Have a YUMMY 4th of July!!

We were invited to spend our 4th of July with some friends celebrating our country's independence as well as their son's birthday.  They are having the get-together at the beach and that's usually where we are for the Fourth anyway, so it worked out perfectly!

We are bringing some carne asada to share towards the grilling.  I got some really good quality flank/skirt steak at a really good price.  I marinate it myself with all sorts of dry seasonings, plus orange juice.  It's going to be delicious!!

I also wanted to make a little something to bring as a side.  I did two different salads that are a favorite with my family and friends.

Creamy Bacon, Avocado Pasta
Ingredients:
1 box of Barilla rotini pasta
1/2 package of bacon
1/2 cup of mayo (I only use Best Foods)
1 large avocado pitted and cubed
2 Tbs dry Ranch dip mix (from the packet)
2 tsp dried dill
2 tsp Mrs. Dash Original Blend seasoning
Directions:
1.  Boil pasta according to directions on the box.  I like Barilla pasta because it really cooks up al dente, which means it's firm, but not hard.  Drain, rinse and let it cool.
2.  Cook bacon until it is crisp, but not too dark.  I like to cover a cookie sheet with foil and lay my bacon (spaced evenly) on the sheet and cook in 350* oven for about 15 minutes.  Drain grease and chop into small pieces.
3.  Cut avocado in half and remove pit.  Slice into cubes.
4.  Begin putting salad together by dividing the pasta and adding the mayo to one batch.  Fold and mix into pasta distributing the mayo evenly.  Then sprinkle in your dry seasonings, followed by the bacon and then the avocado last.  Add the rest of the pasta and mix carefully.  Continue folding without mashing the pasta or the avocado.
5.  Squeeze the juice of one whole lemon over the whole thing and mix one more time.
6.  Chill until ready to serve.

Caprese Salad - My Way

Ingredients: All produce purchased at Trader Joe's

1 Container of baby heirloom tomatoes (I quarter the larger tomatoes)

1 Container of mini pearl grape tomatoes

1 8 oz. container of Ciliegine Whole Milk Fresh Mozarella packed in water (drained and halved)

3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

1 garlic clove minced

4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

1 cup of fresh chopped basil (I bought a plant at TJ's a while back and it's been the best!)

Salt/Pepper/Italian Grinder Herb Seasoning (McCormick's)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl (I prefer glass).  Season to taste with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.

Serve immediately or refrigerate and then serve cold.

p.s.  If this salad was just for me, I'd add some amazing black olives, but I've got to many picky eaters around me. =)

Well, there you go.  I look forward to having an amazing day tomorrow with my family and friends.  Last year, we were also at the beach, but little Marco had an asthma attack and my husband ended up taking him to the hospital. =(  They both totally missed the fireworks.  Praying that all goes well this year.

We are so thankful for the freedom to enjoy a day with our family and to celebrate by remembering all of those that served and gave their lives to secure that freedom.  God bless America!

Pinterest and Patriotic Marshmallow Pops

I have a new addiction. It's called Pinterest. Have you heard of it? The best way I can describe it is this. Remember how we used to save recipes, room decor ideas, craft ideas, fashion tips, etc. from magazines? I don't know about you, but I had a little filing system where I'd keep the ripped out pages...all categorized. I hardly ever went back to it though because there was so much! Well, Pinterest is a site that allows you to create different boards where you can PIN anything you find on line. I have one for inspiring words, recipes, fitness inspiration, party themes...you get the idea. Everything you save is right there for you and when you click on the photo that you saved, it takes you to the website where you found it. I love it! So much inspiration, but ORGANIZED!! You can click on the button in my side bar to follow my boards if you are already on Pinterest. If you'd like to be on Pinterest, you must be invited. Shoot me an email and I'd be glad to get you started!
So, one day, I was cruising through other people's inspiration boards on pinterest when I saw these pops. They looked so cute and I happened to have everything on hand except the red, white and blue sprinkles and the lollipop sticks. I went to the store and picked up the things I needed and then very, very late that night - my daughter and I decided to give it a try.
They are very easy, but you just have to get the hang of it.

First you melt the white chocolate melts in the microwave. Stir until smooth.

Poke your lollipop stick or skewer into the marshmallow. If you are going to do the ones with the horizontal stripes, you stick a toothpick in one end and dip the marshmallow in one color. Then you work it off of the toothpick by sticking the skewer in the other end so that you can do the flip side a different color.

Have your sprinkles ready. I ended up moving the red and the blue sprinkles onto flat plates as well. You need to be able to really roll your marshmallow freely.

Here's the first batch. You really have to tap off the chocolate when you dip it in order to not let the sprinkles get too lumpy. We got better towards the end.

These were the trickiest.

Here's one batch. Bagged and tied. =)

I passed them out the next morning at our church's 4th of July celebration. Everyone really liked them. Of course, you can do any color or themed you'd like! We will definitely be doing more!

These were just some festive goodies I put together to give away as prizes. You can find lots of great deals in the bulk section of your grocery store.