Summer Recipe Repeats

Anytime of the year we're appetizer people but especially in the summer.  We're good with the classic cheese plate, shrimp, easy appetizers but have found a few homemade ones we love too.  I need to search for a few new ones to try this summer but today I'm sharing a few of our top favorites... 

Watermelon & Feta Bites

Refreshing for a hot day.

Balsamic Strawberry Toasted Crostini 

We've made a similar one with mushrooms too - any topping is good! 

Melon, Prosciutto & Mozzarella Skewers

These are great especially for the lake because you can just throw them in a container and bring them down to the dock already made.

Cucumber Bites

A healthy choice that makes for a nice presentation. 

Feta Dip

Last but not least, this is our number one favorite appetizer - anytime of the year! 

Enjoy! xx 

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip

'Tis the season for pumpkin.  I'm a pumpkin fan - in small doses and definitely a dip fan.  This dip came together in just minutes, is so easy and quite tasty.  I made it around Halloween and one batch was more than enough for two separate gatherings.  I served it with vanilla wafers (then ran out and used teddy grahams).  I'll definitely be repeating this again come Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup pumpkin spice coffee creamer
one 3.4 ounce package pumpkin spice instant pudding
(use can use cheesecake instant pudding if you can't find the other - that's what I did)
one 8 ounce package cream cheese
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups frozen whipped topping
vanilla wafers, graham crackers, etc. for dipping

Directions:
Whisk together the pumpkin spice coffee creamer with the instant pudding.  Set aside for five minutes.
In a separate bowl mix together the softened cream cheese and sugar.
Add pudding to cream cheese mixture and beat well.
Fold in two cups whipped topping.
Refrigerate until serving time and serve with whatever you'd like to dip.

Enjoy! xx

Tailgate Treats: Buffalo Chicken Dip

We have our usual tailgate favorites but it's fun to mix it up a little each time so it's not the same exact thing game after game.  Now that it's getting cooler out, we're definitely preferring some more warm items as apposed to the cold dips and sides and such.

Buffalo Chicken Dip:
One of our new tailgate items this year and by far a favorite this season (we've had it every game so far!) is an easy buffalo chicken dip.

Ingredients:

8 ounces light cream cheese

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup buffalo sauce (or more...)

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken 

Directions:

Combine the cream cheese, sour cream and ranch dressing.

Mix in the chicken and buffalo sauce.

Mix in the cheddar cheese (and more buffalo sauce, if you want).

Spread into a serving dish and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Serve with tostitos ships or slices of baguette.

Enjoy! xx

Mini Strawberry Shortcakes

These are a great quick dessert and great for either a crowd or small group.  They are also delicious and are very easy to make.

Ingredients:

strawberries

angel food cake cups

whipped cream

sugar

Directions :

Place the angel food cake cups on a platter.  Chop the strawberries into pieces and mix sugar into the bowl then pour an even amount into each of the cups.  Top with whipped cream and serve.

Enjoy! 

Key Lime Everything {Pies & Cocktails}

My stepdad's favorite is key lime... anything so every year for Father's Day I make a key lime pie for the dessert for our BBQ and a couple years ago he started making us key lime cocktails also to sip on during the summer so I'm sharing both recipes today... 

The Easiest Key Lime Pie

This pie is probably one of the easiest summer desserts to make - it has very few ingredients and it takes just minutes to make before you let it chill for a couple hours.  

Ingredients:

pre made graham cracker pie crust

two 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3/4 cup lime juice

whipped cream, fruit and/or grated lime zest for garnish

Directions:

Mix condensed milk, lime juice and sour cream and whisk together until blended.  Pour mixture into the graham cracker crust.  Bake at 350 degrees for 5-15 minutes but don't over bake and then chill for at least two hours before serving.  Top with whipped cream, fruit or grated lime zest.

Key Lime Cocktails

I'm a wine girl for sure but I do enjoy an occasional summer cocktail now and again on a hot day.  This one is very refreshing and quick/easy to make.

Ingredients:

whipped cream vodka

lime juice

sprite

club soda

Directions:

Fill with one shot of vodka, a splash of lime juice and fill the rest with the sprite/club soda mixture.

