Holy Guacamole!

Every year in August for as long as I can remember, the Greer clan as reunited in Sandbridge, Virginia for a week long family reunion filled with beach, booze and bocce. In honor of our Aussie cousins (who don't have many Mexican food establishments in Australia) we hold our annual Mexican night. This year had nearly 35 people, including cousins, significant others, cousins cousins, newly weds, a cat and a dog.  We have a taco dip, taco bar, beef and chicken tamales straight from Texas, salad, chipotle roll ups, empinadas, and the list goes on! My contribution this year was the guac.

What you need:

4 large ripe avocados

1 large tomato

garlic, minced

Juice from 2 limes

Salt and pepper for taste

Cut the avocados and put into a large bowl. Mix and mash until you get the consistency you like. I like to have chucks of avocado in mine, while Joe likes it more mashed up. Dice the tomato and add to the avocado. Add a table spoon of garlic, lime, salt and pepper. Stir and serve with your favorite chips!

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June Supper Club: Appetizers!

Two years ago my girlfriends and I started a Book Club. After a few months of realizing no one was reading the books and we all just wanted to drink wine, we decided to switch gears and start a Supper Club! We meet once a month at someone's house and each girl brings something to contribute. Appetizers was the theme for June and I'm so glad that's what we decided on! I made a cheese plate and prosciutto wrapped asparagus! Other apps included: BBQ sliders, Caprese Skewers, Mac N Cheese, Quesadillas,  Southwestern Egg Rolls, Fruit Pizza, Cheddar Cheese Ball and Sausage "Crack" Dip!

You will need:

One bunch of asparagus, washed and trimmed

About 20 thin slices of prosciutto

olive oil

salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Drizzle asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Wrap each stalk with prosciutto. In this case, I did two asparagus per prosciutto. Place seam side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, the turn the oven up to 400 degrees and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Enjoy!

Cheese platter!

Technically not "girls only" anymore!

Brie with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Thyme Appetizer

I needed a quick appetizer for Joe's mother's birthday this week. I had 30 minutes to throw it other. I wanted something hot since the weather has been so deary this week.

You will need:

Two 8oz wheels of brie

1 jar of diced sun-dried tomatoes, drained

handful of Thyme

2 cloves of garlic

Trim off all the rind from the brie and cut into small cubes. In a small bowl, mix together sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and thyme. Layer the brie and tomato mix in a small ramekin or baking dish. Bake for 20 min on 350, stirring occasionally. Top with a few more sprinkles of thyme. Serve with french bread or crackers!

**It did turn out a little greasy, as you can see, so I blotted with a paper towel before serving to make it look prettier


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Showering Ashley

Over the weekend we hosted a bridal shower for one of my oldest friends. Ashley and I have known each other since we were five years old, which means we've been friends for twenty years!! Ashley and her man knew each other prior to dating, but made it official while basking in the sunshine of Cedar Island at my 17th Birthday party.  To continue their beachy relationship, the couple is getting hitched in the Dominican Republic in May! I can't wait to celebrate some of my closest friends in the tropics.

Nell (bridesmaid and hostess), Ashley (the bride to be) and myself at age 6!

Most of the super cute decor came from Table Seven Antiques in Norfolk. I found the paper straws, silver wine glasses, chalk board paper, chevron table runner, engagement ring napkin holders (they stand up, so we used them to hold the food signs!), and vintage bride and groom picks.  This shop has everything for a perfect party!  Table Seven was recently featured in the latest issue of Vow Magazine.  I made the garland out of tissue paper and twine. Super easy and a great addition.

Chalk board paper table runner. Silver wine glasses. Chevron and striped paper straws

Wine and Sangria!

Crockpot Queso

You will need:

1 block of Velveeta cheese

1 pound of cook ground sausage

2 cans of Rotel tomatoes, drained

Combine all ingredients and heat on high, stirring every 10 minutes, until mixture is melted. Then put crockpot on the low or warm setting and serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

Vintage inspired Bride and Groom picks

Sangria

You will need:
One large bottle of Moscato
Two liter of Diet Cherry 7-up
One liter of Club Soda
One can of frozen lemonade concentrate
Sliced fresh fruit (lemons and strawberries)

Pour together all ingredients into a large pitcher or carafe. Give it a few big stirs until the concentrate is dissolved. Serve over ice, and in our case with a paper straw!

Cupcakes from Carolina Cupcakery. Brownies from Costco.

Mac N Cheese Cups

Mac N Cheese Cups, SO YUMMY!

(makes 48)

You will need:

Two boxes of your favorite Mac N Cheese (I used Velveeta Shells and Cheese)

2 eggs

Cayenne Pepper

Bread Crumbs

Garlic Salt

Parmesan Cheese

Make Mac N Cheese according to package. Return to the pot and add two eggs, some bread crumbs and the seasonings. As much as you desire! Grease a mini muffin tin and sprinkle with cheese and breadcrumbs. Spoon in the Mac N Cheese mixture and top with more cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 minutes on 410 degrees.  Let cool for a few minutes and then pop them out with a spoon. Delicious and easy appetizer!

Some of the food spread

Meatball Sliders

You will need:

One package of frozen meatballs (or homemade!)

1 jar of marinara sauce

Mozzarella Cheese

Hawaiian rolls

Combine meatballs and sauce in a large pot and heat over medium until hot. In the mean time, open the rolls and toast in the oven for 3 minutes. Take out of the oven and place a piece of cheese on each roll. Top with a meatball and some sauce. You're done! 

More food!

Caprese Skewers

You will need:

Fresh baby spinach

Grape tomatoes

Fresh mozzarella pearls

Dried basil or Italian seasoning

Balsamic glaze

Toothpicks or skewers

Skewer together the first three ingredients in any order you would like. Sprinkle the skewers with seasonings and then drizzle with balsamic glaze. Enjoy!

Baked Brie

I have made this three times in the last week for different holiday events. SO easy and SO good.

You will need:

One tube of reduced fat crescent roll dough

One small wheel of brie

Jelly or preserves of your choice

A handful of slivered almonds

A sprinkle of brown sugar

Parchment paper

Preheat oven to 325. Lay out the parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet with sides. Carefully unfold the crescent roll dough and secure the seams so that it makes one big square. Spoon a few spoonfuls of your jelly or preserves (I used strawberry) onto the center of the dough. Top with almonds and sprinkle with brown sugar.   Cut the outside rind off of the brie and place the remaining wheel on top of the jelly and nuts. Carefully wrap the dough around the cheese and flip it over so the seams are now on the bottom.  Bake on the parchment paper for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with apple slices or crackers.

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