Homemade Pizza PARTY!!

 The kids are home for college. It's a cold winter's night. Friends coming to the house for a much needed visit. What to do? Throw a Pizza Party! Young adults love getting in the kitchen and making their own pizza pie. This kind of party is so much fun for everyone. Do all of your prep work ahead of time and then go hide away while your children and their friends have a wonderful Christmas break get-to-gather!

Homemade Pizza

MAKES 2 PIZZAS

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Crust

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees 
• 1 package Active Dry Or Instant Yeast
• 4 cups Bread Flour
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water, 105°F-115°F

WHAT TO DO

• Place flour and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer with the dough attachment. You can also do this by hand. {Link to kneading yeast doughs.}
• Pour some warm, not hot, but around 110 degrees, into a bowl.
• Sprinkle the yeast over the top.
• Now, with the mixer on, drizzle in olive oil. Note that I'm using the dough hook attachment on my mixer.
• Next, pour in the yeast/water mixture and mix it together until it’s just combined.
• Here’s the pizza dough after it’s been mixed. It’s very, very sticky and wet—just the way it should be! 
• Next, lightly oil a medium bowl. Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and hold it in your hands, working the edges downward with your fingers in order to shape it/stretch it into a neat ball. Then toss the dough to lightly coat in olive oil and place it in the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap, very important!, and store it in the fridge until you need it. This dough can be kept in the fridge for up to three days before making your pizza. Making the dough at least 24 hours in advance is good; “aging” it for a few days before using is even better.

WHEN READY TO MAKE PIZZA: 

• Drizzle a tablespoon or so of olive oil on a large baking sheet and use your fingers to smear it all over the pan.
• Remove HALF the pizza dough from the bowl and lightly flour both sides.
• Pull and stretch on the dough for a minute or two, eventually working it into a thin rectangle or round shape. No rolling necessary; just let the gravity of the dough work in your favor. 
• Once you have it in the general size you want add your favorite ingredients.

          











PIZZA SAUCE INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 6 fluid ounces water
• 1/2 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

WHAT TO DO

• Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion until tender. 
• Stir in tomato paste and water. Season with sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, basil, oregano, marjoram, cumin, chili powder and red pepper flakes. 
• Simmer 30 to 40 minutes.
• You can make your Pizza Sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also buy a good quality pizza sauce like Rao's.

TO MAKE PIZZA

• Use your favorite pizza ingredients and fresh mozzarella cheese. Lay your dough and ingredients out and let the family loose to create their ultimate pizza! Great idea for a teen pizza party.
• Bake at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. If you have a pizza stone you can use it instead of an oiled cookie sheet.  

ENJOY!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Domestic Curator  
Ronda

DORMMADE FOOD!

It's that time again! College students all over the world are gearing up to head back to their universities. As freshmen, most colleges require students to live on campus, paying room and board. A few weeks from now, if you've skipped dinner because your cafeteria was serving something you didn't quite recognize and the local fast food places are closed for the night, all is not lost. Not if you’ve got some essentials, a few spare minutes, a little creativity, and if the dorm rules permit, you can feed yourself a healthy and nutritious meal or study snack made in your room. Please make sure that you are allowed to  cook in your room before you head out to buy an indoor grill or electric skillet. Cooking in the dorm is the second leading cause of dorm fires. If everything checks out and you receive a green light, there are a few essential appliances you might want to take a look at. A microwave, a crockpot, a rice cooker, a refrigerator, a toaster oven or toaster, and a hot pot will let you make just about anything. Before you spend money on appliances for your dorm room take a look at a few safety rules.

A Cooking Capsule is a “compact kitchen,” a single, 30″-wide appliance that contains a range, refrigerator and sink. I WANT ONE! Wow technology...don't you just love it?

