White Elephant Gift Exchange

Lisa Hockenberry
Jolie – RSVP – December 2008 – White Elephant Gift Exchange

A White Elephant Gift Exchange is a popular party game that is played during the holiday season! There are many names for this type of party, such as Dirty Santa or Yankee Swap, however the rules remain the same. The term “white elephant” refers to a gift whose cost exceeds its usefulness. As with many holiday parties, everyone arrives with a gift and leaves with a gift, however it is what happens in between that sets this game apart. Gifts are usually humorous and it is a light-heart way to have fun with your supper club, best gals, or even colleagues.

THE RULES:
1. On your invitation, state that everyone must bring a wrapped present. Often, hosts set a price limit per gift.
2. When guests arrive, have them set their gifts under the tree, on a table, or other designated spot.
3. Then, when it time to play the game, pass around a hat with numbered pieces of paper (one number per gift). Have each guest draw a slip of paper.
4. This designates the order in which the guests choose the gifts. The guest that draws the “1” gets to choose the first gift and opens it for all to see.
5. Then it's the turn of the person who drew "2." She can choose to steal the first person's gift or pick another gift from the pile, and open it. If the second person chooses to steal the first person’s gift, the first person gets to choose another gift from the pile.
6. The person who drew "3" goes next, and must choose between stealing one of the first two gifts or choosing a new gift from the pile.
7. The game continues in this manner until everyone has a gift. Often a rule is set in the beginning of the game that a gift may only be traded 2-3 times.

GIFT IDEAS:
If there are both men and women exchanging gifts, guests can bring a gift that matches their gender and then swap with like guests. Some ideas may be wine or liquor with a silly name, a Styrofoam cooler filled with inexpensive beer, or gift certificates to local restaurants. I once attended a party with a large percentage of Gamecock fans and one guest brought in a Clemson house flag! Sure enough the biggest USC fan ended up with that prize! Another gag gift is to take a toilet seat, paint it gold, and decoupage it with jewels and rhinestones – the ultimate throne fit for a king or queen!
If you are exchanging gifts with your girlfriends, many quite helpful gifts can be found with humorous names, such as Takeouts Silicon Bra Inserts – The Better Boob Job, or Rich Girl Hand Cream from the Lippmann Collection! Any sassy mama loves fancy toiletries to help with beautification!
If it is a mixed crowd of spouses, colleagues, and even (Yikes!) your boss, more subdued gifts may be appropriate. For example, a fabulous winter scarf or chic colorful boots to assist in braving the cold weather that following Monday at work! An interactive game that can get the crowd mingling is another useful idea!

HELPFUL HINTS:
This time of year is stressful enough! Have a casual gathering and serve a soup and salad combo.
Set up a bar and let your guests help themselves to beer and wine. Consider serving a signature cocktail, such as a pomegranate martini.
Don’t go overboard with flowers and such. Let your holiday decorations serve their purpose. Play festive music.
Remember, when wrapping your gifts, the best and most elaborately wrapped gifts get chosen first. Get creative with your wrapping!

Turkey Cheesesteaks with Cranberry Mayo
Courtesy: Mr. Friendly’s, owner Ricky Mollohan

Ingredients (for two big sandwiches)
1 cup chopped leftover turkey

1 green bell pepper, cut into long strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into long strips

½ white onion, cut into long strips

1 tsp chopped garlic

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp olive oil

¼ cup sundried cranberries or other leftover cranberry mixture

2 slices provolone cheese

2 hoagie buns

1 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp sour cream

Salt and pepper

Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees. Slice open the hoagie buns and place them in the oven for 5 minutes to toast.
Meanwhile, in large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil and onions. Season with salt and pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add green and red bell peppers, and reseason with salt and pepper. Continue to cook until onions turn light brown and are caramelized.
Add chopped turkey meat to the onion-pepper mixture and toss in pan. Season it all with Cajun seasoning, garlic and dried thyme. Continue to cook and stir until turkey is hot. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cranberries, mayonnaise and sour cream. Mix well as to blend mayo and sour cream together. Season the mixture with salt and pepper and mix again.
Spread the cranberry mayo on both sides of bun. Load up the bottom bun with turkey-onion-pepper mixture and top with provolone cheese. Now, put the other piece of the bun on top and you've got a great sandwich!

Heading to a Holiday Party and Need a Unique Dish?

Try this:

Green Apple & Peanut Butter Enchiladas

courtesy: Brent Dampier

2 - 8 oz. cans of crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
4 green apples, peeled, seeded, and sliced
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup peanut butter
12 ounces Mountain Dew

Preheat oven to 350° F. Melt butter over medium-low heat in medium saucepan. Add sugar and cinnamon and blend well. Unroll crescent rolls and place a generous dab of peanut butter topped with green apple slice(s) on each. Roll from large end to small end. Place in 13”x 9” baking dish. Pour butter mixture over each, and then pour the Mountain Dew over the top of dish. Bake at 350° F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 6-8 servings

Cook’s Notes: For softer more savory apples, add apple slices to the butter mixture and simmer while preparing crescent rolls. Remove apples making sure to return as much butter mixture to the saucepan as possible.


Brent is so thoughtful to share his one-of-a-kind recipes with Blonde Appetit! He vouches for this recipe and even states that it receives rave reviews even when...I quote, "he is not behind the wheel."


Can you think of a creative title for this recipe? Brent is working on his own cookbook and may enter this recipe in a famous contest. Your name could go down in history. Blonde Appetit has her thinking cap on!!!!!!!!

