Wendy, Author at GimmieRecipes

Coconut Long Island Tea Recipe {Adult Drink}

August 7, 2015 by Wendy

Coconut Long Island Tea Recipe {Adult Drink}

If you love the taste of coconut and Long Island Iced tea, try this yummy combo I created using just two ingredients!

Captain Morgan has a new line of flavored rum. They’re yummy and fun to experiment with too!

Coconut Long Island Tea Recipe {Adult Drink}

Author: Wendy

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Description

Try this yummy adult version of iced tea with a twist of the tropics! Coconut Long Island Tea Recipe {Adult Drink}

Ingredients

Scale

1 shot of Captain Morgan Coconut flavored rum
Glass of iced tea

Instructions

Mix ingredients together and pour over ice.
Enjoy responsibly.

Category: Adult Beverage
Cuisine: American

Angry Orchard Hard Cider Copycat Recipe {3 Simple Ingredients}

July 4, 2015 by Wendy

Angry Orchard Hard Cider Copycat Recipe {3 Simple Ingredients}

My new favorite thing is hard cider! I don’t love Redd’s but I do love Angry Orchard. I just don’t love how much it costs! So, I set out to make my own. After an exhaustive search online, I came to the realization that nobody has done this! Or, at least, I couldn’t find a recipe to make hard cider. It’s exciting to be the first, but there were many failed attempts before I finally made a drink that everyone agrees tastes like hard cider and is super good!!

I like to improvise, so I’ve added many things you can substitute ingredients with. That way you can always enjoy a hard cider, no matter what you have on hand.

Just three easy ingredients!

Beer: I used Michelob Golden Light because it has only 90 calories and is low carbs, since you’re only using about half a can per glass that’s just 45 calories per serving!
Apple juice or apple cider: There are so many varieties of juice! I tried from concentrate (pictured) and it was great. I also tried Cran-Apple juice and I very much preferred it to plain apple juice. Give it a whirl and let me know which you liked best
Lemon: Again, so many options! I tried (and liked) lemon juice from concentrate, lemonade, Diet Mt. Dew (this was great!), Margarita mix, Bud Light Lime-a-Rita… the sky is the limit. Just so you get a little lemon taste in there with it. Go easy on the lemon so it doesn’t overpower it

Angry Orchard Hard Cider Copycat Recipe {3 Simple Ingredients}

Author: Wendy
Total Time: 1 min

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Description

Angry Orchard Hard Cider is delicious, but costs a lot and is high in calories. Make your own low-cal alternative to Redd’s! Do it yourself and save money!

Ingredients

Beer
Apple juice or apple cider
Lemon

Instructions

In a tall glass, add half a can of beer of choice (6 oz)
Add 2 shots of apple juice or cider of choice
Add 1 shot of lemonade or 3 squirts of lemon concentrate
See article for more suggestions and ideas for substitutions

Prep Time: 1 min
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

Beergartita Recipe – CopyCat Bud Light Lime-A-Rita (YUM!)

July 4, 2015 by Wendy

Beergartita Recipe – CopyCat Bud Light Lime-A-Rita (YUM!)

If you like Bud Light Lime-a-rita (my favorite!) but hate the price, try this awesome recipe you can make at home. They’re great for parties!!

Ever since Bud Light came out with their yummy Limearitas, I have been in search of an alternate that wouldn’t cost so much. At $10 – $15 per 12-pack, the bud light Limearitas are a little high price for my taste. And, they’re little cans, not the full 12 oz we’re used to in a beer.

If you’ve been a fan for a while, you may have the FREE Jose Cuervo Margarita ball we posted years ago. This is the perfect time to use it! 😉

Check out my Beer-ga-rita recipe! You can add in Mango, Strawberry and Raspberry flavors to achieve their newest Mang-O-Rita, Straw-Ber-Rita and Raz-Ber-Rita!

