Monday, December 31, 2012

Pretty Ice Buckets for Your Champagne

Courtesy of Briana Mowrey

Hi Friends,

Maybe you’re uber-prepared and you do all of your shopping ahead of time, but some of us would be scrambling right about now if we were hosting a New Year's Eve party tonight — and I’m sure my bubbly would be less than chilly. Thankfully there are a lot of pretty ice bucket options to help keep everything just right.

Left column, top to bottom:
  • NambĂ© “Tilt” Ice/Champagne Bucket
  • The Bathtub Champagne Chiller
  • Extra Large Teak Ice Bucket by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
  • DIANE von FURSTENBERG Chain Link Ice Bucket
Large image:
  • Top Hat Ice Bucket
Middle column, top to bottom:
  • Waterford Crystal Lismore Ice Bucket & Tongs – Cobalt
  • Vintage French Champagne Ice Bucket
Right column, top to bottom:
  • Handyman’s Ceramic Pail
  • Vintage Red Apple Ice Bucket

Just a few ideas but you probably have great ideas of your own for that special ice bucket to entertain your family and good friends...

Happy New Year's Eve from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Toast to New Year's Mocktails

Courtesy of HGTV

Hi Friends,

Learn how to whip up some delicious mocktails that cater to nondrinkers.

Creativity expert Andrew Rakos whips up some delicious New Year's Eve mocktails that cater to nondrinkers. His recipes use everything from designer ice cubes to fun-shaped root-beer floats.

Mix juice flavors, pour into ice molds or ice-cube trays and freeze. Add the flavored ice to other beverage bases such as club soda and other clear drinks. As the ice melts, the flavor is added to the drink. Also, if food coloring is added to the flavored ice before freezing, it will be added to the drink with the flavor.

For a different touch, freeze tiny edible flowers into the cubes by first filling trays halfway and freezing them. Add edible flowers and fill trays the rest of the way and freeze. Mix drinks with fizz and colorful juices, such as half berry juice and half soda.

Garnishes for drinks make them more festive. Use any kind of fruit such as grapefruit, orange, lemon and lime slices.

The Shirley Temple
Ingredients:
ice
ginger ale
grenadine
orange slices
mint slices

Preparation:
Fill glass with ice. Pour ginger ale and grenadine over the ice. Garnish with orange and mint slices.

Matthew Mouse Mocktail
Ingredients:
ice
cola
vanilla ice cream
cookie of choice
colored sugar-covered chocolate pieces

Preparation:
Fill a wide, fun-shaped glass with ice. Pour cola until the ice is barely covered. Add a big dollop of vanilla ice cream on top of the ice. Put a cookie on each side of ice cream to make ears, and add colored sugar-covered chocolate pieces to the front of dollop for the eyes and nose.

Woo-Woo Mocktail
Ingredients:
orange juice
pineapple juice
grenadine
lemon juice
bitters

Preparation:
Mix equal parts of orange juice and pineapple juice. Add a dash each of grenadine, lemon juice and bitters.

Three excellent, nonalcoholic drinks to bring in the New Year with family and good friends...

Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Festive New Year’s Eve Party Poppers and Tasty Cocktails

Courtesy of Kayla Kitts

Hi Friends,

Can you believe we’re almost at the start of another year? It feels like only yesterday we was wearing giant New Year’s glasses emblazoned with “2-0-0-0.” over a decade has passed, but we still turn to classic party poppers when we need a fun and chic favor idea. What's best is they’re easy to make and are just as festive on the outside as they are on the inside.

Use recycled gift-wrap tubing and fill with cellophane-wrapped chocolates, homemade treats or small gifts. Decorate with ribbon and colored paper. You can also turn the poppers into a game by numbering each one and then have guests trade the packages Yankee Swap-style. For a bonus, we also have an amazing cocktail recipe perfect for that classic midnight toast.

Liam’s Midnight Toast Cocktail

This colorful and flavorful cocktail is the perfect drink for toasting at New Year’s Eve.

