Game Day Food

 

We love our football!!! 

This weekend we will be watching:
Auburn at Vanderbilt
Florida International at Troy
No. 1 Alabama at Tennessee

When football is in full season we love what we like to call "Game Day Food". Usually this is a buffet of appetizers or "finger foods" that guests and family can easily eat during the game. We also try to keep them as portable as possible so if we decide to tailgate at a game we can either make-ahead and reheat on a grill or cook in a crock pot. I have found these recipes either in my family cookbook or online (see links for original recipe). I often modify recipes to fit my family's tastes and these changes are in my recipes.
Many of these recipes are very basic, but I wanted to share them anyway.

Make-Ahead Meatballs

http://www.cozi.com/live-simply/recipes/make-ahead-meatballs

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb fresh ground sirloin (10% fat)
1 lb ground Italian pork sausage
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
4 eggs, beaten
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup Italian seasoning bread crumbs
3 tablespoons seasoned salt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all wet ingredients in large bowl with hands, then add dry ingredients and mix well again with hands. (Texture should be slightly soggy to the touch but shouldn't stick to your hands.) Roll meatballs into 1-2 inch balls (depending on the size you like). This recipe makes 40-50 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil for easy clean up. Bake at 350 degree for 20-25 minutes. Let stand for 2-3 minutes to cool before removing, they will be easier to remove from pan.

Notes

Cook once, eat twice (or three-four times with this big batch!). Make these delicious, crowd-pleasing meatballs and freeze some so you have an easy meal down the road.

Pizza Rolls

http://whataboutpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/pepperoni-rolls.html

 

Ingredients

1 refrigerated pizza dough or thawed bread dough
Pepperoni (you may also use other toppings, ham/sausage/bacon/etc.)
Mozzarella Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Pizza Sauce (optional)

 

 

Preparation

Roll dough out to approximately 11 x 11 square. Cover with pizza sauce, if desired, leaving an inch edge. Cover with Cheeses. Place pizza toppings on top. Roll into a roll. Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 15 to 25 minutes. Cut and Serve. You could make individual rolls for each member of the family.

Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/spicy-dr-pepper-shredded-pork/?print=1/#size3x5

Ingredients

1 whole Large Onion
1 whole Pork Shoulder ("pork Butt") - 5 To 7 lbs
Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 can (11 Ounce) Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce
2 cans Dr. Pepper
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Peel the onion and cut it into wedges. Lay them in the bottom of a large dutch oven. Generously salt and pepper the pork roast, then set it on top of the onions in the pan. Pour the can of chipotle peppers over the pork (include the sauce.) Pour in both cans of Dr Pepper. Add brown sugar to the juice and stir in. Place lid tightly on pot, then set pot in the oven. Cook for at least six hours. Remove from oven when tender and pull the meat with two forks, discarding large pieces of fat. Strain as much of the fat off the top of the cooking liquid as you can and discard it. Return the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, and keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

I serve these with rolls for guests to make sliders. Ree Drummond, aka the Pioneer Woman, suggests BBQ tacos with her original recipe.

Crockpot Chicken Nachos

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/01/chicken-nachos-crockpot-recipe.html

Ingredients

2 cut up raw chicken breasts (or by ALL means, cooked and chopped!)
large package of Velveeta or other "cheese product"
1 can of tomatoes and chilies
Optional Ingredients: Sour cream, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, jalepenos,etc to put on top of nachos.

Preparation

Put raw chicken pieces in bottom of crockpot. Cover with cheese. Dump in entire can of tomatoes and chilies (that means don't drain). Cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 3-4. Stir thoroughly and serve over your favorite chips. Set up a topping bar with with black beans, sour cream, jalepenos, or whatever else makes you happy.

Notes 

We also make a version of this with ground beef or ground sausage that is a big hit.


