mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Easy Ways to Cool Down with Sweet Frozen Treats

By Leave a Comment

Thanks for following MamaChallenge.com! 

 Today on WFAA Good Morning Texas I’ve put together some simple treats that taste delicious and can cool you down in the heat of the summer! Scroll down to see the video and the cutest sous chef in the world!

Make even water a fun treat with rainbow ice cubes and fruit!
RAINBOW ICE CUBES
Ice Cube Tray
Water
Food coloring
Fill ice trays with a few drops of food coloring. Freeze until ice (overnight). Put in a glass and allow to melt for the colors to make a rainbow.
NUTELLA COOL WHIP ICE CREAM POPSICLES
From 52 Kitchen Adventures blog
1 c. Cool Whip
½ c. milk
3 Tbsp. Nutella
Blend and freeze in popsicle molds.
Bananas can be the base and you can add what you want for instant ice cream.

 

(BANANA) MINT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Ripe frozen bananas
3-4 drops of mint oil, flavoring
½ cup of chocolate chips
Blend bananas until smooth. Then add oil and chocolate chips and blend just until smooth.
This is such a simple snack, but guests of the Joule drool over this grape snack.

 

FROZEN GRAPES

2 c Red Grapes, rinsed and stemmed (or a mix of any variety of grapes)
¼ c sugar
Place grapes in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag with sugar.
Seal and shake bag to coat grapes.
Empty grapes onto a paper towel to air-dry.
Place grapes on a baking pan and allow to freeze for 2-3 hours. Serve.
YOGURT SORBET  
1 cup of frozen berries
1 cup of Greek yogurt
2 tbsp honey
Blend until smooth and serve. 

Perfect Pairing: Girls’ Night Out with Grapevine Wine Tours

By Leave a Comment

When a trip to Napa isn’t in the schedule or the budget, but you really need to get away to do something fun with the girls, I highly recommend Grapevine Wine Tours. I experienced the fun of the Grapevine Wine Tour complimentary for purposes of this review. I enjoyed every moment of it and I had no idea it was just a few minutes from home! 

 
Only a few short miles from the DFW Airport, many people are astonished at all the fun things to do inn Grapevine, Texas. One of my favorite places, there’s lots to do for visitors to Dallas-Fort Worth as well as the locals who live here. I’ve been here for more than a decade and had never heard of the Grapevine Wine Tours. With a name like Grapevine, you know that wine is part of the recipe for fun, so I was eager to hop aboard the GWT bus and see how the experience stacked up – especially next to my own Napa Valley experience. 
 
 
The wine tour bus was clean, comfortable and full of hospitality as we met with our lovely tour guide, a cold bottle of water and a little bit of history before we came to our first destination for the evening: Homestead Winery. 
 
 

Close to the Main Street downtown area, you’ll find Homestead. I’ve been to this area a million times (no lie) and had never seen this adorable restored home that housed our first tasting. 


 Raising our first glass of the evening, we were able to enjoy pours of several varieties from Homestead’s own wines produced and bottled in Ivanhoe, Texas. While I enjoyed several samples, the one I love the most was actually our first glass, the Bois’ d Arc, a medium-bodied red table wine. 

 
I liked it so much I purchased a bottle as well to take home to enjoy. However, the crowd pleaser was definitely a chocolate wine that had several of the girls making purchases before boarding the bus for our next destination: Delaney Vineyards. 
 
 
I had actually been to Delaney Vineyards before as it’s a landmark for several beautiful Grapevine events like the Vineyard 5K Run in September, but I had never had a chance to tour the facility and the grounds. 
 
 
Delaney has been in production since 1996 and the Grapevine winery, along with its main vineyard in Lamesa, Texas, have been producing several award-winning Texas wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc. 
 
Honestly, after going through my photos from the evening, I had a hard time distinguishing my vineyard photos from Napa and the ones I took in Grapevine. As we walked the grounds we learned more about the wine-making process, from the vine, to the barrel and to my wine glass as well as the history of Delaney Vineyards. 
 
 
Of course, no vineyard tour would be complete without a tasting! So we sat down to enjoy a few samples and catch up for a little while before boarding the bus for our last stop. 
 