Basic Safety Rules for Cooking in the Dorm

• Always unplug an appliance when you're done using it, and let it cool completely before storing.
• Keep flammable items, like paper and clothing, away from your cooking area.
• Pay attention while you're cooking; don't leave the room if you are grilling something or when something is in the microwave.
• Always clean up immediately. One reason many colleges don't allow cooking in dorm rooms is because food attracts pests. Get in the habit of washing utensils, plates, and appliances as soon as you're done eating......and use dish soap not your shower gel!!
• Don't use equipment for purposes other than those intended. Don't use a rice cooker to pop popcorn; don't stir-fry on a popcorn popper.
• A small fire extinguisher kept next to the cooking area is not a bad idea....you just never know.
• Be sure that your refrigerator can hold food at the proper temperature, around 38 degrees. Some of the smaller refrigerators may not be efficient.

The perfect gadget for a college dorm room, the 3-in-one breakfast station. A griddle, toaster oven, and coffee maker, these 3 must-have college accessories are combined into a compact design that requires very little space and only cost $39.99!

Keep it simple! If you aren't used to cooking, start slow. Heat things up, or combining foods in no cook meals. A bagged salad topped with some precooked chicken, raw veggies, and shredded cheese makes an excellent meal with little work and no cooking. Buy some good bread and make sandwiches; use your hot pot to heat water for instant oatmeal, or to heat up a purchased rice mix in the microwave and add some chopped ham. Make your own wrap sandwiches with some deli salads and tortillas. Canned soups are super easy and nutritious. Make quesadillas by sprinkling cheese, pre-cooked chicken and veggies between two flour tortillas, then use your indoor grill or pop it in the microwave. Below are links to easy dorm cooking recipes. Hope you find something to your liking.



Microwave Recipes for the Dorm

• Microwave Scrambled Eggs
  You can omit the cheese if you don't have any on hand.
• Microwave Sweet and Sour Meatballs
  Thaw the meatballs according to the package instructions; don't let them stand at room temperature!
• Microwave Mexican Cube Steaks
  This four ingredient recipe is a real winner; it's super easy to make and delicious.
• Sweet and Sour Microwave Chicken
  Substitute a bottled sweet and sour sauce for the pineapple juice mixture to make this a four ingredient recipe.
• Microwave Beef Stroganoff
  A can of condensed soup makes a good sauce for cooking in tight quarters.
• Spaghetti in the Microwave
  You don't need an extra pot of boiling water to cook the spaghetti in this recipe!
• Mexican Chicken
  This easy recipe can be served with flour tortillas and a great Spanish rice mix for a complete meal.
• Special Kay Bars
  Hey, you can't live on healthy food alone! These fabulous bars are perfect for a study break.
• Easiest Fudge
  Two ingredients + 3 minutes = great fudge!



Crockpot Recipes for the Dorm

• Crockpot Ham and Lentil Stew
  This easy recipe will have your dorm-mates flocking to your door to see what's cooking!
• Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Chicken
  A bagged salad and some bread are all you need to complete this easy meal.
• Crockpot Honey Chicken with Dried Fruit
  Heat up a rice pilaf from a package to serve with this delicious recipe.
• Crockpot Double Corn Chowder
  You can also make this easy recipe in an electric skillet; just heat it until it bubbles.
• Crockpot Veggie Chili
  Three kinds of beans add great flavor to this super easy chili.
• Crockpot Beef and Black Eyed Pea Soup
  Buy cubed sirloin tips for less preparation.
• Peanut Chicken
  This wonderful recipe tastes like Chicken Satay, but takes about 5 minutes to prepare. Serve it over rice.
• BBQ Pinto Beans
  Serve this hearty dish with some cornbread from the bakery section from your grocery store and you've got a delicious dinner.

Indoor Grill Recipes for Dorm Room Cooking

• Citrus Chicken
  This recipe is a good way to get some vitamin C into your diet; boil the marinade in your hot pot while the chicken is cooking.
• Grilled Ham and Onion Sandwiches
  Use this basic formula to make any kind of sandwich you like.
• Mexican Steak Salad
  You don't have to use all of these ingredients; the essentials are the salad greens, beans, salsa, steak, and salad dressing.
• Glazed Ham Slice
  Use mustard and any kind of fruit preserve to add flavor to a simple slice of ham.
• Grilled Tuna Melt
  This recipe is a step above the basic tuna sandwich (tuna, mayo, bread).
• Three Ingredient Bacon Chicken
  Make sure that the chicken and bacon are cooked through; this easy recipe is fabulous served with some fresh fruit and breadsticks.



