Smoked Salmon

This past weekend we co-hosted a Block Party ... having bought our home almost 6 years ago, we decided should get to know some more of our neighbors and had heard they used to have block parties all the time. It was a huge success (well over 60 people!) and everyone requested that we continue to have block parties on a more regular basis. Anyway, one of our neighbors made this super yummy smoked salmon and was kind enough to share the recipes!!! So ... I'm sharing it as well!

Ingredients:

• 8 lbs salmon

Brine:

• 1 c non-iodized salt
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 c white sugar
• 2 qts water
• 1 small bottle crescent seafood seasoning (or 1/4 c Old Bay)
• 2 - 3 crumbled bay leaves
• 1 tsp rosemary

Syrup:

• 1 bottle white wine
• 2 lbs brown sugar

Garnish:

• Diced red onion
• Cream cheese
• Capers
• Crackers/Baguette

Directions:

Cut salmon into squares about 2 to 3 inches thick and 4 inch squares. Marinate 10 to 12 hours in brine solution (make sure all salmon is immersed). Rinse under cold water. Cook 1 bottle of wine and 2 pounds sugar just until sugar dissolves (don't boil). Marinate first in this for 1 hour. Place fish on racks to dry slightly (should have nice coating on it). Place on racks in smoker and smoke 10 to 12 hours. (8 hours for smaller pieces.) Add smoking chips every hour or 1 1/2 hours (he recommended apple or hickory chips).

Note: Put skin side up and smaller pieces on top shelf.

I have to admit, I haven't smoked anything before, but this is on the top of my list :)

Grilled Jalapeno Poppers

Hi All!!! I know its been FOR-EVER since I posted ... but I'm still cooking :) and baking! Here's a quick and easy app that we have been enjoying this summer!! Its SUPER yummy!!!

Ingredients:

• 16 jalapeno peppers
• 8 oz cream cheese - at room temp
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 16 + slices prosciutto

Directions:

1. Remove stems from jalapeno peppers, slice in half lengthwise and remove seeds
2. Combine cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl and mix well.
3. Spoon mixture into the "bowl" of the jalapeno peppers and wrap with prosciutto
4. Place on grill, cheese side up, over medium-low heat and cook until cheese mixture is melted ... about 8-10 minutes or so.

Note: You can also add different types of cheeses or other ingredients to the filling ... On the top of my list is a smoked Gouda :)

Easy Microwave Risotto

I LOVE this recipe! Its so easy and you can add whatever you like to totally change the flavor of the dish ... it's SO versatile!!! In the photo shown, I've added/used green onion, mushrooms (LOTS), 2 garlic cloves and a combo of 5 yr Gouda and Parmesan cheeses and served it with grilled pork chops and grilled prosciutto wrapped asparagus :) YUMMY!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 - 2 clove garlic, minced
• 2/3 cup onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups broth (chicken, vegetable, or beef pending what else your having)
• 1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
• 3/4 cup white wine
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a 3 quart, microwave safe casserole dish combine butter, olive oil, garlic and onion. Place dish in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes.
2. Add broth and heat in microwave until the broth is hot but not boiling (approximately 2 minutes).
3. Stir the rice into the casserole dish with the onion, butter and garlic mixture. Cover the dish tightly and cook on high for 6 minutes.
4. Stir wine into the rice. Cook on high for 10 minutes more. Most of the liquid should have boiled off. Stir the cheese into the rice and serve.

I'd love to hear any variations of the recipe should you decide to try this one :)

Black Bean & Corn Salad

I posted this recipe once before but it seems to have disappeared??? So, here it is again ... This salad is AMAZING!!! I've made it three times now ... for Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day and Memorial Weekend ... very refreshing and full of lots of good-for-you stuff :)

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 36-40 grape tomatoes - sliced in half
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Place lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper in a small jar. Cover and shake until ingredients are well mixed.
2. In a salad bowl, combine beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Shake lime dressing, and pour it over the salad. Stir salad to coat vegetables and beans with dressing, and serve.

Potato Salad

Made this one for dinner tonight ... LOTS of leftovers given we're just a family of 4 but now the Hubby has a yummy side for lunch for the rest of the week :) And if the sunny weather continues for the rest of the week as "forecasted" ... we might enjoy it again for dinner side ...

Ingredients

• 8-10 Yukon Gold potatoes
• 3 eggs, hard boiled
• 1 ½ cups chopped celery
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup chopped kosher pickles
• ¼ cup chopped red pepper (cause I had it on hand and like the color addition) :)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon celery salt
• Pinch or 2 of kosher salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 splashes Worcestershire sauce
• ground black pepper to taste
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• Paprika

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 12 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.
2. In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, celery salt, kosher salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and mayonnaise. Stir until well blended.
3. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, celery, onion, pickles, and red pepper. Add mayonnaise mixtures and stir together until well coated. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Top with parsley and paprika just before serving.

Note: I cooked and peeled my potatoes using this fancy tip as seen here… Highly recommend :)

Cowboy Potatoes

This is an amazing recipe I received from my MIL which I have since made for my side of family and now it requested for Easter EVERY year!!! Made the mistake of not making it one year ... that didn't go over very well ... I'll be making a double batch for tomorrow's Easter Brunch and will post pics then but I wanted to share this now in case any of my fabulous followers would like to add it the menu for Easter ...

UPDATED with a pic ...  

Ingredients

• 2 lb bag hash browns, partially thawed
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 pint sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped green onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 2 cups crushed potato chips
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Place hash browns in 9x13 pan
2. Mix everything but chips, butter and cheese and spread over hash browns
3. Sprinkle cheese on top 
4. Mix crushed potato chips with butter and sprinkle on top
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 1.5 hours

Note - I normally leave the butter out and just add the potato chips during the last thirty minutes of baking

Grilled Avocado

I LOVE avocados!!! Especially when I was pregnant with both of our daughters ... I probably had about half an avocado a day which apparently was passed on to them as they both love avocados too!!! A friend of ours made these for us for the first time about 5 years ago and I've have been hooked ever since :) Great during the summer and easy to make while camping ... Simple and DELICIOUS!!!

Ingredients:

• Avocados - halved with pit removed
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Salsa
• Mexican Blend Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Tortilla Chips

Directions:

1. Heat grill to medium. 
2. Brush the avocado flesh with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper
3. Place flesh side down on the grill over medium heat and cook for about 5 minutes
4. Turn avocados over and fill the "bowl" with salsa
5. Sprinkle with cheese and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted
6. Top with sour cream and serve with tortilla chips :)

 Enjoy with your favorite beer :)