 
As part of our tour, we selected two wineries and dinner . However, depending on your needs and time of day preference, you choose to do a lunch tour; either four hour tour includes three wine tastings in Grapevine. However, if you find yourself in Dallas, they actually have a Dallas wine tour there as well! 
 
Our last stop before heading back after was the main course of the evening; a three-course private dinner at Winewood Grill and another tasting opportunity. After such a great evening of hanging out with the girls, experiencing such beautiful scenery, and of course, savoring the wine, I knew I’d be doing this again the next time the girls were looking for something fun to do! 
 
 
Ranging from $79.50 for lunch – $89.50 for dinner, the Grapevine Wine Tours operate twice daily. Perfect for girls’ night out, date night or just a great way to experience Grapevine, the GWT are an excellent options for any itinerary for the adults and can be experienced again and again. 
 
Book your Grapevine Wine Tours online or by calling 817.259.WINE! 
 

Take a SHOT with Real Housewives’ Tamra Judge in Colleyville on Friday

By Leave a Comment

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a bad habit of Bravo! I don’t mean I applaud ferociously at anything, but late at night, when I’m hard at work on presentations, blog posts and more, I normally have my TV tuned to the Bravo network to check on my fellow Housewives or see what my buddy Andy is up to. 

That statement even makes me laugh. 

There’s nothing really fellow about any member of the Real Housewives franchise, but there are a few of the geographies that I do enjoy indulging in like a spoon in an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s on a Sunday night. In the past I’ve enjoyed a little Heather Dubrow on the blog and this Friday I’ll kick off my weekend (well 24 hour vacation) with from Tamra Judge. 


You know Tamra. In the past she’s been known to do a lot of things, but she’s been know to throw down and be the life of the party. So what a perfect way to start things off – with Tamra and a shot!

Friday, June 20 Real Housewives of Orange County star, Tamra Judge, hosts a bottle signing and cocktail tasting event at the Colleyville Goody Goody Liquor store, 4701 Colleyville Blvd., Friday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. in celebration of her partnership with the Cuca Fresca brand.

Don’t know what Cuca Fresca is? Me neither. 

From the press release: 
Cachaça is the world’s third most consumed spirit behind vodka and soju, and the Brazilian-based liquor is one of the fastest growing spirits category in the U.S. Tamra’s husband, Eddie Judge, discovered the spirit while traveling overseas, and introduced Tamra to it on one of their first vacations together. The couple was drawn to working with Cuca Fresca because of its premium taste and organic production methods.


So bring your $21 and come out and get a “shot” with Tamra (or at least get your bottle signed and use one of these recipes to enjoy a little Cuca Fresca! 

Juice Me, Baby with New Juice Blends at Jamba Juice

By Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: I received a promotional gift card to encourage my interest in this tasty new offering from Jamba Juice. 

 The health benefits of juicing have been around for many years, but juicing has definitely gone trendy with traditional storefronts and online overnight web to door service. However, the big boys who have owned the space for years with the smoothie trend aren’t going away with their carrots between their legs. Jamba Juice just launched a new line of fresh juices this week in the Dallas market one of the limited areas to have the new offering across the US.

Juice_Group14T1-Premium_Juice-Group-Glasses-45_m5(flat)14T1-Premium_Juice-Group-Glasses-45_m5(flat)

Juice blends include:

  • Apple-Ade
  • Purely Carrot™
  • Great Greens
  • Purely Orange™
  • Carrot Cayenne
  • Tropical Kick-Start™
  • Citrus Kick™
  • Veggie Harvest™
  • Garden Medley
  • Kale Orange Power
  • Orange Reviver
  • Orange Berry Antioxidant
  • Orange Carrot Twist™
  • Triple Revitalizer™
  • Tropical Greens™
  • Wheatgrass Shot

The new line of veggie-based juices platform incorporates high nutrient and whole foods including kale, beets, cucumbers, apples, oranges and chia seeds, blended into yummy juices you’ll want to drink. The juices area healthy alternative to other summer beverages and a tasty way to increase fruit and vegetable intake.

