Fruit & Goat Cheese Bruschetta

In the middle of a hot Summer and the hottest days of all call for the most delicious treats to make it through! I’m a huge fan of bruschetta, so making this twist on it as a fruity version just seemed so delicious and fit for Summer. You can totally change this up in the fruit department to whatever fruit sounds yummy to you along with whatever is best in season! I did strawberries, cherries and raspberries this time, and it was oh so delicious!

Now.. how do you BBQ these little slices of baguette’s? I just found out the way to not burn my 360 cookware griddle on the grill is to put a coat of dish soap on the bottom and MY GOODNESS its genius! The Pan Cleaned so easy! Cannot wait to work on even more recipes for the grill with my favorite 360 pans!

Ingredients:

8 oz cut strawberries

6 oz cut cherries

6 oz raspberries

8 oz whipped cream cheese

8 oz goat cheese

1 lime

1 baguette

honey

salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Wash & cut all fruits and mix into bowl.

2. Zest 1 lime making 1 tsp of lime zest and add into small bowl with 1 tbsp of sugar. Pour over fruit mix & juice of 1 lime and mix together.

3. Mix whipped cream cheese & goat cheese. sprinkle over with sea salt & pepper to taste. Drizzle with honey and set aside until bread is ready.

4. Slice baguette and spray with olive oil spray.

5. Take your 360 griddle and apply dish soap on bottom to prevent from burning pan.

6. Now on your BBQ take the griddle and place bread on top until lightly toasted (or to liking). Flip and do the same to other side.

7. You can serve with everything separate and allow everyone to make their own. Or prep ahead of time. Baguette, cheese mixture, fruit. You can also top with more honey & more lime zest if desired.

Delicious and Easy Oven Baked Drumsticks Recipe

Oven Baked Drumsticks are a delicious and easy meal to make for a weeknight dinner. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or a tasty and satisfying dish, these oven-baked drumsticks are sure to hit the spot. They're juicy and flavorful, without being too heavy, and they can be cooked in a fraction of the time it takes to prepare a more complicated meal. Plus, you can customize them to your tastes with the addition of spices and sauces. Read on to learn how to make these tasty and simple oven-baked chicken drumsticks recipe!

This is such a simple and delicious recipe that I make very often. It’s great for Summer dinners accompanied with side dishes like; fresh fruit, cauliflower, veggies and broccoli rice or in the Winter with cornbread and baked beans. It’s a fan favorite and the perfect dish for a crowd as well as something you can whip up quickly when you aren’t sure what to make.

Ingredients

6 Drumsticks

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

olive oil spray

1/4 cup coconut amino

2 tablespoons. honey

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees

2. Spray olive oil on drumsticks and coat.

3. Put all additional ingredients in a bowl with drumsticks and mix to coat over all drumsticks.

4. Place bowl in the fridge and marinate for at least 1-2 but can go longer too! Halfway through marinating toss to coat drumsticks again.

5. Once ready bake for 45 min on 360 cookware jelly roll pan or any pan you have to lay chicken drumsticks on a single layer. (I will link below) I like to place foil or parchment paper under for easy cleanup. Halfway through cooking flip the drumsticks over.

6. Remove from oven, serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

7. For storage place in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

You can shop all the pans I used to make this dish at 360cookware and use code AMANDA20 for a total of 20% off your entire order!!

2 qt pot for rice tap -here-

Bake & Roast Pan for Chicken tap -here-

Other Chicken Dinner Recipes you will Love:

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Whole 30 Chicken Piccata

Creating the Perfect Father's Day Picnic with Table Decor Ideas

Father's Day is a special day to celebrate those special men in our lives who do so much for us. Whether you are planning an outdoor picnic or an indoor gathering, adding a special touch to the table decor can make the day even more special. A backyard Father's Day picnic with table decor can transform that space into a colorful and festive setting. From homemade centerpieces to creative tableware, there are many ways to show Dad how much he is appreciated. Read on to find out how to create a unique Father's Day picnic and table decor, and make your dad feel extra special this year.

I was so excited for this Father’s Day tablescape that I couldn’t wait and decided to prepare it extra early. Little did I know this would be my last tablescape in our California home before our big sudden move to Texas!! It was such a fun and memorable day I got to spend with my mom and step-dad decorating and shooting photos :) Now.. onto the table theme!

Father's Day is always a challenging table for me to decorate because I always have that soft, girly need in me to add pink to every table. I still did here, but made it more manly with the picnic theme. My color scheme for this table setting was very light and incorporated a garden vibe. I wanted it to be manly enough but still be something the moms would enjoy and appreciate as well, being one of our last celebrations together. I added lots of blues, whites and styled garden flower centerpieces from my sweet friend Julie at Emerald’s Grace. She’s always crushed every idea I have ever thrown her way! Loved the layered prints from the tablecloth and plates with the added galvanized chargers and touches. I picked the galvanized chargers because I saw the taco holders and it really pulled it together for the table. I already had the drink bucket from Pottery Barn from our wedding registry and love how it gives an outdoor rustic design and blended well with the Father's Day tablecloth and printed dishes. I also used my favorite silverware from Liberty Table Top and 360 Cookware to keep the silver that went well with the galvanized feel.

