Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Cheers!

Well, I'm a little late with this post with all the hustle bustle of the holidays, but it was a great holiday, and we'll drink to that!  This year instead of making dinner, we gals decided to order in, as we made holiday booze-goodies!  A great gift for those who like their alcoholic beverages, and also, great to keep around the house for yourself as well. 


 
Yummy Gummies
Gummy Bears
Vanilla Vodka (or your preferred flavor)
 
Directions:  Soak Gummy Bears in vanilla vodka.  :) 
 I found them to be perfect at about 3 days soaked.
 
 
Apple Pie Liquor
1 gallon Apple Cider
1/2 gallon Apple Juice
1 Cup Sugar
1 Liter Everclear
5-6 Cinnamon Sticks
 
 
Directions:  Bring first 4 ingredients (NOT EVERCLEAR) to a boil.  Then let cool and add the Everclear.  (be very careful:  extremely flammable)  Makes about 2.5 gallons.
 
 
Whiskey Cherries
Maraschino Cherries
Whiskey of choice
 
Directions:  Drain juice from cherries.  Add whiskey in the jar-ro (that was for any Metallica fans).  Let soak several days.  Eat alone, add to cakes, or put in your drink! 
 
Irish Creme
I cup heavy whipping cream OR half and half (we used half and half)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 cup Jameson Irish Whiskey
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla.
 
Directions:  Stir 'em all together!  Makes about 1.5 gallons.
 
Cheers!  And Happy Holidays!
 
 
 


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Quiche Night!

Quiche was one of the original Girl's Dinner Night feasts, and it resurfaces in our rotation every few months or so, mostly because of its supreme deliciousness and ability to take on so many different forms. There was only one problem..... It seems as though dastardly gnomes (because we all know gnomes are who grow it) have selfishly hoarded all the baby corn in the country, so Sabrina's delightful Tumbleweed Quiche had to go without. But it was still awesome.

Jim's Tumbling Tumbleweed Quiche (made in memory of my uncle, Jim Otterstrom) by Sabrina
 
-1 can hominy
-1 can corn
-1 small can olives (did not use this time)
-1 Tablespoon sage
-baby corn (not pickled) (did not use/could not find.  hmph)
-5 eggs
-1 1/2 cups milk
-2 cups cheddar cheese (I used a little less than one cup)
-1 can sliced jalapenos 4 oz.
Directions: Whisk together milk, eggs and sage until combined. Layer dry ingredients in pre-made whole wheat pie shell and then pour egg mixture over the top. Bake at 350 degrees 25-30 minutes until set.


This quiche is so good! Plans are to make it again once we can find some baby corn. Damn gnomes!

Carmelized Onion, Bacon and Blue Cheese Quiche, By Kala

-6 eggs
-1 cup half and half
-1/2 cup blue cheese
-5 pieces bacon, cooked
-1 medium onion, cooked 10 minutes in bacon fat until caramel colored and sweet
-1/4 t. salt
-1/2 t. pepper
Directions: whisk eggs and half and half until combined. Spread bacon, blue cheese and onions in pre-made pie shell and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour liquid on top and bake 30-35 minutes, or until set.


This one got a bit dark, but still yum-city! 

Spicy Cheesy Hashbrowns

-1/4 cup vegetable oil 
-3 cups shredded potatoes
-1/2 t. salt
-1/2 t. lemon pepper
-1 cup 3 - pepper cheese

Directions: heat oil in skillet, add potatoes and saute' until brown. Turn off heat and toss in cheese, cook until melted and serve.



Sweet lord, is there anything better than potatoes and cheese? 

The answer is a resounding no. We served this awesomeness with pink champagne mimosas, and were happy as well-fed clams. 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Mama Mia!

Last week we prepared an Italian dinner with spaghetti as the main course, bruschetta salad, and cannolis!  Are you drooling yet?

