Salami Snack Loaf

This one is really easy to put together when you have guests, and comes out soooo gooood... (keep in mind that when i say "good", i usually mean "salty":)


I used a ciabatta loaf, but you could use any relatively soft bread.  you don't want it to be too crusty.


Slice loaf lengthwise.


Spread both halves with garlic herb cheese spread.  I use Alouette spreadable cheese, but you could make it yourself by blending softened cream cheese with garlic powder and black pepper.

Layer one side with salami, then layer of shredded mozzarella, another layer of salami, a layer of drained sliced olives, and the final layer of salami.
You can mix it up a bit by using different kinds of salami for each layer, as I did here, or even try hot capicola or ham.

Top with second half of bread.


Place stack on a piece of foil, then pull the sides of the foil up to hold it together.  You want the whole thing to get warmed through and melt the cheese without making the crust too crunchy.  I leave the top open to let the heat in.

Place on baking sheet in 350F oven for 20 minutes.


Slice and serve hot.

I like to serve with condiments: diced pickles, ranch dressing, and marinara sauce.

Awesome & Easy Roasted Cauliflower

This is a fun and easy way to cook cauliflower, and the testing group loved it! 


It also works with broccoli.  They will come out crispy on the edges, and the slow roasting brings out the sweetness in the veggies.


Cut off all of the florets of either veggie and drop them into a zipper bag.

Drizzle with about 1/4c olive oil, close bag and shake until each piece has a light coating.


Dump in 1/4c breadcrumbs and 1/4c parmesan cheese.

You can use seasoned breadcrumbs, or use plain ones with a little salt & pepper.


Shake bag to coat.


Pour onto greased baking sheet.



Roast @ 300 for 45 minutes.


Serve hot as a side dish or as a snack with ranch dressing for dip.

Huevos Rancheros

If your long weekend includes plans for brunch, try this!  Its easy, and very tasty...



Huevos rancheros is a mexican farm-style breakfast food, and there are many ways to make it.  I just made this one up, but you can easily customize it to include your favorites.



In large saute pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil.

Add 1 diced green pepper and scallions.

Saute 3 minutes, then add:
    1 can white beans, drained
    1 can diced tomatoes (don't drain)
    1 7oz can green chilis
     8oz diced ham
     optional:  black olives



Cover, simmer 20 minutes.



There should be some liquid in the pan, which is needed to poach the eggs.


The key is to slip each egg from a small bowl or cup into divots dug in the mix.  If you hold the bowl close to the surface of the mix, the yolk won't break.

Use a big spoon to dig a little hole, then slip an egg in it. Keep digging holes until it has as many eggs as you want. I usually plan on three per person.



When all eggs are in, simmer covered on medium low heat for 15 minutes.




Sprinkle with shredded cheese, and cook covered for another 5 minutes.



Serve with english muffins, sour cream, hashbrowns, guacamole & sour cream, and tabasco sauce.

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Calzone

Calzones are fast and easy to make!



2 Pillsbury Pizza Crust dough (not thin crust)
1 pkg Perdue Short Cuts - original roasted
1/2 c diced ham
1 pkg microwave bacon, cooked crispy
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 c. blue cheese crumbles
16oz shredded mozzarella
Buffalo Chicken Sauce (I use Franks)


Spread one dough on cookie sheet or baking stone.

Layer with chicken, celery and ham.

Splash with sauce, then top with bacon and cheeses.


Stretch second dough over top and crimp edges.

Sprinkle with parsley.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes - it will take a little longer than the package directions because it is thick with cold ingredients.


I use Franks Buffalo sauce because it tastes the way I think buffalo sauce should, but you should use your favorite if you have one...

Even with the cheese and bacon, this version has lower calories than a similar calzone from a restaurant, and lower cost too :)

3 Ingredient Grilled Potatoes

Comfort food season is over, so bring out your grill!


I like doing side dishes and main dishes on the grill at the same time, and these potatoes go great with just about anything.


I prefer small red potatoes because they come out with a nice creamy texture but don't fall apart.  Just cut them in half, or in thirds if they are bigger.  Small Yukon Golds work too.


Toss the potatoes in a plastic bag (I re-use the ones that the burger rolls come in).

Add 2 tbsp olive oil  and 1 packet dry italian or ranch dressing spices.

Shake to coat.
Pour potatoes out onto a double-layer sheet of foil sprayed with non-stick baking spray.

Cover with another sheet of sprayed foil.  Crimp edges tightly.


Throw on grill rack with low heat for 1 hour, flipping once about halfway through.

Move packet off to one side if you turn up the heat to cook the main dish.


Salt & pepper to taste.

Stuffed Potato Skins Wraps

These are like loaded potato skins, in two-bite wraps!

Stuff them with anything you like in potato skins...



