Sunday, December 22, 2013

Brunch with family and friends!



Nothing says Happy Holidays more than a gathering of family and friends!  


On the menu today:
Cinnamon Rolls
Watermelon & Grapes
Whole Baked Ham
Egg, Sausage and Leek Casserole
Blueberry Pancakes with Homemade Syrup




Pancakes on the grill



Caramelized syrup in the pan



Happy Holidays!!

 

 

 

 

Sausage and Leek Casserole


Ingredients

Oil
2 cups leeks, cut in rings, rinsed thoroughly
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground pork sausage
1/2 loaf French baguette
1 cup grated Cheddar
1 cup pepper jack cheese
6 each large eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed skillet on medium-high heat. Saute the leeks with a pinch of salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne. When the leeks are translucent raise the heat to high and add the sausage and cook for 8 minutes or until browned. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.

In a separate bowl whisk the eggs together with the cream, milk, the remaining cayenne, a pinch of black pepper and salt.

Cut the baguette into cubes and put in the bottom of a 9 by 9-inch glass casserole dish. Sprinkle the bread with the Cheddar cheese. Pour the sausage and leek mixture and egg mixture on top. Top with pepper jack cheese. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

The next morning remove from refrigerator. Put in the middle of the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife is removed cleanly from the middle. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.




Good Eats!!



Friday, December 13, 2013

Leftover Curry Treat

Thanks Jeffrey!   A little leftover yellow curry from the Thanksgiving batch - with rice and snow peas.

Good Eats!!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Grilled Chicken

Photo: Lunch with Kari.

Grilled chicken, cheesy potatoes with grilled onions and snap peas with mushrooms.  Lunch with a good, old friend.  Thanks Kari!

Good Eats!!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Linda Crismer's Maryland Crab Cakes

Crab cakes with snow peas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Dry Ingredients
1 tbsp. Old Bay                                                            
½ tsp. salt                                                                                           
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tbsp. flour                                                     
¼ tsp. baking powder

Wet ingredients 
½ tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1 tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tbsp. mustard

1 lb. Phillips chunked crab meat (recommended by Linda found at Costco in the deli section).
Make bread crumbs from 3 slices of bread (no crust) and moisten in milk.
Mix all dry ingredients together.
Add egg, mayonnaise, and mustard to dry.
Add other ingredients to soaked bread crumbs.
Add crab meat.
If mixture is not stiff, add more flour (tsp. at a time).
Form into cakes and fry in hot grease.  After cooking the first side, turn and cook using medium-low heat. 

Recipe by Linda Crismer (they are the BOMB!)

 
Paired with a nice California Sauvignon Blanc!

Good Eats!!


Friday, November 15, 2013

Small Plates

Summer Meal

One evening we decided to have a lighter leftover dinner.  Grilled brussels sprouts with ham, cracker - cheese - salmon - wasabi, watermelon and red wine. 

Be creative, have fun.

Good Eats!!

Dogs on the Grill


I'm doing some catch up from the summer!  

 

This was in preparation for The 4th Annual "Pie and Beer Day" held each July 23rd.  It was a roaring success!!


Good Eats!!

New Cooking Device



I acquired a new cooking device earlier this year.  It is a Traeger smoker and it's the bomb!!  Below it are a couple of results.

On the right - Whole Chicken - super tender and juicy.

On the left - Louisiana Style baby back ribs.


Good Eats!!

Ham, Cheese and Spinach Omelet & Cheese Grits


Breakfast the other morning!

Good Eats!!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Hamburger Gravy with Mashed Potatoes

Hamburger Gravy
1 pound of extra lean hamburger
1 chopped medium onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 oz chopped mushrooms
1 cup water
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Fry hamburger with onions, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Add soup, water and mushrooms.  Bring to boil then simmer 15 minutes.

Mashed Potatoes
4-5 medium peeled and sliced
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sour cream

Boil potatoes 15-20 minutes in pot of salted water.  Drain, add butter and sour cream, mash to desired consistency.  Some like it chunky, some like it smooth and creamy.  You can substitute milk for the sour cream if desired and you can use additional milk if potatoes are too dry ( usually just add a little more sour cream. 

For a quick easy meal you an add any vegetable to complete.  You can double the recipe and have left overs which are fantastic heated in the microwave.  Nothin' more home cookin' than mashed potatoes and gravy!

Good Eats!!