When it comes to decorating the table for a Father's Day picnic, one of the most timeless and elegant options is to use fresh flowers. I can always count on Emerald Grace to put together the most stunning centerpiece for every table I put together. Whether you are looking for roses, daisies, lilies, or any other type of flower, you can find them here. Whether you want to add a touch of color to your picnic table, or you just want to show your Dad how much he means to you with a special bouquet, you will find what you need at Emerald Grace. Plus, you can also find helpful advice from their team of terrific florists who can help you create the perfect look for your picnic table, holiday or hosting events. For more on flowers click here >> Emerald Grace

Once we finished setting up the perfect Father's Day picnic with our table decor ideas, it was time to take care of the food. We decided to go for some Mexican food to really make this picnic special with my step-dad's favorite food spread! We called up our favorite local restaurant, Tacos San Marcos, and ordered a huge buffet with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and all the fixings. Everyone was delighted with the delicious food and we all enjoyed it immensely! For those looking to recreate the same experience in the area of our hometown of Tulare, CA Tacos San Marcos is a great place to pick up a quick dinner or cater your next event. For more information on Tacos San Marcos, just click the link provided! For more on tacos click here >> Taco San Marcos

Other Special Themes for a Father's Day Table

Father's Day is a special time to show Dad just how much he means to you. One of the best ways to make Dad feel loved and appreciated is to set an amazing table to honor him on his special day. With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful table that will make Dad feel the love.

Here are a few other ideas you could use this Father's Day. Start by creating a nostalgic theme by displaying vintage family photos throughout the years. Adorn the table with a beautiful bouquet of Dad’s favorite flowers. Use fun and unique place settings to show Dad your appreciation. Create a centerpiece featuring Dad’s favorite hobbies or interests, and choose a bold color palette to give the table a festive feel.

Add a few personalized touches to make the table even more special. Incorporate a few of Dad’s favorite treats to make the table even more festive. Include a few vintage items to bring a retro vibe to the table. Use a few handmade decorations to show Dad you care. And don’t forget to incorporate a few meaningful mementos to honor Dad’s special day.

With a few simple decorations, you can create a festive and meaningful Father’s Day table that will make Dad feel extra special and appreciated. Show Dad how much he means to you with an amazing Father's Day picnic & table decor that celebrates all his favorite things.

Other Tablescapes For Inspiration:

Creating a Beautiful & Memorable Mother’s Day Table & Celebration with Evite

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

Creating the Perfect Summer Tablescape

My Spring Tablescape

Mom's 60th Birthday Party

Bringing the Joy of Easter to Your Table: Creative Ideas for Easter Spring Table Decor

Taste the Deliciousness of Pistachio Cake: A Treat for Any Occasion

Every June for quite a few years now I have been making this Pistachio Birthday Cake for My husband Scotty. My idea for this cake all started with his love for pistachio ice cream. It is his go-to ice cream when out at an ice cream shop. So, being that he seemingly never could think of a favorite cake for himself, I thought one year I’d go ahead and make a Pistachio Cake along with pistachio ice cream, and it's been our tradition ever since! Let me know in the comments below if I should share the ice cream recipe too! I hope you enjoy this just as much as the birthday boy himself!

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for special occasions like birthdays or holidays. It is made from scratch with just a few simple ingredients, making it easy to make without too many complicated steps. The result is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping that everyone will love! Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover pistachios. The base is a simple cake batter with pistachios mixed in. For the topping, you have a combination of butter, mascarpone, powdered sugar, and sprinkled nuts on top to create a crunchy texture.

The final product is a moist and flavorful cake with a crunchy nutty topping. It’s perfect for special occasions and makes a great gift for family and friends. Everyone will love the sweet and nutty flavor of this cake. So if you’re looking for a delicious dessert that is easy to make and sure to please, you must make this pistachio cake. With just a few simple ingredients and no complicated steps, you can make a sweet treat that everyone will love!

How to Enhance the Pistachio Flavor Into Cake

Pistachio cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios pairs perfectly with moist cake and creamy frosting. I incorporate some lightly-crushed pistachios into the cake batter as well as further enhance the flavor of the cake by adding a few teaspoons of almond extract. To get the most intense pistachio flavor, you can use real pistachio paste or extract in your cake batter. For a toasty twist on the flavor, toast the nuts before adding them to the cake batter as well.

Key Ingredients

This cake is made with all-purpose flour, eggs, butter, sugar, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, milk, pistachios, and cream cheese. The all-purpose flour provides the cake with a light, airy texture and structure. The eggs act as a binding agent and help keep the cake moist. Butter adds flavor and richness to the cake while the sugar helps to sweeten it and create a tender crumb. Baking powder helps the cake to rise and gives it a nice texture, while salt enhances the flavor of the cake. The addition of vanilla extract adds a nice flavor to the cake, while the milk helps to keep it moist. With these ingredients, you're sure to have a delicious Pistachio Cake that will be a hit with everyone!

Decorating Inspiration

Pistachio Cake is a delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Adding crushed nuts and fresh berries to the top of the cake is an easy way to add a colorful layer of flavor. For an extra special touch, consider drizzling a rich chocolate sauce over the top of the cake. This simple step adds a decadent finish that will have your guests coming back for seconds.

Pistachio Cake is a truly unique dessert that combines the nutty flavor of pistachios with the sweet and fluffy texture of a traditional cake. This delicious cake is made with crushed pistachios in the batter, giving it an extra crunchy and nutty texture. The crushed pistachios are also used as a topping, giving the cake a beautiful decorative element and an extra layer of flavor. Pistachio Cake has a delicate, creamy flavor that pairs well with a variety of other flavors, such as chocolate, strawberries, and caramel.

The unique flavor of pistachio makes it a great choice for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries. Whether you’re looking for a unique and delicious cake for a special occasion or just want to try something new, Pistachio Cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great choice for any event or party. So if you’re looking to impress your guests, Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert to make.

Does Pistachio Cake Need to Be Refrigerated?

