Chocolate Pecan Goodness

I started to title this post as Chocolate Pecan Tart but this filling is really too good to be limited to a tart!  A lot (actually most) of my best recipes and the things I go back to time and time again come straight from my mother.  I'm really happy with the collection of recipes I have from her and writing about this makes me realize I should organize them a little better (add that to the project list)!  So .... here's my favorite recipe for Chocolate Pecan goodness.  Thanks Mom!

Chocolate Pecan Tarts



For the crust:

You can approach this a few different ways.  If you have a favorite pie crust recipe that you love, use that one (the Barefoot Contessa has a great one).  If not and you'd prefer to not make your own just grab one from the grocery store ... I think the Publix brand is just as good as any name brand!

For the filing:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup light karo syrup

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

Mix together these first 4 ingredients and simmer. 

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Add eggs and vanilla then stir until thickened.

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup coconut (this is optional but really yummy)

Add the last three ingredients and stir to mix in. 

Allow to cool slightly and pour into your pre-baked pie crust or mini tartlets and refrigerate.

**My favorite way to eat this is to make miniature "pop tarts" just like my mom does.  To do that just lay your pie crust out flat and cut into "2 bite" size squares.  Add a dollop of filling to one square, top with the other, crimp around the edges with your fork and poke a few fork holes in the top.  Glaze with an egg wash and bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the tarts of browned.

Enjoy ya'll!!

Driveway Dinners

I'm really excited to try out this concept and see how it goes!  Ever get to the end of the day exhausted or find yourself still at the park chatting with friends, kids playing, when it's 6:00 and you have absolutely no idea what to eat for dinner?  What if once or twice a week you could just pick up a hot dinner (that's not fast food) on your way home?  That's the idea with these new Driveway Dinners!  I'll send out the menu and pick up times ... you let me know if you'd like to pick up dinner and I'll have it ready.   Quick and simple.

**Starting this Friday .. October 21st**

Menu:
Your choice of traditional Red Beef Chili or White Chicken Chili
Optional Sides of Cheddar Biscuits and Green Garden Salad

Pricing:
Complete dinner for 4 (Soup, biscuits, salad) ... $35
Soup and Salad for 4 ... $30
Soup and Biscuits for 4 ... $25
Soup only for 4 ... $20

:: NEW :: Bread Braids

These bread braids are SO yummy and really great to keep in the freezer, pull out in the late afternoon and pop in the oven for dinner with a green salad!  I'm excited to finally have them added to the Freezer Meals page (way down at the bottom).   They are available as a Freezer Meal Package choice but can also be purchased on their own.  Choose from:

  *BBQ Chicken (with red onion, cilantro and mozzarella)

*Sloppy Joe 

*Ham/Cheese

*Cheesy Broccoli Chicken

*Taco (seasoned meat, cheese, black beans, salsa)  

*Swiss Chicken and Bacon

*Pizza (your choice of toppings)

Food, Fishing and Baseball!

What a busy end to the summer!  A few last minute getaways and prepping for the start of another school year have definitely kept me busy.  We enjoyed a lot of good food, nature walks, fishing, beer tasting and of course baseball!!

Time now to get back on track and back to regular posting here too!  Coming up ... some great new recipes and super fun crafty ideas for celebrating the upcoming holidays.

Pre Orders :: BBQ Pulled Pork!

It's time again for BBQ Pulled Pork!  Pre-orders will be taken until Thursday, August 18th with completed orders dropped off / picked up the week of August 22nd. 

I'm pretty sure this pork is the reason my hubby married me and there are so many delicious ways to enjoy it that I thought I'd give you a few suggestions!

 

 With or without the coleslaw (with, for me!) it's delicious in it's most casual form!

 Use a homemade or store bought pizza crust with barbecue sauce, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella for a delicious pizza!

 Add some Asian flair with carrots, jicama and cilantro on a crusty baquette.

 The kids will love this .. BBQ Nachos!  Delicious with cheese and coleslaw.

Pricing ::  $22 for large containers (feed approx. 4-6 ppl)

Email orders to theplayfultable@yahoo.com!

