10/31/13

Happy Halloween and 1-2-3 Vamonos!

Hola Amigos! Happy Halloween to all! I hope this day is full of sweet candy, happy faces and smiles!
It has been a year since I started my journey into blogging and it has been one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences in my life!
I've met a lot of great people from all over the world. each one of them with their own stories told through their blog's posts in the case of my bloggy friends and through the emails and comments I received from my readers.

I can say with all confidence today I have a great group of friends thanks to this blog.

I have challenged myself trying to come up with new and creative ideas for you, sometimes I was successful and sometimes it was a total disaster, but that is life, we just pick up and we keep on going, right?

Today I want to thank all those who read my posts, those who took their time to leave a comment, those who tried my recipes and those of you who have become my friends!

I've  also realized that after writing for a year I need a little bit of a break to regroup my thoughts, get my energy back and come up with new recipes and easy crafts worthy of all of you! I'm really not ready to tackle Christmas yet, lol!


But enough of me! This blog is and has been about you! So Happy Halloween, enjoy and again THANK YOU!!!

Besitos,
Lizy


10/30/13

Pumpkin Shrimp and Scallop Curry Recipe

Pumpkin Shrimp and Scallop Curry Recipe, The ideal #comfortfood just the right hint of spice, flavorful pumpkin and shrimp, Save a Turkey, eat shrimp
Hola Amigos! I'm sharing with you today, my family's October 30th tradition. It's started 6 years when we were trying to have dinner on Halloween night  after my oldest was done with the candy collecting palooza around  the neighborhood. Dinner kept getting interrupted by kids ringing the doorbell for more candy even when bowls were left on the porch for them to grab. They just wanted to keep going collecting with my son which was O.K but I like my food hot! lol ...So we decided to have our Halloween dinner the night before Halloween.
Pumpkin Shrimp and Scallop Curry Recipe, Savory Pumpkin curry is the perfect addition to your Fall #comfortfood line up. Shirmp and scallops bring a nice exotic but affordable touch to this dish. #Fall #curry

We also carve our pumpkins,well just my husband and little one now since I'm busy with dinner, eat Skull Sugar cookies, Pan de Muerto we get at Mexican Town in the city and watch a scary kid friendly movie afterwards.

The main dish always consists of some sort of seafood dish. To me anything seafood means abundance. I grew up with tons of it and we have it at home at least once or twice a week, so why not for Halloween to match the abundance of candy and fun!

This year I've incorporated some pumpkin on this dish to please my husband who unlike me, loves pumpkin. I had to do some research since I'm not familiar with the use of pumpkin in dishes,  found this recipe online here and  tweaked it my way, leaving a few things out and adding some in.

It's delicious and rich! Just the way I like my curry! and to me the most important thing...I can't taste the pumpkin! I know it's there but i can't taste it! that is a win win to me! Will make it again for sure!
It's a bit spicy and with a beautiful orange color, making it perfect for those cold Fall nights!
Pumpkin Shrimp and Scallop Curry Recipe. Because there is so much to pumpkins than pie! This savory dish rich in flavors and textures is the perfect comfort food for Fall cold days! Warm yourself up from the inside out with this colorful and delicious dish, #comfortfood #Fall #curry

Do you have any traditions for Halloween? Are you planning on starting a new one this year? If so, I would love to hear about it. Thank You so much for visiting the blog today my friends. and remember that everything, even in the spookiest nights of the year, tastes better with a Pinch of Love!

Besitos,
Lizy

Pumpkin Shrimp and Scallop Curry Recipe
Adapted recipe from Epicurious
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) can Pumpkin Puree
1 lb Uncooked Shrimp, clean and deveined
1 lb Uncooked Scallops
1 Medium Onion, chopped
1 TBSP Ginger, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can Tomatoes chopped, drain the liquid
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Cup Vegetable broth
1 (13.5 oz) can Coconut Milk 
1 1/2 Tbsp Curry Powder 
1 tsp Seafood Seasoning
1 tsp Lemon juice
Salt, Pepper to taste
Oil for sauteing veggies
Lemon slices
Green Onions 
Directions:
In a large saucepan, add enough oil saute some veggies, like 1 TBSP, over medium heat add onions and ginger. Cook until onions are soft, around 5-8 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic cooked and mix until everything is integrated to the onion and ginger mix. Add pumpkin puree. Cook covered for 10 minutes stirring often for the mix not to stick to the pan. Once the time has elapsed, add broth, coconut milk, curry, seafood seasoning salt and pepper to taste. Cook this for 15-20 minutes. Finally add the shrimp, scallops and lemon juice and cook until seafood is cooked, Like 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve with white rice or rice noodles and garnish with a slice of lemon and green onions. Enjoy.

