Fork and Knife Not Necessary- Border Burgers and Hand Pies

Are you ready for this? It could possibly be one of the most perfect weekend meals to end summer on. 

We didn't want to just give you one recipe for the weekend though!

 We asked on our Facebook page which recipe you wanted and feedback told us you deserved both! :)

So get your grocery list ready, because we're going hands on today!

Here are our recipes for Stuffed Border Burgers and S'mores hand pies!

Stuffed Border Burgers

They're ooey, they're gooey, they're delicious!

Shopping List:

1 lb of ground hamburger per 4 people

Romaine lettuce

Flour tortillas

Sour cream

Santa Maria BBQ Rub 

Velata Fiesta Queso Cheese 

1 can of Rotel tomatoes and green chiles- heat level of your choosing. We chose mild for our kiddos.

Kitchen Needs:

Small bowl

Medium bowl

Raclette

Spoon

Spatula

First, get that raclette warming. Turn it on high and then start prepping your burgers.

In your medium bowl, combine your hamburger meat with 2 tbls of your Santa Maria BBQ rub.

 Now, we know it says BBQ, but here in the south, it's a straight up delish taco seasoning. Maybe because we like our BBQ a bit on the sweet side, who knows. But I digress....

Once well combined, grab a small handful and a thin patty in your hand. Remember, these will be stuffed, so you'll be adding a second layer of burger on top. Don't feel like you're being stingy with the meat. It will come together.

Grab a spoonful of your Fiesta Queso and place it into the center of the burger, pressing it out so it's at least half an inch from the edges. Forming another thin patty of meat, place over the cheese and seal the 2 patties  by pinching the meat together. Place on a plate to rest while you put together the rest of your burgers.

Now it's time to throw those bad boys on the raclette while you prep the rest of your ingredients. Big tip here: DON'T PRESS YOUR BURGERS WITH A SPATULA! Big grilling no no. Unless you want dry burgers, keep your hands off and let them work their magic. Flip them over one time to finish and you'll be good as cheesy goodness gold.

Once you've flipped your burgers, go ahead and start throwing your tortillas on the griddle side to warm through. Warm tortillas are the best!

While burgers and tortillas are doing their thing, grab your small bowl and mix 1/2 cup of sour cream with a tbls. of your Santa Maria BBQ rub. (P.S. this little mixture right here would make for a killer addition to a 7 layer dip! Just sayin')

Now, it's time to start assembly.

Grab your warm tortillas and spread a little extra Fiesta Queso love on one side. Why? Um, cause it's cheese.

Top with some fresh romaine and a spoonful for your Rotel tomatoes.

On the other tortilla, spread a generous spoonful of your now amped up sour cream. Throw the burger on and then put together. That is it! Yep, I know, another super delish recipe that was so easy you just can't believe it, right? ;)

The best part? This right here folks....

It is juicy. It is messy. It is rated 5 napkin worthy! The hubs loved it and so did the kids. In fact, the one who's deeming herself as picky all of the sudden, was heartbroken when I told her I didn't make enough for seconds. Lesson learned!

Imagine the possibilities if you took this basic recipe and switched it up with our other rubs or cheeses?

If you try something new, be sure and tell us about it!

And now...to dessert!

This dessert would be a great one to let the kids in on. It's simple and safe outside of placing and removing from the oven.

S'Mores Hand Pies

Shopping List::

Premade Refrigerated pie dough

Marshmallows (small will work best)

Velata Chocolate disks (we used milk, but any would be delish!)

1 egg, beaten

Cinnamon

Sugar

Kitchen Needs:

Round cookie cutter

Cutting Mat

Pastry brush

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Unroll pie crust and using your round cookie cutter, cut out as many circles as it will allow. If you need to, combine the scraps, re roll out and cut more. Don't let any go to waste.

Place 3-4 marshmallows on one of your dough circles. In our pics here, you'll see we used a large marshmallow and cut it in half. It's what we had so it's what we used. :)

Next, grab a chunk of your favorite Velata chocolate and place it on top. 

Place another dough round on top and use a fork to crimp the edges together. If you got a little marshmallow or chocolate crazy (I wouldn't blame you), you may need to stretch the dough in your hands first to make sure it will fit. 

Take your beaten egg and using your pastry brush, coat the entire top of your pie. Then, sprinkle with a little sugar and cinnamon. This part is what is replacing the graham cracker part of a typical s'more.

