Wings

I got this recipe from a friend. And, though I have not tried it yet, I can not wait to on SUPERBOWL SUNDAY!
EDIT: I just made these and they are to die for! Bryan loved them. Only thing I didnt do was use tobasco...didnt need to...it was spicy enough. So, I am taking that out of my recipe.




I love the Superbowl. I dont like watching it as much as I like to have an excuse to make finger food and have a party. My parents always had parties growing up, and this just brings back memories. Even if it is just Bryan and I on Sunday, you better believe I am making a bunch of muchie food! Lets get started on the wings, shall we?

Start with a bag of Chicken wing drummetts. I like the drummetts, but you could also get the "wings" if you prefer. Just make sure they are not cooked or breaded or anything. Just plain.
In a deep frying pan, heat about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches of oil on med-med/high heat. When it is heated, throw in the chicken wings/drummetts. Make sure to stir them around so they dont get stuck to the bottom of the pan. Turn them occasionally, cooking them for about 25 minutes, or till crispy and brown. Remove from pan and let them drain on paper towels.

Now, while those are cooking, you can make the sauce. In a large pot, melt 2 sticks of butter. To it, add 1 12oz bottle of Louisiana Hot sauce...not tobasco, not hot wing sauce....it could also be called cayenne pepper sauce. Stir it up.

Take the chicken, in batches, and place in the sauce. Mix it up and make sure every part of the chicken gets sauced. Place in bowl, or platter, or however you choose to serve it.

I like my wings with celery and Bleu Cheese Dressing....my problem is that the dressings from the store never have enough cheese in it. My way of solving this problem...I take Ranch dressing and add to it crumbled bleu cheese. That way, I can make sure it has enough in it!!!

Enjoy, and happy Superbowl!

Corn Pudding

I never had this dish until I met Bryan. Growing up, during holidays, we always just had corn in butter sauce. Not Bryan. This dish is a staple during the holidays. And, if you forget, like I did over Christmas, to make it...boy, you are gonna get it!

Ingredients
1 can of corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1 box Jiffy corn bread
2 sticks of butter
2 eggs
16 oz sour cream

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers

So, I made these last night and they are so good. Simple, delicious, and great for entertaining!

Ingredients
Jalapenos
cream cheese, softened
bacon
thats all!

Take off the stems and cut the peppers in half. (Use as many as you want...the amount does not matter) Take out the seeds from the inside of the pepper.
Fill the inside of the pepper with the cream cheese.
Cut the bacon into 3rds. Take one piece, and wrap it around the pepper. If you want to put a toothpick through to keep it in place, go ahead. I have found that it works either way!
Place on wire rack on top of a cookie sheet (to catch the grease).
Bake at 375 for 30 minutes, or until desired crispiness.
Eat and enjoy!

The 2nd best dessert- Cheesecake Sopapilla

So, the first best dessert, I have not gotten up the courage to let go of. It is a family recipe and only one other person outside of my family knows it (that I know of). So, instead, I will give you the 2nd best dessert. I would call it "Linnea's Cheesecake Sopapillas" but I kinda got it from someone else who made it once, and then I turned around and made it again and again and again. Plus, she got it from someone else. I dont remember the exact recipe, so the original may be different, but this is how I make it!

2 cans cressent rolls
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese, softened (dont try fat free, it just doesnt work with this!)
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp vanilla

topping
1/2 stick melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon

In a greased 9x13 pan, open a can of rolls and roll it out on the bottom of the pan. Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla and spread on top of rolls. Open the next can and roll out on top cream cheese mixture. Pour melted butter on top (by now you are realizing how healthy this recipe is!) and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Now, the important part. You have to let it cool for a while. It is good hot, but so much better cooled off and just slightly warm. I never can last long enough to let it cool. Best served with ice cream and strawberries (to make it a little healthy!)

French Toast Casserole

Mmmmmm, Yummy!

1 loaf French Bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (10 cups)
8 eggs
3 cups milk
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp salt

topping
2 tbsp butter, cubed
3 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Place bread cubes in a greased 13x9 pan. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt. Pour over bread. Cover and refigerate for 8 hours, or overnight.

Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Dot with butter. Combine sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over the top. Cover and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes. Serve with syrup.

It is great to add fresh fruit, like blueberries or strawberries to the batter!

Penne Pasta Salad

Easy Peasy!

1 pound mini penne pasta (or whatever you want) cooked until tender
1 cup vinegar (red wine or white)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp celery seed (sometimes I sub celery salt and leave out regular salt)
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup tomatoes
1 green or red pepper, or both

mix all together and refrigerate overnight.
This is a great dish because it has so many things that you already have on hand. Plus, you could put in any veggies that you want. If you dont like one thing, put something else in. Or, you could beef it up a little and add chicken or shrimp!

Lemon Tea Bread

This bread is so delicious that it melts in your mouth. Try it once and you will never be the same!

In a bowl, mix:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

In another bowl, mix:
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

To the wet ingredients, add the dry, alternating between 1/2 cup milk and the dry. For some reason, this step is important. If you add the milk all at once or add the dry ingredients all at once, it does not turn out right.

Stir in 1 tbsp grated lemon rind.

Put in greased loaf pan (I like to line the bottom with parchement paper, just to make sure it is going to get out with no problems)

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Take out of pan and let cool. When you are ready to serve, mix...
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
spoon on top of bread
Mix 1 tbsp grated lemon rind and 1 tbsp sugar. Sprinkle on top of bread. Serve warm or room temp...delicious either way!