Blog for Parties http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog Just another WordPress site Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:20:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Last Minute VDay Gift http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2013/02/last-minute-vday-gift.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2013/02/last-minute-vday-gift.html#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:09:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=b7c59a10dc0e34456b082e5c074c3139 I needed a quick and inexpensive gift for a last minute Valentines Lunch party so I designed these cute printables that go into a 5 x 7 frame.  There are 4 different designs that go in a 5x7 frame (can get them at Dollar Tree). I attached a dry erase marker to the top w/ some hot glue and ribbon and wrote something I loved about that person on it. Then, they can erase it, write their own note and pass the love along to their students, family, etc..
 
Here's a link to the printable file,  click here or on any image below.  Happy Valentines Day!



We also whipped up some adorable Love Struck Arrows with a free baggie topper printable, check them out here on Tablespoon!
 
 
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/507310191530243743/comments/default 0 Quick Halloween Snacks http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/10/quick-halloween-snacks.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/10/quick-halloween-snacks.html#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:50:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=8fce54749ce4b6a350deea02e9c9cb2c It's Halloween madness over here!  We have all kinds of parties going on this week!  I wanted to have a few fun and easy snacks for classes and get-togethers and loved the ideas I saw on Pinterest of Cheese Balls in baggies labeled "Pumpkin Poop" and also Candy Corn in baggies labeled "Count's Teeth".  Unfortunately there are no cute free printable labels available.  So, I made up our own and wanted to share them with you.  They're great for quick classroom or party snacks.  Enjoy!
 
Pumpkin Poop Snacks
(put Cheese Ball snacks into baggies, print and attach labels)
 
Count's Teeth Snacks
(Put Candy Corn into baggies, print and attach labels)
 
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/3927312547255363692/comments/default 0 Sausage & Lemon Carbonara http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/10/sausage-lemon-pepper-carbonara.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/10/sausage-lemon-pepper-carbonara.html#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:55:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=4fe6bd6f0d1cd6615e7b19ce259a85d0 With school back in session, I'm always looking for quick and easy family dinners.  I made this a couple months ago for my family and it was an instant hit and a new favorite, even with the spinach included. :)  Do you have any easy and healthy go-to family favorites?
 
Sausage & Lemon Pepper Carbonara
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 package Chicken Italian Sausage links (such as Johnsonville), 12 oz.
1 pound whole grain spaghetti (we also like Barilla Plus)
4 cups baby spinach
2 large eggs
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 clove garlic
juice from one lemon
olive oil
pepper
 
Directions:
In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions.  While pasta is cooking, place sausage links in a large skillet and cook over medium heat until browned and cooked throughout.  Remove sausage from skillet.  In skillet (do not clean out any sausage remains, they add flavor!:)) add 3 Tablespoons of olive oil and chopped clove of garlic.  Saute for about 2 minutes over medium heat. 
In a small bown, whisk together eggs, lemon juice and parmesan.  Drain spaghetti and toss into skillet while still hot.  Remove from heat and add egg/parmesan mixture, stirring well as the hot pasta cooks the eggs.  Stir in spinach until wilted.  Slice sausage and add to pasta.  Add freshly ground pepper to taste.
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/6075876676047978082/comments/default 0 Gluten Free Favs and Giveaway http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/gluten-free-favs-and-giveaway.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/gluten-free-favs-and-giveaway.html#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:44:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=a061086a29b7107e6715561073e59d39 I am meeting more and more people who can't tolerate gluten or are simply cutting it out for health reasons.  The quality of our grain in the United States has really taken a nose dive in the last 10 years. I try to cook gluten-free once or twice a week just for our health and I thought I'd share some of my favorite GFree sites as well as this fun goodie basket giveaway!
 
 Luckily, there are ton of great gluten-free products and resources out there.  Schar is one of the best and we're giving away a basket of their goodies as seen above (Retail Value: $83).

TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment on this post. Easy!
(I want you to spend your time cooking fabulous GFree foods:)).  We will choose one winner via random.org on 9/4. Open to US Residents.

