Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017

Calling all holiday foodies to enter the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017. Prizes and Giveaway. Find tasty recipes for the holiday season. #Recipe #Contest #Giveaway #MTCRC

Tis the season to indulge in great food for every occasion. With all the end-of-year celebrations and festivities, we are always being asked to bring a dish or goodie of some kind. So, why not share your recipes and be inspired by others? And even better, you can put on your competitive cap and have a chance at winning the recipe contest.

We have three prizes, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, so, bloggers, enter as many recipes as you would like among the various categories. You will find everything you need to celebrate the holidays with great taste.

EVERYONE is welcome to enter the GIVEAWAY! We have a $100 CASH Prize for the giveaway. That is above and beyond our recipe contest prizes. So, let’s have some holiday fun!

 

Sugared Cranberries and Cranberry Syrup Recipe

A Sweet and Tangy Recipe for the Holiday Season

 

To start off this yummy event, I am sharing my Sugared Cranberries and Cranberry Syrup. One recipe, two sweet and tangy holiday treats. This super easy Sugared Cranberries recipe also makes a delicious Cranberry Syrup. They are perfect for snacking, light and refreshing. They make a great takeaway gift for guests and are a fabulous addition to a holiday cookies and goodies exchange. Find the full RECIPE HERE!

Now, onto the contest and giveaway!

 

Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017

 

A big Thank You! to the co-hosts for supporting the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017, and making this event possible. Please check out their blogs and follow them on social media!

 

LorelaiLife With LorelaiFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

AlliAn Alli EventFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

EmilyDomestic DeadlinePinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

LeannaOf Faeries & Fauna Craft Co.Pinterest / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

AudreyThat RecipeFacebook / Pinterest / Twitter / Instagram

JenniferSatsuma DesignsPinterest / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

AshleySweetpea LifestyleInstagram / Pinterest / Facebook

JeanneeCentsably CreativeFacebook / Instagram / Twitter

KristenThe Road To DomesticationFacebook / Twitter

LynnBack To The SouthPinterest / Instagram

 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in this delicious recipe contest. With 548 recipes entered, this is a fantastic resource for your holiday cooking, as well as all year long. So, now, it is our pleasure to announce…

The WINNERS

3rd Place: $50 Prize

Mulled Apple Cider Recipe from Jenna @ The Urben Life

 

2nd Place: $75 Prize

Sour Cream Cookies Recipe from Kris @ Big Rigs ‘n Lil’ Cookies

 

…and drum roll please…

1st Place: $150 Prize

White Chocolate Tiramisu Trifle with Spiced Pears Recipe from Deb @ Just Short of Crazy

 

 

Our GIVEAWAY WINNER is Michael Hurt — $100 PayPal CASH

Congratulations to ALL of our winners!

 

Recipe Contest Details:

  • Contest OPEN for Entries – October 15, 2017, through November 8, 2017.
  • One recipe from each category will be selected as a Finalist.
  • Finalists will be announced on November 10, 2017.
  • Winners (1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place) will be announced November 15, 2017.

Prizes:

  • All prizes paid USD via PayPal.
  • 1st Place – $150
  • 2nd Place – $75
  • 3rd Place – $50

Rules for Recipe Entries:

  • Must be a Blogger to Enter.
  • Recipe must be linked to the direct blog post where the full recipe is published.
  • You may enter as many Recipes as you like.
  • You may enter in various categories. Be sure the recipe fits the category.
  • You must include your Email when linking recipes. Winners will be notified via Email.
  • If you are a winner, you must be able to accept prize via PayPal.
  • Recipe photos may be used for promotional purposes. All credits will be given to the original source.

Giveaway:

  • No Blog necessary to enter the Giveaway!
  • ENTER the GIVEAWAY at the bottom of this post!
  • Chance to WIN $100 USD PayPal CASH!!!

The Finalists

Congratulations to the finalists! One recipe was chosen from each category. These recipes have the chance of winning the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prize! Good luck. The Winners will be announced on November 15, 2017.

