Happy Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Muffins.
Thanksgiving.
A home filled with amazing aromas, family, friends and food.
A holiday to be thankful for so many things, to give thanks to others and to relax…but not for the cook, unless you play your cards right.
As a foodie, I do love Thanksgiving, but not for the main course. The big bird.
God knows that I can get creative in planning, prepping and preparing the perfect poultry, (say that three times fast), but for me my true passion is in the appetizers and sides.
The turkey is and will always be the center of attention and it will always be the big boss and the star of the show, but do not forget that there are many players that need to come together to make a perfect performance.
Enter the perfect muffin.
Endless Summer Pesto Grilled Shrimp
Summer is still with us and my inner caveman needs to be near fire, sticks and raw stuff every night.
( ok, and beer or wine or martinis..but mostly beer..ok, never martinis or wine..I just wanted to sound classy)
Why is that?
Is it the great outdoors? The freedom of the backyard? The smell of freshly cut grass ? Or perhaps it’s the stress of trying to cook a great meal while making sure that my little guy and black lab don’t knock over, fall into or throw toys into the crazy hot BBQ?
Whatever it is…I’m taking advantage of the beautiful Long Island weather, the bounty of fresh basil growing in my garden and the massive bag of charcoal at my disposal.
Creamy Cheese Tortellini and Spinach Soup. Welcome to Autumn Crock Pot Creations.
Ok, I give in.
The Summer is totally over….it’s time to to man up!
It’s time to put away the tiki torches…
And it’s time to take out the Crock Pot baby…’cause we be sloooooowwwww cookin’!
( ok, that sounded cooler in my head than when I read it)
Crispy Cornmeal Shrimp with Homemade Tartar Sauce.
I love fried seafood.
Fried clams, oysters, even fried lobster…but my all time favorite is fried shrimp.
For shrimp, I like coconut shrimp, shrimp parmigiana, buffalo shrimp, but my favorite go to recipe when I am in the mood to fry…a nice crispy shrimp that will be so addicting, you can stop eating them.
Did you ever open a bag of chips or cookies in the car after the supermarket run and say to yourself,
“I’m just going to have one…perhaps two..tops, but that is it.”
By the time you pull into the driveway your shirt is full of crumbs and there’s an empty bag or container on the passenger seat.
Yup, we’ve all been there…only the strong ones will admit it. 🙂
That, in the nutshell, or shall I say, In the shrimp shell…is exactly how this shrimp will be to you.
Penne ala Vodka. The Comfort Food Superstar.
Penne ala Vodka.
Delicious. How can you go wrong?
Booze….. Cheese…Butter…
Come on people…this is comfort food calling you.
Saint Patrick’s Day Corned Beef with Rustic Veggies and Beer.
Oh yeah, St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th, and that can only mean one thing.
Getting drunk at 9 am?? No…….well, maybe..but it’s a “day for wearing of the green” and other kick-ass Irish traditions, like making Irish soda bread, watching the parade on tv, listening to Irish music and ..ok, perhaps getting drunk early in the morning.
Many of you don’t know that St. Patrick was not even born in Ireland, in fact..it is said that he may have been,,,ugh..don’t shoot the messenger, Italian. Yup.
Waiter…extra whiskey in my coffee please.
So before you start drinking green beer and dancing with strangers make sure that you gather up all of your ingredients and ready to have the most delicious corned beef and cabbage that you have ever had.