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appetizers

Simple Spiced Nut Mix

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Happy (almost) Thanksgiving!  

This blog post is brought to you by the food and wine duo ( of which I am the foodie half) “The Curly Girls”!  Catch the latest episode! 

Watch as I demonstrate how easy it is to make two appetizers (well, one can be a hostess gift as well!).

Simple spiced nut mix

My inspiration for this recipe came from my most recent “Wine Shop at Home” club delivery.  I LOVE cookbooks, cooking magazines, and recipe cards. I collect all of the above, and I ADORE the recipe cards I get each month from my club membership. 

A few months back I tried this recipe (paired with the sparkling wine I received in my shipment) and my family raved about it.  I tweaked a few things and decided I could incorporate a few other small business products into the “mix” lol. I also realized it’s easily doubled and can be placed in mason jars for gift gifting! 

Most of you know that over in the Kitchen,  it’s sweets and treats.  I love my time on “The Curly Girls” because it gives me the chance to play around with all the other fun food things like appetizers, snacks, and main courses. 

Now let’s get to the fun part- making this recipe! 

Print Recipe

SPICED NUT MIX

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 4 tsp  Cinnamon Spice Blend I used Tastefully Simple
  • 1 egg white
  • 3 1/2 cups mixed nuts  I used pecans, peanuts, almonds and cashews

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 250. This is a low and slow recipe, so give yourself time.  The oven does most of the work! 
  • Start by mixing sugar and spice mix together in a bowl.  Add a dash or salt and pepper if you want. 
  • Then, in a separate bowl, whip egg white until foamy.  Add nuts and mix well. Coat with spices and mix to coat evenly.
  • Spread nuts on a baking sheet that is greased OR lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mat (I used one from Pampered Chef)
  • Finally, bake for one hour, stirring once. Cool , then break apart. Cool completely , then store in airtight container for up to two weeks. 

Have you checked out our Pumpkin Pie Brownies?

Enjoy!

 

Gina 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Julia!

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You  should all know by now my love of Julia Child.  Last year at this time I celebrated with my “partner in wine” Ann Marie Railing.

We shared a fun, lighthearted FB live, and shared a quiche and wine pairing that Julia would approve of!  I wish we had saved the video… but that was in our newbie days of not really understanding the ins and outs of technology, Iphone video and how to do a FB live.  

Good news- we have learned a lot over the last year, and are excited to release our second professionally done video, thanks to Prince William.TV!

HUGE shoutout to our sponsors. They make all of this foodie magic happen for us. Their support is much appreciated!

Please support them- Julia would want you to shop local, support local : ) 

Manassas Olive Oil Company 

The Selfish Mama

Anna Tjoumas , Pampered Chef

Kelly Haneklau

A Dog’s Day Out Haymarket 

Watch here on our You Tube Channel!  Make sure to subscribe while you are there. 

Let us know what you think of the latest video! You can email us at

sipsandswirls@gmail.com. 

Cheers! 

Gina 

 

 

 

 

Happy National Cheeseball Day!

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Let’s face it, foodie friends. We are ALL looking for something to celebrate these days. I have never been good about keeping up with “International/National fill-in-the-blank day ” , but times have changed. I have a little more time to look up these facts and share them with you, lol.

I’ve been ready for this day since October, then again at Christmastime. My cheeseball is NOT your typical one though. It has a theme. No surprise, it’s Disney theme.

One of my favorite movies to watch the last three months of the year (every year) is “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. So on Halloween, I break out my “Jack Skellington” cheeseball recipe, and all my Disney peeps at our party rejoice! It’s Jack, in all his cheesy deliciousness!

And since the movie is really about two holidays, I can take this appetizer into the Christmas season as well!

The Jack Skellington cheeseball works from Halloween until Christmas!

Of course you an use the recipe year round (without the face) or , get your Disney on and decorate yours to look like our favorite Pumpkin King!

It easy to whip up, and great for an afternoon snack, party appetizer, or as addition to a cheese platter!

Print Recipe

Jack Skellington Cheeseball

Ingredients

  • 2 8 oz packages of softened cream cheese
  • 1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 c cooked bacon, crumbled or bacon bits (I use bacon bits, and I like to add a little extra. Everything’s better with bacon!)
  • 1/2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
  • Black olives (some whole, sme cut into halves, for the facial features)
  • Parchment or Wax paper for easy molding

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients into a stand mixer (or large mixing bowl with a hand mixer) mix well.
  • Place combined ingredients on your parchment or wax paper, pick up with your hands and form into a ball. Make it as round as possible.
  • Place your cheeseball on a plate or serving platter, and get ready to decorate!
  • Make the details of Jack’s face out of the olives.
  • Place in refrigerator for an hour (covered) to set.
  • Once set, it’s ready to serve. Add tortilla chips or pretzels (I love the holiday shaped ones!) carrots, crackers or slices of baguette around your creation.

Hope you’ll try this around YOUR kitchen table this weekend!

Happy National Cheeseball day, friends!

Gina