Single serve

Ingredients:

4 oz. champagne (reasonably priced non-vintage champagne is fine)
1/2 oz. cognac
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
dash of Campari
orange wheel (garnish)
crushed ice

Preparation:

1. Fill a large chilled wineglass with crushed ice.
2. Add the following in exactly this order:
  • Champagne
  • Cognac
  • Grand Marnier
  • Campari
3. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Now you're set with poppers and cocktails for your New Year's Eve party...

It’s a little early, but Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, December 28, 2012

Bring in the New Year with Ways to Celebrate

Courtesy of Kayla Kitts

Hi Friends,

Happy New Year, everyone! We will usher out 2012 with a bang, so why not welcome this year with something just as festive? Here are some(resolution-free) ways to celebrate 2013 today.

Champagne Brunch...
Gather friends and family for a special brunch experience on a lazy weekend morning. Keep it simple and fresh with easy table setting ideas and treats that are both savory and sweet.

Buffet Brunch
Courtesy of Matthew Mead

Brunch is a grown-up way to relax tradition and mix delicious foods that might not typically be served together. Start by setting up a buffet in your most light-filled room. Pick a favorite color scheme, like lilac, and lay out a pretty linen tablecloth, napkins, white dishes and juices, like orange and cranberry.

Creative Silverware Display

Serve up silverware in a festive container. Start with rectangular card-stock containers and cut scrapbook paper to fit around the holder. Adhere the paper with double-sided tape, and decorate with self-adhesive crystal embellishments. Use letter stickers to spell out fun sayings.

Simple Place Settings

Create pretty folded napkins with pockets to hold a flower blossom and place card. Start by folding the napkin in half from top to bottom, and then fold the bottom up to the top. Take the top layer and fold it down about an inch. Fold the napkin into thirds by folding each side under to create the pocket on top. Place the flower stem in the pocket.

Bellini Bar

Set up a Bellini bar with fresh fruits, champagne and bottles of fruit purees. Make your own purees or purchase them in the ice cream section of the grocery store. Fill one third of a glass with the puree; try orange, peach or raspberry. Add two thirds of chilled champagne or sparkling wine, and serve immediately.

One-Dish Meal

Frittata is the perfect one-dish meal and can be served warm or at room temperature. Serve it sliced on a platter or whole in a pretty pie plate.

Ingredients:
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces
2 medium potatoes, cut into 1/4" slices
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
2 tsp. finely snipped fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried basil, crushed

Directions:
Using a large cast iron skillet, cook bacon pieces until crisp and brown. Reserve two tablespoons of bacon drippings. Drain bacon pieces on paper towel.

Add potato slices to skillet and cook in bacon drippings. Cover and cook over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes until tender and brown.

In large bowl, beat eggs, milk, pepper and salt until combined. Stir in cheese, green onion and basil. Set aside.

Spread cooked potatoes in an even layer over the bottom of a nine-inch pie plate. Sprinkle the bacon over the potatoes. Pour in egg mixture. Cover and cook over medium-low heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes, until top surface of egg is set. Decrease heat to low, if necessary, to allow center to cook without overcooking the edges.

Loosen edges of frittata from pan, and carefully invert onto large serving plate. Cut into wedges. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream or salsa and extra crumbled bacon before serving, if desired.

Blueberry Scones

Homemade blueberry scones are always a crowd favorite. Display in a basket or casserole dish that's been lined with a linen in your chosen color.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 tbs. sugar
2-1/2 tbs. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and mix well.

In a small bowl, stir together butter, eggs and milk. Pour into flour mixture, and mix until ingredients bind together. Stir in blueberries.

Turn dough out on a floured surface. Pat out dough to a nine-inch circle and cut into eight wedges. Transfer with a spatula to a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Makes eight servings.

Mini Fruit Tarts

With store-bought ingredients, mini fruit tarts are easy to make, but look like they came from a pastry chef. Start with mini pastry tart shells and fill with your favorite vanilla pudding. Cut up an assortment of fruit and arrange on top of each tart. Heat apricot jam in the microwave for a few seconds and use a pastry brush to brush the jam on top of the fruit.

Elegant Dessert

Cream puffs displayed in wineglasses make for a very tempting presentation. Use store-bought cream puffs and dip one cream puff per serving in chocolate. Place two or three cream puffs in each wine glass and then top with a chocolate-dipped one.

