Tasty Tuesday: Pink Flamingo Cake

This YUMMY recipe came across my Facebook page some time ago.  When the NEW Flamingo prints with Thirty One arrived this Spring (yes, it is Spring at Thirty One), it seemed the perfect time to share it…

Thank you Delish for today’s recipe….

If the name didn’t hook you, the hot pink, amazing-tasting cake itself will. But really, pink flamingo cake, how could anyone resist it??  This fun, fruity feast looks great and tastes even better! It gets the majority of its flavor and color from cherries, both maraschino cherries and cherry jello, with a touch of pineapple in the frosting to round out the overall flavor and bring a little more brightness to the dish.

Think of the fun everyone will have when they cut into the cake, thinking it will be an average vanilla or chocolate, BUT find a bright PINK interior.  This is a nice, simple recipe anyone can tackle – even the kids!  Flamingo cake could become one of YOUR summer go-tos.

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes to prepare     Serves: 12-16

INGREDIENTS

Cake:
1 (15.25 oz.) package white cake mix
1 (3.5 oz.) cherry jello mix
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 (3.4 oz.) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (16 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (8 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, halved, juices reserved

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl or mixer, beat cherry jello mix, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract into white cake mix until just combined, then pour into greased baking dish.
3. Place baking dish in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out mostly clean.
4. Remove from oven and let cool.
5. Place crushed pineapple, with juices, and halved cherries in a large bowl and sprinkle pudding mix on top.
6. Fold in frozen whipped topping and 1/4 cup cherry juice until smooth and combined, adding more cherry juice, if desired.
7. Frost (cooled) cake and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until set.

Take your flamingo cake on the road in Thirty One’s Perfect Party Set! The Perfect Party Set expands to hold two 9” x 13” casserole pans inside 2 interior water-resistant thermal compartments. Handle grips make it easy to carry, while the exterior zipper pocket can keep additional items like utensils, baking instructions and additional ingredients secure during transport. It’s the most convenient way to take your favorite casseroles, desserts, appetizers and more to your next family picnic, neighborhood cookout, celebration or camping trip!

Have a recipe you want to share?  Send it to me and if I share it in my blog, you will receive a FREE gift!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day1

Tasty Tuesday: Vegetarian Quinoa Bowl

This YUMMY vegetarian dinner is packed full of Mexican flavors.  Quick and easy with lots of leftovers to have on a salad the next day OR to heat up.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Serves:   4

Quinoa Skillet

• 2 Tablespoons avocado or olive oil
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped, 2 cups
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced into 1/2″ pieces, 1 1/2 cups
• 1 medium onion, diced into 1/2″ pieces, 2 cups
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 Teaspoons chili powder
• 1 – 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
• 1 – 14.5 ounce can fire roasted chopped tomatoes in sauce
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 1/2 Teaspoon sea salt, or to taste (this will vary on type of stock used)

Pico de Gallo

• 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced onion, reserved from above
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Teaspoon minced jalapeno
• 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the ingredients for the quinoa skillet dish before starting to cook, and set aside 1/4 cup of the diced onion for the Pico de Gallo.
2. Preheat a large skillet (13″-15″) over medium high heat. When the pan is hot but not smoking, add the oil along with the zucchini, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Sauté stirring often until the veggies have softened but are still crisp tender, about 5 minutes.
3. When the veggies have softened, add the cumin and chili powder to the skillet, and stir to mix in. Then add the black beans, quinoa, fire roasted tomatoes, and vegetables stock. Stir to combine and cover the skillet with a lid. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook stirring occasionally until all the liquid has absorbed, and the quinoa is fluffy, 20-25 minutes.
4. While the quinoa is cooking, mix together the ingredients for the Pico de Gallo. Season to taste with salt, and set aside to let the flavors blend.
5. Stir together all the ingredients for the Avocado Lime Cabbage Slaw, then set it aside until the serving time.
6. When the quinoa is done, add the corn and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt, and serve immediately with Pico de Gallo.

What to do with the leftovers????  Pack them up for lunch the next day in one of Thirty One’s AMAZING thermal lunch totes.   Sending  the  kids  off with  a healthy  lunch?  Try  the  Lunch Break  Buddy  Thermal. This roomy, insulated cooler bag is perfectly sized and styled for packing lunch and snacks for you or the kids, with a water-resistant thermal lining, zipper closure, large front pocket and mesh side bottle pocket. Personalize your lunch bag with an embroidered name, monogram or Icon-It design for school, work or travel.

Did I mention it is on the Retirement list?  What does that mean?  It will be gone after February 28th….. grab one while you can.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Kid Friendly Party Ideas

MOM, I’m bored.  There’s nothing to do.  I am sure you have heard that ALOT this summer.  I used to hear it from Belinda more times than I could count.   She was busy in the mornings with gymnastics or field hockey or cheering but by late afternoon or evening – I’m bored was her cry.

What is a mom to do, right?  How about a kid-friendly party?  Outside without a lot of fuss….

Water Party

Maybe you don’t have a pool – it’s okay, let’s have a WATER party.  Water balloons.  Water guns.  Sprinklers.  Host a WATER party with everyone.  Kids get to play.  Moms get to hang out and shop.  Let’s use Thirty One’s AWESOME products in the summer fun activities. I can feature your favorite outdoor products while everyone is enjoying some summer sun!  I will even b ring some prizes along for the kids….

Carnival Theme

This is a great idea and an easy way to have maybe 2 or 3 direct sales consultants come together.  Each “consultant” would have their own table to showcase their products and have a  Mystery Hostess Party.  Have lots of activities for the kids to enjoy and have fun doing.  Games could include pin the tail on the donkey, three legged races, face painting, ring toss, water balloon toss, etc.  Each consultant supplies a prize for the winning child and their mom.  Kids have a good time, and moms won’t miss the chance to be scoping out your products.  All kids will receive a “goodie” bag to go home with.

Photo Shoot Party

Host a photo shoot with our products and your guests. I love this idea..It is not only a fun event for families to get together and capture photos but it allows your guests to get a sense of how they would use your products with their families.   Email them the photos for them to keep.  Have fun props too – hats, silly shirts, etc.  Kids love the chance to be “famous”  and have their picture taken.  I will bring some additional props to add to the fun.

 

Nap Time Online Party

Can’t get everyone together in person, let’s have a “Nap Time Online Party” for Moms! Host an online Facebook party while all of the littles are sleeping soundly.  You, as the  hostess, are in charge of rounding up the attendees and get the hostess benefits. I will offer prizes and promote the event yourself  as well as offer up some extra incentives for anyone who decides to schedule a party for themselves during the event.

Colorful Creations

My NEW favorite party for moms and kids.  Guests pre-order their favorite black playful parade product.  The night of the party, the kids get to color with the markers while moms get to enjoy some girl time.  This is great for any age because if the color gets on the black, it won’t show up.  Who doesn’t enjoy making their own bag?

What are YOUR best SUMMER kid-friendly party ideas?  Share them with us.  We still have 3 weeks left of summer.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!