Almond Bacon Cheese Crostini

These are a wonderful mouth watering little bite, you will need to try!

What you need is:
• 1 French bread baguette , cut into 36 slices
• 2 cups  shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 green onion, chopped
• Dash salt
• Additional toasted almonds, optional

• How to make them:
• Place bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 8-9 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise, almonds, bacon, onion and salt. Spread over bread. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with additional almonds if desired. Serve warm.     Enjoy!

Bacony Deviled Eggs

Who says Deviled eggs are just for Easter!?  
Add Bacon & some onion, its delicious, hope you like it!

What you need is:
12 large eggs hard boiled peeled and sliced in half
1/2 cup of Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon of dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon of horseradish
8 oz of chopped, cooked bacon
4 scallions, chopped fine

How to make them:
 Plop the egg yolks into a small bowl and mash them with the back of a spoon until smooth. Then stir in the mayonnaise, mustard and horseradish. When the yolk mixture is smooth, make it bumpy again by stirring in the bacon and the scallions. Taste for seasoning. 
Using two spoons, stuff the egg whites with the yolk mixture. 
Cover them with plastic wrap. Keep them covered and chilled until you're ready to serve them. 
Putting deviled eggs--the slipperiest food known to man--on a bed of parsley is supposed to keep them from sliding around the platter. But the only way to make that work is to use a whole lot of parsley; you'd need a couple of bags, not just a sprig or two. And even then your eggs wouldn't necessarily be kept from tipping over if you had to take them in the car. If you have to drive deviled eggs somewhere, line a tray with a sheet of plastic wrap. Then put the eggs in little nests of scrunched-up plastic wrap, making sure that each nest is touching its neighbor. Then cover the platter with more plastic wrap, and those guys stay where they're supposed to.

Sprinkle with seasoned salt or Cajun seasoning!

Buffalo chicken burgers or dip

 

This weekend my Mom was at the grocery store, same one I was at that same day but I did not try any samples like she did nor did I bump into her there.

She tried this and passed it on to me, she thought I would really like it.

 

What you need is:

1 1b. ground chicken breast(sold in meat dept)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 TBLSP Italian seasoning

1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

2 oz. sharp cheddar cheese

4 to 6 whole wheat buns

Bacon ranch dressing and wing sauce for topping or dipping

 

How to make them:

Preheat skillet. In large bowl combine meat, salt, pepper, seasoning, Parmesan cheese and wing sauce. Mix till just combined and form into patties. Fry till brown on both sides...8 to 10 minutes. Place cheddar cheese on them for the last 2 minutes.

"I guess for the appetizers, they just cooked it, stirred up and put it on chips". 

 

These are Mom's words, she much preferred it as a dip.

 

Hope you like it!

Shown in the picture is my preferred buffalo sauce make by Franks

Blue Door Pub

Restaurant review time!
FINALLY the hubbie & I got in at the famous Blue Door Pub!
We went to the St Paul, MN location but, I do hear that a new one opened up in Minneapolis.
We have been trying off and on for 2 years now, the wait was insanely long, we never stuck around long enough to get in.
The place is tiny and you have to wait to get a table for a good long while, but I swear it's so worth it!
Best burgers we have had in a long time!
I had seen this restaurant review for the first time done by Guy Fieri, if you don't know who he is you must not watch the Food Network.
He had the Spam Bites, I thought we had to try these its just so crazy.
So we ordered the Spam Bites & the Latin Kisses (Jalapeno poppers)

Loved them both!  Service was excellent too!
I'm a beer girl, they have local beers, I tend to like light beer (subconsciously thinking I will not be gaining much weight drinking it , ya right).
I tried the Lift Bridge Farm Girl, just because I loved the name :)  It was a good choice!
We also ordered burgers.
Me the original Blucy, a stuffed burger with blue cheese, garlic and angus meat.  The buns were for sure from a local bakery too, very soft & fresh.  Mouth watering good!
The husband ordered Cajun Blucy & added Jiffy peanut butter a popular choice, he too loved his burger!

We will for sure be visiting the Blue Door Pub again!

Onion Straws

I think it was this last weekend my youngest & I were watching cooking channel and someone was making onion straws.
He had tried them once before when we had gone out to dinner and loved them.
He pretty much begged me to figure out how to make them.
So last night we gave it a whirl and they turned out perfectly!
Super easy here's what you do:

Ingredients are:
2 large yellow onions
2 cups of buttermilk
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 Tablespoon of salt
A few large dashes of pepper
1/2 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Oil for frying

What you will need is to do is take 2 yellow onions and slice them into thin rings and separate
Place them in a 9x 12 baking dish
Cover with the buttermilk
Soak for 30 minutes
Mix in a bowl your flower, salt, pepper & cayenne pepper
Warm your oil for frying
Take your onions out of the buttermilk, dredge through the flour mixture, then drop into the hot oil.
Frying until brown
Remove and place on a paper towel to drain of oil

 

 

Enjoy!!!!

 

Feta Bruschetta

 

 

 

This delicious sounding appetizer is provided to you by my wonderful mother in law.

Can't wait to make it, it sound right up my alley!

 

This is what you will need:

1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup olive oil
10 slices French bread (one inch thick)
1 package (4 oz) crumbled feta cheese
2 -3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon minced fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped

How to make it:

In a bowl, combine butter and olive oil; brush onto both sides of bread.  Place on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 8 -10 min or until lightly browned on top.

Combine the feta cheese, garlic, and basil and sprinkle over the toast.  Top with tomato.  Bake 8 -10 min. longer or until heated through.  Serve warm.  Yield 10 appetizers. 