Invite friends and family to ring in the new year in stylish and with warmth...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Tips for a Green New Year

Photo: Courtesy of NASA

Hi Friends,

This year why not resolve to make a few simple lifestyle changes that could have a huge impact on the earth?

New Year's Day is fast approaching, and along with it, all those resolutions. This year why not resolve to make a few simple lifestyle changes that could have a huge impact on the earth? To help you get started, HGTV has shared 10 easy "green" New Year's resolutions:

1. Ditch the plastic. Carry a reusable bag with you for groceries, shopping and take-out food.

2. Tuck in your computer at night. Turn off your screen saver and cut even more energy that your computer uses by putting it in sleep mode when it isn't in use.

3. Clean with green. Clean your home with non-toxic and natural cleaning products. Just about anything can be cleaned with white vinegar, baking soda and a few drops of lemon.

4. Be good to your vehicle, and it will be good to you. Inflate your tires once a month or as necessary. Replace the air filter and tune up your engine regularly. A new air filter can get you 10 percent more miles per gallon, and a tune-up can boost miles per gallon from 4 percent to 40 percent.

5. Think globally, buy locally. Buy locally grown food that's in season. Food that hasn't traveled thousands of miles to your plate is fresher and tastier, and buying local food drastically cuts down on global-warming pollution.

6. Coffee — it's not just for drinking anymore. The next time you brew a cup of fresh coffee at home, don't toss the used coffee grounds into the trash. First, spoon some warm grounds into your hands and mix it with your favorite hand soap, then scrub away. The grounds will exfoliate dead skin and the soap will render your hands squeaky clean. Scatter remaining grounds around your evergreen shrubs and trees — it's an energizing fertilizer for them.

7. Start composting today. A compost pile or composter turns your food and lawn wastes into rich mulch. It's a great way to reduce your trash production, and if you start today, you'll have rich compost in time for spring planting.

8. Don't be a drip. Fix leaky faucets. A faucet that drips once each second can waste over 8 gallons of water per day and more than 3,000 gallons per year.

9. Turn dollars into sense. Save on energy consumption and your electric bill by turning down your thermometer and throwing on your favorite fuzzy pajamas.

10. Ease up on the pedal. Slowing down from 75 to 65 miles per hour will drop your highway gas consumption by about 15 percent.

Check back for more green ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Home

Courtesy of HGTV
By Melinda Fulmer

Hi Friends,

Every year when January rolls around you vow to lose weight, save money or spend more time with family and friends. But what goals do you set for your home?

In the spirit of new beginnings, HGTV has consulted the experts and come up with some resolutions that will make your home a more beautiful, efficient, clean and green place in the coming year.

Here are our five picks for the best home improvement resolutions for 2011 and how to achieve them:

1. Streamline the stuff


One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter.

Each year most of us acquire a mountain of stuff. Without some regular purging, cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most. (All that clutter also makes your house look dated and dirty, designers say.)

This year resolve to go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. After that, think twice about what you bring in, says Antoinette Nue, an Atlanta consultant who specializes in helping people simplify and go green.

"Fill your home with the things that raise your energy level and make you feel good, and get rid of the things that drain your energy or are broken," she says.

Stash useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs, remotes and those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets. Group similar items together on sleek trays, says Stuart McCormick, a designer with Liz Levin Interiors in Washington D.C.

Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis. And get ready to breathe a little easier in your own home.

2. Make it safe and sound


Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe? There are a few things that every homeowner should do to ensure that they're not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk.

First, check your house for radon. This colorless, odorless gas causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year from the radioactive particles it traps in your lungs as you breathe, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One in every fifteen homes has elevated levels. And with test kits costing as little as $20 at your local hardware store, there's no reason not to get right on that.

While we're on the subject of deadly gas, make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up in your house and kill you. Like a radon test, this is a small investment — $40 or more — for such an important safeguard.

Watch out for dryer lint. We know you clean the little trap inside the door, but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it's highly combustible, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, accounting for more than 15,000 building fires a year.

Make sure your house can breathe. Hickory Hills, Ill. home inspector Jack McGraw is always surprised at how many people's bathrooms and attics aren't vented to the outside (or the vents are covered over with shingles.) This makes you a prime candidate for mold.

