Quick & tasty Red Berry Vinaigrette

This is a quick and tasty vinaigrette that is perfect for summer.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup berry red machine Naked Brand juice

1/2 cup pomegranate infused red wine vinegar

1/4 extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

Dash of cracked black pepper

Dash of sea salt

Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl whisk together and done!  Quick and easy salad dressing. If you place the dressing in a small dispenser bottle, it makes it super easy to shake up. Dressing will last about a week in a half in the refrigerator.

Pinterest Craft and Food Party

If you are like me, you have a long list of  Pinterest "Pins" and a very short "done" list.  I am absolutely in love with all the ideas I get from the website but I was seriously lacking motivation and time to complete any of the 100 crafts I want to complete.  Thanks to my friend Cheryl's idea I recently hosted a Pinterest party, it was a totally success and lots of fun!

We each brought an appetizer that was from or inspired by a Pinterest idea and the supplies to make a craft. Everyone ended up making wreaths but it was not planned that way.

From the right: Casey made her own inspired yarn-wrapped wreath, she wasn't quite done when we snapped this pic.  Cheryl added flowers to hers and plans to add a monogram letter in the middle.  Michelle, Becky and LuLu were inspired by this pin, I love that LuLu added her own flair.

I actually ended up making two different wreaths:

The one on the left I actually made with Dollar Store flowers!  The ribbon came from Joann Fabrics.  The other wreath was inspired by this pin but I changed it up a little.

I found both my wreath forms at the Dollar Tree.  The yarn, flower pedals, and ribbon are all from Joann Fabrics.  The flowers I actually made out of leaves from a Hydrangea flower and colored pins.  I was not happy with the ribbon used in the original tutorial and couldn't find the right pre-made flower.  The flag says "Bare Feet Welcome", it is perfect to welcome spring.  I just love how it turned out!

Update:  Here is Casey's finished Yarn Wreath

As far as food we had quite a spread, but I forgot to grab a picture of it!

I made this cake, it turned out well but next time I am going to poke a lot more holes it, the actual cake part was a little dry.

Casey made this delicious Thai dish, she actual used low carb noodles so it was even semi-healthy!

Cheryl made this dip, she has made it before & it was so good that I had requested she make it again.  It does have mayo in it though so I may try to make a variation without the mayonnaise.

What have you made lately from Pinterest?  I love seeing completed Pinterest ideas and recipes and hearing how they turned out so please share!

This was not sponsored by Pinterest in any way, we just love the site.

C & D Salsa of Death

This salsa is HOT HOT HOT.... so keep the milk and bread on hand.

2 cans diced tomatoes
3-6 Jalapeño peppers, chopped finely
2 Habanera peppers, chopped finely
Half Cup loosely packed fresh Cilantro (if in a quick salsa mood can sub dried cilantro 1 Tablespoon)
1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp. salt
4 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Teaspoon garlic powder
1 Tbsp. onion powder

Blend together in blender until finely processed, serve.

To tone it down a bit and not lose the flavor, drop to a half a Habernero pepper, deseeded. with two jalapenos.

Mint Pesto Lamb Steaks

Lemon Marinade

1/4 cup Olive oil

zest of one lemon

juice of 1 lemon

Salt- Fresh ground sea salt to taste

Dash of fresh ground pepper

1 small clove of garlic chopped

Dash of your Favorite steak or chop seasoning

Combine all ingreedients in a small bowl mix

Place 2 Lamb steaks (around 1.5 LBS) in large freezer bag and add marinate and let marinade for 4 to 6 hours.

Mint Pesto

1/8 Cup Toasted pine nuts

1/2 plus 1/8 cup Olive oil

 1/4 Cup Parm cheese

1 Teaspooon salt

2 small cloves chopped garlic

1 Teaspoon red wine vinegar

2 dashes italian seasoning

Freash ground pepper to taste

Touch of freash squezed lemon juice to taste

Toast Pine Nuts until golden brown.

Take mint off stems

Place all ingredients in blender and blend till Smooth.

Take your lamb out of the fridge 30 min before cooking and let rest at room temp.

Place a little olive oil and garlic in a sautee pan and heat oil on medium heat. Once oil is heated place your lamb steaks in frying pan. Cook for five min on one side before flipping steaks and cook for another 3 min on other for a med temp on your Lamb. Time may need to be adjusted depending on how thick your lamb steaks are. We served this with garlic Parmesan asparagus and baked corn on the cob.