Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed

I enjoy cooking for my family.  Like most of us, I prefer recipes that are fast and easy.  Fortunately, I am surrounded by people who appreciate my effort, my recipes and seem to sincerely like the meals placed before them. 

I readily admit that I play in the kitchen.  I play with recipes by changing the ingredients to suit my families tastes.  I play with cupcakes, cookies, desserts, etc, because I enjoy decorating the food.  I mess around with it until I get the desired effect.  

I also enjoy the company of other family members in the kitchen. So much so, that I consider us playing in the kitchen. Since I began writing articles online, I have been periodically sharing highlights of our kitchen adventures so you and your family can be encouraged to "play" in the kitchen. In this article, I will provide links to the different easy recipes and fun articles that I have published. 

I consider that my Recipe for Making Memories in the Kitchen. So, without further ado, let the games begin!   

 

My Own Personal Roast Recipe

This recipe is the result of trial and error.  I just kept playing with different ideas until I found a tasty, tender way to cook a roast in the oven. 

It has become a family favorite and I have allowed it to be published in several charity cookbooks over the last 40 years, but it is still my own original recipe.  Although I was very young when I developed this recipe, I still cook my roast the same way today.

Published on Cooking for the Holidays

 

Having Fun in the Kitchen

I started cooking when I was a child and still living at home with my parents. My sister and I both helped in the kitchen and it was not unusual for us to have real, honest to goodness food fights with the leftovers. We frequently made mashed potato balls and hurled them through the air at each other or any unsuspecting individual who entered the kitchen. We flung spaghetti noodles against the wall and said we were testing it to see if it was done. By dinnertime, there would be 10 or 12 noodles hanging from the wall on spaghetti night.

While I still enjoy throwing pasta noodles against the wall, I have found that test does not work with pasta shells. No matter how many pasta shells I have thrown against the wall, none have ever stuck. Perhaps someday one will stick. I'll just have to keep testing them.

This easy pasta recipe is also shared on Cooking for the Holidays and, if you click it, the link will take you to that website. 

Easy Pasta Recipe - A Family Favorite for Dinner or Side Dish

 

More Easy Dinner Recipes featured on CookingForTheHolidays.com

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Easy Salmon Loaf Patties Recipe How to Bake Potatoes Chicken Enchiladas Recipe How to Bake a Turkey Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup Instant Pot Recipe Homemade Barbeque Recipe for the Best BBQ Sandwiches

 

Click Here for More Dinner Recipes

 

Playing with Ingredients

Working in the kitchen with my sister was fun. We occasionally experimented with the food. Sometimes we would put a little extra pepper in one of our brothers' bowls of stew or add a little something extra to spice up their lives and the dinner table. Oddly enough, the boys consumed whatever we fed them and much to our distress, rarely noticed a difference. I only remember one brother gagging on hot barbecue sauce and believe it or not, we were not responsible.

Of course, there are the recipes from my mother and grandmother that I have never played with, never changed and never shared except on websites I own. My motto for this group of recipes is "you can't improve on perfection, so why try!" 

Directions for making the pizza pictured on right, can be found at Halloween Haven

 

Playing with Your Food Recipes 

These are some of my favorite recipes. They are really step by step instructions on decorating, so I call it playing with my food. Sometimes making these special treats can be messy, but they are always fun as you create your own original work of food art. 

Don't just make these treats alone to serve to your family. Grab your child, your husband, your sister, your mother or even your father and make these treats with your family!  

