Ranch Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole is a staple at every family gathering. Whether it's for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or Christmas dinner, it's just a must-have dish!   With just a touch of ranch seasoning, you can bump this up a notch and have Ranch Squash Casserole.  This elevates the flavor of this classic dish.   Making this is a breeze and your guests will come back for more.



 Ranch Squash Casserole

Items needed:

10 cups Squash (sliced & halved) (around 8 to 10 medium sized Squash)
2 ½ cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 large Eggs (beaten)
1 Tablespoon  Ranch Dressing & Seasoning Mix
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray, set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add squash and cook for around 18 minutes or until squash is tender. Drain in a colander, then add to a large mixing bowl. Absorb some of the water from the squash with a paper towel. Using a potato masher, mash the squash. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Pour into the baking dish and bake uncovered on the 3rd (middle) rack for around 30 minutes.

Make Your Refreshing Cocktails with Reed's Ginger Ale

Thanks to Reed's Real Ginger Ale for providing samples to us.  This is my favorite brand.   Now, check out the drink recipes below.

Reed’s REAL Ginger Ale is made with 2,000 mg of real ginger and nothing artificial. Available for purchase on Amazon in two crisp, clean, varieties – Original & Zero-Sugar – Reed’s Real Ginger Ale is perfect for enjoying on its own or to incorporate into a refreshing cocktail!

Reed’s Berry Ginger Sangria

Ingredients:

• Sliced Lemons, oranges, strawberries and blueberries to taste
• 1 Bottle white wine of choice
• 2-4 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Shots white rum
• 2 Cups Reed’s Real Ginger Ale

Instructions:

• Start with the freshly sliced lemons and oranges in a large pitcher
• Pour the bottle of wine into the pitcher
• Add in two to four tablespoons sugar, depending on how sweet you like your sangria
• Add two shots of white rum
• Muddle the fruit, rum, and wine with a big spoon
• Add two cups of Reed’s Real Ginger Ale
• Pour into a glass with ice, add in strawberries and blueberries and enjoy!

Reed’s Watermelon Ginger Frozen Margarita
Ingredients:

• 4 cups of cubed watermelon, frozen
• 3 ounces lime juice
• 3 ounces tequila
• 1 Can of Reed’s Real Zero Sugar Ginger Ale
• Lime slices, for garnish
• Ice (optional)

Instructions:

• In a blender, add watermelon, lime juice, tequila and half a can of ginger ale
• Blend until watermelon is incorporated
• Add remaining ginger beer and blend until smooth
• Pour and serve!
• Optional: garnish with a watermelon wedge

 

Reed’s Strawberry Ginger Spritzer
Ingredients:

• 24 oz. Soda Water
• 1 Can Reed’s Real Ginger Ale
• 2 cups of Dry White Wine
• 1/4 cup of roughly chopped fresh basil leaves
• 5 whole strawberries halved

Instructions:

• In a pitcher, combine the soda water, ginger ale and (if used) white wine and stir
• Add in the strawberries and fresh basil
• Chill for 30 minutes to infuse the strawberry and basil flavor

Recipe Notes:
If wanting to drink right away, you can muddle a few of the strawberries and basil at the bottom of the pitcher before adding the liquid to infuse the flavor quicker

Blackberry Lemonade made with Truvia

This post is sponsored by Savings.com

Living in the South, we have a variety of fresh fruits available year round.  I love lemons ! There is nothing like being able to make your own fresh lemonade.  But, now I have a twist to add to that!  Blackberries!  This blackberry lemonade is soo refreshing and oh so easy to make.

Blackberry Lemonade is great to have any time.  Whether it be just a glass to refresh your day or to serve at meals, parties, or brunch.

One product I am using now is Truvia. Truvia is naturally sweet from the stevia leaf and is Keto-friendly. Unlike other stevia products on the market Truvia is great tasting every time. No sugar. No calories, no doubts. Resolve to treat yourself to America's favorite natural , calorie-free stevia sweetener.



Here is what you will need:

1 c. lemon juice
1 quart of fresh blackberries
1/2 c. Truvia
2 c. of cold water


Put the 1/2 of the quart of blackberries in your blender and blend well.  Strain the blackberries as not to have any seeds. Combine lemon juice, Truvia and water in pitcher, stir to mix.  I like the drizzle the juice from the blackberries to make an ombre effect in the juice.  It makes for a dramatic drink!  Chill for 2 hours and serve.

