National Fast Food Day

November 16th isNational Fast Food Day!Long May They Give Us Indigestion!
Today we celebrate the Hamburger and the Hot Dog - two of my favorite fast foods! The History of the HamburgerThe History of the Hot Dog on Wikipedia
BURP!
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SCRAPPLE - A Bold & Pungent Pennsylvania Meal

Today is National Cook Something Bold &  Pungent Day AND National Scrapple Day and I think it might be possible to combine the two in one meal.

First, It might help to know what Scrapple actually is, right? Well, it's kind of a Pennsylvania Dutch pork meatloaf made up of pork scraps, corn meal, flour and spices which is sliced and then fried.  Known also as "pon haus", Scrapple is a rural food phenomenon of the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. which was employed to make use of all the leftover pork not used elsewhere.

Scary, huh? Anyone else having visions of Spam here? I have to admit it doesn't sound that appetizing to me, but then I'm not a fan of Spam either. However, I have a friend from back East who says it's quite good if prepared properly and it certainly fits into the bold and pungent category, especially if you add some serious spices to it!

If you're adventurous and want to give it a try, here's a recipe for Scrapple from the Food Network.  As for me, I think I'll stick to my standard meatloaf and a martini!

Happy National Cook Something Bold & Pungent and National Scrapple Day!

HAPPY NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY!

"Get Me Chocolate Now" on Art, Apparel & Gifts

from The PopArtDiva Gift Gallery!

 IT'S NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY!

Today is your excuse to eat all the chocolate you want! Indulge yourself in this Food of the Gods because what was once only meant for kings is available to the entire world AND it's good for you!

Indulge yourself in one of my many CHOCOLATE MARTINIS
and check out all the CHOCOLATE RECIPES on my Tiny Foods Recipe Page.

WHERE DID CHOCOLATE COME FROM?

Chocolate was discovered by the ancient Mesoamericans over 2,000 years ago. The ancient Maya discovered cacao pods growing in their rain forests, found that the seeds could be mixed with spices for a spicy and luscious drink, and began to cultivate them. It was highly favored but limited to the elite of that ancient society. And since the Maya didn't have sugar their "cocoa" wasn't sweet but, as stated above, spicy. Trade with other Mesoamerican cultures introduced this delicacy to the Aztecs, who then would demand tribute in cacao seeds. (But remember this was a spicy, not sweet chocolate, to this day Mexican chocolate often has spices added to it.)

When the Spanish conquistadors brought the seeds back home to Spain new recipes were created. The Spanish are credited with adding sugar to their chocolate and eventually this was the form that brought chocolate to the rest of Europe. Since cacao and sugar were expensive imports only the chosen few could afford to drink it and it remained a drink only for royals and the wealthy until the Industrial Revolution helped bring chocolate to the masses. Thank the Gods!

YES! CHOCOLATE IS GOOD FOR YOU!

• There are over 300 chemicals contained in chocolate - someday someone had to find some that were good for us AND THEY DID!
• One study has shown that the smell of chocolate might relax you by increasing theta waves in your brain!
• Chocolate contains small amounts of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA) which is a mood elevator - something we woman discovered eons ago!
• According to the Mayo Clinic studies, the stearic acid in chocolate is a neutral fat that does NOT increase bad cholesterol AND the cocoa butter in chocolate has oleic acid which is a mono-unsaturated fat - the same type of fat found in olive oil which might actually raise good cholesterol!
• Chocolate contains proteins, rivoflavin, calcium and iron.

CHOCOLATE QUOTES:

Probably the most famous chocolate quote in today's world:
Life is like a box of chocolates -- you never know what you're going to get - Forrest Gump in "Forrest Gump"

There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles - Anonymous

Make a list of important things to do today. At the top of your list, put 'eat chocolate.' Now, you'll get at least one thing done today - Unknown

I never met a chocolate I didn't like - Deanna Troi, Star Trek: The Next Generation

The 12-step chocoholics program: NEVER BE MORE THAN 12 STEPS AWAY FROM CHOCOLATE - Terry Moore

All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt - Lucy Van Pelt in The Peanuts Comic Strip by Charles M. Schulz

I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process.... It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance? - Anonymous

It's not that chocolates are a substitute for love. Love is a substitute for chocolate. Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man - Miranda Ingram

Researchers have discovered that chocolate produced some of the same reactions in the brain as marijuana. The researchers also discovered other similarities between the two, but can't remember what they are - Matt Lauer

More Chocolate Fun:

"I'll take GOOD CHOCOLATE over BAD SEX Anyday!"

on Art, Apparel & Gifts from The Rantorium Emporium

HAPPY NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY!

