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Monday

Cinco de Mayo Recipe: Individual Tres Leches Cakes

Individual Tres Leches Cakes

Tres Leches or “three milks” is a classic Mexican dessert traditionally made with yellow cake drenched with sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream; topped with whipped cream and a cherry. We make ours in individual dessert cups (no sharing required!) and switch out the milks for our creamy goat’s milk yogurt and tangy kefir mixed with a splash of evaporated milk and vanilla. The result is a light and refreshing fruity dessert that’s a feast for the eyes and taste buds.

Makes 6

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups sifted cake flour 

2 tsp. baking powder 

1/2 tsp. salt 

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 large eggs
1 cup Green Valley Organics Sour Cream
Juice and zest from one orange

“Three Milks” Mixture
1 cup Redwood Hill Farm Mango Orange Pineapple Kefir
1 6-oz. container Redwood Hill Farm Vanilla Yogurt
1 cup evaporated milk or soy, rice or almond milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

6 individual dessert cups or glasses

2 cups whipped cream
3 cups assorted berries and sliced fruit (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and mango


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. 
Spray the bottom (not the sides) of a 9X13 baking pan.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 
In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer (hand or stand) until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes), add sugar and vanilla and mix well. 
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the dry ingredients alternately with the sour cream to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition, beginning and ending with the flour. 
Scrape the sides of the bowl, add orange juice and zest and beat for 2 minutes.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 35 to 45 minutes. Test for doneness with a skewer or a toothpick; the tester should come out dry and clean.

While the cake cools, mix together the kefir, yogurt, milk and vanilla extract. When cake is cool, cut out 12 circles of cake using the glass as a guide.

To assemble, place one cake disc at the bottom of each glass. Poke holes in each piece using a fork and pour 3 Tbs. of the “three milks” mixture over the cake. 
Spread 3 to 4 Tbs. of whipped cream over the cake, sprinkle with fruit and top with a second cake disc. 
Poke holes in the second cake disc and carefully pour about 2 Tbs. of the “three milks” mixture over the cake. 
Top with whipped cream and garnish with fruit. Cakes can be refrigerated up to 8 hours before serving.

Chef’s Quick Tip: Instead of baking a cake from scratch, grab a yellow cake mix (regular or gluten free) and mix in 2/3 cup water, 1 stick softened butter or 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs, 1 cup sour cream and the juice and zest of one orange. Bake according to directions for a 9X13 cake pan.

Make it Lactose Free: Substitute Earth Balance Buttery Spread for the butter, Green Valley Blueberry Pom Açaí Kefir for the Redwood Hill Farm Kefir, Green Valley Organics Honey or Vanilla Yogurt for the Redwood Hill Farm Yogurt, and Soy Whipped Cream for the regular whipped cream.

PER SERVING: 456 CAL; 9G PROT; 18G TOTAL FAT (7G SAT. FAT); 47G CARB; 112MG CHOL; 284MG SOD; 2G FIBER; 12G SUGARS

This recipe is easy on the digestion, the traditional dairy has been replaced with products from Green Valley Organics Lactose Free, which is the only brand of organic, single source Certified Humane yogurt, kefir and sour cream to be available nationwide, and Redwood Hill Farm goat milk yogurt and kefir. (Goat milk, which is naturally 25% lower in lactose than cow milk, is better tolerated by those for whom digesting dairy is a problem.) Redwood Hill Farm’s products are also available nationwide.

We have reviewed their products and love them. This recipe was provided by the company.

Cinco de Mayo Menu Plan and Blog Hop

Welcome to a new Monday Menu Plan! This week features some of our favorite recipes. We could easily eat this type of food once a week. We are going to party all week long. How about you? Add your menu plan in the linky or any tasty recipe! No limit. I can't wait to see what you share.

I had a real low turn out of link ups last week because I had the linky set for 7pm instead of 7am! By the time I caught it, the day was almost over. Even though few linked up, I still got A LOT of clicks on the linky. So thanks to all of you who stopped in to read and click, too!

Each week I feature the top 2 clicked links. I added them to Monday and Sunday! Give them some linky love!
Monday-Miz Helen's Country Cottage almost always links up and she is sharing her Black Bean Salsa Chicken which fits right into my Cinco de Mayo Menu! Thank you, Miz  Helen!
Tuesday-Chilled Avocado Soup with Roasted Corn and Pico de Gallo Garnish and DON'S MEXICAN SALAD
Wednesday-Chicken Tostada Salad with Salsa VerdeCorn Dip and Pico de gallo 
Thursday-Eat a Fiesta Burger or go pick something from my Mexican Fiesta Pinterest Board! Here are some of my favorites-Pink grapefruit margaritas, Crispy “Fried” Ice Cream, Mexican Corn Cake and Coctel de Camarones. 
Friday-Chicken Tinga Tacos and Chipotle Lime Slaw

Sunday-The other featured recipe is from Patti-Comfy Cuisine who also stops over frequently and shares on Monday! Her recipe is Poor Man's Risotto (Rice and Chicken)..doesn't it look great?


