Mystic Blue Winner

I hope you're all enjoying all of the contests and giveaways I'm bringing to ~EMM this year.Thanks for all those who entered. Now onto the winner....

The winner of the Mystic Blue Spice Company Prize Package is:

M.j

Congratulations!

I've emailed you. You have 48 hours to respond to claim your prize!

Copycat Luck

What does March mean to you? Warmer temps? The start of all things green? St. Patrick's Day? I think all of these are accurate thoughts, and for me there's another to add to the list. The annual start of Shamrock Shakes at McDonald's. Okay, so technically they usually start serving these mid February, but I usually don't notice until March :-) The minty freshness (we've talked about this before, I'm crazy for anything mint!). The yummy ice cream. It's like a Irish vacation in a glass. So....it probably doesn't have a darn thing to do with Ireland, but it sounded good! I have heard many others proclaim their love for these shakes too, so I know I'm not the only one who looks forward to them every year, and now we can all enjoy them in the comfort of our own home! A few ingredients, let the blender do the work and you've got a cool, smooth, minty treat your little leprechauns will love too!

Copy Cat Shamrock Shakes

2 cups vanilla ice cream

1 1/4 c. 2% milk

1/4 tsp mint extract

8 drops green food coloring

Put all in a blender and combine until smooth. You might have to use a spoon to make sure all the ice cream gets blended. Serve w/ whipped cream if desired.

Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Mar. 7, 2012
Shared on Newlyweds Blog Mar. 7, 2012
Shared on Something Swanky Mar. 8, 2012
Shared on It's A Keeper Mar. 8, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Mar. 8, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Mar. 9, 2012
Shared on Gooseberry Patch Mar. 14, 2012

Ice Cream at Very Good Recipes
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5,000 Facebook Fan GIVEAWAY

Wow. I can't believe I am even typing that number! When I started the Facebook Fan Page for ~EMM last May, I could have never imagined someday I would have as many fans as those other pages I looked up to so much in the beginning! I used to look at their fan #s and think "I'll never have that many, but it's okay." And here I am a short 10 months later surpassing all of those dreams! I have said it many times, but I don't think it can ever be said enough. I am FOREVER grateful and SO appreciative for each and every one of you who stop by my piece of the world each and every day. All of your comments, kind words, suggestions, support and love mean the world to me and you've enriched my life in ways I could never describe. So, as a thank you, here is the giveaway I promised when I reached this momentous number. So many of you tell me how you would love to Menu Plan like I do, and I'm hoping this helps a little, inspires you, and maybe even gets you started. I love you foodie family, and thank God each day for bringing you into my life.

~GIVEAWAY~

One Lucky Winner Will Receive

(1) Magnetic Menu Planner

(1) Printed Menu Plan

(30) EMM Recipes 

*The recipe cards will be filled out w/ 30 dishes
*The plan includes some store bought suggestions
*A few recipes included: Meatloaf, Chocolate Chip Pie, Honey Soy Chicken, Baked Ziti....and SO many more!

Rules:

Open to US Residents 18 and older ONLY

All comments must have at least one email address

Mandatory and Extra Entries must be SEPARATE comments. All entries must be on blog ONLY. NO Facebook comments allowed.

Winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on EMM and Facebook

He/she will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen

Contest Ends: March 31, 2012 12:00 EST

Mandatory Entry:

1. Must be a Facebook Fan of EMM. Leave me a comment here when you have done so, or already are.

Extra Entries:

1. Become a follower of EMM through GFC, Networked Blogs or Linky Followers. All found on homepage. Leave a comment here when you have done so.

2. Follow me on Twitter. Leave a comment here when you have.

3. Follow me on Pinterest. Leave a comment here.

4. Leave a comment on this post....something nice, a friendly hello, whatever is on your mind!

That is up to 5 entries per person! Good Luck!

Birthday Salad

I think every woman deserves a night off from cooking on her birthday. I'm sorry men, that's just the way it is. But I am too much of a realist not to admit that there are just times we're all going to have to! This year with my birthday being on a Monday, I accepted the fact we would be having a "normal" day w/ school, work, chores and I would be making dinner. However, I decided upon that realization that it would be very simple!! Frozen pizza was just the thing! But we are the type of family that can't survive by "pizza alone". We need some sort of side dish, salad, etc. I had come across this recipe a while ago, was waiting for the right time to use it, and thought it wasn't too complicated for my night "off". This is truly one of the best salads I've ever made and my new favorite version! From now on, any time frozen pizza is on the menu, this will be too! Everyone deserves a day off, especially on your special day, even if it's only "sort of" off!!

Easy Caesar Salad Adapted from Taste of Home

2 hearts of Romaine, chopped

Garlic Croutons

Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Mix all together and drizzle w/ dressing and top with extra cheese if desired.

Dressing:

1/4 c. mayo

1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese

2 TBS milk

1 TBS Dijon mustard

1 TBS lemon juice

1 garlic clove, grated or minced

Salt and pepper to taste

Whisk all together until well combined.

~Join me for Tasty Tuesday on Formula Mom~

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on Chef in Training Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on Celebrating Family Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Mar. 7, 2012
Shared on Newlyweds Blog Mar. 7, 2012
Shared on It's A Keeper Mar. 8, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Mar. 8, 2012
Shared on Amee's Savory Dish Mar. 9, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Mar. 9, 2012

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Going Home...

I don't care how old I get, I will always want a special birthday dinner, made by my mom, during a celebration in my childhood home. There is just something about gathering around my parents' table; the table that holds so many memories of family dinners, sharing our days and fun times. (Okay, to be technical, it's not the same table. They got a new one, and the one of days gone bye actually resides in my kitchen, but you know what I'm saying.) Mom always lets me pick what I want for my birthday dinner, and 9 times out of 10 I will choose her Beef and Noodles, served over mashed potatoes (Well, over for me,mom and Alex. On the side for my dad and Adam.) and on the side- her fabulous coleslaw. It's probably my favorite meal she makes. I look forward to it. I crave it. And I never try to recreate it at home. Ever. To compensate, I make it's distant cousin, chicken and noodles, but I leave the beef to mom. One b/c it makes it more special to have it at her house, and two, I've tried, and it's never the same! So, I'm sharing her recipe today, and I hope if you are as blessed as I am to still have your mother w/ you to make you a special dinner, you appreciate her as much as I do mine!

Mom's Beef n Noodles

3 lb. beef roast, or equivalent stew beef

2 (32 oz.) boxes beef broth

1 lb. egg noodles

Salt and Pepper to taste

2-4 TBS flour, depending on thickness desired

Trim beef and cut into bite sized chunks. Place in a large pot and cover w/ broth. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cook 2-3 hours until cooked through and tender. Increase temperature back to boiling and add noodles. Cook until noodles are tender. Mix flour w/ enough water to dissolve. Add into boiling mixture while stirring. This will thicken as it cooks, so add a little at a time as to not thicken too fast. Stir constantly to avoid noodles sticking. Serve w/ mashed potatoes, if desired.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals Mar. 5, 2012
Shared on Jam Hands Mar. 5, 2012
Shared on My Favorite Finds Mar. 5, 2012
Shared on Home Savvy Mar. 5, 2012
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on Chef in Training Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on Celebrating Family Mar. 6, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Mar. 9, 2012

Beef at Very Good Recipes