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HAPPY NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY!

 October 26th isNATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY! Celebrate with somePUMPKIN MARTINISfrom TheMartiniDiva.Com:The PUMPKIN PIE MARTINIThe SMASHED PUMPKIN MARTINIThe PUMPKIN CREAM MARTINIThe PUMPKIN EGGNOG MARTINI MAKE YOUR OWNPUMPKIN LIQUEUR!
Serve Up Some YummyPUMPKIN HALF MOON PIES:

More Pumpkin Fun Tips:

• Don't like the idea of carving a pumpkin? Paint one instead! Here's some great examples.
• Use your pumpkins for serving bowls!  For the small to medium pumpkins - hallow them out, spray the interior with a good coating of spray oil and fill them with dips and spreads.  Stuff a holiday themed napkin inside and fill with nuts and pretzels. Larger pumpkins can even be used as coolers - fill them with ice and insert your cold drinks!
• Don't throw away the seeds after you hollow out your pumpkin - dry them and roast them up to eat!
• Pumpkins come in a variety of colors too so pick up some of them to have fun with.

A FEW PUMPKIN FACTS:

• Pumpkins contain potassium and Vitamin A.
• Pumpkins are used for feed for animals.
• Pumpkin flowers are edible.
• Pumpkins are members of the vine crops family called cucurbits.
• Pumpkins originated in Central America.
• The name pumpkin originated from "pepon" – the Greek word for "large melon."
• Pumpkins are 90 percent water.
• Pumpkins are fruit.
• Colonists sliced off pumpkin tops; removed seeds and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. This was baked in hot ashes and is the origin of pumpkin pie.

HAPPY NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY!

Stop by and grab some of my Halloween Tiny Food Recipes for your Party! Tweet

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CURRIED COCONUT CHICKEN SAUTE

 

 This last summer I was constantly on the look out for new ways to make my dinner without heating up the oven.  When you live in Arizona you don't want to add any more heat into the house by cranking up an oven so the stove burners, your brain, your saute pans and crock pots get a workout for several months!
One night I had to do something with the chicken I had taken out and defrosted and I was desperate for something a little more interesting than a stir fry or some chicken and veggies.  I started digging around in my larder and found coconut milk and immediately I decided to do a curried dish.
Turned out to be a whopping success (not all my concoctions are) and I am sharing it with you.It's a nice dish to serve on nutty Basmati rice and I paired mine up with some sliced bananas and green grapes because they go well with curry.

You can download the FREE, Full Sized, 5x3 Recipe Card in Print Quality Here under Favorite Foods/Entrees.
BTW, If you're looking for some fun, fabulous & frightful Halloween appetizers, check out my latest book:The Martini Diva's HALLOWEEN MARTINIS & MUNCHIES Bon Appetit and Enjoy!Tweet

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FALLING LEAVES BLANK RECIPE CARD for Fall!

 Fall has just started and I'm sure everyone is digging out their favorite Fall recipes.  Maybe your recipe card is a little the worse for wear or maybe your recipe is written down on a napkin or it's from a newspaper article.  This means it's probably time to get that recipe on a new card. My FALLING LEAVES recipe card is perfect for your fall recipes to save and share with your friends!
DOWNLOAD THE FULL SIZED, 5X3, PRINT QUALITY RECIPE CARD HERE
You can also get this FALLING LEAVES onApparel, Art, Stationary & Paper Goods for Home, School & Business, Gifts & Even Shoesat my Taking Care of Business Store.

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SMOKY PEACH SALSA

SMOKEY PEACH SALSA on Bruschetta

I had tomatoes and peaches that had to be used before they went bad, some lovely Anaheim Chilies I had just grilled last night, a nice little French baguette, warm temperatures still and no energy so this is what I'm having for dinner tonight served up with a nice shaker full of Cilantro Martinis!