I link up to OrgJunkie for another tasty menu ideas!

Sunday

Cinco de Mayo Recipe: Chicken Tinga Tacos


CHICKEN TINGA TACOS WITH AVOCADO CHILE CREMA
& CHIPOTLE LIME SLAW

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our new favorite taco! Fun to say and even more fun to eat, chicken tinga tacos are extra tender and moist due to a dip in our Green Valley Organics Kefir and a slow roast in the oven (or crock pot). Short on time? Simply marinate the chicken for one hour, skip the oven and fire up the grill.
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

Chicken Tinga Filling

2 cups Green Valley Organics Plain Kefir
6 canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped (divided, sauce reserved)
2 tsp. salt
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 12-oz. Mexican beer (Dos Equis, Corona, Sol)

Avocado Chile Crema

2 ripe avocadoes, peeled and pitted
1/3 cup Green Valley Organics Sour Cream
Juice of one lime
1 tsp. adobo sauce from canned chipotles
Salt to taste

Crunchy corn taco shells or soft corn or flour tortillas

1 recipe Chipotle Lime Slaw*
1/3 cup shredded Monterey Jack or crumbled cotija cheese (omit for a lactose free dinner)
1 cup prepared pico de gallo
Chopped cilantro and lime wedges
Your favorite hot sauce

Directions:

  1. Mix together kefir with 3 chopped canned chipotle peppers and salt in a bowl. Add chicken. Make sure the chicken is covered with the kefir mixture. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from kefir mixture and add to skillet, searing on both sides until browned, turning once, about 5 minutes, per side.
  3. Stir together tomatoes and remaining chipotles and garlic in a 9X13 baking dish. Layer onions over tomatoes and place chicken on top of the onions. Pour the beer over everything, cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  4. While the chicken bakes, make the avocado chile crema. Place avocados, sour cream, lime juice, adobo in a blender and pulse until smooth. Add salt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
  5. When chicken is done, remove from pan and shred using two forks. Add back to the tomato, onion, chipotle sauce and stir until well coated.
  6. To make tacos, layer chipotle slaw, chicken tinga, cheese and pico de gallo. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges and hot sauce.

PER SERVING (2 tacos): 487 CAL; 29G PROT; 24G TOTAL FAT (8G SAT. FAT); 22G CARB; 87MG CHOL; 234MG SOD; 8G FIBER; 3G SUGARS

*Chipotle Lime Slaw

Make 6 cups

1 6-oz. cup Green Valley Organics Plain Yogurt
1/4 cup Green Valley Organics Kefir
2 to 3 Tbs. honey or agave nectar (to taste)
2 to 3 tsp. adobo sauce from canned chipotles (to taste)
Juice and zest from 1 lime (2 Tbs. juice)
1 14–oz. bag classic cole slaw mix (shredded red and green cabbage and carrots)
1 small bunch green onions, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
Salt to taste

Whisk together yogurt, kefir, honey, adobo, lime juice and zest and salt to taste in a large bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste. Fold in cole slaw mix, green onions and cilantro. Chill until ready to serve.

Chef’s Tip: Add crunch and color to this zippy slaw with 1/3 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds).
This recipe is easy on the digestion, the traditional dairy has been replaced with products from Green Valley Organics Lactose Free, which is the only brand of organic, single source Certified Humane yogurt, kefir and sour cream to be available nationwide, and Redwood Hill Farm goat milk yogurt and kefir. (Goat milk, which is naturally 25% lower in lactose than cow milk, is better tolerated by those for whom digesting dairy is a problem.) Redwood Hill Farm’s products are also available nationwide.

We have reviewed their products and love them. This recipe was provided by the company.

Simply Potatoes Crustless Spinach Quiche

I love cooking breakfast. It is one of my most favorite meal to cook and eat. We can eat breakfast type foods at anytime of the day. Yes, most of the time it gets cooked in the morning but we do love it for dinner, too! Do you have any favorite Breakfast Recipes? Share with me! 


The one thing that I do not like doing is spending a lot of time getting a breakfast meal together. So one product that I like having on hand is Simply Potatoes. Click their link to find out about all their products. Two of their very easy-to-use products that I love using are the Diced Potatoes with Onions and Garlic and Herb Shredded Potatoes. These two products go with most of my go-to breakfast meals. 
Here are three of my go-to breakfast meals.

1) Easy Scrambled eggs with cheese and Simply Potatoes Herb Shredded Potatoes. To cook the potatoes, just toss them into a pan with a swirl of extra virgin olive oil. Cook until done!

