Summer Food Ideas

Look for me in the Lake and Home Magazine. August Issue. Will publish the recipes colorful summer menus.

Flee Market 2011 Come visit! Shady Hollow Detroit Lakes, MN

Hi Everyone! Wow it has been a long while since I posted. Sorry! Here is my 89 year old Mom. She is making a fabulous new Candy that I will share with you.
Almond-Joy Balls

2/3 cup cold mashed potatoes
12 oz package flaked coconut
1 lb. bag powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond flavoring

Mix all together. Form small balls.

Melt: 1 12oz bag of chocolate chips
1/2 block of chocolate almond bark

Pour small amount of chocolate in mini paper liners, drop in a ball, add more chocolate to cover. Place an almond on top and put in freezer to set. (Takes only 10-15 minutes to set)

She is staying with me for a week and plan on making some more recipes from the past that I will share with you. My Moms name is Adeline. Look for more recipes soon.

New Years Day Brunch 2011

New Years Day Brunch at my friend JoAnne's.

We had a great time. People enjoyed the food which included:

Mini Bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon.

Crostini with Avocado Salsa

Homemade Caramel and Orange Mini Rolls

Heath Bar Coffee Cake

Candied Bacon

Oven Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Assorted Chicken Sausage Bites

Roasted Potato and Asparagus Frittata

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits with Granola

Assorted Deviled Eggs

Platter of Pound Cake, Banana Nut Bread

Assorted Donut holes with Strawberries and Nutella

Top top it all off we served Bloody Mary's, Mimosa's and Coffee.

Holiday's are here!!!

Holiday's are here. Just wanted to post some helpful hints to make them a little easier on you.

Gobble, Gobble

If you have ever wondered how many mouthfuls a guest will eat from the appetizer tray, wonder no more, The average party-goer at a cocktail party (no meal included) will gobble-up 10-12 mouthfuls. If a meal is included you only have to figure 4-5 mouthfuls. If you are having a wine and cheese gathering, figure 4 ounces of cheese per person. If you are having a dip and crackers or chips you need to figure one cup will serve 8 people if you are serving other small goodies. One quart of dip will provide you with 150-170 cracker-size servings. 3 beers, wine, or soft drinks per person is standard. BUT depending on the guests, music and fun!! Maybe more drinks will be poured.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. Your Saucy Chef, Cindy

Bruschetta

Use a good quality bread such as artisan, Italian, Sour Dough, or Baguette. Slice on a diagonal, place on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Place in a 425 degree oven and lightly toast. Approximately 5-6 minutes. You want it to be slightly chewy. Remove from oven and rub each slice with a clove of garlic and sprinkle with kosher salt. Yum! Eat plain of top with some favorite dips.

Brushetta Topping Ideas

Marinated artichokes hearts
Sauteed Mushrooms
Pesto
Olive Tapenade
Thin slivers of Parmigiano Romano
White Bean Dip
Mascarpone, figs or dates topped with prosciutto
Goat cheese and roasted red peppers
Cream cheese with a jalapeno jelly
Chopped tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil tossed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Artichoke-Spinach Dip

This is a creamy, delicious, hot dip made from artichokes, spinach and Parmesan, with a little red peppers for color.

Artichoke-Spinach Dip

1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped (canned)
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo,
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup sweet red pepper, diced
Fresh ground pepper to taste

Thaw and squeeze spinach. Heat cream cheese in a small bowl in the microwave for about 1 minute on high. Add spinach and artichoke hearts and stir well. Add remaining ingredients to the cream cheese mixture. Bake in a ramekin or oven safe casserole. 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with Bruschetta, tortilla chips or sour dough bread chunks.

Chicken Hot Dish

When the temps start falling and wind is blowing a good comfort Hot Dish is in order. This is a classic and can be tweaked with just about anything. This is a recipe that will please anyone.

Chicken Hot Dish

4 cups roasted skinless chicken breasts, chopped ( you can use a pre-roasted chicken to save time)
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup celery, diced
1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 small can of mushrooms , drained or substitute fresh
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
1 cup potato chips, crushed
1 cup cashews

In a large bowl: Combine chicken, green onions, red bell pepper, celery, water chestnuts, mushrooms. In a small bowl combine cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Mix into the chicken mixture and fold to moisten. Spray a 9x9 baking dish. Add mixture to baking dish and sprinkle the cashews on top. Add shredded cheese. Cover with foil. Bake in 350 oven for 20 minutes or until bubbly. Take out and add crushed potato chips and bake 5-7 minutes longer uncovered.

Mini Pies and Tarts

I wanted to tell you about my new great lady who makes wonderful mini homemade pies that are heavenly and beautiful to look at and are simply delicious. Her name is Glenda Michels and she is on board with me with the Saucy Chef. We are doing fabulous Cocktail Parties with Hors d oeuvres. We can do butler passed or set up a beautiful buffet table. I have added these mini homemade sweets and they have been sooo popular.

Glenda also does different baking such as Caramel Rolls, Cookies, Muffins and of course homemade pies of any flavor. Give me a call if you need anything.

Pumpkin Bread

Autumn is here and the pumpkins are really plentiful. Going to give you a few recipes you might enjoy.

Pumpkin Bread
2 2/3 c. Sugar
2/3 cup shortening
4 eggs, beaten
1 can pumpkin or cooked pumpkin
2/3 cup water
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup walnuts, chopped

Cream together sugar and shortening. Stir in eggs, pumpkin and water. Sift together flour and spices. Gradually stir dr ingredients into pumpkin mixture. Add nuts. Blend well. Turn batter into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake 350 degrees for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until done.

Apple Crisp

Autumn is here and the apples are delicious and in season. What a wonderful dessert for any occasion or dinner party. Yum!! Serve with Whipped Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, or even Cool Whip. Make sure it is warm when you serve it.

Apple Crisp

10 cups Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup melted butter


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 baking dish that has been well greased. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.

Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

Bake 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

Serves 10-12. Enjoy!!!!

Apple Crisp

The abundance of Zucchini is somewhat overwhelming. But let me tell you!!! Zucchini Soup is one of those recipes that will stick to you for a long time because of how delicious it is. The recipe is as follows.


Zucchini Soup

This soup can be eaten hot or cold. It is so super simple and delicious.

Serves 6

4 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
6 cups diced Zucchini
2 tbsp. Tarragon, chopped or dried
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded



Place broth and diced zucchini in a large sauce pan. Add pepper and tarragon. Bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down to a simmer and cook, uncovered until zucchini is tender.

Work in batches. Puree in blender until smooth, (fill only 1/2 full and put a towel over opening of blender so it doesn't spill over).

Return to pan and add shredded cheese.

You can add toppings if you wish. Croutons, sour cream, more cheese, sun flower nuts, salsa. It is very delicious on it's own. Can be served hot or cold. Yum!!!

Wonderful.

Great Handmade photography cards by Barb Haberman available at my booth at the flea market!

Alicia was here...come in and shop!

more...

Trail Mix Cookies

We are always on the run. Make a batch of these and freeze them. Grab and Go for a quick and good for you breakfast.


1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup butter flavored crisco
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup oat bran
3/4 cup raisins or craisins
1 cup peanuts
2 cups mini chocolate chips or mini M&Ms

Combine all ingredients and drop 1 tablespoon on ungreased baking sheet. Press down gently with a fork. Bake @ 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Sorry I am not a good photographer, BUT.. Come to the Shady Hollow Flee Market this week-end for your Fathers Day gift. I will have some ready made gifts for you to choose from. Anyway!!!! This quick bread is absolutely amazing. YUM YUM YUM That is all I can tell you.. The bread is called Prairie Lake Brown Bread. You will have to come and taste. If you love it and I get requests, I will publish the recipe. You will not be disappointed. Something you have never tasted before.

We are open 2 days this week-end for Fathers Day. Check me out. I hope you will find a very cute or unique gift for your favorite Dad or Gramps.

New items this week are: Nautical Wine bottle stoppers (Way too cute for you sailers) Nautical matches very long for you to light your fireplace or bomb fire. Cute notebooks and little purses for coin or whatever. They just are too cute. I have a really unique wire thing a ma gig. It houses your favorite pictures and is neat.

Anyway, come on out even to just visit and catch up. Would love to see you. Look for the red umbrellas. See you soon. Cindy PS I am hoping my new CD'S will arrive in time for Fathers Day, If not they will be sure to be here for the 4th of July. Come meet Marilynn and Maybe Fran. You will love them.

Shady Hollow Flee Market

Shady Hollow Flee Market is where you can find The Saucy Chef. I will be there on Sunday's for the summer. I have lots of gift ideas. You can also get my Salsa. Regular Salsa and Salsa with green olives, Handmade Trail Mix with a kick of Wasabi that makes the mix very unique and I promise delicious. Ask for a sample. Homemade Granola, I am telling you, your going to love it and I hope it will bring you back the next Sunday for more. Banana Bread was a hit.

You will find Cross Bottles, Sea Shells, Dash and Albert Throws in fun lake colors.
They are great to take on the Pontoon. They can double as a large beach towel, for they are soft, cotton, washes up great and won't shrink.

Come on over and check it out.