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Monopoly Lilly Pulitzer Edition

America's oldest game gets a pink and green facelift! Every last detail is customized in true Lilly Pulitzer fashion. This limited edition Monopoly game features a wildly printed game board and tokens such as Via Totes and Classic Shifts. The Vias of Palm Beach replace the railroads and the "Get Out of Jail Free" card reads: "Swap your jail stripes for Lilly brights!"

$50

www.lillypulitzer.com

or

Belk at Columbiana Mall

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Smoked Salmon Trio
Ideal for entertaining or gift giving, our assortment showcases the art of the smoke master with three delectable varieties of smoked salmon. Farm-raised in Scotland, the salmon is brined and smoked for us by the Browne Trading Co., a family-run smokehouse on the Maine coast, using techniques passed down through generations of fishermen. The sampler comes in a wooden gift box and includes three 1/2-pound salmon fillets: Scotch-Cured Salmon, cold-smoked with sweet fruitwoods and offering a subtle hint of whiskey flavor; Maine Sea Spice Salmon, rubbed with paprika, garlic and herbs, then smoked to a peppery, complex finish; and Lemon & Dill Salmon, with a bright dill-laced flavor reminiscent of traditional gravlax. Each fillet is fully trimmed and hand-cut into thin slices for serving. 1 1/2 lb. total.

http://williamssonoma.com

The Five Points Special

Alas, towns change. Stores open. Then they close. Big business comes to Five Points in spite of hurting the mom and pop local pubs, coffee shops and retail locations. Sometimes it can be a good thing, but many times it has long time residents lingering with the memories of "the way it was..."

When I was a Sophomore in college I lived with two roommates on the top floor of an old, brick professor's apartment building on Blossom St., until the 3rd girl moved off the Hall and into the eaves of our wall...a mere storage space that we coined "the Nook." I bounced checks at Wachovia, rented disco boots at OEO, shopped at Luna when all they really carried was Free People, ate gelati and drank coffee at Adriana's, and bought gifts at Joyful Alternative. I can smell the patchouli scented candles now. We did our laundy at Soaps (the Good Time laundy!) and drank Mr. Pibb. We sunned ourselves and ate Fla-vo-Ice at the park on Blossom. We were a little young for the bar scene, but once in a while snuck into Sharkey's and drank Midori Sours - as if that did not give away our age! I got busted for underage drinking at Tammeny Hall during a fraternity event and cringed as everyone watched me get my ticket from above. Another thing I learned was not to trust men with green hair and blinking buttons on St. Patty's day, for they are police that will take you to Kenny's Auto Supply and take your ID. However, the Asian liquor store down Harden will still sell to you. I dreamed of being old enough to drink outside at Rough Draft. That was the coolest.

My friends and I worked odd jobs: I sold beer to the box seats at Bombers Stadium and never learned the table numbers as a hostess as CBC and Harpers (we were required to heavy starch our shirts so I took aerisole hairspray and ironed them.) My girlfriends (poorly) slung salsa at Monterrey Jacks*, worked the baby room at The Firm, or served drinks to "old people" at Willy's. We went to class in overalls and baseball caps and took our dogs to the river. We cut a hole in the fence between Blossom and Harden so we could sneak up the hill to class. I still drove and received a merciful amount of parking tickets. So much so that my car was towed.

One thing we did not do much is cook. Other than Rago with chicken (?!!) in which we rarely did the dishes...many a plate, pot, or cup was thrown away. Sorry Mom and Dad! We did sometimes eat. If it wasn't at our place of work (I was allowed one hot dog per game but I got in good with all the stands and would sometimes have three!!!), we hit up cheap local dives.

For late night food it was Franks Hot Dog stand. The burger with the works, corndogs with ketchup and mustard, and the fried mushrooms rocked. How we did not get arrested for pulling our car up curbside beats me!? Our all time favorite place to eat was New York Bagel. For under $4 would would get a yummy sandwich and drink and read up on the Crime Blotter, etc in the Free Times. Blonde Appetit hearts NYBagel. I remember there were all those over-used pictures of men sitting on newly constructed high rises and panoramic views of NYC. I loved the sandwich that consisted of an everything bagel with chive cream cheese and turkey. We also loved the Gamecock, which I recall being a hot sandwich with turkey, roast beef, and provolone cheese. Those were the days when bagels were low fat and no-one counted carbs. Did we really even care?

Goodbye old Five Points...I will remember you fondly.**

*The Five Points Special was my all-time favorite sandwich and it was served at Monterrey Jacks. It was similar to many of the Turkey/Roast Beef "Original" Sandwiches found at restaurants in Five Points, but with a twist. It was served on a hoagie roll with cheese and real bacon, and seasoned fries. It had the best dipping sauce, a spicy ranch. And they served Mr. Pibb. We had a thing for Mr. Pibb. I once had the crummiest day and rushed home to eat my leftover Five Points Special. I came through the back door and saw my two roomies sitting on the couch. I shared with them the whoas of my day and how all that would make it better was my yummy sandwich. I dismissed their blank expressions and walked over to the fridge. Empty. I had made it home minutes after two thieves had inhaled my precious goodness. Where was my sandwich you ask? The world will never know.

**I stand corrected: The STP from Groucho's was a staple breakfast/lunch/dinner choice. A secret to a better STP: ask for "real" bacon under the cheese. So glad they bottled the 45 sauce. Although I let it remain a guilty pleasure for only when I dine in. I know the recipe is secret, but I also know it is so bad for you, it's good. p.s. two words: ball ice.

Hey Good Lookin'! Whatcha Got Cookin?

Something about the holidays makes me want to bake sweet treats, light roaring fires, and just be cozy. I had a large supply of apples leftover from a work project (don't ask!) and last night I had the inkling to make homemade apple pie. A la mode. Three cheers for my gal Tina for submitting this recipe earlier this autumn. I made it and it was warm, apple-y, with just the right amount of spice. Topped with vanilla bean ice cream it was the perfect Sunday night treat. Next on my baking list...those oh-so-cute gingerbread men!

Click here for Tina's Apple "Of My Eye" Pie.

Move over milk and cookies...Santa's New Favorite Treat

Apple Bourbon Punch

courtesy: MaryBeth McNeish Fedirko

2 bottles of Maker's, 4 granny smith apples (sliced), and a fresh vanilla bean stick. let it soak for 10 days and voila!

Over Thanksgiving, my high school girlfriend mentioned on...eh....facebook that she was enjoying some apple bourbon punch. Sounds dee-lish I replied - now you can try some tonight...or 10 days from tonight! I think it would be the perfect cocktail for waiting on Santa. Maybe substitute it for those milk and cookies and you never know what you may find under the tree.

You could find Santa himself.

asleep.

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

The New MacBook Pro

all the kids are doing it...

http://www.apple.com/

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Pier One Doggy T-Shirts

My FAV is Takey Outey! ha! Love the little to-go box! Great stocking stuffer.

The T-shirt's the message. For casual outings, dress your pet with one of these fun tees. Available in Buddha Belly, Take Out and Digging.
$8

http://www.pier1.com/

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Southern Italians around the world celebrate Christmas Eve with a Feast of the Seven Fishes, also known as La Vigilia (Italian: "the vigil").

It is a meal that typically consists of seven different seafood dishes. Some Italian families have been known to celebrate with 9, 11 or 13 different seafood dishes. This celebration is a commemoration of the wait, Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. The tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the medieval Catholic tradition of abstinence--in this case, refraining from the consumption of meat or milk products--on Fridays and specific holy days. As no meat or butter could be used, observant Catholics would instead eat fish, typically fried in oil.

There are many hypotheses for what the number "7" relates to, one being the number of Sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Another theory is that seven is a number representing perfection: the traditional Biblical number for divinity is three, and for Earth is four, and the combination of these numbers, seven, represents God on Earth, or Jesus Christ. The components to the meal are similar for most families as there are always some seven combinations of anchovies, sardines, dried salt cod, smelts, eels, squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, oysters, and clams. In the mixes are pastas, vegetables, baked or fried kale patties, baked goods, and the pride-filled homemade wine. Also, this tradition still remains very popular to this day. http://wikipedia.com/

Well, this year my mom rented a little cozy cabin up on Lake Murrary for the week of Christmas. Even though she and her husband live in Lexington, it will be a mini-holiday get-a-way. My responsibility is Christmas Eve dinner. Having grown up in Connecticut in a Catholic family, with a little Italian background in the mix too, we honor the "no meat" tradition on Christmas Eve. I am tossing around a few recipes...here are 3 choices. I want to keep it simple, not too heavy, and fresh. Which recipe do YOU think I should make?

Tuscan Shrimp with White Beans
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

Ingredients
3 cups canned Cannelloni white beans
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
16 large shrimp, peeled (tail left on) and deveined
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small serrano chile, thinly sliced or 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1 cup peeled, seeded and diced fresh tomato, canned or fresh
1 cup whole basil leaves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Best-quality extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Directions
Drain the beans over a bowl and reserve the liquid. Put the white beans in a large skillet with just enough of their liquid to moisten them. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and bring the beans to a low simmer. Keep them warm while you prepare the shrimp.
Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and cook for about 1 minute, tossing frequently. Remove the shrimp with tongs to a bowl. Add the garlic to the pan and saute until the garlic browns. Add the serrano chile or chili flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato and basil and stir briefly, then add the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, and then stir in the shrimp. Toss well and cook briefly to reheat the shrimp. Remove the shrimp mixture to a plate and sprinkle with parsley.
Spoon the white beans on a platter or individual plates. Drizzle them with the best olive oil you have, and then top with the shrimp. Serve warm.

Green Pasta with Shrimp

courtesy: The Fresh Market

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

3 cups water

1 pound fresh shrimp, unpeeled

2 teaspoons Creole seasoning 1 pound asparagus

Dressing

1 1/2 cups fresh basil

1/2 cup TFM Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/3 cup lemon juice

3 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

8 - 12 ounces TFM Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Preparation:

Make dressing by processing basil, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil: add shrimp and Creole seasoning. Cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain and rinse with cold water. Peel shrimp, and devein if desired, set aside. (Or sauté peeled shrimp in Creole seasoning before adding to pasta.) Snap off tough ends of the asparagus; cut asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions, adding asparagus the last 3-5 minutes. Drain. Combine shrimp, pasta, and asparagus in a large bowl; drizzle mixture with dressing, tossing gently to coat.

Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta

2007, Ellie Krieger

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)

2 (14.5-ounce) cans of no-salt-added diced tomatoes, with their juices

1/4 cup finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

tablespoon finely minced fresh dill

1 1/4 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese(about 3 ounces)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Heat the oil in an oven proof skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for about 5 minutes, until the tomato juices thicken. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley, dill, and shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the feta over the top. Bake until the shrimp are cooked through and cheese melts, about 12 minutes.

