Martinelli's & Sparkling Ice

This drink is perfect for summer. My favorite is the Apple Marionberry Martinelli's Sparkling Cider & Black Raspberry Sparkling Ice. I fill a glass with a ton of ice, add 3/4 Martinelli's, and 1/4 Sparkling Ice. I got this idea from Summer Clark. It looked so good, I had to ask her what she'd used. I'm always trying to give up soda so this is a perfect alternative. It's much healthier too!

The Famous Macaroni & Cheese!!!

This recipe is from my mom's 7th grade home ec class. Once anyone tries this, they swear they won't ever make the Kraft boxed macaroni again.

*Cook 1 cup (heap the cup) dry macaroni according to package directions & drain (I like the large elbow pasta)

*Set cooked macaroni aside

*In another pan, make cheese sauce:
-Melt 2 tbsp butter in pan (use stick butter & NOT margarine)
-Stir in 2 tbsp flour, 1/4 teasp salt, & a few shakes pepper
-Mix well
-Stir in 1/2 cup water, stir continually, boil 2 min while stirring
-Stir in 1/2 cup canned milk; heat but try not to boil
-Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp is best)
-Stir in pasta and combine

I always double this recipe for Juan and me so we have leftovers and make peas with it. Juan mixes the macaroni & cheese and peas.

I add a lot of black pepper to mine once it's on my plate. :-)

Enjoy!

The Show Cabernet Sauvignon

Along with 14 Hands Cabernet, this is one of my favorites. Can't go wrong with this one.

Cupcake Chardonnay!

99% of the time I choose red over whit,e but this chardonnay is excellent. I've also had the Cupcake Red Velvet wine and it's great too. With the name "cupcake" you'd think their wines would be really sweet but they're not. I was hesitant to even try them since I am not a fan of the sweeter wines. Another great thing about the chardonnay is that the bottle is cute too. Perfect for a dinner party with friends.

Raspberry Pie-Just the Picture

This pie recipe wasn't worth posting on here. I found it online and would not recommend it. I thought the picture was decent; maybe it will inspire someone to go bake a pie. :-) Next time, I will be using my mom's recipe, which is 100 times better.

Carne Asada Bolgogi Dinner

Sadly, I'm not posting the recipe for the carne asada bolgogi. Juan wants to keep it a secret for now, but I still want to share a picture of the dinner we enjoyed last Sunday. We invited my dad over too. We had zesty bowtie pasta salad, asparagus, raspberries, bread dipped in olive oil/balsalmic vinegar, & Zardetto champagne.

I will post the recipe for the pasta salad soon. I got the recipe from Jeanine Unpingco, Juan's younger sister. Thanks, Jeanine!

Cheeseburger Pie-A Definite Favorite!

This recipe is from my grandma, but it was handed down to me by my mom. I don't remember my mom making this for dinner growing up, but she should have. Everyone loves this dish, plus it's quick and easy. Who doesn't like a good cheeseburger...pie? ;)

Cheeseburger pie is one of my favorites because you can make it a day before guests come and people can reheat the individual slices. I serve it with asparagus or salad, but any vegetable would be good on the side.

Recipe:
Cook 1 empty deep dish pie crust (according to directions on pie crust package)

Cool crust completely

Brown 1 lb. of ground beef in a skillet (I use super lean hamburger so there's minimal fat to drain)

Add 1 jar (16oz) mild or medium salsa to meat & warm (I think Pace medium chunky salsa is the best)

Dump in cooled pie crust

In a small bowl, mix:
*1 egg
*1/4 cup milk
*1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
*Couple shakes of salt & pepper
*2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I always use sharp cheddar)

Fill crust with hamburger mixture
Top with egg/milk mixure

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min

Cool 10-15 minutes & cut into slices