Southern Cracker Candy

Southern Cracker Candy
A Yummy Southern Treat!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

30 Keebler Club Crackers

2 sticks unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp vanilla extract

Cooking Tools

10 X 15 sheet pan

Parchment paper

Small saucepan

Directions
Preheat oven to 300 Degrees F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper. Line club cracker on parchment paper. Heat butter, vanilla extract and brown sugar in a saucepan, bring to a boil for 3 minutes, then pour over crackers then place in oven for 5 minutes.  Spread chocolate chip and chopped pecans evenly over crackers. Cut into chunks or squares before completely cooled. Store in refrigerator after completely cooled.
Serves 8 

Sweet Potato Bread

Sweet Potato Bread
The Aroma Of The Holidays!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients
15 oz. canned sweet potatoes, drained, reserve 1/3 cup liquid
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecan (optional)
cooking spray

Cooking Tools

Large mixing bowl

9 X 5 loaf pan https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/nordic-ware-pumpkin-wheat-loaf/?pkey=cbread-pans-loaf-pans&isx=0.0.94

Cooling rack

Directions
Preheat oven 350 Degrees F.  In a large mixing bowl, mash sweet potatoes plus liquid. Add in sugar, oil, eggs, butter, salt, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and mix well.  Add flour, baking soda and baking powder and mix well with fork. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray and pour batter evenly in pan..  Bake 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool in pan pan for 15 minutes before inverting to a cooling rack.
Yields 1 loaf 

Pan Fried Cod With A Olive Tapenade

Pan Fried Cod With A Olive Tapenade
Fresh & Tasty!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients

4  8oz. cod filet

2 cups flour

1 cup olive medley, chopped (retain liquids)

1 cup pickled Peppadew peppers, chopped

1/4 cup capers, minced

1/4 cup green onions, chopped

1 cup assorted grape tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp white wine vinegar

1 lb fresh baby spinach

3 tbsp butter

vegetable oil

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

2 Large nonstick frying pan/skillet

Medium mixing bowl

Directions
Mix chopped olives, tomatoes, peppers, green onions, capers, olive oil & vinegar in a mixing bowl, set aside. Saute spinach in a frying pan with some melted butter, season with salt and pepper, set aside. Season cod filet and coat all sides with flour.  Place enough oil for shallow frying. Fry cod on medium high heat for 4-5 minutes on each side depending on thickness. Pat any excess oil from fish and serve with the olive tapenade and sauteed spinach.
Serves 4

Fig & Brie

Fig & Brie
Something Special For Starters!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

7 fresh figs

1 round Brie cheese

1/4 cup honey for drizzle

French bread slices, toasted 

Cooking Tools

Small cast iron pan

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Place unwrapped Brie round in small cast iron pan.  Place whole figs on top.  Bake in oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle with honey.  Serve with some French bread slices.
Serves 4

Zucchini & Squash Salad

Zucchini & Squash Salad
With A Honey Vinaigrette! 
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients

1/2 lb. zucchini noodles

1/2 lb. yellow squash noodles

1/4 lb. carrot noodles

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup honey

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Medium mixing bowl

Directions
Whisk together; oil, vinegar & honey. Toss in zucchini, squash and carrots, coat evenly. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serves 4 

 

Shrimp Fettuccine In A Chipotle Cream Sauce

Shrimp Fettuccine In A Chipotle Cream Sauce
Fantastic Flavor With A Little Heat!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
1 box dry Fettuccine pasta
1 lb. medium shrimp, deveined, tail on
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 (7oz.)can Chipotle in Adobo sauce
1 green pepper, sliced thin
1 onion, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Large pot

1 large skillet

1 medium skillet 

Directions
Boil pasta in boiling salted water according to directions. In a medium skillet, add; olive oil on medium heat and saute green peppers, garlic and onions. In a large pan, add butter, cream and cook to thicken on low heat. As the sauce thickens, add in nutmeg, chipotle, shrimp and the cooked vegetables. Simmer to cook shrimp ( 3 minutes) then toss in cooked & drained pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Toss in Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking. Garnish with minced parsley.
Serves 4

