I love anything with prosciutto in it! And this recipe with 3 ingredients couldn't be easier to make. Plus, it looks like more effort then what it is!
To make the crisps:
Spread 1 1/2 Tablespoon freshly grated parmesan into a 3 inch circle on a parchment paper. Bake 5 minutes at 35o degree until golden and melted. Let cool.
Top with 1/2 slice of prosciutto de parma.
Garnish with basil or spinach.
MY TIP: The crisps can be made the day before and kept in an airtight container with wax paper separating them.
MY OTHER TIP: There is a big difference in the taste of imported versus domestic prosciutto. So always use imported.
We have been taking dance lessons for almost a year now and really enjoy it. My husband suggested that we invite our class over to our house for an evening of drinks and dancing on the deck!
I visualize twinkle lights draped over our deck and dancing under the stars! Of course it would be REALLY ironic if I had Christmas lights in July, because I have ALWAYS dreamed of having them in December at our annual holiday party and never been able to convince my husband (...hint, hint, AGAIN!). (I use luminaries instead to set the mood). I did have lighted decorations one year at our holiday party, thanks to our "good friends"... who set up a gaudy blinking light display on our lawn unbeknown to me that they won at a "white elephant party". I was mortified to see this monstrosity when the party had ended and wonder which of my many guests might have actually thought I decorated with that on purpose! !! Yes--- these are the same friends who have put pink flamingos in our yard and a toilet with flowers on our front entrance way...did I mention they were "good friends"!?!?
I don't know if there will be lights but I do know that I am going to serve Italian appetizers at this get together. These skewers are pretty and a great appetizer to make in advance: Cook tortellini according to directions on package Slice cherry tomatoes Bocconcini balls (Mozzarella balls in water) Your favorite vinaigrette Fresh chopped basil for garnish Marinate for 1-24 hours. Assembly on skewers.
Our beautiful niece just celebrated her sweet sixteen birthday to much fanfare! She was driven around Chicago in a 22 passenger stretch Hummer limousine. If that was not enough, a Cinderella horse drawn carriage awaited her to take her around the grounds of the Ritz where she had her sweet sixteen celebration. Among family and friends she was greeted by a photographer to capture all the important moments. The ballroom was fitting for a princess as it was decorated with beautiful 3 foot tall centerpieces and chairs draped in teal and yellow bows to reflect her color scheme along with a beautiful 4 tier cake. We enjoyed passed appetizers and a wonderful sit down dinner. Before her grand entrance we enjoyed the antics of a Michael Jackson impersonator. Melissa made her grand entrance on a chair lifted by 4 strong young men. She then proceeded to dance to a wonderfully choreograph dance with the 4 young men. She than left the dance floor to return in native Columbia guard to dance to another choreographed candle dance with another young woman. The night was filled with excitement and salsa dancing! The only thing missing from the event was MTV!
While in Chicago for the weekend, we met up with my husband's college roommate and his wife for dinner. I love when my husband and his friend get together because they are hysterical. My husband has a great sense of humor and so does his old roomie, so the time together is always guaranteed to be fun!
They suggested that we eat at Wildfire which is a 1940's style steakhouse. It has been voted Chicago's favorite restaurant 3 years in a row! We had late reservations and the place was bustling! I usually order seafood when I go out but since Wildfire is known for it's steaks, I ordered the Chef's Trio. It was three filet Mignon steaks with a choice of toppings. I chose blue cheese and panko, mushrooms and panko and a Bearnaise sauce with a side of au gratin potatoes. The steak was cooked to perfection and the trio was a great way to sample some of their famous toppings. My husband had the halibut with a side of creamed spinach. His halibut was moist and tasty. I am not a big fan of spinach and never had creamed spinach before but even it was delicious! It was easy to see why this restaurant was voted a favorite 3 years in a row!
I love how festive my cupcake wrappers and cake toppers make my cupcakes look! To make the cupcake toppers, design your own on your computer or download the many free printables that are available online. Print on heavy card stock and cut them with a 2 inch round or scallop paper punch and attached them to a toothpick.
When I first saw the fancy wrappers for cupcakes I fell in love! I love presentation and when I realized that I could make them for a fraction of the cost, I thought of the possibilities!!
MY TIP: I searched online "how to make a cupcake wrapper" and got directions. To buy them online, they wanted $1 each which is $12 for a dozen and that seemed really pricey to me! (Come on ....these are.... cupcake wrappers!!!) So for a mere 75 cents (and a quick trip to Hobby Lobby which was having a sale on scrapbook paper), I was able to make 12 and it took me less than 10 minutes to make!
