Best of the Twin Citie's

City Pages threw a fabulous red carpet event recently in downtown Minneapolis,  at the Muse Event center.

Marc, my husband and I attended, VIP baby!

The theme was Old Hollywood Glam, awesome people watching at this event.

It was a blast!

So with VIP tickets one of the perks was that for one hour you get free drinks and all the samples from the award winning restaurants!  I'm in!!

My favorite of the evening was a pate from a newer restaurant Butcher & The Boar.

Credit to City Pages for the Picture

Another one that topped my list was the fresh oyster bar from Sea Salt Eatery, they are located at the beautiful Minnehaha Fall's park, in Minneapolis.

Glam Doll Donuts

Those are just a couple, here is a list of the winners, Food and Drink.

I could barely get my husband to sit still he was trilled to be trying all these award winning foods and as much as he could shovel into his mouth.

The atmosphere was awesome, with the band pumping out the old time swing music and professional dancers putting on a show.

If your ever in the Twin Cites, check out one of our awesome restaurants!

I look forward to next years event

Jalapeno Chicken Dip

Oh this is slap your mama hot!!!  Warning this dip is hot, did you get that yet???
I have another chicken dip recipe that I really enjoy, but this one kicks up that hot level to a 10!

What you need is:
3 Chicken Breast, cooked and shredded/chopped
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese
1/2 Red bell pepper, chopped
1 4.5 oz can chopped green chilis
4 Tablespoons jalapenos, diced (fresh or jarred)
1/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Mayo
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon pepper
1/2 Teaspoon chili power
1/4 Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 Teaspoon garlic salt

Using my new favorite red skillet!  

How to make it:
I actually cooked the chicken in the oven
Pre heat your oven to 350
Fill a baking dish 3/4 of the way full with water, add the lemon juice, garlic salt and chicken
Cook for 30 minutes (or until full cooked)
Once the chicken is cooked you can shred it or chop it

Add all the ingredients to a baking dish
Cook at 350 for 25 minutes
Half way through give it a stir so you are mixing all the ingredients
Sprinkle on top 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Set your over to broil and bake until the top is a nice brown (don't go far, it will burn quickly!)

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

Enjoy!!!

Fried Chicken and Waffle Slider

I have been hearing about fried chicken and waffles for a while now, they seem to be trending right now.
My husband and I have never had fried chicken and waffles, seems like a weird combo to me ;)
I read a few different recipes and came up with this little slider that we both liked.

What you will need is:

For the waffle's:
Waffle batter (follow directions on packaging, make however many you think you will need, or want)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning ( I used Tony's)

Friend Chicken:
4 Large chicken breasts cut into 3x3 inch pieces (approximately slider size)

Wet ingredients
2 Eggs
2 Tablespoons of hot sauce (I used Franks)
1/3 cup milk (or buttermilk if you have it)

Dry ingredients
1 Cup flour
1 Tablespoon of  Lawyr's Seasoned Salt
1/4 Teaspoon black pepper

Slaw mixture
3 Cups pre-shredded coleslaw mix
1/2 Cup mayo
2 Tablespoons Sour cream
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons purple onion
1 Tablespoon sweet pickle, diced
1 Tablespoon jalapeno peppers, diced

Sauce:
1 Cup mayo
2 Tablespoons Sriracha

Oil for frying
Butter

Did you ever think I was going to finish with that list of ingredients?!  Ya me too!

How to make these:
I started with the chicken
Heat your oil for frying (a trick how to know your oil is ready, stick the skinny end of a wooden spoon in the oil, if it starts forming bubbles, you should be ready!).

Cut your chicken into approximately 3x3 inch pieces
In a bowl mix your wet ingredients
In another bowl mix the dry ingredients
Dip the chicken into the wet then the dry mixtures, now into the hot oil and brown (about 3 minutes)

Place your chicken into a baking dish and top with a dollop of butter cover with tinfoil and bake at 350 for one hour

While your chicken is cooking prepare your slaw mixture
In a bowl mix your ingredients, place in the fridge to chill

Now make your sauce by mixing the Sriracha and mayo, also place in the fridge to chill

Get our your handy waffle maker, I love these things, so much more fun that pancakes !
Follow the directions on making your waffles, add in the cheese, onions and seasoning.

Once your chicken in done cooking assemble your sliders

Take a triangle wedge of waffle, slather on your mayo/ Sriracha mixture
Place fried chicken on top then add your spicy slaw mix and top with another wedge of waffle.

Hope you enjoy!

Cream Cheese Philadelphia Roll Inspired Dip

I don't know if you all know what House Party is?
No not a frat party!
 House Party is a company that other company's with new products would like to try out on us regular Joe Schmo's and get the word out on the town that there is a new product.
One the more recent parties that I qualified for was the Brown Rice Triscuit party, they came out with a few new flavors.
Cinnamon/ Sugar, Sour Cream & Chive and finally Wasabi & Soy Sauce.
I like them all, the Cinnamon/Sugar and the Sour Cream & Chive are great alone.
But, I thought the Wasabi & Soy Sauce was a bit strong and needed something creamy to calm it down a bit so I came up with a Cream Cheese Philadelphia Roll inspired dip, my favorite sushi!!!
And I was right , they make a great pair!

This is what you will need:
8oz Softened cream cheese
2 Tablespoons sour cream
1 Cup chopped smoked salmon
1/4 Cup finely chopped purple onion
1/4 Cup finely diced cucumber
1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
2 Teaspoons soy sauce
1 Teaspoon A -1 steak sauce (weird right?  but it gives it an extra kick of smoke flavor)

How to make it:
Simple!  Mix it all together, chill and eat!!!!
(I sprinkled extra sesame seeds on top for show)

Enjoy!!