 

Thank you Bev!

Creamy Layered BLT Dip

My Mom loves her  BLT's & when she found this recipe on Pintrest she was pretty excited about that!
She brought it to our appetizer Christmas & it was a hit.

Here is what you need:
1 16 oz Sour Cream
1/2 Teaspoon of Onion powder
1 Bag of real bacon bits
1/2 Cup of Shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 Cup of shredded lettuce
Potato chips, crackers or vegis for dipping

How to make them:
Mix sour cream and onion powder, spread on to the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate
Sprinkle 1/2 the  bacon on top of that mixture
Top with cheese, 3/4 cup of tomato's, lettuce with sprinkle then with the remaining tomato and bacon

Enjoy!

Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip

Another super simple one to add to the list of last minute appetizers to make.


What you need is:
1 Pack of thawed, frozen spinach chopped and drained
1 lb Diced Velveeta
4 oz Cream cheese cubed
1 Can of Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilis undrained
8 Slices of bacon crumbled

How to make it:
Mix all & microwave until melted
Stir & serve with vegetables tortilla chips

Enjoy!



I found this on the Kraft web site

Salsa

I hesitated posting this one because its just too simple.
I remember being a new mom and grocery shopping, one of those sample people were handing out crackers with this very simple salsa.
Its not very pretty to look at I'll be honest.
But it's real good & so easy to make!

All you need is:
1 block of softened cream cheese
1 cup of your favorite salsa

Mix together & chill

Serve with crackers or tortilla chips

Enjoy!

Spicy Shrimp

Mardi Gras is coming right up.
That makes me think of spicy foods.

Here is what you will need to make these spicy shrimp:
6 strips of bacon crumbled
1 cup of butter
2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon of pepper
1 teaspoon of Louisiana styled hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon of each of these, basil, oregano & thyme
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 1/2 lbs of uncooked shelled in medium shrimp

How to make them:

In a large skillet cook the bacon until just about crispy but not quit yet, drain.
Stir in the butter,  seasonings, mustard, chili powder, pepper, hot sauce, etc...
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic cook 1 minute
Place the shrimp in an ungreased baking dish. add sauce stir to coat.
Bake uncovered at 375 for 20 minutes

Enjoy!

  
http://www.tasteofhome.com/

Flirty Nachos

I have said before in one of my blog posts that a new Trader Joe's opened up by where I live & I just love that store!
Awesome prices & healthy food!
If you visit their web site they have great ideas for original dishes you maybe not have heard of before.  Trader Joe's

I'd like to feature this delicious sounding Valentine nacho plate, I will have to swing by this week & pick up the items to make it!

What you need is:

• 2 bags TJ's Pita Chips with Sea Salt
• 1 Package TJ's Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese
• 1 tub TJ's Crumbled Feta w/ Mediterranean Herbs
• 1/2 cup TJ's Jumbo Pitted Greek Kalamata Olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup TJ's Tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup TJ's Red Onion, diced
• 1/2 tub of TJ's Mediterranean Hummus

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pita chips evenly in a medium oven-safe dish. Add Mexican cheese and feta, then top with tomatoes, onions and olives. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes until cheese starts to melt. Remove chips from oven and add a few dollops of hummus to the top before serving.

Doesn't it look good!?!

Bennigan's Broccoli Bites

If you didn't know yesterday was the Super Bowl game (if you didn't I'm guessing you live under a rock).
One of the appetizers I made for the game were Bennigan's Broccoli Bites.
Bennigan's is a restaurant that is now closed that I used to go to back in the day.
They had on their menu Broccoli Bites , they were SO good I swear I ordered them every time I went there!
Now these are close but not 100% the same as Bennigan's.

This is what you will need:
3 eggs
6 oz shredded Colby cheese
6 oz Monterrey jack cheese
1 16 oz package of chopped broccoli, thawed , drained & well dried
2.5 oz bag of real bacon bits
1/4 of a yellow onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons of flour
1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs
Honey mustard for dipping (more on the sweet side then mustardy, is that a word???)

How to make them:
Start by defrosting your broccoli, pressing into with a paper towel drawing out the liquid
I used my food processor and pulsed a few times the broccoli to get it a good consistency, you do not want any large pieces, you want them fine but not to fine.  
In another bowl beat your eggs, set aside.
Place your broccoli into a large mixing bowl add all your ingredient to that bowl excluding the bread crumbs and honey mustard mix well
Place this bowl in the refrigerator for one hour
Pour the bread crumbs in a bowl
Pre heat the oven to 375
Once the hour has passed start forming your broccoli into 1-2 inch balls, packing them tightly
Placing them on a baking sheet
Bake for 20-25 minutes

I was trying to make them so they were a little better for you & not deep fat frying them
But if you want them to taste more like a restaurant, your gonna want to fry them for approximately  1-2 minutes
Place them on a paper towel to remove the excess oil

Serve with the honey mustard!

Pizza Appetizer

Super easy pizza appetizer!
Your gonna love this!



What you need is:
1  pizza crust
Olive Oil
1 14 oz can of Artichokes
1 Package of Roasted Red Peppers
1 Jar Kalamata Olives
8oz shredded Mozzarella Cheese

How to make this:
Preheat your over to 400 degrees
Follow the directions on pre baking your pizza crust
Remove the Pizza crust once done baking
Brush with olive oil
Top with cheese, olives, artichokes , and peppers
Bake for an additional 10 - 15 minutes
Or until cheese is melts
Cut into thin strips


See how easy!
Enjoy!!!