Ham and Pineapple Pizza Rolls

Ham and Pineapple Pizza PinwheelsIngredients

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 small red onion, finely chopped
4 pineapple slices, finely chopped
6 ounces ham, finely chopped
3 ounces finely shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 egg, for sealing rolls

Instructions

Roll puff pastry sheets to  12×8-inch rectangles.  Divide tomato paste and spread over each rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch border.

Combine onion, pineapple, ham, cheddar and parsley.  Divide and spread evenly over tomato paste leaving a 3/4-inch border.

Beat egg with water and brush edges of sheets.  Roll up the dough from the long side and place on baking sheet.  Place baking sheet in freezer for 20 minutes to firm dough.

Remove rolls from freezer and cut into 12 even slices.  Place the slices on a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until golden.

Pepper Jack Cheese Squares

Pepper Jack Squares

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 eggs
12 ounces shredded Pepper Jack cheese
12 ounces cream-syle cottage cheese
2 tablespoons chopped pimiento
3 tablespoons chopped kalamata olives
cactus leaves

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350-degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until well combined.  Stir flour, baking powder and salt into beaten eggs and mix well.  Fold in Pepper Jack cheese, cottage cheese, pimiento and olives.

Pour into a greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until set and golden brown.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and place on tray atop cactus leaves.

Creole Crab Potato Wedges

Creole Crab Potato WedgesIngredients

12 medium red potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
4 teaspoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
6 ounces lump crabmeat
1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
Creole seasoning
snipped fresh parsley

Instructions

Bake potatoes in a large shallow baking pan in a 350 oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until just tender when pierced with a fork (Don’t overbake).   Cool; cut into quarters lengthwise.  Scoop out flesh, leaving shells 1/4 inch thick.  Brush shells lightly with the olive oil.  Place wedges cut side up in the baking pan.

Meanwhile, cook onion and garlic in the butter in a medium saucepan until tender.  Remove from heat.  Stir in cream cheese.  Add 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, horseradish, and Tabasco sauce.  Stir in crabmeat.  Mound in potato shells and sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is hot and cheese is golden.  To serve, sprinkle with a dash of Creole seasoning and snipped parsley.

Queso Fundido

Queso Fundido

Ingredients

2 ounces chorizo sausage
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 ounces chopped green chiles
1 tablespoon finely chopped canned chipotle chilis, drained
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
tortilla chips or scoops

Instructions

Cook sausage in a small skillet until no longer pink.  Drain well on paper towels.

Combine cheeses, sour cream, and chili peppers in a large bowl; stir in cooked sausage.  Spread in a 9-inch pie plate, 9-inch quiche dish, or 1-quart au gratin dish.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly, stirring once.  If desired, top with chopped green bell pepper, chopped tomato and sliced ripe olives.  Serve immediately with tortilla chips or scoops

Reuben-Stuffed Mushrooms

 

LadyFingers Signature Recipe!

Ingredients

20 large fresh mushrooms
3 ounces very thinly sliced corned beef, chopped
1/4 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup shredded swiss cheese
2 tablespoons crushed rye crackers
2 tablespoons Thousand Island salad dressing

Instructions

Clean mushrooms and remove stems.  Arrange mushrooms, ten at a time, on a plate, leaving the center open.  Microwave 2 to 4 minutes or until almost  tender.  Invert caps on paper towels.  Repeat with remaining caps.

For filling, combine corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, crushed crackers and salad dressing.  Spoon 1 rounded teaspoon filling into each mushroom.

Preheat oven to 375-degrees.

Place mushrooms on baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until heated through.

Beer and Corn Fritters

 

Ingredients

5 ears of corn
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup beer
2 cups vegetable oil
chili sauce

Instructions

Cut the kernels from each ear of corn and place them in a medium bowl.  Add the flour, baking powder, salt, chili powder, green onions and pepper and stir to coat.

Gradually beat in the beer to form a batter.  Mix well and set aside for 30 minutes.

Pour the oil into a thick, heavy-bottomed pan or large wok.  Heat until a small piece of bread, dropped in, sizzles instantly.

Drop in 1 tablespoon of batter for each fritter, frying in batches of 5 for approximately 5 minutes or until golden and crispy.  Drain on paper towels and serve warm with chili sauce.

Advance Preparation:  The batter may be prepared 3 hours in advance and refrigerated; Alternatively, the fritters may be fried and frozen, then thawed in the refrigerator and baked for 5 minutes in a 400-degree oven.

Olive Tapenade

Originally from my dear friend Coletta

Ingredients

1 cup kalamata olives
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup chopped parsley

Instructions

Pit the olives by crushing them with the flat side of a chef’s knife.

Place the pitted olives in a small food processor and add the olive oil.

Blend for about 30 seconds or until the olives are very finely chopped but not a purée.

Blend in chopped parsley by hand just before serving.

Bacon Roll-Ups

By Request!

Ingredients

1 loaf white bread (purchase square-shaped bread for best results)
1 can mushroom soup
1 package bacon

Instructions

Lay out 12 pieces of white bread and spread each slice evenly with undiluted mushroom soup.  Using sharp knife, cut crusts from all bread slices.  Then cut each slice into three even strips.

Slice all bacon pieces in half lengthwise.  Roll up each bread strip and wrap with a half bacon slice.  Secure with toothpicks.

Place bacon roll-ups on baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes.  Depending on thickness of bacon, cooking time may be more or less so watch carefully and cook until bacon is crisp.

Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

By Request!

Ingredients

75 meatballs
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 bottle chili sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

Thaw meatballs if frozen.

In 2 to 3-quart pan, cook cranberry sauce, chili sauce, sugar and lemon juice over medium heat, stirring, until bubbling.  Add meatballs and stir to coat with sauce.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until meatballs are heated through.

Transfer to serving dish.  Offer with wooden picks.

White Bean Dip

Ingredients

1/4 cup soft bread crumbs
2 tablespoons dry white wine
19 ounces canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 teaspoons snipped fresh oregano or basil
toasted pita chips

Instructions

Combine bread crumbs and wine in a small bowl; set aside.  Combine beans, almonds, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, ground red pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a food processor bowl.  Cover and process until almost smooth.  Add bread crumb mixture.  Cover and process until smooth.  Stir in snipped oregano or basil.  If desired, cover and refrigerate for 3 to 24 hours to blend flavors.

Serve with toasted pita chips.