Taste a Rainbow cupcakes

I found this fun and festive recipe on the Family Fun Magazine website. It's a perfect St. Patrick's Day treat..... which is one of MY favorite holidays!!!!

Here's what little leprechauns look forward to on St. Patrick's Day: a magical snack that can add color to the grayest March afternoon. Pot of gold not included.

Ingredients

• White cake mix (we used an 18-1/4-ounce box)
• Food coloring (red, blue, green, and yellow)

• Baking cups
• Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare your favorite white cake mix, then divide the batter evenly among six small bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.
   
   

   RAINBOW COLOR	DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
   Purple	9 red and 6 blue drops
   Blue	12 drops
   Green	12 drops
   Yellow	12 drops
   Orange	12 yellow and 4 red drops
   Red	18 drops

   
   
   

2. Line 16 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on, following the order shown. As you go, gently spread each layer of batter with the back of a spoon to cover the color underneath.

3. Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe directions. Before serving, remove the paper wrapping, and if you like, top each cupcake with a whipped-cream cloud.

kid friendly snack ideas

found these kid friendly snack tips on the campbell's website. i am always looking for healthier ways to fend off my little guy's appetite. hope you find them useful as well.

Make it easy for your child to make smart snack choices. Try packing these snacks in lunchboxes, and keep a few available for after school snack attacks.

• A simple snack of cheese and crackers, with reduced-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers, is always a hit.
• Popcorn is delicious, crunchy and filling. Pop your own, and skip the butter, or try reduced–fat microwave popcorns.
• Soup is another great snack for after school, and a good way to hear about your children’s day while they sip away.
• Dried fruit is a sweet, high-fiber snack for kids and adults alike. Just be sure to check the nutrition content. Some dried fruits (like banana chips) can be high in calories.
• Snacks like pretzels and Pepperidge Farm^® Goldfish^® crackers are delicious options when kids are craving something crunchy.
• Try spreading some low-fat cream cheese on a tortilla, fill it with fresh veggies and Pace^® salsa, roll it up, and cut it into snack-size pieces.
• Cut up fresh fruit into chunks and set it out with a small bowl of vanilla yogurt for dipping.

Gone Fishin' Trail Mix

Super cute for kid parties or playdates!!!!!

2 cups Pepperidge Farm® Goldfish Colors
1 cup Pepperidge Farm® Baby Cheddar Goldfish®
1 cup Pepperidge Farm® Pretzel Goldfish®
1 package (7 ounces) mixed dried fruit bits
1 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 cup white chocolate pieces

Stir the ingredients in a large bowl or a resealable container"

White-Bean Dip with Toasted Pita Chips

1 can (19-ounce) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions
In a food processor, combine cannellini beans, olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon); season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Puree until smooth.
Place puree in a serving bowl, and lightly sprinkle chili powder over the top, if desired. Serve dip with toasted pita chips."

Peyton Manning would LOVE these.

I found this recipe on everyday food to continue my collection of football friendly recipes. I promise to start with regular "meals" next week. Can you tell I am excited my team is in the SuperBowl????

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen

• 2 pounds (about 60) mini hot dogs
• Cheddar cheese, cut into small pieces, optional
• carmelized onions, optional
• 1 large egg
• All-purpose flour, for work surface
• 1 box (17 1/2 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• Poppy, sesame, or mustard seeds, optional
• Mustard, for serving
• Ketchup, for serving

Directions

1. Cut hot dogs lengthwise 3/4 of the way through. Insert a piece of cheese or 1/2 teaspoon caramelized onions into each hot dog, if using; set aside. If not using cheese or onions, poke hot dogs several times with the tip of a knife.
2. On a lightly floured work surface, working with one sheet of puff pastry at a time, roll into a 14-by-11-inch rectangle. Cut lengthwise into seven 1 1/2-inch wide strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 4 rectangles, each about 3 1/2 inches long.
3. In a small bowl, beat together egg and 1 tablespoon water; set aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat; set aside. Place a hot dog on the narrow end of one piece of pastry. Roll to enclose, brushing with some of the beaten egg to adhere; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining hot dogs and pastry. Brush the tops of puff pastry with egg and sprinkle with seeds, if using. Transfer to refrigerator and let chill for 15 minutes.
4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
5. Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 20 minutes. Let cool briefly before serving with mustard and ketchup.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This recipe is from my arsenal of deliciousness.... I cannot remember where I found it originally. I have made modifications along the way and think that it is simply perfect now! Sometimes I bake it in a bread bowl for party presentation. It is down right yummy in any vessel. ENJOY!

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

½ cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

1 large garlic clove, chopped

1 10oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

{squeeze out moisture with cheese cloth}

1 can artichoke hearts, drained and patted dry

8 oz cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1 cup shredded mozzarella

* Blend all ingredients together using hand mixer or food processor. Bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Super Easy Salsa

Thank God it's FRIDAY!!! Bring on the weekend! Try this simple salsa recipe that I have been using for years. Always gets rave reviews and is a cinch to prepare!

Super Easy Salsa

1 large can of diced tomatoes

1 can of Rotel

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 red onion, chopped

¾ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

1 T lime juice

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (seeds removed)

1 t sugar

* blend all ingredients together in food processor (I use a hand blender). Chill for a few hours and serve with chips! YUM!