Chicken Fajita Sandwich

Chicken Fajita Sandwich
A Rules Apply Here!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

4 large buns

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (thin)

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

juice of 1 lime

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp Fajita seasoning mix

1 green pepper, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1 onion, slice

tomato slices

3 cups field greens, spinach or lettuce

2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Mixing bowl

Outdoor grill

Large skillet/frying pan

Directions
In a mixing bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, lime juice, garlic, Fajita seasoning mix. Place chicken breast into the marinade and toss and coat evenly.  Place in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. Cook peppers and onion in the rest of the olive oil in a skillet until tender, salt & pepper to taste. Grill chicken on grill until done, the last minute add shredded cheese on top of grilled chicken to melt. Make sandwiches and add sliced tomatoes, sauteed peppers & onions then field greens. 

Bacon & Egg Flatbread

Bacon & Egg Flatbread
Not Just For Breakfast!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
Stonefire Artisan Flatbread https://www.stonefire.com/
4 eggs, whisked
4 bacon strips, cooked & chopped
1 cup smoked Gouda, shredded
1 tbsp Ricotta cheese
2 tbsp onions, sliced thin
1 tsp parsley, minced
olive oil for drizzle
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Small mixing bowl

Sheet pan 

Directions
Preheat oven 350 Degrees F.  Hollow out the center of the flatbread, leaving the bottom layer of the flatbread intact. Leave a 1 inch border so the filling does not run out. Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl, add; 1/2 cup of Gouda, Ricotta, chopped bacon, salt& pepper. Pour egg mixture in the center and spread to fill hollowed out areas. Top the egg mixture the rest of the Gouda, onions and minced parsley. Drizzle some olive oil on top of flatbread including the edges.  Bake in oven for 25 minutes.
Serves 2

 

Mediterranean Chilean Sea Bass

Mediterranean Chilean Sea Bass
The Foil Boats Are A Great Way To Grill Fish!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients
4 Chilean Sea Bass Filet, skinless & boneless
2 gold potatoes, sliced thin
8 Campari tomatoes, halved
1 shallot, sliced thin
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 cups mixed medley olives, pitted & diced
2 tsp capers, minced
8 pickled Peppadew peppers, diced
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
juice of half lemon
1/2 stick butter, melted
olive oil
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Outdoor grill

Mandolin slicer

Small mixing bowl

Directions
Preheat grill on high, then reduce to medium high. Make foil boats and drizzle bottom with some olive oil, set aside. In a mixing bowl, add; olives, peppers, shallots, garlic, capers, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice and drizzle about 1 tbsp of olive oil and toss. Slice potatoes thin on a Mandolin. Layer potatoes at the bottom of foil boat, salt& pepper potatoes. Lay fish on top of potatoes and drizzle with some melted butter on each fish, lightly salt & pepper fish. Place halved tomatoes around each fish. Spoon olive mixture equally on top of each filet of fish.  Place on preheated grills and shut lid and cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on thickness.
Serves 4

Mango Panna Cotta

Mango Panna Cotta
The Perfectly Sweet Sunshine In A Glass!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 3-5 hours

 

Ingredients

1 ripe mango, peeled & diced

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1 packet of gelatin powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

whip cream

Cooking Tools

Small saucepan

Small mixing bowl

Blender 

Directions
Heat heavy cream, sugar in a saucepan to a simmer not a boil. Whisk cold milk and gelatin powder in a mixing bowl until dissolved. Whisk in hot cream into the milk and gelatin mixture and whisk.  Place fresh diced mango, vanilla extract and cream mixture into the blender and puree smooth. Pour into dessert glasses and place in refrigerator for a few hours to firm and chill.  Serve with whip cream.
Serves 2 

Summer Berry Pudding

Summer Berry Pudding
Summer Is Almost Over, So Get Your Berries On!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 6-8 hours