Place in your oven and back until crust is golden brown. Remove and let cool for just a couple of minutes.

Now, once you crack open these babies, you'll notice your marshmallows have all but disappeared. No worries though! They've just blown up and melted away into this stringy, caramelized goo that's coated the inside of your pie.

What we loved about these hand pies was that not only were they easy, but they were light. This is why we feel like they are the perfect dessert to follow those monster Stuffed Border Burgers.

"Wait? Where's the picture of the inside? Of you eating them? I don't understand?"

Um...yeah....about that....

HAPPY EATING!!!!!!!!!!!

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1 Minute Molten Lava Cake Recipe

Abby & Kate show you how to make super yummy 1 minute Molten Lava Cakes with your Velata fondue warmer dish.

These 2 girls love being in the kitchen, and apparently, also in front of the camera. :)
Click on the recipe link below to watch their video. Includes ingredient list and instructions (and some silly along the way)

1 Minute Molten Lava Cakes

"I can't have a blueberry for a daughter..."

Oh good ole' Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Classic, right? 

While we all know that you can't ACTUALLY turn into a blueberry by eating the delicious little fruits, I'm pretty sure my daughters are trying their hardest this week! Blueberry season is here!

As the end of summer winds down and I try to squeeze all the fun in that I can, I find myself trying to do so in the kitchen. I've let them both help out over the last couple of days and have more of a say as to what's cooking.

After a late wake up this morning, I asked them what they'd like to have for breakfast and the consensus was pancakes! I didn't want to make any ole' every day pancakes though. I wanted something special.

Remembering we'd picked up a quart of blueberries from the store this week, I knew just what kind of special pancakes we were going to whip up and exactly what was going on top.

So today, I'd love to share with your our recipe for Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes with Fresh Blueberry Sauce. (Don't let the sour cream part scare you. It makes for quite the divine pancake!)

As with any of our recipes, they may sound fancy pants, but I promise, they're easy enough for any kind of cook! 

Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes with Fresh Blueberry Sauce

Kitchen Needs:

2 mixing bowls

Fork or whisk

Small saucepan

Raclette, turned on and preheating at high

Fresh Blueberry Sauce:

Shopping List- 

 1 cup of blueberries

1/4 cup of sugar

2 Tbls. of water

2 teas. of cornstarch

1 teas. of lemon

In a bowl, combine lemon juice and cornstarch and set aside.

In a small saucepan, combine berries, water and sugar and bring to a boil. 

Add lemon juice mixture, stir well and let boil for another couple of minutes.

Take off heat and set aside while you make the pancakes.

Blueberry Sour Cream Pancakes:

Shopping List- 

1 cup of blueberries 

1 cup milk

3/4 cup sour cream
2 large eggs
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

To begin, in a bowl, combine all your dry ingredients and mix well to break up any clumps.

In another bowl, combine your wet ingredients well.

Once well combined, pour your dry ingredient mixture into your wet ingredients and gently stir together until it comes together. Don't get crazy here. Over mixing will make for not as yummy pancakes. Be gentle and make sure all the flour is broken up and wet. 

Once that's done, toss the berries in and again, gently mix well until they're evenly distributed.

"Wait! Is that it?"

 Um...yes. What were you expecting? To have to milk a cow or find Madagascar vanilla beans from a specialty store? I told you this one was easy! 

Now it's time to make some pancakes!

Using an ice cream scoop, pour a scoopful onto the griddle side of your preheated raclette. If you don't have a raclette, well, you need to get one. While you wait for it to get to you, you can use a skillet or non stick pan.

Once you start seeing small bubbles on top of the pancake, it's time to flip. 

This recipe will yield 12 fluffy, berry filled pockets of delight, err, I mean pancakes. 

If you wanted to go all crazy like, you could top these bad boys with a drizzle of white chocolate! Go big or go home right?

Happy Eating!

It's. Just. That. Good.

Turning Your Minutes Into Memories

This last weekend, in celebration of my Mother In-Laws birthday, I decided to make everyone dinner and dessert. It's so much easier, and cheaper, than taking every one out, plus you always end up having the whole discussion about where we should go that would make everyone happy. Good times.

What I settled on is one of those recipes that has become a 'go to'. You know the ones I'm talking about, right? The recipes that you're pretty sure you have all the ingredients to and seem to please the masses. This is one of those dishes. Even better...I get to use the Crock Pot. (insert angelic singing here)

It's summer time in Oklahoma which means it's HOT! Not only that, but our electricity rate is almost tripled in the evenings, so using the stove is out of the question x2. This means the crock pot gets it's time on the field.

