Easy Recipe: Lemon Strawberry Puffs

I recently made a big, but important, food discovery: puff pastry. There are so many possibilities! 

For this particular possibility, I made these Lemon Strawberry Puffs. They are so simple and so satisfying, especially at a luncheon or hors d'oeuvres type party (which is what I used them for).

Anyway, here's all you need to know about this tasty lemon strawberry treat, though I'm sure you could substitute almost any flavor here if those don't match your cup of tea!

Ingredients:

• Puff Pastry
• Lemon Curd
• Strawberry Preserves
• Sugar
• Confectioners Sugar
• Margarine/Butter

I used a store bought puff pastry and simply laid out the sheets and cut into rectangles and squares. Then I put a sprinkle of sugar over them and baked for around 13-15 minutes.

Once they cooled, I opened the puff pastry in the middle and spread some with just lemon, some with just strawberry and some with both. I was really generous with these so there would be lots of flavor in them. Then I used melted margarine and just basted a tiny bit on the top and sprinkled confectioners sugar on them.

That's it! They were so tasty and such a simple alternative to a lemon square (though, I won't say they are a match for them because let's be real, they aren't!) 

If you are looking for a simple party food, this just might do the trick for you! For you food cookers out there, anyone made any awesome things using puff pastry?

—Holli Anne

Cinco de Mayo Inspired: Guacamole and Cream Cheese Dip

If there is one kind of food I love, it's Mexican food! I don't really need Cinco de Mayo to tell me to eat it, but hey, whatever excuse I can get.

This weekend, I have big plans for some chicken tacos and maybe some quesadillas, too, but I thought I'd go ahead and share some of my favorite dips (besides salsa, of course) in the spirit of the holiday.

Both are SUPER simple.

Cream Cheese Dip

I thought this one sounded crazy when my friend Emily first made it for us in college, but boy was I wrong. It's one of the easiest recipes ever, especially for the wow factor it receives at parties (More bang for your buck type thing).

Ingredients:

• 1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
• 1 can Rotel diced chiles
• 1 can Mexicorn

To make: Just pour all ingredients in a pot on the stove, stir occasionally and eat once all the ingredients blend together and cheese melts! You can serve it hot or cold, eat with tortilla chips or use as a topping on tacos/nachos. You really can't go wrong here.

Guacamole

This recipe is a quick and simple version of guacamole. (Not that all of them aren't). Feel free to add more or less lime juice, jalapenos, cayenne pepper and garlic depending on your preferences!

Ingredients:

• 2 avacados
• 1/2 (ish) lime juice
• 1-2 diced jalapenos
• 3/4 can diced tomatoes and chiles
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

To make: Cut avocados, discard seed and scoop out insides into bowl. Mash with a fork. Mix in lime juice, jalapenos, canned tomatoes, garlic and cayenne pepper. Add more lime juice if you prefer. (My recipe doesn't have cilantro but only because I didn't have it). Serve as you wish!

Anyway, hope everyone has a nice Cinco de Mayo weekend! Will anyone be indulging in some Mexican food or fiestas to celebrate?

—Holli Anne