn won’t necessarily ring true for those that follow.

The following are some tried and true ideas to bring relief to an achy, teething baby (and mom, to boot!):

Playtime Distractions: Some babies experience only mild pain and can be distracted from their discomfort quite easily. Offer a new toy or some interactive playtime as an initial step to ward off teething-time fussies.

Wintry Washcloths: Whether simply rinsed, or dampened then frozen, washcloths are an inexpensive way to ward off tender gums. Just wet and wring out a clean cloth, and either offer it immediately or place in the freezer for later. Some babies also will enjoy the texture of small knots tied in the corners, and babies over one year may find extra comfort from a cloth dipped in chamomile tea before freezing.

Clever Cloves: Clove oil, which is extracted from the clove plant, possesses local anesthetic properties and has been used for generations as a natural way to treat oral pain. This is the philosophy behind new Baby Orajel Naturals Teething Gel, which relies on the soothing power of this essential oil as a natural option for teething pain relief, and is benzocaine-free, alcohol-free and dye-free.

Chew, Chew, Chew: As babies begin teething, they are inclined to put things into their mouths. This reflects a natural urge to self-soothe by adding pressure that helps break down the gums and allows new teeth to emerge. Many toys are made specifically for teething, with textures that provide comfort. Some are liquid-filled and can be chilled to provide extra relief.

Tasty Treats: Age appropriate snacks can be especially effective at soothing sore gums. Ideal for early teethers, netted feeders filled with frozen bananas or other frozen fruit help to ease irritated gums.

SOURCE:
Orajel

Fun Foods that Fuel the Family

(Family Features) For a lot of busy moms, it seems that kids’ activities dominate the family calendar. Between school, soccer practice, ballet rehearsal and everything in between, sometimes you need to have a plan of attack for keeping the family satisfied. 

Eating right goes a long way to giving everyone the energy they need to fuel all those activities, but it can be tricky coming up with new ideas for meals and snacks the kids will actually eat.

Blogger Meagan Francis, from The Happiest Mom, shares a few of her ideas for satisfying hungry kids and keeping them going throughout the busy day.

Quick Breakfast Bites

• Wrap up the first meal of the day in a tortilla with scrambled egg burritos. If you’re in a hurry, they can be a great on-the-go breakfast.
• Make a fruit smoothie or a toasted whole grain English muffin with peanut butter and no sugar added jelly.
• Skip the sugar-bomb-in-a-bowl cereal and go for whole grain cereal with strawberry or banana slices.

Stock Up On Easy-To-Cart Snacks

• Fat free pretzels dipped in peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) is a creamy, crunchy snack that gives kids a little protein to fuel their afternoon activities.
• Let the kids help make a custom blend of homemade trail mix using their favorite ingredients. Try walnuts, almonds, yogurt covered raisins, sunflower seeds, and mini chocolate chips.
• A delicious, low fat – and fun to eat – portable snack, string cheese pleases just about every kid.

• Be prepared with snacks that are easy to eat in the backseat. Meagan likes to pack Heinz® Dip & Squeeze® Ketchup to pair with snacks, which holds 3 times more ketchup than traditional packets. You can buy them in a 10-pack box at the grocery store. They’re easy to toss into your purse or the glove compartment and a great no-mess solution that little fingers can manage.

  Pack Some Lunchbox Fun

  • Stuff it – Fill pita pockets with their favorite chicken salad, low-sodium deli meat, or peanut butter and a banana.
     
  • Dip it – Give them finger foods to dip, like apples and peanut butter; baby carrots and ranch or yogurt dip; or even oven fries and homemade chicken nuggets with Heinz® Dip & Squeeze Ketchup. Kids can either peel back the lid to dip, or rip off the top to squeeze.
     
  • Build it – Let them build their lunch by packing the ingredients in separate baggies or containers. Try a stacker with crackers, cheese and deli slices.

  
   

  SOURCE:
  Heinz
  

Countdown to a Flavorful Feast Day

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch

(Family Features) Well worth the 364-day wait, the time-honored bounty of Thanksgiving dinner rouses eager anticipation for weeks in advance of the big day. Whether you’re a seasoned dinner host or an eager first-timer, treat your guests to an unforgettable feast – from the main attraction all the way through to dessert.

To help simplify the planning process, McCormick is counting down to Feast Day, sharing inspiring recipes and helpful tips. In a series of themes, the Countdown will guide you through the meal’s most essential elements, from spectacular side dishes, turkey and gravy preparation to the pie.

“The Thanksgiving table is filled with favorite dishes – and it’s the signature twists on those favorites that can make them stand out,” says chef Mark Garcia of the McCormick Test Kitchen. “The key to the most memorable food experiences is to make sure every bite is bursting with flavor. Ginger is the special touch in sweet potatoes, vanilla helps create a luscious chocolate pecan pie and sage makes the turkey worthy of Turkey Day.”

Join the “Countdown to Feast Day” to share your own ideas for an unforgettable feast while the helpful flavor experts at McCormick answer questions, offer tips and provide daily support in anticipation of the big day.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch

Description
Swap your secrets for spectacular sides in the “Countdown to Feast Day,” like Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch, a tasty variation of typical Thanksgiving sweet potatoes.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Ginger, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut up, divided
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix 1/4 cup brown sugar, orange juice, vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon each of the cinnamon and ginger, and salt in large bowl. Add sweet potatoes; toss to coat well. Spoon into 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with cranberries. Dot with 2 tablespoons of the butter. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes.
2. 2. Meanwhile, mix flour, remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon each cinnamon and ginger in medium bowl. Cut in remaining 4 tablespoons butter with a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in pecans. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and stir gently. Sprinkle evenly with pecan topping.
3. 3. Bake, uncovered, 25 to 30 minutes longer or until sweet potatoes are tender and topping is lightly browned.

Serves
Makes 8 servings

Calories:	439g		Total Fat:	19g
Cholesterol:	23mg		Protein:	4g
Carbohydrates:	63g		Sodium:	257mg

Preparation Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
1 hour

SOURCE:
McCormick