Parmesan Princess – Page 21 – the delicious world of a Parmesan Princess

29
Apr
2014

What If You Could Fast Forward And See How You Have Changed a Child’s Life? Because Your Chili Is Totally Awesome!

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Fun for Kids

Oh yes, the chili connoisseur. We all know one if we are not one. Religiously making chili for every Penguin and Steeler game because they (or you- wink, wink) know it is the best! Secret ingredients on total lockdown…seeking the ever so close dangling chili cook off championship medal! Yes, the gratification! And to be simultaneously supporting a life changing, lives saving organization like the Sarah Heinz House, priceless!

Pittsburgh’s Sarah Heinz House provides leadership, gymnastic, swim, sporting, robotics, dance, and many other after school and weekend programs for kids preschool age through high school age. With Heinz’s countless club and gym activities and a staff of program directors like Maggie Martone, it is no surprise that most kids exceed enrollment requirements and consider the staff at The Sarah Heinz House family!

I met Maggie on a beautiful, warm and sunny afternoon at Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange in Pittsburgh’s Strip District! (Wonderful Coffee shop!) You could see her genuine enthusiasm for her work as she explained her role in the organization and invited our family to volunteer in the Comcast Cares Spring Clean Up event! So we went! All four of us!

The kids enjoyed helping so much! It made my heart melt!

Nestled in Pittsburgh’s North Side, the Sarah Heinz House’s campus encompasses the meaning of their mission. Traditional morals and values shaping Pittsburgh youth for generations and generations.

The architecture and detail create a sacred space for the work that happens here.

Amazed by the members and volunteers’ stories, my faith in the spirit of people was resurrected that day.

Inside and outside volunteers worked to spruce up the place!

Meet my Heinz family! Love these fabulous girls!

Mom, Melissa, and her girls Marleighna and Miranda volunteer as needed because they are so grateful for the advantages the Sarah Heinz House offers them. As a nurse, Melissa needs to streamline her girls extracurricular activities into blocks. With her husband Clint’s crazy schedule, the girls would never be able to be so immersed in gymnastics, swimming, as well as learning club activities without the Sarah Heinz House.
Did I mention that it costs $25? And includes dinner?

Future leaders, astronauts, fashion designers and scientists! These kids are learning life skills that will catapult them to the top!

Ok, so back to your prize winning Chili…and a refreshing beer! Rivertown Brewing, Penn Brewery, The Church Brew Works and Four Seasons Brewing Company will all be there! The Sarah Heinz House is holding a BrewFest Event including beer tastings, apps and a chili cook off to fund their Science and Technology Programs on Saturday May 3 4-8pm!!

Enter your prize winning chili here!
http://www.sarahheinzhouse.org/support/events/brewfest/index.php

Other ways to support the Sarah Heinz house in May…

Day of Giving May 6
www.pittsburghgives.org

Highmark Walk May 17
http://hcf.convio.net/site/TR/Pittsburgh/General?pg=entry&fr_id=1177

For more information visit
www.sarahheinzhouse.org

Ciao!

28
Apr
2014

Carnival Party Entertainment..An Al Mazing Magician, Of Course!! And Face Painting Designs by Dana!!

categories: Fun for Kids, Party Time

A carnival theme is a party planners dream!! So many awesome entertainment options- games, dunk tank, face painting, animals, clowns, photo booth, trapeze, magician…
Here is what we did for entertainment!

DIY photo booth! Red curtains from Target Clearance rack and a pendant banner finished it off! We hung it on the china cabinet ! It was perfect!! — DIY photo booth! Red curtains from Target Clearance rack and a pennant banner finished it off! We hung it on the china cabinet ! It was perfect!!

Of course we got a seeeeesters photo!!! I am the oldest of 5 and these are my 2 younger sisters! XOXO

The kids had a blast with the photo booth... The mustaches and glasses were the big hits! — The kids had a blast with the photo booth… The mustaches, big lips and glasses were the big hits! This is how most of the photos turned out! They never stopped moving!

Al Mazing was booked for the kids birthday party before the carnival theme ever crossed my mind. We had seen him at another party and he is all my kids talked about for a whole year! Always a good idea to have some stationary entertainment!

All has been entertaining Pittsburgh since 1996! We are so lucky to have him!

Brady says Al’s best “trick” is when he chooses a girl and a boy to join him on stage and asks them how long they have been married! (Giggles!!)

I would call it magic comedy!! Kids who attended the party a few weeks ago are still talking about Al Mazing's Show! — I would call it magic comedy!! Kids who attended the party a few weeks ago are still talking about Al Mazing’s Show!