For the Gourmet has lots of other great Gluten Free products available and they will ship right to your home. I also love that you can call them (1-888-845-FOOD) and talk to professional chefs!

Even though I've tried many Gluten Free products, I wanted a professional's opinion on this gift basket so I turned to my sweet friend, Miss R.  She has dealt with diabetes most of her life and a couple years ago was also diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  I cannot imagine changing an already complicated lifestyle by removing all gluten from your diet but she accepts her life with an insane amount of grace and even humor.  I have never heard her once complain about "missing out" on something.  I also love her fun, creative personality and how she seems to reach out give everyone a little bit of her sunshine.  I could easily hang out with her all day.
...Did I mention that she's 9?
Yep, she is one insanely awesome kid.  The fabulous Miss R tried the products in this gift basket, she said everything was top notch and especially LOVED the rolls.  Other favorites were the table crackers and the chocolate sandwich cookies.  She said that she also loves the Schar little cheese crackers that weren't included in the basket but available at various retailers. 
To win a basket of your own, simply leave a comment on this post!
 
Also, I've compiled a list of my personal favorite Gluten Free recipe resources, if you have one you want to share, please leave it in the comments!
I also love the cookbook Cooking for Isaiah.  I got it when it was first published and have found a ton of favorite recipes in this book!

Disclosure: I was provided the gift basket from For the Gourmet.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions, as always, are my own.
]]> I am meeting more and more people who can't tolerate gluten or are simply cutting it out for health reasons.  The quality of our grain in the United States has really taken a nose dive in the last 10 years. I try to cook gluten-free once or twice a week just for our health and I thought I'd share some of my favorite GFree sites as well as this fun goodie basket giveaway!
 
 Luckily, there are ton of great gluten-free products and resources out there.  Schar is one of the best and we're giving away a basket of their goodies as seen above (Retail Value: $83).

TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment on this post. Easy!
(I want you to spend your time cooking fabulous GFree foods:)).  We will choose one winner via random.org on 9/4. Open to US Residents.

For the Gourmet has lots of other great Gluten Free products available and they will ship right to your home. I also love that you can call them (1-888-845-FOOD) and talk to professional chefs!

Even though I've tried many Gluten Free products, I wanted a professional's opinion on this gift basket so I turned to my sweet friend, Miss R.  She has dealt with diabetes most of her life and a couple years ago was also diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  I cannot imagine changing an already complicated lifestyle by removing all gluten from your diet but she accepts her life with an insane amount of grace and even humor.  I have never heard her once complain about "missing out" on something.  I also love her fun, creative personality and how she seems to reach out give everyone a little bit of her sunshine.  I could easily hang out with her all day.
...Did I mention that she's 9?
Yep, she is one insanely awesome kid.  The fabulous Miss R tried the products in this gift basket, she said everything was top notch and especially LOVED the rolls.  Other favorites were the table crackers and the chocolate sandwich cookies.  She said that she also loves the Schar little cheese crackers that weren't included in the basket but available at various retailers. 
To win a basket of your own, simply leave a comment on this post!
 
Also, I've compiled a list of my personal favorite Gluten Free recipe resources, if you have one you want to share, please leave it in the comments!
Gluten Free Girl 
Gluten Free Goddess
It’s Just Not Dinner
A Gluten Free Guide 
Gluten Free Doctor Recipes
Book of Yum
Ginger Lemon Girl
Strawberries are Gluten Free
Hey That Tastes Good!
Elana’s Pantry
The Spunky Coconut
I also love the cookbook Cooking for Isaiah.  I got it when it was first published and have found a ton of favorite recipes in this book!

Disclosure: I was provided the gift basket from For the Gourmet.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions, as always, are my own.
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/6565377364863143020/comments/default 0 Blooming Berry Cakes http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/blooming-berry-cakes.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/blooming-berry-cakes.html#comments Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:51:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=725cc58577167349ac6eb6aef983c6c5 To give some inspiration on ways to use Philadelphia Indulgence, my girls and I whipped up these Blooming Berry Cakes.  They are so incredibly easy and would be a great little treat to make as an after-school snack.  I love how each person can make their own combo of Indulgence and fresh berries!  Don't I have the cutest sous chefs ever?!...Way to go, girls!