Enjoy! xx 

Watermelon & Feta Bites

These fresh bites are becoming our appetizer of the summer.  They are light, refreshing and easy to make! Something that we skipped was adding mint but you could easily add that ingredient in also.  You could also serve this as a summer salad instead of in the bite size pieces.  

Ingredients:

watermelon 

block of feta 

light balsamic dressing

Directions: 

Cut the watermelon and feta into bite size pieces.  Place one square of each onto a toothpick and set on the serving platter.  Sprinkle with balsamic dressing right before serving.

Enjoy! xx 

Balsamic Strawberry Toasted Crostini

These little bites are one of my new favorite appetizers.  I saw this recipe back in the spring and thought they'd be the perfect summer treat so we tried them out as an appetizer for Fourth of July and they now rank pretty high on the appetizers list.

Ingredients:

1 loaf french bread

olive oil

1 pound ricotta cheese

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon fresh cracked pepper

2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar (or light balsamic dressing)

Directions:

Chop the strawberries and place in a bowl with the balsamic vinegar to marinate for about 20 minutes.

Preheat the broiler and slice the french brea into even slices.

Brush olive oil onto each slice then broil for five minutes or less (watch close so it doesn't burn).

Mix together the ricotta cheese, honey and fresh cracked pepper.

Top each bread slice with the ricotta cheese mixture and top with the strawberry mixture then drizzle with a little bit of balsamic dressing and serve right away.

Enjoy! xx 

McCarthy Salad

While in California we fell in love with a salad for lunch at the hotel - it's one of the Polo Lounge's "classic items" - the McCarthy Salad (pictured above).  Made with romaine, organic chicken, eggs, roasted beets, bacon, avocado, cheddar, tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette.  This became a repeat lunch item.

Since we've been home we've done an imitation version and had it multiple times already for lunches and dinners.  I prefer chopped salads as opposed to huge lettuce pieces so this one is perfect for me.  The key is to use shredded lettuce for the greens, place all your toppings on top and then gently blend everything together.  

We used the same items from the McCarthy (sometimes cheese blocks, sometimes shredded) and added red onions as well as a delicious low calorie balsamic dressing - just as delicious as the real one! 

Enjoy! 

Casear Salad - Classic & Just a Bite + Sponsor Spotlight

Happy Tuesday, everyone - one day closer to that holiday weekend.  Today I'm sharing a favorite in this house.  A simple and regular Caesar salad is probably both mine and Derek's favorite salad - I mean, it's classic!

Caesar Salad - Just a Bite:
I can't even remember where I originally saw the idea to make these but anything bite size is a favorite of mine.  This will be a repeat appetizer for us I'm sure as the weather gets warmer and a staple at summer BBQ's.

Ingredients:
romaine lettuce
croutons
cooked chicken - cubes
parmesan cheese - cubes
caesar dressing
toothpicks

Directions:
Mix the caesar dressing in with the lettuce in a mixing bowl.  Put a lettuce wedge, chicken cube, parmesan cheese cube through a toothpick and then gently push it into the crouton.  You might have to push the first three ingredients down the toothpick a little to get them to stand right on the crouton (pushing the toothpick only halfway into it is the best way to not have it crack).

*You could also just drizzle the dressing over each bite once finished.

Classic Caesar Salad:
Derek and I usually cheat and just get the lettuce, croutons, fresh parmesan and sometimes grilled chicken and mix it all together with store bought dressing.  However, my step-dad makes the most amazing homemade salad (originally from Rachel Ray, I believe) so if we're having dinner at my parent's house or having them over, we will frequently request that they bring/make this.

Sorry for the terrible photo, it was hard digging through to find one! 

Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets
1 hard-boiled egg yolk
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/3 teaspoon each salt and pepper

2 head romaine lettuce, torn
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
croutons

Directions:
Chop up the garlic clovers and anchovy fillets.  Add in the hard-boiled egg yolk, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.  Mix until all blended smoothly.  Toss the lettuce in a large serving bowl with the dressing and parmesan cheese.

Sponsor Spotlight:
Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to a new sponsor today, Kelsey from The Peacock Roost.  Kelsey is a newlywed who blogs about many aspects of life including starting a business! She's shared some great recipes including crockpot beefy cheesy tortellini (photo below).  I'll let Kelsey share a little bit more about herself.  Be sure to check out her great giveaway at the bottom of the post.

