Archives for November 2016

My 2016 Minted Wish List + Giveaway!

November 28, 2016

Start the Christmas season off right with some gorgeous Minted holiday cards and home decor. Minted is also giving two Love and Confections readers each $125 to use toward on their website, so enter my giveaway at the bottom of this post!

My 2016 Minted Wish List + Giveaway from LoveandConfections.com

This post is sponsored by Minted.com and may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking the link, the price will not be higher, but a portion of the sale will go towards the sustainability of my website All opinions are my own.

After Thanksgiving, the holiday cards come rolling in. I love seeing pictures of kids growing from year to year, and hearing how my family and friends have been. I also start decorating for Christmas. Minted is the perfect place for both cards and home decor and I absolutely love everything on their website.

Minted makes holiday card shopping a breeze. With so many options to choose from, sometimes I can’t decide which card is my favorite. They have cards with single or multiple photo options, folded, flat and postcards too. The Foil Holiday Cards are absolutely gorgeous! There are also great interior and backer options for the cards you choose. Minted also has envelope liner and label options.

My absolute favorite part of ordering a Minted card is the recipient addressing! As much as I *love* writing out all the addresses, yeah right, my handwriting isn’t the greatest – Minted takes care of everything so beautifully! The recipient addressing looks gorgeous and matches the design of the holiday card you choose.

Ornament Cards are absolutely adorable and such a great way to display your Christmas cards. Imagine a tree full of fun Ornament Cards from all your family and friends – too cute! You can even create a fun centerpiece with birch branches to hang the ornament cards from.

If you love letting family and friends know about your previous year, and usually write a letter, then you are going to love the Holiday Booklette™ cards. With 8 pages of photos and text, the Booklette™ cards are the annual newsletter with a modern and fun twist.

Minted Home is perfect for Holiday Decor. The Foil-Pressed Table Runners, Tree Centerpieces, Foil-Pressed Table Confetti, Felt Garlands and Paper & Glass Ornaments are the perfect addition to your holiday home decor. Don’t forget the custom wrapping paper to tie everything together.

My newest favorite section on Minted is the Holiday Party Decor. The themes of Evergreen & Amber, Peppermint & Gingerbread, Coastal Freeze and Into the Woods are adorable. I can imagine creating a dessert tablescape with the Evergreen & Amber table runner and napkins. There are also holiday party invitations and matching menu and seating cards for your holiday dinner table.

Here’s the really fun part – I have partnered with Minted to host a giveaway. 2 lucky readers will each win $125 prize code to use on Minted.com.

Enter to win $125 at Minted.com!

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

*Prize provided by Minted.com. Pictures shown from Minted. Contest open to U.S. Residents. Contest runs through 12/5/16 at 11:59 pm PDT. I have an ongoing relationship with Minted. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip #MakeHeartburnHistory

November 18, 2016

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #MakeHeartburnHistory #CollectiveBias

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip is a favorite among family and friends for all my holiday gatherings. Perfect for a last minute appetizer, this is ultimate party food is great for a crowd!

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip from LoveandConfections.com #MakeHeartburnHistory

I make Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip for almost every party or gathering throughout the year, and especially during the holiday season. It’s made with just 5 ingredients, and very easy to put together. This dip can be served cold or room temperature, but I like to bake mine in the oven for a warm dip that everyone loves.

I often serve my Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip with crackers or chips, but I prefer mine with veggies. I love the crisp, cool crunch of celery, carrots and snap-peas with this spicy dip. The ranch and cheese definitely tone down the spice, but we all know that buffalo sauce packs a punch. While I love it on wings, sandwiches and in dips, I wasn’t able to eat it as much as I liked, because of heartburn.

That’s where Nexium® 24HR Tablets 42ct comes in. Nexium® 24HR helps treat frequent heartburn, and no matter what triggers it, just one pill a day provides all-day and all-night protection.* I get frequent heartburn, but am able to eat and enjoy the foods I love without worrying if I might get heartburn later.

Buffalo Chicken Dip is sure to be a hit at your next holiday party. Don’t forget some extra cheese to sprinkle on top before serving!

What are some of your favorite spicy holiday dishes? If you’re travelling this holiday season, don’t forget to stop by your local Walgreens to pick up your Nexium® 24HR Tablets 42ct! Don’t let heartburn ruin the holidays.

