Archive for February, 2008

Felt Chocolate Easter Bunnies

Look What I Found – Felt “Chocolate” Easter Bunnies!
Described as “guilt free” chocolate enjoyment, these adorable felt bunnies have turned up just in time for Easter! Stuffed with fluff and sporting funny little faces, these bunnies arrive packaged in cellophane bags tied with a pink bow, just like their candy counterparts! The bunnies can be... Read more »

Free Rice Charitable Computer Game!

Tip of the Week – Free Rice!
The name may sound a bit crazy, but Free Rice is one of the most fun and well intentioned websites I have ever come across! At freerice.com, visitors are invited to play a challenging vocabulary game by selecting the best definition for a given word, selecting from a choice of... Read more »

Tuscan Bread Soup Recipe for Lent

Tuscan Bread Soup
Ingredients

4 slices crusty Italian bread, 1 1/2” thick
4 T. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 large onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. low sodium chicken broth
½ c. heavy cream
1 t. minced fresh thyme or ½ t. dried
Salt and pepper
½ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven... Read more »

Baked Cheese Ravioli Casserole Recipe for Lent

Cheesy Ravioli Bake
Ingredients

3 T. unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 T. coarsely chopped fresh basil
1/3 c. heavy cream
Salt
2 (8 ounce) packages fresh cheese ravioli1 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach
1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to... Read more »

Rigatoni with Portobello Mushrooms and Gorgonzola Cream Recipe

Rigatoni with Portobello Mushrooms and Gorgonzola Cream
Ingredients

2 T. vegetable oil
4 large Portobello mushroom caps, halved and sliced thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ c. dry white wine
1 c. heavy cream
1 c. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
Salt and pepper
1 pound rigatoni1 (5 ounce) bag baby spinach

Directions

Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in a large pot. Meanwhile, heat 1 T.... Read more »

Fun Family Ideas and Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day!

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!
As a single, 20-something, St. Patrick’s Day was a mandatory occasion for heading to the closest Irish pub, but today with a husband and three children, I celebrate this holiday as my parents did when I was young! That is, with a meal of corned beef, Irish soda bread, Irish potatoes (the... Read more »

Irish Manhattan

Irish Manhattan
Fill a low ball glass with ice. Add ¼ cup Irish whiskey and 1 ½ T. sweet vermouth; stir. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Makes 1.
Note: if you’d like to enjoy this drink on the “drier” side, make the vermouth portion half sweet and half dry!
(Bon Appetit, March 2007)
Tags: Irish Manhattan cocktail recipe, st.... Read more »

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner Recipe

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
Ingredients

2 to 2 ½ corned beef brisket*
1 t. whole black pepper
2 bay leaves
3 medium carrots – quartered lengthwise
2 medium parsnips or 1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium red onions, cut into wedges
10 -12 new potatoes (1 lb)
1 small cabbage, cut into 6 wedges (1 lb)

Directions

Trim fat from meat
Place... Read more »

Oscars Night Countdown and Fun Recipes!

Oscars Night Countdown!
It’s only a matter of days until the 81st Academy Awards! This star filled evening will take place on Sunday, February 22 at 8:00 p.m., EST with the Red Carpet coverage beginning much earlier. Although it may be a bit late for planning a full scale soiree, it’s not too late to call... Read more »

Adding Romantic Touches to Special Occasions!

Tip of the Week - Add Some Romance to Any Special Occasion!
Although February 14th has come and gone, a few special Valentine ideas caught my fancy this year. I couldn’t wait to share them with Busy Bee readers, because these ideas can be used to add a touch of whimsy or romance to other special occasions throughout the... Read more »