Football games, holidays or just plain get togethers are better with tasty bites that everyone loves and that do not involve your standard goodies. This is easy ( I mean 2 ingredients) it is hard to believe. Ok I lied – it is three ingredients I forgot the mustard for dipping.
Potlucks-Office, Picnics & Parties
Really Good Banana Bread
I was not a fan of banana breads, nut breads, really most any quick breads. That is until I found this recipe years ago in Penzey magazine. I have made it so many times and made so changes to lack of an ingredients in the pantry that it has become mine ( at least in my brain).
Enchilada Casserole
Enchilada anything has my vote. So when I saw a variation on that theme last week had to make it mine and I mean mine. Well, actually it is now a fam favorite for sure.
Since moving to Florida we have been drawn to the Latin version of many recipes. Whether it be Puerto Rican ( although mofungo is too much plantain heavy for my taste by husband loves it), Cuban is a big favorite ( try my cubano egg rolls it is the more Tampa edition!). but you get the picture-anything Island works. We love our Mexican as well but it is a little harder to find around here (no fish tacos are not Mexican in my world and neither is Taco Bell) so we have to work at adapting recipes.
Beef Burgundy ( Beef Bourguignon)
Ok so not the soup/stew time of year but I came across my recipes in my word docs and had to add…
Used this for a Soup, Stew and Brew golf club event. I know it was a touch ‘extra’ for this type of cook off but we were in the mood for something just plain extra. This has been my go to entertaining dish, comfort food dish and have also used as a tail-gate dish from time to time. When I am cooking for us or fam and friends I use a chuck roast , eye of the round roast etc. In other words what is on sale beef. But I do spend the extra buck or two for a better red wine. If you wouldn’t drink it you should not cook with it. So I have to admit I was being a touch of a snob and used a the better cut of meat as well a much better wine.
Christmas Crack
The crunchy, sweet and salty goody that I need during these strange ‘shelter in place’ times.
I have made these for years as an addition to a cookie tray and have also started putting out a goody tray for guests. I am not the best of bakers so I stick with a few recipes like this and add store bought snacks that are on sale at the time. I keep it flexible.
The step that takes the longest time is the final “bring to room temp and refrigerate” step. So I try to use the largest sheet plan that will fit in the fridge so that I am not juggling multiple trays and you know one will end up on the floor. Using nonstick foil or parchment or both on the sheet plan makes clean up a breeze. Dis-lodging caramel is not my idea of fun.
Candied Pecans for all Seasons & Reasons
These nuts are addictive. Whether you use pecans or walnuts or a mixture they will be gone before you know it!
We have used these as a grab and go snacks and also on pretty much any dessert that screams for an ‘extra’.
Being stuck in the house for this long has moved my brain ( and snacking taste buds) into holiday mode. Holiday mode meaning snacking and also sharing. These make great gifts. Either way be sure to store in tight fitting containers. This is most important in the South where it is humid all of the time it seems. For this past holiday I gave/stored in parchment lined tins. That was not tight enough. This week or this giving season I will store and give in zip closing bags ( holiday appropriate of course straight from the dollar store) then put in tins, or clamp type jars. I am hoping to also find maybe small mason jars or other containers at the Goodwill and thrift stores. These make receiving a but more special.
Chicken Poblano Tortilla Soup
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Since moving to Florida I have gotten away from one of my most favorite things – soups. Soups of any shape and form. Hot – cold does not matter to me. But I saw this recipe in a Keto magazine and had to come up with a version of my own. From my first cooking lesson I found I was just not good at follow a recipe exactly as they are given to me. I think that is my am a sad, sad baker. Do not get me started on those stories. But I promise I am going to try really had to be a better baker.
Time for Tomato Pie!
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It is time for a repost of one of my favorite recipes. Just need to savor what might be the last of the really great fresh tomatoes until next year. Thought you might need a nudge in that direction as well.
Opened the mail box to find a spectacular Tomato Pie on the cover of July issue of Southern Living. Oh dear, need one now please! The only problem was we have started Keto and the crust is a big no! Now it is only a brush with Keto not a marriage at this point. We have commitment issues when it comes to diet interfering with good eating so something had to change and the pie crust used in the recipe was the winner in the had to change category. Man does not live by all-purpose flour and sugar alone and you have to pick your battles as I see it. Plus, it didn’t require a rolling pin..since moving I have not found my full size one. But I know it is here and refuse to buy a new one. What is the use of down sizing if you buy 2 (or 3) of everything?
Party is Over for 2017! Food
So I haven’t entered a post nor a recipe in some time now. Lots of cooking, celebrating , company and now it is time to get back on course. The party was a success. 60 guests and no one complained about the food or drink. I am sharing the menu and will share additional recipes soon. I mix do aheads( freezing and doing the day before), lasts minutes (keep these to a minimum) and a touch of store bought ( I can make marinated olives myself but why should I do it all.) I like to pick my battles. If I pick less make aheads and have to do lots of last minutes that mean I have to rely on good quality products to step in for me. I don’t like to do that 1. it isn’t mine and 2. it can cost more and then the budget is a mess. I don’t like either of those things. I can be a little on the controlling side and those both rub me the wrong way.
Mini Cuban Egg Rolls
Okay. I love Cuban food. So this is my newest mini egg roll. The Cuban.
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