Prep Time: 10 minutes                                  Cook Time: 35 minutes                   Serves 6


Sharing Halloween traditions at these Fa-BOO-lous parties:


A Handful of Everything,Lamberts LatelyThe Brambleberry CottageCreative GeekeryLive Laugh RoweThe Crafty Blog StalkerSaving 4 SixPink Recipe BoxThe Mandatory MoochSweet HauteWhat's Cooking Love?52 MantelsTbe 36th AvenueCraftionaryThe Best Blog RecipesHome Maid SimpleTidy MomDiana Rambles504 MainJust Us FourPractically FunctionalTownsend HouseCraft DictatorLiving Better TogetherThe Jenny EvolutionShaken TogetherToday's Creative BlogYour Home Based MomCozy Little HouseThe Blackberry VineHuckleberry Love,Homemade GingerMemories by The MileMandy's Recipe BoxOur Table for SevenNot Just a HousewifeThe Well Crafted HomeDucks n' a RowLady Behind the CurtainThe Style SistersGinger Sanp CraftsSmart School HouseMade to b a MommaWhite Lights on WednesdayMy Girlish WhimsThe Shaddy PorchSomeday CraftsLove Bakes Good CakesCrafty AllieDear CreativesCheerios and LattesLove and LaundryThe Plaid and Paisley KitchenI Should be Mopping The FloorsCreate With JoyWill Cook For SmilesRain on a Tin RoofThe Chicken ChickWatch Out MarthaJam HandsFeeding BigA Southern FairytaleMad in CraftsPint Sized BakerThe Gunny SackNap Time CreationsHome Stories A to ZAll She CooksThe View from 510Hi! It's JillyFluster BusterRattlebridge FarmFoodie Friends FridayMy Mixing SpoonsThis Gal Cooks






10/29/13

I'm co-hosting a Party at Fluster Buster


Welcome to week 44 of Fluster's Creative Muster Linky Party!
Linky Party
Linky Party

I can't wait to try this Candy Apple Punch from Cynthia at Feeding Big, it sounds perfect for our Halloween block party. I usually do a hot mulled punch but it's suppose to be warm this year so I think this will be a lot better choice. Besides anything that has those little cinnamon Red Hot candies in it has to be delicious. 

Creative Muster #44
(begins every Tuesday at 6pm EST and ends Sunday at midnight)
Linky Party
By linking to this party, you are giving Fluster Buster and the co-host permission to use your photos in featured posts and on social media.
Host
Linky Party

Co-Host

Linky Party

10/27/13

GhostBusters Halloween Brownies Recipe

Hola Amigos! This is my last Halloween recipe for the season! and how appropriate to end this season of spook with a sweet note to start our week! The first dessert recipe I posted when I started blogging was one for Christmas Brownies, today to close my 1st year of blogging I'm posting another brownie one.
Ghost Busters Halloween Brownies Recipe, Who are you going to call when it comes time to share these delicious and gooey brownie balls? Your friends and family are going to love them and would be "singing" for more! #halloween #halloweentrets #brownies

This particular brownies were supposed to be a dirt cake, but I changed my mind at the last minute and made something a little more practical for the kids and hubs to take to work, so they are little bonbon  like brownies dusted in sugar, to give them that ghostly appearance! BOO!

You will get at least 2 dozen of these tasty ghost busters and they are soft gooey with a hint of saltiness inside! It's hard to have just one.


This is a super easy recipe and in no time  you would be enjoying your own. I like the fact that they are not your usual 'out of the box" brownies! An extra personal touch always makes food taste batter.
Ghost Busters Halloween Brownies Recipe, Named after an all time favorite movie, these old time treats will delight everybody in your family! They will be "calling" for more! #Halloween #halloweentreats #brownies

Thank you for visiting the blog today! I hope you had a fun season with treats, drinks, main dishes and a few tricks as well to bring magic to your home!

Remember my friends, everything tastes better with a Pinch of Love! Have a healthy and productive week!