Pistachio Cake is the perfect dessert for those days when you want to enjoy something sweet but don't want to worry about it spoiling. This delicate cake has a light and moist texture that can easily be kept at room temperature, so you don't have to worry about refrigerating it. However, the frosting does need to be refrigerated. If you want to use this recipe to make a pistachio bundt cake without frosting you can leave it out at room temperature. If you are making it as a cake with this delicious frosting then you will need to keep it in the fridge after serving due to the mascarpone in the frosting. It can stay at room temp for a few hours, just not overnight. The ease of keeping Pistachio Cake at room temperature makes it a great choice for picnics and outdoor events. You can easily transport the cake and enjoy it without worrying about it spoiling. So the next time you are looking for a delicious dessert to take to a gathering, Pistachio Cake should definitely be on the menu.

An Easy Pistachio Cake Recipe

Recipe feeds 20-24

Ingredients

2 cups shelled pistachios

2 3/4 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup salted butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3 large eggs white

Icing

1 cup salted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

5 cups powdered sugar

8 oz mascarpone

Chopped Pistachios for decorating top

Instructions

1. Prep by oiling 3 circle pans (8 or 9 inch - my favorite are the 360 cookware with handles I will link below) and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Finely grind 1-1/2 cups pistachios in a food processor. Chop the remaining 1/2 cup for decorating cake

3. Beat butter until creamy. Add in sugar, vanilla & almond extract, and eggs until combined

4. Next, whisk together finely ground pistachios, flour, baking powder and sea salt.

5. Alternate adding in dry ingredients & Milk/sour cream until all blended.

6. In another dry bowl you will beat 3 egg whites until stiff peaks show. Fold this into the batter mixture

7. Once combined pour into baking dish. I use 3 pans that are oiled and put into oven. 20-30 min or until a toothpick put into center comes out clean. For a taller cake like in my photos you can double this recipe making 6 layers (which will also feed more!)

8. Blend together all frosting ingredients until incorporated. (butter should be room temp if not heat in microwave for 30 sec at a time). If doubling the cake recipe for a taller cake be sure to double the recipe for frosting.

9. Once cake is done baking let cool in pan for 15 mins and transfer to wire rack for another 15.

10. Ice layers of cake and do a thin layer around for a “crumb layer” that will catch all the crumbs and make a base for the final layer. Place in fridge for 30 mins and then do another final layer. Smooth, textured, whatever you desire! Add the remaining pistachios to decorate!

11. Enjoy!

Pistachio cake is the perfect way to end a special occasion and show your guests your baking talents. Its unique flavor and texture make it an ideal choice for birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. Pistachio cake is also incredibly easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to suit any particular occasion. The nutty flavor of pistachios makes it a great way to end an evening with friends and family. Whether you’re looking for an elegant dessert to serve on a special day or just want to add a little extra something to your next gathering, pistachio cake is sure to be a hit. Its unique flavor and texture make it a great way to show your guests that you care. The nutty flavor of pistachios is sure to add a little bit of extra flair to your next gathering. Best of all, it’s easy to make and can be customized with different toppings to make it unique and special.

Other Recipes For Your Sweet Tooth:

My Favorite White Cake Recipe

Indulge in Deliciousness: Cherry Chip Cake with Chunks of Dark Chocolate Recipe

The Most Delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Tantalizingly Delicious Recipe For Lemon Cheesecake With An Amazing Glaze

Blackberry Cinnamon Rolls with Mascarpone Frosting

There is nothing I love more on a Sunday morning then hot cinnamon rolls with some fresh brewed coffee! I am always trying to create new recipes with varieties of flavors to make it unique! For this recipe I used my tried and true cinnamon roll recipe but added a small twist of blackberry ( which is delicious even by itself) filling and a marscapone frosting that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

A couple of tips when using this recipe:

1. You can make them overnight or same day. You will bake less same day because they won’t be cold. Check on them around 25 mins and every 5 mins after.

2. These may be softer then other cinnamon rolls you make when curing and rolling dough. Don’t be worried, this is normal!

3. Don’t worry if you eat more than one.. they are addicting 😉

Ingredients:

Dough

• 3 cups lukewarm water

• 2 tbsp instant yeast

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup butter

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp salt

• 8 cups flour (may need more)

Filling

• 1 cup melted butter

• 1 cup blackberries

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

Icing

• 8 oz marscapone

• 1/2 cup butter

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 4 tbsp milk

• 2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Mix luke warm water, yeast and 2 tbsp of sugar. Let sit for around 10 minutes to make sure yeast is good. You will notice the yeast growing in size.

2. Once you see yeast grow add in sugar, butter (softened for 15-20 sec in microwave) egg, salt.

3. Slowly add in flour, once you have added in all 6 cups make sure the dough is slightly sticky and looking like dough. Once you see this, mix for another few minutes. It will start to pull away from the bowl, and If you don’t see this add in more flour until you do.

4. Sift flour over a clean counter top. Make sure to flour the area outside of where dough is. You will be rolling it out here and you don’t want it to stick later.

5. Once you have tipped the bowl over and poured out the dough lightly flour the top and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

6. Let rise for 3 hours.

7. Once you are about ready to roll dough, melt butter in bowl. Add butter and rest of filling ingredients to blender and milk until it looks like a smoothie.

8. When dough is ready roll out to about 1/4 inch thick rectangular form.

9. Pour over the filling mix and evenly spread over the dough.

10. Next roll dough up for cinnamon rolls! My dough recipe is a little softer than some you may have tried in the past, so if you feel its so soft don’t worry, its going to be delicious!