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Hi, I'm Kelsey, lifestyle blogger at The Peacock Roost!  I'm 27 and live in Kentucky with my husband!  I work at a financial advising firm and also run The Green Peacock, an organic lawn care company, with my husband and have my own consulting business on the side as well.  I love spending time with my husband & family, church, reading, Pure Barre, Netlix binges, cooking, shopping, decorating, organization and anything southern!  I blog because I love having a diary of our lives and I absolutely love the blogging community and connecting with new people!  My lifestyle blog, The Peacock Roost, focuses on our married life, recipes, favorite finds, organization, fitness & more. Hope you'll come visit and follow along!

Favorite posts: Louisville + Springsteen, Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Crockpot Beefy Cheesy Tortellini, Living Room Renovation, Fitness Updates

A few fun facts:

Favorite food:  Pasta.  Give me all the pasta!

Place wanting to travel: I would really love to visit all of Europe, Ireland and Scotland, and travel back to Africa!

Favorite cocktail: I love a good glass of Moscato, champagne or a mimosa!  I'm a sweet wine and champagne girl :)

Favorite TV shows: Blue Bloods, When Calls the Heart, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, RHOBH, RHONJ, all the Chicago shows (PD/Fire/Med) and I'm a total sucker for the CW shows (Reign, The Vampire Diaries and The Originals)!

Favorite Store: Nordstrom or Target!

Favorite Sports team: College - Louisville Cardinals, Pro - Dallas Cowboys!

Favorite Holiday: ​Christmas!  I already have several gifts and new decor purchased for this year and have plans to double our decorating!  I want to enjoy 2016 but I'm really excited for this Christmas and all the new and fun things I have planned :)

I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Kelsey, make sure to pop by her blog and say hello.  Also, don't miss her fabulous giveaway below - a Lilly Pulitzer wine glass set (a girl after my own heart!) The giveaway will run through Friday so don't miss out! 

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* if you're interested in being a future sponsor of Christina Lea Loves, click here for more information.

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs + Sponsor Spotlight

When I was planning the menu for the Super Bowl, I so wanted to make buffalo chicken meatballs - we've never had them before!  The guys all had their hearts set on buffalo wings so I lost out.  Finally I had the chance to test them out when we had people over for appetizers a little while back.

The wait was worth it and they did not disappoint - so delicious!

Ingredients:

So we just kind of threw things into the crockpot as we went so this won't be too specific but I really don't think you can mess up! 

one package ground chicken

3/4 cup bread crumbs

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

3/4 cup buffalo sauce (next time might just use 1/2)

We also added in a handful of brown sugar, a few squirts of soy sauce and then drizzled honey on top.  It was the perfect addition and we were happy with the trial.  We also served them with both ranch and blue cheese dressings.

Directions:

Combine the ground chicken, bread crumbs, egg, garlic powder and onion power in a bowl - using your hands is best but you could also use a spoon.  Once mixed, roll into little balls and place on a baking sheet.  Cook these in the oven at 400 degrees for about ten minutes and then gently place them all into the crockpot.  Now is when you'll add in the buffalo sauce and other seasonings.  Heat on low for two hours, serve with the dipping sauces and enjoy! 

***************

Sponsor Spotlight: Pink Lady
I'm also excited to introduce Holly today, who is the newest sponsor of Christina Lea Loves.  Next year she'll be celebrating her ten year blogging anniversary - that's huge!  She shares lots of experiences from her every day life as well as some delicious recipes (chicken, broccoli and ziti + beef tenderloin with blue cheese sauce + calamari with potatoes and peas).  I'll leave the rest of the introducing up to Holly…

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Hi!  My name is Holly.  I am a 40 something Wife, Mom, Stepmom, Career Woman and Volunteer Extraordinaire.  I have lived in New England for my entire life; I don't think I could live anywhere else.  Although I don't like Winter very much, I live for the ocean and being close to it, brings me peace.  

In my spare time, I love hanging with my handsome hubby and two beautiful girls.  I also enjoy quality time (and wine) with my girlfriends as well as reading, shopping (for Lilly Pulitzer) and catching up on my On Demand shows like Jane The Virgin, Younger, Teachers and Life...In Pieces.

