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If your from the south you’ve heard of the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is celebrated the first Saturday in May with visitors from around the world gathering at the racetrack, and all over Louisville. Home owners get ready to throw a party no one will soon forget. Gather friends and family to watch the race at home in great Southern tradition. You can mix-and-match these recipes to host a Bluegrass-themed party.

Food
There are a couple of essentials you must serve at your Derby party. Not only are these recipes traditional fare for the Derby, but they are delicious too!

Spiced Pecans

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

4 cups pecan halves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

Garnish: fresh rosemary leaves

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or just until butter begins to turn golden brown. Immediately remove pan from heat, and stir in pecans. Arrange pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and sugar.
2. 2. Bake pecans at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Sprinkle with rosemary. Bake 2 more minutes. Cool completely on baking sheet (about 30 minutes). Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie crust

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels

1 cup dark corn syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup bourbon or water

4 large eggs

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 teaspoons cornmeal

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
2. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust; set aside.
3. Combine corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients. Gradually whisk about one-fourth hot mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot mixture, whisking constantly. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
5. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool on wire rack.

Cocktails

The mint julep is the iconic drink of the Kentucky Derby. Serve it in a silver julep cup for a traditional presentation. Here are some other race-day cocktails you should try.

Mint Julep

4 Fresh Mint Sprigs

2 1/2 oz Kentucky Burbon Whiskey

1 tsp Powdered Sugar

2 tsp Water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

Decorations

Take your cue from the Kentucky Derby’s nickname, the Run for the Roses, and decorate with the classic flower. Rose make great centerpieces or small tabletop decorations. Fill traditional silver julep cups with red roses for a small-scale arrangement.

Use brightly colored tablecloths and napkins as a nod to the jockeys’ colorful uniforms, called silks.

Invitations
The official Kentucky Derby Web site allows party planners to create and send e-vites.

Programs
Order official Kentucky Derby Programs so your guests really feel like they’re at the races.

Games
The actual race only takes two minutes, so plan a few Derby-inspired games to extend your party and keep your guests entertained before and after the race.

Hat Contest
Ask your guests to wear hats to your party and encourage creativity by offering a prize for best hat.

Game of Luck

Let each guest draw a horse’s name out of a hat to cheer for during the race. The guest paired with the winning horse wins a prize.

For the Kids

Set up a game of horseshoes in the yard, or have the kids bring their own stick horses for their very own Run for the Roses.

Attire
It just wouldn’t be right to wear jeans and a T-shirt to a Kentucky Derby party, unless you were going for the relaxed, tailgating atmosphere of the infield. You must dress the part and go for the hat!

Source:

http://www.southernliving.com/food/holidays-occasions/kentucky-derby-day-party-00400000043969/page7.html

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-brown-butter-pecans-50400000120798/

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. On May 13th, show your wife, mother, or grandmother you really care by planning a gourmet breakfast. If you are a home owner in the Birmingham, Huntsville, Nashville, or Baton Rouge area you know how crowded restaurants can get on Mother’s Day. So, this year stay at home and prepare breakfast from scratch. Checkout these Signature recipes.

Signature Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/4 cup sliced almonds, crushed walnuts or crushed pecans

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 medium bananas

1 cup nonfat or almond milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup mixed frozen berries

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Directions

In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Mash 1 banana; in another bowl, mix mashed banana with milk, egg and almond extract. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients; stir until smooth. Slice remaining banana and stir into batter; add berries. Warm a skillet over medium heat; coat with cooking spray. Measure 1⁄4 cup batter; pour onto skillet. Cook until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Repeat until batter is gone.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Fruit-and-Nut-Pancakes-386529#ixzz1tXwIZSlP

Signature Grits, Cheese, and Onion Souffles

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup chopped leek

1 1/2 cups whole milk, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup quick-cooking grits

4 large eggs, separated

3 green onions, chopped

1 cup (packed) grated hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces), divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter four 1 1/4-cup soufflé dishes. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and leek; sauté 3 minutes. Mix in 1 1/4 cups whole milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then grits; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until thick, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup milk and yolks in small bowl to blend.

