Mad About Buffalo Sauce

This is perfect for watching March Madness, the World Baseball Classic, game day or anytime.

You can adjust the amount of hot sauce used.

1/2 c. (1 stick unsalted butter)

1/8 - 1/3 c. hot sauce

1 clove garlic, crushed, chopped 

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

1/8 tsp. vinegar

Pinch red pepper flakes 

Peel, crush and chop garlic.

Heat a saucepan to medium, lower heat to medium low or low.

Combine ingredients in pan and stir sauce with a whisk for 3 - 5 min. or until butter has melted.

Remove pan from heat, let cool for a bit for pouring into a bowl.

Serves 4 - 6.

Red Carpet Ready Shrimp Cocktail

 This is perfect for your Oscar party. or anytime.

I used raw deveined shrimp but you can also use precooked shrimp too.

1 lb. shrimp 
1 lemon: juice and zest
1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper
1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 - 2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic crushed, chopped 

3/4 c. prepared cocktail sauce

Peel, crush and chop garlic.

Zest lemon, cut lemon in half, set aside.

Combine ingredients in a bowl. 

Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp.

Toss to coat shrimp. Marinate for 15- 30 minutes in refrigerator.

Heat grill pan to medium high heat. 

Lower heat to medium, add shrimp. 

Grill shrimp on one side for 3 - 4 min or until shrimp turns pink. 

Turn shrimp over on other side for 3 - 4 min more or until it turns pink. 

If using precooked shrimp, grill shrimp on each side for 2 - 3 min. or until heated.

Thread shrimp on toothpicks.

Serve with cocktail sauce.

Serves 4

Easy Chicken Sandwich

 This is perfect for lunch or anytime.

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

3/4 c. flour

1 - 2 eggs

1/8- 1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper

2 - 3 T. olive oil 

4 sandwiches buns

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper,  granulated garlic 

Pinch of paprika

1 tomato sliced

4 lettuce leaves

1/2 c. mayo

Rinse, slice tomato, set aside. 

Rinse, pat dry lettuce, set aside.

Preheat skillet to medium high heat, lower heat and add some of the oil.

Place buns face down and toast for a couple of minutes , set aside.

In a shallow dish combine: eggs, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika. 

Mix with fork.

Pour flour in a separate dish.

Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat pounder until chicken is thin.

Dredge both sides of chicken in egg.

 Dredge both sides of chicken lightly in flour. Repeat process with remaining chicken. 

Heat skillet to medium high heat, Lower heat to medium, add rest of oil. 

Add chicken to pan and cook on 1 side for 5 - 7 min. 

Flip over and cook chicken on other side for 5 - 7 min or until done.

Remove chicken from skillet and place on serving plate to let rest.

Arrange chicken, lettuce, tomato on bottom half of bun.

Spread mayo on other half of bun and top sandwich.

Serves 4

Flameless Fosters

This is a quick dessert to jazz up your Mardi Gras dinner. 

I used frozen bananas but you can use fresh bananas too.

3 bananas halved

2 - 3 T. butter

1 oz. dark rum

1/4 -  1 tsp. cinnamon (adjust amount desired)

1/2 - 1 T. brown sugar

Peel and cut bananas in half if needed.

Preheat skillet to medium low heat, add butter, cinnamon and sugar.

Lower heat to low, add bananas and very carefully add rum.

Cook for 3 - 5 min or until bananas are heated.

Serves 4

Big Game Botanas

This is perfect for watching the game, company or anytime. 

1 bag tortilla chips
1 can refried beans
1 c. each: chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes
1/3 c. sliced pitted olives
1 tsp. fresh chopped cilantro or parsley

1 jalapeño chopped

1/2 c. each: sour cream, guacamole

1 c. jarred salsa (optional)
Non stick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350’ F.

Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray.

 Spread tortilla chips on baking sheet, set aside. 

Peel, seed, rinse, chop vegetables.

In a microwave safe bowl spoon refried beans, microwave beans for 1 - 2 min. or until warm.

With a clean fork, spread a layer of beans over chips.

Top chips with your favorite fixings, place in oven for a few minutes or until cheese melts.

Keep an eye on this, so they don’t burn.

Remove chips from oven, top chips with guacamole, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeño, salsa.

Serves 4 - 6.

Recipe To Help Turkey

 Prayers, thoughts go out to the nation of Turkey and the Middle East who are suffering from a devastating earthquake on Monday.

 The 7. 5 magnitude earthquake left thousands dead, and many are still under rubble. 

The earthquake which took place in Turkey could be felt as far away as Syria and Israel.

The earthquake has devastated families and left many without basic needs that we sometimes take for granted. 

While we can't prevent the earthquake from happening, we are not totally powerless. 

Under the section "Pay it Forward.." of this site, are some links to organizations that are helping in relief efforts. 

Thank you for making a difference.

Ham & Cheese Hoagie

 This is perfect for lunch, watching the game or anytime.

I’ve used sliced Mozzarella and cheddar cheese, but you can use what cheeses you like.

4 hoagie rolls

2 - 3 T. oil

1/2 - 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, dried basil, dried parsley

1 clove garlic crushed, chopped 

Non stick cooking spray 

4 slices each: lean cooked ham, cheddar, Mozzarella cheese

1 tomato, sliced

4 romaine lettuce leaves

Peel, rinse, crush chop garlic, set aside.

Rinse, slice tomatoes, set aside.

Rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves, set aside.

Combine oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, herbs, garlic in a measuring cup. Stir with a clean fork to mix, set aside

Preheat skillet over medium high heat, lower heat to medium, spray nonstick spray into pan.

Place hoagie rolls on skillet and toast for a few minutes.

Turn off stove and place rolls on a clean workspace.

Brush oil mixture on rolls.

Arrange ham, cheese slices, lettuce and tomatoes on bottom half of rolls.

 Top sandwiches with top half of rolls. 

Serves 4.