My favorite 'Empty your Fridge' Avocado Summer Salad Recipe

 

I have had a life long obsession with Avocados, we called them 'aguacates' growing up and my grandmother (abuela) and great-grandmother paired them with many of the traditional Puerto Rican dishes that I grew up on and love. For us the traditional 'arroz con pollo' (chicken and rice) became anything but ordinary when paired with Black Beans and Avocados.

I am not as good as my Abuela and my mom are with picking ripe Avocados ready for that day, but thankfully my local grocer is and he always tells me which ones are ready!

Like me, my mom has a strong love of travel and adventure, and we'd spend our summer days anywhere but home, which meant when we got back home, tired from a day in the sun, no one wanted to cook, but eating out every single day of summer would have been budget breaking. One of my mom's favorite go to staples was a 'huge' summer salad, instead of as a side dish, it was so chock full of stuff that it became a main meal. Making it not only cost effective, (because she used what was in season), but also a much healthier meal than fast/processed foods. And we didn't have to have the hot oven or stove on during those scorching summer days.

To this day I still live on salads during the summer, and much like my mom's favorite salad idea, I've adapted it to make it an 'Empty Your Fridge' Avocado Summer Salad. There are certain staples I always buy from shopping trip to shopping trip so those have become staples in the salad that never change, but the protein changes, from chicken, to pork to shrimp depending on what's left over and already in my fridge.

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Empty Your Fridge Salad:

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Ripe Avocado diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Garden Tomato diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 head of Romaine Lettuce, clean, dry and shredded

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 box of organic mixed greens, clean, dry and shredded

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 of a canister of walnuts (for a more asian flair add cashews and sesame seeds, especially if the protein is shrimp or chicken)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 cups of whatever proteins you have left over in your fridge, feel free to mix if you don't have a lot of any one particular thing, it could be chicken, pork, shrimp, tofu, etc.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Per your own taste (feel free to omit anything you do not like or are allergic to): diced onions, diced green peppers, diced/sliced or shaved carrots, finely chopped scallions, some garlic, diced celery, capers, diced olives

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I always add a bit of cheese depending on what I have in the fridge also!

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and toss evenly to mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Serve in individual bowls with dressing on the side. And if you don't have dressing on hand you can always mix your own with oil and vinegar or some balsamic!

*This could easily feed 2-4, just double up on the tomato if you are feeding more than two with this!

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On my very first visit to Cancun Mexico, I visited a restaurant close to my hotel and they told me that Mexico alone has hundreds of varieties of Avocados, and I have vowed that I will try them ALL! I had Avocados with breakfast, lunch and dinner that trip and every subsequent visit since!

Fuerte and Hass varieties are probably the most common of the Mexican Avocados, there is also the Gwen (most often confused for Hass), Pinkerton, Reed and Zutano.

Healthy Recipe Substitution Tips:

Last summer I focused on some healthy recipe substitutions with Yogurt, here are some recipe substitution tips with Avocados:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Replace fatty dips with guacamole and served with BAKED Tortilla Chips for a healthy and equally tasty snack.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Make your smoothies creamier by adding Avocado

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ -  Top your soups and stews with Diced Avocado in place of sour cream

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Spread 2 Tbsp of mashed Avocado on your wheat toast instead of butter

Find other fun recipes on the Avocados from Mexico site in both Spanish and English! Get social with @guacgrl on twitter! And for my pinterest peeps, you can follow them on pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/Mexicanavocados/

And because you know I love great deals, here is a discount coupon you can use on your next shopping trip:

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FTC Disclosure: This sponsored post is brought to you by Avocados from Mexico via Latina Bloggers Connect. Additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly's disclosure policy can be found here.

Table Thursday: Ham, Garden Veggie and BowTie Pasta Salad

Today is Table Thursday! What's for dinner? How about a Ham, Garden Veggie and Bow Tie Pasta Salad? I had some left over baked ham, a bag of veggies and a box of Bow Tie Pasta and a mission to jazz it up using the NEW Knorr® Homestyle Stock.

ABOUT:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The most carefully selected ingredients slowly simmered to perfection.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Versatility for a multitude of dishes, from soups to skillets to sides.


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A better value than cartons or cans – each tub makes 3-1/2 cups of broth.


Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Two great varieties for adding rich flavor to dishes with either the chicken or beef flavors.

PREP:

Since I had left over Baked Ham (and pre-cooked bow tie pasta), this is of course faster to prep than it would normally be if I had to prepare the meat first and then cook the pasta. I cubed enough ham to feed 4 (I wanted to have leftovers and some for lunch the next day), and added a tub of the concentrated chicken stock and about 2.5 cups of water to the ham in my favorite greenpan frying pan!

