A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett
Mediterranean Baked Chicken Meatballs make a quick and easy dinner any night of the week. Everything is mixed up in one bowl, there is no chopping needed and they are ready in about 30 minutes. These Mediterranean chicken meatballs freeze beautifully, so I always make a double batch for those nights when I need something fast.
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Peach pepper jam combines the sweetness of summer peaches with a delicious spiciness from hot peppers. This jam is super versatile. Slather it on chicken for a sweet & spicy dinner, top a block of cream cheese for a fast appetizer or snack, use it as a spread to give your sandwich a little kick. There are so many uses for this peach pepper jam, including a burger that’s coming up in a couple of weeks.
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Dress up your favorite Idaho® Potatoes with lobster and saffron aioli for a special holiday appetizer! Salty, crunchy thick-cut chips are a sturdy base for buttery lobster tail. Topped with a spicy saffron aioli and chives, it makes an elegant nibble for any party. This post is sponsored by Idaho® Potatoes. All opinions are my own.
The holiday season is upon us, which means HOLIDAY PARTIES! It’s a special time of year, so I don’t feel guilty about a little splurge. The end of one year, the beginning of a new one… It’s a time to celebrate with friends and family and it’s a time to pull out all the tricks and SHINE! I make one or two special appetizers for parties and lobster on thick-cut potato chips is no slouch. The saffron aioli elevates it to “high falootin’ status” and this appetizer is always the first to disappear. It looks much fussier than it actually is, everything except the chips can be made in the morning and set aside in the refrigerator for later. This is key when you have lots to do before guests arrive.
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Break out the fat pants… It’s Super Bowl Party time. Oh, don’t give me that face! You know as well as I do that no matter what, you and I will be eating more than we should. I love football parties; a gathering of friends, yelling at the television in unison, eating, drinking and being merry… until of course there is a fumble or an interception. Then the merriment seems to dissipate.
This year, I will have my very first Super Bowl Party. I love throwing parties and I will use any excuse to have friends over and feed them. The fact that there will be a football game on is a bonus! The smile that creeps across their lips as they taste something heavenly (or sinful)… that’s the stuff I live for. Seriously.
Here are some of the things that will be on our Super Bowl party menu:
photo courtesy of Cravings of a Lunatic
http://www.cravingsofalunatic.com/2014/01/jalapeno-bacon-poppers-appetizerweek-savorx-giveaway.html
She had me at bacon… Dang. You know those (GASP) frozen jalapeno poppers that people seem to be a fan of?! Make these and they will NEVER think those are a good idea, ever again. These little babies pack a punch and leave you reaching for more!
Who doesn’t love a corndog?!
https://www.pookspantry.com/guilty-pleasures/
This is serious. I don’t recommend eating these often, but once in a while… You need a corndog. Especially if they are mini size! These are so much fun! They are a taste of childhood for me. It was a special treat that we used to get and that sweet corn batter, deep-fried to golden brown delicious makes me smile every single time. A tray of these will make your friends very happy.
photo by: Alex Farnum
coutesy of: Leite’s Culinaria
http://leitesculinaria.com/87995/recipes-soft-pretzels.html
These little gems are on my menu. I love a soft pretzel more than any reasonable person really should… If I am somewhere that has them, I’m not walking out without one. I’m making a BIG batch of these and stashing some for those nights when the craving strikes. These are absolute snack perfection.
photo courtesy of: Pastry Chef Online
http://pastrychefonline.com/2014/01/23/turtle-graham-crackers-candy/
Tell me your brain isn’t thinking “how do I get some of that?!” After all the snacks have been devoured, your guests are going to need something sweet. Jenni has come up with something that fits the bill quite nicely.
photo courtesy of: Pass the Sushi
http://passthesushi.com/huli-huli-bacon-chicken-bites-captainstable/
If these don’t scream “SUPER BOWL PARTY”, I don’t know what does… Check them out & tweet with #captainstable to help donate a buck to ending hunger! Chicken wrapped in bacon… that is all kinds of right.
photo courtesy of: Foodie with Family
http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2014/01/29/garlic-parmesan-stadium-style-baked-steak-fries/
Is there ANYONE on the planet who doesn’t love fries? These are not just ordinary fries… Look at that cheesy, herb-laden goodness. These would be good for a party, movie night, dinner, a random Tuesday… You get my point.
Sweet Corn Fritters & a Cold Beer= Perfection
https://www.pookspantry.com/445/
Sweet Corn Fritters. What else is there to say? A plate of these & a cold beer and all is right with the world. There are so many ways to dress these up. You can leave them plain, as I did here, or mix in some bacon or crab. Wanna keep it vegetarian? Roasted red peppers, chipotle in adobo for a little kick or scallions would be nice.
Thanks to all of my generous friends who allowed me to use their images & links! Please check them out… And a big THANK YOU to all of you who take a few moments to read this blog!
#SuperBowl #GameDay #Food
Grilled bread rubbed with cloves and garlic and juicy, ripe summer tomatoes is drilled with grassy olive oil and dusted with flaked sea salt. Best enjoyed outside with a glass of Spanish rioja. A super simple dinner, or appetizer, this bread is bursting with flavor.
I had been dreaming about travelling to Spain for nearly a decade, so when I finally landed there back in April of 2000, I cried. The moment my feet touched Spanish soil, I was almost in disbelief. I was so overwhelmed that I could not contain my pure joy. It felt as if the entire universe lined up and planted me exactly where I was supposed to be for that one perfect moment. I wanted for nothing.
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