Kitchen Mix Up #6: The Tasting

Welcome back to the sixth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>



Here was March's KMU theme:

original background image via

It seems like this may be the last KMU for a while, while my BFF Amanda goes on a little blogging hiatus.  Thank you to all of you who have participated with us over the past 6 months.  I know I've had so much fun concocting in the kitchen!

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see the theme.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe related to the theme or search through your blog archives for an old recipe that fits the theme!

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

Here's what I made with green ingredients: 

Strawberry Mojitos

I thought a drink would be perfect this month, since it is the month of St. Patrick's Day and all, and even though this drink didn't turn out green, it definitely had some green ingredients!

Ingredients:

- 1 cup Bacardi Mojito

- 1 tablespoon lime juice

- 4 to 5 whole frozen strawberries

Directions:

Put all ingredients and blend for about 30 seconds.

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Kitchen Mix Up #6: Open the Basket

Welcome to the sixth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

Before we get started, this is a shameless plug that TOMORROW is the last day to sign up to attend the second Connecticut Blogger Meet Up.  Click here to get all the info and sign up!! Both Amanda and I will be there, so come meet us!

original background image via

There is so much "green" in the month of March!  We have St. Patrick's Day and hopefully spring is right around the corner!  Find your best "green" recipe and share with us on the 25th!

Do you have ideas for future themes?  Send them our way!  Even if you might not want to participate yourself, definitely comment or email us with what you'd like to see us feature!

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see the theme.

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe related to the theme or search through your blog archives for an old recipe that fits the theme!

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

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Kitchen Mix Up #5: The Tasting

Welcome back to the fifth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

If you were here to "Open the Basket" earlier this month, you saw that we introduced some exciting changes planned to our little link up.  We will no longer have 4 "mystery ingredients," but instead a general theme with which to center your original recipes.  These recipes can be new or from many blog posts ago!

Here was February's KMU theme:

original background image via

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your theme and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe during the month or find an old recipe in your blog archives related to the theme.

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

Here is my FAVORITE Valentine's Day recipe: 

Homemade Heart-Shaped Samoas

By this time of year, I am just CRAVING that delicious caramel-coconut-chocolate goodness!  We're SO CLOSE to Girl Scout Cookie season, but still not quite there yet.  Last year, I made Samoas in the shape of hearts, and everyone at my office just loved them!  Here is where you can find the recipe.

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Kitchen Mix Up #5: Open the Basket [With some changes!!]

Welcome to the fifth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

We have some exciting changes planned for our little link up!  While we really enjoy being creative in the kitchen each month, we know how busy you all are and how hard it can be to find time to blog never mind the additional time needed to think up and create a crazy, original recipe.  

So here's what we dreamed up: we still want to see original recipes, but now, each month's link up will be centered around a specific topic or general theme.  You can link up a past blog post or maybe "KMU" will give you the push to post a recipe you've been neglecting.  Without further adieu, here is what we want you to "Mix-Up" for February:

original background image via

Yum! Valentine's Day to us means sweet treats and love [notice the order there...].  Do you have a favorite recipe you bake around Valentine's Day, or maybe it's just something the color red!  Join us back here on Tuesday, February 25th to show us what screams "Valentine's Day" to you!

Do you have ideas for future themes?  Send them our way!  Even if you might not want to participate yourself, definitely comment or email us with what you'd like to see us feature!

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your theme and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe related to the theme and be creative!

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

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Kitchen Mix Up #4: The Tasting

Welcome back to the fourth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

Do you have ideas for ingredients?  Send them our way!  Even if you might not want to participate yourself, definitely comment or email us with what you'd like to see us cook or bake with!

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your ingredients and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe using the four ingredients.

- Use any other ingredients you wish.

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

Here's what I made: Spicy Taco Soup with Cornbread

You might have seen last week, I posted Mike's mom's Famous Taco Soup recipe.  I thought it would be fun to adapt this recipe to fit this month's KMU.  Already in the recipe from the mystery ingredients are: a 1/2 pound of ground beef, can of diced tomatoes, tomato soup, can of kidney beans, and can of vegetable soup.  To make it spicy, I just added 1/2 cup Sriracha before the 45 minute simmer.  

I also made this corn bread, but this time, I made it with strained, canned corn, and it tasted much more flavorful than last time with the frozen corn.

PS, Happy Birthday to my beautiful momma!!

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It's Friday

1. Loss: This week was a difficult one.  This world lost three beautiful ladies: Mike's grandmother, my childhood best friend's grandmother, and my great aunt - all within 4 days of each other.  Each woman lived a long life, and was blessed with a big, loving family.
2. Sweetheart Swap: Did you see that Kristin and I are hosting a swap?  Sign ups close Monday, so don't miss out on getting a blogger sweetheart this Valentine's Day!
3. Kitchen Mix Up: Amanda and I are super excited for this month's ingredients.  Plus, we came up with 5 awesome reasons that you should join in this month - check them out!
4. Zoya: It's that time again!! Zoya is coloring the world for 2014!! Until Monday, you can get three bottles of Zoya nail polish for just the cost of shipping!! You KNOW I am buying my polish today after how much I loved it last year!
5. Healthy Eating: Okay, we're one week into 2014 and I'm still enjoying my healthy eating - especially smoothies!  I've been buying tons of frozen fruit and loving it, but now I'm looking for something extra to add to it: protein powder, nutrition supplement, any ideas?
Linking up with H54F, Friday Five, and Insta Friday!