You can find many recipes using Truvia HERE.   Print the coupon below for $1.50 savings on Truvia.  Make sure to open your Valpak envelope to find a $1.50 coupon for more savings on Truvia.  These coupons can be redeemed at Walmart.

What have you made using Truvia?

8 Dixie Peach Vodka Recipes

If you are going to give the gift of Vodka, I highly recommend Dixie Peach Vodka.   Made from peaches sourced from Georgia, you know you have a true blend.

Dixie Peach Vodka Recipes

Peach Mule

2 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

Ginger beer

1 lime wedge

1 fresh peach slice

Fill a copper mule mug with ice. Add Dixie Peach Vodka and ginger beer. Squeeze lime into mug, and garnish with a fresh peach slice.

Dixie Peach Bellini

1 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

Sparkling wine or Champagne

1 fresh peach slice

In a Champagne glass our coupe, add Dixie Peach Vodka and top with sparkling wine or Champagne. Garnish with a fresh peach slice.

Frozen Peach Bellini

2 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

1 lemon wedge (squeezed and discarded)

0.5 oz. (or 1 bar spoon) agave nectar

1 c. ice

Sparkling wine or Champagne

1 fresh peach slice

1 sprig of mint

Add Dixie Peach Vodka, juice from lemon wedge, agave nectar, and ice into a blender, and blend until smooth. Serve in an old fashioned glass, top with sparkling wine or Champagne, and garnish with a fresh peach slice and sprig of mint.

Dixie Peach Tea

2 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

6 oz. sweet tea

1 fresh peach slice

1 lemon wheel

Fill a mason jar with ice, and add Dixie Peach Vodka and sweet tea. Garnish with peach slice and lemon wheel.

Practice What You Peach

2 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

2 oz. lemonade (pro tip: use Chick-fil-A lemonade — there’s nothing better!)

2 oz. sweet tea

1 fresh peach slice

1 sprig of mint

Fill a mason jar with ice, and add Dixie Peach Vodka, lemonade, and sweet tea. Garnish with peach slice and sprig of mint.

Peach on the Beach

2 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

2 oz. orange juice

2 oz. pineapple juice

1 lemon wedge

0.25 oz. PAMA (or grenadine)

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add all ingredients except PAMA or grenadine. Shake vigorously. In a Champagne glass or coupe, pour PAMA or grenadine, and strain cocktail on top (pineapple juice will make foam on top of the cocktail, with grenadine on bottom, the cocktail will be layered).

Southern Sangria

1 c. Dixie Peach Vodka

1 bottle dry white wine

Various fresh fruit/herbs (peaches slices, lemon wheels, lime wheels, orange wheels, blackberries, mint leaves)

Combine all ingredients in pitcher. Allow to sit for at least one hour before serving. Serve over ice with fruit from pitcher.

Peach Collins

1.5 oz. Dixie Peach Vodka

0.5 oz. lemon juice*

0.5 oz. simple syrup*

Soda water

1 peach slice

1 lemon wheel

In a Collins glass with ice, combine Dixie Peach Vodka, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and top with soda water. Garnish with peach slice and lemon wheel.

*Can substitute sour mix for lemon juice and simple syrup.

Please drink responsibly and DO NOT drink and drive.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin

This is a sponsored conversation between Reviewz & Newz and our friends at Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin.

Gin season is here and with it comes a wide variety of cocktails to try. Instead of using your typical London dry gin, try a unique and flavorful gin from India -- Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, which was just released in the United States earlier this year.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin (SRP $50) is triple-distilled and handcrafted in a traditional copper pot at one of India’s oldest distilleries, Rampur Distillery, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It also incorporates botanicals from the four corners of India, with strong flavorful notes of darjeeling tea

.

The Jaisalmer Negroni

• 1 part Jaisalmer Gin
• 1 part Martini Rosso
• 1 part Campari
• Ice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a rocks glass and stir.

The Independent G&T

• 2 ounces Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin
• 4 ounces Fever-Tree tonic water
• 2-3 frozen cranberries (garnish)
• 1 Popsicle (garnish)
• Ice

Pour Jaisalmer Gin and tonic water over ice in a tall glass. Stir and garnish with a Popsicle and cranberries.

