RR's Apple, Chutney, and Smoked Gouda Grilled Cheese

Saw this in the insert:

2 slices multigrain bread
Major Grey's* Chutney
Slice of smoked gouda
Shredded Granny Smith* apple
Kerrygold* butter, softened
EVOO

Spread chutney on one slice of bread. Layer with cheese and apple. Top with other slice. In a skillet over med.-high heat, melt butter and add a small drizzle of oil. Cook sammie on both sides til golden brown. Serve with Lay's potato chips, and a really good dill pickle spear.

"The big lesson in life, Baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything." ~ Frank Sinatra

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow!!

Love,

MM

Left-over Baked Potatoes THREE Ways!!

Rise and Shine:

Split potato; butter and season with S&P. Stuff with crispy crumbled bacon, chopped red* or green bell peppers, a fried egg, and top with shredded sharp cheddar.

Steak House:

Same beginning treatment for potato. Top with cooked steak strips, caramelized onions, and crumbled blue cheese.

Twice- Baked Mushroom Thyme:

Begin with a baked potato; scoop out potato flesh - leaving 1/4" of it around the rim, sides, and bottom. Saute sliced shitakes or criminis in butter; add low sodium chicken stock and cream or half and half*. Reduce until thickened. Stuff skin with mushroom mixture, bake til warmed through at 350. Top with lemon zest and fresh* thyme leaves.

"I have finally found the way to live - in the presence of the Lord." ~ Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton

Have FUN today!! I will be watching college football all day. YAY.

Love,

MM

MM's Stuffed Portabella

This is what I am making myself for dinner tonight before I go to Choir rehearsal:
(makes 1)

1 portabello mushroom, stem and gills removed
EVOO
Baby Spinach leaves, stems removed
Cream cheese with chives, softened
Panko bread crumbs
Softened butter
Johnny's Garlic Seasoning
Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400. Brush all sides of mushroom with oil. Line the inside bottom with a good layer of spinach. Spread the cream cheese on top. Combine panko with softened butter. Season with Johnny's and salt. Sprinkle on top of mushroom. Bake til panko is lightly browned.

"Good things come to those who believe. Better things come to those who are patient. And, the Best things come from those who don't give up!"

Love,

MM

Sloppy Joe Chili Corn Muffins

Fun, Fast, Fab. for parties - Thanks, RR!!
(makes 8)

8 large corn muffins, warmed
2 cups thick chili
1/4-1/2 minced jalapeno (optional*)
1 cup shredded sharp* cheddar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 scallions, sliced

Slice circles in muffin tops, leaving 1/2" border and cutting halfway down; scoop out centers. In pan, simmer chili and jalapeno. Spoon into muffins; top with remaining ingredients.

"Plant the seed of positivity into your mind, and nourish it daily with love and happiness. It will flower as fear begins to die."

Have FUN today!!

Love,

MM

Nacho Cheese Popcorn

Saw this in the Portlandia Cookbook: Cook Like a Local (which I just ordered from B&N to add to my cookbook collection!!)
(serves 6)

1/4 cup cheddar cheese powder or 1 packet cheese powder from packaged mac and cheese
1 t. onion powder
1/4 t. chipotle chili powder
1/4 cup plus 2 T. veg. oil
2/3 cup popping corn
4 T. Kerrygold* butter, melted
Kosher salt, to taste

In a small bowl, combine all powders. In a large pot, heat the oil. Add the popping corn, cover (leaving the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to vent), and pop over med. heat, shaking the pan until the popping slows to 2 sec. intervals. Immediately transfer the popped corn to a large bowl, and drizzle with the butter. Add half the seasoning mixture and toss. Add the remaining mixture and toss again. Season with salt, if desired.

"The true mark of maturity is when somebody hurts you, you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back."

Have FUN today!!

Love,

MM

Thai Green Curry

I LOVE Thai food, and this one floated my boat when I saw it in the paper:
(makes 8 servings)

2 T. peanut oil, divided
8 oz. pork sirloin cutlets, cut into 1/4" strips
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup Thai green curry paste
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken or veg. stock (I always use the 70 mg. sodium chicken stock from
      Trader Joe's*)
1 lb. Thai or Japanese* eggplant, cut into 1" cubes
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2" strips
3 cups haricot verts*, cut into 1" pieces
2 T. thinly sliced ginger
2&1/2 t. chopped kaffir lime leaves
1/4 cup fish sauce
1 cup Thai basil leaves (again, I encourage you to start an herb garden!*)
1 t. white and black sesame seeds, for garnish

Heat a wok or large sauté over high heat. Add 1 T. of the oil and heat until the oil is very hot and has a shimmer to its appearance. Add the pork and stir-fry until evenly browned, 2 mins. Remove from pan. Add remaining oil to the pan. Add the garlic and curry paste and cook until aromatic, about 2 mins. Add the stock and bring to a simmer, about 1 min. Add the eggplant, red bell pepper, beans, ginger, lime leaves, and fish sauce. Cook until the eggplant is tender, about 8 mins. Add the pork and cook until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in the basil leaves. Mound a serving of your choice of rice in the center of the plates and top with a basil leaf. Surround the rice in a circle with the Thai Green Curry, and sprinkle it with the sesame seeds.

"A wise man builds his house upon the Rock."

Have FUN out there today!!!

Love,

MM

Whipped Potatoes with Three Onion Butter

"The tricks to achieving very creamy mashed potatoes are to not overcook them, and to whip them just until smooth (if you overwhip, they'll get gluey). Serve some of the butter on the side, so guests can determine their level of richness."
(makes 11 cups)

6 large russet potatoes (about 5 lbs.), peeled and cut into chunks
1 pt. half and half
4 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 leek, white and light green parts only, sliced
1 large shallot, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
6 T. Kerrygold* butter, plus more for serving

Prep: (up to 1 day ahead)

Cook potatoes in a large pot of boiling water until larger chunks are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain; return to pot and keep there for transport (in case you intend to make these at the party). Pour half and half, S&P into a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Put leek, shallot, and green onions in separate resealable plastic bags. Chill all the above.

At the party:

Heat potatoes over low heat, stirring often, just until warm. Meanwhile, heat half and half mixture in a microwave until very hot. Add to potatoes and heat, stirring occasionally, over med. heat until hot.
Using a hand mixer (or put potatoes in a stand mixer and work in batches if necessary), whip potatoes just until smooth and free of lumps. Transfer to a serving bowl. Melt butter in a large frying pan over med. heat. Add leek and cook just until starting to soften, about 3 mins. Add shallot; cook until softened and butter starts to brown, about 3 mins. Remove from heat, add green onions, and swirl pan to coat. Pour over potatoes.

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

Have FUN today!!

Love,

MM