It’s the day after the Thanksgiving Throwdown and there was some mighty fine food being thrown. The dessert round was a battle between pecan pie and pumpkin bread pudding, so we figured it would be fun to have a little re-enactment of that match here today. It’ll be Team B (for Bread Pudding) against Team P (for Pecan Pie) wrestling for a spot on your holiday table.

Anything involving dessert is worth re-enacting, right?

First up, Team B. Moist, rich, comforting bread pudding. In a variety of flavors so you can use your favorite.

Clockwise from top left: Pumpkin Apple Bread Pudding from smokinchestnut, Banana Bread Pudding from Kelly @ EvilShenanigans, Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding from Bindi, and Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Bread Pudding from Food for my Family.

 
 
 
Team P struts in with pecan pie in different incarnations: bars, muffins, cheesecake, or just dressed up with chocolate.

Clockwise from top left: Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie from A Cozy Kitchen, Maple Pecan Pie Bites from EatLiveRun, Pecan Pie Caramel Cheesecake from Lauren’s Latest, and Pecan Pie Muffins from blackhawkwife (photo by missamy).

 
 
 
You be the judge! Will it be pie or bread pudding on your table? Cast your vote!

Yes, I know these games are bad for my kids; I’ve heard everything from symptoms of shortness of attention span, hypertension, ADHD and carpal tunnel. But honestly, the symptoms could be WD-40, small feet syndrome, stubby middle fingers or tongue flapping, I still love me my games.

My favorite, of course, are the food-related games. Here’s a rundown.

Cooking Mama

This is a fun one, especially on the Wii, where you get to actually make the motions of chopping, shaking the pan, pouring, cracking an egg with your Wii remote thingy. The boys love this game, from learning how to make spaghetti with meatballs to even the cute Japanese girl’s accent.

Farm Story

Plant, plow, wait. And wait. And wait. Harvest. Sell. Repeat. (Yawn.) Pretty cute chubby graphics for kids, but we all got bored of this game really quickly.

Zombie Farm

Oh no you didn’t download this!

Oh yessiree I did! Okay, technically this doesn’t count as a pure food game; you’re cultivating both crops and zombies. Amongst the red-ripe tomatoes that you’ll harvest, you’re also building a zombie army. What kid doesn’t like zombies?! BRRRRAAAAIIIINZZZZZZZZ.

Cake Mania

I tried so hard to like this game, but we only had it for the Nintendo DS and its ittty bitty screen. I’m getting old. Has anyone played this on the Wii or any screen larger than my thumb?

Farm Frenzy

This game started off reallllly slow, collecting eggs that the hens lay, but after a few levels, things speed up and you’re off managing a farm. Grow grass, get water, collect eggs, spin wool, transport produce, sell produce. Any money you make goes right back into the farm, buying more animals and upgrading your farm. (Hey! Just like a real farm!)

We Rule

This is my newest obsession, and when I say obsession, I really mean that. Last night, I woke up at 4 a.m. to harvest my beans (if you wait too long, they spoil). You’re building a kingdom, complete with a castle and options to build a tailor shop, fishing pond and gladiator training center. Yesterday, I gave a shoutout to the game and asked if anyone else was playing. I think Twitter went down for 5 minutes as all these people started tweeting me their player IDs! It’s a fun game, perfect for OCD-ishy people like me.

Star Wars Cantina

This game could have been soooo much more … especially for $4.99 on the iPad! Okay, so it’s LucasFilm-licensed and you hear the cantina music from the movie, and the Storm Troopers look so cute you want to hug ‘em. You’re a waitress managing the bar with impatient and thirsty customers. Your job is to seat customers, serve drinks and collect money. Yep, that’s it.

 
Have you played any food video games? Tell me about them! I have yet to play Farmville … I’m scared I’ll get addicted!

 
 
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Jaden Hair is a food writer, television personality, and food photographer based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Find more of her recipes in her blog, Steamy Kitchen, where you can also read more about Jaden’s new book, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, and the rave reviews it’s received!

 
It’s definitely lazy-by-the-pool time of the year, and what better to celebrate summer vacation than a collection of jewel-toned mojitos! Well, only made better if served by cute cabana boy, right? We went searching online for creative mojito recipes and came up with several beauties to share with you. You’ll have to source the cabana boy yourself, though.

Raspberry, mint, white rum: Icy-Cold Raspberry Mojito from A La Carte Kitchen is one of the prettiest mojitos I’ve ever laid eyes on.

 
 
 
Watermelon & Mint from Amy of Adventures of a Messy Chef. I made this recipe the other day and my guests thought I was the best host ever. See, dinner parties are easy with good booze!

 
 
 
In case it’s not 5 o’clock where you are, how about a Virgin Pom Mojito (pomegranate juice, mint and sparkling water) from blogger Mango and Tomato.

 
 
 
I’ve never had ice-envy before, but I do now. See this girly-pink Passionfruit Mojito below? The glass is made of ice! Yes, I want! Is it my birthday yet?

 
 
 
Blood Orange Mojitos from one of the cutest couples ever: Dhale and Pierre of Culinary Musings.

 
 
 
I found a satsuma orange mojito from Chow.com—Cochon’s Satsuma (Mandarin Orange) Mojito Recipe (you can substitute with a tangerine).