 The following stores in the Dallas area have the new fresh-squeezed juice:
Southlake – 222 State St, Southlake, TX 76092
Sundance Square – 400 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Frankford – 18204 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75252
Shops at Legacy – 5700 Legacy Dr, Plano, TX 75024
Greenville – 5923 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Northwest Highway – 8421 Westchester Dr, Dallas, TX 75225
Las Colinas – 6440 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75039
Watauga – 8450 Denton Hwy, Watauga, TX 76148
Hulen – 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76132
Spring Creek – 1201 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX 75074
Flower Mound – 3180 FM 407, Highland Village, TX 75077
Camp Wisdom – 3040 Camp Wisdom Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

 

Taste the Difference, Make a Difference with Barilla {Italian Sausage Sandwich Recipe}

By Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla®.

 Everyone has a favorite meal and for my hubs, hands down, it’s Italian Sausage and Peppers! Since he’s been hard at work to complete his law degree (Go Aggies!), I wanted to give him a special meal that the whole family would still enjoy!  In efforts to make everyone happy, I took our family recipe for Italian Sausage Sandwiches and using  sauce, added a serving of veggies without them knowing it!  

Made with all-natural, quality ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and herbs, opening up a jar tastes like you’ve been working for hours for that homemade taste without the mess! So in less than 30 minutes, I had made a delicious dinner that was good to eat while it was doing good for others. See, when you buy a jar of sauce from Barilla® from now until May 31, Barilla will donate $.05 cents to Feeding America’s National Produce Program, with a minimum donation of $150,000! 

 How easy is that to make a good meal that does good using !?! 

And to sweeten the “spaghetti bowl” even more, one lucky reader will win  a prize pack from Barilla® to help you plan your own family dinner! This amazing prize pack includes a jar (1) of Barilla® sauce and one (1) Barilla® branded wooden spoon, one (1) Barilla® Spaghettata Bowl, and five (5) coupons, each redeemable for one (1) jar of Barilla® pasta sauce – valued at $60! 

Just see below how you can get your hands on this prize pack! 

I know I can’t wait to make a big bowl of pasta for dinner with this perfectly sized bowl! 

 Italian Sausage Sandwiches

1 lb. Italian sausages
1 package of submarine sandwich bread or small Italian bread loaves 
(do not cut in half, but instead of cut into a V to insert the fixings
1 jar Barilla 
1 onion, sliced thin
1-2 peppers (green, red and yellow), sliced thin
Six slices of provolone cheese, cut in slices
Olive oil 

Preboil the Italian sausages by boiling them whole in water for 5-7 minutes to keep sausages juicy and cuts down the grease. Then grill/pan fry the sausages until cooked through. Allow them to cool slightly and then cut them either horizontally or vertically depending on your preference (I like them like coins so it’s easier for the kids to bite into.) 

 In the saucepan on medium heat, add olive oil and vegetables. Sauteed vegetables until brown. 

 Grill bread by broiling in the oven on high for a few minutes with a little olive oil or begin building your sandwich. 

 Dress the sausages with the sauce, vegetables, sausages and cheese across the top. Keeping the oven on broil, place sandwich on pan and allow the cheese to melt over bread. 

 Serve sandwich with salad or potato chips! 




The Barilla Taste the Difference, Make a Difference Giveaway is open to US residents and ends on May 31, 2014 at 11:59 EST. To enter, please comment on this post below sharing how you give back to your local community.

ALSO, 10 randomly selected readers who comment will also be chosen to receive a coupon! Full giveaway rules can be found at http://barilla.com/RealTasteRules.

How do you give back to your community? 
 Comment here with your email for your chance to win with Barilla!


This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Barilla®. For every jar of Barilla® sauce purchased, $0.05 will be donated to Feeding America’s National Produce Program which secures one pound of fresh produce on behalf of local food banks. Barilla® will make a minimum donation of 4.2 million pounds of fresh produce ($150,000) from 4/1/14 through 5/31/14.




 Tracking Pixel





Enjoy Mother’s Day Brunch with New Menu at BRIO Tuscan Grille {Win $200 Gift Card}

By Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: I was provided a lovely gift card to giveaway to you my readers by BRIO! 

 I’m a girl that loves to brunch. I rarely-to-never get to enjoy brunch, but when I do, I want to leisurely enjoy it for a few hours and then go home full, happy and without any dishes to do. 


 Thankfully, with Mother’s Day only a week away, May 11, I get to cash in my “I Wanna Go” cards to pick one of my bucket list brunch locations

 BRIO Tuscan Grille at Watters Creek has a new brunch menu for spring with several new spring dishes like Berries and Cream French Toast and Ham and Biscuit Benedict.