Recipe with No Cooking Required

• Bean and Tuna Salad
  You can leave out the onion and squash, and even substitute a bottled oil and vinegar salad dressing for the homemade dressing in this recipe. Canned beans and canned meats make great salads with little work.
• Pantry Gazpacho
  With just a couple of cans, you can make this flavorful and super easy soup in minutes.
• Wrap Sandwiches
  Any sandwich fixings can be rolled into lettuce or tortillas for a quick and easy sandwich.
• Disaster Meals
  No, this doesn't mean a meal that turns into a disaster! These recipes can be made with foods that don't require refrigeration (until you open the cans or packages).
• Sandwich Recipes
  Sandwiches are really the easiest way to eat, and they're yummy too!
• Top 10 No Bake Cookies
  Everybody needs a snack now and then for a study break. These ten recipes don't require an oven (although some need heat) and they're fun to make too. Our daughter and her friends make no bake cookies ALL of the time!

You can find more info on dorm cooking at http://busycooks.about.com/od/fallrecipesandmenus/a/dormroom_2.htm.

Good Luck to all students this fall. May your mind be filled with knowledge and your tummies with good food!

Give cooking in your dorm room a try...you'll be glad you did!

ENJOY!

the domestic curator ~ ronda

The Essentials Of Kneading Bread Dough

Confession....I own a bread machine. Remember those? I bought mine during the height of bread machine mania. I spent entirely too much money for my machine {so unlike me, I'm a bit of a scrooge} and I no longer use it. In fact I haven't used it in years. Once I discovered the art of baking yeast breads I became hopelessly addicted to the feel of kneading dough by hand. It feels soft, somewhat elastic and “alive” under your hands as you knead it. I stand at my kitchen window as I knead, observing nature, children playing and the changing seasons. Time passes quickly and it gives me a quiet moment alone to reflect and think. I know...not normal.

Proper kneading is one of the most important steps in making bread. Kneading develops the gluten, which gives the dough elasticity by trapping the bubbles of gas formed by the yeast. Resulting in a bread with an even, light texture that is not crumbly or dry and slices beautifully.

The art of kneading dough is knowing when you're under-kneading or over-kneading, AND correcting it. This can mean the difference between a bummer loaf of bread and a fantastic one. I've made my share of bad loaves, but do you think that kept the P's from eating it anyway?? They ate those lopsided loaves with GUSTO!

UNDER-KNEADING

You can tell if your dough is under-kneaded if it's loose, tears easily, and still looks shaggy. What to do? Hello?....just keep kneading. If you're trying to form the dough into a loaf and it won't keep it's shape, that's a sign that it didn't quite get kneaded enough. At this point, shape it into a ball and let it rest for 15 minutes. Knead for a few minutes and shape your loaf; if it doesn't hold it's shape let it rest again. Do this a few times until the dough holds it's shape without morphing into a pancake. You can then continue on with shaping your final loaf. IF you have under-kneaded your dough your results will be a flat-looking loaf with a dense texture that  tears when sliced.

OVER-KNEADING

If the dough feels dense and tough when you knead it, that's a sign that it's starting to become over-kneaded. It will be difficult to flatten the dough out, this means that the gluten is so tight that it has very little give. If you think you've over-kneaded the dough, try letting it rise a little longer before shaping it. You can't really 'undo' the damage of over-worked gluten, but the longer you let the dough rise the gluten will have time to relax a bit. Loaves made with over-kneaded dough often end up with a rock-hard crust and a dense, dry interior.

