Classic Wedding Invitations

I had the pleasure of working with a lovely couple to design a classic wedding suite for their big day! Together, we designed an invitation, reply card, thank you notes and programs. Absolutely loved every minute of working with Brynnan and Zac! Before Brynnan sent out her invitations, she wrapped the invitation and reply card in bakers twine before putting them in a kraft paper envelope. I love those little details!

S'mores Cookies

I love all things s'mores and these cookies are absolutely amazing. I took them to a Labor Day get together and they were a big hit! Recipe and images from: Kevin and Amanda

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (7 full graham cracker sheets)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Mini Hershey’s Kisses (or chocolate chips/chunks)
1 cup Jet Puffed Mallow Bits (just like the hot chocolate marshmallows!! Sold on the baking isle)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for an additional 2 minutes.

Meanwhile, use a food processor or blender to crush 7 graham cracker sheets into 3/4 cup fine crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and mix on low speed until the dough just comes together. Add the chocolate and marshmallows and stir to combine.

Place 1.5 tablespoon sized scoops of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Homemade Tomato Basil Soup

There isn't much more that is comforting on a cold day than soup and a grilled cheese. I remember eating this meal a ton when I was little so, I decided to remake this meal but instead of canned tomato soup, I made it from scratch. It was so easy and so good! Recipe from All Recipes

This recipe is very simple with only two steps, you'll have an amazing soup!

Ingredients:
4 whole fresh tomatoes
4 cups of tomato juice
14 fresh basil leaves (I used dried basil that I already had on hand. 1tsp of dried basil = 3 tsp. of fresh basil)
1 cup of heavy whipping cream (I used 3/4 cup)
1 stick of butter
Salt and Pepper to taste

Place tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the tomato mixture along with the basil leaves, and return the puree to the stock pot. 

Place the pot over medium heat, and stir in the heavy cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Do not boil.

Makes 4 servings.

I also made grilled cheese sandwiches to go with this meal. I used two different kinds of cheese. Yum!

What are your winter comfort food staples?

Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken + Fried Rice

As much as I love a home cooked and HEALTHY meal, sometimes it's nice to change things up a bit..aka it's ok to cook unhealthy sometimes. I've also been in a fun phase of trying new recipes pretty often! So, here is one that I highly recommend...Sweet and Sour Chicken + Fried Rice! Both recipes via Life as a Lofthouse

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken

The chicken coating:

3-4 boneless chicken breasts

salt + pepper

1 cup cornstarch

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup canola oil

The sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup sugar

4 tbs ketchup

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1 tbs soy sauce

1 tsp garlic salt

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Rinse your chicken breasts in water and then cut into cubes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip chicken into the cornstarch to coat then dip into the eggs.  Heat your 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet and cook your chicken until browned but not cooked through. Place the chicken in a 9x13 greased baking dish. Mix all of your sweet and sour sauce ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and then pour evenly over the chicken. Bake for one hour and during the baking process you will need to turn the chicken every 15 minutes.

Fried Rice                                                                                             

3 cups cooked white rice

3 tbs sesame oil

1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed (I couldn't fine just peas and carrots so mine also had green beans!)

1 small onion, chopped

2 tsp minced garlic

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/4 cup soy sauce

On medium high heat, heat the oil in a large skillet or wok.  Add the peas/carrots mix, onion and garlic. Stir fry until tender. Lower the heat to medium low and push the mixture off to one side, then pour your eggs on the other side of skillet and stir fry until scrambled. Now add the rice and soy sauce and blend all together well. Stir fry until thoroughly heated!

Loved every bit of this recipe and will definitely be making it again!

For more of my favorite recipes visit my recipes tab!