Foodie Find of the Week: Nutella

Okay. I have a confession. I am nuts for NUTELLA! It's chocolaty, creamy, hazelnut goodness has me craving more...and more...and more. My personal favorite way to eat it is straight from the jar with a spoon. It is that good. Try these following recipes and I assure you that you too will understand my newest obsession! ohhh. And it is excellent with graham crackers and peanut butter too.

Grilled Pineapple with Nutella
courtesy: Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients
2 pineapples, peeled, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices and core removed
2/3 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
6 tablespoons whipping cream
Olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped toasted hazelnuts
Directions
Prepare the outdoor barbecue to medium-high heat. If you do not have a barbecue, you can use an indoor grill pan set to medium high heat. Lightly oil the grill. Grill the pineapple slices until heated through and beginning to brown, about 3 minutes per side. It's important to leave the pineapples on the grill, untouched so that you can create the grill marks.
While the pineapples are cooking, whisk the mascarpone and vanilla in a small bowl to blend. Set aside.
Combine the chocolate-hazelnut spread and cream in a small bowl and stir to combine. Place in a microwave on high for about 2 minutes, stirring every 20 seconds to blend well. Alternatively, you can combine the chocolate-hazelnut spread and cream in a small saucepan, set over low heat, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Heat until satiny smooth and easy to pour, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the pineapple slices to a large platter. Drizzle the warm chocolate-hazelnut sauce over.
Dollop the mascarpone mixture atop. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.

Chocolate Hazelnut Smootches
courtesy: Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
1/2 cup butter, softened (1 stick)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup orange sprinkles, or orange sugar
1 (9-ounce) package of chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped (recommended: Hershey's)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In another medium bowl, place the chocolate hazelnut spread, butter, and both sugars. Using a hand mixer, cream the ingredients together, about 3 minutes. Add the
egg and vanilla and blend until incorporated. Stir in the dry ingredients, just until incorporated.
Shape the cookie dough into walnut-sized balls. Rolls the balls in the orange sprinkles or orange sugar, pressing to adhere. Place the cookies on a heavy cookie sheet about 4 inches apart. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven. Quickly place a chocolate kiss in the middle of each cookie. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 3 minutes. Cool the cookies on a wire rack. yield: 36-40 cookies

Nutella Sandwich
courtesy: Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients
6 slices (1/2-inch-thick) ciabatta bread
1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella)
Directions
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the bread until toasted, about 2 minutes per side. Spread the chocolate-hazelnut spread over 1 piece of toast. Top with the second piece of toast and serve.

Nutella and Banana Sandwiches
courtesy: Bobby Flay

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
8 (1/2-inch thick) slices Pullman bread or pain de mie
1/4 cup sugar mixed together with 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 jar chocolate hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
2 ripe bananas, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted
Whole strawberries, for serving
Directions
Heat a griddle or large nonstick saute pan over medium heat. Put butter on griddle to melt (do not use all of the butter if doing this in batches), then place bread on griddle, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture, and flip; cook for a few seconds so cinnamon sugar adheres. Flip bread back over and spread with chocolate hazelnut spread. Arrange sliced bananas on top and then sprinkle with hazelnuts. Cook until just melted and then combine the slices to make 4 sandwiches. Serve warm with whole strawberries on the side.

Grilled Banana and Nutella Panini
courtesy: Bobby Flay

Ingredients
3 ripe bananas, sliced
12 slices whole-wheat bread
1 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)
16 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Place the bananas in a bowl and mash until smooth.
Place the slices of bread on a flat surface and spread each slice with some of the hazelnut spread. Spread the mashed banana over 6 of the slices and combine the slices to make 6 sandwiches.
Heat the grill to medium-high.
Spread 1 side of each sandwich with some of the butter and place on the grill, buttered-side down. Grill until golden brown. Spread the remaining butter on the bread facing up, flip over and continue grilling until golden brown. Remove from the grill and sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar. Eat immediately.

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Breakfast at Tiffany's

What girl did not want to be Holly Golightly?

A style icon!

p.s. I found copies at Target on SALE for $6.50.

Get one for all your girlfriends!

Don't Play With Your Food!!!

Do yall remember the scene in Mermaids where Cher's character would make the craziest concoctions for her family to eat? She adorned foods with marshmallows and sprinkles in hopes of being a "good mom".



As a single lady, I don't think too much about feeding the kiddos. However, today my girlfriend Kelsey informed me that she made Puppy Chow for her upcoming Tennis Holiday Party. What is that I inquired? She said her mom made it growing up! I may be the only person out there that has not heard of puppy chow, but the recipe will follow in a later post. I have a sneaking suspicion it is not for puppies... I wonder if it goes well with wine?

However it got me thinking about all the fun food ideas my mom would whip up for me so that I would eat my food. I don't think I was a picky eater, but it is a lot less hassle for kids to eat healthy when they think it actually a fun snack! I am not talking laborious make your own baby food, aka the Jessica Seinfeld route, just easy, creative kid-friendly snacks.

Bunny Salad

1 chilled pear, half
1 lettuce leaf
2 raisins
1 red cinnamon candy
2 blanched almonds
cottage cheese ball

1. Place the lettuce leaf on a plate. Place the pear upside down on top of it.
2. Use the top of the pear for the bunny's face. Take the raisins for eyes, the candy for the nose and the almonds for the ears.
3. A small scoop of cottage cheese makes the tail.

