Family Reunion Lessons

My dad’s side of the family just had a reunion.  Most of those who came were my dad’s cousins and their kids, some whom I vaguely remember from when I was young, and some whom I’ve never even met.  It was interesting—all of these near-strangers, all somehow related to one another, gathering to meet or get reacquainted.

I chuckled to hear my 11-year-old nephew look around at the crowd and ask, “Am I actually related to all of these people?”  He had the critical duty of helping carry in the crock pots, platters, trays, and bowls of food from the cars pulling in the driveway.  He gleefully said to me, “Look at all of this food!  And half of it’s dessert!”

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Red, White and Blue – And Delicious!

Red, White & Blue Mold

Independence Day is right around the corner. For me, the holiday always means spending time with family and friends, barbecuing, and preparing for a nighttime firework spectacular! I never like to arrive to the annual cookout empty handed, so this year, I’m planning ahead and preparing a delicious and festive dessert for the celebration, with the help of CobornsDelivers.com of course! With my family, I am certain that this easy-to-make red, white, and blue mold will be a hit with adults and kids alike!

Red, White and Blue Mold

SERVES: 16 PREP TIME: 45 Minutes COOK TIME: 4 Hours, 30 Minutes

Ingredients 2-3/4 cups boiling water, divided 1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin 1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Brand Berry Blue Flavor Gelatin 1 cup cold water 1-1/2 cups sliced strawberries 1 pkg. (4-serving size) JELL-O Brand Lemon Flavor Gelatin 1 pt. (2 cups) vanilla ice cream, softened 1-1/2 cups blueberries

Directions
1. STIR 1 cup of the boiling water into each of the red and blue gelatins in separate medium bowls at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir 1/2 cup of the cold water into each bowl.
2. PLACE bowl of red gelatin in larger bowl of ice and water. Stir about 8 minutes or until thickened. Stir in strawberries. Pour into 9×5-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 7 minutes.
3. MEANWHILE, stir remaining 3/4 cup boiling water into lemon gelatin in medium bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in ice cream until melted and smooth. Spoon over red gelatin in pan. Refrigerate 7 minutes.
4. MEANWHILE, place bowl of blue gelatin in larger bowl of ice and water. Stir about 7 minutes or until thickened. Stir in blueberries. Spoon over lemon gelatin in pan.
5. REFRIGERATE 4 hours or overnight until firm. Unmold. Cut into 16 slices. Store leftover gelatin mold in refrigerator.

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Tips for Summer Party Hosting

My favorite part about summer is hosting family and friends at the many different gatherings the season brings.  From family reunions to Fourth of July, each weekend brings with it a new collection of people to enjoy, entertain and feed!  As a result, I have learned a few tricks to help ease the stress and relish my company more.

Stick to what you do best: If you have recipes you love to make, keep making them.  Many occasions you will host different people, so if your world famous ribs worked for your friends at the Fourth, then serve them again to your family on Labor Day.  Reducing the learning curve makes it so much easier to cherish your company, instead of spending all your time in the kitchen.  *Note: take a minute to write down your menus in an entertaining notebook so you can remember what worked and what didn’t.

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Favorite Father’s Day Eats

With Father’s Day fast approaching, what do you have in mind to dazzle him for his special day?  With these easy recipes, you can master the barbecue and wow him with your own grilling prowess.

For grilling, try beef or chicken kabobs marinated in Italian dressing, steaks on the grill with Lawry’s Steak & Chop 30-Minute Marinade or hamburgers with ranch dressing powder and with the shredded cheese mixed right in.

And to make things even easier, choose one of our Easy Eats recipes and order exactly what you need with a few clicks – and then have it delivered to your door!

Fiery Orange-Glazed Salmon

Fiery Orange-Glazed Salmon from CobornsDelivers Easy Eats page is tasty and easy, and can even be made in the oven if you aren’t up to the task of grilling yourself.  Serve with roasted peppers and onions, and a rice pilaf on the side.  Add a crisp white wine or a cold brew from our great selections and you’re sure to make Dad’s day.

For dessert, a simple pound cake toasted and served with berries and ice cream is a cool way to wind down an awesome day for the #1 Dad in your life.

Happy Father’s Day!

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Graduation Preparation! Part 3

We all had teachers in our lives who helped us become the person we are today. Our last post in this series focuses on how just one person can make a difference. Maybe you could save that special teacher a trip to the grocery store with a CobornsDelivers gift card (Just sayin’)!

A High School Teacher to Remember

During a get-together with my friends last week, some moms shared a few stories about great teachers who had served as great mentors for their children. It reminded me once again that teachers carry an enormous responsibility on their shoulders. Both kids and parents look to them for learning, guidance, mentorship and direction.

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Graduation Preparation! Part 2

We continue our series on graduation party planning with a sweet story about young love. Hmmmm… maybe he made her a romantic Coffee Almond Ice Cream Torte from CobornsDelivers Easy Eats to win her over! If you’re looking for some desserts that are as sweet as young love to serve at your graduation party, head on over to the Easy Eats page for some more great ideas!