Okay, that's it because I want to eat my dinner!  You can download the FREE, full sized, 5x3 recipe card in print quality HERE at TheMartiniDiva.Com.

 

Ciao & Buon Appetito!

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The HALLOWEEN MARTINIS & MUNCHIES BOOK by The Martini Diva

Wondering How to Put the Boo in Your Booze this Halloween?
Need Some Frightfully Fabulous Finger Foods for Your Party?

Got You Covered in My Newest Cocktail Book:

The Martini Diva's

HALLOWEEN MARTINIS
& MUNCHIES BOOK

CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PREVIEW

The new cocktail book from The Martini Diva, "The HALLOWEEN MARTINIS & MUNCHIES Book" is a spooktacular, full color happy hour experience with 31 Halloween themed martini recipes, appetizers & trivia.

It's a Halloween Happy Hour of Monstrously Marvelous Martinis and Munchies in the Spooky Spirit of Creepy Cocktail Creativity that will put the ghouls in your glass and the spook in your spirits, accompanied by Halloween themed party recipes, trivia and limericks to entertain until the stroke of midnight - or later.

Full color throughout, it's over 70 pages of martinis, munchies and mad mayhem in the true spirit of All Hallows' Eve. Garnished with ghoulish goodies, shaken up with mysterious mixology and served up with a dash of frightful frivolity by The Martini Diva, The Halloween Martini Book is a spook-tacular party guide to a spirit filled Halloween.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ON AMAZON
CLICK HERE TO ORDER ON CREATESPACE

WHOLESALE ORDERS WELCOME!

Please Contact Me for Pricing and Details

All images and content on this post are protected by copyright. No permission is given to copy, distribute, share, post, print without written permission from PopArtDiva.Com

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TANGERINE SALSA RECIPE

TANGERINE SALSA

This is GREAT on grilled fish or chicken as well as being a nice non-tomato salsa alternative for your tortilla chips.  If you don't have tangerines you can substitute canned mandarin oranges!

 You can download the FREE full sized, 5x3 recipe card in print quality HERE
Be sure to check outALL MY MARTINI RECIPES ON MAILABLE POSTCARDS!Send a little Martini Love with Friends & Family Tweet


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ST. PATRICK'S DAY APPETIZERS & PARTY FOOD

Download this and my other St. Patrick's Day Recipe Card for Free Here

FREE ST. PATRICK'S DAY RECIPE CARDS

for Your Irish Munchies

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day this Thursday with some of my fun St. Patrick's Party Foods - Try out my Corned Beef & Rye Dip, the Erin Go Bragh Pizza, some Green Deviled Eggs and even a St. Patrick's Day Fondue!

You'll need a few cocktails as well so check out my St. Patrick's Day Martinis too!

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PARTY FOODS - APPETIZERS for OSCAR NIGHT

Tomorrow night is the 83rd Annual Academy Awards and if you're planning on having a little Oscar Party here's some special Tiny Foods you can enjoy while watching the show!

I have 3 special recipes just for Oscar night but don't miss the tons of other appetizer recipes and snacks as well - there's everything there from soup to nuts - no kidding!  Check them all out - you can download all the recipes on my free, 5x3 recipe cards and print them out to save for your recipe file!

DOWNLOAD The Full Sized, 5x3 Recipes Cards for the Oscar Snacks & All My:
TINY FOODS, APPETIZERS, DESSERTS & CHOCOLATE GOODIES

Enjoy the OSCARS!

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CHOCOLATE DIPPED VALENTINE STRAWBERRIES

 Make Some CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIESfor Your Valentine
There's nothing quite as sexy and sensuous as a delicious, fresh strawberry dipped in creamy, dark chocolate.  Not only are these great eats but they're low calorie, low fat and good for you!
Chocolate Covered Strawberries are easy to make and make a perfect Valentine Dessert as well as a great garnish for a Valentine Cocktail.  Grab the FREE, full sized Valentine themed recipe card HERE. Tweet

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CHOCOLATE DESSERTS for Valentine's Day!

