Grich Punch
Ingredients
• Lemon-Lime or Green Apple Kool-Aid Packets
• Sugar
• Pineapple Juice
• Frozen Lemonade Concentrate, thawed
• Sprite
• Ice
• Optional: Red Sanding Sugar for Glass Trim
Directions
First, start by pouring 2 quarts of water in a 1 gallon pitcher, add the Kool-aid mix and sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Next, add the pineapple juice and lemonade concentrate and stir well. To top the rim of the glass, dip the top of the glass in water then dip into the red sugar crystals. Just before serving, add the Sprite and ice and serve and enjoy!
Sausage Cheeseball
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons biscuit/baking mix
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped celery
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 pound bulk pork sausage
• Optional: Sweet-and-sour and barbecue sauces
Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. In a small bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Crumble sausage over mixture and mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place in a shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and no longer pink inside, 12-15 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sauces if desired.
For those traveling this Holiday Season, we want you to arrive at your destination safely. This year, nearly 5.8 million Florida residents will take at least one holiday road trip. That’s 110,000 more than last year and a 2 percent increase from 2019, according to AAA’s winter holiday travel prediction.
Two easy ways to help you arrive at your destination safely: buckle up and don’t drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. While they might seem obvious, the reality is that drivers have been making risky decisions behind the wheel in recent years – including driving impaired and not wearing their seat belts. Also, remember to watch your speed and don’t drive distracted.
Easy Chocolate Easter Mocktail
Ingredients
• 1-2 tablespoon melting chocolate of your choice
• 4 oz milk
• 1 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon flaked chocolate for garnish optional
• 1 Easter egg for garnish (optional)
Directions
• Microwave chocolate until melted (about 30-60 seconds). Dip the rim of the glass into the chocolate. Don’t worry if it’s not evenit all tastes the same! Place in freezer until ready to serve.
• Blend all the other ingredients together until combined. Pour into glass and garnish with chocolate flakes and Easter egg (optional).
Carrot Croissants
Ingredients
• 8 (12x4-inch) sheets of foil
• 1 can refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 16 small sprigs fresh parsley
Directions
Cut the rolls into long thin strips, and wrap around some aluminum foil in the shape of a carrot. Leave foil and bake according to directions. Pull out foil when baked, and stuff with cream cheese filling. Simple and yummy!
Easter may not seem like a peak travel time, but many families travel to be with their loved ones for this important holiday. That means increased traffic both on the road and at the airport. And that means more potential dangers for travelers.
No matter what your Easter plans are, or who you might be visiting, do your best to make it a safe trip. Here are 3 simple rules:
1. Always buckle up! Seat belts safe lives!
2. Never drink and drive.
3. Turn off your cell phone until you arrive, it will eliminate the temptation of checking messages. Hands free driving is best.
Pineapple Coolers
Ingredients
• 1 cup Pineapple Juice
• 2 cups Limeade
• 1/2 cup Club Soda
Directions
For Limeade
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup of Water
• 1 cup Fresh Lime Juice
• 4 - 6 cups Cold Water (according to taste)
Making the Limeade Juice the limes, set aside. Combine the sugar with 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let the sugar dissolve. Let cool. Combine the lime juice with the sugar water in a large pitcher, then stir in cold water 1 cup at a time until you reach your desired flavor.
Making the Pineapple Coolers
In a large pitcher, combine the pineapple juice, limeade, and club soda. Transfer the pitcher of the pineapple cooler to the refrigerator and chill until cold. After chilled, pour in tall glasses over ice.
Mini Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
• 2 small tortillas
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken (to taste)
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, or other meltable cheese of your choice)
Directions
Arrange the shredded chicken and cheese on each quesadilla. Fold in half. Place both quesadillas on a pre-heated 9-inch skillet over medium-low heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Carefully flip each quesadilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side, uncovered, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Garnish with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
If you plan on drinking alcohol as part of your Cinco de Mayo celebration, the most important safety tip is to plan ahead to ensure you arrive home safely. You can:
• Avoid driving
• Designate a sober driver before the party begins
• Use public transportation or ride share to get you home
• Take away the keys of someone you know who is alcohol impaired and help them arrange alternative transportation
Berry Splash
Ingredients
• 1 (0.13-oz.) package unsweetened cherry drink mix
• 6 cups white cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Garnish: fresh mint sprigs or strawberry leaves
Directions
1. Stir together first 3 ingredients and 2 cups water in a large pitcher until sugar is dissolved. Cover and chill. Garnish, if desired.
2. Freeze blueberries in ice trays with white cranberry juice, or any preferred fruit.
Note: Made with Kool-Aid Cherry Unsweetened Soft Drink Mix.
Fruit and Cheese Skewers
Ingredients
• 12 strawberries, halved
• 24 fresh blueberries
• 12 mini mozzarella balls, halved
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (optional)
Directions
Combine all ingredients, use a mini flag for decoration, and to hold all the ingredients together.
More than 2.6 million Floridians are expected to travel during the 4th of July holiday. According to AAA, eighty-nine percent of those travelers are forecast to travel by automobile - the most on record.
Driving safety tips for this year’s 4th of July holiday:
• Don’t drive impaired. If you plan to drink, have a designated driver or ride-share service get you home safely.
• Buckle up. It’s the law.
• ATVs and off-road vehicles are to be driven on unpaved roadways - never the highway.