And if you're considering a remodel — and your home was last built or remodeled before 1978 — consider testing for lead paint and asbestos flooring. It will have to handled properly during removal, or particles can be released into the air for you to ingest.

3. Shrink your bills (and your carbon footprint in the process)


When people think of going green, they often think it takes solar panels or a hybrid car to make a difference.

Not so, says Bob Schildgen, who writes the "Hey Mr. Green" column for Sierra magazine. It just takes a little old-fashioned common sense.

The best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

  • Remember your mom's advice and switch off the lights when you leave a room.
  • Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and dial your heater down to 55 degrees at night.
  • Install compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads.
  • Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.
  • Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
  • Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary.
  • Give composting a try. Your garden will thank you.

4. Work out a weekly system for keeping your house clean


Here are a few tips for keeping the mess under control from Jeff Campbell, author of the book Speed Cleaning and owner of the Clean Team housekeeping service in San Francisco.

Daily: Dishes go in the dishwasher every night - no excuses! Dirty clothes go in the hamper and jackets or clean clothes are hung in the closet. Bring everything back to its assigned place.

Weekly: Clean your entire house, using these tips:

  • Keep all of your cleaners, as well as rubber gloves and spare cleaning cloths - in a portable carryall that moves with you from room to room.
  • Stash cleaning implements such as a toothbrush, scraper, sponge, a few cleaning cloths and plastic bags in a builder's apron that you wear when you clean. Hook your glass cleaner and all-purpose cleaning spray on the loops to keep your hands free as you work around the room clockwise, cleaning from high (cabinets) to low (floors.)
  • Focus on one type of cleaning at a time. It's faster, Campbell says. Wipe down fingerprints on all of the cabinets, for instance, before moving on to spraying and wiping counters. Then move on to windows and mirrors and appliances. Once that's done move on to sweeping and then mopping floors.
  • For optimum efficiency, enlist the help of your family. If you can, divide the jobs among at least three parties: One of you can do the dusting/vacuuming and changing beds, the other can do the bathroom cleanup, leaving only the kitchen and trash emptying for you to handle. The upside? You can get the whole house done in 45 minutes, Campbell says, leaving more time on the weekends for the park or the movies.

5. Get your place ready for entertaining


Each year most of us vow to spend more time with family and friends. To make you feel like inviting people in, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update?

You don't have go for broke here and invest in a new kitchen remodel. All it takes to get a fresh new look is a little bit of rearranging and a few updates says designer McCormick.

One easy update that makes your home seem more "finished" is the addition of plants, she says.

"They bring in new energy and help clean the air," she says. "And it's a great way to decorate if you're on a budget."

A couple of dramatic presentations like a large flowering agapanthus or potted palm in a bright ceramic planter that complements your existing color scheme will do the trick.

Pulling out a new accent color from your existing decor can make the whole room seem fresh. Pick an underused color in the room and add more of it in the form of a new pillow or throw to update your look, McCormick advises. A colorful rug or runner can also help anchor your space.

Lastly, take some time to rearrange your furniture so it is oriented in conversation groups and not just facing the television. That just might open chances for real conversation and connection in the New Year.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!


Hi Friends,

The Holiday Season gives us the perfect opportunity to wish you all the timeless treasures of the season; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, December 24, 2012

Holiday Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Emeril Lagasse

Hi Friends,

Greet your Holiday guest with a healthy but delicious salad. It's quick and easy, less than 30 minutes from preparation to table.

Total Time: 22 min
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 2 min
Yield: 6 servings
Level: Easy

Ingredients
2 tablespoons pomegranate juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 shallots, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 oranges, peeled and segmented
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces goat cheese, cut crosswise into 6 slices
6 thin slices prosciutto
1 large head radicchio, rinsed, patted dry and torn into bite sized pieces
1 bunch arugula or watercress, rinsed, patted dry and cut int bite sized pieces
6 large leaves Bibb lettuce, rinsed and patted dry
1 head Belgian endive, stem removed and cut crosswise into thin shreds
Pomegranate seeds, as garnish

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the pomegranate juice and orange zest, vinegar, shallots, salt, pepper and mustard and whisks thoroughly to combine. Add the oil in a steady stream and whisk until emulsified. Fold the segmented oranges and sliced onions into 1/4 cup of the dressing and toss to combine and set aside.

