Weekend Round-Up

Cook's Notes: Midwest Living has some great easy last minute 34 decorating ideas which include: 

 Ring Around The Sparkler 

Strawberry Tin

http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/easy-red-white-and-blue-decorating-ideas/

Some Ever Ready 4th of July party foods which include: 

Margarita Cupcakes

Cook's Notes: For all those Margarita fans you'll love these moist and fluffy cupcakes infused with a little tequila and lime. Lime zest and lime slices brighten up the sour cream frosting to make the ultimate Margarita dessert. It maybe hard to stop at just one as I had to have two!!  

Recipe makes 10 regular sized cupcakes.  

Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups cake flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp.salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar 
•  1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Greek style yogurt
• zest and juice of two limes
• 2 TB. tequila

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 4 TB. softened butter
• 2 TB. lime juice
• 1-2 TB. tequila
• Milk as needed
• 3 cups powdered sugar 
• 1 large lime for decorating-zesting and slices

Cupcake Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with 10 paper liners and set aside. 
• Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. 
• In another bowl whisk together eggs and sugar until combined. Add in melted butter, yogurt, lime juice, zest and tequila and whisk until combined. Fold in dry ingredients. 
• Divide batter among the paper liners and bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack. Place a sheet of wax paper under cooling rack for any frosting drips.  

Frosting Directions:

• Beat cream cheese, butter, lime juice, tequila and powdered sugar. Use milk as needed to obtain correct frosting consistency.
• Zest each frosted cupcake with lime and then slice the lime for decoration. Pat lime dry before setting small segment into frosted cupcake. Refrigerate cupcakes 45 minutes for frosting to set.    
  

Watermelon Tomato Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

Cook's Notes: A simple yet elegant dish that's tasty and healthy.  It's a great dish to use your garden produce. The more varied the color of your tomatoes. the prettier the salad will look. Garnish with fresh basil.  Recipe serves 2-3 

Salad Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon cubes
• 2 cups red and yellow cherry tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach torn leaves, stems removed 
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• Optional:Feta crumbles 

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 TB. olive oil
• 2 TB. good quality white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard  
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp, each  basil, oregano, thyme, crushed rosemary   

Salad Directions:

• In a large bowl mix watermelon, tomatoes spinach and red onion. 
• Drizzle with just enough dressing to moisten the salad. 
• Refrigerate salad for 1 hour. Drain liquid before serving. Sprinkle with Feta crumbles. 

Dressing Ingredients:

• In a blender add all dressing ingredients and mix well.