What I possibly love most about this dish is that it takes few ingredients and then morphs them into a huge pot of awesomeness. If you're a family on a budget, have a large family to feed or working on weekly meal plans where you can eat now and freeze half for later, this will be one to hang on to. Prep is impossibly simple and a it makes a little go a very long way. 

It also happens to incorporate one of my favorite spice rubs. I've tried the recipe with and without it and the with is 10x better with than without. 

When I served it at the aforementioned birthday dinner, it was a hit! It fed 3 kiddos and 6 adults. A few of us had seconds and maybe thirds (what? Don't judge me). Once all was said and done, we had enough to bring home and the 4 of us to have again for dinner the next night. Yes. It's just that good. 

All that being said, are you ready for me to quit talking and get to the good stuff? Of course you are. :)

So let's do this! Here is my recipe for the slammin' crock pot cream cheese chicken. Happy eating!

Darn Good Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken

(A Mexican themed meal)

For the Crock Pot:

3 Frozen chicken breasts (not thawed)

1 jar of your favorite salsa (we like Pace Chunky)

3-4 Tbls. of Velata Santa Maria BBQ Artisan Rub

1 block of cream cheese, softened

2 cups of Minute Rice

1 can of black beans, drained

To serve on the side:

Sour cream

Velata Fiesta Queso or Shredded Cheddar

Fresh Cilantro

Lime wedges

Tortilla shells or Tortilla chips for shoveling this goodness

into your mouth. :) 

Prep:

Place frozen chicken breasts into your crock pot and pour jarred salsa on the top, covering the chicken.

Place lid on and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.

(Psst....that's all you have to do until you're 30 minutes from being ready to serve! I know, right?)

30 minutes to meal time:

Remove lid and pull out your chicken. On a cutting mat , shred your chicken using 2 forks.

Place the chicken back into the Crock Pot. Add Minute Rice and beans an stir well.

After 10 minutes, add softened cream cheese and stir.

 It will melt much easier at this point if you cube it before you throw it in.

When it's time to serve, use tongs or a slotted spoon to mix your dish well making sure the cream cheese gets Incorporated thoroughly.

Now stop.

Yes, Stop. 

At this point, this magical mixture of goodness will NOT look pretty. It will look like the hot mess that it is. 

But it will be a tasty hot mess. I promise! Don't be hard on yourself. You've done nothing wrong. It's all good!

Time to serve:

Above I shared the things we like to top this chicken recipe with when we eat it.  We will sometimes eat it on  chips, like nachos, or inside warm flour tortillas as soft tacos.

Let's be honest though, it really won't matter what you put it on, it will be good.

I know this sounds like a lot of hub bub over a crazy simple recipe, but it's well deserved.

I'm excited to see you all try it in your own kitchen and let me know what you think!

Be sure to leave your comments below or come visit us on our Facebook Page for more recipes, kitchen tips and fun!

Happy Eating!

www.thekickinkitchen.com

We want you to join us!

Our business is growing and we want you to grow alongside of us!

We are looking to build our Velata team across the country. We have a dedicated team who support, encourage and give you every tool you need to be successful in this business. Top notch training, a Facebook page dedicated to our team of consultants and a line of products with a guarantee to be the best you can offer to your customers. If you are ready to be a founding Velata consultant and be the first to put these great products in your friends and family's hands, let's talk! Fall is coming and people will be shopping for Christmas. Why not let them shop with you?

WHAT’S IN THE STARTER KIT?

Everything you need to launch your new business—for just $99:

• Sweet and savory treats to sample and share
• Skillful kitchen systems for party demonstrations
• Catalogs, order forms, and business materials like invitations and marketing brochure

HAT CAN I EARN?

A new lifestyle. Choose your hours, be your own boss, and enliven your world with amazing products

• Commissions up to 30% (when you qualify for monthly sales award)
• Lucrative bonuses and awards
• All-expenses-paid trips to destinations like Hawaii, the Bahamas, Greece, or New York City

HOW DOES VELATA HELP ME SUCCEED?

We’ll support you each step of the way:

• Personal Website FREE for 3 months ($10/month after that)
• FREE online Workstation to run your business
• No inventory to manage
• Live phone support
• World-class training
• One on One personalized support and training
• A dedicated Facebook page with the purpose of answering your questions, sharing ideas and so much more

If you love to cook, if you love to entertain, if you love to eat, this is the perfect business for you. :) 

Finally, men, this business isn't just for the ladies. You can be just as successful as you share your foodie love with those around you. It's an opportunity unlike any other direct sales business out there and one built for you to succeed!

