Hurricane Sandy Relief Holiday Drive

My husband and I along with our families have decided to not exchange gifts this year instead we are purchasing gifts for the victims of Hurricane Sandy which hit NY/NJ.  If you have any young children that would like to make holiday cards for the victims please let me know and I can send you an address to mail them to.  These people either lost their house, job, or what is left of their house they had significant damage to.  Please help us in making their holiday better.  Also if you would like to donate any new toys or gifts for adults let me know.

Help Hurricane Sandy Victims

I know this is not food related....well actually it is.  There are thousands of people near me that lost everything in the wake of hurricane sandy.  They have no shelter, basic necessities, and no FOOD.  My husband and I wanted to do something to help so we turned our house into a donation center.  We had a ton of our family and friends come by and donate items that are needed and a HUGE shipment going out tomorrow morning to the affected areas.  Here are some pictures of the devastation in our area.


PLEASE if you are willing to help go to http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/01/14861838-hurricane-sandy-how-you-can-help?lite.


Photos
Photos1

My sister in law and I collecting items to donate.

Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Pepperoni Pizza Dip

1 pk (8oz) cream cheese
2 cups of pizza sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/2 tsp dried basil

Heat oven to 350.  In a shallow baking dish spread cream cheese, then tomato sauce, pepperoni then top with mozzarella cheese and sprinkle basil on top.  Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.  Serve with chips or crostini bread.

Garlic Ciabatta Pizza Bites

My poor mother had surgery on her mouth and when she see's this she is going to be so upset because she can't eat it.  Sorry Ma' I will make you some when you can eat :)

1 loaf garlic ciabatta bread

2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

2 cups pizza sauce

add your favorite toppings

Heat oven to 350.  Cut load of bread in half lengthwise.  Add tomato sauce and full cover bread.  Top with mozzarella and then add your favorite toppings.  Cook for 20 minutes or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.  Cut into bite size pieces and serve

Mini Italian Ham & Cheese Frittata

6 large eggs

1/2 cup cubed cooked ham

1/2 cup shredded Italian Cheese Blend

Preheat oven to 350.  Place eggs in a bowl whisk with a fork.  Add ham & cheese.  Place mixture into a mini muffin tin.  ONly fill each one half way.  Bake for 15 minutes or until eggs are cooked.  To make sure eggs are cooked place a tooth pick in the middle and remove.  The toothpick should be clean and have no egg on it.  Plate and serve.  Great for the road or for brunch.  

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Cups

1 package of cookie dough
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugare
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Using a mini muffin tin place cookie dough on the bottom and slightly press to have cookie dough on the side (making it look like a cup).  Only fill the cup half way.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, set aside and cool.  TIP:  5 minutes into cooking remove the muffin tin for the oven and slightly press down on each cookie with a spoon to ensure it keeps its cup shape.  Place back in the oven and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes.

In a glass bowl add cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.  Beat well with a hand mixer.  Place mixture into each cooled cup and top with chocolate chips.  Serve or place in the fridge.

Peanut Butter Cup Apple Bites

1 cup crushed heath bar

1 cup crushed granola

2 apples

1 package Baker's Dipping Chocolate (cook per directions on package)

1 cup peanut butter

Cut apples into bite size pieces and place a tooth pick in each slice.  Dip in peanut butter then in melted chocolate.  Top with either crushed heath bar or granola and place on a tray covered in parchment paper.  Once finished place in the fridge for 1 hour or overnight.  Plate and serve.  Great for parties or for kids.  

Garlic Chicken & Broccoli w/ Fresh Mozzarella

4 chicken breast cubed
1 lb pasta
2 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp olive oil
2 cups broccoli
2 cups cubed fresh mozzarella
1 packet knoor condensed chicken stock
salt & pepper to taste

Boil water and add pasta.  When pasta is cooked drain and place back into the pot.

While pasta is cooking add add oil and garlic in a separate skillet and cook for 1 minute on medium heat.  Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.  Then add condensed chicken stock and cook for 2 minutes or until stock becomes liquid.  Reduce heat to low and add broccoli.  Mix well and cook for 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender.  Place mixture on top of pasta and then add mozzarella.  This is a great healthy, quick and easy meal to prepare.  It makes enough for 4 people or 2 with left overs for lunch the next day.

BBQ Chicken Crescent Cups w/ Bacon & Cheese

2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1 cup 4 cheese mexican cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cider vinegar
1 green onion chopped
1 package crescent rolls or dough sheet
3 strips of cooked bacon, crumbled
1/4 cup brown sugar BBQ sauce


In a glass bowl mix all ingredients except crescent rolls.  Mix well, ensure all of the chicken is coated.

If using crescent rolls: Unroll dough then separate into 4 rectangles. Firmly press perforations to seal. If using dough sheet: Unroll dough; cut into 4 rectangles.

Cut each into 6 squares. For bigger cups cut into 4 squares.  Gently press squares into 24 ungreased miniature muffin cups (dough will not completely cover inside of cup; do not press too much).

Add chicken mixture to each cup.  Do not overfill.  

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are deep golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes.  Gently remove and plate. 