A high school sweetheart success story

My daughter’s best friend, Kelly, has had the same steady boyfriend since 9^th grade, and now, as seniors, this young couple acts more like a married couple than teenagers who are dating.

Poor Kelly, she is often torn between the girlfriends who want to hang out with her and the boyfriend she feels so connected to. I must admit, I have often scoffed at their decision to weather the high school years jointly at such a young age. But when I see them together at the mall or watching a movie at our house or simply hanging out with a group of kids, I can feel their connection. They finish each other’s sentences, they laugh at the other’s jokes and they genuinely seem to care for one another. And through high school drama, difficulties and homework stresses, they turn to each other for comfort and strength.

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Graduation Preparation! Part 1

With graduation party season in full swing, we know most of you are busy planning, entertaining and traveling all in celebration of the momentous event that is high school graduation. And while CobornsDelivers is happy to assist you will all your food-related needs (even last minute items!), we also wanted to share some emotional support as well! We asked one of our bloggers, who is preparing for her first child’s high school graduation, to share with us some insight into the graduation party-planning experience!

Ideal Graduation Gift – Jewelry? Trip? Money?

I’ve been approached by friends and family of late wondering about the perfect graduation gift for my daughter, and, at first, I found myself completely stomped! Jewelry? Trip? Money?

Until recently, I had no idea what the perfect gift may be. And honestly, I was overwhelmed trying to figure out what my own ideal parting gift for her would be. Jewelry? Trip? Money?

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Preparing for Grad Parties is not for the Faint of Heart

Looking at my daughter, it still hasn’t dawned on me that she is leaving for college in a few short months. But before I get all emotional and sentimental, I need to pass a big hurdle:  the graduation party. And if you haven’t already been through one, that is no small task.

I have a perpetual to-do list in my purse, and every time I check something off, it seems that I have to add something in its place. Planning started months ago when I, along with a significant amount of local moms, clamored for ice tables, tents, tables and chairs at the local rental center. In the heat of the moment, I threw in a popcorn machine as well (they were running low on those as well so I panicked…).

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Prom is here, grad parties are right around the corner – what are you going to serve???

Springtime is full of family landmarks and celebrations.  From prom to graduation – parties abound!  Are you looking for menu ideas?

Prom Night

Prom night can be a teen’s first chance to host a dinner party—it’s a great opportunity for them to learn about planning a special event for friends.  It can be fun for your teen to brainstorm menu options, decorations, and strategically organize the party.  Some ideas for prom night dinner include:

• Lasagna with crusty bread and salad
• Steak with a potato dish and a vegetable
• Grilled kebabs or grilled salmon with rice and a veggie.

Serve a sparkling juice with the meal and top it off with a delicious dessert to make the meal feel extra special.  If you want some help brainstorming, you can go to Cobornsdelivers.com and click on “Easy Eats” for ideas in different categories.  Under the “Dinner” listing, I like:

• Baked Cheesy Tomato Basil Pasta
• Filet Mignon with Porcini Mushroom Sauce

Grad Parties

Grad parties are another time when the party menu is key.  Depending on the time of day, you could do a morning brunch, appetizers in the afternoon, or sandwiches for lunch or dinner—but really, the sky’s the limit.  Some of my favorite crowd-pleasers include:

• Artichoke, crab, or spinach dip
• Meatballs (for a sauce, I like to mix one jar of cocktail sauce and one jar of seedless raspberry jelly)
• Egg rolls, wontons, pot stickers
• Fresh fruit or raw veggies with hummus or spinach dip
• Pasta salad

From Cobornsdelivers.com:

• Chocolate Dipped Twizzlers
• Big Sandwich
• Dessert Pizza

Whatever menu you serve, the party will be special because it’s marking a landmark in your child’s life.  So have fun planning and enjoy this rite of passage with your teen.

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Healthy Snack Alternatives for Final Four Parties

It’s March Madness time.  “Bracket” talk is everywhere—on Facebook, around the office, and in the newspaper.  I enjoy basketball but admittedly like it more when it’s accompanied by a good party and delicious food.  Alas, according to the calendar, shorts and swimsuit season will also be here soon.  If you’re like me, it might be wise to think about some healthy alternatives to some of those typical “sports party” dishes that can be high in fat and calories.

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  Baked Tortillas with Fruit Salsa

  Dips:  What party menu is complete without some type of dip?  Instead of serving a cheesy dip, think of dips that are made with nutritious ingredients.  Personally, I’m a big fan of hummus, which is high in fiber and protein.  I like to serve it with whole grain crackers and raw vegetables.  Another dip to consider is guacamole.  It’s relatively high in calories and fat, but it’s the good-for-you (monounsaturated) fat found in avocados.  Serving guacamole with a baked, trans-fat free chip can help it be a healthy choice.  Another option is to make a home-made salsa.  Check out “Baked Tortillas with Fruit Salsa” found on cobornsdelivers.com.

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