Jane’s daughter Misha

My daughter is just finishing her junior year of high school, which means we have just one year left to teach her the two most important things for independent living: 1) How to do laundry, and 2) How to cook at least five things.  Oh, I’m sure some people might say other things are more important, but I believe if you know how to nourish yourself and your mommy doesn’t have to do your laundry, you are smart enough to survive in the wild.

So last night, I busied myself with a conference call (OK and a Tea-riffic Slush …) while my darling daughter prepared the most amazing burgers using the Raspberry Jalapeño Sauce … all by herself.  It was truly delightful to not make dinner, to see her face when her creation turned out so well and to know that she is building good, sturdy wings for graduation day.

This weekend – take a break from the kitchen and give those teenagers a chance to shine!

j*a*N*E

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It’s a wonderful time to honor our heroes. Heat up the charcoal in the
backyard. And kick off the first unofficial weekend of summer.

Grilled burgers and brats are usually the main attraction for most cookouts and
family picnics. But what else can you bring to the table? If you’re stumped for
simple side dishes, try this sweet and spicy twist on baked beans. Our Honey
Apple Grill Sauce makes it easy with hints of juicy apples, brown sugar,
black pepper and honey. (Plus, it doesn’t have that ketchup-y tang that comes
with a lot of traditional barbecue sauces.)

So simmer it slowly to perfection with some baked beans, crispy thick-cut bacon
and the fresh addition of diced apples … and you’ll have a potluck dish that
the whole crowd will love.

Of course, baked beans will never exactly win a beauty pageant. But having
everyone ask for the recipe and bringing home a pan that’s practically licked
clean?

Well, now that is a beautiful thing.

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So … want to keep that graduation reception simple, easy and delicious?  How about strawberries? Kids love strawberries and strawberries love our Lemonade Fruit Dip Mix … so get a whole slug of strawberries, wash them then just leave them whole, and make a few batches of our fruit dip – the magic is in the simple taste and the easy yet beautiful display.

Check out the photos and tips below, and moms – simple is good!

Happy Graduation!

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Smoky bacon. Fresh lettuce. Juicy tomatoes. It’s a timeless combination that never goes out of style.

In fact, I think it’s the perfect sandwich for those warm summer days. Simple, crisp and satisfying – without ever feeling heavy.

Want to try a fresh twist on this classic? It’s easy with Raspberry Jalapeno Sauce – one of my personal favorites from our Spring-Summer line. Sweet and spicy, this gorgeous sauce is loaded with raspberries and a little kick of heat – and it’s fantastic with bacon. Simply spoon it over your traditional BLT fixings, and then add just a smidge of light cream cheese and sliced avocado to tie it all together.

Serve these simple sandwiches for a lovely lunch or light dinner, close your eyes and enjoy.

I guarantee – it will be like taking a bite out of summertime.

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Not sure what to make for your mom on Sunday … or for that open house or family gathering in May? Have no fear – Tastefully Simple is here!

We have a whole book full of ideas – it’s called Easy Entertaining Recipes, and today we are featuring our Absolutely Almond Mini Fruit Pizzas in a short video.  They look like they come from a bakery, but you can make them in minutes with our Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix™ and Key Lime Cheese Ball Mix. These would be super fun and simple to make with your kids, too. Take a look!

j*a*N*e

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Whenever you see a skillet of fajitas in a restaurant, every head turns – and nearly everyone regrets not ordering the fajitas. I think it’s impossible not to sniff the air like a bunny, trying to see which table is the lucky one. Well, guess what?

Tonight that table is all yours.

Steak fajitas actually cook in about five minutes – they just take a little prep work with slicing and dicing. Best of all, our Everyday Grillin’™ Seasoning makes it easy to infuse a lot of smoky grilled flavor fast. Add some fresh lime juice, and you’ve got a fresh and flavorful dinner.

P.S. If you have any picky eaters in your house, the solution is simple. Behold: the build-your-own-fajita bar. Set out a stack of warm tortillas, your skillet of meat and veggies (side-by-side if “I don’t like my food to touch, Mom.” ) … plus bowls of cheese or whatever toppings you like. Throw in some chips and salsa, and you’ve got something to keep everyone happy.

So put your own twist on Tex-Mex tonight!

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New to kale? Here are a few fun facts for you …

• There are a few different varieties. (The curly green type is the most common and usually the most inexpensive.)

