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Saturday

28 Easy & Fun Popcorn Recipes

We are huge movie fans here in our home. Thanks to online services like Netflix and Amazon we can watch TV shows and Movies anytime of the day! I do like to make appetizers and even popcorn during family movie night. Here are 28 popcorn recipes from some of my favorite bloggers. While you are here, join our Pinterest Party! If you want to co-host with us just leave a message below.
28 Popcorn Recipes for you to check out. You can find some of these and more appetizer ideas in my Need A Snack Board on Pinterest.  Click over and follow.

The weekly Pinterest party is a great time to make new Pinterest friends and pin new content onto our boards. Thank you! In the weekly Pinterest Party you can link up anything that you want to get pinned on Pinterest! Join in the fun and link blog post, your top pins or top repins, your Pinterest ID, etc. Anything goes!


This week we have a $100 Gift Card from Bogs Footwear over at Little Island Studios

HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY Party (all optional)

1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! 
2) Link up your most clicked on post, most followed Pinterest board, favorite pinterest pin, etc...anything goes.
3) Add your Pinterest name to the linky.
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5) Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Cafe and cohost with my blogging friend Little Island Studios



Friday

Movie Time Chocolate Popcorn Snack Mix Recipe

Popcorn is such a versatile snack. It can be popped in the microwave, stove top and even a campfire. Besides all the ways it can be cooked, so many toppings can be added to it like chocolate, caramel, ranch mix and more. This doesn't even count all the foods you can mix with it like pretzels, M&Ms and gummy bears! Oh my! Popcorn is the perfect snack food, ever! It makes for an easy appetizer because it can be served so many ways. How do you like your popcorn?


Try this Movie Time Chocolate Popcorn Snack Mix. We love this because it isn't super messy on the fingers. Below I have included my featured post on the Bowdabra blog this week. I made these adorable popcorn boxes from a printable over on Design Eat Repeat. You'll have to click over and get the tutorial and free printable! 

Movie Time Chocolate Popcorn Snack Mix Recipe


Ingredients
  • 1 bag popped popcorn
  • 1/2 cup each of 5-6 other snacks like pretzels, Cheese its, Gold Fish, Cereal, M&Ms, broken cookies or graham crackers, nuts, chocolate or peanut butter chips,etc
  • 1/2 cup of Nesquick Chocolate powder or hot cocoa mix
Directions
  • Toss all of the above ingredients together in a large bowl and serve!





Who Loves Shrimp? Want an Endless Shrimp Meal? #sponsored

I LOVE shrimp. Honestly to be fair I love all seafood. Whenever I eat out I go right to the seafood selections no matter the restaurant. I want to see what is on the menu and if it looks tasty I will try it. Shrimp seems to be the one seafood that is offered the most on the menus. I knew that the Endless Shrimp promotion was going on at Red Lobster and lucky me I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Red Lobster. I received a gift card to facilitate my review promotional item as a thank-you for participating..... to go eat shrimp. How could I pass up eating shrimp? I didn't! 

This past week I took hubby out on a date to Red Lobster. Yep I was paying and told him to order whatever he wanted. I was there for the Endless Shrimp meal! I really didn't believe that I could order all the shrimp that I could eat but it was totally true. All I could picture was a sign saying,"sorry endless shrimp promotion is over," as I walked in the door! The promotion is still going strong and this is their 12th year to have this summer promotion. 

So what is the Endless Shrimp meal? The meal is $15.99 and comes with a huge salad, famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits, 4 ENDLESS shrimp options and a side. The shrimp choices were Spicy Soy Wasabi Grilled Shrimp, Hand Breaded Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Shrimp Linguini Alfredo. I love wasabi and enjoyed the new Spicy Soy Wasabi Grilled Shrimp. Wasabi can be over powering but it really wasn't in this selection. The wasabi added just a little kick to the grilled shrimp. I'm also a sucker for Alfredo sauce and my #2 favorite was the Shrimp Linguini Alfredo. 

We did kick off our meal with the Lobster Artichoke Seafood Dip which was tasty. It comes with a side of pico so if you don't get it, just ask because they give you an insane amount of taco chips and you'll want it. They have tasty signature drinks but I had to save room for my endless shrimp. Next time I'm getting one of these drinks instead of an appetizer! lol Such tough decisions! We were too stuffed for dessert or I would have for sure had the Warm Chocolate Chip Lovers Cookie.


Hubby and I enjoyed our date night and it was a kick off of our 20th anniversary celebration! I think we should celebrate by eating out once a week for 52 weeks? YES? I'm sure the budget won't allow it but I'm game to be cooked for once a week ESPECIALLY if it is a meal of endless shrimp. He had the huge crab legs meal which made me a tad jealous because I love crab legs. He gave me the first bite. YES he loves me :)

When was the first time you went to Red Lobster? Mine was in 1989 on a date with a guy in college. When was the last time you ate at Red Lobster? What is your favorite menu item? I'd have to say mine is the Wasabi Grilled Shrimp AND of course the Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

Follow along with Red Lobster on Twitter and Facebook to keep updated on their tasty promotions! 


