Simple Southern Potato Salad

I know that the holidays are now over and done with, boy I'm glad that shopping rush is finally over! but we still have one more to go...New Years Day!

Usually on New Year's Day, I serve a dinner of roast beef, or prime rib. And with that comes all the fixings. And one holiday dinner staple that may seem a little weird to some...Potato Salad! 

But not just any potato salad; I'm serving grandma's Old Fashioned Southern Potato Salad!

My Mother-In-Law is is from the south. Louisiana to be exact, so she knows southern. Since her wedding back in the 50s, she has left the south, and has settled down in Los Angeles. She still has her southern roots, though, and that's where this simple, easy, and oh so yummy recipe comes from.

Everyone loves potato salad. And I feel that it is a wonderful dish to serve anytime of year, not just summer. Potato salad is something I serve almost every holiday. It is a side dish that not only does my family love, but it is a very affordable holiday side dish that is easy to make, and make ahead so that you can make other foods.

It adds a freshness to my holiday menu. When I make a big holiday dinner, the potato salad is the first to be devoured. And everyone always wants some to take home for leftovers. That why, when I am cooking for a large crowd, I always triple this recipe.

It truly is a family favorite!

 I wish you and yours a very happy new year full of health, wealth and happiness from my home to yours!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise 

1 cup diced celery (1-2 stalks)

1/2 cup diced carrots

7 hard boiled eggs (peeled and diced)

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions:

In a large pot, boil cubed potatoes until fork tender. About 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile in a large mixing bowl, add mayonnaise, celery, carrots, salt and pepper and mix until combined. When potatoes are done cooking, strain potatoes using a strainer. Add potatoes to mayonnaise mixture and add diced boiled eggs. Mix everything until mixed and combined. Cover and chill in refrigerator until cool. At least 6 hours or overnight. Garnish with fresh parsley when ready to serve.

Make Your Own Disney Holiday Wreath

  

                                    

This time of year is my favorite. It is the season for decorations. Halloween, Thanksgiving and christmas. I love to decorate. I love to get into the spirit of the holidays and make my home come alive each year.

I love shopping on Etsy and looking for inspiration on Pinterest as well. A few weeks ago, I was in one of my pinning fits, having a blast pinning away on one of my pinterest profiles, when I saw the most awesome holiday wreaths that are being sold on etsy for hundreds of dollars, and I thought to myself 'hey I can do that, I have a lot of beanie toys and disney toys that I can use to do this!' I mean- why have just one holiday wreath when you can have one for each of your favorite holidays!

So I went into the garage to find my collection of beanie toys that I stashed, I soon found all sorts of holiday beanies to put together with wreaths. 

Just search Disney Wreath for yourself on Pinterest, and you will be amazed at the beautiful wreaths that they have put together.

And while I know that the prices of the Disney Wreaths are worth it, I still find that I can make them myself at a fraction of the cost, with the things I have on hand.

I found a wreath frame at a craft store for $6, I then found a few fall garlands.

                    

I had the pilgrim disney beanies from my vacation to disney world a few years back, and a turkey beanie that was hidden in storage.

                          

                     

By just wrapping a few garlands around the frame, and attaching the dolls with orange ribbon to the frame, you get a custom, festive wreath that looks very expensive, and that you bought it at a department store or Disneyland.
 

                                        

I made one for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I plan to make more for other holidays, but for now these are perfect.

                           

I've had my Christmas wreath for many years, and just by attaching some holiday beanies, I've made it look new! And it really shows my disney spirit! I just attached the dolls by tying them on the wreath with some string, and voila! A custom disney wreath! 

    

                             

                                

So recycle those old beanies and stuffed animals into something festive and new for the holidays, and it may help you save hundreds of dollars on holiday decorations!

What have you recycled for the holidays!

Happy Halloween!

Here at Savvy in the Kitchen, I would like to wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and safe Halloween!

Valentines Day Nutella Cheesecake Bars

This recipe is a part of a Valentine's Day round up that includes wonderful recipes from these awesome blogs! Be sure to check them out:

Mooshu Jenne - Blood Orange Panna Cotta

Call Me PMC - Red Velvet Cookie Dough Truffles

The Baking Fairy - Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes for Two

Homegrown & Healthy - Valentine's Day Chocolate Hand Pies

Pary Moppins - Valentine's Kisses

A Conquered Mess - White Chocolate Raspberry Bark

Little Family Adventure - Strawberry Soup

Life a Little Brighter - Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart

Flippin Delicious - Soft Sugar Cookies

Bespangled Jewelry - Valentine's Day Strawberry Brownie

Temping Thyme - Special K Bars

Valentines day is usually a big deal at our house. My husband always gets the kids involved. We buy little things for each other and we always go out for a family dinner to a nice restaurant.

My husband always buys me something awesome for valentines day. A few years ago he bought me a Nintendo DS! 

I love my hubby:)

This year is more of the same, and it is a way of showing each other that love is big in our little family.

I also made these delicious Nutella cheesecake bars to complete the holiday! 

For Crust:

2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

For filling:

16 ounces cream cheese (2 packages) room temperature

2 eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup Nutella

1/2 cup white melted chocolate 

8 strawberry's halved

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8x8 inch baking pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper. Be sure to leave some parchment hanging over the sides of pan. Press paper tightly into corners of pan and set aside.

Grind the oreo cookies into crumbs using a food processor, or just place them into a blender like I do:)

In a medium bowl, combine Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter until just moistened. Place crumb mixture into pan and use your fingers to gently press mixture to cover bottom of pan to create a crust. Bake in oven for about 10 minutes then remove from oven and let cool.

Using an electric mixer or a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and nutella until smooth. Add sugar and mix until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between each egg until smooth. Add vanilla and combine. Pour mixture in pan on top of Oreo crust and gently spread evenly.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is set but still a little jiggly in the center.  

Remove from oven and let cool completely. Refrigerate until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight. When ready to remove, lift parchment paper from sides, and it should slide out of pan easy. Cut into squares. Place a halved strawberry on the top of each one and drizzle with a bit of melted white chocolate. 

Our visit to Candy Warehouse

If you are planning a party and are looking to make that day special with a candy buffet which are all the rage right now.

You may be asking yourself where to find all that bulk candy and special treats! Well I stumbled upon a place called Candy Warehouse. It is located in the city of El Segundo, California  which is about 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles.

They work mainly through there website where you can order things for a fabulous candy buffet. Like these Tiny Twist Pops that are 6 inches long, taste like strawberry and come in a box of 48 for $12.00!

Or these pink Diamond Candy Gems that would look awesome as a filler to hold the twist pops in a glass container. They come in a quantity of 40 for $8.00

And if you want to have an awesome holiday party, they have these Squiggly Pops Petite Red & White Swirled Lollipops that come 48 to a box for only $12.00

And 5 Lbs of these Gummy Christmas Trees & Snowmen Candy for $19.50

Oh my the possibilities are endless! The marshmallows are amazing!

If you live close by, you can even order ahead by calling in and pick up at the warehouse.

We stopped in to check things out and they have candy right there for purchase. 

It is not only the home of the largest gummy worm,

 but they also have Fill-a-bag for $3.00

So if you are in the neighborhood, stop by or check it out online, your next big candy buffet will be a hit!

Hours: M-F 7AM-6PM PST

Tel: 310-343-4099

Fax: 310-615-9915

CandyWarehouse.com

Online Candy Store

215 S. Douglas Street

El Segundo, CA 90245

United States of America

Planet Earth