Everything is NOT better with bacon!

Well, the "Bakon" bacon flavored vodka my bro gave us for xmas is fun, but rather disgusting.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

RECIPE:

2 [10 ounce] cans chunk chicken, drained
2 [8 ounce]packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup Ranch dressing
3/4 cup Frank's Red Hot sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Heat chicken and red hot until heated through. Stir in cream cheese and Ranch dressing. Cook, stirring until well blended and warm. Mix in half the cheddar cheese and transfer mixture to a slow cooker.Sprinkle of the remaining cheese over top, cover, and cook on low setting until hot and bubbly.

Serve with slices of french bread, celery sticks, and/or crackers.

****Note: I like to use leftover chicken breast in this recipe. It tastes a little fresher than the canned.

Cornmeal Pancakes

Well, one new kind of pancake was not enough. It's just the two of us today, but we made two different batches of pancake batter anyway! Not really comparable to the light, delicate apple pancakes described in the previous blog post, these are a nod at the southern classic fried mush or pan-fried polenta.

Hearty and reminiscent of fried mush, these pancakes will be a family standard.

Thanks again to mrbreakfast.com:

Best Cornmeal Pancakes Ever
(4 servings) Printable Version

•1 cup yellow cornmeal
•2 tbp sugar
•1/2 tsp salt
•2 cups boiling water
•1 and 1/3 cups of milk (or buttermilk)
•2 eggs
•1 tbp pure vanilla extract
•2 cups of flour
•2 tsp baking powder
•2 tbp oil.
In a medium bowl mix cornmeal, sugar and salt; add water and let it sit for 10 minutes. When the cornmeal has absorbed the water and thickened, mix the milk in and let it sit for another 5 minutes. Next are the eggs and vanilla extract which should be throughly mixed with the cornmeal. In a separate bowl, measure and mix the flour and baking powder and then combine it with the cornmeal mixture. Preheat a skillet and spread a little bit of oil on it before every pancake is cooked.

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=1784

Canadian Flapjacks

Todd and I woke up New Year's Day and couldn't quite decide what to make for brunch. Actually, while I slept in, Todd did a web query for new or different pancake recipes. This was the first one we tried...

With grated apple and honey in the batter, these are light and tasty.

Recipe from mrbreakfast.com:

Canadian Flapjacks
(4 servings)

•2 cups flour
•2 eggs
•1 pinch sea salt
•1/2 cup honey
•1 and 1/2 cup apple juice or milk
•2 teaspoons Baking powder
•2 tablespoons oil
•1 Pippin apple - grated
Combine all ingredients except apple with mixer. Add apple and mix by hand. Spoon into oiled fry pan, at medium heat. Turn when bubbles appear and harden. Brown other side. Serve immediately with your choice of topping. Honey is best. Maple syrup is second best.


http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=212

Baked oysters step one- wow shucking oysters is HARD work!

Sent from my U.S. Cellular® Android phone

Weeeeellll, I was going to add a picture of the completed dish, but we got too excited when the dinner party started and the oysters came out of the oven. I assure you, they were delicious! Next time I find oysters on Manager's Special at the Swartz Creek Kroger, I will definitely make it again.

Recipe (adapted from terikitchen.com)

BAKED OYSTERS WITH BREADCRUMBS AND GARLIC
SERVES 4-6 AS AN APPETIZER OR SIDE DISH, 2-3 AS A MAIN DISH


INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs, from a rustic white or whole wheat bread
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1-2 dozen fresh oysters
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, cut in tiny pieces
Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously butter, or spray with cooking oil, an ovenproof baking dish large enough to hold oysters in one layer. Carefully shuck the oysters and loosen the meat, but keep them on the half shell.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 6 to 8-inch skillet. When foam subsides, add breadcrumbs and garlic; toss in butter until crisp and golden. Remove from heat; stir in parsley. (Can be prepared ahead.) Spread 2/3 cups of breadcrumb mixture in bottom of baking dish and top with oysters. Mix remaining breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese and spread over oysters; top with butter pieces. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crumbs are golden and juices are bubbling. Serve immediately.

May be served with cocktail sauce on the side. Also, some recipes do not call for the oysters on the half-shell, but simply spread the oysters in the pan on their own.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares

Oreo crust, creamy pumpkin cheesecake, super simple recipe!

Hearty Breakfast Bowl

Todd said "no pancakes," so I whipped a breakfast bowl for Saturday morning breakfast. This dish includes potatoes, sausage, shallots, one hot pepper, topped with American cheese and a couple eggs over hard. I garnished with some slicced avocado and served sourdough english muffins on the side.