Thursday, April 21, 2011

Flip Flop on into the Kitchen!


Who says flip flops are just for your feet? With a little imagination and a eye for flops, you can turn appetizers, snacks, and desserts into a flippin' great treat to eat!


If you're like me, you see these pictures and think, "when will I have the time to do that, and can i buy the talent it takes somewhere as well?" Well the FFQ is here to help. There are tons of ideas and pre-made shapes out there that can make it look like you slaved for hours! Shhhhhhhh

Lets start with a cute idea for an appetizer:

Flip Flop Cheese & Crackers

This is so easy you might have to force yourself to NOT do this every time!! All you need is a few simple things and you're done!

Ingredients
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 
1 cup marshmallow creme 
Food coloring 
48 Keebler® Town House Toppers® Original Crackers 
8 to 10 large strawberries 


Directions

1. In small bowl stir together cream cheese and marshmallow crème. Tint with desired food coloring.
2. Spread scant teaspoon of cream cheese mixture in center of each KEEBLER TOWN HOUSE TOPPERS ORIGINAL cracker.
3. Lengthwise cut strawberries into thin slivers. Place two slivers on top of each cracker forming the “top of the flip flops”.

What I love about this idea is you can change it to meet whatever "food mood" you might be in. The ideas are endless! How about tinted sour cream with pepperoni and a tiny chive for a "rhinestone" look on your flip flop strap? 
Plain cream cheese with sundried tomatoes and bacon, or perhaps a yogurt dip with small sliced apples and chopped pecans or walnuts. there are endless ideas that are not too much trouble and will be well worth your time! Your guests will love your cute "Food Flops"!!


And now for Dessert!!!

Flip Flop Cookies
(Yes, I know the picture is quite adorable)
 And get this....NO BAKING involved!!!



Ingredients
1 box graham cracker crumbs
2 packages oblong cookies, such as Pepperidge Farms Milano cookies
1 tub vanilla frosting
Neon food coloring
Licorice sticks (in a variety of colors)
Gumdrops
Directions
1. Scatter graham cracker crumbs on a large platter.
2. Divide vanilla frosting into bowls. Use food coloring to create bright colors. We used hot pink, turquoise and lime green.
3. Ice the cookies. Cut licorice sticks in half lengthwise, then into 1-inch strips.
4. Arrange the licorice on the cookies in a "V" shape, to resemble the straps of flip-flops. Where the licorice sticks meet, top with a gumdrop (use a little icing on the back of the gumdrop to get it to stick).

Again, you can think of a dozen different ways to decorate your flops, and it doesn't have to be conventional. For example, you can use two Swedish fish for your straps and a white gumdrop for the "bubble" in the center. You can use cool whip or marshmallow cream if you're not a big icing fan, and there are hundreds of candies out there just waiting to be flip flop straps.


 and last BUT not least...


For those tired and not at all creatives out there; here are some ready made flip flop treats that people will still love and ask, "Where did you find these?"


Have Fun and Enjoy!!!



Flip Flop Gummies come in an adorable tin that you can keep!
(amazon.com)




Flip Flop Chocolate molds can be filled with colored chocolate and decorated with edible glitter. 
(amazon.com)


Flip Flop Lolly pops come in four different flavors and can be purchased in packs of four, or in bulk.
(amazon.com)


These Flip Flop Feet can be added to store bought cupcakes in minutes.
(google.com)

theFFQ

Monday, April 18, 2011

FlipFlop Wine




One of my first posts HAS to be about a new wine I found called FlipFlop Wine. Let's face it, a LOT of us choose wine based on the label. From Barefoot Merlot to other labels planted with things we adore like bare feet, beaches, animals, or hobbies;  it's ALWAYS fun to find something you enjoy that also personally relates to you. I especially, have found it with this wine. While sometimes it can be disappointing to get hyped up over a 'fun' wine, this one is head over flip flops delightful. Remarkably, a great tasting wine is not all this company offers. With an emphasis on giving, this company has set itself aside from all those "other" wines that have no imagination in a market that needs a fresh outlook. FlipFlop Wines, "embraces the movement toward individualistic expression, instead of manufacturing wines into some cookie-cutter style that's all the rage."

Oh and if that weren't enough, every purchase of their wines buys a pair of shoes for someone in need. 'Need" I say more?
theFFQ

How it all began....

It all started over 15 years ago when two friends got me the exact same picture frame, which didn't seem like a big deal at the time. It has, however, turned out to be something worth blogging about; something that I am know for by people all around me. I see blogs all the time and I wonder, "when are they finding the time and energy to do it?" I now realize that it's not the time OR the energy; it's the love for that thing that makes you want to tell everyone you can about it!!