Banana Hot Dog Sandwich

1 hot dog bun
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 banana

1. Toast the bun.
2. Take the peanut butter and spread onto bread.
3. Top with banana.

Bugs on a Log

1 stalk celery
2 tablespoons peanut butter
Raisins or chocolate chips

1. Cut the celery into thirds.
2. Fill with peanut butter.
3. Top with raisins or chips to resemble bugs

Dirt Cups

1 package Instant Pudding Mix
2 cups milk
16 oz Oreos
3 1/3 cup Cool Whip
8 gummy worms

1. Pour milk and pudding mix into a mixing bowl. Whisk for about 2 minutes. Let set about 5 minutes.
2. Crush the Oreos. Mix the cool whip and about 1/2 the Oreos into the pudding.
3. To make the cup: Place a spoonful of Oreos into a small clear plastic cup. Top with pudding mixture until about 2/3 full. Top with remaining Oreos to create the top "dirt" layer. Push a Worm into each cup.

English Muffin Pizza

6 oz tomato sauce, I like to buy the small can just for this...no waste
6 English Muffins split, I like the whole wheat kind
Garlic powder, oregano, basil
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Turkey Pepperoni
Black olives, diced green peppers, etc., if your kids like them

1. Toast the English Muffins to get a firm base.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce and a few spices to your liking.
3. Spread a thin layer of sauce on each 1/2 of muffin. Top with a layer of cheese. Add whatever toppings to your liking.
4. Put back into toaster oven and toast one final time to melt the cheese.

(p.s. this is a yummy snack for adults too!)

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Children's Complete Little Toy Food Set for Pretend Play Kitchen & Grocery Fun

"Looks Good Enough To Eat"

a dee-lish gift for the little ones...who doesn't love their play kitchen?

http://www.amazon.com/

Video of the Week: Youngest Allman Brother's Fan

ok. ok. This is NOT food related. It is however the cutest thing. This is the daughter of my friends Will and Anne Nolen Howard...can we say future Carrie Underwood...with a little more soul!

Dear Dr. Oz, Please whip me back into shape!

Okay, I have to admit. I have been a little slack recently. After indulging in turkey and dressing, along with side of mac and cheese, green beans, and lima beans and an equally hearty lunch of ham, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with the yummy topping, dressing and dessert I feel like a beached whale. Did I mention we took home blackberry cobbler a la mode for dessert too? I know what you are thinking...the holidays are right around the corner.

That is why I feel the urge to correct my poor eating habits NOW! Earlier this year, I ran a bunch and ate super well. To the point that when I didn't, I would pay for it. It kinda makes that burger less appealing. I was inspired by a segment on Oprah featuring Dr. Oz. His healthy, high fiber diet really does fill you up and makes you feel lighter. I will include the link to his page, but here are the foods he suggests. So, clean out your pantry. This is a great time to give those not so good for you foods to charity. Get skinny and give, who doesn't love that karma! All kidding aside, if it's there, you will eat it. So make a NEW and IMPROVED grocery list and go shopping.



HERE IS A LIST OF DR. OZ'S HEALTHY LIVING FOODS:

HIGH FIBER
artichoke
lima beans
soy beans
grapefruit
blackberry
raspberry

(wait...blackberries and lima beans, maybe I didn't do too poorly at the Thicket!)

HIGH FIBER GRAINS
steel cut oatmeal
buckwheat
whole grain breads and cereals

MAGNESIUM - fights cancer
beets
raisins
dates
soybeans

FOLATE - fights cancer
folate
orange juice
spinach and other leafy greens

VITAMIN D - fights cancer
orange juice
vitamin d
nonfat whole milk

2 baby aspirin a day - major cancer preventor

LYCOPENE - fights cancer
tomatoes
tomato paste

COFFEE - fights cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
red wine
onions
garlic
salmon
eggs
walnuts

http://www.oprah.com/contributor/health/droz

Another good food list that helps with your grocery shopping is from The Power 12, from the Abs Diet.
1. Almonds, and other nuts
2. Beans and other legumes
3. Spinach and other green veggies
4. Dairy, fat-free/low fat
5. Instant Oatmeal
6. Turkey/lean meats - steak, chicken, fish
7. Peanut Butter, all natural
8. Olive oil
9. Eggs
10. Whole grain breads and cereal
11. Extra protein (whey) powder
12. Raspberries and other berries

BOTTOM LINE:

EAT A HIGH FIBER DIET: 25mg for women and 35mg for men: THAT'S LOTS OF FRUITS AND VEGGIES!

LADIES - WE NEED OUR CALCIUM!

EAT NUTS, FRESH FOODS, LOW FAT DAIRY. AVOID PROCESSED FOODS!!! If you can't pronounce it. Don't eat it.

IS YOUR GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY - DRINK H2O.

TAKE A CHILL PILL - OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS ARE GOOD FOR YOU AND HAVE A CALMING EFFECT

Finally: Look for items in your grocery store that have Bob Greene's Best Life Seal of Approval for healthy pasta, soup, frozen food, etc choices. For a complete list: http://www.thebestlife.com/partners.asp

ALSO...See the new link to the right for an itemized breakdown of MY grocery list, including some of my favorite brands

or click here: http://www.blondeappetit.com/2008/09/my-grocery-list.html

HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Flexaball 65cm Exercise Ball

I actually have this exact exercise ball.

