Steak Stuffed Bakes

Super Bowl Party Finger Food

Steak Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Finger food is a little misleading … You can easily and neatly eat these with your hands.

If you’re a meat and potatoes fan you’ll be so into these! What I like about this for a crowd … First, it’s amazingly delicious! Secondly, each provides a serving … It’s easy to calculate for a crowd. For appetizers a potato half for each guest.

Stephen, I know you’re gonna love these!

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Spicy Hot Chicken Dip

with (Your Choice) Red Pepper Sauce

Spicy Hot Chicken Dip

 

 

 

This is a great dip to make when you’ve left over chicken. You can make it taste like Hot Wings or if you’re into Sriracha add this sweet tangy hot sauce instead. An easy Super Bowl appetizer that won’t have you running to the grocery store if you’re missing an ingredient … very forgiving and easy to substitute.

Rich and a little goes a long way!

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Portuguese & Italian Sausage Sliders

Just in time for the Super Bowl

Portuguese and Italian Sausage Sliders

No one wants to spend time in the kitchen when the game’s on. Back in the day most women went out on game day … Maybe took in a movie. Shopping was out … stores weren’t open Sundays.

Super Bowl Sunday the television room will be filled with everyone. Even gramma has a fav team. So, let’s make the spread quick and easy. Here are two favorite sliders with one basic recipe.

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Portuguese Milk Mayonnaise

Eggless Mayonnaise

Milk Mayonnaise

Super Bowl 2015 is just around the corner and I’m making Portuguese Sausage Sliders dressed with this perfectly easy homemade mayonnaise. You heard it right … This is eggless!  My recipe is inspired by David Leite’s in his book, The New Portuguese Table. I’ve used the same proportions of milk and oil but little else in our recipes is the same.

My first try with EVOO was oh too olive! EVOO is generally not recommended in making mayonnaise at least not as the only oil used for two reasons … One, it breaks down during the emulsification and can become bitter … Two, the taste can be too EVOO. I used 2% milk because it’s what I had on hand but I recommend using 4%. There might be a slight thickness difference in the result. If you’re searching for vegan mayonnaise substitute coconut milk.

This recipe makes up in about 5 minutes. It’s a great recipe to add to your recipe box. It has so many uses!

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Cauliflower, Red Cabbage & Romaine

Winter Salad with Dill Dressing

Here is an additional side choice for the Beef Carbonnade Dinner. The dressing can second as a low calorie veggie dip too.

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Devil’s Food Cake

A Cake To Soothe A Broken Heart

Devil's Food Cake

You might be thinking your broken heart deserves something much more decadent … maybe a chocolate cheesecake. I’ve been there! But at a quarter after one and I need you now … This is much more practical. It’s easy & quick, makes a 9 inch square cake (or on other days two 8 inch layers), moist and best of all, chocolatey.

We’ve all had heartbreak or so I’ve been told. And dealing can be unpleasant and miserable especially if it’s twice with the same guy. Just ask me! And I know about the appetite disappearing, you’ll find as you age this step goes missing, but somehow keeping busy helps. Whether you’re  brokenhearted OR you decide to make this for your sweetheart for Valentine’s it won’t disappoint.

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Beef Carbonnade

Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Beef Carbonnade

Better than a scented candle on a foggy day. The smell of Beef Carbonnade wafting through your house will certainly bring you out of the doldrums on yet another foggy or bad weather day. Trust me! We’ve experienced almost an entire week of sunless days and with this cooking I’m already feeling much lighter. Well, that’s until I eat too much Beef Carbonnade.

I’ve layered the beef over fettuccine just because that’s what I had on hand. Break up the fettuccine before cooking to give other than a pasta dish presentation to this beefy recipe. Or do the traditional and use medium width egg noodles. Either way, Mmm!

Serve with a side of spicy Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage. Easy Easy! I’ve only used half the red cabbage. So tomorrow I’m making a salad with red cabbage, cauliflower and romaine and a sour cream dill dressing … If you’re not into braised cabbage.

Hope you enjoy!

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Quick Easiest Yellow Cake

Guest Perfect

Easiest Yellow Cake

A quick uncomplicated dessert that’s ready in no time. Nothing like something fresh from the oven! Versions of this yellow cake have been circulating for years and you still can’t beat it for ease and taste results. Thank you Betty or Good Housekeeping or whoever you are.

This simple yellow cake, actually one layer, with your favorite filling is perfect for last minute guests. Fill it with jam or jelly, lemon curd, whipped cream and fruit or as I’ve done here, date-nut filling. Top with buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Easily serves 8 generously.

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Crostini Dinner

Endless Choices

Crostini

You might think of Crostini as an appetizer but it hasn’t always been. And just as with pasta, crostini toppings are endless. In fact, these sauces and toppings are pretty much interchangeable. If you enjoyed my post Linguini with Puttanesca but have run out of linguini try Puttanesca as a Crostino topping.

Toast thin slices of a French baguette, yep in the toaster, or impress your guy or gal by toasting these little bites of bread in a skillet coated with a bit of garlic infused olive oil. Top. Pair with your favorite wine and you have dinner. Chianti for me. And BTW if you are allergic to garlic (often protested by friends or family who can’t do garlic but aren’t allergic) this post is all about this favorite Allium, garlic.

Enjoy!

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Another Version of Grandmother Rose’s Peas

Peas Linguica and Eggs, a Portuguese Breakfast or Dinner

Peas Linguica Eggs

Loved my Grandmother’s peas. Always served as a side dish. I don’t remember anyone else eating them … Maybe because I kept the bowl close and ignored the nonverbal cues, frequently used at our table, to pass the dish. My bad!

I’ve taken her recipe a bit further and added a few different ingredients. I think you’ll like this Portuguese Breakfast Style that can second as a dinner meal. I probably don’t need to tell you but this is not a light dish. Sometimes you just gotta have linguica!

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