How To Put Together The Perfect Charcuterie Board

For all you wine enthusiasts out there, or the occasional wine-o (we don't discriminate), this is the perfect accompaniment to any glass of wine. This is less of a recipe and more of a suggestion on how to prepare a good assortment of cheeses, meats,  and oils. I suggest if you have a Trader Joe's nearby you do your shopping there, they have a great assortment of meats and cheeses at a low cost.

Crackers: 

Bread: Ciabatta bread, sliced 

Cheeses/ Meats:
-herbed goat cheese
-horseradish cheddar cheese
-bacon cheddar
-red wine infused salami

Toppings:
good Italian olive oil, with fresh garlic and spices
olive tapenade
Sriracha mayo

Butternut Squash Ravioli

So I'm a Huge fan of Trader Joe's, not to offend you Whole Foods people out there, but Trader Joe's is just so much better. I primarily like it because of their cheap wine collection, remember we are on a budget here, but I also love there cheese selection and of course the ravioli! This is probably one of my most budget friendly meals, its quick easy and best of all cheap!

Ingredients:
1 package chopped pancetta (you can also get three slices from a deli and chop them into cubes)
1 package butternut squash ravioli (I use Trader Joe's brand)
2 tbs butter
5 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup of heavy cream
4 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup of fresh grated parmesan
2 tbs Italian spices (I use Alessi brand)

Recipe:
1. coat the bottom of your pan with olive oil and heat on medium, add pancetta
2. boil water for raviloi
3. when pancetta begins to brown (3 mins) add chopped garlic cloves and butter
4. once pancetta is fully cooked and garlic is fragrant add the heavy cream, spices, and 2 tbs olive oil  and increase heat till mixture bubbles, let bubble for one minute then reduce to a simmer
5. cook ravioli according to directions then add into sauce, add parmesan and put a cover on the pan, let sit with heat off for 5 mins and serve

Tip: if sauce is to thin add more cheese, if sauce is too thick add more pasta water

Waffle Fries with Sriracha Mayo Dipping Sauce

While this may not be a diet friendly recipe, it is so worth the cheat day. The loaded waffle fries is an easy and inexpensive recipe to make for a football Sunday and the Sriracha mayo adds the perfect kick to make them irrisistable

Sriracha Mayo:

2 tsp Sriracha sauce 

1/3 cup mayo 

Fries:

Bag of frozen seasoned waffle fries (I use Alexia brand)

Vegetable oil (for frying)

4 slices bacon 

Shredded Cheddar cheese 

Scallions 

Salt 

Recipe:

1. heat your oil on medium heat and turn oven on to 350

2. meanwhile mix dipping sauce together till it a light pick color 

3. cook bacon till crispy, break into pieces 

4. fry french fries in small batches, takes about 5 mins or until crispy. remove excess grease with paper towels and then put into backing dish

5. salt fries to taste, add handful of chopped scallions over top, followed by bacon then sprinkle with two handfuls of cheese 

6. bake till cheese melts and serve with dipping sauce 

Flatbread, with Fresh Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil

I've become quite the fan of finger foods, thankfully this goes hand and hand with my love of happy hour.  Sometimes a small app is suitable before dinner but if you're looking to get away with no dinner and few finger foods this is the perfect choice! I made this for the first time last night and served it with a charcuterie board and some tempura fried veggies, was the perfect meal along with a few Cosmos...

Ingredients:
Pizza dough (I used the pre made stuff at the bakery but if your feeling fancy you can make it from scratch)
Grape tomatoes
Basil
Fresh Mozzarella
Olive oil
Garlic
Balsamic Glaze (found near the balsamic vinegar)

Recipe:

1. First take your dough (I used half but you can use it all if you want a full pizza) and start to work it using some flour, use your knuckles to gently pull it from the middle. If you're struggling I'm sure there is a you tube video somewhere that can help with this step.
2. Once you have your dough pretty thin use a pizza stone or pan and lightly oil the bottom (so dough won't stick)
3. Brush dough with some olive oil and stick in the oven on 400 to start cooking
4. Meanwhile in cut tomatoes in half (use most of your package of grape tomatoes) and sauté on medium head with 2 tbs of olive oil and 4 cloves of minced garlic (I suggest buying a garlic press for this) for 5 mins
5. After the the dough has cooked for roughly 5-8 mins take it out and pour on your tomato mixture,  drizzle with some olive oil then cut this slices of mozzarella and place evenly throughout, finally sprinkle a handful of chopped fresh basil on top
6. Cook pizza on 400 till cheese is bubbling and crust is browned
7. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the pizza, cut into bite size squares and serve!

Bahama Breeze

When you've had one of those days, and your missing summer and the ocean breeze this is the cure!

Bahama Breeze;

1 shot Malibu 

1 cup pineapple orange juice (made by dole, found in the OJ section)

2 tsp. of grenadine 

lime to garnish 

Chicken Wings (Better Then The Fried Stuff)

                                        

These wings will make you question all other wing recipes.  Im sure you have your own "hami-down" chicken wing recipe but I'm going to go out on a limb and say this one's better. I know, I know, yours is good but these things will have you converted! Thankfully my mom has yet to patten it so I can share with you her secrets.

Kathy's Famous Wings :

4 lb. of chicken wings (cut)

2 cups soy sauce 

5 chopped garlic cloves 

3/4 cups brown sugar  

Instructions: 

1. marinade chicken wings in soy, brown sugar, and garlic overnight

2. heat oven to 350 and cook wing for 1 hour covered in tin foil

3. remove tin foil and turn wings, continue cooking for 30 mins 

4. drain excess sauce, sprinkle a little extra brown sugar over wings and finish cooking for 30-45 minutes or until they are browned and sauce is thick 

Now your tailgate ready!

Shrimp kabobs

So as you can see I'm on a new pineapple kick. It's so good! How did I not know that pineapple is better when grilled?! Summer weather is ending but if your anything like me you want to get the most of this fresh seafood season, and there is no better way then shrimp on the grill!

Shrimp Kabobs:
1lb fresh (non of that frozen stuff) shrimp
1 red pepper
1 white onion
1 fresh pineapple (you will pay twice as much to get it pre cut, but I'll leave that up to you)
6 slices of bacon (optional)
1 cup Caribbean jerk marinade
4-5 skewers

Instructions:
1. de-vain and clean shrimp in cold water
2. marinade shrimp in Caribbean jerk, let sit in fridge while doing other prep
3. cut red pepper, pineapple and onion in bite size peices
4. cook bacon till about halfway done on skillet
5. assemble skewers while weaving bacon strips around ingredients
6. grill for 15- 20 mins on low flame, shrimp cooks fast so be careful not to over cook

Enjoy!