It is great for isolating your ab workouts.

In the spirit of eating well, along comes exercising.

http://www.amazon.com/Flexaball-11450-2-65cm-Exercise-Ball/dp/B0000AT1TU

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Le Creuset is the world's leading manufacturer of cast-iron enamel ware. When I go to Williams-Sonoma I am in cookware heaven! I love the bold colors and the sturdy design. I always said that if I lost my job, I could easily work at Williams-Sonoma. It is eye-candy for the foodie! Le Creuset has a reputation for superb craftsmanship and use of color. Any cook in your life would be happy with a new piece of cookware from their extensive selection. In fact, why not start Blonde Appetit with her own collection today!

Available at Williams-Sonoma or online http://www.williams-sonoma.com/shop/Le-Creuset/index.cfm

Hustle and Bustle

Dear Readers:

I apologize that I recently feel like I have been neglecting my little blog! The hustle and bustle of the holidays has been nutz-o. From a festive standpoint, the Holiday Market Preview party was a big success. Jr. and I pre-partied at my girlfriend Taylor's house and got to size up everyone in their holiday gear! Two white gloved thumbs up! (from Santa of course!). When we arrived at the preview party, the drinks flowed, little food was consumed and merriment was had. I will have to post pics later!

On Friday & Saturday, I headed up to Greenville for my friend Christy's birthday soiree. A low key evening of tacos and Scattergories was had on Friday. (p.s. I won!). We then stuffed ourselves with a gluttonous brunch at Mimi's on Saturday morning. Three cheers for pumpkin pancakes and mimosas! (I had the best of intentions to show a pic of our spread, but alas I forgot my camera in G-vegas!) All that champagne must have gone to our heads and made us quite selfish, because we went on a shopping spree...for ourselves. My girlfriend OMG had bragged about these Jessica Simpson boots on her blog:

http://www.wusa9.com/life/community/persona.aspx?U=24186d0c88114acf8e0aa799919a02ea&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3a24186d0c88114acf8e0aa799919a02eaPost%3a74f78872-3911-4303-8066-a89a156db4c9&sid=sitelife.wusa9.com

I had to have them! I am quite the bargain shopper and found them at Macy's for 30% off, however they weren't in my size, so I asked Belk if they would match the price. With my Blackberry and evidence in hand, they obliged and I received an additional 15% off with my coupon and $10 Belk Bucks. (p.s. it takes quite a lot of spending to get $10...enough said!). We the went shopping for snackies to nourish our hungry bodies and wine to loosen us up at Bloom. Wish we had one: www.shopbloom.com

Then we got dolled up and hit downtown Greenville. Did you know that Southern Living ranked Greenville as having one of the Best Main Streets in the South!? Reservations were for seven at Rick Erwin's. http://rickerwins.com/ Blonde Appetit dined on Scallops with a Crawfish Risotto and Mussels in white wine for appetizers. And the giant loaves of crusty bread and olive oil were to die for!!! My carb counting went out the door. We washed it down with a great bottle of chardonnay. For my entree, I splurged and ordered the Surf and Turf. Mmmmm. Buttery lobster. And the wasabi mashed potatoes. My post meal cocktail was a Espresso martini and a few bites of the birthday girl's dense chocolate dessert. Mmmmmm. Late night drinks were had the the Oyster Bar and a few to many Birthday Cake shots. Much fun.

On Sunday, I hit up the Holiday Market for a little shopping with the mama. The Happy Cafe served up yummy pimento cheese sandwiches and homemade caramel cake. Yum again. And to cap off the weekend I practically finished up my Christmas shopping. My little beagle, Bogey, received a new collar from Pecan Pie Puppies: www.pecanpiepuppies.etsy.com It is the official tartan of South Carolina and can be found at Three Dog Bakery in Five Points.

The weekend was rounded out with Papa John's pizza and a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich. But who's counting calories?

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Plan Toys
Kitchen Center
The all in one Kitchen Center has turning knobs and comes with oven, storage area, sink, dishwashing unit, and cooking utensils holder.
Set offers 2 sides, one side for washing the dishes the other for play cooking.

Crafted of clean, natural rubber wood, and non-toxic, water-based dyes.

$250

Pre-order

http://www.saks.com/

For the mini foodie in your life!

Be CREATVIE and Live GREEN!

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Concert Tickets!!!

Make a date for a great event!

Dinner

Drinks

A Legenday Concert

http://www.ticketmaster.com/

You know there are fours words I need to hear before I go to sleep. Four little words. "Good night sweet girl." That's all it takes.

Beautiful Girls

It is one of my all time favorite movies!

I love the part where the bartender goes, "Apps, we got apps!"

Here are a few more memorable quotes:

Willie Conway: I look at you and I think it's amazing that there's a guy out there gets to do all kinds of things with you. He gets to make you happy and spend evenings with you...

Andera: ...make me martinis, listen to Van Morrison...

Willie Conway: ...smell your skin...

Andera: ...after a day at the beach.

Willie Conway: Yeah, and read the papers...

Andera: ...on a Sunday morning...

Willie Conway: ...a rainy Sunday morning, and pepper your belly with baby kisses... Sorry.

Andera: The thing is, there's a guy out there thinks the same thing about Tracy and he's jealous of you because you get to do all that with her.

Willie: Let me ask you something; can you think of anything better than making love to an attractive stranger... with just an oil light to guide your way? Can you think of anything better?