CHOCOLATE FONDUE INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

 CHOCOLATE CREME BRULEE INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

  MINI CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKES INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

 MINI CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TARTS INGREDIENTS & INSTRUCTIONS

ENJOY THESE
CHOCOLATE DESSERTS

on Valentine's Day!

AND. . . if you need some Love Potions, don't miss all my Valentine Martinis every day at The Martini Diva!

Get the Recipe and the Free Full-Sized Recipe Cards for these

Valentine's Day Desserts Here

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VALENTINES DAY MENU - Entree & Desserts

 

 

OVEN ROASTED TRI-TIP with RED POTATOES

Serving up a complete menu for Valentine's Day all week, Valentine Martinis every day at The Martini Diva and some great Chocolate Valentine's Day Desserts starting tomorrow!

Get the Recipe and the Free Full-Sized Recipe Card for the

VALENTINE'S MENU ENTREE

and all my

Valentine's Day Appetizers & Desserts Here

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VALENTINES DAY APPETIZERS & DESSERTS - Day 3

 

MINI SEAFOOD CASSEROLES

Serving up a complete menu for Valentine's Day all week, Valentine Martinis every day at The Martini Diva and some great Chocolate Valentine's Day Desserts on Friday!

Get the Recipe and the Free Full-Sized Recipe Card for the

MINI SEAFOOD CASSEROLES

and all my

Valentine's Day Appetizers Here

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VALENTINES DAY APPETIZERS & DESSERTS - Day 2

 CUPID'S ARROW BREADSTICKS

Serving up a complete menu for Valentine's Day all week, Valentine Martinis every day at The Martini Diva and some great Chocolate Valentine's Day Desserts on Friday!

Get the Recipe and the Free Full-Sized Recipe Card for this and all my Valentine's Day Appetizers Here

 

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VALENTINES DAY APPETIZERS & DESSERTS

DILL CUCUMBER CROSTINI HEARTS APPETIZER

Serving up a complete menu for Valentine's Day, Valentine Martinis and some great Chocolate Valentine's Day Desserts all week!

Get the Recipe and the Free Full-Sized Recipe Card for this and all my Valentine's Day Appetizers Here.

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CHEESECAKE POPS - Dipped in Chocolate!

 

Image ©2011 by PopArtDiva.Com. All Rights Reserved

 CHEESECAKE POPS

Dipped in Dark Chocolate!

I was tweeting and posting on Facebook how I made Cheesecake Pops and everyone has been tweeting and FBing me back asking for the recipe.  It's actually pretty easy to make the pops, the cheesecake takes a bit more work but it's well worth it.  Here's what I did:

• I made my favorite cheesecake the other day based on a clone recipe for Lindy's Cheesecake (you can find the recipe for the Lindy's Cheesecake Recipe Here under L at TheMartiniDiva.Com) BUT I didn't do the crust and I baked just the cheesecake itself in a regular glass baking dish that had been well greased.
• When it was baked and cooled I scooped out little balls with my melon baller, rolled them tighter with my palms and set them a parchment paper lined flat dish.
• I stuck in some sticks then froze them for a few hours.  This helps them from dissolving when you dip them in the hot, melted chocolate.
• I took a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and melted them in a double boiler.  When the chocolate was completely melted and smooth I turned off the heat but kept the bowl in the hot water.  This keeps the chocolate nice and melted while you dip
• Then I simply dipped my cheesecake balls in the chocolate, tapped them a bit to get any excess off and set these on a clean parchment lined platter and put them in the fridge to harden up.

That's it, simple as can be AND if you don't want to go to the trouble of making your own cheesecake you can try out Kraft's Philadelphia Cheesecake that you can buy in the grocery store!  I haven't tried that shortcut yet - that cheesecake is not as dense as my recipe so I suspect you might not be able to roll the cheesecake balls at all but will have to scoop them only to freeze them.  If you try this let me know how it works for you, I'm getting some at the grocery store today and giving it a whirl myself later this week.

Enjoy and be sure to stop by TheMartiniDiva.Com for some great Dessert Martinis you can serve with these Cheesecake Pops - I have a great Strawberry Cheesecake Martini and a ton of Chocolate Martinis that would be perfect for these!

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