Starters

Queso Fundido

It the party season and it seems that every night of the week there is a party of some sort to attend. It is so much fun to see friends and catch up over a cocktail and yummy food and remember that calories don’t count during the month of December:)

This is an amazing dip that everyone will love. I would not suggest serving it a formal dinner or party, but for a casual get together with your book club to celebrate the holidays it is perfect! I also would not suggest taking this to a party if you are asked to bring a dip. You can if you know the host really well, but the host asked you to bring something to help them, not to give them one more task like heating the oven for your or finding a serving bowl or spoon. Just be considerate of the host and how crazed they are when throwing a party.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and send me any questions or thoughts!

8-10 oz Chorizo

1 clove garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon pickled […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:34:34+00:00December 5th, 2017|Starters|0 Comments

Spiced Whiskey Cocktail

We all need a cocktail recipe in our back pocket for holiday get-togethers and this one is delicious! It tastes like a grown up fall apple cider and it goes down very easy:) You can make a large pitcher of this and just pour over ice when your guests begin to arrive. I will be serving this before Thanksgiving dinner!

This cocktail does not require a lot of random ingredients that only bartenders have on hand. The ingredients are simple and easy to find in your grocery store. And, obviously you can serve this all year round, but right now during the fall months you can find the most amazing apple ciders in the stores and they just make this drink event that much better. I found a Honeycrisp Apple Cider-AMAZING on its own and even more amazing with whiskey in it:)

Enjoy and send me your thoughts and questions!

Makes 1 cocktail

4 oz. apple cider

1 oz. carmel syrup (the kind you put in coffee)

1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 oz. whiskey

Pour all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:34:45+00:00November 15th, 2017|Starters|0 Comments

Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Ok, so now that you have Thanksgiving dinner covered and breakfast covered you need snacks for guests. Or you might be asked to bring an appetizer to Thanksgiving dinner or a party. These Buffalo Chicken Meatballs are DELICIOUS! And they are easy to make, especially if you use a melon baller to help scoop them into perfect balls.

One piece of advice is to not over cook these! Chicken is very lean and if you over cook them they will be tough. In my oven they take about 13 minutes and they are perfect!

Enjoy! Send thoughts and questions!

Makes about 2 dozen

1 1/2lb. ground chicken or turkey

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1 large egg, beaten

1 stick celery, finely minced

2 green onions, green part only, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup Franks Buffalo Wing Sauce-divided

1/4 cup Ranch dressing

1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles

Preheat oven to 400Â°

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, panko bread crumbs, egg, celery, green onions, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper and 2 Tablespoons Franks […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:11+00:00November 15th, 2017|Starters|1 Comment

Hummus

Hummus is one of those things we always have in the fridge at my house because it is a great snack with raw veggies or crackers. I typically buy the pre-made hummus at the grocery store, but it always has this metal taste or mass produced taste that just kinda bugs me. SO…I started messing around with recipes to see if I could make my own and I came up with a perfect, quick, EASY recipe for homemade hummus.

As I have said before, I am not one of those moms that makes everything from scratch because it is better for my precious babies. NO, I make stuff from scratch because it tastes better-forget the kids! 🙂 BUT, I am not going to raise my own chickens to have fresh eggs or make my own yogurt. I draw the line at ease. It must be easy for me to make it from scratch. Very rarely do I tackle a complicated recipe so you can rest assure that this hummus recipe is easy and will take you about 4 minutes to make and it tastes […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:11+00:00October 29th, 2017|Starters|0 Comments

White Beans with Rosemary and Garlic

It has been a long week and its only Thursday! We have not been home one night for a family dinner so I am excited to have everyone around the table tonight to talk about their day and week and of course answer trivia questions:) Yes, my family plays trivia every night at the table. It helps the conversation and keeps them at the table longer because once dinner is over everyone goes to their rooms to do homework or more importantly answer snapchats! So the longer I can keep them the longer we can hang out with them without them really thinking we are having family time.

This is a recipe that I make all year round, but it is so comforting especially in the fall and winter. It is easy to make and it reheats beautifully, although it does not freeze well. I think that white beans turn gritty when they are frozen and thawed. This is obviously a side dish, but you can take this to a party and serve it with toasted baguette slices or crackers […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:12+00:00October 12th, 2017|Starters, Sides|0 Comments

Herbed Ricotta Crostini with Radishes

I was about to type that I think spring is my favorite time of year for food, but then I realized that I love all the seasons for different reasons. When every season arrives I am ready for the change of flavors. And right now with spring in full swing I am loving all that it has to offer. I love the herbs, the vegetables, the colors, the fruit…. Its all so happy and bright and delicious!