Andera: Going back to Chicago. Ice cold martini. Van Morrison.

Willie Conway: Sunday papers. Got ya.

If you have never seen this movie...

One of these chilly winter nights, go out and rent it.

This movie reminds me of winters in Connecticut. Here is a really simple and slightly old-fashioned appetizer recipe that my mom would make for holiday cocktail parties. Truthfully, people love it. It is not fancy, but maybe that is what works:

GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS

2 12 oz jars Heinz chili sauce

1 32 oz jar grape jelly

1 bag meatballs (about 80 in a bag)

Put chili sauce and jelly in a large pot, heat until jelly is melted and sauce is smooth, stirring often. Add frozen meatballs; heat until meatballs are thawed and then simmer for 3 hours.

You can make this in a crock pot, make your own meatballs from scratch, or substitute for beanie weinies.

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

A subscription to "O" magazine.

Enough said! The queen of media provides great columns on entertaining, lifestyle, health, fashion, and more!

http://www.oprah.com/

Girls' Night In

Okay. Here's the deal. I have a girlfriend coming over in two very short minutes for a little vino. There is nothing better than catching up with good friends over cheap wine. I guess the alternative would be catching up with cheap girlfriends over good wine. Well...on second thought, those nights can be fun too! Unless, you interpreted that as stingy and not loose, because that would mean you would end of footing the bill. Anyways!

Speaking of cheap...ehhh....inexpensive wine, there are a lot of good alternatives out there these days. I have savvy friends that love to serve up $2 buck chuck from Trader Joe's. I have to admit, Yellowtail and Cavit can be decent magnums to serve a crowd too. Don't get me wrong - Blonde Appetit hearts great wine. However, if you are drinking a lot of it and you are drinking it quick, does it really matter?

I had a good day today. Worked. Not actually that bad! Then I got a spray tan - hello Holiday Market! Gotta have a little color in my cocktail dress. Let me tell you, Jr. is thrilled to go. He thinks it will be the bees knees. (hint the sarcasm) Then I went to the grocery store to pick up some goodies for tonight. Next I made the slightly awkward journey to my ex-beau's house to gather my holiday decorations from last year. Actually he never gave them back last year, so that means they are from the year before! Geez! Well, as you can see a lot of time has passed so it wasn't that weird. Although my girlie decorations were mixed with his USC balls. And so on. It reminded me a little of the scene in St. Elmo's Fire where Jude Nelson and who was that actress (?) divy up their records. Well, then I went to the river for a run-slash-walk with my dog!

The clock is ticking. My tree is up. Decorations complete. Maybe she will help me with my garland. I know!!! I will bribe her with food and wine! This is what is on my whore de vor ess list tonight:

Asparagus wrapped with Prosciutto (yum!), roasted slightly*

Mushrooms stuffed with cheese, spring onions, cherry tomato, and possibly a little of that yummy prosciutto. I may mix it up!

Cocoa Roasted Almonds

Mixed Nuts

Assorted cheeses. (not really, just some leftover cow cheese! I wanted to sound fancy.)

* this footnote is for my gal Kelsey: she thought the apps were dee-lish. Lil' Keltz is a few years younger than muah and has not yet been introduced to prosciutto. So how did you do this she asked? Simple. Take asparagus and snap off bottom. Toss asparagus in olive oil and a little pepper. Take prosciutto and tear into skinny strips. Wrap in a coil around asparagus stalk. Line on a small cookie sheet. Next, take the mushrooms and pop off the stems and hollow the center. Dice spring onions and place into center of mushroom. Place a dime size amount of Laughing Cow cheese into center. Place mushroom into a shallow baking dish. Half cherry tomatoes and toss around mushrooms. Drizzle with olive oil, lightly salt and pepper. Broil about 10-15 until the prosciutto is slightly crispy and cheese is melted. Let cool and transfer to serving dish. Then proceed to drink mucho vino and gossip.

**and yes, I think the picture looks a little janky. It is the anti-glamorous food shot. If I had only zoomed in closer. Darn. Too much cheap...ehhh....inexpensive wine. Need expensive pain med tomorrow morning. opps.

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

J. Crew's Sparkle Cocktail Ring

$75

This stunning statement ring is a carefully crafted 12K gold-plated, hand-casted brass dome with many hand-set Czech-glass crystals. Import. S (fits ring size 6), M (fits ring size 7), L (fits ring size 8).

http://www.jcrew.com/

Ice-Ice-Baby!!! Any sassy gal about town would love to sport this stunning bling!

"I've got parties to go to and people to see!!!"

Holiday Market is Around the Corner! See and Be Seen!

Try this Southern appetizer from the Junior League of Columbia's cookbook entitled, "Down By The Water" at your next holiday get together.

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

2 (15oz) cans black eyed peas, rinsed, drained

6-8 Roma tomatoes, chopped

2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded, chopped

2 teaspoons minced jalepeno

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon basil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

salt and pepper, to taste

1. Combine the peas, tomatoes, cucumbers and jalapeno ina bowl and mix gently.
2. Combine the wine vinegar, olive oil, basil, sugar, garlic, salt, and peper ina bowl and mix well. Add to the pea mixture, tossing to coat.
3. Serve with assorted chips.
4. The flavor is enhanced if the salsa is prepared one day in advance.

Thirty servings.