11. Cut about 2 inch apart and place on pan. They will grow in size so pay attention to spacing.

12. Wrap top with saran wrap and put in fridge overnight. Next morning take out and let sit at room temp for 1 hour.

13. Bake at 350. Put cinnamon rolls in as the oven is heating to help pan and rolls adjust to the heat from the fridge (1 hour room temperature they will still be cool to touch)

14. Bake an additional 45 min. Check at 25 min if tops are a golden brown layer foil for rest of cooking!

15. Once cooked to your liking pour frosting on rolls and enjoy!

Frosting:

1. Mix mascarpone and butter until smooth. (if not at room temp warm for 30 seconds in microwave before)

2. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Refreshing Lemon Twist Cocktail

If you’re looking for a refreshing cocktail and the perfect drink to sip on all those hot Summer days.. look no further! This is my take on the lemon cocktails I was enjoying all over Broadway St. on our Nashville trip! It’s super easy to make for a group by starting with mixing the first 3 ingredients and then topping with your favorite sparkling wine or champagne! This will forever me by goto! Can’t wait to see what you all think! Cheer’s Friends!

2 oz lemon juice

2 oz limoncello

2 oz ginger beer

champagne

1. Grab your favorite glasses and fill with ice

2. Pour in fresh squeezed lemon juice, limoncello, ginger beer and stir with spoon.

3. Pour over champagne to fill glass.

4. Top with lemon slices and Enjoy!

My Spring Tablescape

Looking for some fun Spring themed inspiration for your table decor? I totally have you covered! This table is adorable for any event you may have coming up to host like Easter, Mothers Day, bridal showers, Bdays, or a simple Brunch. You name it.. this table will fit perfectly! To tell you all the truth, this may be my favorite table scape I have ever done! I love the gingham tablecloth, touches of green, and don’t even get me started on the gorgeous flowers!!

Julie from Emerald Grace is my go to flower girl in California and did these for me, and I couldn’t love them more! I send her my inspo and she always executes it perfectly! I wanted them to be a play on garden flowers coming out of the cutest flower pots I had ordered from White Flower Farm. For more of Julie’s work or to book her for your next event click -here-.

Let’s talk tablecloth.. My idea was to have a square gingham tablecloth in a diamond shape on my long white table. However, I couldn’t find it in pink square but good old Target had an amazing deal on a long one. To get the cloth perfect, I actually ordered a sewing machine and asked my Mom to come over to help me learn how use it, and we made it into the square I wanted! I will link table cloth in all sizes below because the deal is so good!

Plates are from Zara Home and are just darling and are at a price point that is amazing! Plates linked -here-.

Napkins are ones I made myself from a past Thanksgiving table and have probably been the most used napkin of all time. For more info on those head over to this blog post -here-.

Flatware I used for this table is dainty, will stand the test of time and is made right here in the USA. I will link those right -here- for you. If you do purchase anything off of 360 I have a 20% off discount for the entire site including flatware! Use code AMANDA20

Everything else I used is linked below. I hope this table brings you inspiration for your next event. Thank you for stopping by.

Xo, Amanda

Here are other table & home decor ideas you may like:

Decorating Your Home for a Football Party: Tips for Stylish Football Party Home

Creating the Perfect Valentines Rosé and Brunch Tablescape

Transforming our Dining Room for a New Year Celebration!

Father's Day Picnic

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad with Apples, Goat Cheese & Candied Pecans

The weather is warming up and with it those big, heavy, filling cold weather dishes may be slowly transitioning into !ighter and healthier colorful plates. This delicious salad is one of my favorites to enjoy anytime of year but especially in the Spring and Summer. I love to pair it with salmon or have it as a nice side dish for those Summer cookouts that are sure to come! This recipe will provide you with everything you need to make the dressing from scratch and to add in the candied pecans that are so addicting on any meal!

Ingredients:

10 -12 cups shaved Brussel sprouts

1/2 cup fresh strawberries

1/4 balsamic vinegar

1/4 raw honey

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large apple ( I like the pink lady)

4 oz crumbled goat cheese

2 cups pecans

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp brown sugar

Directions:

1. Make Candied Pecans so they can cool while you prepare rest of salad.

   1. line baking sheet, I use my Jelly Roll Pan from 360 cookware -here-, with parchment paper and set aside.

   2. In a pan, I use my 360 cookware 1 quart sauce pan -here-, melt together maple syrup and brown sugar until mixed and bubbling.

   3. Add in pecans and coat. Pour onto prepared baking sheet and separate nuts so they don’t stick together. Let cool.

2. Make delicious strawberry balsamic salad dressing!

   1. Add strawberries, balsamic vinegar, raw honey, cup olive oil, tsp salt, tsp pepper into blender and blend until smooth.

   2. Place in bowl or dressing dish and set aside for later.

3. Shave brussel sprouts. (You can always buy pre shaved however they are always a little thicker and I prefer the shavings small to taste more like a salad and less like brussel’s) To shave them I use my Mandoline slicer on 1/8th. If I am not wanting to slice it, I just buy extra bags of pre sliced and pull out all the thick chunks and use for a side of brussels later in the week.

4. Assemble the salad. I like to put in half of the apples, half the goat cheese and half of the candied pecans add dressing and toss. Once I plate the salad I add a little of each item on the top so you can see the full color and toppings!

5. Enjoy!

All the 360 cookware products I used in making this salad and the beautiful flatware are linked below. For a 20% discount use code AMANDA20. Works off the entire site!

Strawberry Orange Bourbon Smash

While visiting Nashville last month we told ourselves we had to take in the local tradition of bourbon tasting. Bourbon has never been our first drink of choice, but ever since going Scotty has definitely been experimenting with different brands and ways to prepare a drink, and it is definitely growing on him. Your girl still needs a little something mixed with it because I just can’t quite acquire the taste yet 😝! So, I went ahead and grabbed some fresh fruit and got to making something colorful and pretty I would drink while he has his on the rocks! Funny thing is.. he loves it my way too! This recipe is delicious. It’s not overly sweet but not too strong either! If you want to make it less strong or more strong just use the blood orange sparkling water as much as you need for your desired taste.

