Cheap and Easy 4th Of July Dessert Recipes

June 15, 2016Leave a comment

Need to whip up a festive 4th of July dessert in a jiffy? Never fear! Poor Girl is here!

Here are some quick dessert ideas inspired by Martha Stewart (who else?) to get your guests in the patriotic spirit. And don’t worry, these desserts are truly ‘quick and easy’, we’ve put a Poor Girl twist on the recipes to make sure they’re cheap, quick and no fuss! You won’t find a cake in the likeness of Uncle Sam on this list!

Photo from Martha Stewart

Red Velvet Cupcakes with American Flags

With a box of Duncan Hines cake mix, cream cheese frosting and $1 store American flag toothpicks, you can create festive cupcakes in no time! Sorry Martha, we’re using the box!

Photo from Martha Stewart

Chocolate Covered Pretzels With Blue/Red Sprinkles

How cute are these? Give your chocolate covered pretzels some 4th of July spirit with blue and red sprinkles. Placing them in a jar or wine glass can also help add to your table decor! Everyone loves an edible centerpiece.

Mixed Red & Blue Berry Bowl

Photo from Martha Stewart

Can it get any easier? No cooking, no chopping = quick festive fruit salad. Using only red and blue berries (blue berries, raspberries, strawberries…you get the hint) this fruit bowl is good for your waistline and your color theme!

Photos: www.marthastewart.com

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4th Of July Punch

Need a 4th of July punch? Check out this recipe for cranberry punch with blueberries!

See recipe >>>

VIDEO: Red White And Blue Layered Drink Recipe

May 10, 2016Leave a comment

Watch our how-to video for a quick demo on how to get the layered effect in this red, white and blue layered drink. Instructions and quantities are listed below. Cheers!

Red white and blue layered drink (Poor Girl’s Guide Chicago)

SMALL BATCH / INDIVIDUAL DRINK RECIPE:

Ingredients:

Red=

Hawaiian Punch OR
Cranberry Juice
*Mix alcohol here (optional, I use Vodka)

Blue =

Light blue Gatorade, watered down with any of these options….
Diet Sprite, Diet 7-Up, Soda Water, Plain Water

White = Ice

Quantities:

Red drink & Vodka mix = 1/3
Blue drink (75%) & water or clear diet drink to dilute it (25%)= 1/3
Ice = 1/3

For this drink, I use thirds to make it easy. The amounts will vary depending on how many you’re making and the size of the glasses.

Red white and blue layered drink (Poor Girl’s Guide Chicago)

Instructions:

The key to this drink is the sugar levels. The more sugary drink will stay on the bottom and drink with less sugar will float to the top. Mix your alcohol in the red layer so the extra sugar will help keep it at the bottom. With the ice included, you’ll get the red, white and blue layered effect!

In 1 cocktail shaker mix your desired red drink with alcohol if you’re using it. For 4 drinks, I use 6 shots of vodka and fill the rest of the cocktail shaker with cranberry juice or Hawaiian Punch
Pour red mixture in to empty glasses
Add ice so your cups are now 1/3 red, 1/3 ice. Use plenty of ice to act as a separator between the red and blue. Eventually the ice will float to the top.
In the 2nd cocktail shaker, mix 75% blue drink with 25% clear liquid, choices noted above
Pour blue drink SLOWLY directly over the ice to avoid mixing

*Garnish with American flag toothpicks, red or blue berries & enjoy!

LARGE BATCH / DRINK DISPENSER RECIPE:

Ingredients:

Same as above

Quantities:

Red = 2 Liter or large bottle of cranberry or punch
Blue = 4 large light blue Gatorades, watered down 1/4 a liter of any of these options: Diet Sprite, Diet 7-Up, Soda Water, Plain Water
White = ice

Instructions:

Same as above for small batch recipe
Replace cocktail shakers with pitchers and pre-mix separately before pouring in to the dispenser
Follow the same order – 1) red, 2) Ice 3) blue mix

PHOTOS: 4th of July Party Ideas

May 8, 2016June 15, 2016Leave a comment

Check out these photos for some inspiration for your own Memorial Day party! Decor, printables, recipes and more!

: Labor Day party ideas

: Labor Day Banner Printable – $1.99 on Etsy, Print at home

Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe

April 6, 2016Leave a comment

Mint Julep/photo-foodnetwork.com

Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with this recipe for the staple Derby drink– The Mint Julep!

Recipe: www.foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

4 cups bourbon
2 bunches fresh spearmint
1 cup distilled water
1 cup granulated sugar
Powdered sugar

Directions

To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.

To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.

To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.

Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it’s right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to “marry” the flavors.

To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe

February 15, 2016February 12, 2016Leave a comment

Corned Beef And Cabbage Recipe (poorgirlsguidechicago.com)

As part of our DIY Holiday + Party Kit series, we’re giving you our favorite recipe for corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe (poorgirlsguidechicago.com)

Ingredients

(These portions make 5 servings)

3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon of black peppercorn
5 tablespoons of spicy mustard
10 small red potatoes
5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges I also use a mixture of green and red cabbage for variety) Continue reading →