 
 
Main Course:  Spaghetti and Meatballs
Prepared by:  Stephanie
 
2 cans (23 oz) crushed tomatoes
3 cloves garlic chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb hot italian sausage
 
Directions:  Heat olive oil and stir in minced garlic.  Add all ingredients except garlic cloves and stir for about 20 minutes. (medium to low - medium heat)  Add garlic cloves and simmer for about 25 minutes.  Simultaneously roll sausage into balls, season with salt and pepper to taste.  pan fry till browned on the sides.  Boil noodles as stated on box (we don't make our own noodles.  :)  )
 
 
Side Dish:  Bruschetta Salad
Prepared by:  Sabrina
 
2-3 Cups Romain Lettuce
2 chopped tomatoes
1 cup parmesan croutons
½ cup chopped pepperoni slices (hot and spicy in this recipe)
½ cup fresh mozzarella
1/8 cup chopped fresh basil
Parmesan cheese
Lite Balsamic Parmesan Asiago Vinegarette
 
Directions:  Mix the 1st 6 ingredients together.  Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with parmesan.  Makes about 4 salads.
 
 
Dessert:  Cannolis w/ Reeces
Prepared by:  Kala
 
1 Cup Ricotta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons amaretto
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 premade cannoli shells
Reeces Pieces
 
Directions:  With mixer, mix together first 6 ingredients until thick "whipped cream" consistency.  Pipe into shells.  Add Reeces Pieces to garnish!
 
 
And so concludes another successful dinner night.  Next week:  Quiche!
 


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

OPA!

Last week’s dinner theme was “Greek”! Gyros have to be one of my favorite things, but one thing I
have learned…Greek food is not cheap to make! But is it worth it? Tastebuds say “Yessss!”

Main Course: Gyros w/ Tzatziki Sauce
Prepared by: Sabrina
2 lbs Gyro Meat (makes 6-8 gyros)
Pitas (or flatbread)
Red Onion
Tomato
2 cups plain Greek Yogurt
1 ½ medium Cucumber
¾ Garlic Clove
1 Tablespoon Dill
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
Salt to Taste
Directions (Sauce): It’s best to make the tzatziki sauce (ahem…”cucumber sauce”) hours before the
meal so all the flavors blend well together. If you do not have Greek yogurt, you may strain regular
plain yogurt (if you don’t have a yogurt strainer…and honestly – who does??)– by using coffee filters to
remove excess liquid.
Peel and seed cucumbers and place in a strainer above a bowl.
Heavily salt the cucumbers (about a tablespoon…this is to pull some of the moisture out of the
cucumbers)
Let cucumbers strain for about 30 minutes. Not much liquid to be removed, but enough!
In large bowl, add greek yogurt
With paper towel, dry off/soack up the cucumbers, and dice them.
Chop/blend the cucumbers, garlic,and dill (add to yogurt)
Stir it up, add lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to taste!
Let refrigerate for at least 2 hours for flavors to blend.
Directions (Gyros): Pan fry gyro meat until browned (but not crispy) on both side. ( I like to place them
on a paper towel to absorb any grease first….maybe I just do this because they are cut in strips like
bacon)
Grab your pita, place gyro meat, tomato slices, and red onion, add tzatziki sauce and enjoy!
Side Dish: Greek Salad
Prepared by: Kala
4 Cups Raw Spinach
1/2 Cup Artichoke Hearts
8 Cherry Tomatoes (in halves)
½ Cup Feta Cheese
8 Peppadews
¼ Cup Red Onion
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
1.5 teaspoons Oregano
1.5 teaspoons Basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions (Per salad): For the dressing, mix Olive Oil, Vinegar, Oregano, Basil, salt and pepper. Split
Salad ingredients among 4 bowls and add the dressing to each!
And another side:  Stuffed Peppadews
Prepared by: Kala
Easy Peasy - stuff Peppadews with either feta or goat cheese (tonight we used feta)!  YUM!
Dessert: Baklava
Prepared by: Stephanie
1 (16oz) pkg Phyllo Dough
1 lb Chopped Nuts
1 Cup Butter
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Sugar
½ Cup Honey
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Grease 9x13 pan.
Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon, set aside.
Unroll phyllo dough and cut whole stack in half to fit in pan.
(Cover phyllo w/ dampened cloth so it doesn’t dry out while you are preparing in the pan section)
Place 2 sheets of dough in pan and butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered.
Sprinkle 2-3 Tablespoons of cinnamon nut mixture on top.
Top with 2 sheets of dough, butter and nuts (layered). The top layer should be 6-8 sheets deep.
Using sharp knife, cut into diamond or square shapes.
Bake for 50 minutes (until golden crisp)
While baking, boil sugar and water until sugar is melted, then add vanilla and honey and simmer for 20
minutes.
Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool.
Time consuming? Yes. Messy? Yes. Worth it? YES!
Next up: Italian Night! Until next time, “OPA!”

Monday, November 12, 2012

Mexican Night!!

We decided it was high time we had a Mexican themed dinner night, and what-ho, was it ever a great idea! It was on Halloween night too, so while ghouls, goblins, and drunken teenagers in pillow cases stomped up the porch, we dined on our awesome food. And maybe some candy too, just a piece each or so, I wasn't really counting......


Candy Corn and Peanuts snack

- 3 cups Candy Corn
- 1 cup Salted Peanuts
Directions: Toss in a large bowl


Homemade Corn Chips
-1 package corn tortillas
-canola oil spray
- lime juice
-salt
-cumin (to flavor)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tortillas into fourths, and spray with canola oil on both sides. Sprinkle salt, lime juice  and cumin over tops and bake 10 minutes, or until crispy.


 3-Cheese Enchiladas
-12 corn tortillas
- 28oz can enchilada sauce
-3 cups cheese (part cheddar, part 3 pepper cheese) 
-2-3 tbsp oil
-1/3 onion. 
Directions: Coat each tortilla with oil, and  bake at 500 degrees for 7 min. Pour enough sauce in bottom of 9x13 glass dish to cover. Pour rest of sauce in large bowl & dip tortillas in it. Put cheese & onion in tortillas, and  fold side down in dish. Put leftover cheese/sauce/onion on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 min.


Corn and Black Bean Salsa

-1 1/4 oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
-1  can black beans, rinsed and drained 
-1 medium sweet red pepper diced
-1 medium tomato diced
-6 green onions, chopped 
-1/2 c. chopped red onion 
-1 jalapeno pepper chopped
-1 garlic clove, minced 
-3/4 c. Italian salad dressing (can use regular, low fat or fat-free) 
-1 Tbsp. minced fresh cilantro 
-1 Tbsp. lime or lemon juice 
-1 Tablespoon hot pepper sauce 
-1 teaspoon. chili powder 

Directions:In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients. Then mix remaining ingredients and add to the mixture and toss.






Monday, October 22, 2012

Pizza Party!

The great thing about homemade pizzas, is you can make them often, and rarely repeat.  There are so many options with homemade pizza.  Tonight we prepared 2 pizzas, and because I wasn't thinking clearly, I provided a garlic bread...just to ensure we had enough carbs.

 
For these pizzas you may use storebought crust, or prepare your own!
Crust: You may used storebought, or prepare your own!
1 Cup warm water
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoon dry yeast
3 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 Cups flour
Directions: Mix water, sugar and yeast until dissolved. Next add in the olive oil and salt. Then stir in the flour until mixed together. Let stand for 10 minutes.  Pat dough onto pan or stone.


 
Pizza #1:  Margherita Pizza
Prepared by:  Kala
 
Ingredients: 1/2 Cup chopped Basil
1 Sliced Tomato
1 Ball of fresh Mozarella
Olive Oil
Salt
 
Directions:  Brush the crust with Olive Oil
Add the Mozarella, Basil, and Tomato
Top with Salt
 
Bake at 400 degrees and check ever 5 minutes after 10 minutes (varies based on crust)
 
 
 
Pizza #2: Fiesta 'Za  (okay that was made up)
Prepared By:  Stephanie
 
Ingredients:  Chili Lime Marindade( 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 2 Tablespoons garlic mixed togther)
1/2 lb chicken breast in bite sized pieces
1/2 - 1 Jalapeno
1/4 Red Bell Pepper
1/4 Green Bell Pepper
1/4 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Cup (give or take) cheese of choice
Olive Oil
 
Directions:  Cook Chicken and marinade in the chili lime sauce.  
Brush the crust with Olive Oil.  
Add a light coating of cheese. 
Add chicken.
 Add chopped peppers and chopped jalapeno (judge amount by how spicy you like it!) 
Top with more cheese!
 
Bake at 400 and check every 5 minutes after 10 minutes.
 
 
 

"Simple" Garlic Toast
Prepared By: Sabrina
 
Ingredients: I loaf French Bread
1/4 Cup Softened butter
1 Tablespoon Tastefully Simple Italian Garlic Bread Seasoning
(yes, it's true...sometimes I like to plug my own products)
 
Directions:  In small bowl mix butter and seasoning.
Cut french loaf in two (top and bottom)
Spread seasoned butter on each 1/2 of the loaf
 
Bake at 350 for about 10 minutes (add cheese if desired)
 
 
 
And so we ate until we were stuffed with delicous carb goodness as we laughed watching "The Best of Chris Farley".  What could be better?  Up next week: enchiladas!
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Dexter Themed Night!

Our favorite premium cable show came back on, and like any good pseudo soap-opera Dexter the last season had a killer (pun  intended) ending, and we were dorkily giddy over watching the first two episodes So we decided a fitting theme for this week would be blood. Kinda gross at first consideration, but of course we didn't eat raw meat or anything crazy, we just made red foods, silly.

Pepperoni and Tomato Grilled Cheese

- Bread slices of your choice
- Harvarti with Jalapenos
- Sharp Cheddar
- Pepperoni slices
- 1 slicing tomato
- Butter to coat bread
Directions:  Assemble ingredients on buttered bread and grill like standard grilled cheese in cast-iron pan until golden brown and melted.


Oh, me, oh, my. So spicy, toasty and delicious!



Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

  • -3 pounds ripe plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
  • -1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  •  -tablespoon kosher salt
  • -1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • -2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
  • -6 garlic cloves, minced
  • -2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • -1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • -1 (28-ounce) canned plum tomatoes, with their juice
  • -4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • -1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • -1 quart chicken stock or water

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss together the tomatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the tomatoes in 1 layer on a baking sheet and roast for 45 minutes.
In an 8-quart stockpot over medium heat, saute the onions and garlic with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the butter, and red pepper flakes for 10 minutes, until the onions start to brown. Add the canned tomatoes, basil, thyme, and chicken stock. Add the oven-roasted tomatoes, including the liquid on the baking sheet. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes. Pass through a food mill fitted with the coarsest blade. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot or cold. *Recipe by Ina Gartner

Can't go wrong with good ole' tomato soup! Sure beats the pants of tin-flavored Campbell's!

Bomb Bloody Mary's
  • -3 cups tomato juice
  • -3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • -3 tablespoons lime juice
  • -1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
  • -1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce, or to taste
  • -1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • -3/4 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste (recommended: Tabasco)
  • -3/4 teaspoon salt
  • -1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • - 1 shot Vodka per drink
  • -String Cheese
  • -Pickles
  • -Celery
  • -Beef Sticks
  • - Green olives ( if you're not Sabrina) =)

Directions:

In a blender combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and hot sauce and process until smooth. Transfer to a glass container and add salt and black pepper, to taste. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
When ready to serve, fill each glass with ice.