Strawberry Orange Bourbon Smash Recipe

Ingredients:

Handful of sliced strawberries

1 oz orange liqueur

2 oz bourbon of choice

blood orange sparkling sanpellegrino

sliced oranges for garnish

Instructions:

1. Muddle a handful of strawberries in cocktail glass

2. Pour in orange liqueur and bourbon of choice

3. Add ice and pour over blood orange sparkling drink until full!

4. Stir. Garnish with orange slices and extra strawberries.

5. Enjoy!

For more of my cocktail recipes head to search and you'll find Pina Colada pitchers, Vodka Cocktails and so much more! For videos go to my Pinterest or Instagram account where you get more behind the scenes of creating these cocktails. To be the first to see be sure to sign up by leaving you email address and signing up for our newsletter.

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

There is just something so convenient about making a meal in a slow cooker, especially on a busy schedule! There is so much less clean up and dinner is always ready by the time you get home from work! This super easy and delicious orange chicken recipe pairs so good with rice and is sure to be a family favorite! You can even add in cut up peppers and onions to make sure you get those veggies in! I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does!

Cook Time: 5 hours

Prep Time: 15 min

Feeds 4 people

Ingredients:

1 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken

1/3 cup cornstarch

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/2 cup orange marmalade

2 tbsp coconut aminos

1/2 tsp rice vinegar

1/2 tsp sesame oil

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce

Toppings:

sesame seeds

green onions

orange slices

Instructions:

1. Cut thawed chicken into 1inch cubes and toss with corn starch salt and pepper.

2. Spray slow cooker with olive oil spray and layer chicken into bottom.

3. In a bowl whisk together rest of ingredients (excluding toppings)

4. Pour whisk sauce over chicken and toss.

5. Turn on slow cooker to 2 and cook for 5 hrs.

I love using the 360 slow cooker! It’s so easy to use and everything comes out perfect! I love it’s stainless steel look and of course love that it’s made in the good ol’ USA! For more info Click -HERE-. To shop entire site with 20% off use code AMANDA20

Garlic & Herb Focaccia Bread

I am so excited for this one! I have been expanding the varieties of food I have been cooking and baking and I love sharing these new recipes with you guys. To start the new year, I have been on a total bread making kick, and lots of you have been wanting to try my recipes!! I have been trying my best to perfect different types and flavors of bread and I think this is the one that is finally ready to share! It’s SUPER easy and so tasty it’s addicting! Just takes a little time in the fridge over night but my goodness do you have a yummy bread once its done!! Amazing for sandwiches, side dishes with dinner, and honestly it’s just perfectly good on it own maybe even with a nice glass of wine. So let’s get to baking!

I am using my 360 Cookware Jelly Roll Pan linked -here- . The perfect size for this and so many other things! You can use my code AMANDA20 for 20% off the entire website!

Ingredients:

4 Cups Flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 cups warm water

Olive Oil spray to grease pan

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp flaky sea salt

2 tsp Italian seasoning

3 minced garlic cloves

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt, yeast and warm water in bowl. Combined well and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Put in fridge over night. (9 hours or Upto 24)

2. The next morning take out pan to bake in. I like this -Jelly Roll- the most from 360 the sides are the perfect amount and its a great size to bake this bread in. Oil pan and oil bread mixture.

3. Lay oiled bread mixture onto pan and let rise for 20 min covered with towel. If your home is cool I suggest warming the oven up for 1 minute while prepping bread and turning off. Then placing pan with bread in to feel warmth and rise.

4. After risen. Move bread into a longer shape to fill the pan and poke. Using fingers you will make small indentions along the bread. Let rise again for 20 min to 1 hour until bread has risen enough for you see it past the jelly roll line.

5. Next poke more holes and then sprinkle over oil mixture; Mixture of minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning and sea salt.

6. Bake at 425 for 25 to 30 min until the bottom is crisp and the top is a golden color. Let cool and enjoy!

Nashville Travel Guide

Looking for a quick trip to a stylish musical town full of energy and life? Look no further then Nashville! Its a fun-filled town with of so many great music venues featuring live music, great restaurants, hotels, bars, history and places to shop! You honestly cant go wrong with so much to choose from …but here were all my favorites!

Where To Stay: Kimpton Aertson Hotel

You already know I am a HUGE Kimpton fan! So as soon as they opened their new spot in Nashville I had it on my bucket list of places to visit and stay! After our stay I was once again reminded why I do LOVE Kimpton Hotels! The staff was amazing, rooms were amazingly hip and they of course had all the amenities you could ever need! (hotel spa, great restaurant and Bar, gym, wine hour, coffee and hot cocoa in the morning and valet)

What To Do:

Nashville is full of so many fun things to do and music to see everywhere!! These are the things we enjoyed the most and would do again one day and highly recommend if you’re planning a trip here soon! I am listing them in order of what we liked the most incase you don’t have time to do it all and have to prioritize.

THE GRAND OLE OPRY

I loved going to the famous historic Opry venue on night one so much that we decided to go again on the last night we were in Nashville for a benefit concert! If you are a short girl like me who normally hates going to concerts because everyone is taller then you then this is the type of concert venue you want. Everyone sits for pretty much the whole concert, enjoys the music and it seems so much more intimate then huge sports venues. I also love that so many talented musicians that may or may not be household names yet are nightly regulars there and they often have hit new songs you’ve on the radio!

THE LISTENING ROOM

Another great experience was the listening room. Its an extremely intimate venue with food and drinks and most everyone is so close that they are literally be right next to the stage. Here you are listening to lesser known but totally talented artists or songwriters who are sharing their music. Could be a number one hit, something they just wrote today or a song you’ll hear on the radio in a few years. They have different artists every night and its a fun setting that really gets you to experience the music. We had the pleasure of seeing 3 different singers sharing the stage and taking turns playing their songs and incorporating their musical and life journey along the way with the crowd.

