JALAPENO POPPERS

Alright, another unhealthy appetizer, but what can I say, they're quick, fun,and great to serve to your guests!

WHAT YOU NEED ( for a party of 6-8)

8 jalapeno peppers (I would say 1 per serving)
4 OZ of onions/chives or vegetable cream cheese (if you only have regular, then just add some garlic and onion powder)
Cheddar Cheese (optional)
WET MIXTURE: 1 Cup Milk mixed with 1 egg
2 Cups of Flour
1 cup of panko breadcrumbs
1 tbsp of onion powder
1 tbsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of oregano (or any herb)
1/2 tbsp salt

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Cut an opening down each jalapeno, and empty the seeds. I suggest you use gloves for this procedure!
2) Add some of the seeds to the cream cheese if you want it to be spicy, and some cheddar cheese.
3) Stuff each jalapeno with the cream cheese, then cut them in half.
4) dip each piece in wet mixture, then flour. Place in the fridge until ready to fry.
5) Add the breadcrumbs and the rest of the ingredients to the remaining flour.
6) Dip the jalapeno in wet mixture, then dry mixture. repeat steps as often as you'd like (I did it twice)

Serve with ketchup or any sauce you'd like!

Enjoy!

Oreo Truffles

These are fun, quick, bake-free treats! Although I dipped these in white chocolate, I personally prefer them in milk chocolate. I make these as party favors, if you're interested email me!

WHAT YOU NEED (Makes 27-30 truffles)

1 Package of Oreo Cookies
1 Package of Cream Cheese (8 OZ)
White chocolate, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate for coating.
Food Processor

LET'S GET STARTED

1. Place the entire package of Oreos in food processor and keep pressing until it turns into crumbs.
2. Add the cream cheese (I mixed the cream cheese with the crumbs by hand, and then back in the food processor) Make sure you do it quickly so the cream cheese doesn't get too soft.
3. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, then put it in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
4. Melt the chocolate of your choice over a double boiler, or the microwave.
5. Dip the truffles in the chocolate, and place it back on wax paper or parchement paper. You can then deccorate with swirls, coconut, sugar dust, etc..


Enjoy!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

This dates back to the summer when I first got married. My mother in law made fruit smoothies all the time, and I couldn't get enough!

It's sunny today and strawberries are affordable, so I decided to make some for my son and I today with more fruits and less sugar!

WHAT YOU NEED
2 Naval Oranges (you can substitute 8 oz of OJ)
3 Bananas Peeled and Chopped
10 Strawberries Chopped
1/4 Cup yogurt
1/2 Cup Whipped Cream (or heavy cream whipped)
1/4 Cup of Honey (or a little less)
2 Cups of Milk

LET'S GET STARTED
1. Zest the oranges then squeeze them
2. Mix yogurt, milk and whipped Cream together
3. Blend in in strawberries, bananas, orange juice, zest of the oranges, and honey


Enjoy!!!!

FUN MEAL: Omelet Sandwich with Fries

Everyone that has a child knows how difficult it is to feed them, especially if they are picky eaters. This is not a recipe, but just an idea for all of you who want to make something different. My son stared at this for about 5 minutes before he jumped in, but he did eat it all!!

I cut up some potatoes and fried them. If you want to be a bit healthier, you can bake them, or boil them then sautee in olive oil.

I sauteed some spinach with garlic and onion powder, added in two mixed eggs, salt and pepper to make an omelet.

Using a cookie cutter (You can use a star or any other shape), I cut out a piece of toast, and the omelet. (I ate the rest of the pieces so nothing goes to waste)

Put it all together and top it with some cream cheese!

Good Luck!