Using the freshest ingredients delivered daily, BRIO’s new brunch menu includes:

  • Tuscan Omelette — Egg whites with turkey sausage, roasted sweet potatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach and Mozzarella. Topped with fire-roasted salsa rossa and served with fresh fruit.
  • Sicilian Omelette — Includes Cherrywood-smoked ham, bacon, Fontanini sausage, tomato compote and a three-cheese blend of Mozzarella, Provolone and Parmesan. Served with brunch potatoes.
  • Garden Omelette — Includes fresh broccoli, mushrooms, roasted red bell peppers, Fontina cheese, avocado and basil. Topped with fire-roasted salsa rossa, and served with fresh fruit.
  • Ham & Biscuit Benedict — Two poached eggs with Cherrywood-smoked ham and a housemade biscuit. Drizzled with hollandaise, and served with brunch potatoes.
  • Turkey Sausage, Spinach & Biscuit Benedict — Two poached eggs with turkey sausage, spinach, a housemade biscuit and hollandaise sauce. Served with fresh fruit.
  • Roasted Turkey Sweet Potato Hash & Eggs — Two over easy eggs with roasted turkey, zucchini, peppers, onions, sweet potatoes and basil, drizzled with Sriracha mayo. Served with brioche toast.
  • Berries & Cream French Toast — Mascarpone cream cheese-stuffed French toast topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Served with Applewood-smoked bacon.

And because this time of year was made for dining al fresco, BRIO features a big outdoor terrace that is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing weekend brunch that I love to enjoy.


BRIO serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Just remember if you’re planning to go on Mother’s Day, make a reservation so ensure you don’t have a wait!

So would you like to win a gift card for BRIO? 
Tell me what new brunch item at BRIO Tuscan Grille you can’t wait to try and you can win a $200 gift card to BRIO! 


 BRIO Tuscan Grille
Watters Creek
810 Central Expressway South
www.brioitalian.com



Spring Perfect Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes {As seen on TV}

By Leave a Comment

Ahhh, spring. 

That magical two weeks in Texas where it’s nice enough to go outdoors where you are either going to get eaten up by a tornado or melt from heat exhaustion. So with such little time to enjoy the season, you have to spend as much enjoying it and not in the kitchen.


So bust out the slowcooker to take away some of the work and the heat – even when it comes to desert! Take a look at the recipes for three recipes you’ve probably never thought out making in your slowcooker – Strawberry Cheesecakes in a Jar, Oatmeal Cookie Apples, and Banana Rum Cake. These recipes are part of the WFAA Good Morning Texas segment on April 28 – hope you’ve watched! 

SLOWCOOKER STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKES IN A JAR
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
Filling
2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs, at room temperature
½ teaspoon orange zest

3/4 cup cream, half & half, or whole milk

Instructions
For the crust: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar. (If you like you can add a tablespoon melted butter to the mix for a more moist the crust.) Place 2 tablespoons sweetened crumbs in each of seven 1/2-pint Mason jars. Press down lightly.
For the mixture: Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, eggs, orange zest and cream until smooth, but be careful not to overmix. Put batter into a pitcher for easier pouring and fill each jar 3/4 full with batter.
Place jars in a 8 qt slowcooker. Fill the crockpot with water until it reached about ½ way to the jars (also called a warm bath or bain marie. (To make sure you don’t get water in the cheesecakes, place tops back on batter and then remove after pouring.) Cover slow cooker with lid and allow for cooking for 1-2 hours. (It’s all about how your crockpot cooks.)
To check for doneness, use a knife and insert from outer edge and check that the knife comes out moist, but clean.
Turn off the slowcook cooker and allow the jars to cook for 20 minutes before removing. After placing on rack, allow the jars to rest at room temperatures for an hour before sealing. Then chill in the fridge for several hours before serving.
Add your favorite topping like macerated strawberries sprinkled with sugar.