Sweet and Salty Popcorn Munch

This is the perfect snack mix appetizer when you have a huge crowd to feed for an event where candy and cookies are involved. The popcorn is cheap and a good filler snack. It adds salty into the snack mix.

Super easy and cheap!

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Munch

Ingredients

3 bags of popped microwave popcorn
1 box of any type of graham crackers like Teddy Grahams
1 bag M & Ms
1 bag Gummy Bears
1 bag of pretzel sticks

Directions

Mix all together and serve!
Add any snacks to this to make it your own.



Thursday

White Chocolate Pecan Popcorn Crunch

Popcorn is my go to snack. Most of the time I eat it air popped or movie theatre butter covered! Popcorn is a great addition to any appetizer snack mix. This one involves white chocolate and nuts! How do you like your popcorn?

Super easy snack mix!

White Chocolate Pecan Popcorn Crunch

Ingredients

Almond Bark melted
1 cup of pretzels
2 bags of popcorn
1 cup of Honey Nut Cheerios
1 cup of M & Ms
1 cup pecans
1 teaspoon of cinnamon, allspice or pumpkin spice (optional)

Directions

1- Melt the almond bark in the microwave according to the pack directions. You'll only need 1/4 of a package for 1 batch.
2- Spread out everything but the popcorn on a cookie sheet.
3- Pour on the almond bark and mix around. You won't need the full 1/4 melted bark because you want to pour it on lightly and let dry. Everything should just be lightly covered.
4-Once dry, break apart and mix with the popcorn.
5- Serve.


Peanut Butter Cake Dessert Recipe

If you need a quick, easy homemade dessert this is it! My teen made this Peanut Butter Pan Cake from the Meals in Minutes Gooseberry Patch Cookbook. Most of the ingredients you will have on hand if not all of them. Some people think that a box mix is quick, which it is, but if you are wanting something just as quick that is homemade this is the cake. I really only takes a few minutes to add the ingredients together and bake. Give this dessert recipe a try!


Peanut Butter Pan Cake

Ingredients

3 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1/4 c. baking cocoa
2 t. vanilla extract
3/4 c. oil
2 T. vinegar
2 c. water


Directions

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and baking cocoa in a large bowl; mix well. Add vanilla, oil and vinegar; stir in water, mixing well. Spread into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for 35 min. Spread Peanut Butter Frosting on cake when cool. Makes 15.

Peanut Butter Frosting


Ingredients2 c. powdered sugar
1 c. shortening
1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2-3/4 c. milk
1 c. creamy peanut butter (WE USED CRUNCHY)


DirectionsCombine sugar, shortening and vanilla until smooth and creamy, adding enough milk to reach desired spreading consistency. Stir in peanut butter; mix well. 

This recipe is from Meals in Minutes Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. We have permission to share the recipe. The photo is ours!  Click the link to find out more about this 10 year old Anniversary copy of this tasty cookbook. It really has meals in it that can be prepared in minutes, just like this cake! 
Gooseberry Patch

Wednesday

Cheesy Super Bowl Dip for Game Day

I openly admit that our family favorite part of a football game is the game day food! Yes even for hubby. If there is good food and friends we will be there no matter who is playing! We love tasty appetizers and even dinner time recipes for game day eating events. Try this super bowl dip as it is one of our favorites!

One of our favorite parts of this recipe is the bacon! We are suckers for bacon recipes! Have fun with this one and substitute ingredients to use what you have on hand! 



Cheesy Super Bowl Dip

Dip ingredients

8 oz Colby jack cheese, shredded
16 oz crisp, fresh bacon bits
1 c. Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. chopped onion
cloves garlic, minced
1 round loaf bread (20-26 oz) (I use Hawaiian Round Bread loaf)

Topping Ingredients

1 bag Seneca Onions or french fried onions
1/2 pkg Ranch Dressing mix
1 T. dry chives
1 T. Oil (I use EVOL)

Directions

Fry bacon into crisp bits. Shred/grate cheese. Chop onion and mince garlic. Hollow out bread, reserving torn pieces. (Cut into the bread making the top crust cut to look like a football.)

Mix together bacon, cheeses, mayo, onion and garlic. Spoon into bread. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake 350 degrees for 45 min without the top! After about 20 minutes I lightly cover the bread bowl with foil. This will let the dip continue to get warm and melty and prevent the bowl from getting too dark.  

While baking, prepare topping. Cut open the Seneca Onions bag and pour in 1/2 pkg Ranch Dressing mix, chives and oil. Close bag and shake! When dip is finished, pull out of oven and top with 1/2 bag of onions (reserve the rest as a side to snack on or add on top of the dip half way through)

Kitchen Notes
For fun I lightly put the football cut out on top of the dip and used Seneca Onions as the pig skin laces! You can also wrap the bowl in some foil to give it some insulation to keep warm if not serving the dip right away.

Serve with the torn bread, apples and pretzels.

Serves 4-6 hungry football fans.

YUMMY PHOTOS!