And for when we are wanting some sweets...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Ingredients

1 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Preparation

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix & Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

Sugar Cookie Mix

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Preparation

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix & Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

Oatmeal Cookie Mix

Ingredients

1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Optional: 1/2 Cup Raisins and/or Nuts

Preparation

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Melted Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix, Refrigerate for 30 Minutes & Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

 

Smothered Cube Steak

Cooked this tonight for dinner and it was a big hit.

Smothered Cube Steak

Ingredients

4-6 pieces cube steak
2 tsp seasoned meat tenderizer
2 tsp black pepper
1 c flour
2 c brewed coffee
3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 c water
1 cup oil/grease for frying

Preparation

On medium to low heat warm oil in a deep frying pan on stove. Put meat tenderizer and pepper on steaks. Dredge the steaks in flour and fry until brown on both sides. Remove steaks from grease. Pour up excess grease (a small amount is fine but you don't want more than about 2 Tbsp). Pour coffee, Worcestershire, and 3 cups of water into frying pan. Combine about 3 Tbsp of flour with left over 1 cup water. Mix well. Combine the flour mixture with the broth liquid in frying pan and stir to combine. Add steaks back to pan. Simmer on low until steaks begin to fall apart. Serve hot with rice or mashed potatoes.

Wednesday Whip Ups: Apples, Apples, Apples

Introducing.....

Wednesday Whip Ups: Favorite Recipes

Here I will share my favorite recipes and maybe even my meal plan for the week. I love cooking and sharing new ideas from my kitchen will be a blast. I hope you all love Wednesday Whip Ups.

As the seasons are changing you can feel the cool air settling in. The temperatures have been in the 50s at night lately and I am beginning to crave dishes that remind me of Autumn. I have been craving apples this season. Here are a few apple recipes I have found that I love.

Don't forget to add your favorites to Cozi Meals using your bookmark, so you can add them to your own meal plan.

Hot Spiced Cider

Beverages
 

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/hot-spiced-cider/

Ingredients

8 cups apple cider or apple juice
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
6 inches stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 3x3/4-inch strips orange peel
Apple Mugs (see below, optional)
Thin orange wedges and/or cinnamon sticks (optional)

Preparation

In a large saucepan combine cider and brown sugar. For spice bag, place cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and the orange peel in center of a double-thick, 6-inch-square of 100% cotton cheesecloth. Bring corners of the cheesecloth together and tie with a clean string. Add spice bag to the saucepan with cider mixture. Bring mixture to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove spice bag and discard. If desired, serve cider in Apple Mugs. If desired, garnish with orange wedges and/or cinnamon sticks.

Apple Mugs: 

Cut the tops off of 8 very large apples (about 3 1/2- to 4-inches in diameter). Press 2 1/2-inch ice cream scoop into the cut surface of apple to to form and edge about 1/2 inch thick around the edges of the apples. Use a melon baller to scoop out the center of apples, taking care not to scoop out too close to the bottom and sides of apples. If desired, brush inside "mugs" with lemon juice to prevent browning.

Apple and Granola Crisp

Low Calorie Dessert

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/fruit/apples-and-granola-breakfast-crisp/

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
2 medium apples (such as Rome or Pink Lady), peeled if desired, cored, and quartered
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger or 1/4 tsp ground ginger
Dash ground cardamom or ground cinnamon
1 6 ounce container fat-free plain Greek yogurt or fat-free plain yogurt
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
4 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup low-fat granola

Preparation

In a medium skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add apples and cook about 5 minutes or until apples are golden brown, turning occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in brown sugar, ginger, and cardamom. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until apples are nearly tender. Remove skillet from heat. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes until apples are tender. Meanwhile, combine yogurt with lemon peel. Divide cooked apples among four individual serving bowls. Top with Greek yogurt. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with granola.