SLOWCOOKER OATMEAL COOKIE APPLES
Ingredients
4 apples
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup margarine
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup instant oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Core apples
Instructions
Wash and core apples (I’d make a larger hole than a regular core job to make room for the good stuff.)
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Stuff the apples with the oatmeal raisin mixture.
Spray crockpot/slow cooker with a non-stick spray, then place apples inside.
Sprinkle the rest of the apple crisp topping over the apples.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready, the apples should be very soft to the touch/poke.
Serve with ice cream or a little cream like an oatmeal cookie.

BANANA RUM CAKE
Inspired by Better Crocker

Ingredients

Bread

2 2/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 ½ cups mashed very ripe bananas
¾ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 tablespoons Spiced Rum
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup chopped walnuts

Glaze

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon spiced rum, warmed in the microwave
Instructions
Grease bottom only of 3 1/2- to 4-quart round slow cooker with shortening or cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with 2 teaspoons of the Bisquick mix.
In large bowl, stir bananas, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, 4 tablespoons spiced rum, vanilla and eggs until well blended. Stir in remaining Bisquick mix, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of the walnuts until well blended. Pour into slow cooker.
Cover; cook on high for 1 ½ hours to 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Turn off slow cooker; uncover, and remove base from cooker to cooling rack. Let cool 15 minutes.
Loosen edge of bread with knife. Remove bread from slow cooker to cooling rack. Cool 1 hour.

For glaze, in small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and consistency of thick syrup. Drizzle over top of bread. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts.

Here’s to enjoying the weather!

Sweet! Buy dozen Tiff’s Treats for $4, Make a Dream Come True for Local Boy THIS SATURDAY

By Leave a Comment

When two of my favorite organizations, A Wish with Wings and Tiff’s Treats have partnered together to grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo, a survivor of Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, to go to Disney World, I needed to do whatever I could to help!


Tiff’s Treats will hold a grand opening fundraiser at its newest location in DFW – its sixth in DFW and its first Las Colinas store — at 114 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 110, Irving, 75062 (intersection of 114 and O’Connor), on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will raise funds for A Wish with Wings, which grants wishes to special little Texans with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. These funds will grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo from Fort Worth, who loves Legos, Minecraft and the Beatles, and whose wish is to travel to Disney World this summer with his family, where he can focus on being a kid, instead of on the treatments he has had to endure for Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

On Saturday, April 26, celebrate the store’s opening and help raise funds for Viggo’s wish by purchasing up to six one-dozen boxes filled with one of Tiff’s Treats most irresistible flavors: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or oatmeal raisin, for just $4 a box.  Proceeds up to $5,000 will be donated to A Wish with Wings. Sales at this event are cash only.  Viggo and his family will be there to share in the fun. It’s a flash grand opening event — and it’s all for a great cause!


Tiff’s Treats’ warm cookie concept normally requires a 30-minute notice for pick-up orders or one hour for delivery — however, for the grand opening fundraiser, no advance order is required, and customers can simply walk in to the new store and purchase hot cookies from 9 a.m. to noon.  This deal is valid only at the new Las Colinas Tiff’s Treats location.

As the delicious aroma of fresh-from-the-oven cookies and brownies fills the air at the new store, guests can enjoy festivities and chances to win prizes. Get there early: the first 10 people in line at the grand opening April 26 at 9 a.m. will win a $100 Tiff’s Treats gift card, while the next 10 will receive a $50 gift card, the next 10 will receive a $25 gift card and the next 10 will win a $10 gift card. Guests who purchase a box of cookies at the grand opening can also enter in a drawing to win free Tiff’s Treats cookies for a year! Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event to be donated to a Wish with Wings will also receive a $5 Tiff’s Treats gift card.


The mission of a Wish with Wings is to grant magical wishes to little Texans with life-threatening conditions. First chartered in 1982, this Texas-based non-profit has granted more than 1,200 wishes to children all over the Lone Star State with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. For more information on a Wish with Wings, visit the organization’s website at www.awishwithwings.com or call 817-469-9474. If you know of a child who is in need of a wish, please visit www.awishwithwings.com to get more information.

Tiff’s Treats in Las Colinas opens for regular business on Sunday, April 27. The new Las Colinas location can be reached at (972) 889-7700 or online at www.cookiedelivery.com.


Have a sweet week! 