 
 
 
And I have one more for you, Shelisa’s Mango Mojito, which I know you’ll love! Happy lazy-by-the-pool day!

 
Shelisa’s Mango Mojito
Serves 2

Simple Syrup
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

Bring water to a light boil in a small sauce pan, remove from heat and stir in sugar. Let cool.

Mango Mojito
2 large handfuls of fresh mint leaves
2 mangos, peeled and cubed into 1/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup Bacardi Mango Rum
1/4 simple syrup
crushed ice
1 cup club soda

Add the mint leaves and mango to a shaker. Muddle together for 1 minute. Add in the rum, simple syrup and ice, cover and shake. Pour the mixed drink into a tall glass and add in the club soda.

 
 
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Jaden Hair is a food writer, television personality, and food photographer based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Find more of her recipes in her blog, Steamy Kitchen, where you can also read more about Jaden’s new book, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, and the rave reviews it’s received!

 
You might think I’m a little early for 4th of July, but there’s another holiday in between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Yes, it’s Flag Day! As if I needed an excuse, June 14th is another day to celebrate with food, though no chicken, pork chops or steak—just delicious desserts.

I figured you would be a bit concerned if my chicken was red, white or blue …

So let’s start with I pledge allegiance to Cookies and Cups who makes the most perfect stripes—that she hand-decorated! (I would have just used fruit roll-ups. Eeek!)

 
 
 
I remember my Mom used to make a cake just like this: in a pan, decorated with blueberries and sliced strawberries. I was so guilty of sneakin’ in the kitchen, plucking the fruit off. By the the time dessert was presented, it no longer resembled a cake, but rather more like a pock-marked (from my fat little kiddie fingers) tough-luck creation. This one is from Slashfood.

 
 
 
These next two are so perfect! Well, would you expect any less from a a site called Fabulous Foods and the other from Martha Stewart? (found on Yum Sugar)

 
 
 
Now these just win the prize for cuteness. Lollipop sticks as the flagpole! Genius! From The Celebration Shoppe.

 
 
 
Cupcakes galore! Big cupcakes for the grownups and the mini-cupcakes for the lil’ tots, found on Cupcakes Take The Cake.

 
 
 
Inn Cuisine creates a round flag cake! This one brings me joy (and so do the rest of the recipes on Inn Cuisine).

 
 
 
Ooohh, I’m so totally doing this! What a great way to not-cake! My kids would be all over this one, from Flickr member Randy Son of Robert and spotted on The Kitchn.

 
 
 
And I’ll finish with one of our own, Ree’s Fourth of July Cake, but shhhh … we won’t tell her we’re enjoying it a little early for Flag Day!

 
 
 
Pssst … if Flag Day is not your thing, that’s okay. Come back and make these creations for Fourth of July. It’s just a few weeks away! Don’tcha just wanna make that fruit-skewer thingy?

Do you remember celebrating Flag Day at elementary school? I do. Mom made me dress in a red skirt, white shirt and dotted blue ribbons all over my hair. I looked … like a dork.

 
 
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Jaden Hair is a food writer, television personality, and food photographer based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Find more of her recipes in her blog, Steamy Kitchen, where you can also read more about Jaden’s new book, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, and the rave reviews it’s received!

 
If Cinco de Mayo isn’t a drinking holiday, then I don’t know what is!

During B.C. (before children) years, my friends and I would map out our itinerary that started the Cinco de Mayo celebration on the evening of Quatro de Mayo. We only thought it would be proper to devote every available hour to the fine art of drinking, eating and dancing … party-hopping from place to place.

Oh, those were the wild years.

These days, A.C., I’d probably pass out after the 3rd hour. My body sure ain’t the same anymore!

Instead of going out, I’m hosting a party at my house instead. And you’re all invited! What’s on the menu? Well, Tasty Kitchen recipes for sure! You’ll come to my party, won’t you?

I’ll greet you with a nice glass of White Kiwi-Apple Sangria from A Cozy Kitchen. Refreshing. And I love kiwi … I love sangria.

 
 
 
And while I’m in the kitchen finishin’ up a few dishes for dinner, I’ll most definitely have Ree’s Mexican Layer Dip sitting on the table for you to snack on:

 
 
 
Okay, so now how about some soup? Can you believe this Sassy Mexican Soup by Miss Lisa has beer in it? My kinda soup.

 
 
 
This little dish really caught my eye: a Mexican Salad Stuffed Squash by My Recession Kitchen. So creative, and good for ya!

 
 
 
A Cinco de Mayo party is never complete without fajitas, and jojov’s got a recipe for Chicken Fajitas that just looks outta this world. Maybe one of you can help me grill the chicken while I prep the guac?

 
 
 
And we’ll end the party with the cutest desserts in the world by Monstermama: Mexican Fried Ice Cream Cupcakes. I have a feeling these will be the hit of the party!

 
 
 
What’s on your menu for Cinco de Mayo? Maybe some tacos? Lots of beer?

 
 
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Jaden Hair is a food writer, television personality, and food photographer based in Tampa Bay, Florida. Find more of her recipes in her blog, Steamy Kitchen, where you can also read more about Jaden’s new book, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook, and the rave reviews it’s received!