Tag Archives: party

Do the shammy shammy!

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St. Patrick’s Day is less than a month away! Get into the festive spirit — wear lots of green (Kelly, that is), make everything chocolately and minty (Bailey’s, anyone?) and eat lots of Lucky Charms (just kidding .. but they are delicious). Here are a few recipes to help boost the St. Patrick’s Day spirit in preparation for March 17th!

SHAMROCK SHAKE (COPYCAT RECIPE) from The Family Kitchen
Okay, we get it if you don’t want to have to drive to McD’s each time you want a Shamrock shake (or as we like to call them, “Shammy” shakes) — now you can make them at home!

 

SHAMROCK MILKSHAKE CUPCAKES by Better Homes and Gardens
What’s better than a shammy shake? A shammy shake CUPCAKE.

 

SHAMROCK SHAPED RICE KRISPIES by Pirates and Princesses
All you need is some food dye and a cookie cutter to seriously add some pizzazz to your Rice Krispie treats.

 

ICED SHAMROCK COOKIES from just*iced
Looking for some Irish inspiration? These cookies are so adorable!

 

SWEET SHAMROCK PRETZELS from Family Fun
Super easy! A can of Pillsbury bread stick dough, cinnamon and some green colored sugar are all you need.

 

SHAMROCK PIZZA from Cute Food for Kids
What a cute idea for english muffin / hamburger bun pizza. The shamrock is a green pepper!

 

SHAMROCK “SNUGGLE UP” from ShopIrish.com
And of course, you should be enjoying all of these treats while wrapped up in your shamrock-adorned blanket with sleeves. (Did you really think this didn’t exist?)

 
Do you get into the spirit on St. Patrick’s Day?
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Be the hostess with the mostest this Super Bowl!

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Planning a Super Bowl party this weekend? Do yourself a favor and ENJOY IT!
Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • Plan simple foods, buffet style. If your foods aren’t portable, it will be harder for your guests to move around. No one wants to be stuck at the table and miss any important game plays!
  • Don’t prepare complex foods or foods that will keep you in the kitchen all night. It’s your party, enjoy it!
  • Plan on plenty of beverages — and don’t forget the beer!
  • If you’re decorating, think team colors, footballs, jerseys, goal posts, pennants. Don’t go overboard!
  • Stock up on paper towels, napkins and cleaning supplies! Especially if you’re serving wings.
* Tips adapted from About.com

 

What’s your favorite part of throwing/attending Super Bowl parties? The game, the pools, the food, the beer?
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Pass that DIP!

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Never underestimate the power of a good dip. A good dip can bring friends together. It can increase your popularity. It can increase your caloric intake. A good dip can move mountains. It could probably change the world.

Kidding. (But not really.)

It”s September. The warm weather is coming to an end. Football is back. It”s time to plan your viewing parties — what are you going to serve alongside your chicken wings and mini pizzas? DIP. THAT”S WHAT.

Here are a few delicious, nomworthy options to amaze your friends — and perhaps even yourselves. Culinary skills FOR THE WIN!

 

FRENCH ONION DIP


I”m going to be completely honest — I don”t think I”ve ever had a french onion dip made from scratch. I”m a Lipton Onion Soup mix + sour cream kind of girl. But looking through recipes for this post, I now feel intrigued to try making one. Williams-Sonoma has a great recipe using carmelized onions — mmmmm. Sign me up, please!

You can also go for the store bought stuff. Heluva Good French Onion Dip is always a great choice! Not only for parties, you know .. just for your own snacking pleasure. Judgment free zone!

 

TACO DIP


There are so many taco dip recipes trolling the internet that you could literally follow any of them and end up with an amazing product. While many of them are “Seven Layer,” like this one from AllRecipes.com, you can do however many layers as you wish. For example, my friends and I aren”t exactly into refried beans — we cut out the beans and mix the taco seasoning mix with the sour cream and cream cheese. It tastes FANTASTIC. But however you want to do it, don”t forget that excessive amounts of cheese and freshly chopped veggies are essential keys to happiness and food comas.

If I have already gotten you hungry and you don”t have time to whip this up, grab some Tostitos Creamy Southwestern Ranch dip at the store. Top with fresh veggies from the salad bar and some cheese!

 

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP


Buffalo chicken dip is a personal favorite of mine. I make it all the time for friends and it”s always a hit — yet a tad on the spicy side. Here”s a great recipe from Frank”s RedHot — a NECESSARY ingredient to any buffalo themed dish.

Now I know this is far from the same thing, but take Snyder”s of Hanover Hot Buffalo Wing Pretzel Pieces and dip in blue cheese dressing next time you”re feeling a snacky need for buffalo heat.

 

SWISS & BACON DIP


Okay, let”s be real. Bacon is a WIN in itself. Add cheese? That”s a golden taste bud explosion my brain just can”t handle. I”m sure you”ll agree — check out this swiss and bacon dip recipe from Let”s Dish. My mouth is watering to the point where it”s hard to look at. I might cry. (Just a warning.)

Not the same, but you could always try a bacon and cheddar dip from the dairy aisle — such as this one from Kraft.

 

GUACAMOLE


GUAC. “Pass the guac!” If we”re being completely honest, only recently did I introduce my mouth to this heavenly substance. Not sure what I was so afraid of — I love Mexican food and I love a good “chip and dip.” Basically I got over myself (with the extreme push of my friend) and tried guacamole. “HOLY MOLE” should be the actual name, let”s be real. Anyway, now I”m practically obsessed and want it everyday. Here”s a recipe from Alton Brown that I plan on trying as soon as possible.

If you”re less ambitious, store bought guacamole dips are in a huge abundance. Snack away!

 

SPINACH & ARTICHOKE DIP


I”m not the biggest spinach fan — or artichoke fan, for that matter. I”m not sure how this is even possible, but the mix of the two with cheese on top of a pita chip is literal heaven. There are many recipes for this popular dish, hot and cold alike. I enjoy the hot version, like this beautiful recipe from AllRecipes.com.

Luckily, Friday”s is well aware of the need for a great spinach and artichoke dip at all times. They love theirs so much they decided to make it available in your grocery store”s freezer section. Thank you, Friday”s!

 

Chips up!

Have a great dip you feel like sharing? Comment below or talk with us on Facebook and Twitter. Don”t forget to add your favorite ingredients to your Social Grocery pantry!