To see some of my favorite fun food articles, simply click the source link below each photo. That will take you directly to the recipe and tutorials for creating your own fun food.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes How to Decorate a Snake Cake How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes 4th of July Party Flag Cake Recipe How to Decorate Snowman Cupcakes How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake How to Make a Cupcake Pumpkin Cake

 

Teaching an Old Dog, New Tricks

I am happy to say that I married a man who enjoys messing around in the kitchen too! The Breakfast Buddy featured below is his delicious creation and when I wanted to learn how to grill, I asked him to teach me. He has always made the most incredible steaks! In the article below, I share his secrets as I take you step by step through my own "grilling" education.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Breakfast "Buddy" Sandwich How to Grill the Perfect Steaks Cooking Hamburgers on an Indoor Grill

 

Special Treat and Finger Food Recipes

My family loves fruit and chocolate so it only seems natural for me to dip fruit in chocolate. Once I started dipping fruit, it was impossible to stop! I think I dipped every type of fruit we had in the house, then ran to the grocery store for more. Of course, then I wrote an article about each one.

Here is my collection of dipped fruit recipes. Be very careful though. Chocolate dipped fruit can be very addictive!

Photo Linked to Recipe

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 Chocolate Covered Fruit DIY Recipes

Taking Care of the Cook 

Over the years, I have learned many things about cooking, about family and about fun. The most important thing I have learned, is that the three things go together. Have fun cooking with your family. 

I watched my grandmother and my mother work in the kitchen during every holiday for decades. Too often, they missed out on the fun simply because the party was happening in another room. 

I believe in bringing the party to the kitchen, enlisting help and taking care of the cook. Perhaps, I see it more clearly because now I am the cook, but I love to share ideas with others about how to have more fun with your family, instead of working alone in the kitchen. Believe me, you can create your own load of memories in the kitchen by simply letting others help in the kitchen. 

 

A Lot of Good Food and A Load of Memories 

I think it is because of my experiences and our experiments in the kitchen when I was a child, that I approach the kitchen with humor now. I still cook the old standards passed down from my great grandmother, grandmother and mother, but I enjoy creating new treats for my family too and it is even better when I get "help." 

Over the years, a lot of good food and a load of memories have been made in our kitchen! 

 

Easy Dessert Recipes 

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Easy Strawberry Trifle Easy Blackberry Cobbler

 

Candy Recipe 

I am not going to tell you this recipe is extremely easy. It seems easy to me because I have been making it for 40+ years, but making candy takes a bit of practice to perfect. 

While I try to walk viewers through the process with photos, I know this is something that is simply learned by trial and error because the outcome when making candy depends so much on the climate of the day, as well as the altitude of a region. 

Here is my mother's Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe. I could never improve on this recipe.  It really is delicious! 

Photo Linked to Recipe

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 Peanut Butter Fudge

 

Easy Beverage Recipes

Take time to relax!  While the food is in the oven, or after all of the work is done,  sit back with your loved ones and enjoy a cup of tea, hot chocolate or perhaps a cool glass of lemonade.  These are the moments you will want to capture and hold for as long as you can.

Photos are Linked to Recipes

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 Spice Tea Recipe Homemade Lemonade Recipe Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

 Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe

 

For a Complete List of All of my Published Recipes
 Click Here to Visit the House of Sylvestermouse Recipes

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Easy Recipes by Sylvestermouse Reviewed Written by:

 

 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2011 on a different site that no longer exists.
Unless otherwise noted with the individual photo, all Photos are mine and should not be used without written permission.
© Sylvestermouse 

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Chocolate Covered Apples Recipe and Review

Chocolate Covered Apples are Fun to Make and Delicious to Eat! 

I enjoy making fruit trays for parties and holidays.  Several years ago, I decided to add chocolate covered fruit to the tray as another option for guests.  Because the apples are easy to hold, they are the perfect finger food at a party.

Chocolate Covered Apples are more aptly described as Chocolate Dipped Apples since the entire apple slice is not covered with chocolate. Regardless of which name you prefer, they are still quite delicious and easy to make. They are so easy to make that in just a few minutes, you can be enjoying your own Chocolate Covered Apple Slice. The only remaining decision is whether you are willing to share your treat. 

If you love apples and you love chocolate, you are certain to enjoy Chocolate Covered Apples. 

Below, I share step by step instructions with photos for Chocolate Covered or Dipped Apples.