This is the thing about Al, the kids (and the adults) did not stop laughing! I don’t remember the last time I saw my dad really belly laugh like that! Tricks, jokes, props, everyone was mesmerized the entire 45 minutes! He was Al Mazing for sure and did not dissappoint!

http://almazing.com
Al@alMazing.com
412-600-4903

After the magic show, Dana Bush from Face Painting Designs by Dana was set up and ready to go! We loved the fact that she gave each child a number and they could go play/eat until their turn!!

FacePainting Designs by Dana
www.fpdesignsbydana.com
www.facebook.com/face-paintingdesignsbyDana

Her whole face designs are beautiful and detailed! The girls loved the ice princess paint finished off with blue lips and a jewel!!

We had a member from KISS, a tiger, and a simple mustache! Dana is a fantastic artist and is popping up at events all over Pittsburgh!

Dana with the ice princess, Bella! Super talented, relaxed and very professional!!

What good luck to get both Al Mazing and Face Painting Designs by Dana at our party! Thank you both for sharing your talent and bringing our family and friends joy and laughter!

Ciao!

Al Mazing and Face Painting Designs by Dana did not request, contribute to, or offer their services free of charge in any way in conjunction with this post. These are the opinions of Parmesan Princess. My family and friends loved them and we know you will, too!!

27
Apr
2014

Mother ‘s Day Is May 11, 2014! Give Her A Gift She Won’t Take Back!

categories: Fashion, Shopping

My eyes welled with tears as my new, unsteady walker Brady struggled to carry my Mother’s Day gift across the room. I was excited to see the recognizable jewelry store logo. A gift was completely unnecessary to me, my Brady was the perfect little present, but Kevin purchased something special this year. After all, I had been a stay at home mom for one whole entire year! Previously swearing this lifestyle was so “not me,” I think Kevin was showing his appreciation of my new found talents- homemade dinners, desserts, endlessly entertaining family and friends, etc. That year had definitely marked the birth of the Parmesan Princess!!

My tears of joy immediately turned into real tears as I peered at the contents that were so carefully placed inside the beautiful box. A pearl, sapphire and gold necklace blinded me with its overdone gaudiness and, pearls?? Bright yellow Gold??? How could God have let him be so off? Does he even know who I am??

My face said it all. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people that can fake it. Kevin was devastated. Ok, there was still another box in the bag. Redemption time? Nope. My worst nightmare, matching earrings! With one shiny pearl dangling from each one! Poor Kevin, he tried! Massive, massive gift fail.

I ended up getting a great pair of diamond studs and we laugh about that Mother’s Day now!
What we have learned, I mean Kevin, of course.

1. Mother’s Day Best Bets are homemade, DIY gifts from the heart. From the kids!
2. Reserve jewelry, apparel items, handbags and shoes for birthday, Christmas, anniversary. Consult my best friend before purchasing anything.
3. A gift where I have mommy time sans the family, although I love them all dearly, is awesome!

That brings us to the Best Mother’s Day Gifts!

DIY
Painted flower pot, vase, trivet, drawings, paintings, helper vouchers, breakfast in bed…

Super cute Chalkboard necklace! http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-chalkboard-necklace-guest-gal-cat.html — Super cute Chalkboard necklace!
http://www.henryhappened.com/diy-chalkboard-necklace-guest-gal-cat.html

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2012/05/diy-ombre-painted-utensils/

Etched Dish by Make It Love It http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/06/glass-etching.html

Mommy Time
Spa certificate, Starbucks card and a book, hair salon appointment, enrollment in a special exercise or hobby class.

How about Grandma? Spoil her! How many times does grandma help with the kids so you can go out? And saves you a $60-80 babysitting fee? The grandkids will make something sweet, but chances are grandma would love a splurge! Buy her something she would never buy herself. A classic, beautiful handbag. Maybe a Tory Burch cuff bracelet or a fun Spring scarf!

http://www.toryburch.com/lucite-cuff/50005964.html

This cute Kate Spade bag is under $200! http://m.katespade.com/flatiron-nylon-maryanne/PXRU4224%2Cen — This cute Kate Spade bag is under $200!
http://m.katespade.com/flatiron-nylon-maryanne/PXRU4224%2Cen

Happy Mother’s Day!!
Ciao!

25
Apr
2014

Homemade Veggie Baked Spring Rolls!!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Learn From An Expert, Recipes, Sides

Veggie Baked Spring Rolls

Ingredients:

2 12oz. Bags dry Slaw Mix
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 small onion, chopped
1 8 oz. package of baby Bella mushrooms, chopped
4 tbsp. cumin
2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt/pepper
1 package (24)thin spring roll shells

Directions:

Add rice vinegar to a deep frying pan.
Mix in onions and cook until softened.
Add slaw mix and mushrooms.