Besitos,
Lizy

Ghostbusters Halloween Brownies
Ingredients:
1 Bag (10.25 oz) Brownie Mix
1 Cup Instant Oatmeal ( I used Brown Sugar and Maple)
1/2 Stick Butter Melted
3/4 Cup Condensed Milk
1/2 tbsp  Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 Cup Salted Peanuts
M&M's or Reeses Pieces
Chocolate Chips
Powder Sugar
Directions:
Heat Oven at 350 degrees,
Grease an 8x8 baking pan. In a separate container mix oatmeal and butter. Add and spread this mix at the bottom of your pan, covering it entirely, Pour condensed milk on top of the oatmeal followed by M&M's and peanuts. Prepare you brownie mix according to instructions and add 1/2 tbsp  of pumpkin pie spice to give it a little seasonal flavor. 
Pour the mix on the prepared pan and top the brownie mix with chocolate chips.
Bake according to instructions , right around 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes semi-clean. Remove from oven and let it cool down a little. At this point you could make a dirt cake or take ice cream scoop amounts out and make balls with your hands. Finish them with a touch of powdered sugar if you want. Enjoy!

Prep Time 10 minutes                                Bake Time 18-20                 Serves 24 little balls

Calling all my Friends at these Fa-Boo-Lous Parties:
Frugal Foodie MamaSL Under the table and DreamingHuckleberry LoveSumo's Sweet StuffWatch Out MarthaCarrie This HomeBoogie Board CottageDIY Home Sweet HomeAlderberry HillNavy Wifey PetersThe Chicken ChickLines AcrossSay Not Sweet AnneThe Plaid and Paisley KitchenJam HandsTiti CraftySuburbs MamaFlamingo ToesBetween Naps on the PorchCoastal CharmFeeding BigA Southern FairytaleGolden ReflectionsPint Sized BakerThe Gunny SackSugar Bee CaftsChef in TrainingThe Blackberry VineNap Time CreationsHun what's fro dinner?Our Table for SevenHome Stories A to ZKathe with an ELove Bakes Good CakesThe Lady Behind the CurtainCozy Little HouseSmart School HouseGinger Snap CraftsMade to be a MommaMy Girlish WhimsThe Shady PorchAll She CooksDucks' n a Row.The Well Crafted HomeA Handful of EverythingLamberts LatelyThe Brambleberry CottageLive Laugh RoweThe Crafty Blog StalkerSaving 4 SixPink Recipe BoxThe Mandatory MoochSweet HauteWhat's Cooking Love?52 MantelsThe 36th AvenueCraftionaryThe Best Blog RecipesHome Maid SimpleTidy MomDiana Rambles504 MainJust Us FourPractically FunctionalTownsend HouseCraft DictatorLiving Better TogetherThe Jenny EvolutionShaken TogetherToday's Creative Blog

10/24/13

Monster Mash Halloween Saute Purple Potatoes Recipe

Monster Mash Halloween Saute Purple Potatoes Recipe, you all have heard, sang and danced to the Monster Mash! Now is time to eat it too! All natural, no dyes here made with delicious purple potatoes. Make #halloween fun for your kids and adults with these different and tasty dish! #Halloweenfood #halloween #halloweenpartyfood
Hola Amigos! In a season flooded by all shades of orange and black in preparation for Halloween, you have no idea how happy I was when I discovered these little purple guys! Not only I love potatoes but they were purple, my favorite color!

I've never seeing them before, never heard of them either! Ran into them by accident, looking for their elusive cousins the fingerling potatoes. After I read the back of the bag trying to figure out how they would  taste, brought them home with me. Oh happy happy moment.

I was afraid the color was going to wash out after I cooked them for the time the bag recommended, it didn't! How wonderful! . After I peeled them, the color was still there! Amazing!
How to cook them? well that was the question right? Since it was my first time I went with an old and simple recipe my mom used to make with a few ingredients but so delicious! Sauteing them in butter, lemon and garlic. that simple.

They are very tasty and have a couple of good things on their favor too. They cook fast, they have better texture than some potatoes that tend to get gluey and starchy and they have an amazing color that only intensifies with what you add to them  in the cooking process.

They have a hint of sweetness compared to the regular potato, but just a hint, nothing like the orange sweet potato.
I was happy and thought my guys were going to be as excited and happy as I was...well, surprise surprise, they were not. <----insert sad face here!

The couldn't get pass the color! What? I said!!!But the taste just like your regular potato!!!, They are not bad!!! Try them!!! They did, they ate, but let's say there was enough left over for at least 2 more dinner nights, I guess I would be having Purple Monster Mash as a side for the next couple of nights, lol.
I had to keep it real for you guys in case you have picky eaters, young and old!!! (hubs if you read this, that was for you!)
Monster Mash Halloween Saute Purple Potatoes Recipe, Mother nature likes halloween too! No artificial coloring when preparing this Monster Mash, just natural colors that would make you the most popular mom and party hostess in the neighborhood! #halloween #halloweenfood #halloweenpartyfood