I could never be one of those people that eats to just put fuel in their bodies. I love the textures, colors, smells, and even the memories that food brings to life. I cannot live on protein bars and egg whites. I just can’t do it. And I guess the means that I will always be 10 pounds over weight:) Oh well!

I do try and eat as healthy as possible, but I am not going to deprive myself of good food, especially if I am at a fabulous restaurant. But, one of the benefits of cooking at home is that you get to see […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:13+00:00May 4th, 2017|Starters, Sides|0 Comments

Rosemary Greyhound

You always need to have a cocktail at a brunch, especially if there is family there! The typical drink is a Bloody Mary, but I thought I would try something new this year. A Rosemary Greyhound is so springy and light and is perfect for an Easter brunch.

The only thing that takes a bit of time is making the rosemary simple syrup. It only takes about 5 minutes to make, but you need to let it cool for about an hour. So, this is a great thing to make the day before that way it is cooled and ready to make cocktails when your guests arrive. And, if you are hosting you can make yourself a cocktail BEFORE your guests arrive:)

Cheers!!

Makes about 6 cocktails

Rosemary Simple Syrup

2 cups water

2 cups sugar

6 springs of Rosemary

Cocktail

1/4 cup vodka

1 Tablespoon simple syrup

1/2 cup grapefruit juice

Rosemary spring for garnish

Ice

Simple Syrup:

In a sauce pan dissolve the sugar in the water over medium heat. It will take about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil or it will turn to caramel.

Once all […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:14+00:00April 10th, 2017|Starters, Breakfast & Brunch|0 Comments

Boiled Shrimp with Spicy Cocktail Sauce

I don’t think I have been to one buffet where they don’t have boiled shrimp or crab claws and now I know why. I have never really thought about until I began putting this menu together. If you are cooking a large menu you need to have items that are easy and simple and don’t take up a lot of brain power. Boiled shrimp is it! Everyone loves it and it looks fancy and it takes about 4 minutes to prepare-I swear!!!

I buy the tail on, easy peel, raw, frozen shrimp 21-25. Which means that when you buy 1 pound of shrimp you should get anywhere between 21-25 shrimp in that pound. So, obviously the bigger the number the smaller the shrimps. When you are serving boiled shrimp as a dish alone you want the largest shrimp you can find or afford. And buying frozen means that you can buy in advance and thaw when you are ready.

You can peel the shells off if you want or you can boil the shrimp with the shells on and let your […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:14+00:00April 10th, 2017|Starters, Meats & Fish, Breakfast & Brunch|0 Comments

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I have been waiting all year to make this dip. It truly is one of the best dips on the planet! Ask anyone that has ever tried it and they will say “it’s addicting”. There are absolutely no redeeming qualities about it-it is calorie laden, cholesterol laden and I am certain one day they will find that buffalo sauce causes some form of cancer. But, it is soooo good!

On Super Bowl Sunday there will be 1.33 BILLION wings eaten. I have to say that I love the flavor, spice and blue cheese of buffalo wings, but I really, really hate eating the wing. I don’t love the fatty skin or eating around the bones. I seem to be in the minority of this discussion, but I know there are others out there that feel the way I do??? Well, if you are like me then this is the buffalo wing for you! It tastes just like a pile of wings, but is much easier to eat.

There really are no measurements to this recipe-just as much or as little as you […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:35:03+00:00February 4th, 2017|Starters|2 Comments

Beer Cheese Dip

It’s here! The day we have all been waiting for since Thanksgiving. Yes, it’s Super Bowl Sunday! The second most fattening day of the year. I have been told that calories don’t count on Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday. Man, I hope they are right!

Just to give you an idea of the food consumption on the big day-Dominos Pizza sells approximately 11 million slices of pizza, 100 million pounds of guacamole will be consumed and $1.2 billion will be spent on BEER. That is a crap ton of beer! If you are like me and you prefer wine then us wine drinkers will only spend about $590 million on wine. Mere chump change:)

So, if you are attending a party or throwing one you are probably looking for some things to bring or serve. The following recipe is really easy and everyone loves it. I suggest putting it on the buffet table in a crock pot so that it stays warm and you don’t have to keep re-heating it.