Add spices and mix well.
Let it cook only until warmed and coated.

I tasted it 2-3 times and added more cumin and cinnamon! What a great flavor combo! (I also thought about using ginger? Maybe next time!)

Taste and add more spices as needed.
Remove from heat.
Gently peel off one Spring roll pastry.

Here is an expert! Susan?? Showing us how easy it is to roll the spring rolls!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3Abqjo5A7rI

Spoon. 2-3 tbsp. of filling in center of square.

I bought the frozen spring roll pastry and let them sit at room temperature to thaw. The woman at the store warned me about buying the dry ready made shells. Apparently, they crumble when rolled. She mentioned I could keep a bowl of water and swipe water across to make them more pliable. However, mine were great! Very bendy! — I bought the frozen spring roll pastry and let them sit at room temperature to thaw. The woman at the store warned me about buying the dry ready made shells. Apparently, they crumble when rolled. She mentioned I could keep a bowl of water and swipe water across to make them more pliable. However, mine were great ! Very bendy!

Fold in right and left triangles first and then roll.
Secure By tucking in end.

My rolls were not perfect! I will watch a YouTube video next time before I attempt it! — My rolls were not perfect! I will watch the YouTube video next time before I attempt it!

Place rolls on stoneware baking sheet or jelly roll pan.
Brush with vegetable oil.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 mins.
Rotating at 10 mins.
Watch for desired color and crispness.

Yummy! They were all gone in about 15 minutes!! My family loved them!

Serve with duck sauce and/or hot mustard!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

24
Apr
2014

My First Experiment With Sriracha…Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quinoa Salad!

categories: Dinner, Grill, Healthy Living, Recipes

After hearing the latest Sriracha headlines, “Residents of Irwindale (Sounds totally like Arrendale from Frozen – although opposite problem -is the Southern California city where it is made-Go USA!!) Say The Air Is Too Spicy and Are Fighting to Close Sriracha Plant,” to “America’s Most Popular Condiment” and “Sriracha Shortage Imminent,” I was dying to buy some and try it!!

Photo from 4/23/14 courtesy of Washington Times! Air so spicy your eyes water and itch! I need to try this!

I love sweet and spicy together! The most flavorful taste combo!
So here it is, the family says the best meal I have ever made.

Honey Sriracha Grilled Chicken

Ingredients:

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 1/2 to 3 inches thick
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup Sriracha sauce

Directions:

Mix 1/2 of the honey and half of the Sriracha in a bowl.

It's one part honey one part Sriracha. Hard to say how much I used! Mix more if needed! — It’s one part honey one part Sriracha. Hard to say how much I used! Mix more if needed!

Remove chicken from package and place in a container with an airtight lid.
Brush or spoon to coat raw chicken and marinate.

I didn't drench the chicken with the sauce...it is pretty strong stuff! — I didn’t drench the chicken with the sauce…it is pretty strong stuff!

Refrigerate to marinate 1-9 hours ( I did mine at 8am and pulled it out at 4:30 to grill.)

Heat grill on medium high heat to 350 degrees.
Cook chicken on one side for 12-15 minutes.
Coat with another mixture of honey sriracha.
Flip and cook another 8-10 minutes.
Coat with remaining sauce.

I love a little char when I grill. Medium/High heat keeps the chicken moist and you still get the char! The gauge on the grill read 350-370 degrees.

Pineapple Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa uncooked
1 1/2 cup water
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
Baby greens salad
Pint of grape tomatoes
2 tbsp. red pepper flakes

Directions:
Cook quinoa in a saucepan.
Add water bring to a boil.
Simmer for 20 minutes until water is absorbed.

1 cup uncooked quinoa and 1 1/2 cup water- always!

Meanwhile, add lettuce to a serving bowl.
Layer it with tomatoes, quinoa and pineapple.
Sprinkle on red pepper flakes.

No dressing needed! But I'm sure a honey sesame would be awesome! Next time! — No dressing needed! But I’m sure a honey sesame would be awesome! Next time!

Serve together or make your own sides! I think corn on the cob was the only thing missing tonight!

The perfect spring or summer meal!! We loved it! I hope you will, too!!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

24
Apr
2014

Skinny Girl Bethenny Frankel’s Blueberry Muffins!! Plus a Few Extras!

categories: Breakfast, Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

We woke up in the mood for breakfast muffins! I absolutely love this recipe! It is quick and easy! 5 minutes to mix the ingredients and 20 minutes to bake! Bonus, they are gluten free!!
Makes 9 muffins!!