Wrap each slice of goat cheese in a slice of prosciutto. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the wrapped cheeses and sear on both sides. Remove from the heat.

In a large salad bowl, combine the greens. Add the marinated orange sections and onion slices, and toss gently with enough extra dressing to coat evenly. Divide among salad plates and top each with a seared goat cheese package and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. Spoon a little extra dressing over each salad and serve immediately.

Refreshing alternative to the heavy Holiday dishes we all know and love...

Bon Appétit...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Holiday Spiced Nuts

Recipe Courtesy of Rachael Ray

Hi Friends,

This is a double batch, 3 cups to serve, 3 cups to gift-away. Buy nuts from bulk bins in the market, they are better priced than nuts on the baking aisle.

Total Time: 12 min
Prep: 2 min
Cook: 10 min
Yield: 6 cups
Level: Easy

Ingredients
2 cups walnut halves
1 cup peeled hazelnuts
1 cup whole unsalted cashews
1 cup whole pecan halves
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon ground anise
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, eyeball it
1 cup smoked almonds (recommended: Diamond Smokehouse almonds)

Directions
Heat a large skillet and cook nuts over moderate heat 7 to 8 minutes until golden and well toasted – your nose will know when they are done. Transfer nuts to a plate and return pan to stove top. Add butter to the pan in small pieces. Melt butter and spice it with anise, cinnamon, pepper and nutmeg. Let butter infuse a minute then pour over nuts. Turn off heat. Add smoked nuts to the skillet and turn to combine evenly with butter.

Simple, budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing snack to share with friends and family...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Saturday, December 22, 2012

The Deen Bros. Lighter Stuffed Turkey Breast


Courtesy of Bobby and Jamie Deen

Hi Friends,

Great News! The Deen brothers are sharing some of their recipes with us. Although, it's the day after Thanksgiving we are still bringing you delicious turkey dishes for the upcoming Christmas dinner plans.

119 Fewer Calories
13 g Less Fat

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon canola oil
1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps roughly chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup crumbled cornbread
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 (3-pound) boneless turkey breast half
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a small roasting pan with nonstick spray.

To make the filling, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, onion, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the apple, sage, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the cornbread, cranberries, 1/4 cup of the broth, pecans, and butter until well mixed. Let cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, place the turkey breast, skin-side down, on a cutting board. Holding a sharp knife parallel to the board and starting at one long side, cut three quarters of the way through and open up turkey like a book. Place the turkey, skin-side down, between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. With a rolling pin or meat mallet, pound the turkey to a 10 x 15-inch rectangle. Remove and discard the plastic wrap. Spread the mushroom mixture onto the turkey, leaving a 3/4-inch border. From one short side, roll up the turkey jelly-roll fashion. Do not roll too tightly or the filling will slip out of the ends. Tie the rolled turkey at 2-inch intervals with kitchen string. Place, skin-side up, into the roasting pan.

Combine the fennel seeds, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the top of the turkey. Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of broth around the turkey. Roast, uncovered, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the roast registers 155°F, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Transfer the roast to a cutting board. Cover loosely with foil and let rest 15 minutes. Remove the string before slicing. Arrange the slices on a platter. Spoon the pan juices over and serve at once.

Prep Time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 hour 10 min
Difficulty: moderate
Servings: 8

Per Serving (1/8th of roast): 326 Cal; 43 g Protein; 9 g Tot Fat; 3 g Sat Fat; 3 g Mono Fat; 17 g Carb; 2 g Fiber; 8 g Sugar; 49 mg Calcium; 3 mg Iron; 680 mg Sodium; 106 mg Cholesterol
Original recipe courtesy Paula Deen: Stuffed Turkey Breast
Lightened Up recipe courtesy of The Deen Brothers and the Paula Deen Test Kitchen

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, December 21, 2012

Roasted Turkey with Maple Cranberry Glaze


Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

Hi Friends,

Cranberry sauce, not just for stuffing anymore...