 

Blooming Berry Cakes

INGREDIENTS:
1 package store-bought pound cake
2 cups blueberries, raspberries and/or sliced strawberries
Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and/or White Chocolate Philadelphia Indulgence
Cookie Cutters
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Slice pound cake lengthwise, then use cookie cutters to cut out different shapes.
  2. Spread your favorite Philadelphia Indulgence flavors onto the cutouts.
  3. Top with an assortment of sliced strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/8813919109948157901/comments/default 0 KitchenAid & Dream Kitchen Giveaway, over $45,000! http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/dream-kitchen-giveaway-over-45000.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/08/dream-kitchen-giveaway-over-45000.html#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:15:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=c3eba67afab2e448d7b80a179542bd2a I had so much fun helping Real Women of Philadelphia give someone their Dream Kitchen!  I'm so excited and can't wait to see who the winner is! I also had a blast with former Bachelorette star, Jillian Harris, she's a super fun person:
Second, I am so exctied  about this giveaway that I want to also have a little one of my own...I'm giving away the gorgeous pink KitchenAid stand mixer we used in all the promo videos! 
To enter to win the Dream Kitchen Makeover, GO HERE.

To win the pink KitchenAid stand mixer, do any of the following:Time's up!
We have a winner!
A&Qort who said...
"You are an inspiration to us aspiring cooks! I don't have a KitchenAid and that pink one is fabulous!!"

We will pick one winner for the KitchenAid Stand Mixer on August 19th.  Open to US Residents.  Dream Kitchen Makover giveaway ends August 19th, official rules are here.  I was provided the KitchenAid mixer for this giveaway.  I was not compensated for this post and all opinions, as always, are my own.
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/3693449918283159629/comments/default 0 Butterscotch Peach n Porridge Upside Down Cake http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/07/butterscotch-peacn-n-pudding-upside.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/07/butterscotch-peacn-n-pudding-upside.html#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2012 17:40:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=5f5ad6fafae605fe94217738b01ffc2e I'm hoping to qualify to go to the World Porridge Championships in Scotland this October and am trying to get the judges to notice my entry!
If you have a second, go here to see my entry for Butterscotch Peach n' Porridge Upside Down Cake and click "LIKE". Just takes a sec, no registration required, I'm just trying to get them to notice it!! 
If you have a fantastic recipe using Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats, you still have a few days to join in on the fun!  Go here for details!
In the meantime, if you are an oats fan, you will go crazy for my skillet cake!  I especially love making this in the summer because I don't have to turn on my oven.
Butterscotch Peach n' Porridge Upside Down Cake
IIn a large sauce pan, place:
1 c steel cut oats
 2 ½ c water
soak 2-3 hours
Without draining, place on stovetop, add ¼ tsp salt and cook over medium-high heat for 11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While oats are cooking, combine in a small bowl:
3/4 c oat flour
1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c white sugar
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon

In a 10” skillet, melt
2 Tbsp butter
When melted, turn heat off
Peel and slice 2 ripe peaches and place in skillet
After oats have cooked, add dry ingredients then stir in:
1 tsp lemon juice
1 egg. 
Stir well.  Spread oat mixture over peaches in skillet.  Cover with a large lid and cook on medium-low heat for 8 minutes. Remove lid and cook an additional 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes, flip onto large platter. Drizzle Butterscotch sauce over cake, slice and serve.
Butterscotch Pecan Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt:
4 Tbsp Butter
then add
½ c. light brown sugar
½ c. heavy cream
¼ tsp. salt
Stir over medium heat until boiling and boil for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and add:
1 tsp. vanilla
½ c chopped pecans
]]> I'm hoping to qualify to go to the World Porridge Championships in Scotland this October and am trying to get the judges to notice my entry!
If you have a second, go here to see my entry for Butterscotch Peach n' Porridge Upside Down Cake and click "LIKE". Just takes a sec, no registration required, I'm just trying to get them to notice it!! 
If you have a fantastic recipe using Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats, you still have a few days to join in on the fun!  Go here for details!
In the meantime, if you are an oats fan, you will go crazy for my skillet cake!  I especially love making this in the summer because I don't have to turn on my oven.
Butterscotch Peach n' Porridge Upside Down Cake
IIn a large sauce pan, place:
1 c steel cut oats
 2 ½ c water
soak 2-3 hours
Without draining, place on stovetop, add ¼ tsp salt and cook over medium-high heat for 11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While oats are cooking, combine in a small bowl:
3/4 c oat flour
1 1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c white sugar
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon

