parties

Are you having a party and need appetizer ideas? I will put a few on here and maybe it will be something you can use.

Sausage balls - very simple. ground sausage mixed with a little ground beef or ground turkey. throw in a little bread crumbs, roll into balls. Heat slowly over med low heat until browned. Add some grape jelly and let simmer. Easy, inexpensive, and good.

Shrimp/crab or seafood dip - 1 jar salsa, 1 pkg. cream cheese softened, cooked shrimp or crabmeat chopped, handful of shredded cheddar. Mix all ingredients well. Put in a bowl surrounded by your favorite crackers for dipping. Easy!

Bruschetta - Diced tomatoes, diced onions or onion powder, minced garlic or garlic powder, chopped basil, mozzarella cheese, loaf bread. Mix the tomatoes, onion, garlic and basil. Set aside. Slice bread into 1/2" slices and toast in oven lightly. Spoon small amount of tomato mixture on each slice and top with cheese, put under broiler just long enough to melt cheese. Simple and delicious!

These are just a few of the really easy items you can serve.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy cooking and good eating!

No requests

Ok, Since there were no requests made for anything specific and I am busy trying to make a bunch of Christmas gifts then anyone who might be following along will just have to take whatever I post. ha ha
This is a good recipe that doesn't take a lot of time so it would be good to make during the busy holiday times when you are in a bind.

SPINACH PESTO PASTA

INGREDIENTS

WHOLE WHEAT PENNE NOODLES – 1 BOX COOKED TO AL DENTE

CHERRY TOMATOES – APPROX. 10 CUT IN HALF

FROZEN SPINACH (OR FRESH) – THAWED IF FROZEN

WALNUTS – A GOOD HANDFUL

PARMESAN CHEESE – 1 ½ CUPS

GARLIC CLOVE – 1

OLIVE OIL – ½ - 1 CUP

LEMON – PEEL AND JUICE – GRATED LEMON PEEL , THEN JUICE

SALT & PEPPER – TO TASTE

FRESH BASIL – ABOUT 5-7 LARGE LEAVES CUT IN CHIFFANADE

DIRECTIONS

COOK PASTA, DRAIN AND COOL. PUT SPINACH, NUTS, GARLIC, OLIVE OIL, AND 1 CUP PARMESAN, INTO FOOD PROCESSOR. BLEND UNTIL YOU GET A NICE CONSISTENCY. GRATE THE LEMON PEEL AND TOSS HALF WITH THE PASTA AND PUT THE OTHER HALF IN WITH THE PESTO. SQUEEZE HALF THE LEMON JUICE INTO PESTO AND GIVE IT ANOTHER SPIN. THE OTHER HALF OF THE LEMON JUICE INTO THE PASTA AND GIVE IT A STIR. CUT THE TOMATOES IN HALF AND TOSS THEM IN THE PASTA. ADD THE PESTO MIX, SALT & PEPPER. TOP WITH ½ CUP GRATED PARMESAN AND FRESH BASIL.

SERVE AND ENJOY!

• ADD IN A LITTLE KEN’S NORTHERN ITALIAN TOMATO BASIL SALAD DRESSING FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TASTE.

Happy Cooking and good eating!

Tell me what...

Ok for my few followers on here. Tell me what you would like to see a posting on. Would you like some tips, some special recipe, or maybe you would like some info on spices/herbs?

When I get a few replies on here I will post something about what you have asked for.  If nobody is paying attention to what I post, then you will just have to put up with whatever strikes me at the moment.

So, I am asking you, please, tell me what is on your mind? What is it about cooking that you want to know more about? What can I help the average Joe/sephine out there with?

Thanks for following me and remember...

Happy cooking and good eating!

Inexpensive and easy

Here is a meal that is very cost effective and very easy to prepare.
1 box of pasta roni shells and white cheddar
handful of frozen broccoli
1 can of chicken (like tuna can)
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
parsley


Cook the pasta according to the package directions. I added a little more water because of putting in the broccoli and the chicken. Put your salt and pepper in the water. Let it boil for about 8 - 10 minutes instead of the 12- 15 on the box. Remove from heat, drain, add your milk, butter, and seasoning from the pasta box. Add 1 tsp each of the onion powder and garlic powder. When all is mixed well, then sprinkle with parsley. You can also add a little sprinkle of sweet paprika for a pretty and "Christmasy" look.

This can be made with tuna, crab meat, shrimp, ham. Another one that you can just change up slightly according to your particular tastes. Try different veggies in it too.  Serve with your favorite cracker or a nice hunk of fresh bread.

Happy cooking and good eating!