Remove grits from heat. Stir in yolk mixture, then green onions and 3/4 cup cheese. Beat whites in medium bowl until stiff but not dry. Fold into grits in 3 additions. Divide mixture among prepared dishes (mixture will come all the way to top of dishes). Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.

Bake soufflés until puffed and brown on top, about 18 minutes. Serve immediately.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Grits-Cheese-and-Onion-Souffles-242470#ixzz1tXwrMZjE

Signature Cream Filled Donuts

1 package (2 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast or 2/3 ounce (18 grams) fresh cake yeast

2/3 cup (160 grams) milk, at room temperature

3 1/2 cups (490 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1/3 cups (270 grams) sugar

2 teaspoons kosher salt

3 eggs

7 tablespoons (3/4 stick/100 grams) butter, at room temperature, cut into 6 to 8 pieces

Canola oil, for frying

Vanilla Cream Filling

1. 6 tablespoons (90 grams) heavy cream
2. Pastry Cream , chilled

Directions

In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the yeast and milk. Stir together briefly, then let sit for about 1 minute to dissolve the yeast. Add the flour, 1/3 cup (70 grams) of the sugar, the salt, and the eggs and mix on low speed for about 1 minute, or until the dough comes together. Then, still on low speed, mix for another 2 to 3 minutes to develop the dough further. Now, begin to add the butter, a few pieces at a time, and continue to mix for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is soft and cohesive.

Remove the dough from the bowl, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to 15 hours.

Lightly flour a baking sheet. On a well-floured work surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch square about 1/2 inch thick. Using a 3 1/2- to 4-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 9 doughnuts. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm spot to proof for 2 to 3 hours, or until they are about doubled in height and feel poufy and pillowy.

When ready to fry, line a tray or baking sheet large enough to hold the doughnuts with paper towels. Pour oil to a depth of about 3 inches into a large, heavy saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until hot. To test the oil, throw in a pinch of flour. If it sizzles on contact, the oil is ready. (It should be 350 degrees if you are using a thermometer.) Working in batches, place the doughnuts in the hot oil, being careful not to crowd them. Fry on the first side for 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown. Then gently flip them and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until brown on the second side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the doughnuts to the prepared tray and let cool for a few minutes, or until cool enough to handle.

Place the remaining 1 cup (200 grams) sugar in a small bowl. One at a time, toss the warm doughnuts in the sugar to coat evenly. As each doughnut is coated, return it to the tray to cool completely. This will take 30 to 40 minutes.

To make the vanilla cream filling: While the doughnuts are cooking, whip the heavy cream until it holds stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula, fold it into the pastry cream . You should have about 3 cups.

When doughnuts are completely cooled, poke a hole in the side of each doughnut, spacing it equidistant between the top and bottom. Fit a pastry bag with a small round tip and fill the bag with the filling. Squirt about 1/3 cup filling into each doughnut. Serve immediately.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Vanilla-Cream-Filled-Doughnuts-364349#ixzz1tXxOAYhk

Your big relocation is only a few months away. You’re looking into moving companies, your friend at the bookstore has begun collecting boxes for you, and you’ve started to assess the contents of your house. How could you have accumulated so much stuff? There’s really only one thing to do — you’re going to have to have a garage sale to pare down your possessions. For those of you in the Birmingham, Huntsville, Nashville, and Baton Rouge areas the following 10 tips should help.

Donate What You Don’t Sell

Of course, you’re hoping that everything sells and that at the end of the day, you’ll be left with only a few empty clothing racks and card tables. While you might luck out and have this happen, it’s good to be prepared just in case it doesn’t. Before the sale, go online to find drop-off locations for nonprofits that are accepting donations of the types of items you’re selling. Some organizations will even come by to pick up items.

