Party Sandwiches for Kids...

Don't make the kids suffer though boring sandwiches at your party.. Shake this up by employing a collection of cookie cutters. Make sandwiches that fit the season or just for any ocassion for picky eaters.


Whether they're filled with a cheese spread, salmon, ham or some other delicious filling, sandwiches are always a good party finger food idea.


I found this beautiful sandwich in this cute blog

Party food tip: don't overfill sandwiches and don't forget to cover them with aluminum foil until they are ready to eat as they dry out quickly.

Halloween Gluten Free Sugar Cookies {Gluten Free Mondays}

Since Halloween is around the corner, I thought I would make some fun gluten free treats for my kids. I was motivated by a recipe that I saw on the internet and I just made a few changes… and the results were a hit with my kids… 

Even better if you use fun shapes and don't forget to be creative when making your cut-out cookies.

Gluten Free Sugar Cookies

1/2 lb (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened or if you want it to make this cookies Casein Free use Earth Balance Buttery Spread
2/3 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1/4 tsp. baking powder 
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. Homemade Vanilla Extract (see in my files for the recipe)
2 1/2 c. Namaste Gluten Free All Purpose Flour


Cream the butter or the buttery spread and the sugar, add the egg, baking powder, salt and vanilla and mix until well combined.  Then stir in the flour until well-blended and smooth.

Put the the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Keeping the paper in place, move the dough to the refrigerator and chill for 20 – 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Move one oven rack to the upper third of the oven. Grease your cookie sheets.

Take the dough out of the refrigerator. Cut out the cookies using cookie cutters. Place the cut-out cookie on the cookie sheet about 1 inch apart. Roll out the dough scraps and keep cutting cookies until all the dough has been used. Refrigerate the dough again if it gets too soft to handle.

Bake the cookies just until they are lightly colored and slightly darker at the edges – should be around 7 – 10 minutes. Rotate the cooking sheet halfway through baking for even browning. After they are done, transfer them to a cooling rack as soon as possible.

Repeat this process with the other portion of dough.  And then enjoy!!

and if you want to decorate your cookies even more... this is a cute idea... :)

How to make your own vanilla extract

What could be better than make your own vanilla extract? Absolutely delicious and the difference between pure vanilla extract and imitation is something cannot be compared… plus when you make it from scratch, you know what's in there… right?

This tutorial from mybakingaddiction tell us how to make it.

Homemade vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

-Sterilized Jar or Bottle with a tight, secure lid
-Vanilla Beans in your favorite variety (rule of thumb is 1 bean per 1/3 cup of alcohol)
-Vodka, but you can also use Bourbon, Rum or Brandy)

METHOD

1. Use a knife to spilt the bean in half, leave about ½ inch at each end intact.

2. Put your vanilla beans in your glass bottle or jar and cover with vodka.

3. Close jar or bottle and store in a cool, dry place for at least 6-8 weeks. Give the bottle a shake every week or so. As you use the vanilla, simply add in more liquor to replace what you have used.

By the way a good place to buy vanilla beans is beanilla…. the mexican vanilla beans are just out of this world… and a very good price...

Head on over to mybakingaddiction to know more about this and other fun recipes...

Rawr means I LOVE YOU in dinosaur...

Isn't it lovely? I just need it to share...

                                  Photograby Yellow Heart Art by Leonora Jennifer

Halloween Drinks

Halloween time is for adults, too. Plan your own bash and serve these spooky twists on the martini—frightfully delicious Halloween martinis. They will delight your guests...

Pumpkin Pie Martini

• 1 oz Tankeray Silver
• 1 oz Smirnof Vanilla Twist Vodka
• 1 oz Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• 1 oz Cream

Combine the vodka, syrup, and cream in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. You can garnish this drink by sprinkling nutmeg over the drink.

WARNING: Be a responsible host,  control the number served, and don’t turn your revelers into road monsters.

TRICK OR TREAT, Bone Appétit!!

                                                     (photo by: Kevin Kennefick)


Spook your guests with Halloween Bones that you can made with pretzels, marshmallows, and white chocolate. It’s only three ingredients so you can still slip this in as a last minute activity.


You can use different sizes of pretzel sticks/rods and different sizes of marshmallows to create different sizes of bones. 

Stick a marshmallow at the end of each pretzel stick/rod. Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler, removing from the heat just before all the chocolate is melted. Stir to melt the rest, away from heat. Dip the pretzel/marshmallows in the white chocolate, using a fork to move it around and pick it up. Lay each one on a baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator or a cool place until you’re ready to serve them.

and Have Fun!!

Flyaway with this Halloween Bags!! {More ideas than time}

I know some of you are thinking it is way way too early for this (my husband at least) maybe  It is too early to start making Halloween treats, but you can start planning Halloween decor and  some DIY projects…

Here it is a Flyaway Favor Bags from Martha Stewart blog