Baked Asparagus & Red Potatoes

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 small onion chopped

3 cups chopped red potatoes

2 cups sliced asparagus

3 tbsp butter cubed

3 tbsp olive oil

paprika, salt and pepper to taste

In a baking dish add all ingredients, mix well and cover.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.  Serve with Provolone & Garlic Pork Chops.  Click here for recipe

Provolone & Garlic Pork Chops

Provolone & Garlic Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops
2 tbsp olive oil
1 shallow bowl of water
1 cup italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated sharp provolone cheese
2 chopped garlic clove

Heat oil and garlic in a skillet for 2 minutes. In a shallow plate or bowl add bread crumbs and cheese and mix well.   Dip each pork chop in water then in the bread crumb mix and add to pan.  Cook on each side for 3-5 minutes until cooked.  Serve with Asparagus & Potatoes.  For recipe click here

TV debut on Rachael Ray

My 1st TV debut on Rachael Ray featuring Apple Sandwiches.  Thanks to everyone for the love and support and special thanks to my Mom for watching it with me and for teaching me everything I know and to my grandmother for always making me cook as a young girl.

Cheesy Chicken Meatballs

1 pk kraft fresh take SAVORY FOUR CHEESE bread crumb mix.  If you can't find this use 1 cup italian breadcrumbs and 1 cup shredded mozzarella instead. 
1 pk ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup italian bread crumbs
tomato sauce (if you are going to use jar sauce I suggest Ragu chunky tomato, garlic and onion

Pre heat oven to 375. 

Place cheese/bread crumb mix, bread crumbs, egg and ground chicken in a mixing bowl. Mix well and roll into small balls. Use a shallow baking pan, I use a shallow stone pan. Lightly cover the bottom of the pan with tomato sauce. Add the chicken balls and cook for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked.

Simmer on low the remainder of the tomato sauce in a small sauce pan until the chicken is done.

Place cooked chicken balls in a large bowl and top with the remainder of the tomato sauce. Add your favorite pasta

Enjoy!!!!!!!

Grilled Shrimp Salad

This is so easy, filling and healthy for you.  All you have to do is grill some shrimp then add lettuce, crumbled feta, walnuts, crumbled feta, cranberries and balsamic dressing.

Healthy Chicken Chili

1 package ground chicken
1 10oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 packet chili mix
1 cup 4 cheese mexican cheese, reduced sodium, reduced fat
1 green onion chopped


Brown chicken and drain.  Return chicken to low heat and add (mix well) all ingredients except green onion and simmer for 15 minutes.  Top with green onion and extra cheese if needed.  To make it more spicy add some hot sauce to the recipe.  Serve by itself, over rice or with whole grain chips.

Italian Pasta Salad

This is my absolute favorite pasta salad.  It is easy to make and always goes over well at parties.

1 lb spiral pasta
1 1/2 cup cubed extra sharp provolone cheese
1 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 cup chopped green olives w/ pimento
1 cup chopped black olives
1 cup chopped red onion
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup balsamic dressing (i use good seasons)

Cook pasta and cool.  Add all ingredients and chill for 2 hours or overnight.  Serve.

"Celebration of Life" party

My girlfriend had a Celebration of Life party and asked me to prepare the food and decorate.  Below are some of the pictures from the party.  It was an amazing day and I am so grateful that she asked me to do this for her.

Fresh Ceviche

I catered my 1st party yesterday.  It was a celebration of life party for one of my friends and this dish was a hit.  I put them in small tasting cups so everyone had an individual serving.  It made the presentation look so much better then just putting it in a big bowl.  Your local party store should have these individual cups.  They were inexpensive and made the dish look so appetizing.

2 limes, juiced
24oz of Cooked Colossal Shrimp
1 package of crab meat chopped
1 green pepper chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 small cucumber chopped
2 plum tomatoes chopped
1/8 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 small red onion chopped
2 tbsp orange juice (no pulp)

Mix all ingredients together and chill for 5 hours or overnight then serve.

Turkey, Bacon & Cranberry Pinwheels

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

8 strips of cooked bacon

1 cup shredded lettuce

1/2 lb turkey

1 can whole cranberry sauce

flour wraps

Mix the cream cheese and bacon together.  Spread on the wrap.  Add 4 sliced of turkey and shredded lettuce.  Gently top with cranberry sauce.  Roll and wrap with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour up to 24 hours.  Slice and serve.  Goes great with my cranberry apple relish.  Recipe to follow. 

Buffalo Chicken Dip

I was STARVING and of course i have nothing in my fridge to make a full meal. I had a little bit of perdue short cuts, some cream cheese, shredded italian cheese, green onions and buffalo wing sauce. So I made myself so buffalo chicken dip and it was delicious.

What's that you are serving????

Final Outcome

I am hosting a party and decided to make these to display what the food is that is being served. The wood frame and oval stand were $1 each and the chalkboard spray paint was $3.99. These are an inexpensive way to display what's being served, are super cute and can be reused. More pictures to follow after the party.

BLT Bites

This is probably one of the easiest things i have ever made and when I serve them at parties they are gone within minutes.  My sister in law loved these so much she kept telling me "you need to tell someone about these".  So here it is I am telling someone, lol.

1 8oz package of soften cream cheese

8 strips of bacon cooked

1 cup shredded lettuce

1 cup grape tomatos sliced

1 box melba garlic rounds

Crumble the bacon into the cream cheese.  Place cream cheese mixture on to melba rounds.  Garnish each round with lettuce and 1-2 slices of tomatoes.  Plate and serve

For a healthy alternative use turkey bacon and fat free cream cheese

Pico de Gallo

2 large tomatoes
1 large white onion
1 small jalapeño
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 lime
1/2 tsp minced garlic

Chope tomato, onion and jalapeño, place in a bowl.  Add the juice of the lime and cilantro and mix.  Refrigerate for 1 hour prior to serving.