Be Ready for Early Birds

The ads and all the signs and flyers you’ve posted clearly state that the sale starts at 8:00 a.m. You’ve even included a line that reads, “No early birds.” It doesn’t matter. As long as there are yard sales, there will be early birds. So you need to be prepared to sell from the moment the first yard sale item is placed on your lawn, even if it is only 6:30 a.m. To avoid any errors or lost sales, make sure everything is priced the night before.

Be Prepared to Make Change

On the day before the sale, go to the bank to get plenty of smaller bills and some coins so that you’ll be prepared to make change. Also get some extra price tags, a black marker, some masking tape and a small calculator. You’ll also want to have some shopping bags, a few empty boxes, and some newspapers and maybe even some twine on hand for packing up purchases.

Let the Kids Help

If you have kids and they want to help, let them. You can encourage children to get rid of old toys and belongings by letting them keep the money from the sale of their possessions or letting them know that the proceeds from the sale are going toward something for the entire family.

Delineate Your Yard Sale Space

If your house is on the market, you might want to see if you can host your yard sale in the neighbor’s yard. Not only will this keep your house available for prime weekend appointments, it will also keep you from having to conduct (or deny) impromptu showings of your house to yard-sale shoppers.

Put a Price Tag on Everything

Garage sales can get busy, fast. Even if you have two or three friends on hand to help you hawk your wares, you won’t have time to stop and come up with a price each time someone wants to purchase something. Whether or not you want to allow customers to negotiate the price is up to you, but tagging everything before the sale will save you the hassle of trying to come up with a price on the spot.

Advertise

If you have a lot of things to sell, consider taking out an ad in the local newspaper. You can also post your yard sale on Craigslist. In your advertisement, be sure to state the location, date and hours. Briefly list what you have for sale so that shoppers will know what to expect. Be sure to post flyers and signs around your neighborhood.

Organize Your Sale in Department Store Style

Take a hint from the big department stores, and organize your stuff as they would. Group everything by room or category. If you have the space, do a little staging. Put the baker’s rack by the big freezer, and set up a table filled with kitchen gadgets, cookbooks and countertop appliances nearby.

Do Your Homework

It can be easy to look at a collection of stuff you no longer want and wonder who’s going to buy it. But instead of treating your old stuff like a big pile of junk, look at it like undiscovered treasure. Take a little time to give everything a good cleaning. If you still have the original packaging for an item, put it all together. If you still have all your owner’s manuals, tape them to the gear they came with. Do whatever you can do to make something look as appealing as it did when you purchased it.

Invite a Few Friends to Help

Sometimes it’s difficult to look at our own things with an objective eye. One way to solve this problem is to invite a few close friends to help you. With your friends’ help, you’ll be able to sort through your stuff with an objective eye. The process will be a lot quicker, too.

Source: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/10-tips-for-managing-a-moving-sale2.htm

Let’s face it, Martha Stewart is the goddess of just about everything to do with your home.  So, straight from the master herself here are the top 3 how to’s ask by her blog subscribers. Whether your an long time home owner, new home owner, or recently located there are some tips for everyone.

How-To 1. Roast a Chicken

1 six-pound roasting chicken

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 medium onions, peeled and sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick

1 lemon

3 large cloves garlic, peeled

4 sprigs fresh thyme

1 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat

Directions

1. Let chicken and 1 tablespoon butter stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove and discard the plastic pop-up timer from chicken if there is one. Remove the giblets and excess fat from the chicken cavity. Rinse chicken inside and out under cold running water. Dry chicken thoroughly with paper towels. Tuck the wing tips under the body. Sprinkle the cavity of the chicken liberally with salt and pepper, and set aside.
2. In the center of a heavy-duty roasting pan, place onion slices in two rows, touching. Place the palm of your hand on top of lemon and, pressing down, roll lemon back and forth several times. This softens the lemon and allows the juice to flow more freely. Pierce entire surface of lemon with a fork. Using the side of a large knife, gently press on garlic cloves to open slightly. Insert garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, and lemon into cavity. Place chicken in pan, on onion slices. Cut about 18 inches of kitchen twine, bring chicken legs forward, cross them, and tie together.
3. Spread the softened butter over entire surface of chicken, and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Place in the oven, and roast until skin is deep golden brown and crisp and the juices run clear when pierced, about 1 1/2 hours. When chicken seems done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the breast, then the thigh. The breast temperature should read 180 degrees and the thigh 190 degrees.
4. Remove chicken from oven, and transfer to a cutting board with a well. Let chicken stand 10 to 15 minutes so the juices settle. Meanwhile, pour the pan drippings into a shallow bowl or fat separator, and leave onions in the pan. Leave any brown baked-on bits in the bottom of the roasting pan, and remove and discard any blackened bits. Using a large spoon or fat separator, skim off and discard as much fat as possible. Pour the remaining drippings and the juices that have collected under the resting chicken back into the roasting pan. Place on the stove over medium-high heat to cook, about 1 minute. Add chicken stock, raise heat to high, and, using a wooden spoon, stir up and combine the brown bits with the stock until the liquid is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Strain the gravy into a small bowl, pressing on onions to extract any liquid. Discard onions, and stir in the remaining tablespoon of cold butter until melted and incorporated. Untie the legs, and remove and discard garlic, thyme, and lemon. Carve, and serve gravy on the side.

How-To 2. Fold a Fitted Sheet

1. Stand holding the sheet by the two adjacent corners of one of the shorter edges. With the sheet inside out, place one hand in each of these two corners.

2. Bring your right hand to your left, and fold the corner in your right hand over the one in your left, enveloping it. Next, reach down and pick up the corner that is hanging in front; bring it up, and fold it over the two corners in your left hand; the corner that’s showing will be inside out.

3. Bring the last corner up, and fold it over the others; with its right side showing, it should envelop the other three corners.

4. Lay the folded sheet on a flat surface and straighten it into the shape shown.

5. Fold the two edges in so all the elastic is hidden.

6. Fold the sheet into a rectangle.

7. Continue folding until the rectangle is the size you want it to be.

How-To 3. Sew a Button

1. Hold button in place.

2. Send a threaded needle from back of fabric up through one hole of the button.

3. Stitch down into adjacent hole.

4. Stitch until each pair of holes has been bound four times in each double hole.

5. Tie off the thread under the button. Cut excess thread.

Coat Buttons

1. Lift the button away from the coat after sewing the button on, making a shank button.

2. Wrap the thread around the exposed threads between the button and the fabric.

3. On the underside, tie into a knot. Cut excess thread.

Souce: www.marthastewart.com

Mothers always give and give, this year give back. Charitable gift giving is the best way to say “I love you” this mothers day.  Although, mothers day is still a few weeks away, don’t wait.  If you are in a new home community in the Birmingham, Nashville, Huntsville, or Baton Rouge areas here are 10 suggestions to show your mother you really care.

Garden Markers for Farmers

This five-piece set of hand-cast garden markers is perfect for moms with a green thumb. These sweet spoons will help Mom keep her garden in order, while the nonprofit company that produces them helps farmers in Laos to clear unexploded ordnance. It’s estimated that it will take 800 years to eliminate all the undetonated bombs in the country, but buying these spoons can help hasten the process: Each purchase supports land mine removal from 5 square meters of land. The farmer-artisans who make the spoons from wartime scrap metal earn a living for their families while bringing income and investment into their communities. (Spoon Herb Garden Markers, $55; PeaceBOMB)

Bee Pin to Save Honey Bees

Everyone at your Mother’s Day brunch will be abuzz over this cute honey bee. It’s a charming reminder of the vital part that bees play in our food system, by pollinating our plants and keeping the ecosystem in balance. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of these charms will go to support the work of the world-renowned Honey Bee Research Fund, which seeks solutions to Colony Collapse Disorder, an affliction that threatens the survival of bee colonies in the United States. (Honey Bee Charm, starts at $95; Altruette)