Won't you join us?

I'd love for information or to talk with you more

I want to join Velata!

I'm not interested in joining now, but I'd love a catalog!

Do you Raclette?

Do I what? 

Do you Raclette?

What's a Raclette?

Well, let me tell you...

In our Scentsy Family of brands, we have a line called Velata. Velata (translates 'to be veiled') is a kitchen system and food product line meant to draw family and friends back to the table again. It began with the highest quality Belgian chocolate and Scentsy style fondue warmers that keep the chocolate in melted perfection, to cheese perfect for dipping just about anything into it!

Our latest product, the Raclette, has taken off by storm and I'm here, to introduce it to you!

First, let's define Raclette: Raclette is the Swiss tradition of heating cheese until it reaches melted goodness and then scraping it onto a favorite dish, typically potatoes, onions or pickles. Straight from wheel to plate.

The idea of the Raclette dates all the way back to the 12th century.

As time as gone on, more modern versions have popped up all over the world allowing people to come together to enjoy the meal preparation (and devouring there of) around the table. It has combined a grill style tabletop griddle or hot plate with small pans underneath meant to melt the cheese to then be gloriously poured on top of a favorite dish. This of course when using a open coal fire isn't as practical. :)

The idea of the raclette is to create a more sociable eating experience. Sometimes even lasting several hours as people gather to talk, eat and drink. In fact, in French and European markets, you may find pre-sliced  cheese, small vegetables and meats ready specifically for Raclette use. Some restaurants even provide these setups for dinner parties.

Well, it's time to bring the Raclette to America and we're going to do it Velata style.

Introducing, the Velata Raclette:

 

Now, you are probably ooing and awing (as well you should) but still, would like to hear some first hand experiences when it comes to this fancy pants grill.

We received our Raclette on Friday and I was over the moon excited to get it out of the box and on my table. Dinner time in our house usually looks like this:

Me: "Honey, can you please get the girls, I'm trying to cook dinner."

Me: "Girls, I need you not to play in the kitchen while I cook."

Me: "Girls, no, you can't help, that pot is too far back and you can't reach."

Me: "Honey, please come occupy the girls so I can finish up dinner!"

Them: "When will dinner be ready?????????" (x100)

Keep in mind we have a very small kitchen and while I'd love to let my girls help, it's just not safely feasible.

And then we get into the whole chat of how I didn't put this on her plate or did put that on her plate and she doesn't like it. Or maybe why I made hers like this but made his like that. All of this and in 15 minutes, we've argued about what they need to eat before they leave the table, it's scarfed down and they're all gone again with mom left to pick up the mess.

It has all changed.

With the raclette, I can do the meal prep (which is just slicing or chopping) while everyone is at work or school and when they come in have the raclette ready to go. I place the dishes of goodies around the table, hand each person a set of tongs and a tray and we begin to cook dinner...together.

Each of them gets to design their own meal based on what we have set out which means no more short order cooking mommy. We're all choosing what we'd like and how we'd like it cooked. We're sitting around the same table laughing and talking about our days while it sizzles away. When one of them is still hungry, they just pick what they'd like and pop in on the grill or in the tray instead of mom or dad leaving the table to fill the plates with seconds. My girls also love the idea that they're the ones doing the cooking. At 9 and 5, they're not quite ready to be stove top cooking yet, but this affords them the basic skills that and make them feel like they are big stuff! In fact, my littlest said last night, "Look mom! I'm a real live cooker!" She was beaming!

Oh, and the strangest thing has happened. Instead of dinner being a dine and dash event, we're all staying until the last person is done, spending more time talking and when we're all fully satisfied, THEY HELP ME CLEAN IT UP! (insert angelic voices here!)

Mind you, clean up means rinsing our cheese trays out with a little soap and hot water and washing the grill down in the same way. Clean up is crazy easy!

 Doesn't matter if we had pancakes, eggs and bacon or a full fajita spread.That's it! 

Another plus we're finding is that because of the non-stick grilling surface, we don't have to cook with any additional oils or fats. Even my pans have to have a little when I use the stove.  This provides us with an avenue for cleaner, healthier eating. We've also tried cooking bacon for a splatter test and we're happy to see that it cooked up to crispy perfection without splatter or popping.

