This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Cooking Light, Real Simple, and Sunset Magazines, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SafewayHoliday http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.
Oh the Holidays. Such a magical time of year, but boy can it be stressful, overwhelming and aggravating if you aren’t prepared. I know that you usually go the the grocery store and buy a magazine on the way out, but I want you to try something different. Buy your magazines on the way IN!
Yup. Grab that cart, swing by the checkout counter and pick up those magazines first. Why? So that you can pick out your recipes right there on the spot and get all of your ingredients and gifts while you are there. Right now, there is a $1.00 off coupon at participating Safeway Stores ( including Vons, Pavillions, Randalls and Dominick’s) on Cooking Light, Sunset and Real Simple magazines. SCORE! *while supplies last
The truth is, I am a magazine junkie. I even have them on my nook so that I can have a bunch with me at all times. The December issues of Real Simple is not only full of the best gift ideas I have seen all season, it even plays Holiday music on my nook. I was inspired by the 50 gifts for $50 or less to add a personal touch to my normal stash of gifts. It’s great to have extra hostess or work gifts on hand and I try to keep nice bottles of wine of candles around for those last minute gift emergencies which is great! But in addition to a bottle of wine, this year I made these easy DIY chalkboard serving boards. For a few dollars a piece, I have a fun personal gift ready to go.
Materials:
12″ round plywood
chalkboard paint
paint brush
fine grit sandpaper
Method:
paint top of plywood with thin coat of chalkboard paint following the direction of the wood grain. allow to try and lightly sand. apply 2 additional coats of paint and allow to dry for 24 hours. season the chalkboard by lightly rubbing a piece of chalk across the surface.
Now that you have your awesome chalkboard trays ready to go, how about a little white bean crostini recipe to top it off. This also works great as a dip for crackers or veggies, you can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for a few days for easy entertaining.
Ingredients:
1 15 ounce can white beans- rinsed and drained
2 Tablespoons assorted olives – I used kalamata and Spanish plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 Tablespoon finely chopped parsley plus more for garnish
2 Tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1 bakery baguette, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices
3 Tablespoons olive oil
Method:
Combine all topping/dip ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a fork lightly smashing beans, then set aside.
heat grill pan and drizzle olive oil over both sides of bread slices. toast each side until lightly browned, about 1 minute each side. allow to cool and top with 1/2 Tablespoon of white bean mixture and garnish with parsley and sliced olives.