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Look below to see all the recipes entered in the contest and be inspired for your holiday celebrating!

APPETIZERS

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SALADS & COLD SIDE DISHES

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HOT SIDE DISHES

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MAIN DISHES

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DESSERT

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COOKIES

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CANDIES

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DRINKS & COCKTAILS
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Giveaway!

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Thanks for having fun with us at the Merry ThanksChristmas Recipe Contest 2017. It’s great to get everyone ready to celebrate the holidays with delectable food and drink. Happy Holidays!

What are some of your favorite recipes?

 

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Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast Recipe

 

This shop, Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast Recipe, has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company, all opinions are mine alone. #GoldPeakLattes #CollectiveBias

Busy schedules got your life on the run? Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast is a quick and easy pick-me-up recipe for more energy and alertness.

 

Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast

A Quick and Easy Recipe to boost Energy and Alertness

 

So, here we are, back to school and heading quickly for the holiday season. And what does that mean? Extremely busy schedules, life on the run, and the need for quick and easy pick-me-ups that provide more energy and alertness. That is where this fantastic recipe and Gold Peak® Tea Lattes & Coffee come into play.

You’ve heard it before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But, still, you need lunch, dinner, and maybe even a snack. This delicious recipe is perfect for any time of the day. Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast is packed with protein and nutrients that make it a smart choice to help boost your energy.

 

Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast Recipe

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 – Avocado
  • 1 – Handful Fresh Spinach Leaves
  • 1/4 – Shallot
  • 1 – Roma Tomato
  • 4 – Eggs
  • Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cooking Oil

Directions:

  1. Once you start cooking, things move very quickly, so have everything prepped and ready to go.
  2. Slice the Roma Tomato and Shallot, set aside.
  3. Chiffonade the Spinach, set aside.
  4. Separate 3 Egg Whites, add 1 Whole Egg (or you could use whole eggs), lightly beat. Set aside.
  5. Mash Avocado with a fork, set aside. (see my Avocado Tips & Tricks)
  6. Lightly spray skillet with Cooking Oil, heat skillet.
  7. Place 2 slices of Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread (or your bread of choice) in the toaster to toast while you are cooking.
  8. Saute Shallots, then add Spinach, until wilted.
  9. Add Eggs to the pan and scramble soft, about 2 minutes.

 

Get your PRINTABLE RECIPE here!

5 from 1 reviews
Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast
 
This delicious recipe is perfect for any time of the day. Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast is packed with protein and nutrients that make it a smart choice to help boost your energy.
from:
Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients:
  • 1 - Avocado
  • 1 - Handful Fresh Spinach Leaves
  • 1/4 - Shallot
  • 1 - Roma Tomato
  • 4 - Eggs
  • Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Cooking Oil
Directions:
  1. Once you start cooking, things move very quickly, so have everything prepped and ready to go.
  2. Slice the Roma Tomato and Shallot, set aside.
  3. Chiffonade the Spinach, set aside.
  4. Separate 3 Egg Whites, add 1 Whole Egg (or you could use whole eggs), lightly beat. Set aside.
  5. Mash Avocado with a fork, set aside. (see my Avocado Tips & Tricks - https://bit.ly/2eIn6wC)
  6. Lightly spray skillet with Cooking Oil, heat skillet.
  7. Place 2 slices of Cracked Wheat Sourdough Bread (or your bread of choice) in the toaster to toast while you are cooking.
  8. Saute Shallots, then add Spinach, until wilted.
  9. Add Eggs to the pan and scramble soft, about 2 minutes.
3.5.3226

 

Pick up Gold Peak Tea Lattes and Coffee Drinks

Whether it is first thing in the morning or a mid-afternoon snack, Avocado Eggs Florentine Toast is the perfect pick-me-up when paired with Gold Peak. Who needs the hassle of running out to the coffee shop for cold brewed coffee or tea lattes when you can find the convenient ready to drink coffees and teas at your local Walmart and have them right in your own home? You could even grab one for on the go. The Gold Peak Tea Lattes and Coffee Drinks come in a variety of new and exciting flavors to satisfy every taste.