Sugar & Spice Donuts

This is the second time I've made these donuts. I don't know if they are for everyone, if you are not into the spice, then just eliminate them (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice). However, they are fun to make, especially if you have kids that can join ya! (Inspired by Neely's Maple Glazed donuts on foodnetwork)

WHAT YOU NEED (Makes about 20-25 depending on size of cookie cutter)

DOUGH
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup of sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg yolk
1/3 cup buttermilk (or milk)
3/4 cup pear sauce puree (you can get baby food pear, or boil some pears until soft then puree)
3 tablespoons melted salted butter
Cookie Cutter (you can use a glass or anythign with round surface if you don't have)

CHOCOLATE GLAZE (crispy cream recipe)

1/3 cup butter

2 cups of powder sugar

4-6 TBSP hot water

4 OZ of semi-sweet chocolate (about 1/2 a cup)

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Mix first 8 ingredients (dry) in one bowl)

2) Beat together the rest of the dough ingredients, then slowly add in the dry ingredients and mix with wooden spoon (don't over mix)

3) The dough will be extremly stick, but don't panic!

4) Heat Vegetable oil in a fryer or a pan.

5) Over clean surface, put a generous amount of flour, then spoon the dough on top. Flour your hands well and pat down flat (it should be abut 1/2 an inc thick, it will rise!).

6) Cut the circles out, and using a flat spatula, pick up the dough, and drop into the oil for 3 minutes on each side or until browned.

7) Keep repeating step 5 & 6 until you run out of dough.

8) Once fried, glaze your donuts and enjoy!

GLAZE

Heat the butter and chocolate together until smooth, slowly add powder sugar, and water. You should have a creamy smooth glaze. This glaze develps a thick skin very quickly, so if you do want to add sprinkles, make sure you dip and sprinkle right away!

HINT: Try to drop 1 or 2 donuts at a time, so the oil stays at the same temperature. There are alot of different glaze recipe. You can just mix milk and powder sugar with drop of vegetable oil until you get your consistency. You can also squeeze oranges and add powder sugar for orange flavor, etc..

ENJOY!

Bang Bang Shrimp

This is basically why we go to Bonefish Grill. My husband and I love this dish, and it's great for anyone that wants that extra kick in their seafood.

WHAT YOU NEED

20-25 pieces peeled shrimp (Serves 4 as appetizer, add more if serving as a side dish)
Vegetable Oil for frying
Breading
1 egg and cup of milk whisked together
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (You can use normal breadcrumbs but it wont be as crunchy)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon rubbed (ground) sage
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup of chili garlic sauce (I use the Vietnamese sauce found in international section of grocery store)
1 tspn of hot sauce (if you want it spicier)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon rice or white vinegar

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, sage, onion powder, garlic powder, and basil in a dish.
2) Prepare the egg and milk in another bowl.
3) Bread the shrimp by first coating each with the breading mixture., then dip into the egg and milk mixture, and then back into the breading.
4) Once you finish breading the shrimp, cool them in the fridge for about 30 minutes. You can bread them in the morning, and fry them right before your guests come!
5)Combine all ingredients for the spicy sauce in a small bowl; cover and set aside.

6) Fry 5 pieces at a time on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until golden brown, then drain on paper towel.
7) Once you finish frying, place them in the sauce and toss. Then place on a plate and garnish with green onions, or parsley.


ENJOY!

Chocolate Pancakes

I made these for my dear husband as a breakfast-in-bed gift! Although he is not a chocolate lover, he still enjoyed them (and so did I!) They are very chocolaty, so I don't recommend you making them unless you really LOVE chocolate!

WHAT YOU NEED

1/2 cup of bittersweet chocolate
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large eggs
1 large egg yolks
1.5 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Melt the chocolate and butter in heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until it's all melted and smoothed. Let it cool for few minutes.
2) Wisk together the eggs and sugar until creamed. Whisk in the melted chocolate, then fold in the flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
3) melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat pan, and drop a full tablespoon of batter into pan.
4) Cook for two minutes on each side. Repeat until you finish the batter!

HINT: Serve it with vanilla ice cream, or whip cream, to compliment taste of chocolate