Ceramic Chile Peppers for Hunger

Every mother can be a red-hot mama with a decorative rope of ceramic Mexican chile peppers. These pretty peppers are an easy way to add a splash of color and personality to her kitchen. Each purchase of these Mexican handcrafts helps fight famine in the Horn of Africa and combat hunger in the United States. As a bonus, the Hunger Site donates at least 25 cups of food for every purchase (the food is distributed by its partners, Mercy Corps, Feeding America, and Millennium Promise). (Spice It Up! Ceramic Peppers, $21; The Hunger Site)

Posters for Hurricane Damage

Hurricane Irene caused damage all along the Eastern Seaboard in August 2011, and farmers in upstate New York were among those hit hardest by major losses of crops and livestock. Support the recovery efforts of affected farmers by purchasing this gorgeous 18″x24″ poster illustrating the variety of herbs available in New York City’s farmers’ markets. It’s available unframed and is sure to please any art-loving mom who can’t wait to hit the market. Five dollars from the sale of each poster go toward New York City’s Greenmarket Relief Fund. (Herb Poster, $25; Etsy)

Breast Cancer Awareness Wine

Raise a toast to Mom’s health and happiness with a fine bottle of OneHope wine. She’s bound to enjoy the wine even more knowing that 50 percent of profits from the purchase is going toward helping others, too. Produced by Michael Mondavi’s California vineyards, there’s quite a selection of varietals to choose from: Petite Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, to name a few. You can also select by the cause or charity that the sale will benefit. Among OneHOPE’s partners are the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the American Forest Foundation, and Snowball Express, which helps support families of fallen troops. (OneWine, $19–$25; One Hope Wine)

Jam for Cancer

Just by buying a jar of jam, you can help find a cure for cancer. With each sale of cancer-survivor (and mom) Julia Butera’s gourmet jams, 75 percent of the proceeds are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which works to cure cancer and improve the lives of people affected by the disease. Among the unusual and delicious flavors: Bordeaux Wine Jelly, Raspberry & Brandy Preserves, and Wild Fox Grape Jelly. (Jam, $8; Hope. Health. Joy.)

Mugs for UNICEF

Whether Mom is a coffee person or a tea person, these wavy mugs will bring a little bit of sunshine and sand into the kitchen. Made by artisans on Bali, the ivory-colored cups, reminiscent of the tropical island’s white sandy beaches, are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and come in a set of two. Sales benefit the lifesaving work of UNICEF. (Wavy Impressions Mug Set, $25; UNICEF)

Soap to Support Women

Moms know that beauty is more than skin deep. Not only does this bar of lemon-scented olive oil soap soften and moisturize your skin, but it also helps support Sindyanna of Galilee. This fair-trade organization stands out in that it is run by both Jewish and Arab women who live and work in northern Israel or the Palestinian Occupied Territories. Programs through Sindyanna empower Arab women with work skills and provide jobs, as well as continue to plant and operate olive groves for their award-winning olive oils. In a region where peace can seem elusive, Sindyanna demonstrates that conflict resolution is achievable through economic independence and prosperity. (Mediterranean Mellow Soap, $6; Ten Thousand Villages)

Gift Boxes for Local Low-Income Entrepreneurs

If you can’t wish Mom a happy Mother’s Day in person, why not send a care package to her, just like the ones she sent you when you were younger? The Half-Pint Box from San Francisco’s La Cocina is chock-full of sweet and salty snacks—chocolate truffles, alfajores (butter cookies filled with dulce de leche), and tasty plantain or yucca chips—as well as jamu (Indonesian root drink) and other chocolaty goods. Each box bought helps La Cocina support low-income food entrepreneurs as they set up and grow their businesses, by providing affordable commercial kitchen space, food industry technical assistance, and access to market and capital opportunities. (Half-Pint Box, $35; La Cocina SF)

Source: Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/articlesguides/holidays/mothersday/gifts-mom-wine-one-hope-mondavi#ixzz1sy9tYeBo

Hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed the Parade of Homes at Chace Lake.  Yesterday, Sunday April 22 was Earth Day. Signature Homes is always thinking of new innovative ways to save you money while saving the planet! For those of you living in the Birmingham, Baton Rouge, Nashville, and Huntsville areas here are some Earth friendly tips to have a green kitchen.