Beergartita Recipe – CopyCat Bud Light Lime-A-Rita (YUM!)

Author: gimmie

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Description

If you love Bud Lite Lime-a-Ritas, then make your own for less money! These tasty Beergaritas are the perfect addition to fun fiesta or summertime siesta! Whether it’s Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday, these pair well with everything!

Ingredients

Scale

1 – 12 ounce can frozen limeade concentrate
16 ounces light beer 2 cans
3/4 cup tequila
Course salt
Lime wedges garnish

Instructions

Make the limeade (follow directions on package) in a pitcher.
Add the beer and tequila (to taste).
Wet each margarita glass rim with lime wedge, and dip in salt.
Add Beergarita concoction to glass, over ice.
Garnish with a bottle of beer (shown) and lime wedge!

Southern Style Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

July 4, 2015 by Wendy

Southern Style Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

Last month we went to Arkansas and Texas to bring my mother-in-law to a bluegrass festival. While there we enjoyed all the southern cooking, sweet tea, and I actually got to try something new that I fell in love with: Southern Style Smashed Potato Salad!! Forgive me, I’m from Wisconsin originally and had never tried this. All I can say is YUM!

What is Mashed Potato Salad?

It’s basically the same as regular potato salad, but you mash – or smash – the potatoes before you mix them in. Cook them a little more firm than you’d cook mashed potatoes. So, they’re not mushy.

Also, Southerners seem to be torn on whether to use mayonnaise or Miracle Whip in this recipe. So, I compromised and used half of each.

When I cook, I like to try new things. While that’s awesome, it also means that I may never make something the same twice. It’s also hard to write down what I’ve done after the fact!

Smashed potatoes are the perfect side dish for your summer barbecues and picnics. If you like potato salad, you’ll love it!

Southern Style Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

Author: gimmie
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8-10 1x

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Description

If you haven’t tried this spin on traditional potato salad, you’re missing out! Southern Style Smashed Potatoes is served all over the South with mouth-watering barbecue and sweet iced tea. You can’t beat it! But, now you CAN make it!

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs yukon gold or russet potatoes, cut into chunks
salt & pepper
2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Miracle Whip (or use total of 1 cup Mayo instead of half of each)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sweet pickle juice
3 Tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
3 hard-cooked large eggs, chopped
3 green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup chopped sweet pickles (I used baby gherkins)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery (about 2 stalks)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 – 14 ounce can black olives, sliced (optional)
smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

Prepare potatoes (see notes) by washing well and cutting into medium-size (about 1″) chunks.
Put the cut potatoes in a large pot, cover with water and add 1 T salt. Bring to a boil over High heat. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce heat to Medium. Then, cook until the potatoes are fork tender.
Pour potatoes into a colander to drain water. Place 3 cups of potatoes to a large bowl, and add 1 T vinegar to it. Then, coarsely smash them with a potato masher. (Coarsely, meaning you don’t want smooth mashed potatoes – you want them a bit chunky.)
Spread out the remaining potatoes on a cookie sheet, and drizzle 1 T vinegar, tossing carefully to mix. Let them cool completely.
In a separate bowl, whisk the mayo/Miracle Whip, water, pickle juice, yellow mustard, Cayenne seasoning, along with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Mix well, and then add this mixture to your smashed potatoes.
Finally, fold in the eggs, celery, green onions, pickles, onion and the rest of the potatoes.
Cover and refrigerate until fully chilled (about 2 hours).
Season with additional salt & pepper if needed and sprinkle with smoked paprika if desired.

Notes

If using russet potatoes, remove peels. If using Yukon Gold or Red potatoes, then you can leave the peels on.

Don’t forget, the salad needs to be refrigerated for a few hours before serving!