Tuesday

Meals in Minutes Thai Peanut Noodles Recipe

Everyone has time to make meals in minutes instead of hours, right? One of my favorite Gooseberry Patch Cookbook's is Meals in Minutes. It is such a popular cookbook that they published a 10th anniversary edition. The cookbook is for new chefs, newlyweds, seasoned cooks, Gooseberry Patch cookbook collectors, busy mom's, dad's looking for a date night meal and more! Each page in this 222 page cookbook is chocked full of recipes and hand-dandy tips to make meal time prep look easy. Here is one of our favorite dinner time recipes. 


Thai Peanut Noodles

Instructions


1 lb shrimp (we also added 1 lb chicken breast cut into small pieces)
1 c. light Italian salad dressing, divided
8 oz pkg. angel hair pasta
2 T. crunchy peanut butter
1 T. soy sauce
1 T. honey
1 t. ground ginger (we used 2 t. fresh, chopped ginger)
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1 c. green onions, chopped
1 T. sesame oil 
2 T. fresh cilantro, chopped
optional: 2/3 c. chopped peanuts

Directions


Coat shrimp and chicken with 1/2 cup salad dressing; refrigerate for 30 min. Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to pkg. directions; drain. In a bowl, whisk peanut butter with remaining salad dressing, soy sauce, honey, ginger and red pepper flakes until smooth; set aside. In a skillet over med. heat, sauté carrot, onions, chicken & shrimp in sesame oil until  chicken is cooked, about 5 min. Toss pasta, peanut butter mixture and meat together in a large serving bowl; sprinkle with cilantro and peanuts. Serves 4. 


Kitchen Notes: We doubled the ingredients for the peanut sauce-it needed it!

Find out more about this tasty cookbook over at Meals in Minutes Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Review. 

Monday

Mom's Cheesy Hash Browns Recipe

Do you have a go to potato side dish that everyone loves? We have quite a few and one of them is this dinner time recipe for Mom's Cheesy Hash browns. This recipe is from Mom's VERY BEST Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch. Some of our most favorite recipes have been shared to use from other families. How about you? I love tried and true recipes. 


Mom's Cheesy Hash browns 

Ingredients

1/4 c. butter
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 c. sour cream
30-oz pkg country-style frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed

Directions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Mix in cheese and continue stirring until melted.  Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.  Gently fold mixture into hash browns.  Spoon into a greased 2-quart casserole dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 60-75 minutes, until heated through and top is golden.  Serves 6-8. 

Mom's VERY BEST Recipes, is the very best tasty recipes that you can count on Mom making for you.  They are tried and true from Mom's recipe box. Did I tell you that I love this book? Click over and get the full review at Mom's Very Best Recipes
recipes


5 Family Favorite Crockpot Recipes and Menu Plan Monday Recipe Link Party

Welcome back to Menu Plan Monday! I don't know about you but last week flew by extremely fast. I'm predicting the same this week, too! Our home schedule is slowing getting back into the fall routine. It helps so much having a dinner time menu plan to keep me organized and so in the long run saves me a lot of time trying to figure out what to cook each day!. Do you use one? 


This week I'm featuring 5 family favorite crockpot recipes which are perfect for fall. I hope you enjoy the 5 family favorite apple recipes last week. Stay tuned for more fall favorite fall recipes including pumpkin recipes that I plan to share, soon!  to get us into the fall spirit! I won't be cooking all this week but sharing with you! 

Monday-Crockpot Pot Roast Sliders with Creamy Chipotle Sauce and fresh corn and tomatoes- freeze the leftover meat into 1-2 sandwich servings sizes for easy lunches


Tuesday- Fix it and Forget it Steak Stroganoff with noodles and fresh salad- family favorite! I need to find my updated photo for this recipe. 

Wednesday- Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Chicken and Mock Mashed Potato Bar - the leftover chicken gets used for nacho or pizza. If I didn't plan those into the menu plan then I freeze the chicken to use when we add it into our menu.

Thursday-Crockpot Refried Beans for bean burritos- perfect no meat meal. The beans are used for Easy Chicken Tostada SaladTexas Straw Hat, bean nachos, bean dip, bean quesadillas and more! We freeze the beans in 2 cup portions, too. 

Friday-Leftovers

The Weekend-Crockpot Spinach Stuffed Shells and fresh garden veggies - this is a wonderful no meal meal but you could add meat too! This is a perfect meal to make on the weekend. People can eat it and reheat it whenever they want to eat. 

Featured Recipe from last week's menu plan- Kitchen Fun With My Three Sons Crab on the Beach Snack- extra adorable! Her picture is up above.

Featured Menu from last week's menu plan- Afropolitan Menu Plan - love steak tacos and hope to try those soon for hubby


TWO COOKBOOK GIVEAWAYS- Everyday Simple Suppers and Flour, Too

I've linked up at OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday link up. I will pin some of the below post on Pinterest as I have time this week!! Remember each week I try and share a recipe & menu plan each week which was linked up. If you do pin my post, please leave a comment and I will be sure to get yours pinned. Thanks! Have a super week.