Ravinia Recipes

6/29/14

     One of the events I always look forward to in the summer is Ravinia. For those who haven't been there, it's basically one massive picnic filled with awesome music, friends, and the best spreads of food. My friends and I went last night to see Darius Rucker. Since I love snacking so much, I chose to bring along corn and black bean salsa, rainbow cookie puppy chow, and drunken pineapple. Here are some simple and easy recipes to share with friends!

Drunken Pineapple

Ingredients:

2 Pineapples

1 Bottle Svedka Colada

I thought I would share this because I personally found it tough to find a good alcohol infused fruit recipe online. I was confused on what type of alcohol I should use/how much I should pour. Turns out it's much simpler than I thought!

Directions:

1. Slice up your pineapple into small-medium sized cubed pieces. Place pineapple in two separate containers so there is room for vodka.

2. Pour a full fifth between both bowls of pineapple. Push down fruit so it is as submerged in the alcohol as possible.

3. Let pineapple soak for a day, mix the pineapple around, then let it soak one more full day.

4. Drain the pineapple and make sure to save the remaining vodka (it is now pineapple infused, yum!)

5. Share with your friends! Watch out, it is delicious, strong and addicting!

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Ingredients:

1 Can Black Beans (Drained and Rinsed)

1 Can Sweet Yellow and White Corn (Drained)

1 Bell Pepper (Any Kind)

2 Small Tomatoes, Chopped

1 Avocado, Chopped

1 Tbsp Garlic (Minced)

1-2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Pepper

1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 Tbsp Sugar

1 Tsp Lime Zest

2 Tbsp Lime Juice

1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

5 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together except avocado. Adjust spices according to your liking.

2. Right before serving, add avocado and top with extra cilantro.

Rainbow Cookie Puppy Chow

Ingredients:

1/2 Box Rice Chex

6 Cubes Almond Bark

1/3 Bag Mini M&Ms

1 Box Chips Ahoy Cookies

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Directions:

1. In a thick, plastic bag, crush up cookies until they become a fine, crumb-like texture. Make sure to double or triple your plastic bag if you notice it starting to break easily. If you have a food processor, that would work even better! Set mixture aside.

2. In a microwaveable-safe bowl, heat almond bark in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir until fully melted.

3. In a large bowl, pour melted almond bark over the chex cereal and mix until fully coated.

4. Pour the cookie crumb mixture and m&ms into a large garbage bag and mix around. Add the melty chex mixture and toss it around in the crumbs.

5. Once the crumbs have been distributed evenly, add in the powdered sugar and continue to mix.

6. Pour mixture into a bowl, top with some extra m&ms and serve! This puppy chow brings me back to the memories of begging my Mom to buy the Rainbow Chips Ahoy Cookies at the grocery store...a childhood classic =).

There's nothing better than friends, food, and drinks! Happy summer =)