Tip One: Healthy Cookware

Cookware safety often relates to factors in your control: the quality of the pots you buy, their care, and choosing the right pan for the job. A cast iron skillet browns meat beautifully, for instance, but reacts with certain acidic foods, such as tomatoes, altering the taste of ingredients. Knowing your cookware is your best bet for cooking well — and safely.

Tip Two: Always Use Convection

Because it continually circulates heated air, thereby reducing cooking time, a convection uses 20 percent less energy on average than a conventional oven.

Tip Three: Break Out The Cloth Napkins

On average, each American uses a staggering 2,200 paper napkins a year, none of which are recycled. Why not reduce waste (and deforestation) by choosing cloth instead? You might even boost your mindful eating quotient: It’s much easier to linger over dinner with the table set the old-fashioned way.

Tip Four: Eat Local

By eating locally, we could cut our carbon footprint (no long-haul trucking or air travel required), potentially support sustainable growing practices, and help out our own farming community. On a more basic level, food simply tastes better freshly picked.

Tip Five: Fill Up The Dishwasher

Energy Star dishwashers can be more efficient than hand washing. Run full loads, air dry, and skip the pre-rinsing (most newer models don’t need it).

For more tips on how to conserve, check out wholeliving.com

Souce: http://www.wholeliving.com/136166/green-your-kitchen-space/@center/136755/green-home-guide#/25704

Strawberries are sweet, affordable, and local. For homeowners in the Birmingham, Huntsville, Nashville, and Baton Rouge areas of the South, strawberries are in season and at your local farmers market or grocery store. You’ll find pints and quarts of them at roadside stands and red seas of them in the produce aisle. These berries are delicious on their own, but here are some Signature strawberry inspired recipes.

Strawberry Tart

For the Crust

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for handling dough

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Filling

1 bar (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 to 2 pounds strawberries, hulled and halved

1/4 cup seedless red currant jelly

Directions

1. Make the crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, blend flour, butter, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt until moist crumbs form (this may take up to 1 minute). Transfer dough to a 9-inch round tart pan with a removable bottom.
2. With floured fingers, press dough evenly into pan and up sides. Dip a dry-measuring cup in flour, and use it to press dough firmly into bottom and against sides of pan. Freeze crust until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Using a fork, prick crust all over. Bake until golden, 25 to 30 minutes, pressing down gently once or twice with a spoon during baking if crust puffs up. Cool completely in pan.
4. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until smooth; spread mixture evenly in bottom of baked crust (still in tart pan).
5. Starting from outside edge, arrange strawberry halves, stemmed side down, in tight concentric circles on cream cheese.
6. In a small saucepan, heat jelly on medium-low until liquefied. Gently brush strawberries with jelly; let set at least 20 minutes. Chill in pan at least 1 hour (and up to 6 hours); remove from pan just before serving

Strawberry Arugula Salad

1/2 pint strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and quartered

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 bunches arugula, washed, dried, and trimmed

1/2 cup toasted pecan halves

Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss strawberries with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; let sit 5 to 10 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining tablespoon balsamic vinegar with the olive oil and salt and pepper.
3. To the strawberries, add vinaigrette, arugula, and toasted pecan halves. Toss to combine, and serve.

Quick Strawberry Jam

1 quart hulled strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. In a food processor, process strawberries until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a large skillet and stir in sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium-high, stirring frequently, until jam is thickened and bubbles completely cover surface, 9 to 10 minutes. Transfer jam to a jar and let cool to room temperature. (To store, seal jar and refrigerate, up to 10 days).

