SANGRIA!

I recently found some complicated sangria recipes that looked way too hard to make for a simple drink. Instead I found this one and added on oranges to it to make it better. This is a unique drink and simple to make, and I usually have most of the ingredients around my house (improvised on the rum with some Sailor Jerry's).

Ingredients:
1 bottle wine (fruity flavor)
1 cup Bacardi Limon
1-2 cans lemon lime soda (Sprite/7up)
2 lemons, sliced
2 limes, sliced
ice cubes
1 orange, thinly sliced

Pour ingredients into a pitcher with cubes, lemons, oranges and limes.




Found this recipe here

LATKES (Potato Cakes)

This is one of my favorite foods and it is always served on Hanukkah. They take less then 15 minutes to make and are a tasty snack for anytime.

Ingredients:
3 lg. potatoes
1 small onion
3 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. flour
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions: Wash, peel and grate raw potatoes. Grate onion and add to potatoes. Beat eggs well; add to potato mixture. Add salt and flour. Mix well. Fry in frying pan, dropping carefully by spoonfuls into hot fat that is deep enough almost to cover the latkes. Turn when bottom is golden brown. Fry on other side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.


Got this Recipe from here

Southern Deviled Eggs

   Whenever I make a hard boiled egg the main key that many people forget is to let the eggs sit in cold water after they are done. It will leave the yolk bright yellow and well turn out perfect. Also when taking out the yolk and mixing it with the other ingredients is done easiest in a zip-lock bag, and cutting a bottom corner off from the bag makes it easier to distribute to the eggs after the mix is done. Overall, this is an easy recipe anyone can make and you should try it.


    Ingredients:

1 dozen hard-boiled eggs
mustard
mayonnaise
sweet or dill relish
paprika
salt or pepper

Directions: Slice eggs in half and put yolk in separate bowl. Add about a tablespoon of each mayonnaise, mustard and relish. Season with salt and pepper. Mash until almost smooth. Add more of any of the above ingredients, since its to be made how you like it. Add filling in each egg, sprinkle with paprika and enjoy!!
Note: you may want to have 1-2 extra hard-boiled eggs handy if you like your eggs extra stuffed. :)


I found this recipe from here.

A Recipe for Homemade Apple Cider

I found this recipe at this blog and it is a perfect recipe to make for a party with some friends. It isn't a very hard recipe for such a great reward at the end, and to make it even better I'd toss a little bit of my favorite booze in each one to have a better time. Sailor Jerry sounds like the perfect addition to me!

Apple Cider Mmmmmm

Wash and dry the apples. Make sure to thoroughly dry the apples. You don't want the apple to slip out of your hand! Using a sharp knife, carefully trace a center around the edge of the apple and use a spoon to scoop out the insides.

Ingredients
12 apples (Granny smith, gala, Red delicious), insides only
1 orange, cut into quarters
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cinnamon sticks (more for garnishing)
1/2 nutmeg
1/2 Tbsp cloves
1/2 Tsp whole allspice
Water, to cover the apples

• Set aside the 'apple cups'. You can sprinkle lemon juice over the apples to prevent browning. 
• Bring the apple pulp, water, orange quarters, brown sugar, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and whole allspice to a boil. 
• Stir occasionally and allow to simmer for 2 hours.
• Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the apples and oranges until soft. 
• Allow the cider to come to room temperature before straining.

Apple cider is commonly served warm but I like to enjoy it chilled with a little of Sailor Jerry's.

Try these Apple Cider Cups this holiday, it's a great entertaining piece and a conversation starter at parties. Pop the apple cups in the oven or fridge to serve warm or chilled. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, which doubles as a stirring stick.

Macaroni and Cheese

The Best Macaroni and Cheese Ever
1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted




Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter, add the garlic and cook until the garlic is softened, about 2 minutes.  Add the onion powder, then whisk in the flour and milk, then cook until slightly thickened.  Add three cups of the cheddar cheese and stir until melted in the mixture.

Toss the cheese mixture with the cooked pasta, salt and pepper to taste.  Stir the remaining grated cheese into the pasta.  Spoon into a large baking dish. In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter.

I always like to add a bunch of freshly ground pepper and a sprinkling of sea salt to this mixture.  Spread over the pasta.  Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.  It will turn out perfect.

Oven Chilli Dogs

These look and taste like gourmet chilli hot dogs but are extremely easy to make. A restaurant can get away with charging $6 or more for a chilli dog, but this meal will cost you under $3 for one. I also tried mixing hot chilli sauce with the mayonnaise and it turned out to taste similar to spicy buffalo sauce. Mmmmm


8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns
1 can of chili
1/2 an onion, diced
cheddar cheese
mayonnaise
mustard
sweet relish

Line inside of hot dog buns with mayonnaise and sweet relish. Evenly add mustard. Fill with hot dogs and squish into a 13×9″ baking pan.
T
op hot dogs with chili, cheese, and diced onion. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 15-30 minutes.

Taco Casserole

This is a healthier choice then nachos and taste even better when you make it yourself with fresh ingredients. All of these ingredients will cost you under $20, and some of the ones listed you can exclude according to what you prefer more.

Prep time: 10 min; Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings

• 24 Tortilla Chips, plus additional for serving
• 1 Tbs Chili Oil (or olive oil and red pepper flakes)
  
• 1 Onion, chopped
  
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  
• 1 pound Ground Chicken
  
• 2 Tbs Taco Seasoning
  
• 1 can Black Beans, drained
  
• 1 cup Salsa
  
• 1 cup shredded fat free or reduced fat Cheese
  
• Optional: Other toppings such as jalepenios, olives, etc.
  

Heat oven to 350.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and sautee until soft. Add meat and taco seasoning. Cook, breaking up meat with a spatula, for about 5 minutes. Add beans and salsa. Mix well and continue to cook until salsa thickens.

Line the bottom of a large baking dish with tortilla chips, pressing down on them lightly to break them into bite-sized pieces. Spread the meat and bean mixture over the chips and top with cheese. Add sliced jalepenos or other toppings that you ant to be cooked. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and gooey.

Scoop up with additional chips if desired.