So don't mind my guys and trust me, they are fun, tasty and the perfect color to sing and do a true Monster Mash! lol, Thank you for your visit today! Lets all sing  keeping  in mind that everything tastes better with a Pinch of Love!
Monster Mash Halloween Saute Purple Potatoes Recipe, Be unique and the most popular party host when you serve your friends a side of these all natural Monster Mash! No dyes or coloring, just mother nature goodness! #halloween #halloweenfood #halloweenpartyfood

Besitos,
Lizy

Monster Mash Halloween Saute Potatoes Recipe
Ingredients:
1 (2 lb) bag of Purple Potatoes
1 Small Purple Onion finely chopped
1 Clove Garlic Minced
2 TBSP Lemon Juice
2 TBSP Butter
1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Bunch Green Onions
Salt
Lemon Pepper 
Directions:
In a large pot boil enough water to cover your potatoes and add plenty of salt.Wash potatoes thoroughly. Add your purple potatoes and cook for about 15-20 minutes. Once they are done cooking,  drain and peel them while they are still warm. Cut them in half or quarters if you have some that would allow you to do this. Place on a bowl.
In a small saucepan on medium heat add olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted add onions, garlic, most of the green onions but not all of them (saving a handful for garnish), Saute until onion is transparent minding never to burn the garlic. Toss the potatoes into this sauce mixing them gently not to destroy them all. Add the lemon juice, salt and lemon pepper to taste,  toss a little more. Remove from heat, place on your serving bowl and garnish with the rest of the green onions. Serve and Enjoy!

Prep time: 10 minutes                              Cook time: 20 minutes                 Serves 4

Sharing some Purple Root Love at these Fa-BOO-lous parties:
My Turn (for Us)Simply Dream and CreateCraftionaryThe Best Blog RecipesThe Girl CreativeMy Life in PencilPractically FunctionalMy Personal AccentMade in a DayToday's Creative BlogSweet HauteKitchen Fun with my 3 Sons504 MainThe Patriotic PamThe Answer is ChocolateSix Sisters StuffCheerios and LattesMade from PinterestCraft DictatorClassy ClutterWill Cook For SmilesSew-LiciousSuburbs MamaTwigg StudiosLemon Paper DesignsSerenity YouCooking for the Seven DwarfsI Should be Mopping the FloorsCreate with JoyCraft-O-ManiacFrugal Foodie MamaSL Under the table and DreamimgHuckleberry LoveSumo's Sweet StuffWatch Out MarthaCarrie This HomeBoggie Board CottageDIY Home Sweet HomeAlderberry HillNavy Wifey PetersThe Chicken ChickLines AcrossSay Not Sweet AnneThe Plaid and Paisley KitchenJam HandsTiti CraftySuburbs MamaFlamingo ToesBetween Naps on the PorchCoastal CharmFeeding BigA Southern FairtytaleGolden ReflectionsThe Gunny SackPint Sized BakerSugar Bee CraftsChef in TrainingThe Blackberry VineHun what's for dinner?Our Table for SevenHome Stories A to ZKathe with an ELove Bakes Good CakesLady Behind the CurtainCozy Little HouseSmart School HouseGinger Snap CraftsMade to be MommaMy Girlish WhimsThe Shady PorchAll She CooksDucks 'n a RowThe Well Crafted HomeA Handful of EverythingLamberts LatelyThe Brambleberry CottageCreative GeekeryLive Laugh RoweThe Crafty Blog StalkerSaving 4 SixPink Recipe BoxThe Mandatory MoochWhat's Cooking Love?52 MantelsThe 36th AvenueDiana RamblesJust Us FourTownsend HouseThe Jenny EvolutionShaken Together


CoconutHead

10/23/13

Spiked Black Mamba Halloween Cocktail Recipe

Spiked Black Mamba Halloween Cocktail Recipe, a cocktail with a bite! Malibu, Cacao and Coffee,this combination will keep you warm in the inside on a cold Halloween night. Slither you way into trouble #Halloween #Halloweencocktail #Halloweencreepyfoods #cocktails
Hola Amigos! Some people don't get scared with skulls, bones, witches, zombies or scary stories told at midnight with only the flickering glow of a candle. The stuff that gives them nightmares and keeps them up at night are all around us any given day. I'm talking spiders, bugs of all kinds and snakes!
Spiked Black Mamba Halloween Cocktail Recipe, the deadliest and fastest snake in the world becomes a sweet cocktail in this intriguing combination of flavors! Perfect for #Halloween night to take a bite out of the cold! Poison has never been so sweet! #Halloweencocktail #halloweenfood #snakes #cocktail

