AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

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This post is sponsored by Gold Peak Tea.

I recently shared with you what home feels like to me, and I mentioned that sharing good food and drink with friends and family is essential. I really enjoy drinking iced tea (a love that I picked up while living in Houston). So, I'm happy to share a yummy fall iced tea recipe using Gold Peak Tea that I think will not only make you feel at home, but make you feel like you are drinking fall sip by sip.

AUTUMN SPICED ICED TEA

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4-6

 

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup apple juice

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 orange, cut in half

1 cinnamon sticks (+ 4-6 for garnish)

2 whole star anise (+4-6 for garnish)

4 whole cloves

Method:

Pour water & apple juice into a small sauce pot. Add sugar and whisk to dissolve. Take one half of orange and peel two long pieces of rind.  Slice other orange half into half moons and set aside. Place orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole star anise, and 4 whole cloves into sugar mixture. Place over medium high heat, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove spiced simple syrup from heat and strain into a bowl. Let cool for 20-30 minutes, or chill over night.

Pour spiced simple syrup into a large pitcher, and pour a (1.8qt) bottle of Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea into the pitcher. Mix tea and simple syrup together with a spoon or whisk. Feel free to add more or less syrup to your desired taste. Then pour spiced tea into ice filled glasses, and garnish with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, and star anise.

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If you're entertaining, consider pouring the iced tea into pretty copper mugs like these that were designed by my friend Katie, and garnish with a cinnamon stick, orange rind or star of anise. I particularly love that the mugs say "gather" on them. It's a word we often use around Thanksgiving time, but it applies to anytime we're at home sharing good food and drink with friends.

Gold Peak Tea would love to hear what home feels like to you too! You can go enter their contest to win a trip back home and a custom experience while you're there. The deadline for entries is September 1st, 2016. Run, don't walk!

Photos by Rennai Hoefer, Recipe by Brendan McCaskey, Styled by Alex Evjen

KID LUNCHES

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Back to school is just around the corner, and I'm finding myself brainstorming new ways to make lunch fun and exciting for my picky eaters. Sandwiches get boring day after day, and it can be a struggle to keep coming up with ways to make fruits and veggies look appealing to a five year old. As per usual, I turned to Pinterest for some inspiration and found some amazing kid-friendly lunch recipes that I'm just dying to try.

What kid wouldn't be excited to bust out these awesome turkey and cheese "sushi" rolls from Weary Chef?! With carrots in the middle and a spinach tortilla, they won't even know they're being healthy while they're eating it. 

These apple and cheese rollups from Weelicious are a unique alternative to any sandwich. They encompass three different food groups and pair perfectly with any side of grain, like pita chips or some classic Goldfish crackers!

Every good lunch comes with a little treat, right? Instead of something completely sugary with zero nutritional value, try out these chocolate peanut butter granola apple bites from The Comfort of Cooking. The hardest part is restraining yourself from eating them all before they make it into the lunchbox... 

While all of these recipes are creative and delicious, there are bound to be days when you're crunched for time and a PB&J will have to do. You can still make fun by stocking up on some parent and kid approved lunchtime accessories. Click on the links below to shop my favorites! Also, if you live in the Phoenix Metro area, I'll be visiting Fox 10 studios to talk more about school lunches and Pinterest. Tune in on Sunday, July 24th at 7am on their morning show.

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MINI JALAPENO PIGS IN A BLANKET

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This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

What food is cozier than pigs in a blanket?! haha. Here's a fast and easy recipe from my house to yours that is perfect to serve at your holiday party this weekend or during a movie night at home. You only need three ingredients: crescent rolls, lil' smokies and jalapeno cream cheese. We like a little spice at our house, but if you don't like spicy things you can substitute regular cream cheese too. 

Pop some popcorn, pop the tops on some ice cold Coca-Cola and enjoy your movie night.

MINI JALAPENO PIGS IN A BLANKET
by Nicky Vender

1 Tube crescent rolls
Tub of jalapeno cream cheese
Beef lil' smokies

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Unroll crescents and use a knife to cut each triangle into thirds lengthwise. At the thick part of the dough, add a dollop of 1/4 tsp cream cheese. Then place one smokie on top of cream cheese and roll up. Place the rolled crescents onto a large cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden. Makes 24 minis.

Photos by Melissa Jill

CARAMEL APPLE DESSERT NACHOS

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This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

When you think of a movie night what foods come to mind? Popcorn and nachos with an ice cold Coca-Cola, right? Well, I've shared with you two popcorn recipes, and now it's time to share a killer nacho recipe. These aren't your average savory nachos...Nope, these are dessert nachos. They are even better if you ask me. Cinnamon sugar chips with fresh chunks of apple and salted caramel whipped cream. Need I say more? This recipe only takes 10 minutes tops too! Serve it on a circular platter like this one from Coca-Cola and it almost looks like a Christmas wreath. Let me know how you like it!

CARAMEL APPLE DESSERT NACHOS
by Nicky Vender

1 Bag Tortilla chips
1/2 C Butter, melted
3/4 C Sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 Cup salted caramel sauce
1 red apple, finely diced
1 green apple, finely diced

To make the chips, place in a large bowl and drizzle the melted butter over them. Toss gently to coat. Then combine the sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the chips, tossing until evenly covered.

To make the caramel cream, blend together cream cheese and caramel sauce in a stand mixer until there are no lumps and it is light and fluffy. To assemble the nachos, place the cinnamon and sugar chips on a plate. Sprinkle with diced apples. Place caramel cream in a bowl. Dip and enjoy!

Photos by Melissa Jill

NUTTY ROSEMARY CHIPOTLE POPCORN

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This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

I am a popcorn fiend. Next to potato chips it's probably my favorite snack. Add some rosemary and chipotle spice to it, and oh my gosh you have the best darn popcorn you have ever tasted. Once I start eating it I can't stop. If you're looking to add some spice to your average movie night snacks give this recipe a whirl. Pair it with some Coca-Cola and mini jalapeno pigs in a blanket for a tasty movie night.

NUTTY ROSEYMARY CHIPOTLE POPCORN
Inspired by Ina Garten & adapted by Nicky Vender

1/3 C Maple Syrup
1/4 C Brown Sugar
3 tbsp fresh orange juice
3 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced (divided)
2 tsp chipotle powder
Canola Oil
2 c mixed nuts
2 tbsp melted butter
3 bags plain popcorn, popped (about 39 cups)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk maple syrup, sugar and orange juice, 2 tbsp of rosemary and chipotle powder. Lightly coat a large cookie sheet with canola oil and pour the nuts onto it. Take 1/3 cup of the rosemary chipotle sauce, pour over the nuts and toss until evenly coated. Spread nuts into a single layer. Toast in the oven for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes and add the remaining 1 tbsp of rosemary at the 10 minute mark. When done cooking, remove from oven and use a spatula to place nuts onto parchment to cool. Next, ad the melted butter to the remaining chipotle sauce and stir. Drizzle over popcorn and stir gently to coat. Finally, add the toasted nuts and toss to combine. Feel free to add a bit more minced rosemary if desired!

Photos by Melissa Jill