Prep Time: 10
Cook Time: 35
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Keywords: potato salad, picnic, barbecue, southern style, smashed potatoe salad

Skinny Strawberry Margarita with Skinny Girl {or Strawberry Lemonade without it!}

July 4, 2015 by Wendy

Strawberry Margarita with Skinny Girl {or Strawberry Lemonade without it!}

Have you tried Skinny Girl Margaritas? I got some on clearance, so I stocked up! (LOL!!) I was sad to find that they’re really strong tasting (to me, anyway) and I couldn’t drink them. Well, what’s a frugal girl like me to do? I couldn’t let them go to waste. So, I invented this yummy Strawberry Margarita recipe that’s super skinny and so tasty!

A little background: I don’t like strong tasting drinks. But, if you do, Skinny Girl might be great for you! Also, to be fair – since I got it on clearance there’s a chance that it’s not the freshest and that might be why it tastes this way. I don’t know; it’s my first time trying it. But, it tasted more like straight tequila to me. My exact words were, “this tastes like turpentine” to which my husband responded, “have you tasted turpentine?” Me: “Well, no… but… oh, you know what I mean!”

I also have a skinny margarita mix recipe you might want to try with if you’d rather not buy Skinny Girl pre-made margarita (the alcohol’s already in it).

Here’s the Skinny Strawberry Margarita Recipe showing what I did!

Skinny Strawberry Margarita with Skinny Girl {or Strawberry Lemonade without it!}

Author: Wendy
Total Time: 1 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x

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Description

Try this easy Skinny Strawberry Margarita made with Skinny Girl (or see my Skinny Margarita Recipe and make it cheap!) So easy, tasty and refreshing!

Ingredients

Scale

2 oz Skinny Girl Margarita mix (with alcohol or without), or use our Skinny Margarita recipe
28 oz water
1 packet pink lemonade mix (single serve)
1 packet Fruit Juicy Red (or other punch, single serve)
ice
strawberries to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Fill mason jar or large glass half full of ice
Add 2 oz margarita mix, (alcohol, optional)
Add both packets of flavor mix
Fill with water and mix well
Serve cold, and enjoy responsibly!

Prep Time: 1 min
Category: Beverage
Cuisine: American

No Bake Ice Cream Cake Recipe {Dairy Queen DIY}

July 4, 2015 by Wendy

No Bake Ice Cream Cake Recipe {Takes 10 Minutes & Costs $4}

If your family loves ice cream like mine does, or if you’re a big fan of Dairy Queen or Baskin Robins birthday cakes, this ridiculously easy, fast and cheap DIY ice cream cake will be your new favorite!!

Price breakdown: Why spent $25-$35 for an ice cream cake? Even at Walmart an ice cream cake costs $10 – $30 or more!

12-pack of ice cream sandwiches: $3.88
non-dairy whipped topping: $0.10
chocolate syrup: $0.10
cake board: I made my own, or you can use a plate!
total = $4.08

Not bad for a cake that serves 12! Much better than paying $30 at Carvel, and you can customize your cake in a zillion different ways!

Get creative!! Crumble up Oreo cookies to make the crust, center or topping. Or, you can use your favorite cookie (Girl Scout cookies are great for this!} or candy bar. I used chocolate and caramel ice cream toppings, but you could use hot fudge, shavings from a chocolate bar – or even melt some white chocolate. Go with what your family loves, and this will be a huge hit!

Did I mention how easy this was to make? Just unwrap the ice cream sandwiches (that part took the longest!) and arrange them on a plate or cake board. Add a center layer (if desired) – I used caramel and chocolate topping. Then add a top layer and “frost” with non-dairy whipped topping (such as Cool Whip). Add whatever treats to the top (I drizzled caramel on it) and serve!

Store in the freezer until ready to serve. I usually prepare it right before serving, but it will keep nicely in the freezer.

Tip: use a sharp knife (be careful!) and rinse in HOT water between cuts to slice through the ice cream easier.