Ingredients

1 loaf of Brioche 

3 cups strawberries, sliced

3 cups blueberries + garnish

2 cups blackberries

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 cup sugar

whip cream

Cooking Tools

Round deep dish or loaf pan

Large saucepan

Directions
Cut loaf into 1/2 inch slices, cut off crust and slice into triangles. In a saucepan add berries, lemon juice and sugar and heat for 2-3 minutes and set aside to cool, create enough berry liquid. Pour some of the berry liquid on the bottom of dish.  Line a single layer of the Brioche to cover the bottom. Add enough berries to cover Brioche. Alternate layers of Brioche and berries with the last layer of Brioche. Cook's Note: If you want to invert the pudding, line the bottom and sides of dish with plastic wrap! Place plastic on top and a small plate and use a large can to weigh it down.  Refrigerate for 6-8 hours before serving.  Garnish with some fresh blueberries and fresh whip cream.
Serves 4

Creamy Potato & Ham Soup

Creamy Potato & Ham Soup
There Is Something Warm And Comforting About Soup!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time:  15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
8 cups ham stock
1 cup half & half
1 cup cream
2 yellow potatoes, diced
1 cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup smoked ham, diced
1 cup corn, frozen or canned
2 tbsp butter
minced chives for garnish
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Stock pot

Directions
In the pot, melt butter on medium heat.  Saute potatoes and onions for a few minutes.  Pour in ham stock and half & half and cook for 20 minutes on medium low. Add in cream, corn and ham.  Cook for 10 more minutes and salt & pepper to taste.  Serve with chopped minced chives.
Serves 4 

 

Low Country Salmon & Cheesy Grits

Low Country Salmon & Cheesy Grits

Easy, Breezy, Southern Comfort!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

(4) wild caught salmon filet, deboned & skinless

1 cup red pepper, small dice

1 cup green pepper, small dice

1 cup onions, small dice

4 tbsp butter, divided

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp parsley, minced

micro greens for garnish

salt

pepper 

Cooking Tools

Large nonstick skillet/fry pan

Medium pot 

Directions
Melt 1 tbsp butter in skillet on medium heat.  Saute green & red pepper and onions, add a small pinch of seasonings + salt & pepper.  Saute the vegetables for about 2 minutes then add minced parsley and remove from pan and set aside, keep warm.  Using the same pan, melt butter and olive oil on medium high heat.  Season salmon evenly on both sides with the rest of the seasonings.  Cook salmon about 4 minutes on each side.  Serve on top of Cheesy Grits (recipe below) and top with the cooked peppers, onions and micro greens.
Serves 4

 

Cheesy Grits

Ingredients

2 cups quick cook grits

6 cups water

1/2 cup half & half

1/2 stick butter

1/2 cup shredded white cheddar

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

salt

pepper

Directions
Boil water in a medium pot and whisk in grits.  Reduce heat to low and add some salt and butter. Quick cooking grits cooks in about 5 minutes.  Add in some half & half and cheese.  Season to taste, allow time for grits to thicken as it stands. 

Caprese Bread

Caprese Bread
Perfect With Some Spaghetti And Meatballs!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
1 baguette, white, wheat or multi-grain
1 tomato, sliced half rounds
1 fresh mozzarella ball, sliced half rounds
8-10 basil leaves
olive oil
balsamic glaze
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

Foil 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Slice loaf on an angle about 3/4 inch apart.  Drizzle inside slices with olive oil.  Place a tomato slice, mozzarella slice and a basil leaf into each slice, drizzle top with olive oil, salt & pepper.  Place on foil lined sheet pan and place in oven.  Bake for 15 minutes, drizzle with Balsamic glaze before serving.
Yields 1 loaf 

Halibut Pomodoro

Halibut Pomodoro
The Bright Tomato Sauce Is A Great Accompaniment For Fish!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Served On Top Of Fettuccine Alfredo!