VISITING THE SUBURB OF FRANKLIN

If you are up for a day trip I 100% recommend heading to the quaint town of Franklin about 20 minutes outside of Nashville. Its an adorable little historic town with the cutest shopping, great restaurants, coffee shops and so much charm! We met the nicest people working in the downtown stores and had the nicest conversations with them. We decided to eat breakfast at Biscuit Love here and after shopping around town we headed just to the edge of town and got to do one of our favorite vacation activities with some wine tasting at the beautiful winery Arrington Vineyards.

GOO GOO CLUSTERS

If you want the original American candy makers this is the spot. Goo Goo Clusters was the first candy making company to actually put more than 1 other ingredient into their chocolate candies. Everything was delicious and they have an area in the back of the factory where you can create your own goo goo candies and listen to some great goo goo history which makes it a family fun stop right next to Broadway!

RYMAN AUDITORIUM

You can see artists perform at this famous historic venue or just simply do a daily tour. We decided to just do the tour being the shows didn’t fit into our schedule. The tour was so cool and the building is so beautiful. It’s a great way to spend a couple hours also happens to be right next to Broadway.

THE PARTHENON

This was a mile from our hotel so we decided to do as a morning walk with coffee to explore more of the city. Once you arrive at the Parthenon they have a QR code on the ground you can scan to have a guided online free tour and learn more about the structures history. Beautiful to see and inside of a the gorgeous Centennial Park.

THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE

This was another morning walk for us to get some exercise and the best way to see the city downtown skyline views from across the bridge and across the river leading to their NFL team football stadium. If you are at all like my husband then seeing any pro stadium within reach of any trip we take is a must! There are multiple bridges to see along a flowing river that leads to some beautiful views

BROADWAY STREET

Probably the most popular thing to do in Nashville! It is a must do but at the bottom of my list just because one day of the partying was enough for me. I highly recommend bar hopping all the famous bars like Tootsie’s. I’m sure if you are here for a bachelorette party or with friends Broadway would be where everyone spends most of their time! Every bar had a different vibe and there was lots of live music at every one. I suggest just popping into them all and seeing if you like the crowd and ordering a drink if you do. If you don’t go to the next one, you are sure to find a spot you love! I don’t really recommend eating anywhere near Broadway but I’ll share all my favorite places to eat below!

Where To Eat:

The real reason I love going on vacation AND can totally make or break a trip for me.. just ask my husband how my mood can change with a great meal! The first day of Nashville I was pretty sad we hadn’t had anything that delicious, but come day 2 I was a much happier traveler! Here are my favorites from the trip listed in order of my favorites!

BARCELONA WINE BAR

Amazingly delicious Spanish tapas! Every single thing we got was delicious, fresh and was one of my favorite meals!! I would recommend a reservation here but you will mostly likely be okay getting in with a small wait. We went mid week and it was PACKED. We got a small bite and wine at the bar for our 30 min wait and it was perfect!

BAR TACO

We love bar taco! They have them all over the East Coast and I highly recommend going if you are ever near one! We have loved every variety of taco we’ve eaten, and their side dishes and guac and chips is amazing. Also the drinks (margs) are always so fresh! If we both had to pick one thing you must get it’s the Glazed Pork Belly tacos for sure! We both said we could eat them every single day and not get tired of them! I kind of want one right now..

BISCUIT LOVE

This was a top pick on all the blogs I read and I can see why! Biscuits galore and drinks were also amazing! Everyone said to get the Bonuts so we did and they were a delicious desert to add to our breakfast! They have several locations all over Nashville and one in Franklin. We went to the one in Franklin during our day exploring and loved the charming house they redid.

FIVE DAUGHTERS BAKERY

The most delicious donuts you will eat! They are also all over town so you honestly cant miss it! I highly recommend the maple bacon donut! DELISH!

HENLEY

Perfect location because it was at our hotel! However, almost every single Kimpton hotel we have been to has had the most delicious restaurants. I always love to order room service at least one day on vacation because that means I get to sleep in! HAHA! Loved the brunch we had. Delicious avocado toast!

THE PHARMACY

Great burgers and beer garden featuring some unique European beers. All the burgers are delicious and make sure you get the tots YOU WONT regret it! Loved that they had spiked milkshakes also, so fun and delicious!

THE WHITE LIMOZEEN

We only had drinks here so I can only speak to that but they were YUM! The atmosphere was also worth even just going for a cocktail! Super cute for a girls night! Recommend reservations they book out quick and start only 2 weeks ahead of the date.

HATTIE B’S

This is a MUST if you visit because HOT CHICKEN. Everything was super delicious and when I say everything.. we ordered pretty much the whole menu. We had this first night when we arrived and hadn’t eaten all day. So our eyes were totally bigger then our stomach but we loved getting to try it all!

Watermelon Twist Cocktail

This is such great drink to have really any time of the year, but being that its pink I had to share the recipe near Valentines day! It’s an easy drink to make with only 4 ingredients! You can also easily double or triple this recipe to make for parties with bigger groups. Trust me you will find yourself needing to do this because it is quite the crowd pleaser!

Ingredients:

2 oz Watermelon Pucker

2 oz Sweet & Sour Mix

2 oz Vanilla Vodka (regular will work too)

Lemon Sparkling Water

Directions:

1. Grab a cocktail shaker! Add ice and the first 3 ingredients! SHAKE IT UP!

2. Grab your cocktail glass. I like to add a little sugar rim to add some fun to this but total preference on this one! Add Ice and strain over mixture from cocktail shaker.

3. Finish off with bubbles! I like to add lemon sparkling water for a lighter refreshing drink. You can also do 7up or Champagne!

