Category Archives: Appetizer

Broccoli & Grape Salad

Broccoli & Grape Salad

Broccoli & Grape Salad!! This is a refreshing salad that will be great for all of your summer BBQ’s! I recently made it for my Kentucky Derby Party and it was a delicious hit! Below is the recipe I got from my mama, but there are SO many variations of this on pinterest, like this one. Some add celery, some add onion, but all are the same basic idea.

You’ll need:

1 bunch broccoli florets

2 cups seedless red grapes halved

1 cup slivered almonds

1/2 lb bacon fried crisp and crumbled

3/4 cup sunflower seeds

Optional: 1 cup of raisins

Dressing:

1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar

How to make:

Once you’ve got everything prepped, it’s just 4 easy steps!
1. Mix dressing in a small bowl
2. Mix all other ingredients, except grapes in a large bowl
3. Add dressing and mix
4. Gently fold in grapes

Seriously. It’s that easy. You spend more time halving the grapes than anything else.

Make ahead!

You can made it a day ahead of time too. I don’t mix anything, but just cut up my broccoli and grapes and put in the fridge in separate containers. I also mix up my dressing too. The next day all I have to do is put it all into my serving bowl with the bacon and nuts. Easy Peasy!!

Have you tried this salad? Do you have a different version? Share in the comments!

 

Zucchini fritters!

 

Zucchini Fritters final

Corn. Green beans. Broccoli. Potatoes. I feel like we do the same veggie sides all the time. Mostly because those are the few we like and are easy.

But I recently saw this pin from Just a Taste for 5 ingredient zucchini fritters. I’ve recently developed a liking for zucchini,  although I’m the only one in the family to do so.

After a small eye roll from the hubby I started grating my zucchini while he cooked us up some steaks. Click here for the instructions by Just a Taste,  keep reading for mine.

What you’ll need:
4 cups shredded zucchini
2/3 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs slightly beaten
1/3 cup scallions
Vegetable oil
Sour cream (optional)

Grate your zucchini, and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Lightly salt it and add it to a bowl. Just a Taste suggests putting it in a colander and letting it sit for 10 minutes also.

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Then add your flour,  eggs, scallions,  salt and pepper. Mix. Mix. Mix.

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Line a plate with paper towels to set your fritters on. Coat the bottom of a pan with oil and heat over a medium-high heat.
When hot,  scoop your zucchini mixture(about 3 tablespoons each) into the hot oil. Cook for about 3 minutes each side or until golden brown.

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Place on the plate and sprinkle with salt. Continue the steps until you’ve used all the mix.

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To be honest,  I forgot to buy scallions so they aren’t added to mine. Let me say,  I think these would have been excellent with them. While my eye rolling husband loved them anyway,  I thought they needed a bit more (thus the scallions). Maybe a spicy aioli? But not bad for a first attempt. This may not be in full rotation yet,  but it’s definitely something I’m going to work on.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. How would you change it?

Crab Bites

No matter if it’s Sunday, Monday, Thursday, or Saturday, you’re probably watching football. Let’s face it, the game is always more fun when you invite people over to watch it with you. This delicious appetizer will fill you up and have your guests inviting themselves over for the next game. My hubby LOVES these and it has become a staple snack in our house.  This was given to me from a former co-worker. While I didn’t get this from Pinterest, I hope it will make it now! These are too good not to share.

The best part? You can freeze batches ahead of time and just pop them into the oven as needed!

Crab Bites

Ingredients:

6 English Muffins

5oz Old English Cheese

8oz Crab meat, imitation or real, we prefer the real deal!

1 stick of butter

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

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Directions:

1. Combine cheese spread, butter, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl. I like to soften the cheese spread and butter first so its easier to mix and dish out. Then mix in your crab meat.

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2. Separate your english muffins into halves, then cut each half into 1/4’s. Then set them out on baking sheets.

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3. Scoop out your crab mixture onto each piece if the muffins. About a tablespoon size per piece. You can always go back over with the remainder.

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4. Cover with aluminum foil and freeze for at least 1 hour, or even for up to several weeks. When you’re ready, just pop them in the broiler for about 10 min. Just remember to watch them to make sure they don’t burn. Enjoy!