MM's Pizza Burgers

I get a hankering for these, and NOTHING else will do:

1+ lb. ground beef
1 lb. grated sharp Cheddar
1 small sweet white onion, finely diced
1 can either chopped black or green olives - I usually use a bit of both
1 can (lowest you can find sodium) tomato soup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 t. Johnny's Garlic Seasoning
1/2 t. dried oregano
Sour dough English muffins, halved

Brown ground beef and drain well. Let cool a bit. Combine with next 7 ingredients. Cover and let sit, to let the flavors meld, overnight in the fridge. Toast English muffins. Spread each muffin half with mixture. Place on a baking sheet, and broil til the cheese has melted and it turns a little bit brown. OMGOSH these are SO good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I serve them with sweet corn on the cob (white or a combo), and I ALWAYS add a packet of Sugar in the Raw to the corn water. I also serve melted butter to pour over the corn. Just sayin'..................

Rock ON!!

Love,

MM.

Onion and Garlic Macacamia Nuts!!!

Betcha you won't be able to leave these alone:
(makes 12 servings)

3 T. EVOO
1 T. dried parsley flakes
1 T. dried onion flakes*
3/4* t. sugar
1&1/2 t. lemon juice
1 t. Johnny's Garlic Spread Seasoning*
3 cups macadamia nuts (about 14 oz.)

In a large skillet, heat oil over med. heat for 1-2 mins. or until very hot. Carefully add parsley, onion, sugar, lemon juice, and Johnny's, stirring until combined. Add macadamia nuts. Cook and stir for 5 mins. Drain nuts on paper towels; cool.

"We can accomplish more together than we can alone."

Have FUN today!!

Love,

MM

Halibut Kabobs with Lemon Thai* Basil Butter

This one is for my cousin, Peg who flew home from Alaska yesterday with tons of fresh halibut:
(serves 4-6)

6 T. butter, room temp.
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 T. chopped fresh Thai basil, divided
2 t. lemon juice, divided
2 t. fresh lemon zest
1 t. finely minced shallot
A couple of dill fronds*, snipped
Sea* salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 lbs. halibut, cut into 1&1/2" cubes
2 T. high-heat oil
2 zucchini, thickly sliced
1 yellow squash*, thickly sliced
1 qt. grape* tomatoes
Metal or wood skewers (if using wood, make sure to soak them*)
Lemon crowns

Mix butter, garlic 2 T. basil, 1 t. lemon juice, lemon zest, shallot, S&P in a small bowl until well combined. Gently toss halibut with oil, remaining 1 T basil and 1 t. lemon juice; marinate for 20 mins. Meanwhile, preheat the grill to med. high heat (or start the broiler*). Thread halibut (against the grain so the fish doesn't fall apart), zucchini, squash, and tomatoes on skewers; lightly season with S*P. Cook until fish is just opaque, about 3-4 mins. per side. Remove kabobs to a platter and immediately top with half the lemon-basil butter (heated to melted*). Serve additional butter on the side with lemon crowns and sprinkle with dill. I would make a Caesar salad and some warm roasted garlic bread to accompany. This is a perfect for dining Al Fresco!!!!

Make Patience and Perseverance your watch words today. And, have FUN!!!

Love,

MM

Bacon-Filled Medjool Dates, AND Gorgonzola-Thyme-Stuffed Olives

Here's a couple tasty party/picnic treats for you since I missed the weekend:

Bacon-Filled Medjool Dates:
(makes 24 servings)

6 slices hickory smoked peppered* bacon
1/2 cup whole almonds or pecan halves, toasted and chopped
1/2 cup finely shredded Manchego or Parmesan cheese (2 oz.)
24 unpitted whole Medjool dates (about 1 lb.)
2&1/2-3 T. honey
1 t. snipped fresh thyme

Preheat oven to 375. In a large skillet, cook bacon over med. heat until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon. In a small bowl, combine bacon, almonds, and cheese. Make a slit down one side of each date; spread open and remove pit. Spoon about 1 T. of the bacon mixture into each date; press date to shape around filling (filling will be exposed). Arrange dates, filling side up, on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 mins., or until heated through and cheese is lightly browned. Cool slightly Before serving, drizzle warm dates with honey and sprinkle with thyme.

Gorgonzola-Thyme-Stuffed Olives:
(makes 40)

3 oz. Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
2 oz. cream cheese with chives*, softened
2 t. snipped fresh lemon* thyme
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
40 whole pitted green olives

In a medium bowl, beat Gorgonzola and cream cheese with an electric mixer on med. until creamy. Stir in thyme and pepper. Spoon cheese mixture into a pastry bag filled with a small plain round tip (or use my suggestion of a baggie from yesterday). Pipe the cheese mixture into each olive.

"Watch your head" today!! And, have FUN.

Love,

MM

Mini Gruyere and Smoked Ham* Puffs

Man, do THESE sound Delish:
(makes 20 servings)

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 t. dried basil, crushed
1/4 t. Johnny's Garlic Spread Seasoning*
Dash Cayenne
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 cup smoked ham*, tiny dice
2 T. grated Parmesan cheese
2 T. grated Gruyere
Preheat oven to 450. Grease a baking sheet; set aside. In a small saucepan, combine the water, butter, basil, Johnny's, and cayenne. Bring to boiling over med. heat, stirring to melt the butter. Immediately add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Cook and stir until mixture forms a ball that doesn't separate. Remove from heat. Cool for 5 mins. Add eggs, one at a time, to mixture in saucepan, beating with a spoon after each addition until smooth. Stir in shredded Gruyere and ham. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons about 2" apart onto the prepared baking sheet. You can spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, or make your own by spooning it into a zip lock bag, and cutting off a small bottom corner*. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake for 10 mins. Reduce temp. to 375. Bake for 10-12 mins. longer or until puffed and golden. WATCH carefully so they don't over cook*. Turn off oven, and let sit in the oven for 3 mins. Sprinkle lightly with grated Gruyere. Transfer puffs to a wire rack to cool completely. Fab. for a brunch!!!

"Shout for Joy, all you who are upright in heart (honest in your dealings)."

Have FUN on this Monday!!!

Love,

MM

Editor's Note.....

To my DEAR readers,

I get to play my purple tambourine for the next three days at the Rose Hill Presbyterian Church Women's Retreat!! OBTW, I am a drummer, but for this gig, I will gladly play my tambourine in the Worship Team Band. I also get to be the leader of my Kazoo Band. Last year we had 15 members!! FUNOLA, and Cool Beans!!!!

Take Care, and have a WONDERFUL weekend.

Make sure you have FUN, K?!!

Love,

MM aka Machete Milletti (my chef name, OBTW #2)

MM's Wasabi Tartar Sauce

This would be SO good with the salmon burger patties my friend, Georgia demo-ed at Costco yesterday:

I am not going to give measurements on this one, just ingredients. Adjust to your needs.

Wasabi paste or powder
Light Mayo
Dried dill
Dill pickle relish
Lemon juice
Red onion, finely shaved
A couple of drops of Tabasco

Mix and chill.

"Be strong, be brave, and be of good cheer" today!!

Love,

MM