Don't get discouraged, as with any new skills it takes time and repetition to become a good baker of yeast breads.....but totally worth your time and effort. If you are following a recipe, you may have to ignore the kneading time. The weather, atmosphere and altitude can all affect bread dough...sometimes you have to just go by touch. Just remember, every time you make a mistake and pull a bum loaf out of the oven.....you are actually teaching yourself what to do or what NOT to do. It's a learning process and no one is watching. Rest assured you are NOT wasting your time trying, you've learned new things and your family WILL eat that wonderful hot bread right out of the oven. They will think it's grand, and really.....aren't they the only ones who count?

Step-By-Step instructions to kneading dough.

Combine the ingredients for your dough according to the recipe directions. Mix in as much of the flour as you can.

Turn the dough out of the bowl onto a clean, well-floured surface.

Gather the dough into a pile and begin pressing it together.

Press the heels of your hands firmly into the dough, pushing forward slightly.

Fold the far edge of the dough upwards, towards you, and press it into the middle of the ball. Repeat this press-fold-turn step for the duration of the kneading process.

Most bread doughs should look something like this when you’re done kneading.

Later this week.....Pizza dough and homemade pizza!

 GET READY TO SMELL THE WONDERS OF BAKING BREAD.

ENJOY!

 the domestic curator ~ ronda

Sensational Summer Sandwiches & Wraps



Serve these wraps pool side

for some cool Summer fun!

Here in Texas, we are trying to stay cool during this oppressive heat wave. I don't know about you, but I do not have much of an appetite when I am hot and I certainly don't want to cook. I began to flip through a few of my favorite no-cook recipes yesterday. This turkey, bacon and avocado wrap is a winner at Porter Central on a hot August day.

Any recipe with avocados included are wonderful in my book, my family's too. We all adore the soft, creamy flesh of avocados. Whether it’s sliced on a sandwich or mashed into guacamole, you can bet that the 4 Porters will gobble it up fast.

This crave worthy, hearty sandwich has fabulous crunch{which I love}, rich creaminess and is totally deliciousness. It makes little ingredients into a big sandwich and the family and I loved it. Customize your sandwich with your family in mind, their likes and dislikes, and you'll have a winner on your hands as well.

One thing is for sure, it's quick, easy and COOL......something we could use in Dallas right about now!

Use wheat tortillas and serve up this pretty little picnic....in the SHADE!

SANDWICHES & WRAPS

INGREDIENTS

• Four 10-inch flour tortillas
• 8 to 12 trimmed leaves of romaine lettuce, washed and dried
• 12 ounces sliced smoked turkey breast
• 12 slices apple-wood smoked bacon, cooked
• 1 vine-ripened tomato, sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into 16 slices tossed with 2 teaspoons lime juice
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup arugula, washed and dried
• 1/2 recipe Ranch dressing, recipe follows

WHAT TO DO

Wrap tortillas in barely damp, doubled layers of paper towels and microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds. Lay the tortillas on a cutting board and start to layer the ingredients. Fan the lettuce on the top three-quarters of each tortilla then lay the turkey slices on top, followed by the bacon, tomato, onion and avocado. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Top with the arugula and some of the dressing. Fold up the bottom quarter of the tortilla and then begin to roll each sandwich. Secure the tortilla with a toothpick. Serve immediately.

RANCH DRESSING

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper

WHAT TO DO

Mash the garlic and salt to a paste with the side of a chef's knife. In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, 1/4-cup buttermilk, parsley, chives, scallion, vinegar, and pepper to taste. If the sauce is very thick, thin the dressing with a couple more tablespoons of the buttermilk. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, for up to 3 days.

Get creative and make your
sandwich your way.

....on a hoagie roll...

....in a panini press....

....on a lettuce leaf....

....it's even good on

regular sandwich bread!

Give it a try......you'll be glad ya did!

And stay COOL in your part of the world!

Enjoy!
the domestic curator ~ ronda

What The Blue Jay Knows.......



Finally. Our son has graduated from college. Time to enjoy the good life, free from parental responsibilities. At least NO more tuition bills! Our job is done, right? Well let’s put it this way, it may be a little too early to turn his bedroom into a home office. Current estimates show as many as 85% of college graduates will return home after graduation with no job in sight. REALLY? Again I say, "REALLY"?