Coffee Drinks

Made with only the finest of ingredients, Gold Peak Coffee features 100% Arabica Beans, real cream, and real sugar.

Tea Lattes

The Gold Peak Tea Lattes are made with real sugar and real tea.

My favorite is the Salted Caramel Coffee Drink, I am a sucker for anything caramel. LOL Rory loves the Vanilla Chai Tea Latte, but all of the flavors are delicious and a great way to perk up a midday slump.

 

 

What do you like to pair with Gold Peak?

 

 

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Homemade Food Gifts – 12 Days of Christmas – Day 2

Today is a tasty treat! The 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Blog Hop  is sharing the Best Homemade Christmas Food Gifts. Yummy! You are going to love all of the Christmas goodness that is headed your way over the next several days. Don’t miss a single day — they are all different and promise tons of holiday cheer and inspiration! Enjoy…

Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Series along with eleven other talented bloggers. We’ve rounded up the best of the best Christmas ideas to make your holiday season more festive and fun.

Every day December 1-12th we will be sharing a new collection of Christmas Ideas rounded up from our best blogging friends around the web. That’s a total of 144 awesome Christmas Ideas to make your holiday season easier and more fun! Some of our topics include Decor, DIY, Organization, Food, Games and so much more. We don’t want to spoil the fun by telling you too much. We want you to be surprised! Now is the perfect time to subscribe so you’ll be the first to know!

Meet The Hostesses

Shirley of Intelligent Domestications ~ Erlene of My Pinterventures ~ Lindsay of Crazy Organized

Michelle of Our Crafty Mom ~ Stephanie of The Tip Toe Fairy ~ Lorelai of Life With Lorelai

Katie of The Organized Dream ~ Amanda of The Kolb Corner ~ Marie of DIY Adulation

Megan of C’mon Get Crafty ~ Sara of Twelve On Main ~ Kim of Made in a Day

 

12 Days of Christmas Ideas – Best Homemade Christmas Food Gifts

Welcome, Erlene from My Pinterventures.

It’s day two of the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Series and it’s my turn to share! And since everyone loves a good homemade baked gift, I’m sharing 12 Best Homemade Christmas Food Gifts. And shhh…don’t tell, but these are super easy to make too!

Day 2 – 12 Best Homemade Christmas Food Gifts

Cincy Shopper ~ Homemade Peanut Brittle

Kleinworth & Co. ~ Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Mini Loaves

The Kolb Corner ~ Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

My Pinterventures ~ Dried Fruit & Nut Clusters

Princess Pinky Girl ~ Chex Mix Christmas Crack

Intelligent Domestications ~ Maple Walnut Fudge Recipe

Mostly Homemade Mom ~ Crockpot Roasted Sugared Pecans

Lil’ Luna ~ Double Peppermint Crunch Cookies

Life with Lorelai ~ Sugared Cranberries and Cranberry Syrup

No. 2 Pencil ~ M & M’s Christmas Cookie Bars

OMG Chocolate Desserts ~ Candy Cane Pie

Meatloaf and Melodrama ~ Easy Peppermint Mocha Cookies

I hope you enjoyed this round-up of the best homemade Christmas food gifts. Be sure to check back every day now through December 12th for more exciting new Christmas ideas!

Now, go get your holiday baking on!

Thanks so much for joining us for the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Blog Hop! If you missed any of our fun collections just see the links below!

 

 

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Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

An orange grove baked in a cake! This amazing Orange Bundt Cake is made with fresh oranges – perfect for entertaining or anytime. Get the Recipe.

 

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake

Let Us All Eat Cake!

 

Some days you just feel like having a little treat. And, when you have a kitchen full of fresh fruit, you can easily be inspired… So, let us all eat cake!

One of Luke’s customers, at the classic car and hot rod shop, has avocado and citrus groves down in Fallbrook, California. And we have been so lucky this past month to have Gary bring us boxes of these fresh fruits. There is nothing more delicious than fresh picked produce. I wanted to do something with the amazingly sweet oranges I had on hand, so I decided to create a Fresh Orange Bundt Cake from scratch. I have to admit, I was excited to get baking and taste the results.