An explosion of flavor!! Warm chocolate chips and blueberries are the best!

content/uploads/2014/04/image64.jpg”>

Bethenny Frankel’s Skinny Blueberry Muffins

(We add chocolate chips, too! And maybe a spoon of chia seeds!)

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups oat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup soy milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup blueberries
(We add 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1 tbsp. of chia seeds!)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Insert baking cups into muffin tin or spray with nonstick spray.

Mix dry ingredients add wet ingredients and gently stir in blueberries and chocolate chips last.

Throw in some Chia seeds for health and youth! — Throw in some
Chia seeds for health and youth!

Fill half of muffin tins with batter.

I love my non -stick muffin tins ! No messing with baking cups!

Bake for 20 mins. Rotate pan half way at 10 minutes.

These muffins are so delicious and Super easy to make!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

22
Apr
2014

Homemade Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes! Yellow Cheese is Fake Cheese- That Is What My Kids Will Tell You!

categories: Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Recipes, Shopping, Sides

As we strive to learn the key ingredients in our forever young and healthy life recipe, we are experimenting with superfoods, eating more vegetables, and taking the processed “fake” ingredients out of our diets. A deli worker told my kids that cheese is white and yellow cheese is just white cheese dyed yellow. True statement, BUT they translated that into “fake” cheese. Ever since, I have been on a mission to make dishes with “fake” cheese alternatives. This led to our latest obsessions with Fontina, Manchego and my absolute favorite, Parano.

Always grate your own cheese. The difference in taste, freshness, and basic cooking properties will blow you away.

Gruyere is known to make the best potato casseroles, so I tried it for Easter!! 100% correct! Gruyere did not dissappoint! In fact, I can’t remember what cheddar scalloped potatoes even taste like anymore! Here is my recipe!

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:
7 large potatoes scrubbed and sliced into 1/8 inch rounds
1 large onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 lb. freshly grated gruyere cheese
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt/pepper

My little helpers love scrubbing the potatoes! Get the kids get involved! They will eat it because they made it!

Directions:

Warm the cream and garlic in a scauce pot and add 2 cups of Gruyere 1/2 cup at a time continuously stirring.

Gruyere melts beautifully, no chunks. Perfect consistency!

Add sliced potatoes to a deep baking dish.

I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8 Inch is perfect! — I sliced them pretty thin to make sure they cook! 1/8
Inch is perfect!

Pour cheese/cream mixture from the saucepan over the potatoes.

Mix well and coat all potato slices. — Mix well
and coat all potato slices.

Top with the remaining Gruyere cheese, the Parmesan, parsley, salt and pepper.

Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes at 350 degrees. It will be creamy and bubbly. Mix well and let stand 10 minutes to thicken and serve hot!

Indescribable flavor burst with only a few ingredients!! You would think there had to be extra ingredients in this dish like sour cream, cream cheese, many different grated cheeses? Nope! Welcome to the power of Gruyere!

Enjoy!
Ciao!

21
Apr
2014

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes!! The Perfect Spring and Summer Side Dish!

categories: Dinner, Healthy Living, Recipes, Sides

Lemon Parmesan Grilled Artichokes

The three A's of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!! — The three A’s of Spring! Asparagus, Artichokes and Avocados!!

Ingredients:

6 artichokes washed, cut in half up and down.
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper

Directions:
Fill a sauce pot with 3 inches of water and place artichokes in the pot to steam on the top rack of your grill.

You can always steam the artichokes on the stove! Just do not overcook- about 15 minutes if you are grilling!

Steam for 15-20 minutes until the artichokes soften and a sharp knife easily pierces the stem.

Cut along the axis of symmetry -up and down.

The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip! — The bit of char mixed with Parmesan, olive oil and lemon is amazing!! And enough! No need for a butter/ Dijon dip

Brush olive oil on both sides – salt, pepper.
Grill cut side down until grill lines appear and they have a nice char.

My grill gets the 6pm sun! What a beautiful evening! — My grill gets the late afternoon early evening sun! What a beautiful evening!

Serve with drizzled lemon juice.

Bursting with flavor! Serve grilled artichokes as an appetizer on a Friday paired with a refreshing Reisling !

Always top with freshly grated Parmesan! Enjoy!

Ciao!