New :: Parmesan Chicken Nuggets

These yummy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets are new to the Freezer Meals menu! 
They are available as a choice when purchasing a meal package or on their own.  Made with boneless chicken breast meat and crusted with yummy seasoned parmesan breadcrumbs.  Available in 20 ($10) and 40 ($18) counts.  

Food Love :: Braciole!!



This one's a favorite among my freezer meal crowd and a real family pleaser in

our house.  It's easy to prepare with a super quick prep time and a fix it and forget it cooking style.

Made with flank or skirt steak and incredibly tender thanks to the slow cook time.

I've listed the recipe below .. enjoy!

Braciole

Ingredients:

1 cup parmesean cheese grated

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

2tbsp chopped parsley

1 garlic clove minced

4tbsp olive oil

3 1/4 cups marinara sauce

salt/pepper to taste

1 1/2 lb flank or skirt steak

Directions:

Mix the first 4 ingredients.  Add olive oil and set aside.

Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper.  Lay out steak and spread the breadcrumb

mixture over the top then roll the meat and tie with cooking twine.

In a hot pan, quickly brown the meat on all sides.  Place the meat in an over safe dish

and cover with the marinara sauce.  Cover the dish with foil and cook in a 

350 degree oven for approximately 1 1/2 hours.  Remove from the oven and

let it rest.  Remove the twine, slice and serve! 

The Well Stocked Freezer!

It's a lifesaver during those busy weeks!  I'm excited to announce that Freezer Meals

are now available to order online.  Be sure to visit the Freezer Meals link at 

the top of the page!! 

Party Inspiration :: Water Party

If you've got a child with a summer birthday this water party would

be so much fun!  

Crafts :: Save The Date Scratch-Off's

I love, love, love this adorable Save The Date craft from Martha Stewart!

Who's getting married?  I'm going to need to try this out!

You can find the complete tutorial here.

Party Inspiration :: Cocktail Party

It's been a little busy around here lately with a super fun 4th of July getaway and a

couple of parties in the works too!  I'm working on an early retirement party

for a good friends hubby (more on that coming soon) and recently was asked to help
with one of my favorite kinds of parties to plan  ... the cocktail party!

We've settled on the invites seen above and now we're working on food and

drink ideas, yay!  Dressy, casual, chic, rustic ... so many decisions and

so much fun.  What's your favorite type of party to attend, Chic/Dressy or Rustic/Casual?

Take the survey!! ------>

Party Inspiration :: Cake Bunting

I LOVE cake bunting!  This has to be my favorite way to

give a simple cake ... wow factor! 

Of course you could always make the inside of

your cake look like this for wow factor too!

If you're in need of a little last minute wow factor for your 4th of July

celebration here's a few ideas for you and if you don't

have an extra minute to spare contact me to put it together for you!



Party Inspiration :: Yellow and White!

  I love the simple and sunny look of yellow and white together, especially
in the summer when it's SO hot outside!  If you're planning a bridal or
baby shower this would be a great color scheme for a late
morning brunch or afternoon dessert party.

Food Love :: Rainbow Cakes

Would you ever think from the simple and sweet outside of this cake that

you'd get such a fun surprise when you cut into it?

Rainbow cakes are all the rage at the moment and I hope they'll stick

around for awhile ... I'm in love!

For The Love of Felt

Today I made felt flowers! 

In this house full of boys it's a really fun girly escape! 

                                                             What did you do today?

Food Love :: Savory or Sweet

Asparagus & Swiss Cheese Frittata

If you give me a choice I'll always choose savory over sweet.  This Asparagus and Swiss Cheese Frittata is just what I'd love and it's simple and quick to fix too.  You can get the recipe for this and tons of other yummy goodies at Skinny Taste. 

Which would you choose ... Savory or Sweet?   Take the poll --------->

Bringing it all together

Cooking, organizing, sewing, planning a party .. these are a few of my favorite things!  I'm really excited to have a place to bring it all together AND to share all kinds of inspiration.  You'll find catering information here as well as party planning and gift ideas.  Thanks for stopping by!