10 Super Bowl Appetizers and Desserts Recipes

Looking for some great appetizers and desserts for Super Bowl Sunday?  Here is a list of 5 appetizers and 5 delicious desserts you can make ahead of time. These are really easy recipes to put together and enjoy with some great drinks.  Have fun!

Chili 

5 Great Super Bowl Drinks

Getting ready to watch the Super Bowl this weekend?  Here is a list of 5 drinks you can make for your guests during game time.  It's a mix of drinks that will have your guests happy all through the game.  Enjoy these with some great appetizers and some delicious desserts.  

Frozen Pineapple Margarita

Vanilla Creme Brulee

There is nothing more delicious than this Vanilla Creme Brulee. This is a great finale to a great meal and this dessert can be served warm or cold.  If you are looking for the perfect dessert to serve to your significant other on Valentine's Day, this is it.

There are many dishes and desserts on my bucket list.  This one was one of them, and I'm happy I was able to make it.  I'm never intimidated by cooking or baking anything, the more complex the recipe the better. 

This is a really easy dessert to make. Review the recipe and you will be surprised as to how easy it is. 

Slow Cooked BBQ Ribs

I love cooking in my slow cooker.  I have cooked chicken, pork roast and even brisket.  The meats come out super tender and juicy.  The best part about the slow cooker is that you can set it early in the day and have the meat ready for dinner time.

I decided to make barbecue ribs in the slow cooker.  Place all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and just let it cook for a few hours.  This is a great way to have barbecue ribs all in one pot without having to add barbecue sauce.  When the cooking is done you will have super tender, delicious, falling off the bones ribs in a barbecue sauce.  

These ribs are great and the slow cooker did all of the work.  I cooked the ribs for 4 hours on high. The ribs turned out exactly how I wanted.  If you don't have a slow cooker, I suggest you get one and give it a try specially if you are a busy person.  

Ingredients

3 pounds  pork spareribs, cut into single ribs

2 cups ketchup

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

2 cloves of garlic minced

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper-optional

Place the ribs in the bottom of a slow cooker. In a medium bowl mix together all of the other ingredients.  Pour the mixture over the spareribs.  Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. 

Slow Roasted Herb Chicken

Roasting a chicken is one of the easiest things you can do. Using fresh herbs to season the chicken is the way to go.  The chicken comes out moist and tender with great flavor. The best way to eat this Slow Roasted Herb Chicken is with some homemade Mashed Potatoes or Roasted Baby Potatoes and perhaps a side of vegetables.

 

Sinful Layer Chocolate Cake

Why go out and buy a chocolate cake when you can just make it at home.  This Sinful Layer Chocolate Cake is just that, sinful.  This cake is moist and delicious and perfect for any celebration. 

Making a dinner for your significant other for Valentine's Day?  Why not bake this wonderful cake, they are going to be impress.  As you know Valentine's Day is all about chocolate and this cake is just perfect for the occasion.

Another reason to make this cake today is because today is National Chocolate Cake Day.  

The Week in Review

Happy Saturday!!

1.  I had a great week, nothing to complain about.  How was your week?  Any plans for the weekend?

2. I have a big kitchen and a lot of cabinets, and I think I have every pot and gadget in the market.  I also have a lot of cake pans from the smallest to the biggest in all shapes.  I love anything and everything that has to do with kitchen.  I came across this website, Uncommon Goods.  This website has a lot of unusual things, including kitchen things. 

Happy Hour: Coconut Margarita

Thanks God is Friday, happy hour has arrived.  I was trying to figure out what to drink today, and I came across this recipe that includes Coco Lopez and orange liqueur, I knew it had to be good.

I had my husband taste it first, and all he said was "You are going to be my bartender for now on", So I knew I had just found a really delicious drink.  

This Coconut Margarita was the perfect drink on this cold Friday sitting by my fireplace relaxing and enjoying my family.  Make this drink, sit back and relax, no worries and enjoy!!!

Lime Fried Chicken Wings

The Super Bowl is right around the corner.  Now that we know who is going to be playing, it's time to plan the menu.  What is a game of football without some delicious chicken wings?  These Lime Fried Chicken Wings are the perfect finger food during game time.

The wings are a little tangy from the lime, crispy and delicious.  Enjoy!

Ingredients

18 wings washed and pat dried

3/4 cup of fresh lime juice

2 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp salt divided

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder divided

1 1/2 onion powder divided

1 tsp black pepper divided

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

oil for frying

To make the marinade, mix together the lime juice, garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper.  Mix well.  Place the chicken wings into a resealable 1 gallon plastic food storage bag, then add the marinade.  Marinade in the refrigerator overnight or up to 2 hours.

Take chicken out of the refrigerator and drain through a colander at least 15 minutes before frying.   
Into another resealable bag add the flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir to combine.  Set a large cast iron dutch oven or frying pan over medium-high heat and add enough oil to cover the wings.  Keep oil at around 350 degrees on a thermometer.

