Cheesy Mushroom Sliders

Add this to your Super Bowl spread for a bit of variety. Not much can go wrong here except you might run out! Amazingly simple with few ingredients. Add Italian Hot Sausage bits for the meat lovers.

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Green Bean Bacon Bundles

One way to get your vegetables on Super Bowl Sunday!

You may have tried a similar recipe as a side dish but we’re having these as appetizers. A man pleasin’ vegetable everyone will enjoy!

If you like your green beans a bit crunchy just precook the bacon slightly. Otherwise, if you don’t mind a bit of browning and caramelization to your green beans, wrap without the bacon precooking and roast. That simple!

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Cinnamon Beans Portuguese Style

Another take on Portuguese Beans inspired by a Cousin Perry recipe, and this 100 year old picture of the Freitas Family. Yep, these are my relatives in this photo … gone but not without leaving a rich culture behind. Pictured is the celebration following the traditional yearly pig butchering.

The ingredients in this recipe might surprise you … especially the amount of cinnamon used. Morcela sausage is another main ingredient but not always available locally or certain times of the year. I opted for Portuguese Chourico instead. Linguica could easily be used. The secret is to grind the sausage … adding to the beans deliciously spicy bits to tease the palate.

Give this a try! Deliciously spicy!

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Baked Strawberry Shortcake

Everyone loves strawberries … well almost everyone! This is the time of year fresh strawberries are plentiful. This recipe is packed with strawberries. Would you believe two pounds! Time for strawberries, shortcake and whipped cream topping.

This recipe is not difficult and there is wiggle room for imperfections. Delicious? I should say so! And what is amazing … this Baked Strawberry Shortcake is not cake like nor is it soggy like strawberry shortcake can be. It is meant to be eaten warm from the oven, and works well served at room temperature. Leftovers are not likely but refrigerate any you may have and eat the next day … cold. There you have it, warm, room temperature or cold … It works!

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Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie

Vegetarian take on a Classic! After I tasted this wonderful Cook’s Country Shepherd’s Pie (more correctly a Cottage Pie, ground beef replaced the lamb) my son Will put together I mused, a vegetarian version might be a good alternative. I’ve previously prepared a chicken version, here, and a ground beef version here. All these are great recipes! Give one or all a try!

First, a word about plant based meat. I’ve tried both of these with great success and recommend either for this recipe.

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re still not convinced and wish to use a meat but something other than lamb & leaner than beef, try lean ground turkey.

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Jambalaya

Country Western singer, Hank Williams, was not a favorite of mine in the early 50’s. But what 6 year old wouldn’t love his “Jambalaya a Crawfish Pie and a File Gumbo!!” Yep, that’s what has inspired this so many years later.

When in New Orleans in the late 90’s I tried this dish at a local restaurant. I was really surprised at the Ketchup like flavor. Nope, this one has no resemblance. Enjoy this easy flavorful dish with spicy Cajun-style Andouille sausage, and chicken.

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America’s Test Kitchen Stew

If you’re into stew or even if you’re not this is to die for! This was our Sunday Dinner and yes, it’s the best Irish beef stew I’ve tasted to date. If you’re shopping for those newly weds or anyone who likes to cook America’s Test Kitchen Cookbooks are a treasure. It’s not so easy to find their recipes on line … You need to be a member. It’s all worth it! The recipes are tested just as it says. Thank you Will for the great dinner! I look forward to next Sunday!

Here’s a couple of tried and true order on line foods to make your Holidays easier, biscuits Here & pies Here.


London Broil Dinner

Perfect for the Holidays

When turkey no longer gets everyone’s attention try this simple but elegant meal. Portions can be done days ahead. And just think … there’s no crazy clean up! Best of all this is not a budget buster!

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Making Thanksgiving simple

If your Thanksgiving dinner has a guest list of 1 or even 4 you’ll appreciate this recipe for it’s ease and delicious results. Maybe you just want a no-fuss Thanksgiving meal more than once a year! The biggest part of your prep here is the stuffing. You can make this simple by using William Sonoma’s stuffing mix. Deliciousness guaranteed! Link here.

Yep, this is a slow cooker meal and my Proctor Silex (3.5 quart) is almost an antique. It’s plenty big for this meal. The secret of this slow cooker is the oval shape. It easily accommodates an uncut 3-4 pound turkey breast. Here it is. You might prefer a newer version. Here’s a new 4 quart version.

I don’t know about you but I find the Thanksgiving meal an easy cook meal. It’s usually the lack of oven space or stovetop burners (plus the clean-up) that make it so arduous. For one person, who wants to go through all that prep and clean-up?! You are worth it! And this is truly simply delicious!!

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