All Day Chili

One Pot Meal

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 lb beef stew meat
1 lb ground sausage
10 oz can tomatoes with green chilies
10 oz can diced tomatoes
15 oz can tomato sauce
2 10 oz cans kidney/chili/black beans
1 pkg chili seasoning (choose the heat you desire)
1 small onion diced
1/2 tsp minced jalepeno 

1 medium apple, diced with skin removed

Preparation

In a saute pan, brown the ground beef, stew meat, ground sausage, and saute the onions. Combine all other ingredients in a 4-6 quart crock pot. Drain some of the grease from the meat but not all (reserve about 1/3 cup to add to pot, this adds flavor). Combine meat and onions with other ingredients in crock pot. Simmer on low for 3-4 hours. Serve warm with cheese, sour cream, crackers, green onions, etc.

Notes

The longer it cooks the better. This can cook on low for up to 8 hours and is often better the next day.

I know the apple seems strange in this recipe but the sweetness of the apple balances the heat from the chilies and jalepeno.

Mile High Apple Pie

http://www.bhg.com/recipe/pies/mile-high-caramel-apple-pie/

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 pounds cooking apples, such as Fuji or Granny Smith, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 12 cups)
1 recipe Oat Pastry for Caramel Apple Pie, OR one 15-oz. pkg. rolled refrigerated unbaked pie crust (2 crusts)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
1 12 ounce jar caramel ice cream topping (about 1 cup)

Oat Pastry

2 cups flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
8 - 10 Tablespoons water

Preparation

Preheat oven to 475 F. In very large bowl combine butter and cinnamon; add apples and toss gently to coat. Spread apples evenly in a parchment paper- or foil-lined, large roasting pan or two 15x10x1-inch baking pans. Roast (one pan at a time if using baking pans) 4 to 5 inches from heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until apples start to brown on edges, turning once halfway through. Cool apples in pan(s). Reduce heat to 375 F.

Prepare Oat Pastry: In medium bowl, stir together flour, oats, and salt. Using pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water over part of mixture; gently toss with fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Repeat, using 1 tablespoon water at a time, until all dough is moistened. Divide in half; form each half into a ball. On lightly floured surface, flatten 1 dough ball. Roll from center to edge into 12-inch circle. To transfer pastry, wrap around rolling pin; unroll into a 9-inch pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry. Trim pastry even with rim of pie plate. Fill pie plate with filling. On lightly floured surface roll remaining dough into 14-inch circle; cut slits for stream to escape. Place on top of fruit filling; trim to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold top crust under bottom crust; crimp edge. Makes pastry for 2-crust pie.

Line 9-inch pie plate with half of pastry as directed. In very large bowl stir together brown sugar, flour, and salt. Add apple slices and any juices; stir to coat. Transfer to pastry-lined pie plate. Trim top crust to edge of pie plate. Fold top pastry edge under bottom pastry; crimp edge. Brush top with mixture of beaten egg and water. Cover edge of pie with foil to prevent over-browning. Place on middle shelf in oven; place foil-lined baking sheet on lower rack beneath pie. Bake 30 minutes; remove foil from pie. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes more or until top is golden and filling is bubbly. Remove to a wire rack. While warm, drizzle with some of the caramel topping. Cool completely. Serve with remaining topping. Makes 8 servings.

Buttermilk Apple Bran Muffins (1 WW Point)

Low Fat But Tasty!

http://www.food.com/recipeprint.do?rid=101631

Ingredients

2 cups wheat bran
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups fat-free buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons molasses
1 -2 large granny smith apples, cored and chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ginger (optional)
1 cup old fashioned oats (optional)

Preparation

Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Add the applesauce, buttermilk, eggs and molasses; mix well. Gently mix in chopped apple. Bake in greased muffin pan at 350°F for 15-17 minutes or until tests done with a toothpick.

