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Festive Cocktail Recipes for the Holiday Season

December 17, 2015 by

Holiday treats don't have to arrive in cookie or candy form! Here are three holiday-themed cocktail recipes that even the most knowledgeable home bartender will appreciate.

Easy Blender Eggnog [realsimple.com]
Instead of buying the pre-packaged eggnog, make your own by using just a few common ingredients and a standard kitchen blender. Heavy cream, sugar, and eggs create the drink’s signature rich consistency, while some good brandy adds that deliciously dark flavor.

Mulled Wine Sangria [myrecipes.com]
Update your favorite summer drink for the chilly winter season by simmering red wine in warming spices like cloves and cinnamon. Combine it with sparkly club soda and served chilled with some refreshing orange slices floating throughout.

Candy Cane Cocktail [marthastewart.com]
For guests who prefer drinks with a sweeter flavor, this fun candy cane cocktail will surely be a hit. It’s made with strawberry vodka and crème de menthe combined with some tart cranberry juice that creates a lovely pink color, and lining the rim of a martini glass with crushed candy canes adds an even more special look and a fresh, minty flavor.

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Safety First! Check Out These Halloween Safety Tips for Motorists

October 22, 2015 by

Even if you’re not trick or treating yourself, safety should be a top priority on Halloween. It’s important to be cautious while driving in order to keep the streets safe for young trick or treaters, and these simple tips will show you how.

  1. Be especially cautious between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This is the most common time for trick or treating in neighborhoods across the country, so you should be especially cautious or even try to avoid driving between these hours if possible.
  2. Don’t pass stopped vehicles. Even if you would normally pass a stopped car, keep in mind that the driver could be dropping off young children. Be patient and wait for them to keep going.
  3. Put your phone away. Although you should never use the phone while driving, this rule is even more important on October 31. Don’t take a phone call, send a text message, fiddle with the radio, or engage in any other distracting activities until you're out of the car altogether.
  4. Keep an eye out. The absolute best way to keep yourself and neighborhood children safe on Halloween is by staying alert while driving. Look out for kids darting into the street out of excitement, and be especially cautious once it starts to get darker outside.

Halloween Driving Safety Tips [Progressive]
Halloween safety tips for pedestrians and drivers [Consumer Reports]

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Quick and Easy Marinades for That Upcoming Barbecue

July 23, 2015 by

Every barbecue enthusiast knows that the marinade is key when it comes to adding flavor to your meats, but there are a whole lot more options than just the usual barbecue sauce to choose from. From sweet to tangy to spicy, these grill-ready marinades can take foods from bland to mouthwatering in just a few minutes flat. And best of all? They don’t have to sit in the refrigerator all night, so they’re perfect for the last-minute home chef!

Greek Marinade [greek.food.com]
Olive oil and lemon juice impart a bright, zesty flavor to foods like chicken and fish, while a bounty of fresh herbs and spices will make you feel like you hopped a plane to the shores of Greece. Pour this perfect marinade over your meats and pop them into the fridge for an hour before grilling.

Maple Grilled Salmon Glaze [myrecipes.com]
Take salmon to the next level with this sweet and smoky glaze that you can brush on the fish — or even on a juicy pork chop — right as it’s cooking. Garnish with orange slices to bring out even more sweet, citrus-y flavor.

Barbecue Sauce [marthastewart.com]
Although there are limitless options for marinades, sometimes you’re just in the mood for a good old-fashioned barbecue sauce. This simple, straightforward recipe takes just 30 minutes to make, and it can be used on everything from ribs to chicken at your next cookout.

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These Halloween Party Games Are a Ghoulish Good Time

October 16, 2014 by

Whether you’re the class parent or you’re planning a party at home, there are tons of fun Halloween-themed party games that your little ones will love. These activities are lively and just a bit spooky, which make them the perfect games to play before trick-or-treating.

Mummy Wrap [fun.familyeducation.com]
This one is a classic, but it only gets more fun every time you play it. Start by dividing guests into two teams, and then choose one “mummy” on each team. Give each of the other teammates a roll of toilet paper, and then see which team can wrap their mummy from head to toe first.

Pop Goes the Pumpkin [marthastewart.com]
Attach an oversized foam board to an empty wall, then attach orange balloons in the shape of a large pumpkin to the board. Next, allow kids to pop the balloons with dull pins (or darts for older kids) to uncover candy and small treats hidden inside.

Silent Movie [momswhothink.com]
Even if your kids are too young to appreciate classic horror films, they’ll love creating their own in this fun game. Collect silly movie props like costumes, makeup, and strange household items, then divide the kids into two teams and give them a set amount of time to each create their own silent films. After the time is up, hold a “screening” of both performances.

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Sample These Acorn Squash Recipes This Fall

September 18, 2014 by

Acorn squash is a type of winter squash with a unique dark green rind, longitudinal ridges and a yellowish-orange inside that tastes sweet and mild. This squash is so versatile that even the most novice home chef can easily prepare it in a variety of different ways. Here are just three ways to try your hand at serving acorn squash this fall.

Baked Acorn Squash [allrecipes.com]
To really get a good idea of how acorn squash tastes, you should first prepare it all by itself. This simple recipe involves baking a halved acorn squash with just a bit of butter and brown sugar to create a healthy side dish or even a unique dessert.

Acorn Squash Soup with Kale [marthastewart.com]
With a hearty texture and autumnal flavors, this soup is perfect for those chilly fall evenings. Pureeing the acorn squash is one of the best ways to prepare it for use in a soup, while adding crispy bacon and finely chopped kale adds a darker, smokier flavor that contrasts the sweetness of the squash.

Spinach and Acorn Squash Ravioli [myrecipes.com]
Acorn squash makes a wonderful filling for pasta, and in this creative recipe it’s blended with creamy ricotta cheese and chopped spinach for added flavor. Plus, using wonton wrappers instead of the usual pasta dough saves on calories, and it’s much easier than rolling out that dough by hand.

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