Party Sliders

Eventually I was going to have to try these bite size sliders that are being posted all over Pinterest and various food boards--my reason being that they are a fantastic idea for any college apartment hosting game day, the Sunday or Monday night football, March Madness, or any other event with a crowd.

After I tried them, it seemed self-evident that multiple variations exist:  Roast Beef & Cheddar, Caprese with pesto and mozzarella, or Turkey Club.  Really, experiment with this one, modify, try it out!  

Equipment:

Baking sheet with edges

PAM Spray

Knife

Small Mixing Bowl

Ingredients:

1 12-pack Hawaiian King Dinner Rolls, remove from packaging

Slices of honey ham

Slices of Swiss cheese

1/3 cup mayo

1/3 cup miracle whip

Sauce:

1 Tbls poppyseeds

1 1/2 Tbls mustard (grainy or yellow mustard)

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 Tbls onion, finely minced

1/2 tsp Worchestershire 

Instructions:

1. Wash Your Hands.

2. Preheat Oven 350F degrees.

3. Slice rolls horizontally and mince your onion.

4. Spread each side of the rolls with mayo / miracle whip mixture.

5. Add layer of ham.

6. Add layer of cheese

7. If you want tomatoes, pickles here...now's your chance.

8. Finish with the top half of the rolls.

9. Combine all ingredients of the sauce and brush over tops of the rolls.

10. Cover with foil and bake x 15 minutes (or longer) to ensure cheese is melting.

11. Remove foil and brown tops until golden brown.

12. Use a large knife to separate the rolls at the pre-cut lines.

13. Offer to the crowd.

An Omelet For Anthony

Yes, another post on making eggs, and this one is for Anthony.  Anthony is one of Jon's  friends who commented that "it's kinda hard cooking on your own." And,  he needed something simple, "like an omelet."

Funny thing...eggs look easy, but that's just it, they take several rounds of practice.  Writing this blog took three tries in order to break down the recipe for our novice cook Anthony...and to get the pictures right.

So, here you have it: The Basic Omelet For Anthony!

Equipment:

8" non-stick skillet

Rubber spatula or small flat spatula

Small mixing bowl

Measuring spoons

Ingredients:

1 tsp butter

2 large eggs

2 Tbls milk or cream

Salt & Pepper

2 Tbls sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Whisk the eggs, milk, pinch of salt and pepper together.

3. Melt your butter in the skillet over MEDIUM--eggs are sensitive beings and have to cook slowly.

4. Add your egg mixture.

5. Do not touch the egg mixture.  Let it cook and begin congealing.

6. After 2-3 minutes, swirl the pan to keep the liquid egg moving. But do not move or scrape.

7. Add your cheese.  (If you like other ingredients, like ham, peppers...you add them here)

8. As less and less egg remains liquid, lift the sides with a rubber spatula and separate the edges.

9. Gently roll the egg onto itself or fold it in half.

10. Turn the heat off.

11. Flip it one last time and slide it onto your plate with toast and hot sauce or ketchup.

12. Please don't starve Anthony!  This egg's for you.

Tailgating Hot And Cold

Football season is notorious for eating poorly and excessively.  It's one of those facts of life and being part of tailgating on a college campus, or anywhere for that matter.

Of course, no one ever wants to gain weight or fulfill the prediction of the "Freshman (or College) Fifteen", but that shouldn't prevent you from being social, having fun or contributing...right?

So here's a way around that--have it both ways! Bring two items to the party--one that's hot, spicy and "health-challenged":  Hot Jalapeño Cheese Dip--and the other, crunchy, simple and "better-for-you": Cool Cucumber Munchers. No need to stress. Don't be left out! Something for everyone!

To avoid confusion the recipes will be posted in sequence.

Hot Jalapeno Cheddar Corn Dip

(Original recipe calls for bacon.  I would recommend skipping that!)

Equipment:

8 x 10 Pyrex Oven-proof dish

Knife, for chopping

Mixing bowl

Ingredients:

(3 slices of bacon, diced and cooked crispy)

2 8 oz packages of 1/3 reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

4-6 jalapeños, chopped and deseeded--leave some with seeds if you like it hot and fiery!

1 cup corn kernels

1 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar

1/2 cup of mozzarella 

1/3 cup of green onions, sliced

For the topping:

1 cup of crushed Ritz crackers

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 stick butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

3. Make the bacon if you choose to use this.

4. Make the topping in a small bowl combining crushed crackers, cheese and butter. Set aside.

5. Combine the first 8 ingredients (bacon to green onions) into a bowl and mix well.

6. Transfer cream cheese mixture to the pyrex baking dish.  Choose size depending how thick you want the dip to be.  For thicker dip you will need to add extra baking time vs. thinner dip.

7. Sprinkle crumbled cracker mixture evenly on top.

8. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

9. Have your crackers waiting.

10. This is a great recipe to make the night before, put it in the fridge, and bake the next day when ready.

While that's baking, move on to your next success.

Cool Cucumber Munchers

Do not be deceived by the simplicity or that this entails cucumbers.

Equipment:

Oven or Toaster Oven

Baking Sheet

Mixing Bowl

Knife, for chopping and spreading

Ingredients:

1 French Baguette, small diameter

1-2 English Cucumbers or Regular Cucumbers, sliced 1/4" thick to fit bread round

4 oz of goat cheese / Chèvre  

1 clove garlic, minced

1-2 tsp of Fresh herbs, such as oregano, parsley and marjoram, chopped

Salt & Pepper

Tajin Chili Seasoning (optional and can be bought in Mexican / International Grocery stores.  Worth the investment since this is an ingredient used in several recipes that Jon has requested)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Alternately peel the cucumber and slice into 1/4" rounds.

2. Slice the baguette into 1/4" rounds and toast slightly.

3. Combine the soft goat cheese with garlic, herbs, S & P, and a pinch of Tajin (if available)

4. Spread cream cheese mixture on to bread rounds.

5. Top with a slice of cucumber and a dash of Tajin

6. Place on a platter or put them in a Tupperware to travel to the game wherever that may be.

7. Be safe and have fun!