This post is dedicated to all those with Ophidiophobia or abnormal fear of snakes and it came about because for the last couple of days I've been obsessed with creating a black cocktail for Halloween. How the two relate? just keep reading...if you dare...lol

Black Mambas are Africa's deadliest snakes, if bitten, without the proper antivenom the consequences are mostly lethal.
Spiked Black Mamba Halloween Cocktail Recipe, if you are terrified of snakes, this one you will love! A Sweet combination of Malibu, Coffee and Cacao...Poison has never been so sweet! #Halloween #halloweenpartydrinks #halloweenfood #cocktails #snakes

They are also the longest African snakes, up to 14 feet, yikes! Although having the reputation of being aggressive and hostile, it is actually shy and rather avoid confrontation. But with an increasing population and threats to their natural habitat, they find themselves in human territory and attacks happen. These are preceded by the snake's head and body raising, hissing and then fast and repeated bites injecting large amount of venom each time.

They are also the fastest in the world! developing speeds up to 12.5 miles per hour, imagine that thing chasing you..wow!
Finally contrary to popular believe, they get their name not from the color of their skin, which is usually olive brown or gray, but from the color inside their mouths, a blueish black, which they display when threatened.

My cocktail here is all that..well I'm not sure about being lethal, but it has a bite for sure! It's served in a long fluted glass, to show the beautiful plays of color in the body of our Mamba. It's prepared in no time and at the very top of the flute you can see the "black mouth" ready to strike it's sweet fangs on you!

As for the taste, well it has a bite as I said before, after all there is alcohol in it, it tastes like a dark chocolate spiked almond joy candy bar.

Thank you so much for coming to visit me today! I hope I didn't scare you too much with my snake tale! Sweet dreams and don't let the bed bugs (or reptiles) bite, buahahahaha!

Besitos,
Lizy

Spiked Black Mamba Halloween Cocktail
Ingredients
3/4  Cup Coconut Cream
1 oz Malibu
1/2 tsps Vanilla extract
1/2 tsps Almond extract
Ice
1/2 cup Chocolate Ice Cream Softened 
1 Cup Strong Coffee Cold
1 oz Creme de Cacao (Kahlua is fine if you don't have Creme de Cacao
Corn syrup
Silver Sugar
Shredded Coconut
Black Food Coloring
Champagne Flutes
Directions:
I started by preparing my flutes adding a little bit of corn syrup, moving it around the bottom of the flute and then sprinkling the inside with silver color sugar. Put aside.
Add to a shaker coconut cream and Malibu, extracts  and ice. Shake well.Using a strainer, pour the mix on the prepared flutes. 
Using a clean shaker add soften chocolate ice cream, coffee, Creme de Cacao and a few drops of black food coloring. Shake well and pour the mix on the flutes containing the cream.
Top the cocktail with some black coconut flakes and enjoy.

Prep time 4 minutes                                                                          Serves 2

Slithering my way to these Fa-BOO-lous parties:
Smart School HouseGinger Snap CraftsSomeday CraftsThe Shady PorchMade to be a MommaLady Behind the CurtainReal Housewives of RivertonAll She CooksPolkadots on ParadeKitchen Meets GirlSNAPDucks'n a RowPink Recipe BoxThe Well Crafted HomeLive Laugh RoweThe Crafty BlogstalkerLamberts LatelyMade in a DayThe Mandatory MoochJennifer RizzoGingerly MadeSparkles and a StoveDelishMy Turn (for Us)Simply Dream and CreateThe Girl CreativeThe Best Blog RecipesCraftionaryMy Life in PencilPractically FunctionalMy Personal AccentToday's Creative BlogSweet Haute504 MainThe Answer is ChocolateSix Sisters StuffCheerios and LattesMade from PinterestCraft DictatorClassy ClutterSew-LiciousSuburbs MamaTwigg StudiosCooking for the Seven DwarfsI Should be Mopping the FloorsCreate with JoyCraft-O-ManiacFrugal Foodie MamaSL Under the table and DreamingHuckleberry LoveSumo's Sweet StuffWatch Out MarthaCarrie This HomeBoogie Board CottageDIY Home Sweet HomeAlderberry HillNavy Wifey PetersThe Chicken ChickLines AcrossSay Not Sweet AnneThe Plaid and Paisley KitchenJam HandsTiti CraftySuburbs MamaFlamingo ToesBetween Naps on the PorchThe Stylist QuoFeeding BigA Southern FairytalePint Sized BakerThe Gunny SackSugar Bee CraftsChef in TrainingThe Blackberry VineHun what's for dinner?Our Table for SevenHome Stories from A to ZLove Bakes Good Cakes


CoconutHead