No Bake Ice Cream Cake Recipe {Takes 10 Minutes & Costs $4}

Author: Wendy
Total Time: 10 mins
Yield: 12 servings 1x

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Description

This easy, tasty DIY No Bake Ice Cream Cake takes less than 10 min and costs $4 (compare to Dairy Queen, Baskin Robins or Carvel for $30+! Customize as desired with cookies, candy bar or chocolate!

Ingredients

Scale

12-pack of ice cream sandwiches
non-dairy whipped topping for “frosting”
Choice of topping and filling (Oreos, Girl Scout cookies, cookie dough, candy bar such as Kit Kat, Twix or Hershey’s chocolate bar shavings, chocolate syrup, hot fudge, caramel ice cream topping, melted white chocolate, etc.)

Instructions

Unwrap the ice cream sandwiches and arrange them on a plate or cake board.
Add a center layer (if desired) – I used caramel and chocolate topping.
Then add a top layer and “frost” with non-dairy whipped topping (such as Cool Whip).
Add whatever treats to the top (I drizzled caramel on it) and serve!
Tip: use a sharp knife (be careful!) and rinse in hot water between slices.

Prep Time: 10 mins
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Spinach Dill Deli Dip

July 3, 2015 by Wendy

Spinach Dill Deli Dip

This is one of my favorite things to snack on while waiting for Holiday dinner! Sadly, you can’t find it everywhere. Some parts of the country don’t know about it yet! 😉

When I lived in Southern California I had a really hard time finding it in the deli section of my grocery store. Even if you can find it, it’s not cheap! It’s much cheaper to make. Give this awesome recipe a try!

Like it? Repin it on Pinterest!!

Serve in a hollowed-out round bread loaf. Kings Hawaiian Sweet bread is the PERFECT accompaniment to this awesome cold spinach dip. Just whip up a batch or two, cut the middle of a round loaf and serve in it. Then, cut the removed bread into bite-size pieces and set alongside bread bowl. Hungry friends and family can use the bread to scoop up the dip.

Warning: make more than you think you’ll need. This stuff disappears FAST!

Spinach Dill Deli Dip

Author: gimmie

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Description

Try this Midwestern favorite appetizer that’s creamy and tangy at the same time. Scoop it up with your favorite Hawaiian sweet bread for an addicting treat you won’t want to stop!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 teaspoon McCormick® Dill Weed
1/8 teaspoon McCormick® Onion Powder

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Cover.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour to blend flavors. Serve as a dip with assorted cut-up vegetables or crackers.

Source: McCormick Recipes

Top the Tater Copycat Recipe – Sour Cream & Chives

July 3, 2015 by Wendy

Top the Tater Copycat Recipe – Sour Cream & Chives

Seriously, is there anything better in life than a little Top the Tater? Answer: Yes, there is – MORE Top the Tater.

If you’ve never tried it, you are really missing out. I’m not just saying that because I love it. I’m saying that because anyone I’ve ever introduced to it, loves it. And I’m using the word “love” to describe food, not because I have a problem. Well, maybe just a small addiction to this yummy chip dip.

It was actually on our Christmas card one year. That might sound like a joke. But, here is my proof!

Okay, so we may be slightly obsessed. But, once you taste it you will understand!

Yes, I say that to everyone, but that doesn’t make it less true! lol

Top the Tater is made by Mid-American farms. It can be found in Minnesota and surrounding areas. I live an hour from Saint Paul, in Wisconsin. Top the Tater can be found everywhere where I live. Since moving back “home” last summer, I’ve been happily reunited with my beloved sour cream and chives dip which is perfect when served with Old Dutch Rip-L chips. My husband insists on calling them Quaker chips, despite my attempts to educate him in the ways of the Midwesterner. He’s a California boy, what can I say? 😉

I used my Ninja Blender instead of a food processor. It worked great!

