Popular Dips and Finger Foods
For Super Bowl Sunday
Category: Celebrations (Page 1 of 10)
Cottage Pie in 20 minutes
Know Your Potluck Crowd Before You Spend Hours in the Kitchen. One thing I’ve learned about potlucks is this; not everyone loves the same dishes, and not everyone will dig your homemade cottage pie no matter how long it takes you to prepare it. Before you commit to an hour+ of preparation; peeling, chopping, baking, take a moment to think about who’s really showing up and what they actually like to eat. For my hospice group I might have considered “funeral potatoes” as my sister-in-law calls them. I’m still not sure how I feel about that name but here’s the recipe I never thought to take to a post-funeral gathering (or a potluck).
Some folks are perfectly happy grabbing a quick fruit salad from Save Mart. Others might swear by Kentucky Fried Chicken. Case in point, like the manager who once spent time with Mother Teresa, and yet arrived bearing a fruit salad straight out of a dusty old cookbook, not Julia’s or Fannie’s. That’s the quirky charm of potlucks, the people with the most interesting stories often bring the safest dishes. So, instead of overdoing it, whip up this cottage pie in minutes. It might be the hit on the table or not. That’s the gamble. You were asked to bring a dish after all, not a crowd pleasing garlic French bread. Just know your people. Snails may be a luxury in some circles, but if my friend brought them to a potluck I’d have to pass with the politest smile I could manage.
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.
Hanukkah Jelly Donuts
Jelly Donuts (Sufganiyot)
These are that good! So Delicious!
This is a repost! Yep, they’re that good.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