I then added frozen garden veggies and once those were almost done I added the pasta and simmered everything all together for a few minutes.

So feel free to substitute with whatever meat you have at hand and you don't have to use bowtie pasta either!

I added some parmesan cheese to it when I served it, feel free to omit if you don't like it or are allergic. And this is equally delish served warm as it is cold! YUM

So Butterfly, What's on Your Table Today?

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FTC Disclosure: I was provided with a sample of Knorr® Homestyle Stock by Smiley360 for my evaluation. This is a non-sponsored post and no monetary compensation has been received. Questions about our disclosure policy? Please visit: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/p/disclosure-policy.html

Oikos Greek Yogurt Review and Recipe too!

I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own.

For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos  I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I didn't grow up eating Yogurt, and as a result hadn't really developed a taste for it. That was until BlogHer 2010 last year where I tried one that I really liked, and after that it created a monster! Earlier this  year I had the opportunity to attend a cooking class at the International Culinary Council in New York City where I learned to incorporate Yogurt into my favorite recipes, substituting more fattening items from the recipes with Yogurt instead. (You can read more about that experience HERE and you can also read the recipes I've posted under the 'healthify your summer with Fage' summer series).

Because I'm a bit of a 'late comer' to the joys of Yogurt, I find myself always trying new ones when I see them at the Supermarket. Especially now that I've begun incorporating them into recipes, I like trying out different yogurt brands in the same recipes to figure out which ones work best in which recipes.

I have lost 26 pounds so far this year by making small lifestyle changes including recipe substitutions. I've actually always been pretty good about NOT skipping breakfast before running out the door, but I have also included more Yogurt in the morning instead of those popular fast food egg, ham, and cheese biscuits and have noticed that I have more energy through the mornings with a much healthier and better for me way to get my protein!

I had a chance to try Stonyfield yogurt earlier this year when I took a Zumba Fitness Class with Degree for women and really liked it, so when I was recently was offered the opportunity to try out Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt I jumped at the chance. But was a bit disappointed that John Stamos was not hand delivering it! (I think it would have tasted better if he delivered it to me directly! wink, wink) I thought I'd try using it in a recipe and was delighted to find a recipe for Tandoori Chicken under their Dannon Smart Swap Recipes page.

Tandoori Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients

• 16 chicken tenderloins
• 6 dried red chilis
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 4 teaspoons ground coriander seeds
• Juice of 4 limes
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 4 tablespoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground clove
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cups Stonyfield® Oikos® Greek Plain Yogurt
• 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

1. Make 2-3 slashes in chicken pieces and place in a nonmetallic dish. Set aside.
2. In a food processor, mix the red chilies, salt, pepper, lime juice, garlic, ginger, clove and chili powder.
3. Transfer to a small skillet and heat over low heat until aromatic.
4. Add the onion and cook over low heat. Stir in the yogurt and remove skillet from heat.
5. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
6. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or over night.
7. Arrange the chicken on a broiler tray and cook under a preheated broiler or over a barbecue for 20 to 30 minutes, turning just once.
8. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Yields: 8 Servings

I forgot to snap a picture of this when it was done, although I may not have had a chance even if I had remembered because as soon as this came out the oven, everyone congregated in the kitchen quicker than ever! There was NONE of this left over!

And if the recipe above didn't sell  you, then I'm sure this will:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Dannon® Oikos® Plain and Fruit on the Bottom contains 0% fat, while the Dannon® Oikos® traditional blended varieties contains about 3% fat. Both are an excellent source of protein, twice that of most regular lowfat yogurts.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dannon® Oikos® 0% varieties contain active yogurt cultures and range from 80 calories (Plain) to 130 calories (Fruit on the Bottom) per 5.3 oz. cup.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ- Oikos is proud to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and by liking their page on Facebook they will donate funds for every like, they also offer other ways to help once you get there. You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves brands that give back!

I tried out the plain Dannon Oikos in the Tandoori Chicken recipe above and purchased the Key Lime flavor as well to try out the 'Greek Key Lime Pie Cake' recipe, but I haven't had a chance to make it yet, I will let you know how it comes out when I make it later in the week!

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FTC Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own. And I really have lost 26 pounds via lifestyle changes this year!