2) Crustless Spinach Quiche-
10 oz pkg frozen, chopped spinach-thaw and drain well
2 cups Simply Potatoes Herb Shredded Potatoes
3 eggs, beaten
16 oz container small curd cottage cheese
1/4 c. melted butter
8 oz Swiss cheese

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased pie pan. Bake uncovered for 325 degree, 1  hour or until set. Serves 6-8. 

3) Crazy Breakfast-Click to get the recipe. This is so easy to make. I use Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onions.

Do you like to cook breakfast? Do you have any go-to recipes? Do you like keeping products like Simply Potatoes on hand? I'd love to know. 

THE KITCHEN AID MANIA GIVEAWAY





Do you have a Kitchen Aid? Do you love it? I have a shiny red one and I always feel so professional when I plop it out on my counter top and whip up a batch of bread or cookies. My all time favorite use of my Kitchen Aid is to beat egg whites. It is the only way that I will do it! If you do not own one or want to get one for someone you love, then enter here today!!

We are giving away a white KitchenAid KSM150PSWH Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer to one lucky reader! This is a perfect Mother's Day gift to every one who loves baking or simply just being in the kitchen! This was made possible by Bay Area Mommy, American Family and some of the most awesome bloggers (LIKE ME!!)

Here are the stats on the KitchenAid KSM150PSWH Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer - Retail Value: $349.99 - Color: White - 325-watt mixer with 10 speeds; 5-quart stainless steel bowl - Tilt-back head for easy access to mixture - 1 piece pouring shield with large chute for adding ingredients - Includes flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip - Measures 14 by 8-2/3 inches by 14 inches; 1-year warranty 

Giveaway will run from April 29 at 12AM EST to May 9 at 11:59PM EST. Open to the US only. Must be at least 18 years old to be eligible. Enter below in the easy Rafflecopter form.

Saturday

Cinco de Mayo Recipe for Kefir Chilled Avocado Soup

You can party with the best of them even if you are on a healthier lifestyle or if you have food allergies.  This chilled avocado soup is made with kefier. If you do not have it available then use half and half. Let's get ready for Cinco de Mayo together!

cinco de mayo mexican recipes


Cool, creamy and velvety on the tongue, our chilled avocado soup refreshes with a satisfying tanginess from our Redwood Hill Farm Kefir...even on the hottest summer days. It’s perfect for a quick entrée soup for the family, or portioned into shot glasses and topped with grilled shrimp for a party-worthy appetizer.

Chilled Avocado Soup

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients


1 Tbs. vegetable oil

2 ears of corn, roasted on a grill and removed from cob or 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen and thawed

Pico de Gallo


1 large tomato, halved with seeds removed
1 small white onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 tsp. seeded and chopped jalapeno pepper (to taste)

Juice from 2 limes 
Salt to taste

Soup


3 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
2/3 cup frozen peas
1 cup Redwood Hill Farms Plain Kefir
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 Tbs. chopped white onion
2 tsp. seeded and chopped jalapeno (to taste) 
Juice of one lime
1/3 to 1/2 cup warm water or gluten-free chicken broth 
Salt to taste


Directions


To roast the corn on the stovetop, heat oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add fresh or frozen and thawed corn kernels and cook 5 to 7 minutes, until the corn is golden and toasted. Set aside.

To make the pico de gallo, chop tomato into very small pieces and mix with onion, cilantro and jalapeno pepper. Stir in lime juice and roasted corn; add salt to taste and set aside.

To make the soup, place avocados, peas, kefir, cilantro, onion, jalapeno and lime juice in a blender. Puree until smooth. Add warm water or chicken broth to thin out the soup. Add salt to taste.

Divide soup between four or six bowls and top with Roasted Corn and Pico de Gallo Garnish. Serve with your favorite hot sauce.

PER SERVING: 285 CAL; 8G PROT; 18G TOTAL FAT (2G SAT. FAT); 23G CARB; 1MG CHOL; 134MG SOD; 12G FIBER; 11G SUGARS

Guest recipe: This recipe is easy on the digestion, the traditional dairy has been replaced with products from Green Valley Organics Lactose Free, which is the only brand of organic, single source Certified Humane yogurt, kefir and sour cream to be available nationwide, and Redwood Hill Farm goat milk yogurt and kefir. (Goat milk, which is naturally 25% lower in lactose than cow milk, is better tolerated by those for whom digesting dairy is a problem.) Redwood Hill Farm’s products are also available nationwide.

We have reviewed their products and love them. This recipe was provided by the company.

Enter to win $500 worth of Office Supplies


Good news readers! Susie QT pies is hosting a sponsored Office Supplies Giveaway Contest. We’re teaming up with 123Print.com – a leading provider of high-quality customized printing. They will provide one winner from my site with $500 worth of office items from 123Print.com. What a super deal! So if you are looking for business cards, party invitations, save the date, address labels and more then enter below.