2008 Holiday Market December 4 - 7, 2008
Americraft-Cantey Building
South Carolina State Fairgrounds

Tickets are available for purchase online now and for sale at
League Headquarters on Devine Street!
Please visit our website at http://www.jlcolumbia.org/

2008 HOLIDAY MARKET TICKET PRICES:
PREVIEW PARTY - After November 15th, $75 per person.
LADIES NIGHT OUT - Featuring a Wine Tasting and Columbia's Top Chefs is $25 per person
GENERAL ADMISSION: $8 (includes all 4 days)

2008 HOLIDAY MARKET HOURS:
Wednesday, December 3: PREVIEW PARTY with silent auction is from 6:30pm - 11:00pm
Thursday, December 4: MARKET OPENS 9:00am - 5:00pm
Ladies Night Out 5:30pm-9:00pm
Friday, December 5th: 9:30am-8:00pm
Saturday, December 6th: 9:30am-6:00pm
Sunday, December 7th: Noon - 5:00pm

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Do you really want to impress your sweetie?
Plan the ultimate wine tasting adventure to Napa Valley.

http://www.napavalley.com/

A hunter has no trouble loving the woman powerful enough to make him come home.

My girlfriend's mother once told her to never date a doctor or a hunter if she wanted her husband to be around. She married a boat manufacturer, so I think that she did just fine. However, for all of those other ladies out there who did end up with a fellow that is also married to hunting, they know very well that hunters are away a lot during hunting season (and the seasons never stop!). If you married a doctor that likes to hunt, I don't feel too bad for you because hopefully you can use some of his earnings and comfortably entertain yourself while he is gone. I have dated my fair share of hunters and to be honest with you, I quite enjoy the breed. I think that they look cute in camo.

I understand the addiction to hunting and the outdoors. I do not think that there is anything like a fresh, dewy morning on a farm. In the past I actually fell for a guy when I saw he loved to hunt! I told him that he had me at deer stand when I saw them sitting in his dining room. I mean, where else do you put them? I think it is silly and entertaining that turkey hunting is all about mating. What if we fell for the whole rubber jake thing!? And if you are lucky, your little hunter will bring you home breakfast from the Biscuit House on his way home. Plus, in comparison to other so called "male" hobbies - you always know where they are.

An even better bonus is that they sure know how to cook! For the game on Saturday, we went to a friend's house and he had smoked a pork tenderloin to mesquite perfection, and served it with creamy mashed potatoes and peas-n-tomatoes. It was simple and delicious. A hunter can whip up catfish stew, mustard fried venison, or deep fry a turkey in a jiffy. Pair that with cast-iron peach cobbler, homemade corn bread, and squash casserole...mmmmm. What time are you leaving and when are you coming back is all I have to ask? I can deal with the incessant turkey calls in the house, the overflowing truck beds full of decoys, and the obsession with the outdoor network.

I was once on the women's committee for Ducks Unlimited and we put together a cookbook called "Pintail Magic in the Kitchen." It is chalk full of yummy recipes. One of my favorite wild game dishes is Mexican Doves. Don't worry South Carolinians, dove season starts back up on Dec. 15th. If your fellow is an avid dove hunter, talk him into taking the breasts off the bone. It is worth the extra effort and this side dish will melt in your mouth. Take my word for it, I have sat in my fair share of fields and passed the time picking at dried up corn and sunflowers.

Mexican Doves
A delicious addition to any meal!
To prepare one Mexican Dove:
Take a single dove breast (deboned) and top with a slice of monterry jack cheese, a jalapeno, and wrap with a slice of bacon. Hold together with a tooth pick and then grill over a hot grill, abt 3-5 minutes per side.

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/

CHECK OUT THIS EVENT BEING HELD AT

THE CONGAREE GRILL ON DECEMBER 2ND.

Congaree Grill
827 Harden Street - Columbia, South Carolina 29205 803-771-8001

From Tommy Price:
Wild Game Wine Dinner this Tuesday night, December 2nd at 6:30pm. Chef Kyle has prepared a great menu and Kristin from Republic National has paired some great wines. The cost is only $25 per person. We also will have pre-sell wines for 10% over our cost. Now that's a deal. Below is the menu.

WILD GAME WINE DINNER MENU

Starter: Roasted Rabbit Gumbo over Carolina Plantation Rice.
Wine Pairing: Allegrini Valpolicella, Italy

Appetizer: Wild Mushroom Pate with Duck Mousse, Served with Crostini.
Wine Pairing: Lab-Roi Pinot Noir, France

Entree: Venison Osso Bucco served over Yukon Gold Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Topped with Natural Jus.
Wine Pairing: Allegrini Paldzzo Della Torre, Italy

Dessert: Maple Gingersnap Gelato
Wine Pairing: Michelle Chiano Muscato B' Asti, Italy

EMAIL CONGAREEGRILL@HOTMAIL.COM to make reservations or call 803-771-8001

Finally, I am looking for readers to share their favorite wild game recipes with me!
Please email me at: blondeappetit@gmail.com

Blonde Appetit's Favorite Things

Vineyard Vines makes the coolest ties around! They preach "living the good life!" That's a motto that Blonde Appetit likes to live by! Does the man in your life like to grill out, cook, and entertain?! There are plenty of ties - like this Fiesta print - to fit his personality. They also offer swim trunks, boxers, pajama pants, and more with their signature patterns.

Go to http://www.vineyardvines.com/ or Visit Fortay on Devine St. and check out their selection! Tell Taylor we sent ya!!! Tie one on!