And… by making this dip you are contributing to the $1.2 billion in […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:15+00:00February 4th, 2017|Starters|0 Comments

Arugula Salad

I love arugula! Not everyone does because it has a very strong flavor, but hey its not stronger than the it’s hip kale counterpart. You can put arugula in everything! Wilt it in a soup, serve it raw with lemon and olive oil, put it on a sandwich. It’s just so good! It’s peppery and kinda lemony. Give it a try.

I don’t know about you, but if I get the main course cooked I feel like I won a prize! I can barely think about sides and salads, especially if they take any brain power. This salad is an awesome no brainer salad. It literally takes about 4 minutes. And, you can make it while you are preparing the main course and yelling at your kids to help set the table or feed the dog or do their homework, is that only my house? Anyway, you can put this salad together and because the arugula is so hearty it can sit with the dressing on it for 20-30 minutes and it won’t affect the taste. I have to do things […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:17+00:00January 9th, 2017|Starters, Soups & Salads, Sides|0 Comments

Citrus Salad with Honey Lime Drizzle

During the winter I crave fruit, especially citrus fruit. We go through a lot of oranges, grapefruits and tangerines and I peel every one! Because my precious offspring just cannot do it. They can whip a lacrosse ball 75 miles an hour into a goal, but they cannot peel an orange. Go figure! But, I guess that is why they keep me around:)

This is a great salad to serve with dinner or for a snack after school. My kids love it! It’s tangy and sweet and so refreshing.

When making this salad you are going to peel the fruit with a paring knife. Make sure your knife is sharp and cut off the ends off first. Set the orange on the cutting board with the flat cut off end on the board. Using your knife cut the peel and pith (the white layer between the fruit and the peel) off in strips. Once all the peel is off, cut the orange into rings. Do not worry about it looking perfect. Just do your best to get off all the white parts […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:17+00:00January 9th, 2017|Starters, Sides|0 Comments

Rosemary and Olive No Knead Bread

Happy New Year! The holidays are over and everyone is on their gym/juicing resolution. How long do your resolutions last? I personally am not into the detox, juicing, fasting thing. Many, many of my friends are and more power to them, but, I just can’t. The other day I went and bought $50 worth of cold-presssed, fresh juice. I tried, I promise I tried, but I just couldn’t do it. They are SO gross! I would rather have 5-10 pounds to loose than drink that stuff. But, to each his own! In the Hood house we try to strike a balance of healthy and bad-80% good and 20% bad. I don’t want my kids to worry about food/calories their whole lives. I want them to enjoy food sitting around the table and forming relationships over a fabulous long dinner. I feel like if they exercise and eat reasonably well then thats all I can ask for. Life is way too short to not eat the dessert or the steak.

Now, with all that being said… I do try very hard […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:17+00:00January 9th, 2017|Starters, Breakfast & Brunch|0 Comments

Egg Nog Martini

It’s Saturday and it’s almost Christmas so that means parties and more parties. If you are hosting one of these festive occasions this is a great drink to get your guests in the holiday spirit. Now, I know a lot of people don’t like eggnog, mostly because of the texture. But, if you mix store-bought eggnog (I mean who in the world has time to make their own eggnog??) with vodka and a few other yummy ingredients then you get the hint of eggnog without the thick calorie laden drink you are thinking of.

This recipe is not some new innovative drink I created-it has been around for many, many years, but I do tweak the traditional recipes, because why not? I add Frangelico instead of Amaretto, but if you prefer almond flavor over hazelnut then by all means use Amaretto. Also, I like to garnish the rims with sugar and cinnamon, but you can also garnish with sugar and nutmeg or nutmeg and cinnamon….

This drink is easy to make in large batches and just leave in a carafe in an ice bowl […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:17+00:00December 17th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Southwest Spicy Chicken Bites

I promise I will post something about everyday weeknight meals, but it is the holiday season and that means small bites. People ask me all the time what they can serve that is easy to eat, not messy and not sweet. This is one of my go to recipes. You can put it out on a buffet or you can pass them on a tray easily. I am not sure when I came up with this recipe or where the inspiration came from, but this is not some crazy, out of the blue appetizer. I am sure many, many people have very similar recipes in their back pocket.

So here is my yummy, go-to party appetizer. Be sure and make a lot because they do go fast since they are easy to pop in your mouth and hold on to your very important cocktail.