Place at least 6 wings into the bag, shake to coat.  Fry chicken wings until nice and brown, about 8-10 minutes.  Repeat until all wings are fried. 

Chicken Stir-Fry

It's a very cold night outside and I was debating on what to cook.  I looked in the freezer and I saw the chicken breasts and the stir-fry bag.  So I said, Chicken Stir-Fry over White Rice it is.  This is an easy, quick and delicious dish.  I had dinner on the table in less than an hour and everyone was happy.

The stir-fry bag that I used has broccoli, sugar snap peas, green beans, yellow squash, red peppers, carrots, yellow peppers and water chestnuts. You can find other ones at the supermarket in the freezer or you can just add the kinds of vegetables that you like. 

Ingredients

2 chicken breasts cut into thin strips

2 tbsp olive oil

1 pound bag of stir fry vegetables

2 garlic cloves minced

Salt to taste

1 cup chicken broth

3 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp sugar

White Rice Recipe

In a skillet heat the oil on medium heat, add the chicken and cook until no longer pink and chicken starting to brown.  Add the garlic and vegetables, cook for about 5 minutes.  In a small bowl mix the chicken broth, soy sauce, cornstarch and sugar, mix well.  Add to the chicken and cook until thick.  Add salt to taste.  Serve over White Rice.  

Sorullitos de Maiz (Cornmeal Sticks)

I grew up eating Sorullitos de Maiz (Cornmeal Sticks) for breakfast with coffee.  As a Puerto Rican, drinking coffee as a kid is part of our culture.  Even as an adult the only way I eat these is with a big cup.  My mom's sorullitos were the best.  Her recipe is totally different than this one.  Her recipe has milk and vanilla in the ingredients and we also add cheese in the inside, as you bite the cheese oozes out.  I will make that recipe another day.

I decided to make this particular recipe because I didn't have milk to make my mom's recipe and this recipe was really easy.  Since they turned out so good, I decided to share the recipe with you. These are perfectly fried, nice and golden brown. Crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. 

This recipe does not have cheese in the inside.  But you can certainly add some.  Cut a few pieces of your favorite cheese and when rolling the mixture into sorullitos make an indentation and place a piece inside. I like to use Velveeta because it melts really quick.  Make sure that you cover it so that the cheese does not come out while frying.

Ingredients

1 cup fine cornmeal

1 1/2 cup water

3 tbsp sugar or to taste

pinch of salt

oil for frying

In a pot on medium heat add the water, sugar and salt.  When it boils add the cornmeal and continue to mix with a spoon (wood) until it forms a ball.  Remove from heat.  Let cool down a little bit.  Then form the sorullitos.  Add about 2 tbsp or so of the mixture into the palm of your hand, make a ball then roll to make the sorullito shape.  Add enough oil to a frying pan and fry on medium heat.  Fry until golden brown. 

Lasagna Roll Ups

This is a nice twist on a fabulous dish.  These Lasagna Roll Ups are not just delicious, but easy to make and serve.  I love making traditional lasagna, but I hate the mess when trying to serve it.  When you make it this way, all you have to do is pick up each individual roll up and place on a serving plate.

The Week in Review

Happy Saturday!!

1.  Had a great week, relaxed, cooked a few wonderful dishes and read a little bit.  How was your week?

2.  As you all know I collect cooking books and I buy them wherever I find them.  I like going to Goodwill because they are only $2.98, no matter what kind of books they are.  I often get lucky with books that were just released within the last few years, that normally retail for over $20.00 dollars.

This week I decided to go to a Thrift store right by my house.  I couldn't believe their prices.  All hardcover books were 4 for $1.00 and softcover were 8 for $1.00, I was shocked.  Now the only difference between the Goodwill that I go to and the Thrift store is the organization.  At Goodwill books are sorted out..but at the Thrift store you have to look because they are all mixed in.  But That's okay with me.  I will find that book in the biggest mess.  I had so much fun, I can't wait to go again.

So, if you are looking for books, any kind of books go to your nearest Goodwill or Thrift store and check there first before spending too much money at a book store. 

Happy Hour: Sour Appletini

End your Friday with a nice relaxing drink.  I'm not a big drinker but from time to time I like to enjoy a nice drink.  This Sour Appletini is not only easy to make, but it's really good.  Make this Sour Appletini, sit back and enjoy!

Using Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps will enhance the sharpness as will the lemon juice. 

Ingredients

Ice

2 ounces of Vodka

1 ounce Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps

1/4 ounce lemon juice

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes, shake well.  Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Enjoy!

Southern-Style Skillet Cornbread

This is a savory Southern-Style Skillet Cornbread.  Cornbread in the South is usually made without sugar and flour. I wanted to make a cornbread that was savory, with hearty corn flavor and after looking through one of my favorite books, I found this recipe.  

I love eating cornbread right out of the oven with a little butter on top and a nice cup of coffee.  This is not a mix from a box, this is made from scratch and it's really yummy.  

Chicken Piccata

This Chicken Piccata is a classic Italian dish that is very light with a lemony sauce.  You can enjoy it with a side of roasted potatoes, root vegetables or mashed potatoes and a nice glass of wine.  This is an outstanding dish for any day of the week.