The Maharaja Mojito

• 50ml Jaisalmer Gin
• 20ml Organic Agave Syrup
• 15ml Lime Juice
• 6 mint leaves
• 50ml Bitter Lemon 

Fill up glass with ice, pour Jaisalmer Gin, clap 6 mint leaves and add to the glass. Add fresh lemon juice, bitter lemon and agave syrup. Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.

Please drink responsibly.

Make this Boozy Treat

Sandals are out, shorts are on and the AC is turned to full blast - it’s officially feeling like summer! Those with a penchant for cocktails must choose wisely when drinking in the heat. Why not take your boozy beverages up a notch as a way to cool you down when sweating in the summer heat?

Try my go-to favorite to cool off with when I’m craving something sweet; Disaronno Drizzle.

Disaronno is the world’s favorite Italian liqueur; featuring an original velvety taste and unmistakable aroma, it stands out on the world stage and is available in more than 160 countries. It is perfectly smooth, on the rocks, or with the addition of lemon, proving its versatility in great classics such as the Godfather, Disaronno Sour, as well as other intriguing and innovative cocktails like an ice-cream float.

Try out this recipe for the perfect summer treat:

1 oz Disaronno (or as much as your heart desires)

2 scoops caramel-swirl ice cream (or whatever flavor you’re craving that day)

Scoop ice cream into a chilled dessert bowl. Pour Disaronno over ice cream, sit back, relax and enjoy your boozy treat in the sun!

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head Cookies

I am a HUGE Toy Story and I love all of Andy's friends, especially Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head. Having a child with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), the series of Toy Story movies have become some of our favorites since the very first one. Toy Story 4 is in theaters beginning June 21 and we were inspired to make some cookies of our favorite characters.

I have included all the ingredients and step-by-step directions.

What You Will Need:

Your favorite sugar cookie cutout recipe, prepared
Your favorite frosting recipe (white)
Black Fondant
Pink Fondant
Orange Fondant
Red Fondant
Yellow Fondant
Brown Food Coloring Gel
Yellow Food Coloring Gel
Candy Eyes (or use fondant)
Candy Moustaches (or use fondant)

Roll out your sugar cookies, and use an egg shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many cookies as you can.
Bake according to the recipe, and set aside to cool completely.

Place your frosting in a bowl, and add in brown and yellow food coloring until you get a light brown color.
Frost the cookies evenly, avoiding the edges.

Place two eyes about ⅓ of the way down on each cookie.

Roll a piece of pink fondant into a 3D triangle for Mrs. Potato Head cookies. And roll a piece of orange fondant into a 3D triangle for Mr. Potato Head cookies.

Roll a piece of pink fondant into a 3D triangle for Mrs. Potato Head cookies. And roll a piece of orange fondant into a 3D triangle for Mr. Potato Head cookies.

Place a moustache candy between Mr. Potato Head’s nose and mouth.
Take a medium sized piece of red fondant, and roll like a snake. Shape into mouths for Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head.
Place a thin sheet of black fondant behind Mr. Potato Head’s mouth if you would like it to be open.

Roll thin pieces of black fondant, and place them above the eyes for eyebrows. 

Roll a large piece of black fondant into a sheet, and shape it into a hat for Mr. Potato Head cookies. 

Frost the very top of Mrs. Potato Head cookies with remaining white frosting to make her hat. 

Roll five small balls of orange fondant, and place them into the shape of a flower, and add it to the center of Mrs. Potato Head’s hat.

Enjoy!

We had so much fun making these cookies!  Pin this post so you can come back and get the directions! 

Watermelon Waffles

What's better in the summer than a big slice of watermelon?  Growing up I loved that bright pink fruit that tasted so good and the spitting the seeds at my brother after every bite.  I still do.  If you love watermelon as much as I do, you will love this recipe for Watermelon Waffles.  The recipe will make 4 full waffles.

Ingredients:

• 2 Eggs
• 1 3/4 C Milk
• 1 TBS Sugar
• 1 TBS Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 C Oil
• 2 C Flour
• 1 Handful Chocolate Chips
• Red and Green Food Dye

Directions:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.

• Add in the sugar, baking powder, salt and oil.  Mix until well combined and there are no lumps.

• Whisk in the flour until just combined, DO NOT OVERMIX!

• Take 1 1/2 cups of the waffle batter and place into a separate bowl.

