Fresh Fruit Bouquet

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I love when simple things are impressive.  So easy to make a fruit bouquet.  Just get a variety of fruit, slice or use cookie cutters to create a variety of shapes, put them on wooden skewers and poke into some type of base.

In this case, I used a V-shape decorating tool to cut a watermelon in half to create the base.
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I used red and green grapes in various patterns on the skewers.20150411_081207

And I used flower shape and heart shape cookie cutters on slices of pineapple.
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That’s it.  Truly simple.  And you can use Google images to find tons of ideas for designs.
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Scrambled Eggs in Hash Brown Cups

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What do you get when you combine hash browns, scrambled eggs with veggies, shredded cheese and silicone baking cups?  A really yummy colorful brunch treat.

These silicone baking cups are wonderful.  Nothing sticks to them.  So easy to use and clean up, plus they come in such fun colors. (See Amazon link in side column.)

1.  Line each silicone cup with frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, pressing onto bottoms and up the sides.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until light golden brown.  (Begin checking at 10 minutes if using thawed hash browns.)20150411_073146-1     20150411_080545-1

2.  Whisk together eggs, milk and salt.  For 24 silicone cups, I used 18 eggs, one-half cup of milk, and a pinch of salt.

3.   Sauté your vegetables in a little butter and/or olive oil.  I used spinach and mushrooms, but just chop up whatever vegetables you have on hand and toss them in.

4.  When vegetables are nearly done (tender and slightly browned), pour in egg mixture, cooking and stirring until eggs are thickened and almost dry.

5.  Spoon eggs and veggies into the hash brown cups and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

6.  Bake three to five minutes until cheese is melted.

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Printer-friendly recipe:  Scrambled Eggs in Hash Brown Cups

 

Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding

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True Confession: 
I didn’t adapt this recipe in the least.  Took it straight from Paula Deen’s website.  In fact, I can’t imagine a single way to improve upon it.  It is easy to make and such a hit at parties.  Personally I can ONLY make it when I’m taking it to a party or I’ll eat every ounce if home alone with it.

You can get the recipe on Paula Deen’s website:
http://www.pauladeen.com/not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding.  But since you’re already here, I’ll go ahead and share the recipe with you myself.

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1.  Line a 9″x13″ baking dish (or in my case, a large glass bowl) with Pepperidge Farm Chessman Cookies.
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2.  Then slice six to eight bananas and spread those across the cookies.
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3.  In one mixing bowl, mix 2 cups milk and a 5oz box of French Vanilla Jello Instant Pudding Mix.    In another mixing bowl, mix 8oz softened cream cheese and one can of sweetened condensed milk.  (You see what makes this banana pudding so incredible?)
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4.  Fold a 12oz container of whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture.  Then fold the pudding into that mixture.
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5.  Refrigerate until ready to serve, which hopefully won’t be long!

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Printer-friendly recipe:  Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding

 

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

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Ummmm… bacon…

Man-oh-man! Easy and delish!  Only two ingredients (three or four if you add spices).

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1.  Trim the tough ends off the asparagus.

2.  Cut bacon strips in half.

3.  Wrap half a bacon strip around each asparagus spear.  I had planned to secure with toothpicks but didn’t have any and found that the bacon stuck just fine on its own.

 

4.  Sprinkle spices to taste.  I just use garlic.

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5.  Bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is done to your liking.  Simple as that.

Note:  By the time the bacon pleased me, the asparagus looked overcooked, but it was absolutely delicious and a big hit at my brunch.  My son suggested baking it at 350 for 15 minutes and then using the broiler for a minute or two to see if that helps crisp the bacon without overcooking the asparagus.  He’s such a gem.  I’ll try that next time.

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Printer-friendly recipe:  Bacon Wrapped Asparagus