Healthify Your Summer with Fage! Recipe 3: Macaroni and Cheese

Our Healthify Your Summer with Fage Total Greek Yogurt Series continues with the third recipe in the summer series and it's a personal favorite! Macaroni & Cheese is definitely a comfort food for me, and something I already know I would never be willing to give up, but I am definitely open to ways to make this favorite healthier and Fage did just that! A small substitution makes this recipe not only healthier, but sacrifices absolutely nothing in taste. It comes out just as creamy and delicious as you want your Mac & Cheese to be, I've already tried this recipe out on family and they had no idea there was a yogurt substitution in my recipe! So if your kiddos are Mac N Cheese lovers, here is a great way to sneak in some Yogurt and they won't be able to tell the difference (you can even sneak in some veggies!).

FAGE (pronounced “fah-yeh”) is known for Total, the authentic Greek strained yogurt. This summer, Ascending Butterfly and FAGE Total takes you on a mouthwatering journey from plainly plain to plain extraordinary!

FAGE Total Greek Yogurt Macaroni and Cheese

@Photo by Yder Laya

Serves:

4-6

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 tablespoon Olive Oil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup Onion, finely diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup Red Pepper, finely diced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Butter

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 ½ cup Whole Milk, warm

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup FAGE Total Classic

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 10 ounces Cheddar Cheese, grated

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup FAGE Total Classic

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 3 minutes. Add red pepper and salt and continue cooking until vegetables soften. Remove from heat and reserve.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2 quart casserole.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour, stir and continue to cook for 2 minutes or so. Gradually whisk in warm milk and yogurt, whisking constantly to keep smooth. Add nutmeg. Bring to a low simmer and remove from heat. Stir in 10 ounces of cheddar cheese. Whisk until smooth. Add remaining 1/2 cup yogurt and Tabasco. Combine macaroni, onion mix and cheese sauce and transfer to prepared casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Combine remaining cheddar cheese, feta and bread crumbs. Remove casserole from oven and top with crumb/cheese mix. Return to oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

Recipe created by Edward Magel on behalf of Fage Total Greek Yogurt

Want to connect with Fage?

Follow them on Twittter @fageUSA
Like them on Facebook

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FTC Disclosure Information: I attended a hands on cooking session at the International Culinary Council as a guest of Fage Total Yogurt, I was taught how to make the recipes I am sharing on my blog, I am under no obligation to do so. This is a non-compensated post. This is a non-sponsored post. As someone who has shed 26 pounds via lifestyle changes, I love to share those tips and tricks with my readers.

Healthify Your Summer with Fage! Recipe 2: FAGE Total Greek Yogurt Lemon Coleslaw

My apologies for skipping last week, the Healthify Your Summer with Fage Total Greek Yogurt Series continues with the second recipe in the summer series! This time with another summer favorite, Coleslaw! Just like it took me a long time to embrace Yogurt just in general, I didn't always eat ColeSlaw and when I was little was known to pick it out when I went to KFC!  It was last year at BlogHer 2010 that I tried a Yogurt that I really liked, and have begn experimenting with other brands since. The event I attended where we learned to use Yogurt in our favorite recipes to make them healthier, still surprises me. For someone that never really ate Yogurt, I was surprised that cooking with it, yielded that much flavor, and in many recipes I couldn't really tell it was there at all. This ColeSlaw was a very pleasant surprise!

FAGE (pronounced “fah-yeh”) is known for Total, the authentic Greek strained yogurt. This summer, Ascending Butterfly and FAGE Total takes you on a mouthwatering journey from plainly plain to plain extraordinary!

FAGE Total Greek Yogurt Lemon Coleslaw

@2011 Photo Provided by Fage USA

Serves:

4-6

Dressing Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 1/2 cup FAGE Total 2%
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/3 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 teaspoons Lemon Zest
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 tablespoon Sugar
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 tablespoon Prepared Horseradish
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 teaspoon Salt
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Celery Seed
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl.

Slaw Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 8 cups Green Cabbage, shredded (approximately 1 ½ pounds)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Green Pepper, small dice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup Red Pepper, small dice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup Scallion, green and white, thinly sliced

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped

Directions:

Combine slaw ingredients and toss with dressing. Let chill for 30 minutes to an hour, adjust seasonings and serve.

Recipe created by Edward Magel on behalf of Fage Total Greek Yogurt

Want to connect with Fage?

Follow them on Twittter @fageUSA
Like them on Facebook

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure Information: I attended a hands on cooking session at the International Culinary Council as a guest of Fage Total Yogurt, I was taught how to make the recipes I am sharing on my blog, I am under no obligation to do so. This is a non-compensated post. This is a non-sponsored post. As someone who has shed 26 pounds via lifestyle changes, I love to share those tips and tricks with my readers!