• Add several drops of green food coloring to the small bowl of batter.
• In the large bowl, add several drops of red food coloring, and a handful of chocolate chips.

• Grease a hot waffle iron (if yours requires it), and add a large scoop of the red waffle mix to the center.
• Use a small spoon to ladle a thin layer of green batter around the edge.

• Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips, if desired, and cook to your preference.

• Serve warm with syrup, whipped cream, or just by themselves.
• Enjoy!

Castello del Poggio’s Sweet Rosé

Life is about to get a little sweeter and that’s not just because Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Whether you are celebrating with your beau, gal or your damn self, open up a bottle of Castello del Poggio Sweet Rosé to help celebrate the special night. 

Seductive, fruity and crisp, Castello del Poggio’s Sweet Rosé is great before and after dinner. So whether the plan is to open a bottle to impress your girlfriend, sweeten up an anti-Valentine’s day party or pour one out for the swipe lefts and then a generous pour for yourself as you get into the tub -  you’ll never want this wine to stop flowing.  

Sweet Rosé, SRP $12.99: Perfect for a romantic dinner. Cheerful violet hues with fruity notes of cantaloupe, white peach, and pomegranate; fresh and smooth. Pair it with fresh pasta, savory rice, delicious fish, and a carefree disposition.

Kick it up a notch with these sweet cocktail recipe featuring Sweet Rosé: 

Raspberry Kiss for the girls night  

Ingredients: 

3 to 4 Raspberries

2 oz Chilled Castello del Poggio Sweet Rosé 

1 oz Tonic Water

Directions:

Put the raspberries in the bottom of a chilled cocktail glass. Fill halfway with sweet rosé. Top with tonic water. Garnish with more raspberries

Drink To The Oscars

With the Oscar’s quickly approaching, that means it’s time to start planning your Oscars viewing party! There have been some pretty epic film releases this past year and whether you’ve seen every movie nominated or don’t know a single one, you know you'll be watching and what better way to do so than with delicious cocktails in the comfort of your own home. 

So shake, stir and sip your way through the Oscars with these cocktails inspired by this years nominated movies. 

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A Star is Born- Gin Fizz ft. Benham’s Gin

Ingredients

1.5 oz Benham’s gin

3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice 

0.5 oz Simple syrup

1 oz Chilled Zonin Prosecco

Lemon twist, for garnish

Directions

Fill cocktail shaker with ice; add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds; strain into glass and top with Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Bohemian Rhapsody- Harvey Wallbanger ft. Ravo Vodka 

Ingredients

1.5 oz Ravo Vodka

4 oz Fresh orange juice

0.5 oz Galliano L'Autentico

Orange slice and cherry, for garnish

Directions

Pour vodka and orange juice into a collins glass with ice. Layer the Galliano on top by pouring it slowly over the back of a bar spoon. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Roma- Añejo Old Fashioned ft. Tequila Partida Añejo 

Ingredients

3 oz Partida Añejo Tequila

¼ oz Agave nectar 

1 dash Angostura bitters

1 Orange peel

1 Brandied cherry 

Directions

In an Old Fashioned glass, lightly muddle the agave nectar, bitters and orange peel. Fill with ice and add the tequila. Stir and garnish with a brandied cherry.

Black Panther- The Famous Smoky and Cola ft. The Famous Grouse Smoky Black 

Ingredients

1 oz Famous Grouse Smoky Black 

.05 oz Cola 

Orange wedge 

Directions

Take a clean, highball glass and fill with fresh, solid ice cubes. Squeeze in a wedge of orange and drop into the glass. Add Famous Grouse Smoky Black. Top up with cola, stir and serve. 

Vice- Diplomatico Vice ft. Diplomatico Planas Rum 

Ingredients

2 oz Daiquiri concentrate (frozen)

2 oz Piña Colada mix (frozen)

2.5 oz Diplomatico Planas Rum 

Directions

Blend daiquiri concentrate with rum and ice. Blend Piña Colada mix. Pour both blends together in a coup glass.

Top 5 Holiday Ham Recipes - It's All In How You Slice & Dice It

Learn how to prepare the ULTIMATE ham recipes. If it's for a traditional Sunday dinner or for the upcoming Holidays, you will enjoy these holiday ham recipes:

#1). Rum Pineapple Glazed Ham

With millions of glazed recipes out there, this recipe is a popular holiday fave. This recipe can be served with bean soup or traditional sides. What's unique about this recipe is what most of us love, RUM! There are healthy spices rubbed on top to create magic. Are you ready to bring a dish of love to your family gathering? Click below for the recipe and enjoy!