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip

By Love and Confections
Published 11/18/2016

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip is a favorite among family and friends for all my holiday gatherings. Perfect for a last minute appetizer, this is ultimate party food is great for a crowd!

Ingredients

1 pound cooked chicken breast
3/4 cup buffalo sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
12 ounces Monterey Jack/Cheddar, plus more for garnish
Carrots, celery and snap peas
Chips or crackers

Instructions

Heat oven to 350F.
In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, place chicken breast pieces and shred chicken at lowest spead.
Add in remaining dip ingredients. Stir and place into oven-safe 9×9 baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and dip is warm.
Stir, top with more cheese (optional) and serve immediately with carrots, celery, snap peas, chips or crackers.

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 20 mins.
Total time: 25 mins.
Tags: Appetizer, Dip, Buffalo Sauce, Chicken, Ranch, Cheese

*Nexium® 24HR may take 1-4 days for full effect. Use as directed. It is not immediate relief. Don’t forget to check out these coupons for Nexium® 24HR at your local Walgreens, and enjoy a heartburn-free holiday!
November 1 – 30, 2016 – In-Store Walgreens coupon – $2.00 off Nexium 24HR (48 ct.)
November 1 – 30, 2016 – Special price in-store – Two Nexium 24HR (28 ct.) for $40.00

Until next time,

LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Italian Stuffing #Beefsgiving

November 15, 2016

Italian Stuffing is my twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Ground Sirloin is the unexpected star and makes it even more delicious than traditional holiday stuffing.

This recipe is sponsored by the Florida Beef Council

Italian Stuffing from LoveandConfections.com #Beefsgiving

Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without my Grandmother’s Italian Stuffing. She made it for us every year, for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, but my mom, aunts, and uncle have carried on the tradition of making her stuffing. Now, my generation is making it too. I love walking into the kitchen on Thanksgiving and knowing that the smell of stuffing reminds us all of her and her love of feeding her family.

That’s really what Thanksgiving is about – giving thanks for family and friends – and she showed her love through food. My grandmother was a great inspiration for my culinary journey and the inception of this very blog. I love feeding people, and often joke that “it’s the Italian in me”. Honestly, it is very true, I love feeding people, especially Italian food, and always have my home and kitchen open.

Even though this is a side dish, I actually eat it as a meal. My stuffing has mushrooms, black olives, celery and onions for veggies, and packed with protein from ground beef. You should definitely keep this on your Thanksgiving menu, just in case someone forgets to thaw the turkey, or it gets a bit overcooked – we have all had that happen at least once in our life.

Beef is a staple in our house and I am so lucky to be working with the Florida Beef Council to celebrate our beef inspired Thanksgiving menu. Beef is not only a big part of our holiday traditions, I actually cook with it a lot. My meatballs, bolognese and meatloaf are regularly on our dinner menu. Roasts in the oven or slow cooker are perfect for cooler Winter months, and Summer is all about grilling steaks outside.

My friends and I are sharing our #Beefsgiving menu with you – with links below – and hope you enjoy a delicious holiday with those you hold dear. For more great beef recipes and inspiration, head on over to the Florida Beef Council and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Italian Stuffing

By Love and Confections
Published 11/15/2016

Italian Stuffing is my twist on the classic Thanksgiving side dish. Ground Beef is the unexpected star and makes it even more delicious than traditional holiday stuffing.

Ingredients

1 pound ground sirloin
1/2 cup butter
2 cups finely diced celery
2 cups finely diced onions
2 small cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup white wine
2 chicken bouillon cubes
3 cups water
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups finely diced mushrooms
2 cups finely diced black olives
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
1/4 cup minced parsley
1-12 oz bag of seasoned cubed stuffing

Instructions

In a large pot, brown the sirloin then drain and set aside
Melt butter then add in celery and onions. Cook until the onions are translucent and soft. Add in garlic and cook while stirring, so it doesn’t burn. Add sirloin back into the pot
Deglaze with white wine. Add in bouillon cubes, water and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Add mushrooms and black olives. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are fully cooked.
Add in fresh herbs and cubed stuffing. Stir to combine, then remove from heat with lid on for 5 minutes.
Fluff with fork and serve, or place into oven-safe serving dish and heat in 350F oven to crisp the top. Enjoy!

Yield: 8-10 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 20 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 45 mins.

