Prosciutto wrapped asparagus

My husband came across a great recipe on weight watchers. We decided to try it right away and make it for tonight's dinner. If you are looking for the perfect blend of crunchy and salty, spicy and tangy, meaty and veggie...you would love this one. Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with cream cheese. This is one of the tastiest apps I've ever had. There is a bit of a hassle while you make it because you need to carefully wrap every asparagus stem in prosciutto, and those who worked with this type of meat know how thin and fragile those slices are, oh and did I mention you also spread cream cheese on them; but I have to say that the prep work absolutely worth it.

Mandala Art

I created this mandala for a gift and was very pleased with the result. According to Wikipedia Mandala is a sanskrit word that means 'circle'. To read more about Mandalas click here. 

Typically Mandalas are created by using a basic geometric pattern. Using a pencil divide your canvas into concentric circles with the center in the middle. 

After you're done you can start drawing the contours using darker pensil or marker (anything in darker tones will work depending on your vision; I used black marker). Start in the center and draw objects one after the other filling the concentric circles evenly from each angle (you can draw anything you want). I went with very simple flowerish/ raindrop elements. 

Then when the contours are done and the pattern is ready, erase your pencil lines and start coloring. I filled in my mandala with crayons (coloring mandala is a lot of fun!). 

I hope you liked this project, its very creative and a great activity to do with you kids.

Blue Cheese and red potato tart

This is a must try recipe! Delicious small red potatoes with blue cheese crumbles on a savory tart. Thanks to Smitten Kitchen for this recipe. I am a big fan of a blue cheese and OMG this recipe is something I'll be making not once :)

For the recipe click here

Crispy Prosciutto Cups with Pear

The holiday season is here! It is time to think about tasty things I want to make. I came across this recipe at Martha Stewart's website; it is easy to make and sounds so tasty. An unusual combination of smoky and salty prosciutto with sweet pear...yum! I really like the idea of crisping prosciutto and making it into a cup. This appetizer recipe is on the top of my list for this season :)

I made this appetizer for New Year's Eve. Instead of the Bartlett pear from the original recipe I used Red pear (very similar in taste); in addition to lemon juice I used some maple syrup and a sprinkle of poppy flower seeds. Even though making the prosciutto cups was challenging, this appetizer turned out really delicious. I would recommend to use more meaty pieces of prosciutto to form the cups. The ones that had fat strings kind of bubbled up and were difficult to fill with diced pear. I also baked it for 10 minutes instead of 15 as they started getting brown very fast and I didn't want them to burn.

Here is the original recipe from Martha Stewart's website; below my version of it. Hope you like it!

Ingredients:

• Prosciutto, thinly sliced
• 1 ripe Red pear, finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
• Sprinkle of poppy flower seed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut prosciutto into 24 two-inch squares.
Place one square (overlapping any tears) in each cup of a mini cupcake tin.
Bake until fat turnes golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Using a fork, immediately transfer to a paper towel to drain; cool completely.
In a small bowl, combine diced pear and lemon juice, maple syrup or honey and poppy seeds. Fill each cup with pear mixture just before serving.  

NC State Wolfpack Basketball game

A few weeks ago we attended Wolfpack game at RBC center. It was a nice game. NC State won :) We went with our friend Jessianne.  After the game we went to Cook Out...and Oh My God that place got some delicious food. I had a hot dog, it actually was one of the best hot dogs I have ever tried....yes, that yummy :D

Right when we were about to leave a huge grasshopper landed on the wall behind our backs....

We had a great time, great food...lots of fun...can't wait to do it again!

Thanksgiving appetizers

I made little mozzarella/tomato/basil snacks on a toothpick. Here is the recipe I used - Tomato and mozzarella bites. Instead of balsamic vinegar/ olive oil as mentioned in this recipe you can also use any of the Italian dressings. I served these little bites on the platter with blackberries.

I don't have name or any particular recipe for this next appetizer: I took thin crackers (you can use any brand, I used Carr's). In this order I layered: whole slice of boiled egg on the bottom, then half a slice of cucumber and half a slice of radish. Then I squeezed a little bit of mayo by the flat edge of the radish slice so the mayo ended up in the center of the cracker. Then I used some tiny pepperoni slices on the top of the mayonnaise (I was able to fit three slices) and finished up with some fresh parsley.

I made two types of Russian salads and served them in the bite size cracker shells:  

- Winter Salad (Zimniy salat) (on the left) 

- Vinaigrette (Vinegret); made with beets  (on the right)

We also had some fresh peppers and salary
sticks with Sour cream, herbs and raisin dip.

Caviar Bites

For the drinks I made strawberry lemonade with mint leaves for kids and for grown-ups I made orange cranberry sangria with cinnamon sticks. My husband made a wonderful turkey. He used very simple classic recipe that calls for salt, pepper and oil. He also made an amazing gravy that was a big hit :)

Watermelon for Grown-Ups

This is the yummiest way to have watermelon!

Fresh and juicy watermelon cubes mixed with light, creamy yogurt, and sweetened with honey makes it perfect. 

I came across this recipe at Ladies' Home Journal website. It is a truly great and easy recipe.

Mix  together:

6 oz  of plain yogurt, 

2 Tsp of honey, 

1 Tsp of fresh lime juice, 

1/4 tsp of freshly grated ginger.

Spoon over  watermelon cut into cubes and sprinkle with chopped pistachios. 

Enjoy!!!