Servings: 8 to 10 servings
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients Add to grocery list

Turkey:
8 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon Paula Deen’s House Seasoning
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves
1 (15-pound) turkey
Stuffing, if desired

Glaze:
3 tablespoons butter
1 (12-ounce bag) cranberries
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 cup cranberry juice
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small mixing bowl combine the butter, House Seasoning, parsley, shallots, and garlic. Thoroughly rinse and dry the turkey. Tuck the wings underneath the body and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey. Stuff, if desired.

Roast for 18 minutes per pound (including stuffing weight, if using). The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (and deep into the stuffing) and registers 165 degrees F. and the juices run clear. Remove from the oven and loosely tent with foil. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Glaze:
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer until the cranberries burst, about 8 to 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve and let cool. Reserve for turkey.

Bon Appétit...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 20, 2012

How To: Carve a Turkey

Courtesy of Jamie Deen

Hi Friends,

Ever wish for a How To Article on carving a turkey with photographs for reference, well here you go...

Step 1:

Cut the band of skin holding drumstick. Grasp the end of the drumstick. Then place a knife between the drumstick/thigh and body of the turkey, and cut through skin to joint. Remove entire leg by pulling out and back, using the point of the knife to disjoin it. Separate the thigh and drumstick at the joint.

Step 2:

Make a long horizontal cut above wing joint all the way through to the body frame. If you desire, the wing may be disjointed from the body at this point.

Step 3:

Slice straight down with an even stroke, at the top of the breast bone all the way through to the horizontal cut you made in the step prior.

Step 4:

Remove the breast to a cutting board and slice starting at the smallest end to the largest.

Step 5: Repeat previous 4 steps on the opposite side of the bird.

Jamie’s Additional Carving Tips:
Use Paula Deen Signature Cutlery Set when carving your birds. Use a straight edge sharp knife for easier carving.

Be sure to allow your bird to rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.

Cut dark meat before light meat, as it will stay moist longer.

The key in removing thighs, legs, and wings from the turkey body is to run your knife along the body until you find the places where bones meet. By cutting between joints, and not through bones, you can disconnect bones without much fuss.

Don’t throw away the left over turkey parts or meaty bones. Save them for stock. If you don’t have time to make stock right away, put the parts and meaty bones in a zip top bag and place in the freezer for future use.

Bon Appétit...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Mini Mummies

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

Hi Friends,

Need to wrap gift, get those last minute decorations up before your Holiday dinner with little time to spare. These are the perfect snacks to cook and even freeze some for quick preparation. The kids will love to eat these little mummies and make them too!

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients Add to grocery list
1 package hot dogs, each cut in two
1 package prepared pie dough

Directions
PreHeat - 350°

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap the pie dough and cut into 1/8” strips. Wrap strips around the hot dog halves in a mummy like pattern. Pinch the ends together on the bottom side of the hot dog. Place on the lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown. Approximately 10 minutes. Serve with mustard and ketchup.

Bon Appétit little ones...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Easy Holiday Table Ideas

Hi Friends,

Gather items from around your home to dress up your next holiday gathering with icy blue and white. Below are just a few options, the sky is easily the limit with these simple, little or no cost ideas. Courtesy of Matthew Mead with text by Linda MacDonald.



Embellished Favors

Mini boxes, filled with chocolate and embellished with scrapbooking supplies, are charming holiday table favors. Create the embellishments for the top of each box by using paper punches and flowered scrapbooking supplies.



Sweet Greetings

A paper flag turns simple peanut butter cups into sweet greetings and can be placed along the buffet table. Use a toothpick and piece of paper cut into a banner for this sweet treat.



Simple Adornment

Paper and border edging is pressed into service to dress up napkin rings. Layer the papers and adhere to the rings with double-sided tape.

Simple and inexpensive...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, December 17, 2012

Door Decor


Courtesy of Matthew Mead
Text by Linda MacDonald

Hi Friends,

Evergreens wired to a clothes hanger boast a cluster of pine cones that have been lightly white-washed with flat white paint.

Everyday household items transformed into charming holiday decoration...

Happy Holiday from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne