Cinco De Mayo for #SundaySupper!!!
Not only is it #SundaySupper time but it’s also a theme that I personally love!! Who doesn’t LOVE Mexican food? Well this Momma does and so does her family so this week you are going to love these dishes!! This even is being hosted by a personal fav of mine! Jen from Junita’s Cocina!!! Thanks for hosting such a mouth watering event Jen! When I was trying to decide what to make I thought back to some of the dishes that I’ve made in the past, I was tempted to make one of them again, but wanted to try something different. I used this event and this day as an excuse to make a few Mexican dishes! I’ve always wanted to try my own homemade Salsa before, I’ve also wanted to make a Mexican salad all on my own (meaning not from someone else’s recipe) and I also wanted to try Tacquito’s too soooooooo………I decided to make the Salsa using that primarily as my dressing for the Salad and then I made Tacquito’s for my family Saturday night for dinner, so stay tuned for that recipe!!
Now for a Salsa, I wanted something simple, I wanted to make it in my new hand blender I just bought from Pampered Chef and I wanted to make it at the mouth watering temperature that was right for my family!! I also like my Salsa a little chunky as well. I was highly impressed with myself, either that or Salsa is really that easy to make on your own and I’ve just been missing out on the goodness of homemade! I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to store bought again, it has a certain “freshness” to it that jarred Salsa does not have.
Ingredients
- 1 Can of Diced Tomatoes w/green chilies
- 1 Fresh tomato
- 1 Small onion
- 1/2 Cup of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers (I chose to not seed them, if you want to cut the heat, de-seed them!)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop up the tomato, onion and jalapeno's (don't worry about the size they are gong in the blender!) Pour can of diced tomatoes in a processor followed by the remaining ingredients.
- Add the cilantro, salt and pepper at the end so you can taste as you go. Puree to your desired thickness. I had a manual processor and it worked great. I just kept tasting and adding cilantro until I got to the taste I wanted.
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http://www.mommasmeals.org/cinco-de-mayo-for-sundaysupper/Now for the salad I decided to just cook some chicken breasts in a Fajita seasoning. I bought a Fajita seasoning mix packet, cut my chicken into thin strips and sauteed them on top of my stove! How easy is that for a little kick in the salad. As far as what I put in the salad, well I used what I liked, you can use whatever you’d like but here are some idea’s.
Ingredients
- Romaine Mix Lettuce
- 2 Chicken Breasts, sliced
- 1 pkg. of Fajita seasoning mix
- 1 Avocado
- 1 Tomato, chopped
- 1/4 Cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 Cup of light sour cream
- Other additions: Tomatoes, Corn, black beans, green chilis
Instructions
- Saute chicken strips with a little bit of olive oil and fajita seasoning, turning them until they are cooked through.
- Lay them on top of the lettuce and top with your favorite Mexican additions!
- Use sour cream and homemade salsa above for dressing.
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Now onto what everyone else from this fabulous group has brought to the family table!!
Cinco de Mayo Appetizers & Sides {Aperitivos}:
- Chipotle Roasted Chickpeas from Home Cooking Memories
- Cinco de Mayo Tuna Pepper Poppers from Shockingly Delicious
- Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) from Magnolia Days
- Esquites or Mexican Corn Salad from Kimchi Mom
- Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime-Cayenne Butter from Healthy. Delicious.
- Guacamole Rice from Foxes Love Lemons
- Healthy Mexican Ceviche from Mama’s Blissful Bites
- Loaded Cheesy Nachos from Gotta Get Baked
- Lobster Guacamole from I Run For Wine
- Roasted Garlic and Bacon Guacamole from Ruffles & Truffles
- Slow Cooker Chicken Con Queso from Daily Dish Recipes
Cinco de Mayo Main Dishes {Platos Principales}:
- Barbacoa Beef from The Urban Mrs.
- Chicken Enchiladas with Avocado Cream Sauce from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Chicken Fajita Feta-ccine from Chocolate Moosey
- Chicken Fajita Salad w/Home made Easy Salsa from Momma’s Meals
- Chicken Mole Potato Skins from Noshing with the Nolands
- Corona Beer-Battered Fish Tacos from Pescetarian Journal
- Duck Carnitas from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Enchiladas with Red Chili Sauce from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Fish Tacos with Lime Salsa from Curious Cuisiniere
- Japanese Mexican Tacos from Ninja Baking
- Lightened Up Taco Salad from Kudos Kitchen
- Mexican Pizza with Chipotle Orange Sauce from Family Foodie
- Oven Baked Beef, Bean, and Cheese Chimichangas from In The Kitchen With KP
- Pork Carnitas from From the Bookshelf
- Red Chile Jam + Tequila Chicken Quesadillas from Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Roasted Poblano and Corn Lasagna from Juanita’s Cocina
- Shrimp Soft Tacos with Lime Dressing and Crunchy Vegetables from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Slow Cooked Carne Asadas from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Soft Shell Tacos from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Spicy Shredded Beef Chimichangas from Supper for a Steal
- Spicy Steak Fajitas from Cravings of a Lunatic
- Stuffed Poblano Peppers from Country Girl in the Village
- Tequila Lime Chicken from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing from The Weekend Gourmet
- Tofu Tacos from Hip Foodie Mom
- Yucatan Pollo Pibil and Corn Tortillas from MarocMama
Cinco de Mayo Desserts {Postres}:
- Dairy-free Flan from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Dark and Spicy Chocolate Pots de Creme from Happy Baking Days
- Fried Ice Cream for a Crowd from Growing Up Gabel
- Luxuriously Healthy Chocolate Frosting from What Smells So Good?
- Mexican Brownies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Paletas de Tamarindo (Tamarind Popsicles) from La Cocina de Leslie
- Peanut Mazapanes from Pies and Plots
Cinco de Mayo Drinks {Bebidas}:
- Fresh & Fruity Sangria from Webicurean
- Fruity Aguas Frescas from The Foodie Patootie
- Mango Aqua Fresca With Chia Seeds from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Margarona from The Messy Baker
- Tamarindo Drink (Agua de Tamarindo) from Basic N Delicious
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.
Do you have your ticket to the Food and Wine Conference yet? If not, there will be a $100 discount available on the full conference pass today if you participate in the #SundaySupper twitter chat from 7 to 8pm Eastern Time, and purchase your ticket during the chat. The discount code is: SundaySupper. *Note the code is only valid during the chat time frame.
New Cooking Adventures for #SundaySupper
So this weeks theme is all about trying something new. Something we’ve never made before, something we would like to experiment with. So let new cooking adventures consume your Sunday!!! Grab a cup of coffee and dive into new ventures in the kitchen this week! This fabulous event is hosted by The Foodie Army Wife. Thanks for hosting such a daring event Conni!!
Besides once you see what I’ve chosen your going to want to check out my recipe, one because it rocked and two because, well I despise anything fishy. I vowed to never cook anything sea worthy in my kitchen. Like ever. Never. However………I did it. I’m not sure what made me choose a seafood dish, there are plenty of things I have yet to try. Baking a cheesecake for example, or making Polenta, or how about a simple coffee cake, I’ve never made any of those, I’ve never even made a Prime Rib or Beef Tenderloin yet! Gosh the more I write this the more I wonder why I chose a fishy smelly dish!
Oh yes that’s right, my husband. He loves Scallops and I love making him happy. I love making him things he loves. I knew I wouldn’t eat them and I was afraid it would smell up my kitchen, or worse even, my whole house!! AH! However when my mom and I passed the “Fish” department at the local Meat store down the street (our new favorite place since moving) I couldn’t help but grab a package of scallops. Mom promised me that they wouldn’t smell up my whole kitchen. I knew my mother-in-law was coming for dinner this week so I planned it around that and now had 3 people I could feed them too (luckily my sister is on my side when it comes to smelly yucky fish items!). I went on the search for a Scallop recipe that would be easy yet good, how was I to know since I don’t even like them you ask??? I didn’t……I went with my mom’s opinion on baking them in a breadcrumb mixture. Not only a breadcrumb mixture but when I read the recipe and realized the only thing I didn’t have in my kitchen was the actual breadcrumbs, I decided to make my own!! I used a handful of whole wheat saltine crackers and Italian seasoning and popped them right in the food processor and wala……..instant breadcrumbs!!! Yay me!
Recipe Adapted From: Everyday Gourmet
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 pounds seas-scallops, rinsed, drained, and dried with paper towel.
- 3/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp parsley
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- In small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, garlic powder, paprika, parsley, minced garlic. Set aside.
- Pour melted butter into oven proof casserole dish or pan. Roll Scallops in butter and arrange them evenly in the dish.
- Top each scallop with 1 tbsp. of bread crumb mixture.
- Bake in oven until scallops are firm, about 20 minutes.
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They were a hit!! I have no clue, however all three of my taste testers swore up and down that they were delicious and the perfect appetizer dish! I loved that I was able to make my own breadcrumbs in a scramble too! Let’s see what everyone else tried!!!
New Expeditions (Sides, Starters & Staples)
Homemade Corn Tortillas from Pescetarian Journal
Easy Oven Polenta from Shockingly Delicious
Homemade Spiced Flour Tortillas from Chocolate Moosey
Naan from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Homemade Tofu from Kimchi MOM
Indian Moong Beans from Magnolia Days
Baked Lemon Coconut Risotto from Soni’s Food
Homemade Peanut Butter from Home Cooking Memories
Homemade Ricotta Cheese from Webicurean
Portuguese Chorizo Bread from Family Foodie
Savory mushroom and herb steel cut oat Risotto Foxes Love Lemons
Grilled Asian Snap Peas and Peppers from Neighborfood
Grand Quests (Main Dishes)
Traditional Pork Tamales from Gourmet Drizzles
Braised Lamb Brisket with Lemon Oregano Yogurt Sauce from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Rice Burger from The Urban Mrs.
Pan-fried Scallops with Garlic Chili Linguine from Food Lust People Love
Miso-Glazed Salmon from The Foodie Patootie
Penne with Mustard and Chives from My Other City By The Bay
Arepas Rellenas (Stuffed Arepas) from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Spanish Baked Scallops from Momma’s Meals
Black Beans and Cheese Empanadas from Basic N Delicious
Pork Dim Sum from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Venison Steak Gyros from Curious Cuisiniere
Baked Tilapia with Parmesan Basil Sauce from Growing Up Gabel
Vegetarian Hortobagyi Pancakes from Happy Baking Days
Caribou & Andouille Chili from The Foodie Army Wife
Escapades (Sweet Treats & Spirited Companions)
Vegan Chocolate Mousse from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Zebra Cake from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Multilayer Bars from What Smells So Good?
Rut-Busting Wines For New Cooking Adventures from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows from Vintage Kitchen
Strawberry Raspberry Fruit Leather from Juanita’s Cocina
Making Macarons: FAIL! from girlichef
Macaroons from Noshing With The Nolands
Fresh Strawberry Frozen Yogurt from The Messy Baker
Bircher Muesli from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Hello Kitty Rice Krispies from The Ninja Baker
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from In The Kitchen With KP
Dorie Greenspan’s Orange Almond Tart from Hip Foodie Mom
Ombre Mini Cakes from Daily Dish Recipes
Chocolate Dipped Madeleines from Big Bear’s Wife
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, April 28th to talk all about our foodie fears! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 3:00 pm AKST/7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.
Featured Friday – Dinners, Dishes & Desserts
Another Friday upon us!! This weeks Co-Host is another #SundaySupper pal of mine. I’ve been following Erin’s blog for awhile, she’s got some amazing recipes and her pictures just make you want to eat whatever it is she makes right off of the computer screen! Erin blogs over at Dinners, Dishes and Desserts!! I think my favorite section of hers is her “Dessert” section. She has got some great treats over there. Though I’m not much of a baker, I can dream. I can visualize myself whipping up one of her scrumptious treats!
Erin is a Momma to a beautiful 7 year old boy, married to her love and currently living in Colorado which has always been a dream come true for her and her husband. Like me, Erin went to school for finance but once she had her son she decided to stay home. She writes her blog as a way to share her recipes and branch out and try new things, it has turned into so much more than she thought it would. You go girl! Erin met her husband in high school and currently their parents live across the street from each other! Fun! Her family enjoys the mountains by hiking in the summer, snow shoeing in the winter and everything else in between!
Erin also has a section on her blog where you can shop for your favorite kitchen gadgets! From utensils, bake ware and food processors to the very famous Kitchen Aid mixer! Check it out! You can also find some great weekly grocery deals at your favorite stores such as Target, Shaw’s or Trader Joe’s!
Now lets talk favorite recipes!! My only question is why do I always have to pick the best blogs to Feature??? It just makes my job harder when I have to choose a recipe. I wanted to choose something from Erin’s Dessert section so bad, but my week just didn’t have that cut out for me! 
So here are the ones I contemplated until I laid out my week and saw I just didn’t have the time!
Blueberry Breakfast Cake – I think I’m going to make this over the weekend, or at the end of the week, this is the one I wanted to feature but I didn’t have time to make it because I like to have my dish made by Wednesday so I have the time to edit my photographs and of course rant and rave in my writings to you lovelies!
Garden Fresh Salsa – I just got a new processor from Pampered Chef, this recipe looks perfect for trying it out for my very first Salsa recipe!
French Toast Muffins - Well hello the reason why I want to make these are in the name of the recipe! Who wouldn’t. I haven’t made Madison muffins lately because the last few I’ve made she hasn’t liked all too much so I’ve lost my confidence I think these may do the trick though!
Cheeseburger Soup – I wish Soup season wasn’t coming to an end here in New England because I saw this one during a #SundaySupper theme and instantly wanted to try it!!! If we get one more cold afternoon before the flowers bloom, I’m giving it a shot!
Five Spice Pork Lo Mein - You know me, I’m all about a new Chinese dish I can make at home, this one looks delish!!
OK so those are just a few favorite that I wish I could make. Like Now. Let’s move onto what I did make!! Erin claims to have an obssession with little balls of meat. Well another thing we have in common because so do I!!!!!!!! I have come to love making new meatball recipes because well it’s fun, they all taste different and it’s EASY!!! So when I came across this one I knew I had to turn it into dinner!! Soooooooooo………I served it with some rice and used the dipping sauce to drizzle over the meatballs and rice…….served it with peas………wala! Dinner was served this week!!! Here it is…….make sure you go check out the actual recipe!
Asian Turkey Meatballs
The only thing I would do differently is not add the dipping sauce to the rice if your making it an actual meal. It is awesome for dipping, but too salty for an actual sauce. Pouring some over just the meatballs was perfect!! I think I’m falling in love with Asian meals because I’ve made a few over the past year and I’ve loved every one! (Still have one to share with you all!) Thanks for another awesome dinner Erin, my daughter even gobbled them up!! I’m impressed because she is quite picky!! Another ball of meat I’m quite happy with!
And of course all the other yummy recipes that Erin has over at Dinners, Dishes & Desserts! Stop on over and tell her this Momma sent you! Thanks so much for “Cooking” with me in my kitchen Erin!!!
Cheddar Bacon Bites
Are you looking for the perfect appetizer to serve to friends or family? Or how about a little treat before a Sunday dinner? Even a snack for that picky eater you may have? Well this one is for you!! I made this one night and they went FAST! Plus they were simple to make too………good ol’ Pillsbury comes through again! I added red pepper flakes to a few for me and my husband.
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup cooked real bacon pieces or 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
- 1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese (2 oz)
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Unroll dough; separate into 4 rectangles. Press each rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.
- Spread dressing over each rectangle to edges. Sprinkle each with bacon, Red Pepper flakes if using, and Cheddar cheese. Starting with one short side, roll up each rectangle; tightening as you go, press edge to seal. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 4 slices; place cut side down on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 12 to 17 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.
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Superbowl Sunday Favorites
I remember the highest traffic day I had last year was for Super Bowl Sunday. Though I appreciate the audience I’m not banking on that this year. I’m writing this post to offer my readers the very best Game Day foods this Momma has to offer! These are my own picks, from my own experiences, snacks that I’ve made for my friends and got great feedback on.
Making appetizers is one of my favorite things to do. Nothing beats a little bite of yumminess. I serve them a lot at my get together’s because I love making a bunch of little dishes!! It gives me the chance to try new recipes because instead of making an actual dinner for our guests I get to make a few different picky dishes! I have what’s called an Appetizer Night a lot for my husband and myself or even when we have another couple over. This allows me to make them ahead of time, I always choose food that I can either prep ahead and finish quickly when people arrive or something I can actually make a head of time and reheat when people are hungry and ready to chow down!!
I’m making a bunch of munchy foods for Super Bowl Sunday myself, I hate football but I love entertaining and I love when people enjoy my food. As I type this, I am also planning my menu!! We are also having a Pampered Chef/Housewarming party the weekend after the Super Bowl and I think I’ll be doing a bunch of small Appetizers/Snacks for that party as well so this post is to my benefit too, nothing like putting all of my favs all in one place!! Oh and these are in no particular order either…….just my picks.
Party Fav #1
Good Ol’ Fashion Pizza Bites: These are super easy to make and you can make them with either crescent rolls or actual pizza dough, I’ve tried them both ways. You can really fill them with whatever toppings you like on your pizza. What I would do with this party pleaser is prepare them, roll them and get them on a baking sheet before your guests arrive so all you have to do it pop them in the oven for 10 or so minutes! Make a fun dipping sauce to go with them, put some spice in your sauce!!
Party Fav #2
Spinach Cups: I actually made these for the Super Bowl last year and they were a hit. The actual filling for them was to die for! I haven’t made them since and now that I’m writing about it I want to try them again!
Party Fav #3
Salsa Roll Ups: I made these last year too, I’ve also made them for a few other occasions too. Oh and they are made for Weight Watcher peeps too!! BIG hit. Super simple. Make ahead. End of story. If you want to make another version of this snack with a little meat to it, check out my St. Patty’s Day Party from last year, same gist but it has some meat in it!! YUMMY!
Party Fav #4
Wings and Things: Who doesn’t want Wings on Game Day?????? I don’t even eat them and they are must have in this house……I would do anything for my hubby, he’s been working so hard lately making our new house a home that on Game Day I’m spoiling him rotten with either Drumsticks with Heat, Spicy Fried Wings or Baked Sweet Chili Wings, I haven’t decided on which one, but all three are worth mentioning here because he LOVED all of them, I probably won’t do the Fried ones just because they are SOOO bad for you, BUT what he wants he gets that day!!
Party Fav #5
Meatball Sliders! Not just any Meatball Sliders guys, Cheesy Stuffed Meatball Sliders!!! These were to die for, serve them in a slider bun or as is with some tooth pics! If you want to go all out, use ground beef instead of Turkey, I try to stay a little on the healthy side so I do ground Turkey. These will be sure to please any crowd!
Party Fav #6
Puffs Puffs Puffs!! Puffs of Pepperoni, these neat little snacks I made called Pepperoni Puffs. I’m making these for game day this year because it’s been awhile since I’ve made them and they are super easy. They are also super easy to make a head of time too. You can make these the day before and refrigerate them, pull them out on game day and heat them up in your oven! Wala-Simple! Not to mention the quick and easy 6 ingredients it has!
Party Fav #7
Sausage Rolls – This is a quick and easy make for Game Day. I’m actually attempting to make a Ham & Cheese Roll just like this for my daughter tonight for dinner! (Stay tuned) this is a great snack for everyone and anyone! Serve it with a side of sauce and dip as you eat!
AND NOW A FEW SNACKS FOR YOU VEGETARIANS OUT THERE……..OR IF YOU JUST FEEL LIKE BEING HEALTHY!
Party Fav #8
Humus and Cucumber Dip – I know it doesn’t sound appealing, if you don’t like humus you won’t like this dip, but if you do, you will LOVE this dip….sounds like an odd combo but it tastes awesome together and it’s healthy!!!! Snack away on Game Day and feel good about it!
Party Fav #9
Vegetable Spring Rolls - It looks intimidating, it looks hard, but I promise you, it’s EASY!!! VERY EASY. EASY PEASY!! They cooked awesome in the oven too, they are healthier when you bake them in the oven, I was hesitant on how they were going to come out but they were awesome. OK. Now. I. Want. Some.
Party Fav #10
PIZZA!! Who doesn’t love Pizza! How about a healthy Pizza?? A Vegetarian Pizza that is NOT boring. These are seriously addicting! They are made in little bite size pieces for the convienance of your guests! You can’t just have I promise you that. Super easy and a great snack you can make ahead of time, actually I advise you to make this ahead of time, it’s even better chilled 
Well there you have it my friends!! I may not like football, but I love cooking for friends and family so I can’t wait to get my butt in the kitchen and make up a bunch of these picky foods! What’s on your menu for Game Day????
Featured Friday – Chocolate Moosey
I met today’s Co-Host through my favorite group!! #SundaySupper!!! Carla is the baker/blogger/videographer/photographer, {shall I go on with the many hats this girl wears? } over at Chocolate Moosey. Carla, is a self-taught home baker with a from-scratch philosophy. Everything she does, she does with huge fire and passion. Her mission is to share her kitchen adventures with everyone, putting a personal spin on recipes that you know and love. Carla has a huge sweet tooth, so most of what you’ll see over on her blog are desserts, however, she does throw in savory dishes as she expands her cooking. One of her biggest challenges is cooking for one, so you will see a lot of her serving sizes are smaller than what you would normally see (6 cupcakes, 1 dozen cookies, 4-inch cheesecake, etc) this is great for anyone that loves cupcakes but doesn’t want to be “forced” to eat all 12 of them!
Growing up, Carla would always go through her mom’s magazines and rip out the recipes because the pictures intrigued her. She even recalls her first “collection” being a round-up of brownies. Eventually she got binders and kept all of the pages and clippings in it. she still has most of those pages! Can you believe that!! Carla is a Pittsburgh girl at heart, although right now she lives in south central PA with cows for neighbors. (teehee us too Carla!) Baking and blogging are her hobbies as she works full-time as a videographer. Someday she’d like to either marry the two and work for a food production of some sort OR take the dive and open up a bakery of her own or perhaps even work at recipe development.
Then there is is Murray, I for one am a cat lover so I had to mention dear Murray! We all spoil our cats Carla You can Click Here to read about how Carla came to name her blog Chocolate Moosey. It’s a wicked cute story and I enjoyed reading it so I had to mention that too! Not only is Carla a food blogger but have you seen her pics? My mouth has been watering over her pictures for a long time now. She is fabulous at what she does. Check out her Photography section, she has plenty of lessons over there if your another foodie blogger you may want to go take a peak! Check out her Jam and Curd section if your looking for a nice homemade gift to give someone this holiday season, plenty to choose from. I know what your going to say once you see what I chose to make from Carla’s gallery………..why would I go the savory route when she has the best treats in town on her blog?? Well two reasons, one, being 10 weeks pregnant, I’m still tired as heck and have all I can do to get dinner on the table for my lil fam every night so I figured I’d pick something that I “have” to make anyways. Two, I’m not the worlds greatest baker in the world and when I do put mind over matter and jump in for a good cupcake or treat, I really want to give it my all and I just don’t have my all back yet………..but we are getting there!! I will be back to make Carla’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Texas Sheet Cake!! VERY SOON………..Baby F, loves Chocolate and peanut butter!!
For now, I will share with you what I did make from Miss Carla!! It just so happens to be something she made for #SundaySupper one week, it was actually before I joined the troop!!! I did NOT make one change to this recipe and let me just say, I don’t eat meat on a bone, but I love treating my husband to it now and again and since he had to work late one night this week, I figured this could be a good dish to make him after I put MM to bed. Boy was I right, thought I set my fire alarm off, It looked like the place was burning down (don’t worry I’ll explain) they did NOT burn one bit…….I haven’t had a review like this from hubby in a LONG time, pat yourself on the back Carla, hubby gave it a 10 out of 10!!
Baked Sweet Chili Wings
Recipe From: Chocolate Mossey
Serves: 2 (for dinner) maybe 4 for pickies
Ingredients
6 wings (drumlettes and/or flats)
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
Salt and pepper to season
Glaze:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp ground ginger
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400F. Line the bottom of a roasting pan with foil. Place a baker’s rack on top. Place the wings, oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss together. Place wings onto rack and bake 45-50 minutes until cooked through and skin is crispy. This is where I dripped the oil and shoot salt and pepper on the wings, right over the tinfoil, so yes I did think to myself that it was going to cause a lot of noise and some smoke, I just had no idea how much….listen to Carla please and toss your wings in a bowl first!!
Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a medium saucepan, mix together the water, chili sauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 8 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes to thicken slightly. So I made this mixture and didn’t bring it to a simmer, I just mixed it together and slapped it on the wings, half way through cooking them. It worked great. 25 min into I spread it on thick with a brush, leaving plenty for dipping sauce because I know my hubby loves dipping sauce.
When the wings are finished, toss into the glaze. Bake for another 8-10 minutes or until the glaze is lightly caramelized. Feel free to do it Carla’s way, either way I think they’d come out fabulous, since I had to pull them out for a few minutes to get the smoke cleared, I thought of slapping the sauce on early.
Look how delish these look??!!! I knew I had myself a winner here!! Thank you Carla for Co-Hosting with me today! It’s been a pleasure and your welcome in our kitchen any time!!! Make sure you go and visit Carla over at Chocolate Moosey and let her know this Momma sent you!!
Sausage Rolls
I found this recipe from a fellow blogger friend while exploring for game day snacks awhile back. Super easy and super yummy. My husband loved snacking on it during the football game and I loved it period! You can really make it anyway you’d like, like your very own pizza! I made mine with sausage and pepperoni’s! I even added a little bit of sauce and gave some to my hubby for dipping! I especially loved it because I like a “light sauce” on pizza!
Recipe Adapted From: Walking on Sunshine
Serves: 4 adult size appetizers
Ingredients:
Ground Sausage, I buy the Jimmy Dean because they make the Turkey sausage that is 60% less fat and it’s already fully cooked!
Pepperoni
Mozzarella Cheese
Pizza Dough, homemade or store bought (I bought Pillsbury Artisan Crust)
Pizza sauce
What to do:
Unroll your pizza dough, or make your pizza dough and roll it out to a large rectangle. Spread a little sauce over the dough, keep in mind you don’t want a lot because it will make a soggy mess, it’s all in the dipping! Add you toppings and of course top it off with the cheese.
Start rolling it carefully from one side to the other, tucking it as you go, don’t worry, the slower you go the better it’ll come out, I’m shocked at how perfect mine came out.
Grease a tube pan and carefully place the rolled pizza into the tube pan. Just go slow and you’ll be fine! Let it sit for 30-60 minutes to let it rise, I let mine sit for 30.
Preheat the oven to 400 and cook it until golden brown. I followed the directions that Pillsbury gave me on the pizza crust and just kept my eyes on it. Then you get this little roll of perfection!!
I sliced it and served nice and hot!! Pizza in a roll how can you go wrong!
Featured Friday – Mommy’s Musings
It’s Friday!!! That time of the week again! Last week I got to feature my Husband. That was fun. This week I’m introducing a special Co-Host. She is a fellow Mommy blogger that I met through doing Featured Friday, when I went on the search for more Mommy Blogs I ran into Mandy. She blogs over at Mommy Musings and she writes about a lot of things us Momma’s experience.
Besides being a SAHM to her two beautiful daughters she is also a former teacher, and her husband is a former Marine, you know how much respect I have for the men that fight for this country. In her free time she enjoys working out, going on long walks, writing, and doing projects around the house. She is also the biggest NY Giants fan! We won’t judge her right local readers?? Mandy is a lot like me and loves throwing parties and spending time with her friends. Something about entertaining I guess, speaking of entertaining, since Mandy doesn’t really have a Food Blog I asked her if there was a recipe she recommended that I could share with my readers and she passed on William Sonoma’s Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Crostini. I made these this week but my darn camera died so I couldn’t get a picture, but I’m still sharing the recipe with you and I’ll use William Sonoma’s picture to show you how yummy they look!
Ingredients:
Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing, plus 1/4 cup
1 baguette, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Salt and coarsely ground pepper, to taste
8 vine-ripened tomatoes, about 1 1/2 lb. total
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
2 Tbs. finely minced red onion {or more for your personal preference}
1/4 tsp. minced garlic {or more for your personal preference}
1 Tbs. aged balsamic vinegar {or more for your personal preference}
1 1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese
Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350°F.
Brush a baking sheet with olive oil and arrange the baguette slices on the sheet in a single layer. Brush the tops with oil, and season with salt and pepper {use lots of salt and pepper}. Bake until crisp and golden, 15 to 18 minutes. If not using immediately, let the crostini cool, then store in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.{If you are going to store it, store it with the top off a plastic container, as if the top is on, they lose some of their crispiness.}
Core, seed and dice the tomatoes. In a bowl, stir together the tomatoes, half of the basil, the onion, garlic, vinegar, the 1/4 cup olive oil, salt and pepper.
Slice the mozzarella into 1/4-inch-thick pieces or into smaller pieces so they fit on the crostini. To assemble, lay a piece of mozzarellaon each crostini and spoon 1 to 2 Tbs. of the tomato salad on top. Garnish each with a pinch of the remaining basil. Serve immediately.
So besides this awesome recipe above I’d also like to share some awesome posts that Mandy has written up over the past few years.
1. Waiting for the Shoe to drop. Mandy has a beautiful way of writing about how life is just life and how just as all of our dreams are coming true, there is always a shoe that drops. This one hit close to home for me because with all that I’ve lost in life, I always feel like there is another shoe to drop. Read Mandy’s story and share a time when you’ve waited for the shoe to drop.
2. Pause In Chaos. This is a great post. Something we should all do on a daily basis. I know I’ve written about this before. It’s just another reminder that other Momma’s feel the same way I do. Go visit Mandy and let her remind you to Pause in the Chaos.
3. Before I was a Mom. Oh we all know this list all too well now don’t we. Go visit Mandy’s list.
4. It’s About Parenting. Not Parenting Style. I really enjoyed this article because Mandy and I seem to be on the same page as far as parenting is concerned. None of parent the same, but go see what Mandy has in mind as far as it being about Parenting not Parenting Style because she is spot on with this one.
5. Sometimes. A reflection of what’s important. Mandy’s reflection of the “Sometimes” way we get annoyed with the everyday life and the “Sometimes” we forget what life is really about.
And last but not least this post is a special post from Mandy about the days she spend alone, sad, waiting patiently for her (husband now) to return home from being overseas. Let this post remind us all of how lucky we are for those of our husbands/fathers/brothers that are home with us everyday.
Thank you for Co-Hosting with me today Mandy, I really enjoyed getting to know you and your blog. It’s so refreshing to know that there are other Momma’s out there that like to “Put it on the table” like I do!! Make sure you go visit Mandy and if you do let her know that this Momma sent you! Happy Friday everyone.
Spicy Fried Wings
This recipe is compliments of The Neely’s on The Food Network Channel. I made it for my husband this past weekend for his birthday. I don’t eat Chicken on a bone, but I ate one of these, after trying one bite, I went in for one!! I also think you can season them, bake them and then throw some more seasoning on at the end again, just cut out the batter and frying part for a healthier option. Still would have a kick!
Ingredients
For the Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 pounds chicken wings, split at the joint, tips removed
For the Batter:
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons horseradish
- 1/4 cup chili sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Make the seasoning: Whisk the seasoning salt, red pepper flakes, cayenne, poultry seasoning, lemon pepper and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons seasoning in a separate bowl.
Rinse the wings under cold water and place in a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with the seasoning, then refrigerate, covered, 1 hour.
Make the batter: Whisk the eggs, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, cayenne and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl. Put the flour in a shallow dish or pie plate.
In a large deep fryer or Dutch oven, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Dip the wings in the eggs, then in the flour. Place the wings, three at a time, in the hot oil and fry until golden, 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Make sure the oil returns to 350 degrees F before adding the next batch. Sprinkle the wings with the reserved seasoning to make them extra hot.
Make the sauce: Mix the sour cream, horseradish, chili sauce, cayenne, and salt and black pepper to taste. Serve with the wings
Baked Caprese Salad
I saw this cooked on Giada on day last week and it looked yummy! I like how it was warm and a bit melted. I think this is an awesome appetizer!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf baguette, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (about 30 to 36 slices)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 5 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 1 1/4 pounds fresh mozzarella, sliced
- 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, stemmed
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Arrange the sliced baguette bread on a baking sheet. Brush with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven. Top each slice of bread with a slice of tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of mozzarella and sprinkle with salt. Return the baking sheet to the oven until the cheese and tomato are warmed, about 5 minutes.
Arrange the toasts on a serving platter. Top each toast with a basil leaf. Using the brush, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the basil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.
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