 

Supplies & Ingredients 

• Apples 
• Chocolate for Melting ~ I prefer Saco Dolci Frutta featured below 
• Wax Paper

Easy Directions 

Step 1: Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper ~ The cookie sheet will make it easier to move your Chocolate Covered Apples. 

Step 2: Wash and Dry Your Apples 

Step 3: Melt Your Chocolate ~ If you use Saco Dolci Frutta, you can melt the chocolate in the microwave in their package container. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 2 minutes on medium and stir the chocolate until it is completely melted. Other chocolates will need to be melted in a double boiler or a microwavable dish. 

Step 4: Cut Your Apple into Slices 

 

Slicing and Coring an Apple Made Easy

Step 5: Dip the Apple Slices into the chocolate 

Step 6: Set on wax paper to cool 

Step 7: When you have dipped all of your Apple slices in chocolate, serve or eat. Best if not refrigerated 

 

Step by Step Photos

 

 

 Dalla Piazza Apple Slicer/CorerCheck Price Dolci Frutta Variety Pack with Hard Chocolate Shell & White Chocolate ShellCheck Price

 

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ALL PHOTOS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF SYLVESTERMOUSE 

This recipe article was originally published by me in 2010 on a different website that no longer exists. 

© 2010 Cynthia Sylvestermouse 

 

 

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Reviewing Del Destino Golden Pineapple Spears with Coconut Water

During the holidays, a friend was in charge of whipping up most of the meals. Lucky me, he enjoys grilling and prefers fresh, flavorful food. One of those meals included the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water that he was given as a gift.  We both took a bite of the pineapple to try at the same time and we were at a loss for words. The pineapples with just a hint of coconut were such a succulent, flavorful treat!

"Del Destino is Atalanta's line of Premium Quality Mediterranean products" - Atalanta Corp

Grilled steak, buttered and toasted everything bagels, and Del Destino Golden Pineapple spears were served for the holiday brunch. The combination of the perfectly grilled, warm savory steaks and cold, sweet pineapple spears was perfect. 

We immediately began imagining what else these melt-in-your-mouth pineapples could be used for. Within seconds we listed:

• decadent fruit smoothies
• baked in muffins or cakes (imagine upside-down pineapple cake!)
• side dishes or snacks
• fresh fruit salad or ambrosia salad
• served with cottage cheese
• pineapple whip
• grilled
• Pina coladas and/or infused in alcohol 

Grilling. There are a variety of recipes for grilled pineapple, adding cinnamon, brown sugar or other ingredients. However, these Del Destino pineapple spears are so delicious that I don't believe I'd add any additional ingredients for the first time. I'm not sure the flavor needs any additions at all.

Pineapple Whip. There are a variety of recipes for pineapple whip but they all generally included pineapple, some sort of milk product, orange juice, and some small amount of sweetener (such as maple syrup) - blended then briefly placed in the freezer to firm it up.

Fruit Salad.  I had lived my entire life believe that my family's marshmallow fruit salad (also known as Ambrosia salad to some) was the very best. I would have never imagined an improvement. Until now. Using the Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water would make a perfect Ambrosia even better. I'm sure of it. 

We both enjoy pineapple. Sadly, we have become accustomed to the sometimes fibrous and under-ripe pineapples (in prepared fruit plates as well as when purchasing whole pineapples) or the overly-syrupy sweet of canned pineapples. The Del Destino pineapple spears were shockingly good. 

As we were so glad to learn, a jar of Del Destino Golden Pineapple with coconut water makes a perfect gift! 

The Del Destino brand seems to be available at both Costco and Aldi and is highly recommended. 

If you prefer to shop Amazon, there are brands of Pineapple in coconut water available on Amazon that are highly rated. Orchard Natural Pineapple in light syrup and coconut water is an example and at the time of this writing is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 1,000 reviews.

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Merry Christmas from the Review This Team

 

Merry Christmas from the members of the Review This team.  We thank you for your support and wish you and your family a happy and joyous Christmas season.