#Beefsgiving Appetizers

Cappelletti Pasta in Beef Bone Broth from Girl Abroad
How to Make Beef Wellington from The Healthy Fit Foodie
Short Rib Crostini with Brie and Cranberry Sauce from Casa de Crews

#Beefsgiving Main Dishes

Chorizo-Stuffed Standing Rib Roast from The Crumby Cupcake
Lasagna Stuffed Meatloaf from Cupcakes & Kale Chips

#Beefsgiving Side Dish

Italian Stuffing from Love and Confections

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Florida Beef Council as a recipe developer. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

November Fun in Central Florida

November 4, 2016

I can’t believe it is already November and the year is almost over. Time goes by too quickly, but here are a few fun ways to celebrate your November in Central Florida.

November fun in Central Florida from LoveandConfections.com

Beer, Bacon & BBQ Festival

Crane’s Roost Park

November 5, 2:00pm-7:00pm

The Beer, Bacon, & BBQ Festival will pay homage to the glorious pig and the tastiest craft brews! You can sip your way through the festival with over 40 craft beers and some of Central Florida’s most delicious restaurants will be offering their best bacon and BBQ inspired eats! Food will be sold on-site separately from the ticket through cash/credit purchases and range in price from $2-$6.Ticket prices increase at the door the day of the event.

Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival
Walt Disney World

September 14 – November 14, 2016

A Spectacular Celebration of Global Cuisines, Music & More featuring international foods at 30 unique kiosks, Eat to the Beat concert series, culinary demonstrations and seminars, and celebrity chefs. Valid park admission required.

Taste of Dr. Phillips

Dellagio Town Center

November 13, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Our 10th annual A Taste of Dr. Phillips is sponsored by Dr. Phillips Rotary Club. Admission to the event is all inclusive and includes food, wine, and beer from over 20+ of Orlando best restaurants. Alcoholic beverages are included in the admission price, so the event is for guests 21 years of age and over. Proceeds from this event will be invested back into the community to organizations like, Dr. Phillips High School Scholarship Fund, Dr. Phillips Hospital, Dr. Phillips Library, Dr. Phillips Foundation, and other Dr. Phillips Rotary Charitable causes.

Festival of Trees, A Night in White Gala & Reindeer Romp
Orlando Museum of Art
November 12-20, 2016

This annual event, now in its thirtieth year, transforms the Museum into a glittering wonderland filled with sparkling trees, vignettes and stunning décor for visitors of all ages. Special activities include A Night in White Gala, musical performances and delightful programs for seniors and children. Trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, decorative accessories and gifts for home or office are available for purchase. With the support of business partners, sponsors and volunteers, Council of 101 offers the Central Florida community an opportunity to experience the joy of the season as well as support the Orlando Museum of Art. Tickets include admission to current Orlando Museum of Art exhibitions.

ICE!® featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

November 18, 2016 – January 1, 2017

New for 2016 is ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the true meaning of Christmas as the beloved classic story unfolds through interactive ice sculptures and displays. Experience the Peanuts gang in iconic scenes such as their holiday play rehearsal, Snoopy’s decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown choosing the perfect Christmas tree. Everything is hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice! ICE! is an indoor winter wonderland featuring a walk-through holiday attraction kept at 9 degrees, four ice slides, a live carving zone, breath-taking Nativity scene carved from crystal clear ice, and much more. Please read the FAQ’s and dress appropriately for the weather. Closed toe shoes is a must!

Sip, Stroll and #ShopSmall
Winter Park, FL

November, 17, 5:00pm-8:00pm

As part of Small Business Saturday, nationwide effort to support small businesses this holiday season, the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and Park Avenue Merchants Association invite you to sip, stroll and experience the charm of the small businesses that call Park Avenue home. Spend the evening on a unique wine walk and stroll to your favorite locally-owned shops and restaurants. Discover new merchants, check out the latest fashions, gift ideas and seasonal menus. Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres along the way. Event held at participating locations from 5 – 8 p.m.

Light Up UCF
University of Central Florida
November 18, 2016 – January 7, 2017

Light Up UCF offers a free holiday light show, free outdoor Holiday Film Festival, and Orlando’s largest outdoor skating rink! For the 2016 season, Light Up UCF is offering all the favorite rides and attractions, including the Winter Whirl! Parking is FREE and ice skating tickets are just $12! Tickets can be purchased at the CFE Arena Box Office or in advance online.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Images for collage from websites associated with each event.