Bake or fry tater tots according to package directions.

Load your wraps!


Fold sides in like an envelope to cover stuffing.

Moisten edges of final flap to seal.


Place in rows on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick spray.



Spray tops of rolls with spray too.





Bake at 400F for 10-12 minutes, until tops are golden brown and puffy.


Serve with sour cream or plain greek yogurt for dipping.

Easy Way to Cassoulet

Comfort Food Season is drawing to a close, as the weather (finally!) turns warmer. One final entry under that category is my version of the traditional French cassoulet, which is meant to be a heavy, savory, stick-to-your-ribs dish.  Fans of traditional French cooking will notice that my recipe doesn't take a dozen steps and several days to complete :) 

I think it's pretty tasty though...and gluten free!

Start with 1lb lamb - steak or tips - sprinkled with mint, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper.  Bake on a greased cookie sheet, loosely covered with foil at 325F for 1 hour.  If you don't like lamb, substitute pork loin chops and only bake for 40 minutes.


Next, add to the same baking sheet:
1lb pork breakfast sausages
carrots
onion

Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncovered for another 30 minutes.

Chop meat and spread in roasting pan with veggies.

Top with:
3 cans drained navy beans
1 c beef or veggie bouillon
1/2 c red wine or cooking wine
a bay leaf or two

Bake 1 hour uncovered, stirring occasionally.

Serve with garlic bread.

Then take a nap... :)

CheeseSteak & Bacon Pie

Next in the "What Else Can I Put Into Pie Crust" series...

It is like a cheesesteak sub, in a pie.  Add anything you would order in a steak sub, such as onions, peppers, salami. I used mushrooms and bacon, and WOW was that tasty :)  Bacon is good with lots of things, but really added the right flavor to this recipe.



1.Saute sandwich-shredded beef (most grocery store meat counters will have this). Drain, then add pepper and salt. (I use Montreal Steak seasoning)


2. Saute whatever veggies you might want - pepper, onion, mushrooms, etc.  If you are making Steak Bomb Pie with salami, try slicing the salami into strips and saute a little bit before adding to the pie.




3. Microwave 1 pkg bacon according to package directions.  (trust me on the bacon).  Crumble when cool.



4. Here comes the fun part - Fill pie! 



5. Layer sliced american cheese on top. The cheese really makes the texture come out right, but if you want to do a dairy-free version, use a small jar of brown gravy instead.





6. The top crust will come out better if you put some or all of the crumbled bacon between the cheese and the top crust.  If the crust touches the cheese it gets stuck to it and won't rise.





7. Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes, covering the crust edge with foil after 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes (if you can hold off that long).

Taco Lasagna!

(1) 24 pc package of soft corn tortillas

2# ground meat, cooked and drained

1 pkg taco seasonings

2 cans refried beans

(2) pkg Spanish Rice, prepared according to package

big package shredded cheese (always go for the big package:)

 (2) large jars taco sauce




Smear bottom of large baking pan or lasagna pan with a little taco sauce.

Layer 8 tortillas to cover pan.

Combine cooked meat with taco spices according to spice package directions in same skillet used to cook meat. 

Stir in refried beans and spread in even layer over tortillas.

optional: diced onion, sliced olives




Cover with another layer of 8 tortillas



Spread even layer of cooked rice and sprinkle with most of the cheese.



Place final layer of 8 tortillas.


Cover with taco sauce.


Bake covered with foil at 375 for 1 hour.

Uncover, bake another 15 minutes.  Can add another sprinkle of cheese if desired.


Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips.



This can be made Gluten Free if you check the ingredients in the rice, refried beans, and taco seasonings.

Quick & Easy Pepperoni Snack Rolls

This one is really easy, and everyone loves them :)


GET:
2 - 10 pc pkgs Pillsbury biscuit rolls 
Block of sharp cheddar, cut into 20 slices
package of sliced pepperoni






Flatten each biscuit a little.

Place a slice of cheese and a few slices of pepperoni.

Fold all edges into the middle and press together.













Flip them over and place on greased baking sheet.




Optional: sprinkle with basil, oregano, parmesan.

Bake according to biscuit directions on package.




Serve while hot with pizza sauce for dipping.

Oreo-Brownie Muffins

I have seen several versions of this idea, and had to try it for my testing group,. They unanimously approve!

All you need:

- 1 pkg Oreos
- 1 pkg brownie mix, prepared according to directions.
- muffin pan with paper liners
- peanut butter




Spread some peanut butter on an oreo, then place into muffin papers.

Stick another oreo to the peanut butter.  King me!












Pour brownie batter around each oreo stack, filling to the top of the muffin paper.

Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes.

Here is what they look like inside.


There are many kinds of oreos, so lots of combo possibilities.