I have been writing my blog since 2007, so that means that next year, I will be celebrating 10 years!!  It has become my online scrapbook and so fun to look back over the years full of wonderful memories.

A few quick facts:

Favorite food: My favorite foods are definitely seafood (of any kind), pizza and chocolate...oh and does wine count as food? ;)

Place you want to travel: There are a couple of places I would love to travel to- they are on my bucket list and include Hawaii, Italy and France

Favorite cocktail:  In addition to wine, I love a good dirty martini (and it must be made with gin)

Favorite TV show(s): There are so many that I LOVE binge watching like Jane The Virgin, Younger, Teachers, Life...In Pieces, Scandal, The Affair, Dance Moms 

Favorite Store: Any store that sells Lilly Pulitzer, Target, Macy's and sometimes J Crew

Favorite Sports team: The one and only Boston Red Sox....non negotiable!

Favorite Holiday: Christmas and more specifically Christmas Eve...the most magical night all year!

Favorite Blog Posts:
Most recently, the What's Up Wednesday posts have been so fun.  I love reading everything that everyone in the blogging community is up to!
What's Up Wednesday
Atlantis Bahamas Vacation
A Few of My Favorite Things
We are Expecting! 

With my husband, a shot of my girls, with my girlfriends and with my family.

Make sure to pop over to Holly's blog and say hello! 

Nacho Bar

I am a big fan of party bars - it ensures everyone can enjoy their food the way they like it and plus, they are fun.  Potato bars, tortellini bars, popcorn bars, ice cream sundae bars, etc.

Nachos are a great football food and for the Super Bowl I thought it would be a fun idea as something to serve.  I wasn't sure if I should just do a big platter with all the fixings or let everyone make their own from the start.  I finally decided on topping each tostitos chip with refried beans and melted cheese then to let everyone make a platter from that and do the rest of the toppings themselves.  The toppings really could have been endless but we went with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, jalapenos, olives and chives.

This setup worked really well, everyone enjoyed and there wasn't a single nacho left on the plate - success!

Today is the last day to enter the Valentine's Day giveaway.  The giveaway ends tonight at midnight and the winner will be notified via email tomorrow morning.  Lots of love and luck!

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Friday's Feature {2/12} + Giveaway

Is everyone ready for Valentine's Day?? I don't overdo this holiday (like I do the others) but Derek and I always do something (or somethings) to celebrate.  Last night we kicked things off in the city - which by the way was freezing - I don't think I'm ready for this cold we have in store this weekend (low is 1 degree).  We have some friends coming in to visit this weekend so we're all grabbing brunch Sunday morning then Derek and I are enjoying a night in to avoid the crowds.  There are few things I hate more than crowds.

Valentine's Day Blondies: {via}
When picking what to bake for the holiday I knew I wanted to use a trusty favorite (as it was an excuse to enjoy - we've laid off the baking AND the sweets since the holidays) and I wanted it done in advance to enjoy leading up.  Although, I did actually make a second batch last night too.  I was planning on sharing this earlier in the week (but then had too much fun enjoying the Super Bowl) so if anyone is looking for some extra holiday baking... you can whip up some of mine (and I think everyone's) favorite dessert - blondies.  I've tried a few different versions and I think this recipe will stick.

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup M&M's

Directions:
+ Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
+ Melt 1/3 cup butter.  Add the brown sugar and mix well.
+ Add a beaten egg and vanilla to the butter/brown sugar mixture.
+ A little at a time, add the flour mixture.
+ Mix in 2/3 cup M&M's.  Spread into a baking pan (square or circle).
+ Sprinkle 1/3 cup M&M's on top.
+ Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Enjoy!

Favorite Valentine's Links:
A lot of blogs have been sharing some great Valentine's Day posts in the recent weeks. Katie shared some great date night ideas (big and little) that would be great if you're still looking for something to do this weekend - or anytime.

Sarah shared a delicious and festive dessert trifle for the end to any Valentine's Day dinner (or lunch!).

I *think* Derek's finished up his shopping but like most guys he tends to be last minute.  If your man is still looking for the perfect gift for you Biana, Natalie and myself put together some Valentine's Day gift guides.