This Bundt cake did not disappoint. It is easy to whip together, and the aromas make your home smell heavenly. The refreshing orange flavor excites the taste buds, and the cake is moist and delicious. It is a perfect cake for spring and summer.

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

Here’s What You Need

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 Cups – Butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 Cups – Granulated Sugar
  • 4 – Eggs
  • 2 to 3 – Oranges (1/2 cup juice with pulp, 4 teaspoons zest)
  • 3 Cups – Flour
  • 1 teaspoon – Salt-
  • 1 teaspoon – Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon – Baking Powder
  • 1 Cup – Yogurt (I used Greek vanilla yogurt)[br][br][b]The Glaze:[/b]
  • 1 Cup – Powdered Sugar
  • 1/8 Cup – Juice little to no pulp
  • 1 teaspoon – Orange Zest for garnish (optional)
  • 2 Orange Slices for garnish (optional)

Here’s What You Do

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter your Bundt pan, and dust with four. Be sure to get into all the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the Bundt pan.

The first thing you want to do is get your fresh oranges ready to go. Peel the oranges and remove the seeds. Cube the orange, and zest the orange peels. I chopped my zest to make it fine, but you do not have to. Place cubed oranges into your blender and puree.

Cream butter and granulated sugar. Add eggs one at a time, and beat with each addition. Add the orange puree and zest. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder) to the batter a little at a time, and mix well. Add yogurt and combine until well blended. Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake at 350° F for 50 minutes, or until done. Test with a toothpick.

A Few Helpful Hints:

  • Let your cake cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes in the pan.
  • Place your cooling rack over the top of your Bundt pan.
  • Pick-up the Bundt pan with the cooling rack, and turn it over.
  • The cake will fall out of the Bundt pan without breaking.

After the cake is completely cooled, it is time to give it a beautiful glaze. Mix up your powdered sugar and some fresh orange juice, then drizzle over the top of your Bundt cake.  If you like your glaze thicker, do not use as much juice. That’s simple, right? Garnish with orange zest and a couple twists of orange to give your finished presentation a little pop.

 

You’ll want to Save this Printable Recipe!

5 from 1 reviews
Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Fresh Orange Bundt Cake is perfect for your spring and summer entertaining.
from:
Type: Dessert
Serves: 16 servings
Ingredients:
  • 3/4 Cups - Butter (softened)
  • 1 1/2 Cups - Granulated Sugar
  • 4 - Eggs
  • 2 to 3 - Oranges (1/2 cup juice with pulp, 4 teaspoons zest)
  • 3 Cups - Flour
  • 1 teaspoon - Salt
  • 1 teaspoon - Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon - Baking Powder
  • 1 Cup - Yogurt (I used Greek vanilla yogurt)

    The Glaze:
  • 1 Cup - Powdered Sugar
  • 1/8 Cup - Juice little to no pulp
  • 1 teaspoon - Orange Zest for garnish (optional)
  • 2 Orange Slices for garnish (optional)
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F
  2. Butter Bundt pan and dust with flour (be sure to get all the nooks and crannies of the pan)
  3. Peel the Oranges and remove the seeds.
  4. Cube the orange.
  5. Zest the orange peels. (I chop my zest to make it fine, but you do not have to.)
  6. Place cubed oranges into your blender and puree (juice with pulp).
  7. Cream Butter and Granulated Sugar.
  8. Add Eggs one at a time, and beat with each addition.
  9. Add the Orange Puree and Zest.
  10. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients - Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder.
  11. Add dry ingredients to the batter a little at a time, and mix well.
  12. Add yogurt and combine until well blended.
  13. Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan.
  14. Bake at 350° F for 50 minutes, or until done.
  15. Test with a toothpick.