This is a very easy dish and it only takes a few minutes to cook.  The chicken is tender and the sauce is really, really good.  Great choice for a Monday night dinner.

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half and pounded into cutlets

salt and black pepper

all-purpose flour

nonstick spray

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 tsp mince garlic

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 tbsp drained capers

2 tbsp unsalted butter

fresh lemon slices

Season cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour.  Coat a saute pan with nonstick spray, add oil, and heat over medium-high.  Saute cutlets 2-3 minutes on one side.  Flip cutlets over and saute the other side, covered, 1-2 minutes.  Transfer cutlets to a warm platter; pour off fat from the pan.

Degraze pan with wine and add minced garlic.  Cook until garlic is slightly brown and liquid is nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.  Add broth, lemon juice and capers.  Return cutlets to pan and cook on each side for 1 minute.  Transfer cutlets to warm plates. Finish sauce with butter and lemons.  Once butter melts, pour sauce over cutlets.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately. 

Tip:  Turkey tenderloin makes a great substitute for chicken breast.

Source: Cuisine at Home

Strawberry Shortcake

As promised, here is a fantastic and delicious Strawberry Shortcake recipe. This dessert is perfect for Valentine's Day.  Make this for your significant other, and they will love you even more.  This is a really easy recipe to make and the results are impressive. 

The Week in Review

Happy Saturday!!

1.  It was a really cold week here in Georgia.  Even my babies (dogs) didn't want to go outside. Big Brother Cayman went outside one day and ran back inside.  Baby Caico didn't really care about it, he was running all over the place.  Baby Caico gained 7 ounces in 2 weeks, he is exactly 3 pounds now.  He is getting so big, too quick.

2.  Last Saturday my husband and I put away all of the Christmas decorations.  I love Christmas and decorating, but I hate to take decorations down.  Have you taken down your decorations?

Chicken Pasta

I wanted to eat pasta and not feel so bad about it.  I decided to make my pasta sauce and chicken as my protein.  I used a healthier carbohydrates pasta and by making my own sauce I was able to control the ingredients I was adding.

The final result, a delicious and somewhat healthy dish. 

Thai Pork Loin

Cold weather is not going to stop me from grilling.  I decided to make a Thai Pork Loin and I did it right on a stove top grill plate.  If you don't have one of these, I suggest you get one.  You can grill all winter without having to step out on your deck to do so.

By marinating the pork loin, it gave it a nice flavor and it's super tender too. Enjoy with a side of Brown Rice or this Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice, Original Recipe.  You can find it in the supermarket in the rice isle.  Just follow the instructions on the box.  enjoy!!

Ingredients

2-3 pounds pork loin

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 thinly chopped shallots

2 garlic cloves minced

1 1/2 tsp minced ginger

2 tbsp brown sugar

3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Rinse and pat dry the pork loin.  Place the pork loin in a plastic bag.  In a bowl add all of the other ingredients and mix well then pour into bag. Shake the bag to make sure the pork loin is covered with the marinade.  Marinade the pork loin over night or at least a couple of hours before grilling.  Place on a grill and cook on medium-low heat until well done.

Pan Seared Tilapia

Tilapia is a fish that I actually enjoy eating.  This Pan Seared Tilapia is nice and light and perfect for staying on a healthy path.  You can have it with brown rice, Greek or Caesar salad or you can have my favorite Black and Cannellini Bean Salad. 

I seasoned the fish with Penzeys Spices.  These spices are excellent and a little bit goes a long way.  If you don't have these spices, then use any fish spices you have in your pantry.  

The fish is flaky and moist and with a side of the beans salad, this dish is just perfect.  If you don't want to cook tilapia fillets you can substitute for flounder fillets.

Ingredients

3-4 ounce Tilapia or Flounder fillets

salt and pepper

Penzeys Spices-Northwoods Seasoning

Penzeys Spices-Bangkok Blend

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

Season the fillets with salt, pepper, Penzeys Spices like Northwoods Seasoning and Bangkok Blend.  These spices are great for fish, but you can use any fish spices you have available.  Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet on medium heat then add the fillets.  Cook the fillets until they flake easily with a fork, about 4 minutes on each side.  Serve immediately.

Steak, Onions and Peppers Wrap

I wanted to start the new year eating healthier than I have been for a little while now.  I wanted to make something quick, delicious and figure friendly.  I made this Steak, Onions and Peppers Wrap using all low fat ingredients and the wrap is low carbohydrates too.

The Week in Review

Happy Saturday!!

1.  First let me just say Happy New Year!!  I hope this year brings us lots of love, compassion, understanding, peace and good health.

2.  I took a few days off from posting to the blog.  I had some homework to do being that I will start posting healthier dishes on Monday.  I've been going through many of my books and writing down some of my healthier recipes so that I can share them with you.   Since Valentines Day is next month, I will eventually post some chocolate recipes that you can make for your significant other on that special day.