Makes about 20 bites

1 large chicken breast, cut into bite sized cubes

1/2 lb. thin cut bacon

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Preheat oven to 350Â°

Line a […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:17+00:00December 11th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Hot Crawfish Dip

A very dear friend of mine, Rebecca, introduced me to this amazing dip! She served it at her annual Christmas party several years ago and I remember about 4 of us stood around the food table and devoured this dip. It was SO good! It is rich, creamy, spicy and just YUM.

I asked her for the recipe and I have made it a million times since then. Every time I serve it or take it to a happy hour people rave over it.

If you cannot find crawfish (I normally find it in the frozen section near the frozen shrimp) then you can use shrimp or even lobster. You only need about 2 small lobster tails and I see them all the time in the fish department for about $8 a tail.

It is best to serve this dip in a chafing dish, but if you do not have one then just remember to re-heat the dip every now an then throughout the party, if it lasts that long.

1 (16oz) package frozen crawfish tails (thawed, rinsed and […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:35:26+00:00December 11th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Thanksgiving Stove Top Potpourri

The week has finally arrived-Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday as I have mentioned before. No gifts to worry about, no tree to decorate, no holiday work parties… just food, drink and family.

If you are hosting people this week and your house is a disaster, like mine, do not fear. I swear our gremlin, Bill, comes in the middle of the night and messes everything up just to screw with me! Yes, we do have a gremlin. We named him Bill-I have no idea why. But, he comes in the middle of the night and moves my youngest son’s shoes so he cannot find them in the morning which causes extreme stress, yelling, crying….and Bill always gets blamed-never my son, go figure! Anyway, I digress. If you are hosting people and you are trying to get your house to look like a pinterest photo, good luck, but here is a quick way to welcome your guests. Just put on a pot of stove top potpourri and your house will smell like the holidays instantly. Hand your guests a stiff drink the minute […]

Stefani Hood2019-12-03T20:08:57+00:00November 21st, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Blue Cheese and Pear Tart

So, I was at Costco (the greatest place on earth) and they had PEARS! My family loves pears. I promptly bought two boxes, yes that is 24 pears. Seems like a lot, right? Nope-they are almost all gone. We use them in smoothes in the morning, snacks after school, in yogurt… They are such a great fruit and very Fallish.

The other day I was thinking about Fall and how I wish it would get here! I mean it is the end of October and it is 90 degrees. I am not sure that we are ever going to see Fall. I am hot and cranky and I need some cool weather-now! But since I can’t make it turn cooler I have been thinking about how I could make some cool weather dishes. Specifically how I could use some of the pears I bought in an appetizer that could be served at a party since party season is right around the corner. But, I wanted to come up with an dish that the pears did not turn brown while sitting […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:19+00:00October 20th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Grilled Artichokes

Ah artichokes! I love them and thankfully so does my entire family. If I see fresh artichokes in the grocery store I immediately buy a few. They have a short season of March to May with normally a bumper crop in October. Well…its October!!!

I was at Costco (one of my favorite places on earth) and they had a bag of 4 artichokes that looked beautiful so of course I bought them. Side note, be sure and buy the ones that are green, firm and heavy. They need to look fresh, not brown on the tips and starting to flower out.

Once you get home with your fresh artichokes try and cook them within a couple days. Store them in the fridge until you are ready to use. When that time comes, snip off the thorns on the tips of the leaves with kitchen shears and cut off the end of the stem, but not all of it-it is edible.

This vegetable looks daunting, but it is one of the easiest side dishes or appetizers to make. And, they are fun to eat […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:19+00:00October 17th, 2016|Starters, Sides|0 Comments

Apple Cider Cocktail

It’s Fall and that means Homecoming! The football games are in full swing and the parties and tailgates are in even more full swing. Let’s face it that the reason we have Homecoming is so that we have an excuse to get together and have a party!

When you think of Homecoming you think of crisp evenings and falling leaves. That is unless you live in the South. We do not get our Fall until about October so the September tailgates and parties are still a bit warm. But, we want it to be Fall so bad! So, how do we make it feel like Fall when it is 93 degrees outside? We put the pumpkins out and we serve “fallish” dishes. Here is a cocktail that is perfect for those warm Fall nights, or days:) It is not served hot and it still has a bit of a refreshing hint to it. Plus, it is a great way to use up all the basil that you have planted, before it dies.

Makes 1 drink

2 oz. Vodka (or 4 […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:20+00:00September 17th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Apricot Bacon Bites

Sweet and Salty is the perfect flavor combination. Who does not like it? It’s seems like it shouldn’t work, but we just can’t get enough of it. It’s addictive! Think of salted caramels, chocolate covered pretzels or kettle corn. YUM!