One of my favorite holiday activities is to take photos of all the beautiful decorations.  Here are some of my favorites from this year.

Main Street St. Charles Photo Walk

One of my favorite things to do each holiday season is to go to Main Street in an area close to me.  This town, St. Charles, goes all out in decorating for the holidays.  Here are some photos I took last week.

Holiday Lights- Bokeh

I love using a bokeh effect in holiday photos.  A bokeh effect gives the background a warm soft glow and turns lights into soft balls of color.  You can achieve this by focusing on a nearby subject using a wide aperture and having Christmas lights in the background. The first photo in this post uses bokeh.  Here are a few other photos using that technique.

Here are two using the bokeh effect that I created using AI.  I enjoy playing with AI to create different effects.  The biggest challenge here is describing what you want the photo to look like.

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year

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Easy No-Bake Strawberry Shortcake Recipe Review

This is my favorite easy strawberry shortcake recipe. To call it a recipe is a bit of an exaggeration because it is really more of a compilation of ingredients stacked to create a lovely dessert presentation.  

Strawberry shortcake is a great dessert to enjoy during the holidays.  It is festively pretty and requires very little time to prepare.

It is also a fast, no-bake dessert to create on long, hot summer days.  There is no need to hassle with long complicated recipes when all you really want to do is spend your time outside enjoying the weather, family and friends.  Plus, you don't have to heat up the kitchen by turning on the oven to bake a tasty dessert.  Simply purchase vanilla dessert shells from your grocery store bakery when you purchase your strawberries.   I also buy a can of whipped cream topping.

Below are the instructions for compiling individual strawberry shortcakes that takes little effort to make.  Adults and kids alike, love this easy version of strawberry shortcake. 

 

Strawberry Shortcake Ingredients

• 2 Pints Ripe Strawberries - Sliced
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar  (reduce the sugar if you use less strawberries)
• Vanilla Sponge Dessert Shells 
• Whipped Creme Topping 

Directions 

Step 1: Place the strawberries into a glass bowl and sprinkle with sugar. 

Step 2: Stir together with a fork.

Step 3: Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour allowing the sugar to draw the water from the strawberries and create a watery syrup.

Step 4: Place each dessert shell/cup onto a plate.

Step 5: Evenly divide the strawberries and their juice among the shortcake cups. 

Step 6: Top with whipped cream & serve. 

 

 Dallas Distribution Vanilla Sponge Dessert Cups – 6 Count Soft Shells For Filling Check Price Reddi-wip Original Whipped Topping Made with Real Cream, 13 oz. Spray CanCheck Price

 

 

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Best Gifts for Puppies Reviewed

We recently brought home a puppy and immediately started buying puppy appropriate gifts for the little fellow.  

One might think immediately of puppy food and a dog bed when you first get a puppy.  Of course, we did bring home a puppy bed and food.  However, we immediately realized he needed teething toys.  We started with one that we knew would be a wonderful toy since our adult dogs have always loved them.  But, let me tell you, one is not enough!  He currently has 8 teething toys that he has in various locations.  The one he prefers apparently depends on his mood.  

For training, we also needed Milk-Bone biscuits, Mini Pure Bits (liver) and Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Crisps.  Our vet recommended the rice crisps years ago because of their lower calories.  A lot of treats are required for training!

A fleece blanket also makes a great gift!  My mother purchased our little puppy a Christmas fleece blanket that he received immediately.  He loves that blanket!  Most often, he lays on it on our leather couch, but he can drag it down to the floor when desired to make a impromptu bed.  

We already had a ramp, which the puppy will use as an adult to "walk" himself up into the back our our SUV.  It is extremely important to start that training early by placing the ramp against a couch and letting them naturally climb it to get onto a couch.  We discovered the hard way that an adult dog may be afraid to climb a ramp regardless of offered treats. 