For the fashion side of the holiday, Kristina posted about a great valentine's day look.

I've shared this before but I am obsessed with decorative toothpicks - they add the perfect touch to an appetizer, dessert, anything really.  The gals at The Sequin Notebook always have the cutest accessories also including these galentine's day conversation heart printables.

Giveaway:
For the holiday of love, I wanted to share some love with all of you! One of my favorite new necklaces plus a matching bracelet.  Enter via the rafflecopter below and remember every link is one chance closer to winning. The giveaway will run through Tuesday, 2/16 and the winner will be notified via email.  Lots of love and luck!

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Cheers to the weekend & a very Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Linking up today with the Friday linkups -

 Five on Friday, Oh, Hey Friday, and Friday Favorites (x2)

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Whereabouts {Birthdays & Football}

Did everyone enjoy their weekends?  The Super Bowl?  I sure did, hence the silence around here yesterday.  We hosted for the Super Bowl and had far too much fun, stayed up way later than I usually do on a Sunday night (I'm usually hopping into bed around 9 to recover from weekend fun), ate all the good football food, etc.  This weekend was all about birthdays and football for us.

Mom's Birthday:
We kicked off the weekend a little bit early last week and all got together to celebrate my mom's birthday.  She does so much for us so we love a good excuse to celebrate her.  We met up at our favorite italian restaurant for huge food portions and lots of chatter and catching up.  We each pick what dessert we want for our birthday - usually some type of cake but this year mom decided she wanted ice cream sundaes so we had a sundae bar set up while she opened presents.  Great night together.

D.C. & Birthday Brunching:
The birthday celebrations continued over the weekend and we headed down to DC to celebrate one of our best friends, Ashley's birthday.  Derek and I got down in the morning just in time to head to brunch at Local 16 with a big group of friends.  This wasn't our first time brunching there as they have great food and bottomless mimosas/bellinis/bloody marys/pomegranate mimosas and some beer.  We lucked out with seats on the rooftop with heaters to keep us warm of course.

We kept the celebrations going with some bar hopping around.  Also, if you're local to DC, one of our best friends, Dom is the founder of an app called Absorb DC.  It will tell you the best happy hours & deals in town each day and plus their instagram page shares the most delicious treats around DC - check them out!

Super Bowl 50:
We made sure not to stay in DC too late on Sunday so we could get back, rest up and host a gathering for the Super Bowl on Sunday night.  Everyone came over around 5:00 to start the festivities and right around game time we had plenty of apps {chili dip, poppers, sweet & sour kielbasa bites, buffalo wings and a nacho bar} and cocktails to sip.

Before kick off started we set each of the dogs up to pick a winner.  We'd done it a couple years back with our family dog, Nash but this was Stella's first time to join in.  We put a treat in front of each the Broncos and Pathers logo to see which they'd pick.  Nash went first and went right for the Broncos.  Stella was up next and went right to the Panthers, but she made sure to eat the treat in front of the Broncos after.  It was funny how each was so certain.

It was nice to have the food prep out of the way to actually be able to enjoy the game.  Meatballs were slow cooking for the main course and we served them up around half time with some potato skins and caesar salad skewers.  No party is complete without dessert and I couldn't say no to a smaller football cake I saw at the grocery store.

Quick & Easy Recipes:
I hadn't searched Pinterest for football foods since Penn State's season ended and found plenty of new good ones - most I have to save for next season {buffalo wings won out over buffalo meatballs} but I slipped a couple in for the game.  A couple are literally so easy that I figured I'd just throw them in today - the rest will be coming later…

Chili Dip:

Ingredients: one block cream cheese (low fat), 1 can hormel chili - without beans, shredded cheddar cheese
Directions: spread the softened cream cheese in the bottom of a dip, evenly spread chili on top then lightly sprinkled with shredded cheese (I used much less cheese than needed and it was delicious that way).

Sweet & Sour kielbasa Bites:

Ingredients: kielbasa, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup sweet BBQ sauce
Directions: cut the kielbasa into slices (I prefer thin) then place everything into the crockpot (on low) or oven (about 300 degrees) for about 1 1/2 to two hours.  Cook at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.

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