I have learned that if I give my kids fruit (sweet) along with pretzels (salty) they will eat more fruit. See I am a good mom I get nutrients in them without them even knowing:) I just hope a study doesn’t come out saying that those gummy vitamins cause them to go blind.

This recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. It takes a bit more time, but it is not hard. Be sure and make a lot of these because they will be gone in a flash. I made these for a party this summer and they were the first appetizer gone!

Makes 30 Pieces

4oz. goat cheese, let come to room temperature

1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

30 apricots

10 slices thin cut bacon, cut into thirds

toothpicks

Preheat oven to 350Â°

In a small bowl, mix together the goat cheese and […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:20+00:00September 5th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Now that summer is officially over and you have to put away the linen, even though it is still 112 degrees outside, the “party” season begins. Not the holiday season, but the tailgate, dinner club, football watching party season. I personally think Fall is the best time of the year. The weather cools off and football is on, ALL the time, and everyone is looking forward to the holidays and the food. It’s just an exciting time of year.

So, you get invited to a friend’s house for an event and you need to bring something so you don’t show up empty handed. But, you do not have much time because you have been sitting at precious elementary or middle school football games, lacrosse games or cheer competitions ALL day. What is a guest supposed to do?? You don’t want to bring onion dip in the plastic container from the grocery store, ick! Bring this dip! Everyone will love it and it takes about 5 minutes to put it together. And, if you want to make it in advance it only […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:21+00:00September 5th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

BBQ Stuffed Potato Skins

I love to cook, but I have become a permanent resident in the kitchen this summer. My 13 year old is eating EVERYTHING! The other day we met some friends for family happy hour at a restaurant near a park. All the kids were playing at the park throwing the football and having a blast. And, all the adults were having cocktails and ordering small snacks to nibble on, but my son ordered a 12oz. steak, instead of playing football. He ate the entire thing then ordered fried calamari! He was at the other end of the table from me so I had no idea this was going on. So, I apologize to the other guests who split the tab with us…I owe ya!

After we got home from happy hour my son asked me to make him a sandwich-can you say puberty!!! I am at the grocery store every day. I love the grocery store, but this is getting ridiculous. But, since we are still up in Colorado I have had some time to try some new recipes in between […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:21+00:00July 31st, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Jalapeno Poppers

They say that eating spicy foods during hot summer months helps cool you down. I am not sure about that, but it does explain why a lot of spicy foods comes from the Caribbean and Mexico. Regardless, I think the reason spicy food cools you down is because your normally guzzle an ice cold beer or cocktail after a spicy meal. I like a little bit of spice-not too much. I want to be able to taste the food I am eating, not just the heat.

This jalapeÃ±o appetizer is very easy, but looks and tastes complicated. Serve these fabulous little bites with a cold beer or a Berry Mojito. I put these out while I was finishing up the burgers I was making and they were gone in about 5 minutes. So be sure and make a lot!

Makes 24 pieces

12 small jalapeÃ±os

8oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon garlic powder

12 slices bacon

Preheat oven to 400Â°

Cut jalapeÃ±os in half and remove the seeds and veins.

In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, shredded cheese and garlic […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:22+00:00June 28th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Berry Mojito

Start the weekend off with a cool, light, refreshing cocktail. I promise even the guys will like this drink. It is not too sweet and not pink so most guys will be ok holding this in their hand at a party:)

This cocktail uses all the beautiful berries that are in season right now. It is not your traditional mojito because of the obvious addition of berries, but it also uses less mint, which I like. Plus, it is just so summery and goes down oh so easy!

Makes 1 Cocktail

1 Tablespoon Fresh Blueberries

2 Fresh Strawberries, diced

2 large mint leaves, torn into small pieces (save a few leaves for garnish)

1 Tablespoon lime juice (about 1/2 a lime)

1 teaspoon simple syrup

2 oz. white rum

Club Soda

Ice

In a cocktail glass muddle the berries and mint. Add simple syrup, lime juice and rum.

Fill the glass with ice and add club soda.

Garnish with mint leaves and a lime wedge.

Notes:

Simple syrup can be bought in the liquor store or grocery store. Or you can easily make your own- in a medium sauce pan bring to […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:22+00:00June 24th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Perfect Iced Tea

In the South or in Texas-you know we are our own entity:) But anyway, in the summer in the South it is HOT and we drink a lot of iced tea. There is even a restaurant you can drive thru and pick up a large iced tea, in a styrofoam cup, of course, for $1.46!