• Even though it’s ultra-trendy right now, kale has actually been cultivated for over 2,000 years. It’s part of the same family as broccoli and collard greens.

• Kale is positively SUPER-charged with beta-carotene, calcium, fiber, Vitamins A and C, potassium … the list goes on and on.

Since the leaves aren’t as fragile as spinach, you can sauté it, steam it, you name it. But my favorite way to make it? Kale chips!

They are a healthy, crunchy snack – and they taste amazing with our Garlic Pepper Seasoning. Give ‘em a try!

j*a*N*e

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(I beg your pardon, gentlemen – you’ll love this cocktail, too. But with Mother’s Day around the corner, it seemed only right to raise a glass to all the lovely ladies out there.)

To the hard-working mamas – there’s no need to fret that your gray is showing. Or that you haven’t shaved this week.  Quite frankly, you’ve been too busy helping with math homework. Dinner. Work. Laundry. Kissing boo-boos. Driving to dance recitals and softball practice. And about a million other things. That’s a mother’s love. And you know what? That is a beautiful thing.

So as you think about how to celebrate the women in your life, don’t forget yourself. I’m not talking anything extravagant – just a little time to yourself with a bubble bath and one of these dreamy little concoctions. Or better yet, invite over a few friends for a girls’ night in.

Trust me – you deserve it. And this delicious dessert drink is the perfect way to say cheers.

Sweet. Frosty. Sophisticated. Featuring our Mocha Chip Frappe™, this creamy mudslide is blended with mini chocolate chips and swirls of coffee and Irish cream liqueur. And while our fruity drinks are fabulous for grilling and outdoor entertaining, I think there’s something extra heavenly about this one. Extra decadent. And extra special.

So give it a whirl this week, and give yourself a sweet escape.

Here’s to you!

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I had the privilege of  “listening in” on a Facebook conversation between two of my Tastefully Simple Consultant friends – Senior Team Mentors Lori Tiffany and Jennifer Andersen – a few weeks ago.  Jennifer was sharing that her love of our new Dill Pickle Dip Mix had become so great that she was using nearly everything as a dipper – even dipping pizza in it.  I was so inspired by this combination that I conjured up a new recipe.  It’s kind of a “salad pizza” – drizzled with our Dill Pickle Dip Mix.

Jennifer Andersen (MD)

Lori Tiffany (MN)

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Best of all, it has a smoky, salty sweetness that pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables.

Case in point? Asparagus! This week we’re excited to feature one of the first fresh veggies of the season. Asparagus is often the first crop in abundance every spring, sprouting up with bright leafy tips and those delightfully crisp spears.

Since it can have a slight bitterness, roasting asparagus is a wonderful way to caramelize it and bring out its natural sweetness. And when you wrap it in bacon with a drizzle of our mellow Roasted Garlic Infused Oil? Well, now THAT is just a bite-sized bundle of bliss.

Pair this crispy side dish with grilled chicken, steak or salmon for a surprisingly simple dinner. And since it’s  delicious warm or at room temperature, it is perfect for entertaining, too.

Bon appétit!

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I can remember my first visit to a restaurant as a kid (back in the dark ages, eating out was a very rare luxury) and it was at a pizza place. As a wide-eyed college grad I moved to the big city of Minneapolis … first meal? Pizza of course! What are your pizza memories? If you don’t have any (or even if you do), make some this weekend with our Pineapple Chipotle Pizza!

Enjoy!

j*a*N*e

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There are a lot of different variations out there, but they all have a few things in common … like delicate, buttery pastry. A warm, bubbly fruit filling. And a way of making you feel right at home.

With Mother’s Day around the corner, it’s the perfect time to create a new twist on a classic favorite – blueberry cobbler. Featuring our Lemonberry™ Cake & Icing Mix, this luscious version is kissed with the bright flavor of lemon and brimming with blueberries. Best of all, you can stir it up in about three minutes flat! (Trust me – the hardest part is resisting the divine aroma filling your kitchen, as all that juicy blueberry goodness bubbles away for the better part of an hour.)

Drizzle it with a gorgeous swirl of icing, and serve warm for dessert, brunch or tea.

Or better yet, hand-deliver one as a sweet surprise for your mom, wife, mother-in-law, grandma or any other special woman in your life.

Even if it’s not straight out of the oven, I guarantee – it will still warm her heart.

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