4. Enjoy!!

To make this into multiple drinks you would just double, triple or quadruple the first 3 ingredients in the shaker and then follow instructions as above!

Creating a Magical and Romantic Valentines Table Setting

February is one of my favorite months of the year! I’m a sucker for all the love in the air! So I had to kick off the month with an adorable table scape that has all the romantic feels! Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to surprise your loved one with a romantic evening filled with love and affection. One of the best ways to do so is to create a beautiful and intimate Valentine’s Day table setting. With the right tableware, décor, and table layout, you can create the perfect romantic setting for a magical night. In this blog post, you will learn how to set the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day table setting that will impress your loved one!

Creating a romantic Valentines table setting is a great way to make your dinner special. Begin by choosing a light and airy color palette such as pale pinks, golds, and whites to create a romantic and whimsical atmosphere. To start, create a romantic setting with candles and cascading florals. Go for an all-pink theme with pink linens, and pink accents for a classic look. Incorporate velvet and gold accents for a romantic textured vibe. To add more beautiful texture to the table, try using floral place settings. Using lots of baby's breath and beautiful pinks of all shades for a cascading floral display make for a one-of-a-kind centerpiece. To finish off the look, set up a fun bar cart with drinks. Decoy wines are a great option to allow guests to pick their favorite. To add a touch of romance, use pastel-colored candles and place them in long stem gold vases. This look is beautiful and sure to set the mood for a romantic dinner. With these ideas, your Valentine's Day table setting is sure to be the most romantic occasion yet!

Last year I did a fun and flirty theme with lots of rosey pink! This year I went more of a mauve pink, with romantic baby's breath everywhere!! The velvet tablecloth gave a lovely soft texture with cascading flowers down the side and candles burning for an even more intimate final touch!

Blossom Lane dishes from Lenox gave yet another delicate touch with the most beautiful white on white floral pattern. These dishes were absolutely perfect for a fancy Valentines dinner but also not too over powering for everyday use as well! I finished the place settings with Tuscany Rosé glasses to enjoy our Decoy Rosé all night long!

I truly hope this helps in your planning for a romantic Valentines tablescape!

I linked everything I used and all the brands who made this gorgeous valentines come to life:

Floral: Emerald Grace

Wine: Decoy by Duckhorn Portfolio

Dinnerware Set & Glasses: Lenox

Linens: La Tavola

Bakeware: 360 Cookware

Dress: Red Dress Boutique

Other beautiful Valentines Tablescapes I have done:

A Rosy Pink Galentines Party

Creating the Perfect Valentines Rosé and Brunch Tablescape

Italian Sausage, Potato & Kale Soup

There is just something about cold, foggy, or rainy days that makes you want to curl up with a warm bowl of soup! I’ve been trying to add more greens creatively into recipes and meals I cook this year. So here is one of my favorite soups to make all year round, but especially right now as we finish off the cold of Winter.

Serves: 10 (2 cup Serving)

Ingredients:

2 lbs. of Italian Sausage

1 Onion

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp italian seasoning

5 cloves of minced garlic

2 tbsp flour

4 cups vegetable broth

3 cups whole milk

3 large potatoes

6 cups chopped kale (if not fresh I get the pre chopped)

1-1/2 cups heavy cream

Parmesan Cheese to garnish

Directions:

1. Grab your biggest pot! I use the 8 quart stockpot with cover from 360cookware so I have plenty of room. The 6 quart will work great too (discount code below!). Heat on Low-Medium.

2. Add in Italian sausage and onion. Cooking and stirring until meat is cooked and onion is softened. Making sure to break up sausage into little bits.

3. Once cooked add in seasonings (red pepper flakes, sea salt Italian seasoning). Stir. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant. About 1 minute.

4. Next you will add the 2 tbsp. of flour and stir until well coated.

5. Add in Vegetable broth nice and slow to incorporate into the meat mixture. Then the whole milk. Stirring until well combined.

6. Take cut Potatoes (you can have these as small or as big as you like, but I do about an inch size) and add into pot. Stir to make sure they are all covered. Let come to a simmer and turn heat to low. Cover and let cook until fork can go through potatoes. 20-30 min.

7. Once potatoes are done add in heavy cream and then kale. Making sure to stir all together and incorporate fully so kale can soften.

8. Let cook for around 15 min until kale is soft.

9. Serve in bowl with parmesan cheese for garnish! Enjoy!!

Macros: FAT=28.6 CARB=20.2 PROTEIN=21.8

For Discount on Pot used and the ENTIRE site of 360cookware use “AMANDA20” for 20% off!

www.360cookware.com

9th Annual Christmas Cookie Party

This years 9th annual Christmas cookie party was my most over the top fabulous one yet, along with the biggest turn out I’ve ever had!! I had so much fun turning my home into a gingerbread wonderland!! Thanks to all my favorite local vendors I was able to put together exactly what my vision board looked like!! I linked everything I possibly could below! Everything I couldn’t link was a rental. I highly suggest renting table cloths for any party. It makes for such an easy clean up and allows you to mix colors for every party for more variety! I had such fun using a light green to match the plates here and you already know PINK was included as much as possible!! Listing all vendors below. Be sure to click on their names to see more of their work, support them and hire them for your next party!!

List of Vendors:

Florals : Emerald Grace

Rentals : Details Party Rentals

Cake : Sweet Flour Designs

Charcuterie : Fig & Olive Co.

Caramel Brownies : Guiltless Goods

I hope you enjoyed following along with me and being a part of the party as much as I did putting it together! I linked everything I purchased and similar items to those I rented! Happy Holidays and happy Party Planning!

xo, Amanda

Brown Sugar Toffee Cookies

This cookie recipe has 3 of my favorite yummy ingredients: Brown Sugar, Brown Butter & Toffee!! That’s a lot of delicious goodness all cooked on my 360 cookware!! I love using 360 because for one its all made in the USA! I always love supporting companies and products made in the USA and work hard to find them. Second.. they are the best pans I have used particularly for making cookies hands down! They all are non toxic and so easy to clean. I cant say enough good things about them..They also have bowls that are just as amazing. To share my love I have a code for 20% off! Use code AMANDA20 to get 20% off your next purchase. Start shopping -here-

Brown Sugar Toffee Cookie Recipe

Toffee Recipe :

1 cup cubed salted butter

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1. On low heat mix cubed butter and sugar. Using a spatula continue to stir to prevent from burning

2. Once color starts to change add in vanilla

3. Once color starts to look like peanut butter pour onto parchment paper

4. Let cook for 10-20 min.

5. Crack! You are ready to enjoy AND add into cookies!

Cookie Recipe:

1 cup brown butter

2 cups brown sugar (I do one of these dark brown but totally optional)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour

1 tsp salt

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup milk

toffee

sea salt for topping

1. Brown butter in a sauce pan. I do this first because it needs to cool. Once butter starts browning in color and smells nutty you can put in a bowl to cool

2. Preheat oven to 375

3. Once butter is cooled enough (I usually give it at least 20-30 min, while I am making toffee) blend butter and brown sugar.

4. Add in eggs and vanilla and mix well.

5. Stir dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Alternating between dry and milk adding into wet ingredients.

6. Lastly add in toffee. You can use as much of the recipe from toffee as you want! Save some to add on the side of cookies, eat, or enjoy it all in the cookies.

7. I take a cookie scoop and do 2 scoops one on top of each other then sprinkle the top with sea salt. This gives a nice fluffy cookie.

8. Bake for 11-13 min.

9. ENJOY!

Hearty Ground Beef Chili

The temps are cooling down outside and I am going crazy with the one pot warm dishes that make my belly happy and so ready for the Fall season! I received my first box from “Good Chop” and knew I had to share a yummy recipe using their delicious meats. Luckily, my box came with ground beef and chili was on my mind. There is nothing better than a warm, tasty, hearty ground beef chili on these cool nights! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as me and my family did:)

Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter

1 onion

2 chopped peppers

2 lbs ground beef

6 oz tomato paste

2- 15.5 oz kidney beans

15.5 oz black beans

14.5 oz diced tomatoes

2 Tbs taco seasoning (my recipe is here)

2 cups beef or chicken broth

Directions:

1. Grab your biggest pot and heat butter.

2. Chop onion and peppers and add to melted butter. Stir until vegetables soften.

3. Add in ground beef to softened vegetables and cook/stir until cooked.

4. Once beef is all cooked add in all the rest of ingredients. Stir then add lid to pot.

5. Let cook on low for 30 min. Stir every 5-10 min.

6. Enjoy! Add all the toppings you love and maybe pair with some delicious corn bread on the side!

For discount on your box of Good Chop use code WARREN100 to receive $100 off your first 3 orders

Our Neutral (with pops of pink) Bedroom

When updating our bedroom after moving everything over to the beach house I wanted to mix of all the styles I like.. a little boho with a sprinkle of vintage! To tell the truth I really don’t know what my style for home décor is.. I love parts of all styles so I’m always trying to make it work together. I think I was able to complete this in our bedroom but also make it functional and cozy!

I also really wanted to add in pink to the all neutral room but still keep it masculine enough for Scotty. By getting the wood edging bed that has so much detail I felt it added texture and kept the rest of the bedding neutral, except the 2 blush muted pillows to add the pink I wanted. Then I added 2 vases to carry the color though. Along with our photos on the wall where I am wearing a pink dress in some. This gave the touch of color I wanted without Scotty caring. This also gives me room to change it out in the future if I want and not spending a bunch of money.

Linking everything below and similar items incase they sold out! Hope you love it as much as I do!

Xo, Amanda

A weekend in Tampa Bay

Ended our week long road trip around Florida in Tampa Bay! It made for a great weekend of exciting sports, delicious food, and a wonderfully comfortable stay. We mostly visited Tampa to see their baseball team the Ray’s play the Red Sox on our quest to see all 30 baseball stadiums. This stadium trip made for our 21st! It was also a playoff game which made for a great rowdy crowd. Along with watching the game We also really enjoyed driving around the different areas of the city and seeing all the beautiful homes (especially in Hyde Park and on Davis Island). Hyde Park also has an adorable outdoor shopping area ful! of great upscale shopping and restaurants.

We stayed at The Karol Hotel which was the perfect logistical location between the baseball stadium and the bridge into downtown Tampa. Such a clean and beautiful hotel with all the perfect perks you cold ever need. They had chic rooms with coffee machines for those relaxing mornings and a nice gym that makes Scotty very happy! Located on the water for beautiful views! I absolutely loved that they had a rooftop bar with excellent views across the bay into downtown Tampa to enjoy as well as the most delicious restaurant. I cant tell you enough how delicious it was!! We ordered the cheese tray, grouper piccata, braised short rib and two lovely glasses of wine. Everything was delicious.

We got great advice on a historic restaurant to eat at in town called Columbia Restaurant that was the most highly recommended place on all the blogs and research I did. They have several locations in town with, the original being in the historic Ybor district (another fun place to see and hangout!). We ordered everything off the menu that was highlighted in “red” as being their highly recommended items and it was all so good!

Tampa is filled with many cute shopping and eating spots to hangout and tons of delicious restaurants! We really loved our relaxing end of the trip and seeing Tampa play Boston in the first post season series for the year. Do you have any favorite spots in Tampa? Be sure to leave them below for everyone to see. I know there is so much more we didn’t have time to see and cover in 2 quick days!

Xo, Amanda