Day 9 of Recipes and Aprons: TGIF!

In celebration of the weekend, I decided to forgo the recipe in favor of *gasp* a night off from cooking, and suggest that we all dine out instead! (At least that’s what I’ll be doing. :)) And while you may not need an apron for an evening out, if you’re a mom like me, you might need a little help making that dinner an enjoyable one. That’s why we have these adorable chalkboard placemats. I keep two of them with me at all times. On occasion they even distract the girls enough to allow my husband and I to have a conversation!

Hope you have a lovely and relaxing weekend!

Day 8 of Recipes and Aprons: Cherry Chocolaty Goodness

The Recipe: Chocolate-Covered Cherries

I’ve never really been all that tempted by sweets. My indulgences tend to veer towards the salty-crunchy snacks that go nicely with a soda. There remains, however, one gargantuan exception to the rule; chocolate covered cherries. My addiction to these savory crumbs from heaven began at a very young age led most of the members of my family to defer to this particular candy as the standby gift for me for Christmas, my birthday, or whatever occasion happened to come along. It has only been in the last couple of years that my complaints regarding my chocolate-covered-cherry-related weight gain have curbed the tide of these well-meaning but hip-widening treats.

I do still enjoy them in moderation around the holidays, and have come prefer the homemade kind. Here is a delicious recipe for those who share my compulsion. 🙂

The Apron: The Betty Double Band Cherry Apron with Red Ties

It was difficult to choose today’s apron, mostly because we have several styles featuring cherries, but I felt this one best reflected the combination of cherries and chocolate.

Day 7 of Recipes and Aprons: The End Justifies the Beans

Last Friday we talked about “Wining down” for the weekend.  Unfortunately, Monday always comes around again, and we have to start the week anew.  One thing, however, makes the return to the grind much less painful and helps us kick start our week – coffee! 

And one particular coffee concoction brings a smile to my face when the weather starts to turn cold: the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Sometime in late September, I start watching the coffee shop special board anxiously anticipating it’s arrival.  As tasty as it is, however, those daily trips to the coffee shop can get a little pricy over  time.  So here’s a recipe to help save you some money and allow you to enjoy that frothy goodness more often.

The Recipe: Pumpkin Spiced Latte

And of course, you need an appropriate apron to demonstrate your devotion to this wonderful beverage.

The Apron: The End Justifies the Beans Apron

Mmm… pumpkin spice. 🙂

Day 6 of Recipes and Aprons: Wine Down, it’s Friday!

Wine is the Answer Frill Apron

Since we began this series with an analogy to wine pairing, I thought it only appropriate that we celebrate the weekend with a recipe that I like to enjoy with a nice Chianti.  It’s easy too, and my daughters actually squeal with delight whenever I set it in front of them.

The Recipe: Slow Cooker Spaghetti

• – 1 red onion, finely chopped
• – 1 lb. ground beef
• – 2 cans stewed tomatoes (Italian style is best)
• – 2 cans tomato paste
• – 1 T sugar
• – Garlic powder and oregano to taste, I occasionally throw in some fresh chopped basil as well.
• – Mozzarella cheese to sprinkle on top

Throw everything in the crockpot for 5 hours; serve with warm pasta, garlic bread and your favorite red vino. 🙂

The Apron: Wine is the Answer

Now what was that question again?

November Giveaway: Give it Away

As the Christmas season quickly approaches, our thoughts turn to our holiday gift lists. If you’re like me, you have one or more people who are nearly impossible to buy for.  Either they have everything they want, or they won’t tell you what’s on their wish list. Well, we’re about to help out one lucky winner with that difficult choice. 🙂

This month we’re giving away one in-stock apron of your choice, with gift wrap and shipping included.  AND, we’ll even embroider a monogram or single letter on the apron for you free of charge! The catch is, you have to give it away.

We’ll even include a personalized gift tag.

Here’s how you enter:

1)      Follow Swanky Aprons on Twitter and Tweet the following: Vintage style apron Christmas gift #giveaway! RT & follow @swanky_aprons for a chance to win! Ends 11/30. https://swankyaprons.wordpress.com

2)      Become a fan of Swanky Aprons on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/swankyaprons

3)      Suggest our Facebook page to your friends, if they “like” us and post a comment there saying you invited them; you’ll get an extra entry for each friend.

4)      Subscribe to this blog (see the right side of the screen under Recent Tweets)

Good luck and happy holidays!

Day 5 of Recipes and Aprons: Cajun Country

Photo: Ralph Anderson; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

The Recipe: Cajun Chicken Pasta  

I have to admit that when my husband and I first considered moving to the south 13 years ago, the food made no small contribution to our decision. We had never tasted anything like southern cooking before, and the spicy warm flavors of Cajun seasoning held a special temptation for us. When I decided to try my hand at this new type of cuisine, I happened across this quick and easy recipe. It quickly became a staple in our home, and is one of our all-time favorites. Be sure to serve it with garlic toast, because your family will want to mop up every last drop of the delicious creamy sauce. I choose the Kiss the Cook apron to go with this recipe, because after tasting this pasta, your family will clamor to give you a big ‘ole smooch! 🙂 Happy cooking!

The Apron: Kiss the Cook

 



 

Day 4 of Recipes and Aprons: Everything Tastes Better with Bacon

This dip is always one of the biggest hits at parties, and no one believes how easy it is to prepare!  And, it’s made with bacon.  Do you really need to know anything else? 🙂

The Recipe: Bacon Cheese Dip

• 2 cups mayo
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 bunch green onions (finely chopped)
• 1 lb. bacon (fried and crumbled) If you’re in a hurry, you can substitute 1 cup bacon bits
• 2 packages of cream cheese
• 1 box of club crackers

Combine the cream cheese and mayo, and mix until smooth.  Add cheese, green onions and bacon (reserving some of each for the topping).  Spread into microwave safe baking dish.  Sprinkle remaining cheese, green onions and bacon on top.  Microwave on high 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

The Apron:  Domestic Diva  

After your guests taste the Bacon Cheese dip, they’ll be in awe of your mad kitchen skills.  Help keep up the pretense with our Domestic Diva Apron.  🙂

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Day 3 of Recipes and Aprons: Smashing Pumpkins

Ok, so I think we (or at least the mothers) can agree that while Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year, there is always at least a small sense of relief when morning dawns on November 1^st.  A month of horror movies on TV and random scary voices startling the Starbucks right out our hand in the grocery store are enough to wear on anyone after a while.  That being said I do have one more treat that can be squeezed out of this holiday. 

While many pumpkins were carved up several days/weeks ago, I’m taking the chance that you, like me, may have one or more un-carved pumpkins lying around for decoration.  Or, I’m sure there are great deals on pumpkins today if you check around.  If so, this roasted seed recipe may be just worth a trip to the store.  The brown sugar caramelizes slightly to add a delicious dimension to this snack.  

The Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

• 3 cups pumpkin seeds (I leave the guts on)
• 4 T melted butter
• 2 T brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 300^◦.  Combine all ingredients and spread in a thin layer on a cookie sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

The Apron: Red Fall Botanical Apron

This is a beautiful fall classic apron with criss-cross straps and a huge bow in the back.

Oh, and before I forget, Happy Birthday Swanky Aprons!