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.
celebrations
Crab Soup
Okay. It is CRAB SOUP. or SHE CRAB SOUP. Maybe even Maryland Crab Soup. Not Crab bisque not any other variation there of.
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.
Italian Home Fries
Best Hash Browns ever!
We came across this recipe several years ago and over the years it has morphed many times. Herbs changed – bell peppers changed, added ans subtracted. Usually based on what was in the fridge at the time. This is a great recipe for cleaning out the freezer or vegetable drawer. I always save little bits of peppers etc in the freezer and since there are only two of us, the bag of potatoes is always too large so I boil them and then cube, cool and freeze. This combo works for these hash browns, roasty potatoes and vegies , soups and stews but I have even reheated the potatoes and mashed.
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.
Greek-Mediterranean Chicken
I was just looking thru photos on my phone and came across this beauty. I had completely forgotten about this recipe until I saw it and started to drool. Believe me not pretty. That looks better on a mastiff than on me.
When we first made the move to Florida I was emptying boxes and finding a place to put all of the stuff. If you have ever moved you know exactly what I mean. Why did I leave this and why did I bring that? My escape was looking at recipes a new way. So much fun!
The another thing about moving to Florida is how much I really like Greek food. I had forgotten those days when we all went to the Greek restaurants once a week. Lots of food and it was inexpensive. I saw something similar to this at one of the restaurants here and had to find an old recipe friend ( which gave me incentive to empty another box of cook book, notebooks and cooking magazines. Bonus!) I have a bad habit of jotting notes on pieces of paper that are handy when I am cooking. Sometimes making 2,3 or 4 notes concerning one ingredient so after a few months and some times years it is a chore ( a labor of love)to translate.
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.
Pork Chops and Green Beans in Garlic Sauce
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This recipe came from a recipe for chicken that I was considering a redo on. I usually make up a weekly set of menus and then do my shopping but pork loins were on sale for $.99 a pound and what could I do. I buy the loin whole(4 lbs) and then cut it up and freeze per recipes I want to use it on latter. Today it was this recipe (2lbs) cut into 1″ chops and then a small 2 lb piece for roasted pork and vegetables. Sometimes they get cut up in pork medallions that get used for stir fry or on the grill. Everyone loves a bargain and then when the finished product tastes great BONUS.
Steak Diane Redo
I have a habit that annoys the crap out of my husband. . I turn on the TV and proceed to do my ‘stuff’ instead of watching it.
Not today – GZ on the Kitchen was apparently doing a redo of my go-to dinner party recipe from back in the day..Steak Diane. Oh baby, I love that dinner and it did me proud for years. Easier than you think and I used grocery store and Wal-Mart ingredients for the most part making it look expensive but not so. Big bang for your buck works for me.
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