Pico de Gallo, Jalapeno Poppers and Breaded Chicken

I learned a very VERY valuable lesson today. Never Never Never

Never

never

cut jalapenos with your bare hands. Your hands will burn for HOURS. I'm just thankful I didn't wipe my eyes! Otherwise, very very delicious!

Recipe: American Flag Cake / Fourth of July Cake

This recipe was inspired and adapted from recipes created by Cristina Ferrare and Ree Drummond. It seems like it's a real crowd pleaser and this version seems trifle-like.

Ingredients

• 6 to 8 packages of ladyfingers
• 2 boxes lemon or vanilla pudding mix
• 1 quart fresh whipping cream
• 1 T. sugar
• 1 T. vanilla
• 3 quarts fresh strawberries, rinsed, stems removed and cut up
• 2 quarts fresh blueberries
• 4 packages fresh raspberries
• Rum, optional

Directions
Make the pudding according to package directions, cover with plastic wrap and bring to room temperature. Add sugar and vanilla to the whipping cream and beat until stiff. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use. Split open the ladyfinders and line the bottom of a 9x14 glass baking dish with the rounded side down. add a layer of pudding mix and spread all over the top of the ladyfinders. Add a layer of cut-up strawberries over pudding. Add another layer of ladyfingers, also rounded side down, and repeat the same process until you have 4 to 5 layers.

At this point, if you want to add a sprinkle of rum over the top for a bit of added flavor, go for it. (Do so sparingly!) Spread a generous portion of the whipped cream over the top of the cake evenly. Make 5 rows of 10 using blueberries to represent the 50 stars in the flag.

Fill a pastry bag with the remaining whipped cream with a tip to make ridges for the stripes, leaving about 1 inch between stripes. Do all the stripes. Take the raspberries and add them in between the ridges in a neat row close together to form the red stripes. Voila! You have your own yummy, edible American flag.

Peaches and Cream "Little Fellas" Cheesecake minis

Recipe and images to come :)

My Bridal Shower

The whole bridal shower gang!

Gorgeous cake! Black and baby blue are my wedding colors :)

Second view. Just amazing! Raspberry filling and lemon white cake inside!

The beautiful bride and her matron of honor, Amanda!