#2). Slow Cooker Christmas Ham

Most hams are cooked in an oven, but not this ham. You can simply add this ham to your slow cooker and let the cooker do the work. The tang from the apple cider along with smoked paprika will combine natural flavors along with honey for a nice glaze. This recipe fits nicely for someone that doesn't have time to slave in the kitchen, yet in 6 hours, your ham is perfectly done and ready to slice. Click the link for the recipe:

#3). Chipotle Pineapple Jerk Glazed Ham

Do you love Jamaican jerk dishes with a hint of spicy and jamming flavors? If so, this recipe will spark questions in whether this was prepared on a Caribbean Island with a side of Jamaican rice and beans or if this was prepared in the comfort of your own home. The pineapple secures the entire flavor and acts as a simple glaze. If you're ready for the ultimate compliment and ready to jam on, click the link for the recipe. This recipe will have people jerkin':

#4). Apricot-Mustard Ham with Herb-Roasted Root Vegetables

This table centerpiece will have guests admiring the colors along with multitudes of medley vegetables. With the combination of apricots and mustard, the hint of sweet and sour together makes a happy holiday meal. Skip the table flowers. With red beet radishes, carrots, and baby potatoes, no extra decorations are needed. Simply bring a 5-star restaurant to your own kitchen. For the recipe, click the link:

#5). Sriracha Ham

Why not enjoy a slow-cooked ham with a hint of heat, made for a meal, as a pizza topping, tacos, or in between two slices of bread? This simple recipe only entails 3 ingredients along with cured ham: honey, sriracha, and brown sugar. Kids will enjoy coming home from school and spreading a few slices on a sandwich without mom and dad. The cool thing about this recipe is it being oven-free. You can simply add all ingredients to a slow cooker and let the cooker do the work. For a simple, easy life cooking dish, click the link:

Ready to Start Cooking and Eating?

The simple side of things has never been so easy, with so many hams ready for the fast approaching holidays. Whether you are looking to cook a ham or buy an already prepared ham, this is should be bookmark saved on your browser homepage. There are a vast variety of ham and turkey specials to fit all lifestyles; even if you're on a budget. Just click on "specials" and enjoy the Fall discounts. So, what are you waiting for?

A&W Root Beer Float: The Perfect Family Fun Night Treat

The product, information, and gift card have been provided by A&W so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about A&W Root Beer. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of A&W

A&W Root Beer has a long history of helping my family create some beautiful memories. When I was a child, we got to make root beer floats on our family fun nights.  Now, I might give away my age when I tell you our movie nights were in the age of no cable TV.   But, on Sunday night, "The Wonderful World of Disney" was on TV and we were allowed our special treat of the week, an A&W Root Beer float.

We would watch in awe of the great movies and Disney specials while we sipped our floats.The unique, creamy taste of A&W Root Beer is a simple treat that creates fun, care-free experiences for families and can help make any moment special. I loved being able to make my own float.  My Mom would make sure we had all the ingredients to make these nights special.  Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and cherries, along with the creamy taste of A&W root beer were set on our kitchen counter.  

Making an A&W Root beer Float is as simple as it comes!   Pour A&W Root Beer in your favorite glass or mug until it is about 3/4 full and then a scoop of ice cream. Top with whipped cream and of course, the cherry on top. Insert a straw and sip away!  Now, you can top with as many ingredients as you like:  colored sprinkles, nuts, cookie crumbs, and flavored syrups.  The possibilities are endless.  Personally, I just enjoy the traditional A&W Root Beer float!

As a child, there were not many times we were allowed to make anything in the kitchen.  But,we looked forward to those weekly A&W root beer floats.  Not only was it our only indulgence, we looked forward to it all week. I have two sisters and Mom and Dad would pick who got to go first each week.  After making our floats, we would gather round and watch TV and sip on our floats.  Those are some great memories when times were simple.

I have carried this tradition on with my kids and now my grandchildren.  I let the kids pick out what movie we are going to watch and we make our A&W root beer floats, just like I did many years ago.  I hope my children and grandchildren will continue this tradition for many years to come.

For “float how-tos” and recipe inspiration visit, www.rootbeer.com.