Party Foods

Garlic Bread

March 3, 2012

Garlic Bread

Pasta Dishes seem lonely without Garlic Bread which is so easy to make. there are several ways to make

Garlic Bread. The easiest way is by rubbing a cut clove of garlic over the slices of Italian bread

by spreading the bread with butter and heating in the oven.

INGREDIENTS

1 Loaf Italian Bread

1/2 Cup Softened Butter

2 Large Smashed & Minced Garlic Cloves

1 Teaspoon Freshly Chopped Parsley

Preheat your oven to 350 F. Make 1 inch slices into the bread. Do not go all the way through, but just to the bottom crust.

In a small size bowl mix the butter, garlic and parsley together. Put a teaspoon of the butter mixture between each slice.

Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Makes 16 to 20 slices.

Herb Salmon

March 2, 2012

Herb Salmon

INGREDIENTS

1 Pound Skinless Salmon Fillet Cut Into 4 Portions

1 Lemon

1 Tablespoon Dillweed

1 Tablespoon Lemon Thyme

1 Tablespoon Italian Parsley

½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt

½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

2 Tablespoons Softened Butter

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Rinse the fish and pat dry. Shred 1 teaspoon of the peel from the lemon and set aside. Juice half the lemon. In a small bowl combine the lemon peel, herbs, salt & pepper and butter. Stir to combine. Spread evenly on the salmon. Heat a large oven-proof skillet over a medium heat. Add the salmon, her side down. Turn the salmon. Pour the lemon juice over. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 5 minutes until the salmon flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with the pan juices. Top with the additional shredded lemon peel. Serves 4

Red Velvet Cupcakes

March 1, 2012

Red Velvet Cupcakes

These Red Velvet Cupcakes are unbelievably good. They are so good I could eat 5 in one sitting!

INGREDIENTS

2 ½ Cups Unbleached Flour

½ Cup Cocoa Powder

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

½ Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup Softened Butter

2 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

1 Cup Sour Cream

½ Cup Milk

1 Ounce Red Food Color

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a medium size bowl mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large size bowl beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on a medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the sour cream, milk, food color and vanilla. Gradually beat in the flour mixture on low speed. Spoon into paper lined muffin cups. Fill each cup 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the pans for 5 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely. Spread with the Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Makes 30 cupcakes.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium size bowl beat 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons sour cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in 16 ounces powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) until smooth.

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

February 28, 2012

Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

I sure do love Brussels Sprouts and what could be better than pairing these little babies with bacon! This is such a simple recipe with a big return.

INGREDIENTS

1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

2 Thick Slices Bacon

4 Cups Trimmed & Halved Brussels Sprouts

½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt

½ Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper

1 Finely Chopped Medium Shallot

1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter

½ Cup Chicken Broth

2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

In a large skillet heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the bacon and cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain and let cool. Crumble the bacon and set aside. While the bacon is cooling add the Brussels Sprouts to the bacon drippings in the skillet. Add the salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until well browned in spots and beginning to soften. Stir often. Reduce the heat to low and add the shallot and butter. Cook for 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth to the skillet and turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan while cooking. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 2 minutes until the broth has cooked out. Stir in the vinegar and crumbled bacon. Cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving bowl. Serves 4

Garlic Mushroom Pizza

February 27, 2012

Garlic Mushroom Pizza

Soooooo good!

INGREDIENTS

1 Pizza Dough

¼ Cup Pizza Sauce

3 Finely Chopped Garlic Cloves

1 ½ Cups Shitake Mushrooms

1 Cup White Mushrooms

4 Tablespoons Herb Olive Oil

2 Cups Shredded Provolone Cheese

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator 2 hours before you plan to make the pizzas. Preheat your oven to 400° F. Spread the pizza dough out to cover a large pizza pan. Brush with 3 tablespoons of the herb olive oil and then sprinkle with the chopped garlic. Put in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. While in the oven, thinly slice the shitake and white mushroom in a large skillet, heat with the remaining tablespoon of herb olive oil. Cook over a high heat and sauté the mushrooms for 8 minutes until golden. Remove the cooked pizza dough from the oven. Spread the pizza sauce over the cooked dough. Sprinkle the baked dough with the 1 cup of the shredded provolone cheese, then the mushroom and the other cup of the provolone cheese. Place back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and cut into slices. Repeat until you have used all of the ingredients. Makes 4 pizzas. Serves 8

Soooooo good!

INGREDIENTS

1 Pizza Dough

¼ Cup Pizza Sauce

3 Finely Chopped Garlic Cloves

1 ½ Cups Shitake Mushrooms

1 Cup White Mushrooms

4 Tablespoons Herb Olive Oil

2 Cups Shredded Provolone Cheese

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator 2 hours before you plan to make the pizzas. Preheat your oven to 400° F. Spread the pizza dough out to cover a large pizza pan. Brush with 3 tablespoons of the herb olive oil and then sprinkle with the chopped garlic. Put in the oven and bake for 8 minutes. While in the oven, thinly slice the shitake and white mushroom in a large skillet, heat with the remaining tablespoon of herb olive oil. Cook over a high heat and sauté the mushrooms for 8 minutes until golden. Remove the cooked pizza dough from the oven. Spread the pizza sauce over the cooked dough. Sprinkle the baked dough with the 1 cup of the shredded provolone cheese, then the mushroom and the other cup of the provolone cheese. Place back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and cut into slices. Repeat until you have used all of the ingredients. Makes 4 pizzas. Serves 8

Roasted Pepper Pizza

February 24, 2012

Roasted Pepper Pizza

This pizza is so easy to make and very healthy. Homemade pizzas are lighter and puffier. They are more like the ones you find at artisan pizza restaurants. Make this Roasted Pepper Pizza for lunch, dinner or a snack. If you want to add meat go ahead, but I think it tastes great the way it is.

INGREDIENTS

Pizza Dough

2 Large Sliced Onions

2 Tablespoons Sugar

1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar

16 Ounces Fire-Roasted Peppers (Drained and Sliced Into Strips)

1 ½ Cups Drained Salsa Fresca

1 Cup Sliced Black Olives

¾ Cup Grated Mozzarella Cheese

Remove the dough from the refrigerator 2 hours before you plan to make your pizzas. Preheat your oven to 500° F and arrange an oven rack one-third of the way up from the bottom of the oven. Place a pizza stone or invert a heavy baking sheet on the rack. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the onions, cook and stir for 10 minutes until the onions are limp and translucent. Stir in the sugar and balsamic vinegar and cook until the juices bubble. Transfer the onions to a strainer set over a bowl. Drain for 3 minutes. Return the juices to the skillet and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes until the consistency is like honey. Remove from the heat and return the onions to the skillet and stir to coat. Set aside. To assemble, stretch each dough portion into a circle. Transfer one circle onto a pizza peel (a pizza size spatula) or rimless cookie sheet dusted with flour. Top in the following order using one-fourth of each topping per pizza: onion mixture, peppers, salsa, olives and mozzarella cheese. Using the peel or cookie sheet, slide the topped pizza onto the hot baking stone or baking sheet and bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the toppings are bubbling, the cheese is turning golden and the edges of the pizza are golden brown. Rotate the pizzas halfway through for even baking. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing. While one pizza is baking, repeat with the remaining dough and toppings. Makes 4 pizzas. Serves 8

Tea Time Herbed Cream Cheese Sandwiches

February 23, 2012

Tea Time Herbed Cream Cheese Sandwiches

I like to use herbs fresh from the garden or my local market. You can use parsley, watercress, basil, chervil or chives by themselves or in any combination. I prepare the cream cheese mixture in advance several hours and I always let it come to room temperature before spreading it on the bread.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Softened Cream Cheese

½ Cup Chopped Herb Leaves

1 Tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

½ Teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce

½ Teaspoon Paprika

8 Slices Wheat or White Bread With Crusts Removed

In a small sized mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, herbs, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the mixture on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with paprika. Put the slices together to make 4 sandwiches. Using a serrated knife, cut them diagonally into quarters. Makes 16 tea sandwiches.

I like to use herbs fresh from the garden or my local market. You can use parsley, watercress, basil, chervil or chives by themselves or in any combination. I prepare the cream cheese mixture in advance several hours and I always let it come to room temperature before spreading it on the bread.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup Softened Cream Cheese

½ Cup Chopped Herb Leaves

1 Tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

½ Teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce

½ Teaspoon Paprika

8 Slices Wheat or White Bread With Crusts Removed

In a small sized mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, herbs, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the mixture on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with paprika. Put the slices together to make 4 sandwiches. Using a serrated knife, cut them diagonally into quarters. Makes 16 tea sandwiches.

Tea Time Almond Tea Cake

February 22, 2012

Almond Tea Cake

Almonds and toffee bits combine to give this moist tea cake a winning touch.

INGREDIENTS

Tea Cake:

¾ Cup Sugar

½ Cup Softened Butter

2 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Almond Extract

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 ½ Cups Unbleached Flour

¾ Cup Sour Cream

¾ Teaspoon Baking Powder

¾ Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

Streusel:

¼ Cup Toasted Sliced Almonds

¼ Cup Toffee Bits

Glaze:

¼ Cup Powdered Sugar

¼ Teaspoon Almond Extract

2 Teaspoons Milk

Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 9 inch round cake pan and set aside. In a large size bowl combine sugar, butter, eggs, almond extract and vanilla. Beat at a medium speed, scraping the bowl often, until creamy. Add all of the remaining tea cake ingredients. Mix well. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons almonds and 2 tablespoons toffee bits over the batter. Pour the remaining batter over the streusel filling. Sprinkle with the remaining almonds and toffee bits. Bake for 30 minutes until done. Remove from your oven. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack. Stir together all of the glaze ingredients in a small size bowl. Drizzle over the cooled tea cake. Serves 8

Tea Time Egg Salad Sandwiches

February 20, 2012

Egg Salad Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

6 Large Eggs

¼ Cup Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons Ground Coarse Mustard

½ Cup Chopped Kalamata Olives (Optional)

¼ Cup Crumbled Pancetta

1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Dill

1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Rosemary

½ Teaspoon Coarse Salt

½ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper

8 to 10 Slices Sourdough Bread – Crusts Removed

In a medium size saucepan, bring 8 cups of water to a boil over a high heat. Carefully add the eggs, one at a time. Cook the eggs for 10 minutes. Drain and cover with ice. Allow the eggs to cool for 20 minutes. Peel the eggs and finely chop and place in a medium size bowl. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, olives, pancetta, dill, rosemary, salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Evenly spread the egg mixture over half of the bread slices. Cut into quarters. Serve immediately. Makes 1 ½ cups or 4 to 6 sandwiches.

Southern Style Baked Beans

February 17, 2012

Southern Style Baked Beans

INGREDIENTS

8 Slices Bacon Cut Into 1 Inch Pieces

1 Medium Diced Onion

½ Medium Diced Green Bell Pepper

3 Large Cans (28 Ounces Each) Pork & Beans

¾ Cup BBQ Sauce (Rodeo Barbecue Sauce)

½ Cup Brown Sugar

¼ Cup Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

Adjust your oven rack to the lower middle position. Preheat your oven to 325° F. In a very large pan fry the bacon until it is partially cooked and has released about ½ cup of the drippings. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels. Add the onion and bell pepper to the drippings in the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until tender. Add the beans, bacon and the remaining ingredients. Bring to a simmer. Pour the flavored beans into a greased 9×13 inch oven proof baking pan. Bake uncovered for 2 hours until the beans are bubbly and the sauce is the consistency of pancake syrup. Remove from the oven and let stand to thicken slightly. Serve warm. Serves 18

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