Kitchen Mix Up #4: Open the Basket

Welcome to the fourth Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

Unfortunately, we didn't have great any participation last month.  Let's attribute that to people being crazy busy over the holidays, not people not loving our link-up ;)  Hey, we love it, and it makes us experiment with new dishes, so we're going to keep it going!  Do you need a little convincing?  Check out our top 5 reasons to link up with us this month!

Five Reasons to Participate in KMU this Month:

1. Did you forget to make a New Year's Resolution?  Make participating in KMU this month [or every month!!] your resolution!

2. Was your resolution to eat healthier?  Use KMU to practice some clean cooking!
3. Was your resolution to travel or exercise?  Use KMU to travel to the grocery store and get in a little exercise around the store, finding new ingredients in new aisles you might not have tried before!

4. Want to meet more bloggy friends?  Sign up to participate and you'll make two with me and Amanda!

5.  These ingredients are awesome:

Do you have ideas for ingredients?  Send them our way!  Even if you might not want to participate yourself, definitely comment or email us with what you'd like to see us cook or bake with!  

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your ingredients and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe using the four ingredients.

- Use any other ingredients you wish.

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

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Kitchen Mix Up #3: The Tasting

Welcome back to the third Kitchen Mix Up!

<center> <a href="http://myborrowedheaven.blogspot.com/search/label/Kitchen%20Mix%20Up" target="_blank"><img alt="KitchenMixUp" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMyC4puCmcdDn5YUEImtPCKmocCNT0KcXnixIDP_VwI-v6u4s7Vrdu8Hu488GgIER2lH6qs9EMr7Jb3kXrGOgxrHwHYFZVhGflhLmO4gS-RaR23G7MzEC-zYEqgyj_ImzUmDzSG3PxcU2/w300-h200-no/Kitchen+Mix+Up+Button+2++%25282%2529.jpg"/></a></center>

We hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and holiday season and could maybe even incorporate this month's ingredients into some holiday baking!

Do you have ideas for ingredients?  Send them our way!  Even if you might not want to participate yourself, definitely comment or email us with what you'd like to see us cook or bake with!  This month, our "popcorn" and "chocolate" ingredients came from Heather!  

The Guidelines:

- "Open The Basket" on the first Tuesday of the month to see your ingredients and sign up.  

- Cook/Bake/Fry/Grill an original recipe using the four ingredients.

- Use any other ingredients you wish.

- Link up with our "Tasting" on the last Tuesday of the month with your recipe and/or photos of your creation.

- Use our button if you wish!

Here's what I made:

Shadow was a big fan of these ingredients

Recipe #1: Sweet and Salty New Year's Confetti Cookies

Recipe #2 [left]: Mint Chocolate Popcorn Bark

Ingredients: 1 bag of Nestle Winter Dark Chocolate and Mint morsels, 1/2 bag natural flavor popcorn, MMs, and sprinkles

Directions: Melt Nestle chips and spread onto bottom of cookie sheet.  Top with popped popcorn, candy, and sprinkles.

Recipe #3 [right]: Christmas Candy Corn

Ingredients: 1 cup of Nestle Dark Chocolate morsels, 1 cup of Nestle White Chocolate morsels, 1/2 bag natural flavor popcorn, MMs, and sprinkles

Directions: Melt morsels.  Spread popped corn onto wax paper-lines cookie sheet, drizzle dark and white chocolate onto morsels.  Top with sprinkles and MMs.

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Sweet and Salty New Year's Confetti Cookies

I have a slight chocolate chip cookie obsession, so when we released this month's Kitchen Mix Up ingredients, I thought they would all go great in my favorite dessert.  Just in time for New Year's Eve, these cookies are bright, colorful, sweet, salty, and the perfect treat to begin 2014!  

Ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 stick of Land O Lakes salted butter [softened] - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1 cup packed brown sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 large eggs - 1 1/2 cups package of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1/2 cup mini MMs - 1 cup buttered popcorn [chopped] - 1/2 cup of your favorite sprinkles
Directions: - Preheat oven to 375 degrees. - Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl and set aside. - With a hand mixer, mix butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth. - Add one egg at a time to wet dough, mixing after each egg. - Slowly add flour mixture to wet dough, mixing throughout. - Add chocolate chips, MMs, popcorn, and 1/4 cup of sprinkles to the dough. - Scoop rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet and top with a few more sprinkles. - Bake in the oven for 10-11 minutes.

Don't forget to link up with Amanda and me on Tuesday [New Year's Eve] for "The Tasting" of our third Kitchen Mix Up.  In case you forgot - here is additional info!