• Get plenty of rest before you get behind the wheel. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as impaired driving.
Ginger-Orange Mocktails
Ingredients
• 1 (89-oz.) container orange juice or lemonade
• 1 (2-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled
• 1 (46-oz.) can pineapple juice, chilled
Directions
Stir together orange juice, ginger ale, and pineapple juice. Serve over ice.
Perfect for these hot Florida days!
Mini Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
• 2 small tortillas
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded cooked chicken (to taste)
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar, or other meltable cheese of your choice)
Directions
Arrange the shredded chicken and cheese on each quesadilla. Fold in half. Place both quesadillas on a pre-heated 9-inch skillet over medium-low heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Carefully flip each quesadilla and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other side, uncovered, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Garnish with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
For many, football games and other sporting events are times to get together and celebrate with friends. Cheering for your favorite team, and being decked out in your team attire makes the day fun! While tailgating can be a fun way to jump start the game, close quarters with friends and alcohol can also turn into a disaster. Here are some tips on what you can do to ensure that you, your friends, and loved ones, have a good time and survive to enjoy the game and, in fact the entire season:
• Always have a designated driver lined up!
• Always provide alternative beverages (nonalcoholic)
• Have lots of water available!
• Pay attention to food in the hot sun…..especially salads that contain mayonnaise, they must be refrigerated.
• Remember where you parked and remember to lock your car.
Pear, Pumpkin and Orange Juice
Ingredients
• 1 tube of black icing
• 50g pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and deseeded
• 1 ripe pear
• 250ml orange juice
• 1cm thick slice ginger
Directions
Decorate two tumblers to look like Halloween pumpkins with the tube of black icing – pipe triangles for the eyes and noses and zig zags for the mouths. Leave to dry. Cut the pumpkin into smaller chunks and put in a blender along with the pear, orange juice, ginger and 100ml cold water. Blend until smooth then pour into the prepared glasses.
Banana Mummies
Ingredients
• 4 bananas
• 1 lb. white chocolate
• 4 oz. white chocolate
• 16 mini M&M’s
• 4 oz. milk chocolate chips
• 8 lollipop sticks
Directions
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Skewer each banana half with a lollipop stick and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. In a large microwave-safe measuring cup, melt 1 lb. white chocolate in the microwave according to package directions. One at a time, dip the bananas into the chocolate to coat, shaking off any excess. Return to the baking sheet and immediately place two M&M candies near the top for eyes. Melt the remaining white chocolate in the microwave according to package directions and fill a small piping bag fitted with a small, round nozzle tip. Pipe zigzags over the banana to form bandages. Repeat this step with the milk chocolate, if using. Chill or freeze until ready to serve.
During Halloween, costume and traffic safety are essential for trick-or-treaters. These tips can help make a safe and happy holiday for everyone.
• Carry glow sticks or flashlights, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers.
• Join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating.
• Slow down and be alert!
• Remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks.
Pumpkin Smoothie
Ingredients
• 1 15-oz. can pumpkin pie filling
• 3 cup whole milk (more if needed)
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (up to 1 cup)
• A few dashes of ground cinnamon
• 4 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed
Pumpkin-Shape Cheeseball
Directions
Freeze the pumpkin pie filling in a container. Blend the frozen filling with milk and yogurt in a blender until it’s pulverized. Add more milk or yogurt for desired consistency. Pour into glasses, sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs, and serve immediately.
Ingredients
• 8 oz. block cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
• 8 oz. tub vegetable cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix (or regular ranch)
• 3 green onions sliced
• 1 red pepper finely diced (save the stem)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided use
Directions
Combine cream cheese, Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix, green onion, red pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese. Spread about 1/4 cup shredded cheese on cling wrap, add the cheese ball mixture, and cover with the remainder of the cheese. Wrap tightly with two layers of cling wrap, and shape like a pumpkin using four rubber bands. Chill for at least two hours. Top with a red pepper stem and serve with crackers. Enjoy!
For those traveling this Thanksgiving, we want you to arrive at your destination safely. Two easy ways to help accomplish that: buckle up and don’t drive impaired by alcohol or drugs. While they might seem obvious, the reality is that drivers have been making risky decisions behind the wheel in recent years – including driving impaired and not wearing their seat belts.
By driving sober, buckling up every time, and making sure your passengers do the same, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones arrive at your holiday destination safe and sound. Also, remember to watch your speed and don’t drive distracted.
Sparkling Leprechaun Kiss
Ingredients
• Green or red sugar, for rimming glasses
• 1 ounce Sour Apple Pucker
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1 drop green food coloring
• Lemon lime soda
• Ice Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a festive glass!
Spinach-Pesto Ravioli
Ingredients
• Spinach ravioli (store bought)
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup bottled vinaigrette
• Pesto sauce
Directions
Boil 16 spinach ravioli as the label directs. Drain and pat dry. Fry the ravioli in 1/2 cup olive oil until golden on both sides, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Mix tablespoons pesto sauce with 1/2 cup bottled vinaigrette. Place the ravioli on skewers and dip in the sauce.
St. Patrick’s Day is one of America’s most widely celebrated holidays, for the Irish and non-Irish alike. It’s a great excuse to gather with friends and family and make merry over bangers n’ mash and a pint of green beer.
Sadly, the night often ends with drunk drivers on the road, which pose a threat to other drivers, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians.