Reindeer Cakepops

For the holiday season, these cute Reindeer Cakepops are a tasty and festive treat. These cakepops are ideal for celebrations or as a charming present that will please both adults and children.

Ingredients:

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix
• 1/2 cup of chocolate frosting
• 1 package of chocolate melting wafers
• 24 lollipop sticks
• 48 candy eyes
• 24 red M&M candies for noses
• 48 pretzel twists for antlers

Instructions:

Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions and let it cool completely

In a large bowl, crumble the cooled cake and mix in the chocolate frosting until well combined

Form cake mixture into small balls and place on a lined baking sheet

Insert a lollipop stick into each cake ball and freeze for 30 minutes

Melt the chocolate melting wafers according to the package instructions

Dip each cakepop into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat it completely

Allow excess chocolate to drip off

Place the coated cakepops back on the lined baking sheet and immediately attach candy eyes, a red M&M for the nose, and pretzel twists for antlers

Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving

Tomato & White Bean Soup with Smoked Sundried Tomatoes

White beans add richness, sundried tomatoes add sweetness, and crushed tomatoes add strength to this hearty and tasty soup. The smoked sun-dried tomatoes give this comforting dish a nice smokey flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 can 14 oz white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup smoked sundried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

Put olive oil in a big pot and heat it over medium-low heat

Put in the chopped garlic and onions, and cook until the onions are soft

Crushed tomatoes, white beans, and smoked sun-dried tomatoes should all be mixed in

Add vegetable broth and season with salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and oregano

Turn down the heat and let the soup cook for twenty to twenty-five minutes

Check the seasoning and make changes if needed

Put it on the table hot, with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves on top

Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

Enjoy the tasty and tender goodness of Crock Pot BBQ Ribs. These ribs are slow-cooked to perfection and smothered in a tasty homemade BBQ sauce. Any barbecue fan will want to lick their lips.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork ribs
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

Take the membrane off of the back of the ribs

To make the BBQ sauce, put brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a bowl and mix them together

Spread the BBQ sauce all over the ribs, making sure they are well covered

Put the ribs in a crock pot and stand them up against the sides

The meaty side should face outward

Add any extra BBQ sauce to the ribs in the crock pot

Leave the lid on and set the heat to low

Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is soft and can be easily pulled off the bones

Optional: Move the ribs to a hot grill and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, basting them with more BBQ sauce, for a charred finish

Serve the tasty BBQ ribs from the crock pot and enjoy!

Vegan Papaya Salad

A vegan papaya salad that is cool and sour, with crunchy peanuts, fresh cilantro, and a lime dressing that is very sour.

Ingredients:

• 1 small green papaya, shredded
• 1 carrot, shredded
• 1/4 cup peanuts, crushed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 small red chili, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine shredded papaya and carrot

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, chili, and salt

Pour the dressing over the papaya and carrot mixture

Toss well to combine

Sprinkle crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro on top

Serve immediately or refrigerate for later

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This hearty slow cooker beef stew is the perfect comfort food for chilly days. Tender beef, potatoes, carrots, and aromatic herbs simmer together in a savory broth, creating a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour optional, for thickening

Instructions:

In a slow cooker, combine beef, potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic

Stir in beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper

Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours, until beef and vegetables are tender

Optional: If you prefer a thicker stew, mix 2 tablespoons of flour with some water to create a slurry

Stir the slurry into the stew during the last 30 minutes of cooking, and allow it to thicken

Farmers Market Vegetable Salad with Corn and Zucchini

This Farmers Market Vegetable Salad with Corn and Zucchini is a delightful and refreshing summer salad that celebrates the bounty of fresh produce available at your local farmers market. The combination of sweet corn, tender zucchini, and ripe cherry tomatoes is perfectly complemented by a simple yet flavorful dressing.

Ingredients:

• 2 ears of fresh corn, kernels removed
• 2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crumbled feta cheese optional, for garnish

Instructions:

In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh corn kernels, sliced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onion

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to create the dressing

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat them evenly

Sprinkle the chopped fresh basil and parsley over the salad and gently toss again to combine all the ingredients

If desired, garnish the salad with crumbled feta cheese for added flavor

Serve the Farmers Market Vegetable Salad chilled and enjoy!

Copycat Boiling Crab Recipe

This Copycat Boiling Crab Recipe brings the flavors of the famous seafood boil restaurant to your own kitchen. With a blend of aromatic spices, fresh seafood, and buttery goodness, this recipe is perfect for a seafood feast at home.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs king crab legs
• 2 lbs large shrimp, shell-on
• 2 lbs clams
• 1 lb mussels
• 1 lb corn on the cob, halved
• 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 1 head garlic, halved horizontally
• 4 lemons, halved
• 1 cup butter
• 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions:

Bring water to a boil in a big pot

Cut the lemons in half and add them, along with the garlic and all the spices

Let it cook on low heat for 10 minutes to let the flavors soak in

Put corn and potatoes in the pot

Let it cook for 10 minutes

Put shrimp, clams, mussels, and crab legs in the pot

Add five to seven more minutes of cooking time, or until the seafood is fully cooked

After draining the seafood and vegetables, put them on a big platter to serve

Put butter in a small saucepan and melt it over low heat

Add Old Bay seasoning and stir until everything is well mixed

Put the vegetables and seafood on a big platter

Pour the melted butter mixture over the top or put it out for people to dip their food in

Have fun!