Apple Dumplings

Ingredients

1 can biscuits
2 large apples, peeled & quartered
1 can lemon lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 stick butter

Preparation

Wrap each quarter of apple in a rolled out biscuit and pull the biscuit to surround the apple. Place in a greased baking dish. Combine sugar, cinnamon, butter, and lemon lime soda in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Pour over apple dumplings. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

Kaldun and Bogle 110386 Apple Pie Plate (Google Affiliate Ad)
OXO Good Grips Apple Corer - Good Grips (Google Affiliate Ad)
Apple Corer and Slicer (Google Affiliate Ad)
Peel Away Apple Peeler (Google Affiliate Ad)

Meal Planning via Cozi

I have noted on other sites that many bloggers share how they menu plan. I have had a lot of fun learning new ways to do this for my family. I would like to share my process with you. As I have stated before, I work nights so when it is time to cook a meal I don't want to worry about how long it is going to take me to prepare a meal from start to finish. Not only does meal planning save me time on a day to day basis but it also saves me money at the grocery store. In an earlier post, "Cozi.com", I told you that I used this site for my menu planning. This is how.

 Step 1

 When I find recipes I like I add the recipe to my recipe box. You can do this one of two ways (1) type the recipe into the form or  (2) use my handy bookmark that works like the pin it button; some times this takes minor modification as all sites do not always work well with Cozi format. Not to fear I can COPY and PASTE. LOL! Okay recipe is now in my recipe box....YAY!

 Step 2

On or after the 5th of every month I make a big monthly shopping trip about 1 week before this trip I plan out meals for the month. In the past I would do this on a weekly calendar print out, now I use Cozi.com Dinner Plan. I scroll through my recipes on the Right and I click and drag them into the appropriate day. I can then click the meal on the calendar and the recipe appears.

Step 3

Within the recipe is an option to add the ingredients to the shopping list (See Below--I have pulled up the recipe for October 10th-"All Day Chili"). Click "Add to shopping list".

Step 4

A box will appear that will allow you to choose a shopping list. Either create a new one or use an existing one. The selected list is the one it will go to when you click "Add to List".

Step 5

When you do this your Shopping list will appear. When this happens you can either go back and add others to the list or you can print the list, send it to your phone, or change the list and add new items. Usually I try to combine like ingredients at this point. The shopping list is by default in categories by meals. If I am doing OAMC I will print this list plus one that is by category (i.e., meat, dairy, produce, etc). Once you print the list or send it to your phone. Now you are ready to go to the store.

• I buy everything I need for the dinner meals for the month, some staple breakfast items (cereal, frozen biscuits, frozen pancakes, etc), and some lunch items (deli meat for sandwiches, fruit, chips, etc).  I use coupons when I can and I buy store brand most of the time. One of our local stores offers a 5% discount for students on Mondays so I try to take advantage of that. I usually spend about $340/month and feed 5 adults at least 1-2 hot meals a day with a light lunch. Usually the only reason to go back to the grocery store is to pick up milk or bread. I would like to add that we do not always stick exactly to our meal plan but having one allows us to have every thing we need to make enough meals for every day of the month. Sometimes we repeat favorites within the month and other times we don't. Leftovers become lunches or I turn them into what I like to call "Unrecognizable Leftovers".
• Unrecognizable Leftover Example: Mashed Potatoes + Hashbrowns + French Fries + Potatoes Au Gratin + Cheese + a can of Cream of Mushroom = Potato Casserole (that actually gets devoured)
• Unrecognizable Leftover Example 2:  Leftover Pork Loin/Baked Chicken/Roast/etc + leftover vegetables + broth = Vegetable Soup/Camp Stew/ etc. 

• I hope this was enlightening and helped anyone interested in the process of learning to meal plan. This was the easiest way I found to meal plan and have everything in one place. I encourage anyone still using pencil and paper methods to try out Cozi.com today.

• I apologize...I tried to include print screens so that you could see what was happening because I tend to make the simplest thing very complicated but Blogger doesn't want to let me do so today.

BHG Recipe Box

My recipe box at Better Homes and Gardens holds recipes from the website that I like. Some of these are recipes that I have tried and others are some that look good and I would like to try. I love BHG.com  recipes, decorating tips, DIY projects, etc.

Top 5 Freezer Meals

I love this  post from Joyful Momma's Kitchen. I try to do meal planning or once a month cooking (OAMC) to stretch our grocery budget and these are great ideas. Check out Joyful Momma's Kitchen: Top 5 Freezer Meals.