This weekend I'm taking a trip to the 100 Acre Wood - And so can YOU!

I'll be attending the New York Screening of Winnie The Pooh this weekend, and I just can't wait! Winnie was one of my favorites, and I couldn't get enough of his adventures! Now I share that love with my younger niece and nephews.

Sometimes my nephews are much like Tigger, bouncy, adventurous, silly and fun!

While I can't take you all to the screening with me, I can leave you with some fun activities to try out with your little ones!

While I know it's a Tad early to be thinking Halloween, one of the activities that I thought was super cute, is a Winnie The Pooh Mask!

Winnie The Pooh Mask

No one says a Halloween costume has to be scary. Here's a cute disguise inspired by a honey of a bear who makes it his bees-ness to eat as much of the golden syrup as he can get his paws on. The sweetest part is how quick and easy this mask is to assemble.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Winnie the Pooh Mask template

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scissors

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin cardboard

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cardstock or scrapbook paper - (two shades of golden yellow, black, and red)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Glue stick

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pencil

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paper hole punch

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Craft knife

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Thin black sewing elastic
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Stapler

Instructions:

1. Print out the template (pages 3 and 4) and cut out the pieces to use as patterns. First, cut out a head from the thin cardboard and set it aside (you'll use this to back the mask later). From the lighter shade of golden yellow paper, cut a second head and a muzzle. Cut the face shadow and the inner ears pieces out of the second shade of golden yellow. Then cut out eyes, eyebrows, a nose, and a mouth from black paper and a tongue from red paper.

2. To create the mask, start by gluing the inner ears in place on the paper head. Next, glue on the face shadow, positioning the top of it about 1 1/2 inches from the top of the head. Attach the eyebrows right above the face shadow.

3. Next, glue the nose onto the muzzle. Then glue the muzzle in place so that the lower edges match up with the bottom of the head and the top overlaps the face shadow. Glue on the mouth, positioning it about 1 3/4 inches up from the chin, and then stick on the tongue.

4. Place (but do not glue) the eyes on the mask and lightly trace around them. Remove the eyes and use the craft knife to cut a hole through the head within the lines of each tracing. Don't make the holes as big as the eyes -- instead, leave a 1/8-inch border between the hole and the pencil line.

5. Now punch a hole in the center of each of the black paper eyes to create a pair of black rings, and glue them in place around the eyeholes in the mask. At this point, have your child hold the mask up to his face to make sure he can see well. If not, use the craft knife to make the eyeholes larger.

6. Place the mask atop the cardboard backing to mark where the eyeholes are. Then cut matching holes in the cardboard.

7. Cut a piece of black sewing elastic to a length that's just a bit longer than needed to fit around the back of your child's head. Knot the elastic ends and staple them to the sides of the mask backing.

8. Finally, glue the mask onto the backing, matching up all the edges, and it's ready to wear.

Not much the arts and crafts type but love to bake? Then you will definitely want to try out this fun recipe. Who doesn't want to pull something Pooh inspired out of the oven? (OK stop giggling over there, I see you! Yes YOU!)

Sweet Beehive Cake

Create some buzz at your little honey’s garden-, flower-, or bug-themed party with this simple cake and its cookie swarm.

Materials:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - 8-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 6-inch round cake
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Half-sphere cake baked in a 2-cup ovenproof bowl
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 3 ½ cups yellow frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 13 round cookies
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 ½ cups light-blue frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 Twix Minis
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 12 marshmallows
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Chocolate frosting
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Large yellow gumdrop

Instructions:

1. Use a long serrated knife to trim the tops of the round cakes flat, if needed. To get the smooth look, first stack the three cakes on a wire rack over a cookie sheet. Heat 3 cups of the yellow frosting in the microwave until it liquefies, about 20 seconds (remember microwave wattages vary so you may need to adjust this). Stir the frosting, then slowly pour it over the top of the cakes, covering them completely. Refrigerate the stack for about 30 minutes to harden the frosting.

2. Meanwhile, frost 12 of the cookies light blue and place a Twix in the center of each. Use scissors to cut the ends from the marshmallows and press on these ends, sticky side down, for wings.

3. Carefully transfer the cake to a platter. To add a door, trim one edge of the remaining cookie, cover both sides with chocolate frosting, then press it onto the hive. Spoon the rest of the yellow frosting into a resealable sandwich bag, snip off a corner, and pipe markings onto the bees and hive. Top the hive with the gumdrop and arrange the bees around it. Serves 12.

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Sponsored Post. Permissions have been granted by @Disney to share the craft, recipe and photos with my readers!