A doorway gate may not "feel" like a great gift idea.  However, I assure you, not only are you protecting your furniture and home decor, you are protecting the puppy from cords or falling items after he runs into an end table.  I'm sure you get the idea.  We can't watch them constantly, therefore, they should not run free through an entire home heedless of potential dangers.  Puppies are full of energy and running is exactly what they prefer to walking. 

Believe it or not, I would also suggest Johnson's Baby Shampoo for a puppy's gift.  Again, that was also recommended by our vet for a puppy.  

A few weeks home and these are the "gifts" for puppy that we have found essential.  With Christmas upon us, it seemed like the best time to recommend gifts for puppies (or dogs) if they happen to be on your gift list too.   

All of the above mentioned gifts are featured below and linked to either a previous review or to a store for purchase. 

 

Puppy Chew Toys Make Great Gifts

As I said, these toys will most likely become what you want to get first and continue to add to the collection over time.  You realize quickly that your furniture, bedding, beloved stuffed animals, and even your skin need to be protected from puppy chewing and teething.  The best way to prevent damage is to offer a chew toy that is made for that purpose.

35 years ago, our first puppy turned our kitchen chair legs into gnawing posts.  While it is funny to recall now when my husband refers to the puppy "toothpicks", it was definitely not funny when it happened. 

Of course, you still must train yourself to say "no" since puppies, like any baby, will continue to test your patience and tolerance.  Having a desirable option is in everyone's best interest.

With human babies in mind, I bought a few teething toys that can go in the freezer to make a cold chew toy for our puppy. 

We have always been familiar with the Kong products and know from experience that they are fabulous.  However, my cousin brought Watson (our puppy) a Outward Hound bone.  He loves that bone!  Therefore, I would highly recommend it too. 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Kong Wubba for PuppiesClick to Read the Review Outward Hound by Dogwood Jack Durable Dog Chew Toy, Bacon Scent, LargeCheck Price Petstages Cool Teething Stick for Dogs - for Teething Puppies - Freezable for Added ReliefCheck Price KONG Puppy Goodie Bone - Stuffable Toy for Small Puppy - Natural Rubber Chew for Puppies - Toy for TeethingCheck Price

 

Treats for Puppies

We all like special treats for the holidays. Puppies may not recognize special days of the year, but we do and we like gifting our baby dogs with special treats for special occasions.  Milk-Bone brand recognizes our desire for special treats and they make fun shaped dog biscuits just for the holidays.  Plus, a Christmas fleece blanket always makes a puppy happy and we appreciate the added Christmas "decor" in our home.

Our adult dogs have always appreciated their annual fleece blankets from their granny.  We use them year round in the cars, on hardwood floors, or wherever that little bit of comfort for our puppy is needed.  After all, we don't mind a touch of Christmas spirit throughout the year. 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Milk-Bone Holiday Biscuits Treats for Dogs and PuppiesClick to Read the Review PureBites Beef Liver for Dogs, 8.8oz / 250g - Value SizeCheck Price Christmas Blanket Holiday Fleece Throw Blanket for Couch/SofaCheck Price Quaker Rice Crisps, Apple Cinnamon, 3.52 Ounce, Pack of 6 (Packaging May Vary)Check Price

  

 

More Gifts for Puppies

I mentioned the necessities like the gate, the ramp and the shampoo for puppies.  For Puppy parents who do not have these items, they would be greatly appreciated.  The parents, themselves, may not recognize their importance until they start using them, but time will prove out how much they are truly needed.

 

 Previously Reviewed ~ Indoor Dog GatesRead the Review Comfort Expression Orthopedic Dog Bed for Extra Large Dogs 45x35 Inch, Waterproof Egg Crate FoamCheck Price HerCcreta wigge Dog Ramp for Car 63Check Price Johnson's Head-to-Toe Gentle Tear-Free Baby & Newborn Wash & Shampoo, Sulfate-, Paraben- Phthalate- & Dye-Free, HypoallergenicCheck Price

 

 

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