In a 10” skillet, melt
2 Tbsp butter
When melted, turn heat off
Peel and slice 2 ripe peaches and place in skillet
After oats have cooked, add dry ingredients then stir in:
1 tsp lemon juice
1 egg. 
Stir well.  Spread oat mixture over peaches in skillet.  Cover with a large lid and cook on medium-low heat for 8 minutes. Remove lid and cook an additional 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes, flip onto large platter. Drizzle Butterscotch sauce over cake, slice and serve.
Butterscotch Pecan Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt:
4 Tbsp Butter
then add
½ c. light brown sugar
½ c. heavy cream
¼ tsp. salt
Stir over medium heat until boiling and boil for 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and add:
1 tsp. vanilla
½ c chopped pecans
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/6776750074645224939/comments/default 0 Summer Fun http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/summer-fun.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/summer-fun.html#comments Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:52:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=b9f0d520acbd01a1903ad0011ce97126 I apologize for my lack of posts...as soon as the kids get out of school, I get into full Summer Fun mode!  We are always cooking up plenty of fun things in the kitchen and I will try to be better about sharing some of those fun ideas with you!

This week I've been busy doing some videos for Real Women of Philadelphia and even had the chance to work with this gorgeous lady, Jillian Harris...
There is something AMAZING coming your way in about a month, I wish I could spill the beans but will let you know as soon as I can!  I will say that it involves a seriously awesome prize just for sending in a recipe and photo....stay tuned!
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/8513343280623631406/comments/default 0 Win a Dream Trip to France! http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/win-dream-trip-to-france.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/win-dream-trip-to-france.html#comments Sat, 09 Jun 2012 02:00:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=34d76bab3acf6e0a07697b52ef30c81c Could my good friend KC be any more lovely? She is helping The Real Women of Philadelphia give away a culinary dream trip to France! And this lady knows her food, she used to live there...
It is so incredibly easy to enter the contest, I hope all of you join in the fun! And no, you don't have to be from Philly, you just have to love cream cheese!  Click here to enter!

Besides amazing giveaways, there is NO better place on the web if you want a recipe using cream cheese! It's also a fantastic community where people are friendly, love to chat about food, family, and fun. There may be some more surprises coming this summer, you definitely don't want to miss out. They are giving away some mind blowing things this summer!!
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/8292201782137271898/comments/default 0 Summer Entertaining Tips http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/summer-entertaining-tips.html http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2012/06/summer-entertaining-tips.html#comments Sat, 09 Jun 2012 01:37:00 +0000 Mandy http://www.bingoforparties.com/blog/?guid=1c4e923a0d5c8b8fbd791618c08c24c7 A little while ago I had a chance to send Executive Chef Stephen Kalil (the man responsible for all the yummy flavors of Frito Lay) some questions about summer entertaining.  He was kind enough to make, along with Chef Jody, this fantastic video for me!  It's full of all kinds of great summer entertaining tips and I am so excited to be able to share it with you...a huge thanks to Chef Stephen and Chef Jody!
This is the time of year that I don't turn on my oven...if I'm cooking something it's going to be out on the grill!  Do you any great tips for fun meals to beat the heat or cooking out?
One of our latest favorites are these Ranch Hand Chipotle Burgers from the Frito Lay website.  They are sooooo good!  Click here or on the image below to get the recipe.
Disclosure: I was provided these ideas/tips from Frito Lay and was not compensated for this post.  All opinions, as always, are my own.
]]> http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/feeds/528698993919199599/comments/default 0