The median starting salary for students graduating from a four-year college in 2011 was $27,000, according to a study done by the John J. Heldrich Center, and they were the ones LUCKY enough to find a job. Here's another sobering fact for my fellow parents: only half of recent college graduates said that their first job required a college degree. This may very well be the case for our son. BELIEVE me, it's not like he hasn't been looking for a job, quite frankly that is ALL the poor boy has done. As a mother this grieves my heart. He spent 12 years of his life in our public education system, 4 years of undergrad work, received his degree and now can't find a job...not in his chosen field. He very well may be one of these college graduates that can only get a job that he could have landed right out of high school. Okay that just stinks! Quite frankly it is so unfair to him AND his parents who have spent a small fortune on his college tuition. So now the question is grad school or no grad school? We would gladly put him through grad school, but at the end of MORE education and another degree would he be able to find a job in his chosen field? So this is where we are at the present moment, sort of in limbo waiting for a BIG sign. Therefore during this interim  period , how do parents and college grads handle this time of transition?

Mom and Dad Blue Jay still tending the nest for their Baby Blues.

Transitioning from the world of academia to the “outside” world can be difficult for these graduates. Returning home, deciding on graduate school and looking for a job can be a difficult and stressful task for grads, but what about the parents?

This Blue Jay nest is getting too small for these growing Baby Blues.

Our son and your daughter aren't the same individuals they were when they left for college. They are no longer used to answering to anyone, and they may not welcome inquiries as to their where abouts. Are you going to require a curfew? Many people work out the ground rules through trial and error, but having a one on one conversation up front may save time and hurt feelings. For instance, it would be courteous for them to tell you if they are planning to be out late. On the other hand, try not to press for details. It’s about mutual respect.

It's time for Mom and Dad to teach the babes to fly, their job is not quite done yet.

Our child is no longer a child but an adult. Graduates should be taking part in the daily household responsibilities. That may include loading the dishwasher, cooking dinner, running errands, mowing the lawn, painting the porch, or even cleaning out the gutters. As a parent you don’t want to make them too comfortable. The mama blue jay knows when it's time to start taking the feathers from her nest.

This Baby Blue refused to fly and was lovingly 

shoved out of the nest by a good Mom and Dad. 

He will fly when the neighboring cat comes for dinner.

Be clear about long-term expectations. Sit down with your grad and come up with goals that are challenging, yet attainable. Do you expect them to be fully employed and on their own in one year? Maybe two? Once they are making enough money encourage them to have a savings plan. You don’t want them blowing all of their money on “wants.” Instead they should be saving for “needs” such as food, transportation, clothing, and most importantly.....their very own roof over their head. You may need to press them to find a home of their own. It may sound harsh to some parents, but every good parent knows what the mama blue jay knows...... sometimes you must push your baby bird out of the nest.



This Baby Blue found it's wings and flew to a new tree where 

  he will build his own nest. Mom and Dad B. Jay are so proud.

Allow them to fly solo.....you'll be glad you did!

ENJOY.....

I could not resist this little Blue Jays 'bad hair' day!

the domestic curator ~ ronda

Summertime Tips And Drinks To Keep You Cool During A TEXAS Heat Wave

 August has come to TEXAS and with her she brings a HEAT WAVE. I have primarily lived my entire life in Texas and at the age of 46 {creeping up on 47 quickly} I have just given in to the notion that God allows Texas to be hot. You may ask, 'why would He allow such heat'? Now that is a good question that deserves an equally good answer. But sorry to say, 'I do not know why God allows such heat'. Maybe because we are Texans and as such we are TOUGH and can take it! Could be. Or Global Warming maybe? I don't think so....and please don't send me tacky e-mails about your politics. All I do know is, I am a menopausal woman in the middle of an oppressive heat wave. My internal body temperature hovers around 120 degrees on a good day. I have a theory that if my internal body temperature ever meets the external air temperature I will actually spontaneously combust. Wouldn't that be a sight!

So instead of focusing on the oppressive heat let's look at this thing differently. Let's ask ourselves, 'how can we stay cool'? Here are a few of my ideas.

