Friday, September 25, 2009

Great Friends

On occasion, we forget how much fun it is to just host a group of friends at your home.  Your home doesn't have to be spotless.  The menu does not have to be extroidinary.  You are not required to use your best china. But more importantly, you are not required to plan, plan, plan for a gathering.

Some of the best parties I have ever been to were impromptu parties with a few friends who enjoyed good wine, good fellowship and good conversation.  The only important thing you ensure that your guests remember is that they enjoyed themselves in relaxing atmosphere.  Guests rarely remember whether you used cloth or paper napkins, crystal or plastic cups, or your fine china as opposed to disposable plates.  What they will remember is that you made them feel welcome and you were hospitable.

Many times my guests always inquire what they may bring.  Recently I hosted a covered dish dinner.   Everyone was to bring enough food for six people.  The food was amazing, ample and from many types of cuisines.  It doesn't matter whether the dish is a casserole, vegetable, salad or dessert.  What matters is that there is plenty of great food and everyone enjoys sharing a favorite dish.  You should try it sometime.

New Griddle

What a delight to discover yesterday that the new griddle grill I bought makes the best shrimp fajitas in the world.  It is easy and great way to cook.  Take shrimp, onions and peppers and douse generously with fajita seasoning.  Sear in garlic butter on the griddle - serve with hot tortillas and guacamole.  What an easy quick dinner.  You can even use frozen shrimp!  Enjoy.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Crock Pot Delight

One of my favorite recipes for a rainy day is to put a chicken in the crockpot whole.  Mix a can of Dr. Pepper and a cup of ketchup.  Drizzle over the chicken.  Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.  You have the most tender juicy BBQ chicken ever.  Add a baked potatoe and green salad and the world thinks you are Julia Child!  Of course I can't take credit for this recipe.  My dearest legal assistant, Kim, shared this one with me.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Corn

Of course I forgot to include the corn recipe. Take 16 ears of corn in the husk. Cut the ends off and soak in sugar water for about 3 hours. Grill at about 350 degrees for about an hour.

Red Hot Mother Cluckers

I have been asked by so many people for a number of my recipes but this one is the most requested lately. I love doing this dish out on the grill with some corn in the husk and baked beans in the oven. It gives you plenty of time to socialize.

Red Hot Mother Cluckers

8 Large Boneless skinless chicken breasts
16 jalepenos
1 8oz carton of sour cream with chives
Tabasco Sauce for seasoning
Seasoned Salt
Worchestershire sauce
1 large envelope of Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
16 pieces of thick cut bacon (I like the peppered kind)

Take the jalepenos and cut the tops off and seed them. Stuff them with cream cheese with chives and set aside. (Wear gloves to do this and use a baggie with the end snipped off to stuff the peppers. It makes it so much easier. For about $3 Walmart sells a really nice little seeder tool that makes this task pretty easy.)

Split the chicken breasts in half. Tenderize them gently. Put some Tabasco and Season salt on one side of each chicken. Roll the stuffed jalepeno in a piece of chicken and secure with a toothpick. Wrap each piece of chicken in a piece of bacon.

After you have fixed all the chicken breasts, sprinkle each with worchestershire sauce, and dry Ranch Dressing Mix.

Grill at about 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Usually when the bacon is crisp and cooked the chicken will be as well. Be careful not to overcook as it will make them dry.

If you have any left over, they can be steamed in a ceremic bowl with a lid for about an hour at 250 degrees in a convection oven.

About Me

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Having been raised with manners and class by a real Southern Belle (which by the way has nothing to do with money), I spend my time trying to make my company always feel welcome and comfortable in my home and at social gatherings I often attend!!!!!!!!