I remember my grandmother would make a pot of regular iced tea and a pot of sweet iced tea every morning. When I would visit I would drink that entire pot of sweet tea. I say pot because she would make it in an old coffee pot. And, every night with dinner my mom would give us a large glass of iced tea. Looking back I am not sure how I went to sleep at night.

Even though my brother in law is from Philadelphia he drinks iced tea ALL day! When he comes to visit he goes through pitchers and pitchers of the stuff. And can you blame him? It is the perfect summer cool drink with a kick of caffeine. But, but… there is a trick or […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:36:03+00:00June 15th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Beer Margarita

There is a secret among moms who have kids that play sports. If at all possible and the timing is right we are drinking at our kids games. I mean, come on, there are only so many flag football, lacrosse, basketball, baseball games you can get excited about your little darling playing.

So, when my middle son was on a flag football team the games were always on a Thursday at about 5pm at a park down the street. A good friend of mine, Pam Adams, would bring big pitchers of Beer Margaritas. They were SO good! Now whenever I have one it brings back such good memories of friends, spring nights and my 4th grade pro athlete.

Print

Beer Margarita

Serves 4-6 or 1-2 depending on the day you have had

1 light beer (Corona)

1 can frozen limeade

1 can of tequila (use the limeade can)

1 can of water (use the limeade can)

1 lime, cut into slices or wedges

Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher.

Serve over ice with a lime wedge

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:23+00:00May 24th, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Bruschetta

Well, I think we made it! I don’t want to celebrate too soon, but we only have 5 days left of school. My kids, me, the dogs… are so ready for school to get out for summer. Now, because I am a woman I reserve the right to change my excitement to counting down days until school starts… that will begin in about 2 weeks. But for now we are fired up about sleeping in and not “requesting” that homework gets done. Frankly, after this year I do not care if my kid’s brains turn to mush this summer just as long as I don’t have to fight about, “read your book”, “study for Spanish” or “go to BED”. Can you hear my voice? Just imagine Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Wah, Wah” and that is what my kids hear.

Back to the topic at hand-food! This week we have a lot of “end-of-the-year” parties and I hate showing up empty handed so this is a good go-to recipe. Bruschetta is a perfect summer appetizer because the tomatoes are ripe and the basil is growing like a […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:23+00:00May 23rd, 2016|Starters|0 Comments

Bellinis

Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE champagne. And yes there is a difference in champagne, not all are created equal. Most people only open a bottle for a celebration and if thats you then splurge and buy the good stuff. DO NOT buy that crappy AndrÃ© or Cooks stuff. Don’t waste your money or the calories. Throw down $30-$50 and buy a nice bottle of champagne. You don’t need to spend $100 on a good bottle of champagne or sparkling wine.

However, after saying all that I would not splurge if you are going to be making a cocktail such as a bellini. If you like sweet use a Prosecco. If you like a bit more dry go with a bottle of Gruet Brut.

Bellinis are the perfect drink to serve at a sip and see (you all know what that is, right?), a wedding shower, Easter brunch… Its springy and light and sweet. I like blueberries floating in mine, but you can use raspberries or put a strawberry on the edge of the glass.

You can make a pitcher of these if you […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:24+00:00April 29th, 2016|Starters, Breakfast & Brunch|0 Comments

Candied Bacon

Bacon! Oh yes the other white meat:) I mean who doesn’t like bacon? If you raised your hand you need to just stop reading right now! I’m not talking about that “turkey” bacon, I’m talking about BACON! My kids think that a plate of bacon is a meal, ha!

Ok, ok I do buy the uncured bacon only because it’s right next to the cured bacon and I am trying to be healthy. Seriously, there is no real taste difference in the two, just buy your favorite brand.

The trick to this bacon is the corn meal it gives it some crunch. If I am serving these for a party then cut the bacon into thirds and serve them in a bowl. Your guests will LOVE them!

1lb. thick cut bacon (thick cut is key)

3 cups brown sugar

3 Tablespoons yellow corn meal

Preheat oven to 350Â°

Line a baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil. Place a baking rack or cookie cooling rack on
top of foil. Spray with cooking spray.

In a mixing […]

Stefani Hood2018-02-15T21:28:25+00:00April 11th, 2016|Starters, Breakfast & Brunch|0 Comments

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