Ingredients

4 Halibut filet

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 stick butter

2-3 tbsp olive oil

minced chives for garnish

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

2 nonstick skillet/ pan

Food processor

Directions
Season Halibut with garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper on both sides then coat all side with a light dusting of flour.  Heat olive oil and butter in pan on medium heat. Add in fish and cook for 3-4 minutes then flip and cook additional few minutes.  Serve with the Pomodoro sauce (recipe below) on top and garnish with minced chives.  Can be served on top of Fettuccine Alfredo, Polenta or Potatoes.
Serves 4

Pomodoro Sauce

Ingredients

2 (15)oz. cans San Marzano tomatoes

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp sugar

salt

Directions
Puree tomatoes in food processor.  I like to leave small bits and pieces for texture.
Heat olive oil in a pan on medium low.  Add in minced garlic and cook for a few minutes. Pour in pureed tomatoes, sugar and pinch of salt.  Cook for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.

 

 

Southern Egg Salad

Southern Egg Salad
Perfect For A Garden Party!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 2+ hours

Ingredients

4 baby peppers (optional)

5 hard boiled eggs

1/2 cup Mircle Whip Mayonnaise

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, minced

1 tbsp onions minced

1 tbsp green onions, minced

micro greens for garnish

pinch paprika

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Deep saucepan

Mixing bowl 

Directions
Cook, peel, separate cooked yolks from whites.  Small/mince chop the egg whites and set aside. Place cooked egg yolks in a mixing bowl, add; Mayonnaise, vinegar, cheddar cheese, onion, green onions, paprika, salt and pepper to taste. Slice tops of baby pepper and core out and seeds.  Scoop egg salad into hollow peppers for a fabulous presentation. Chill for 2+ hours in the refrigerator before serving.  Garnish with micro greens and tops of peppers.
Serves 4

Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass

Pan Fried Chilean Sea Bass
Topped With Roasted Garlic Butter
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Served With Cauliflower Puree!

Ingredients
4 Chilean Sea Bass Filet
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 stick butter
2 tbsp olive oil
minced chives

Cooking Tools

Large nonstick skillet/pan

Foil 

Directions
Pat dry fish and season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper. Lightly coat seasoned fish in flour on all side. In the pan melt butter and olive oil on medium heat. Fry filet several minutes on each side.  Cook fish until slightly firm. Top fish with a teaspoon of the Roasted Garlic Butter and garnish with minced chives.
Serves 4 

Roasted Garlic Butter
Ingredients
1 garlic bulb, sliced in half
olive oil
pinch of salt
1/2 stick butter, softened

Directions
Preheat oven 400 Degrees F.  Slice garlic bulb horizontal. You will only need half of bulb for this recipe. Place bulb in foil and drizzle cut side with olive oil and pinch of salt.  Wrap in foil and keep seam upright and place in oven and cook for 40 minutes, remove roasted cloves from foil and mince.  Fold garlic into the softened butter and refrigerate until slightly firm.  Place 1 tsp on top of cooked fish.

Mango BBQ Ribs

Mango BBQ Ribs
Make Your Own Tasty BBQ Sauce!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1 rack of ribs

1 ripe mango, diced

1 cup ketchup

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup onions, diced

1 tsp worchestershire sauce

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp harissa powder

salt

pepper

Cooking Tool

Outdoor grill

Saucepan

Food Processor

Directions
Preheat outdoor grill on medium low.  Coat ribs evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, Harissa, salt & pepper.  Grill ribs for 1 hour, turning on occasion. Prepare Mango BBQ sauce while the ribs are cooking. Place diced fresh ripe mangoes, ketchup, garlic, onions, worchestershire sauce, vinegar and brown sugar.  Cook on medium heat until mangoes and onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Place sauce ingredients in food processor and puree until smooth.  Pour puree back in saucepan and salt and pepper to taste, keep warm.  Baste ribs with the Mango BBQ sauce the last 15-20 of cooking. Save some sauce to pour on top of cooked ribs.
Serves 2