Tortellini & Arugula Summer Salad

This is one of my favorite salads ever! It is a hit at all of our summer get-togethers. It is fresh, but filling. So simple to make and very delicious!

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 bag of tortellini (any flavor or color)

1 1/2 cup grape tomatoes cut in half 

1 handful of arugula

1/2 cup feta cheese

Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 TBS lemon juice

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh basil chopped finely

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
1: Prepare tortellini pasta according to the instructions on the bag. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2: Let tortellini sit in the fridge till cooled.
3: Place tortellini in a large bowl with tomatoes, cheese and arugula
4: In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for dressing
4: Toss salad with dressing and serve immediately

Summer Fruit

It is peach season!!

We were lucky enough to spend a few weeks visiting family in Utah! My grandpa is a peach farmer and grows the absolute best peaches you can imagine.

This has been our breakfast for the last week. My absolute favorite!!

Ingredients:

• 1 peach
• 4 strawberries
• 8 blackberries
• 8 raspberries
• 10 blueberries

Directions:

Cut all of the fruit into bite-sized pieces and put in a bowl. Enjoy!

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

My sweet little baby girl was blessed this week! We had all of our family over for the special occasion. I made some super super delicious easy cupcakes that are always a hit!

Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow or white cake mix (and ingredients listed on box)
• 1 large box vanilla pudding

Frosting:

• 1 stick of butter at room temperature
• 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp clear vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Milk if needed

Directions:

1: Make cake box cake mix according to instructions on the box. 

2: Then add the pudding mix and blend until mixed well.

3: Bake in lined cupcake pan for 10-15 min or until cooked through. 

4: Let them cool.

For Frosting: 

1: In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, mix butter, cream cheese, vanilla, sugar, and salt until smooth.  

2: Put frosting in piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes. 

*If the batter is too thick, add a little bit of milk. If it is too runny, add more sugar. I used my largest round tip (Ateco 809). Then I sprinkled them with mini sprinkles. 

And of course I have to show you how beautiful my baby looked. Emmeline Rose wearing an heirloom smocked rose dress made by her Grandmother Rose, silk booties from Great-grandmother Rose, and a pearl headband and bracelets made by me, her Mom (Chelsie Rose). Such a neat day. She was breathtaking.