Top the Tater Copycat Recipe – Sour Cream & Chives

Author: gimmie

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Description

This Midwestern favorite is nearly impossible to get in other parts of the country. So, I’ve developed a copycat recipe for MidAmerican Farms’ Top the Tater Sour Cream & Chives Chip Dip. It’s so good, it’ll make you miss home!

Ingredients

Scale

1 8-ounce block cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
⅔ cup chopped chives
1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice (or more, to taste)
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1 8-ounce block cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup sour cream
⅔ cup chopped chives
1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice (or more, to taste)
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder

Super Easy Hummus Recipe with No Tahini

May 28, 2015 by Wendy

Super Easy Hummus Recipe with No Tahini

Compared to our Easy Hummus Recipe, this is an even easier version that’s ready in literally 2 minutes and costs much less than what you buy at the store!

What’s the difference between Garbanzo beans and Chickpeas? Basically, it depends on where you’re from. They’re the same thing, called different names in different parts of the world. Use the names interchangeably.

Nutritional value: Chickpeas are low in Saturated Fat, and very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It’s a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein and Copper, and a very good source of Folate and Manganese. There’s 269 calories in a 1-cup serving, so don’t overdo (just because it’s diet doesn’t mean you should binge!) But, rest assured, you’re getting a lot of nutrients in those calories! It would take 70 minutes of walking to burn 269 calories.

What is Tahini and why not use it? Tahini is a paste made from ground, hulled sesame seeds. It’s a tasty addition to hummus regularly, but sometimes you might not have it on hand. Also, some people may prefer not to have the sesame taste (kids, for example, might like the taste more without it). It’s a personal preference. I personally prefer it, but this recipe was very good! You may miss the Tahini, and if you do be sure to check out our Easy Hummus Recipe that does include Tahini. 🙂

Compare prices and save! A 16 oz tub of hummus can cost $5 – $10 at the deli (my favorite is Trader Joe’s Hummus!) But why spend that much when you can MAKE this hummus for around $2 or less for 16 oz!!

Video Instructions

Step-by-Step

Super Easy Hummus Recipe with No Tahini

Author: Wendy
Total Time: 3 mins
Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Extra easy and fast hummus recipe with no tahini. Perfect for those times you don’t have all the ingredients but want hummus! My kids also love this and prefer it to the sesame flavor of Tahini.

Ingredients

Scale

1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans / Chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
1 clove garlic, crushed (or use 1 piece of frozen garlic)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt (or sea salt)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

In a blender or food processor combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until desired consistency is achieved.

Prep Time: 1 min
Cook Time: 2 mins
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

May 26, 2015 by Wendy

Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Oh my goodness these Banana Bread Brownies look amazing! Especially tasty when served warm. 🙂 Share this with friends and tell me how you like them!

Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

Author: Pat

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Description

Banana bread brownies with brown butter frosting recipe. How amazing is this? It looks easy and so tasty!

Ingredients

Scale

1–1/2 c. sugar
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 eggs 1-3/4
(3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
Brown Butter Frosting: 1/2 c. butter 4 c. powdered sugar 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 3 tbsp. milk

Instructions

Heat oven to 375F. Grease and flour 15×10-inch jelly roll pan. For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Stir in walnuts.
Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately.
Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and milk. Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting). Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm).

Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Coconut Long Island Tea Recipe {Adult Drink}

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Angry Orchard Hard Cider Copycat Recipe {3 Simple Ingredients}

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Beergartita Recipe – CopyCat Bud Light Lime-A-Rita (YUM!)

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Southern Style Smashed Potato Salad Recipe

What is Mashed Potato Salad?

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Strawberry Margarita with Skinny Girl {or Strawberry Lemonade without it!}

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

No Bake Ice Cream Cake Recipe {Takes 10 Minutes & Costs $4}

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Spinach Dill Deli Dip

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Top the Tater Copycat Recipe – Sour Cream & Chives

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Super Easy Hummus Recipe with No Tahini

Video Instructions

Step-by-Step

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Photo & recipe credit: Courtney