Fish Friday: Celebrating Lent with Baked Tilapia with Shrimp from Olive Garden {Recipe}

By Leave a Comment

Those who are observing Lent and abstaining from meat may be struggling to come up with dinner options for their families. This Baked Tilapia with Shrimp recipe from one of our family’s favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, is perfect to conclude Lent or for any night your family is craving seafood. Serve it with your favorite vegetables. 

For a lighter version of this recipe, try Olive Garden’s new Baked Tilapia with Shrimp at only 340 calories!

Baked Tilapia with Shrimp Recipe
(Serves four)
Ingredients
4                     Tilapia filets
1.5 – 2 lbs.        Medium, unpeeled, deveined shrimp
1 tbsp              Butter   
1 tsp                Garlic, chopped
1 tbsp              Onion, finely chopped
1 cup               White Wine               
1 cup               Heavy Cream             
1 stick (4oz)      Butter, cubed        
1 tbsp.             Parsley, chopped
Pinch               Salt      
Pinch               Pepper                       
Instructions
Make the butter wine sauce. (Yields 2 cups/4 portions of 4 fl. oz.) 
Melt 1 tbsp. of butter, chopped garlic and finely chopped onion in pot for 3 minutes.  Stir with rubber spatula.  No browning.
Add white wine and heavy cream. Simmer gently until volume reduces by half.  About 1 cup.

Turn off fire.

Add cubed pieces of butter.  Stir until butter, wine and cream are combined.  Sauce should have a slightly thick consistency.

Finish with salt, pepper and chopped parsley.

* Important: A fresh butter sauce must be served after being made. This sauce will not chill and reheat. When adding the butter to the reduction, the temperature of the sauce cannot exceed 150 degrees.
Rinse the tilapia filets and shrimp under cold water and place in a baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes. (Filets’ internal temp should be 145 degrees.)

For plating, place the shrimp on top of the filet and top with the hot butter wine sauce. Serve with your favorite vegetable on the side.








Easter Eats: Cheesy Corn Bake from 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House {Recipe}

By 2 Comments

For our family, Easter lunch/dinner looks a lot like a lighter version of Thanksgiving: a big piece of meat with all the same kind of fixings like mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, we’ll you get the picture.


So to change it up for this year, we opted for BBQ. Good ole barbecue. While Dallas-Fort Worth has tons of amazing places to enjoy BBQ cooking at its best, the hubs wants to make it himself. However, I’m in charge of the fixings. And it’s just not BBQ if I can’t get at least a few bites of this Cheesy Corn Bake from 3 Stacks Smoke House in Frisco. There’s just something about this golden goodness that screams “I need to eat this NOW.” 

Perhaps it’s the cream corn. 
Perhaps it’s the cornbread mix. 
Perhaps it’s that one stick of butter and cheese. 
Whatever it is, it’s good. 


And while Trace “The Rib Whisperer” Arnold of 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House isn’t giving out all his secrets for tasty BBQ, he did share this recipe and his tips to make it perfect. And now I’m sharing it with you! 

CHEESY CORN BAKE
Trace “The Rib Whisperer” Arnold of 3 Stacks Smoke & Tap House

Ingredients
1 can of undrained whole kernel corn
1 can of cream corn
8 oz. of sour cream
2 well beaten eggs
1 box of Jiffy cornbread mix
1 stick of melted butter (not too hot, avoid clarifying the butter)
1/2 cup finely diced fresh jalapeño peppers
Instructions
Place mixture in a well-oiled 9×13 pan and bake for 55-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Variations
  • Top with fresh grated cheddar or blended cheese.
  • Substitute jalapeños for green chilies. Cayenne pepper is also a great substitution for heat.
  • Add red bell pepper for a holiday flair.
  • Add brown Panco bread crumbs and top for a crunchy texture.
  • Light sour cream will reduce calories.
  • Cream cheese can be substituted for sour for a richer blend.
  • Fresh corn can be used in place of canned.
  • Plain yellow cornbread mix can replace Jiffy if you want to eliminate the sweet flavor of the Jiffy.
After this, you might be making this Easter side at Memorial Day, July 4th and Thanksgiving, too! Plus if you get a chance to visit 3 Stacks, I highly suggest you also try the fried dill pickle cheese fries – they’ll make every day better! 

Hoppy Easter! 








Pin This!

Visit Mama Challenge's profile on Pinterest.

Pictures Say a 1000 Words

Follow Along!