Strawberry Pops

1 1/2 pints strawberries, rinsed and hulled

1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Directions

1. Pulse strawberries with sugar and 1/3 cup water in food processor until pureed, with some chunks of berries remaining. Pour half of mixture into a bowl.
2. Pulse remainder until smooth. Stir puree into mixture in bowl. Pour into 3-ounce molds or plastic cups, insert sticks or wooden spoons, and freeze until solid, at least 8 hours.

Source:  http://www.marthastewart.com/275333/strawberry-recipes/@center/276955/seasonal-produce-recipe-guide

For new home owners or long standing home owners, creating a mantel can be hard work.  Your Signature home mantel should be a focal spot for your living room, therefore demand attention. Switch up your mantel arrangement for an instant change in your home. Here are some Spring decorating tips to give your mantel a little lift.

A great way to plunge into spring is to add some new spring plants and a moss wreath. Green is the perfect color for the first glimpse of SPRING! Not to mention it gives a light and fresh view of your home.

A moss wreath can add that pop of green your looking for. Moss wreaths are affordable all around the Birmingham, Huntsville, Nashville, and Baton Rouge areas. Or, if your feeling really crafty take on a DIY project.

Step out of your box and go hunting for eggs, not real eggs of course. Now, that Easter is over you can likely find some tasteful plastic eggs on sale. The pop of color adds a new dimension and can also be used in an arrangement.

To top it off add a few of your own Signature items. Wicker baskets, planters, plates, mirrors, and even green apples really make this mantel shine. These custom items are what makes this project your own.

Source:
http://theinspiredroom.net/2012/03/12/decorating-a-spring-mantel/

Signature Home owners love to be on the forefront of an approaching trend. For those of you in the Birmingham, Nashville, Huntsville, and Baton Rouge areas, here are some tips on starting your own Terrarium. Terrariums are currently a very big trend in design. These easy, miniature gardens are a great way to bring the outdoors in or for anyone who has a black thumb. They make great gifts, and are a great way to get children to start gardening. From a design perspective, terrariums are also one of the best ways to make a bold statement in any space.

The basic steps for making your own terrarium are very simple:
1.) Select your glass terrarium of choice either online or at multiple retailers. Make sure to consider where you will be placing your terrarium in your space because the sizes and shapes are endless.
2.) Add gravel or stone to the base of the terrarium to provide additional drainage if necessary.
3.) Add an inch or two of potting soil.
4.) Insert your plants.
5.) Add green moss, Spanish moss, or mulch to fill in and help maintain moisture.
6.) Enjoy your new “miniature garden” in your home and watch your friends admire your new creation!

Here are some plant suggestions: Ferns, mosses, baby’s tears, hypoestes, fittonia, ivy, peperomia, sanseveria, schefflera

3 Signature tips

1. Moss is Boss- go with some moss, it will fill in your dead space

2. Invest in a spray bottle

3. Don’t spend a fortune on plants, use some existing clippings.

Source:  http://www.sprouthome.com/terrariums-step-by-step/

Signature homes puts a great deal of focus on designing your kitchen. For new home owners, learning your way around your new kitchen can be confusing. Here are some of the newest gadgets out on the market to help ease your cooking woes. Not to mention they are easy to use and affordable!

One of the coolest new gadgets comes from celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. This flavor shaker pulverizes herbs, garlic, and liquid to make vinaigrettes and marinades.

Pare down! This three-in-one tool has rotating blades that peel hard skins, soft skins, and also julienne. $15.

New Colander with Squared-off corners and a single handle (it’s ergonomic!) make pouring more natural and more precise. $12.

Twist Topper. Five functions in one device: pops open bottle caps, lifts soda can pop tops, unseals machine-tightened bottle caps, removes pull-tabs, and breaks the seal of jar lids. $7

Garlic Press. Max capacity! Crushes up to 6 cloves at a time. $20.

Makes 21 ice cubes on a vertical wall, with added storage in the center. $16.

Salad Dressing Maker. One-handed lever makes it easy to whip up a quick vinaigrette. $15

Try out these new stackable measuring cups!

Souce: House Beautiful

http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/best/modern-kitchen-gadgets#slide-1