    The Glaze:
  16. Mix Powdered Sugar and fresh orange juice.
  17. Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cake.
  18. Garnish with Orange Zest and a couple twists of orange slices.
    NOTE: If you like your glaze thicker, do not use as much juice.
3.5.3208

 

 

This is such an easy cake to make. If you love oranges, you are going to love this Bundt cake — from the Golden State to the Sunshine State, and every where in between tantalize your taste buds.

 

Get baking, and enjoy!

If you like this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette and Fresh Nectarine Pie With Lattice Top Pie Crust recipes.

This Fresh Orange Bundt Cake is FEATURED on Foodgawker and RecipeThis.

 

 

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Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe – Romantic and Impressive

Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe – A deliciously simple dessert that’s both romantic and impressive!

Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette Recipe

A Deliciously Simple Dessert

 

The first thing you may be asking is, “What the heck is a galette?” A galette is similar to a tart. Like a tart, a galette can be sweet or savory, but where a tart is usually made in a tart pan, a galette is free-form. You can learn more about Tarts vs. Galettes here.

I wanted to make a simple dessert for Valentine’s Day that Luke and I could share. Since I love raspberries, and they are red, this Raspberry Ricotta Galette sounded perfect. The complete idea popped into my head as I roamed the aisles of my neighborhood Trader Joe’s store. I began tossing items into my cart.

This would make a tasty addition to any meal, and its beauty lends itself nicely as a romantic dessert.

Let’s get baking…

Ingredients:

Pie Crust, Ricotta Cheese, Raspberry Jam, Honey, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, Heavy Cream, Fresh Raspberries,

Directions:

The rustic galette is very easy to put together. First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and layout your pie crust.

 

Stir together the Ricotta cheese and honey

 

Spread Ricotta and honey mixture on the pie crust leaving a wide edge for folding. Top Ricotta with raspberry jam. Fold edge over the top, leaving the center open, and pinch together as needed.

 

Give the top crust edge a cream wash and dust with sugar and chocolate if desired.

Bake the galette at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. After baking, allow galette to rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for cooling.

 

Make the ganache.

 

Pipe whipped cream around the center crust edge. I piped a heart in the center of the galette since it was Valentine’s Day. Top with fresh raspberries, and drizzle with ganache.

 

Cut and serve.

 

Enjoy!

Be creative with your galette and try different flavor combinations.

Here is a printable recipe for you.

5 from 1 reviews
Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
A deliciously simple dessert with raspberries and ricotta cheese.
from:
Type: Dessert
Ingredients:
  • The measurements for this recipe are also rustic -- rough approximations by taste
  • 3/4 Cup - Ricotta Cheese (I used Fat Free)
  • 2 Tablespoons - Honey
  • 1/2 Cup - Raspberry Jam
  • 1 Pie Crust (store bought or make your own)
  • Sugar and Chocolate (to sprinkle on crust)
  • Heavy Whipping Cream (to coat crust top edge, whip, and ganache)
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Fresh Raspberries
Directions:
  1. FOR THE GALETTE:
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  3. Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper
  4. Layout pie crust on parchment
  5. In a medium bowl mix Ricotta Cheese and Honey
  6. Spread ricotta mixture in the center of pie crust, leaving a wide edge to fold over the top
  7. Spread Raspberry Jam over the ricotta cheese
  8. Fold crust edges over the top of spreads, but leaving the center open
  9. Pinch crust edges together as needed
  10. Paint top crust edge with cream and dust with sugar and chocolate
  11. Bake at 375° F for 45 minutes
  12. NOTE -- After Baking, let galette stand on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for further cooling.
  13. FOR THE GANACHE:
  14. In a double boiler add Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and a splash of Heavy Cream (The ganache is just for a garnishing drizzle, so you do not need a lot. Start with smaller amounts of chips and cream, you can always add more).
  15. Add cream to thin the chocolate as needed and stir until smooth and glossy.
  16. GARNISHING THE GALETTE:
  17. Garnish with a ring of whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Drizzle with ganache.
Notes
We made this galette for Valentine's Day, so we piped a whipped cream heart in the center of the galette and topped with a fresh raspberry.
3.5.3208

 

Have you ever made a galette?

What flavors would you use?

 

 

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