Almost a meal in themselves, these beastly beauties were delicious ( albeit super filling) accompaniment to our "blood" themed meal. And making your own mix is easy and saves upwards of 900 mg of sodium in a glass. Save yourself the sausage fingers! This turned out to  be one of the best meals we've done in a while.
Next week: Pizza party!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Fondue-licious!


Last week, we decided to treat ourselves to a feast of fondue!  Dipping all sorts of things....in all sorts of things?! What a glorious idea!



It was a grazing fest, so here are our fondue dishes, in no particular order:

Cheese Fondue

- 1 Cup Dry White Wine
- 1/2 lb Gruyere Cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 lb Swiss Cheese (shredded)
2 Tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

-Directions:  Simmer wine in fondue pot (or do on stove top and transfer to fondue pot when finished).  Add cheese 1/4 lb at a time and stir constantly until melted.  Very important to keep stirring or it will gradually stick more and more to the bottom.  Once all the cheese is melted, add flour, salt and nutmeg. Stir.

Served with:  French Bread, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Steak



Oil Fondue

- Oil (amount depends on the size of the pot....deep enough to dip!) Broth will also work!

Optional:  Dipping Batter :
Stir together:
-1/2 Cup Milk
-2 Eggs
-1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-Cup flour


-Directions:  Get oil to desired temperature.  Best to check with a thermometer.  The oil should not become so hot that it "spits" at you.  Make sure the steak is dried well prior to dipping in the hot oil.  Dip until cooked to your liking!  Dip in the batter first to get a fried breading!

Served with: Steak, Broccoli, Cauliflower

Chocolate Fondue:

-1 Cup Chocolate Chips
-1 14 oz can Condensed Milk
-2 Tablespoons butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla

-Directions:  Still all ingredients together on Medium heat and stir constantly.  Keep on low to medium heat in fondue pot.

Served with:  Strawberries, Bananas, Marshmallows

Beverage:  Wine Spritzers

- Wine of your choice
- Tonic Water
-Lime wedge if you please!

Happy Dipping and Sipping!






Friday, September 28, 2012

Thai and Indian Fusion night!

We decided it was high time we had Thai and Indian food for girl's dinner night, and boy was that an awesome idea! There's only a handful of Thai and Indian joints in town, and they cost  a fortune, so we made our own  feast for a fraction of the cost.
 
When I think of Thai food, I think pungent smells, beautiful presentations and daring spices.
 
Indian food calls to mind delicious blobs of flavor. And while the word blob doesn't necessarily cause one to salivate, it totally looks like delicious blobs of food, don't you think? So we made a little Thai, a little Indian, and it was the perfectly delicious combination.

Main Course, by Sabrina:
 
Jalfrezi Chicken
 
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 grated yellow onion
  • 2 chopped garlic cloves ( or 2 teaspoons Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic)
  • About 1 – 1 ½ pounds chicken breast
  • 3 teaspoons turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter…I think butter would work as well)
  • 3 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 3 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro leaves
  1. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the chicken, and season with turmeric, chili powder and salt. Fry gently, scraping the bottom of the pan frequently and turning the chicken.
  2. Pour in the tomatoes with their juice, cover the pan, and simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes. Uncover, and simmer for another 10 minutes to let the excess liquid evaporate.
  3. Add the ghee, cumin, ground coriander, ginger and cilantro, and simmer for another 5 to 7 minutes. Serve the chicken pieces with sauce spooned over the top. (serve with Basmati or jasmine rice)
 


Delhi Saag
-2 cups spinach
-2 cups mustard greens
- 1/3 cup minced onions
-1T. resh grated ginger root
-1 t. lemon juice
-1 t. salt
-1 hot pepper
Directions: Saute onion and peppers in 1 T. olive oil, then add greens and ginger root and saute until cooked down over low heat 10-15 minutes.
 
 
 
 Here's the roadmap to our delicious plate o' Indian and Thai food. We just bought Naan bread, but it's really easy to make if you feel up to it, and millions of recipes are all over the internet. The chicken was spicy and the Saag, Naan and rice really cooled it off and complimented it very well.
 
Dessert by Kala
 
Ma-Muang Sobey (Mango Sorbet)
 
-1 pound ripe mango, peeled, pitted, chopped
-2/3 cup sugar, cooked down in one cup water until dissolved.
 
Directions:
 
 Blend the mango with the cooled syrup in a blender until mixture is smooth. Put it  in the freezer for about an hour until mixture is slushy, then remove and reblend. Return to freezer 30 minutes at least before serving.
 
 
It took me a while to find a Thai dessert that didn't consist of elaborately carved melons and strategically placed berries, because I just didn't have time for that just now. Luckily, I found an awesome Thai cookbook with this sorbet recipe in it, and it was really easy to make and went  great with the flavorful main course flavors.
 
 
Cocktail by Stephanie:
 
Hello Kitty
 
- 1.5 oz shot vodka
-1.5 oz shot Ty-Su citrus liqueur
-8 oz.  Lemonade
 
Directions: Combine ingredients in tumbler and drink.
 
 
And I just love the name of this drink, being a devout Hello Kitty enthusiast. The glowing bottle of citrus liqueur is just plain fun. It has a button on the bottom to make it glow like radioactive alien juice. It was a semi-sweet cocktail with the tart lemonade to make it a great pair for our Thai/Indian fusion night. A great drink indeed that will go in the cocktail recipe book for a night when you want something a little fun and fresh.
 
All in all it was another success, we had high hopes for this night, and it was executed with finesse. As winter promises to show up soon, dinner night gives us something to do and look forward too on humpday. 
 
Next week: Fondue! How many things can we melt and dip in them... We'll find out!
 
 
 

Monday, September 24, 2012

Rise and Shine! It's Brinner Time!


Brinner! 
For those of you unfamiliar with the term “Brinner”…it translates to Breakfast for Dinner!  Oh – and it’s delicious!  Who says breakfast food has to be in the morning?
Last week’s menu consisted of homemade blueberry pancakes, garbage potatoes, and mimosas.

Main Course: By Stephanie
Blueberry Pancakes
-2 Eggs (separated)
-1 ½ Cups Flour
-2 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
-3 Tablespoons Sugar
-¾ teaspoon salt
-3 Tablespoons Butter (melted)

-1 Cup milk
                      -1 Cup Blueberries                       
-2 teaspoons vanilla
-Directions:  In small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff then set aside. In separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, sugar & salt. Beat egg yolks in mixing bowl then add milk & melted butter. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients. Mix until batter is smooth & then stir in blueberries. Fold in beaten egg whites. Then pour batter onto pan or griddle to cook pancakes.

Side Dish:  By Sabrina
Garbage Potatoes
-6 small potatoes cut into bite sized pieces (I used Golden Potatoes this time)
-Then….add whatever sounds goods!  I added:
-¼ green pepper diced
-¼ red pepper diced
 -1/8 yellow onion diced
-1 package of maple sausage links (pan fried ahead of time)
-Directions:  If you choose to use sausage (or bacon), fry that up first and set aside.  Then fry the potatoes in the pan used for the sausage so the grease can be reused.  Sounds healthy right?  Well, that’s why we’ll add veggies later to make you feel better about it.  The potatoes will be fried until they are  just a light crispy brown (medium/medium –high heat).  Next stir in the peppers, then the onions.  Stir often so everything cooks evenly and does not burn to the bottom of the pan.  A splash of oil may need to be added to ensure nothing sticks.   In this version of garbage potatoes I added about ½ Tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.  Once cooked, cut the sausages into bite sized pieces and stir into the mixture.

Beverage:  By Kala
Mimosas
-Champagne
-Orange Juice
-Directions: Pour champagne, pour orange juice, stir and enjoy!  We may or may not have added a whiskey cherry to the bottom of our drinks because…why not?!  We like to experiment!
“Cheers!” to another successful  Girls’ Dinner Night!  Up next:  Indian Food!