There is truly a word of possibility when it comes to this kitchen gadget. Besides bringing your wild bunch to the table, the Raclette could be used in a small studio or apartment, dorm room, even when camping or Rv'ing. It could be used for a small family or a big party. Any place you have an outlet, you can raclette. Speaking of camping, we've even done S'mores...

At a cost of $140, the Raclette is an affordable kitchen staple that will not only make moms job in the kitchen much easier, but will create a dinner time that is full of memory making.

If you'd like to see other ways we use the Raclette, along with recipes, tips and tricks for all our other Velata products, join us on our Kickin' It In The Kitchen Facebook group! We'd love to have you!

If you'd like to purchase your very own Raclette or any of our other products, you can visit my website at www.amandajohnson.velata.us

So now, I must ask again....

Do you Raclette?

What to look for when choosing a Direct Sales company...

When you're looking at the prospect of working from home or finding a way to supplement your income, Direct sales is often the go to. However, with a world of possibilities when it comes to what product and which company,  it can become overwhelming quickly.
Below are my top 6 things to look for when choosing a Direct Sales company:

1. Are they a member of the DSA? 
    The DSA (or Direct Sales Association) is a group that seeks "To protect, serve and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers." (from DSA.org)
   Choosing a company who is a part of the DSA, let's you know that the company is being held to a strict code of ethics that is meant to protect both the customer and consultant. It also protects you from companies who run a 'pyramid scheme' as they are not allowed admittance into the DSA organization. In a nutshell, choosing a company in the DSA protects you from the crazies. :) To see if the company you're considering is a member, use this link to do a search... DSA MEMBERS

2. Is a product you could be or are passionate about?
     Passion is everything! It doesn't make sense to become a consultant for a product you wouldn't use yourself or recommend to family or friends. If you wouldn't recommend it, how can you sell it? When you are excited about the product, talking about it becomes second nature and that means success in your new business. Never join a company to 'help a friend' even if it's not something you love. It won't do either of you any good.

3. What will your initial investment be?
     Ask what the cost of the start up kit will be and if there is any other required purchases you will have to make to begin. Also know ahead of time if there will be any monthly or yearly fees you will have to pay. You don't want things like this to sneak up on you when it's too late. Knowing before hand will let you know if it's something you can handle as your  business grows. Every company will have small costs like catalogs, order forms etc., but beyond that, what is needed? Also, while you have to spend money to make money, you shouldn't have to go into immense debt to do it. A company that offers a credit card to purchase their kit would be one I would personally shy away from. Also know whether the company requires you to carry inventory and whether it is something you'd be comfortable or have the space to do.

4. What kind of support is available to you?
  Do they have training calls or a place for resources to be readily available to you? What about regional meetings or a convention? Will you have direct support from your sponsor or be able to be in contact with other consultants for ideas and encouragement? No one wants to be left stranded trying to figure these things out on their own. We all need guidance and having it will give you the best start possible and help you maintain longevity in your new business. Ask your potential sponsor what they offer in the way of training and support and make sure it is enough that would give you the confidence to do well.

 5.  When you've found something you're interested in, ask questions!
   Whether it's through the company directly or a consultant you know, ask the questions that are most important to you. What is their compensation plan like? Will you pay the hostess reward fees? What will having a website cost? What are the monthly minimums etc.? Knowing the answers will help guide you in making a decision that will be best for where you're at and what you'd like to get from your new business. Be sure you're asking someone who is trustworthy and you feel is providing you with honest information.

6. Do your morals line up with theirs?
  Simple as that. If your heart can't connect with that of the companies mission statement or desire purpose, it probably isn't the Direct Sales company for you.



 I'd all but given up on the hopes of working from home when Scentsy came my way. I made the decision to join after learning by trial and error what to look for. I had decided then that it would be the LAST attempt at direct sales. If I failed, that was it. Thankfully, it has thrived beyond our expectations and so it will indeed be my last, but only because I plan on staying forever. :)

Previous to Scentsy, I was a consultant for 2 other Direct Sales companies and my time spent with both was very short, less than 6 months. What I thought were going to be great ways for me to make money for my family, ended up not working out. Had I followed this list, I would have saved my time and money until I found the perfect fit in my current roll as a consultant with the Scentsy Family.

 If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Scentsy Family consultant, I'd love to chat! If you have any additional tips, please feel free to share in our comment section below.

www.kickinwicks.com