19
Apr
2014

Spring 2014 Hot Food Trend…Gourmet Toasts! Salute!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Breakfast, Fun for Kids, Healthy Living, Healthy Snacks, Recipes, Travel

Hot right now for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between, are the quickly trending gourmet toasts! Chefs are getting extremely inventive with a new spin on what was mainly a traditional totally boring breakfast staple.

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/slushed.html?m=1

Started in 2012, the toast trend is picking up momentum and is showing up in big city hotspots like The Shakespeare in New York City! They offer an afternoon toasts menu!

Consider it the melting pot of appetizer and small plate chic, you cannot go wrong with a meal on a piece of toast. Call it portion control! For breakfast, indulge in almond butter on top of toasted whole grain bread smothered in bananas, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of coarse salt!

Avocado screams Spring!!

http://www.thebittenword.com/thebittenword/2012/03/avocado-toast-with-chile-flakes.html

Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular too! — Avocado, mayo, and lemon is becoming very popular, too!

Blue cheese and pears are amazing…drizzle honey and I am in love!!

http://myfancypantry.com/2012/11/18/pear-honey-and-blue-cheese-appetizer-toasts/

Julia Turshen, chef and coauthor of Gwyneth Paltrow’s “It’s All Good” cookbook shared her faves in People magazine’s April 28 issue!

BUFFALO
Toast country bread
Spread blue cheese
Top with celery
Drizzle with hot sauce

TAPAS
Toast country bread
Rub with garlic and a halved
tomato
Add slices of Manchego cheese
Top with a slice of prosciutto

Serve toasts as an appetizer or small plates for dinner while entertaining. Have kids? There are so many endless ideas with Nutella, peanut butter, almond butter, veggies, raisins, etc. Maybe even cookie cutter the bread into cool themes or seasonal shapes!!

Enjoy!!
Ciao!!

16
Apr
2014

Etsy in Wonderland…What a Talented World!

categories: Fashion, Fun for Kids, Party Time, Shopping

Carnival Party for two, please! My oldest is 5, sooooooooo this is probably the last time he will ever want a birthday party with his little sister. (Until he wants to hang out with her friends when they get older!) As soon as I have a theme, I search Etsy. Call it my Pinterest, I like browsing Etsy vendors first because you can click add to cart and buy it right there!

I love to do cupcakes for kids birhday parties! Super easy! No cutting/serving/forks nightmare. — I love to do cupcakes for kids’ birhday parties! Super easy! No cutting/serving/forks nightmare.

I decided on an old fashioned carnival theme, red and turquoise for my color palate, and found the perfect invitation through CustomWrappers4U! I had Theresa create matching return address labels, thank you notes and favor tags. I received them in no time, they were in envelopes and ready to go! I have never experienced this kind of delivery speed and customer service with any other vendors!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/159363594/carnival-circus-tent-birthday-party-baby

Favor tags are easy details that add a nice personalized "thanks for coming " message. Yes, I still send a formal thank you note later. Remember, I'm old school. Many have told me it is outdated. (According to Emily Post, it is necessary!) — Favor tags are easy details that add a nice personalized “thanks for coming ” message. Yes, I still send a formal thank you note later. Remember, I’m old school. Many have told me it is outdated. (According to Emily Post, it is necessary!)

The address RSVP is cut off but these invites were perfect!!

Etsy vendors make the best custom kids party outfits! I found the perfect tutu birthday outfit for Bella on www.etsy.com/shop/taddletellshop !

Taddletellshop makes the fullest, most gorgeous tutus I have ever seen! Two sisters custom make these beautiful creations by hand! They carry a full line of birthday cupcake tutu sets as well as tutu Halloween costumes! I was wowed, totally impressed…and I’m a princess!

I wanted a matching shirt for Brady so I searched for a red and turquoise carnival theme boys shirt and found a circus tent shirt on GreatStitch! What a great story! Brenda’s great-grandma made a decorative, masterfully stitched coat for her mother out of simple flour sacks! This coat is Brenda’s inspiration along with her motto “cute kids need cute clothes!”

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166941070/greatstitch-circus-tent-birthday-shirt

I was lucky that they matched because I ordered from two different vendors. Usually a definite Etsy rookie mistake! Somehow, they were perfect! Thank you Jesus!

I love supporting small business! The talented moms and grandmas who create these masterpieces are amazing!

Next time you need a party outfit, flower girl outfit, a special personalized T-shirt or a new supercute scarf for yourself, check out ETSY! It has been good to me!

Thank you to CustomWrappers4U, GreatStitch and Taddletell for selling your wonderful products on Etsy for all of us to find and enjoy!

Coming up…the magician, the face painter, the decor, the menu! A carnival is a great party theme!!

Ciao!

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