a pinterest worthy event

This past weekend, along with a handful of other families from the boy's school, I helped host a very fun Newlywed Game Party. This party served as a fundraiser for our elementary school as a sign up party at the PTA's annual auction. The home we hosted the party at was beautiful and a great (and EASY) location for the party. Decorations were minimal, but another host brought adorable succulents in painted tin cans (thank you Pintrest!) I gave the party's menu the old college try and ended up with the following:

Mixed Greens Salad
Brie on Pita Crisps w/ either honey/fig preserves/green onions
Spinach Artichoke Dip served with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
Cheesy Pesto Bread
Potato Nests w/ Salmon Dip
Mini Lasagnas
Basil Hummus
Tomato / Mozerella skewers
Simple Shrimp Skewers

For Dessert I did Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes and Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes.

I have recipes to share for pretty much all of this, but today I wanted to keep it simple and share a quick recipe for the cheesy garlic pesto bread because I am 100% certain it belongs at every backyard BBQ and family get together we are having this summer! That and we're getting into that time of year where basil grows like weeds around here.

Garlic Pesto Cheesy Bread

1 Loaf French Bread

5 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1/2c+ Pesto

8oz Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Make deep cuts every 1/2 inch to 1 inch down the length of the loaf of bread. Your cuts should be all the way down the sides, but not cut down the bottom of the loaf. Mix the garlic and pesto together. Between each slice in your bread insert a generous teaspoon of the pesto mixture. Stuff the cheese between the slices and put the remaining cheese on top of the loaf. 

Wrap the loaf in toil and bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is all melted. You can also throw the foil wrapped bread onto the grill. Just keep an eye on it as heat and cooking times will vary.

You can find the printable recipe here. Now, go forth and enjoy some garlic pesto cheesy bread!
sunshine&bunnies,
holly*

cheers: grapefruit margaritas AND sangria!

a couple weeks ago we celebrated a monumental occasion. my brother-in-law's 39th (holy shit, OLD! tehehe!) birthday to celebrate. I always like to make something for our get togethers and lately (now that i'm not the knocked up family member...) that's been mixed drinks!

First mother-in-law told me she was making cheese enchiladas to feed the crowd she was expecting. So I instantly thought MARGARITAS! from there I started planing how i would find the time to juice the 5lbs of limes I would need for a healthy sized pitcher (while i have a demanding 5 year old, infant and out of town husband...) then I remembered the grapefruit juice I already had on hand! PERFECT!!

GRAPEFRUIT MARGARITAS IT IS!
2c grapefruit juice (fresh squeeze is always preferred)
2c 100% agave silver tequila
(2/3)c grand marnier
(2/3)c simple syrup
juice from 2 limes
pinch of salt

mix all ingredients thoroughly in a pitcher and serve over ice. give to husband.

Then i wasn't sure if this would be enough festive for the festivities...  so i looked at what i had on hand again... wine... misc booze... an orange... lots of wine... misc booze... pounds and pounds of limes...


WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU LIMES MAKE SANGRIA, SANGRIA
1 bottle white wine (really any wine will do. red, white, pink...)**
1 large orange, sliced
4-6 limes, sliced
2 shots flavored rum**
2tbsp sugar
 mix all ingredients thoroughly in a pitcher and allow to hang out in the refridgerator over night or as long as possible... 


immediately before serving add:
12oz ginger ale
fill pitcher with ice

serve in glass and use fruit as garnish.

** two quick things about this recipe. 1) you can't f*ck it up. really use any wine you would like. any booze you would like. any fruit you would like. it will be fine. i choose an abandoned bottle of white wine from our racks because MIL likes it and idk when husband or myself would actually drink it. Same with the flavored rum. You know how to finally use those tiny bottles of flavored rum you keep getting in your Christmas Stocking? this is how! :D

 ok, enough talk about booze! hope these recipes find you well and in good spirits. if not, follow above instruction. just in time for the weekend, right? :D

sunshine&bunnies,
holly*