Here is how you enter the Office Supplies Giveaway: In the comments below, tell me how you would use any of the products and supplies on 123Print.comA winner will be choose from the comments. The company wants to know how you will use their products. 


Of course when you win, you can spend the money however you want to on their site. I will email the winner. U.S. residents only are eligible for the Giveaway, due to legal restrictions.


Giveaway ends 6/13/2012 at 11:59pm


Bonus entries- Follow me with Google Friend Connect, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Google +.  All the ways to follow me are on my right sidebar.

Saturday Pinterest Blog Hop Link Party

Click the board to follow! It has over 4400 followers!

Welcome back to a new Saturday Pinterest Party! The week sure does fly by! If you are new, welcome! This is an easy party to join! 

1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Why? To let others know about the party. It advertises the party so more people see it which in turn more people will see what you pin and give you traffic.

2) Add your Pinterest name to the linky. If you aren't on Pinterest and want an invite, leave a comment and email addy.

3) Link up anything you want to be pinned! No limit. We just ask that you make sure your post has a decent picture.

4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

5) If you want to host the party on your blog, scroll down and take the code. Make your own Pinterest Saturday page. That way you will get more attention to your blog.

This week I"m doing something different for my favorite pins. I've listed 3 of my Pinterest Boards. Be a sweetie and click on them. They will take you to those Pinterest Boards and if you aren't following them, please do! That simple!
Click the Board, Feelin' Snacky to follow! It has over 4000 followers!
Click the Board, Cheers Is it 5 o'clock yet to follow!
Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Scraps of Life and cohost  Crystal and Company and  3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

HOT Restaurant Coupons & Deals!


Do you find yourself cooking more or less on the weekend? If you ever eat out, do you do it more during the week or the weekend?

If you planning on going out to eat over the weekend? If so here are up-to-date restaurant coupons & deals. Here are this weeks restaurant coupons from my friend at The Coupon Challenge.


The Avengers prize pack Giveaway #win
























Are you ready for The Avengers? 
Ready or not the movie will be out Friday, May 4th.

My blog is celebrating this event and you can benefit!
Just enter below to win one of 300 prize packs!
You can win one here and to increase your chances
go search out the other blogs who are offering the same prize pack.
 I suggest checking twitter! 

Here is a funny trailer incase you haven't seen any yet!

Check out these prizes!!!






















Prize Pack Includes:
- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS
 t-shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL
- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS
 set of 6 buttons
- MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS
 one pair of limited edition 3D glasses
Enter in the below Rafflecopter form. It is super easy & quick. 

Giveaway and information courtesy of Marvel Productions.
I was not compensated for this post.


CreditSesame - Free Credit Score


When was the last time you checked your credit report? We had one done last month. We were happy to see that our credit score was still intact and no unwanted debit on the report.

Wednesday

Enter to #win a $30 Walmart gift card! Open worldwide

Are you looking for a quick and easy giveaway to enter? Then do this one! I've joined in with several bloggers to offer the winner a Walmart gift card. The below Rafflecopter form makes it quick & easy to enter!

Enter to win a $30 Walmart gift card! Open worldwide. Good luck!

Monday

Monday Menu Plan with new recipes

Welcome to a new week of Menu planning! I find that it isn't easy to Menu Plan too far ahead with my 3 teens. Between their work, school and other activities I don't know how much to cook. I just keep trying to be flexible. How do you deal with constant changes?

Here is my menu plan. I've added in 2 recipes from the top 2 clicked links from last week. One is from Couponing and Clipping and the other is Divas Cuisine. They both linked up menus so I stopped over at their menus and picked 2 recipes that I am certain my family would like!
Don't forget to check the new coupon post for the newest coupons this week. Sometimes I plan my menu according to the coupons that I print off. Do you do this?

What a crazy week. I just realized that I planned 2 pasta dishes and 2 types of pizza. Oh well the teens will love it!

Link up your menu and tasty recipes, visit those that linked up and next week the top 2 most clicked will get featured! Have a super week!
Monday- Pesto Stuffed Shells by Couponing and Clipping
Tuesday-BLT Pizza

Wednesday-Left overs (Check my Recipe Database for something you can eat)
Thursday- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad by Divas Cuisine
Friday- Make Your Own Pizza with the very easy Honey Pizza Crust

Weekend-Speedy Sausage Muffins

Sweets- Peanut Butter Brownie Muffins

Have a super weekend! Remember link up menus & recipes. I will pick to to try next week and feature you on my menu plan!

I link up to OrgJunkie and check 3 Boys and a Dog for another tasty menu!

New Coupons! Print & Save $ Money!



Baby & Toddler Coupons:
Household Product Coupons: