Friday, February 02, 2007
Friday Coffeehouse: A more delicate SuperbowlYes, I used the word "delicate" immediately preceding Superbowl; you won't see that very often. Most Superbowl parties we've hosted or attended were filled with delicious, hearty foods-- usually involving lots of meat, chili, chips and cookies. Nothing wrong with that. For years, the word "Superbowl" has been synonymous with clogged arteries. If you ask, I give you an awesome recipe for a ghoulishly loaded "man dip" that you will probably love. But for now, who says the Superbowl is domain to just meat, cheese, and spices?! In keeping with our 'finer things in life' goal of this blog, I'd like to share 3 of my very favorite party recipes that are a great alternative to the typical fare found on coffee tables. I guarantee all to be people pleasers!
Hot Artichoke Dip (courtesy of my dear friend Jessica S. I'd double this recipe if it's going to a party; it goes quick!)
1 can unmarinated artichoke hearts
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup mayo
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 -1 cup shredded Parmesan
1 Tbsp. minced onion
Drain hearts from their can. Preheat oven to 350. Process artichoke hearts (or use a blender). Combine all ingredients in 1 qt. casserole dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir and bake for 10 more minutes. Serve with chunks of French bread or crackers.
Cheesecake Fruit Dip
I reallly don't know the real name for this but all you do is combine one 8 oz. package of cream cheese (softened at room temperature) with a small jar of marshmallow cream and you have a fabulous dip for all kinds of fruits. It works great with strawberries, bananas, apple slices, pineapple, grapes and cantaloupe especially. It's wonderfully yum! (Incidentally, another great little strawberry dip is to simply place some brown sugar next to the pile of sour cream you have on hand for your nacho pile and dip the berry in sour cream before the sugar. Sounds wierd, but it's great!)
Bako's Baklava (This is one of those things that people think is always much more difficult to make than it really is... here is an easy, delicious recipe)1/2 pkg. phylo (filo) dough (let it sit at room temp a while before working with it)
1 1/2 cups walnuts, coarsely ground
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 to 1 cup honey
2 or more cubes melted butter
Place 1 sheet phylo dough in a 9 x 13 buttered baking dish (you may need to trim to fit). Brush with butter and add another sheet. Repeat until there are 4 to 6 layers. Mix walnuts, sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle 1/3 of this over layered sheets. Layer another 4-6 sheets of phylo and butter. Sprinkle last of mixture. Layer more phylo/butter layers. Cut into diagonals before baking. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and pour warm honey over all. Pour slowly so honey soaks into the layers.
-Ellie
one of us ::
6:46 AM ::
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