Turn Your House Into a Cave

Keep your blinds and shades SHUT! Keep as much sunlight from

coming into your home as possible. Window reflectors are a good

start: cardboard wrapped in aluminum will keep the light and heat

out. Just make sure you have the reflective side on the outside.

Take a Shower

Take a cool shower or bath to fully appreciate the cooling and

cleansing, powers of water.

Have a Cookout or Get Take-Out

This is not the time for cooking indoors, you are just going to raise

the temperature in your home. This gives you a great reason for

take-out!

Take a Nap

HELLO! This is my favorite idea so far! A nap is the perfect

antidote to dealing with all this heat. Taking a nap in the middle of

the day also has proven health benefits, so it’s a win-win situation.

Eat Things That are COLD!

Ice cold watermelon, 7-11 Slurpees or an Icee, Ice cream, Frozen

fruit, COLD WATER!, Frozen lemonade, Root Beer floats, Shaved

Ice, SNO-CONES....anything and everything that's COLD.

PROCRASTINATE

Yeah, you read that correctly. Do not use your washer/dryer or

dishwasher in the hottest part of the day. Just like the oven it's just

going to make your house hot. Throw a load of wash in as you are

headed to bed and into the dryer on your way out the door.

Have An Extra Spicy Lunch

Spicy foods actually cool your body off, so eat the hot salsa!

Pillow In The Freezer

Put your pillow, or just the pillowcase, if you don't have a mammoth

fridge, in the freezer for an hour before you go to bed. Your head

will thank you.

Dress smart

Good thing white is a hot summer trend! Wearing loose-fitting,


light-colored clothing will help heat dissipate from your body.

Drink up

What's the best beverage to combat heat? Water, water, water! Stay

away from alcohol and caffeine if you can.

Spritz yourself

A spray of water that dries and evaporates, can help cool you off. A

spray bottle or even one of those fans with water will do the trick

nicely.

 

Turn on the FANS

Whether they be ceiling fans or oscillating floor fans, they will help

your air conditioner not run ALL day and keep you cool in the

process.

If all else fails...Go for a SWIM

Not much to say here except make sure to wear sunscreen!

If you are experiencing a heat wave as all
good Texans are, here are a few thirst quenching drinks to cool you down.....way down.

Berry Berry Smoothie

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup strawberry ice cream or frozen yogurt

1 cup of milk

What To Do

Combine raspberries, blueberries and blackberries

in a blender with ice cream and milk.

Blend until smooth.

Cucumber and Lime Spritzer

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 12-ounce cans club soda

1/4 cup fresh lime juice, from 3 to 4 limes

1 cucumber, thinly sliced

What To Do

In a pitcher, combine the club soda, lime juice,

and cucumber. Serve over ice.

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

1 12-ounce can ginger ale

1 1/2 cups pineapple juice

4 pieces fresh pineapple, cut into triangles

What To Do

In a pitcher, combine the ginger ale and pineapple juice.

Serve over ice with a piece of pineapple.

Fresh Strawberry Shake

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled,

plus extra

unhulled berries for garnishing

1 cup sugar

2 3/4 cups heavy cream or half-and-half

What To Do

Cut any large strawberries in half. Place the berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours.

In a blender, combine the sugar and cream or half-and-half. Blend for about 20 seconds or until the sugar dissolves. Add the frozen berries and puree. Divide the mixture among 4 glasses and garnish with the whole berries. Serve immediately.

Cranberry Spritzer

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

2 cups cranberry juice cocktail

2 cups sparkling apple cider

5 strawberries

2 1/3-ounce packages strawberry-flavored

Pop Rocks candy, optional

What To Do

In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice and cider.

Cut 1 strawberry in half, rub the rims of 4 glasses with the cut pieces, and dip the rims in the Pop Rocks to coat, if using.

Serve the juice mixture over ice in the prepared glasses. Garnish with the remaining whole strawberries.

Try these summertime drinks and

stay cool in our Texas heat wave.....you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!

the domestic curator ~ ronda