House Party & Appetizers

We had our first neighborhood get together the other night. It was so nice to have several neighbors over for food and fellowship. We hope to do it more often. I worked hard to pull off an environment that was comfortable and inviting { you would have to ask the neighbors if I was successful...haha}.

I decided to do 3 starter dishes and 1 dessert. This way you could make your own plate and walk around the house and mingle, rather than a full blown meal where we all sit around an awkward table and stare at each other hoping someone will be the talker of the bunch.

The bad news to all of this is :: I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES ::

I just wanted to kick myself. I had a lot to take pictures of and a great table setting as well. BOO BOO BOO!!

Well onto the food. I did snap 1 picture and thankfully Silvana's cookbook has some pictures as well. So, I will have SOMETHING to share...ugh!!! okay okay okay, I'm over it!! Moving on...

We began the evening with starters:

Grilled Sausage-Stuffed Portobellos by Silvana Nardone - These were super easy.

12 ounces Italian sausage

1 glove garlic finely chopped

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

1 tsp rosemary

1 large egg

6 tbsp rice cereal crumbs

Salt

4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed

Extra-virgin olive oil

Sloppy Joe-Stuffed Potato Skins by Silvana Nardone - Also very easy

:: NO PICTURE ::

6 russet potatoes

2 Tbsp EVOO

Salt & Pepper

1 bell pepper chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

1 lb ground beef

3/4 cup tomato sauce

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 scallions, green parts only, finely chopped,

for topping

Corn-Shrimp Fritters With Creamy Salsa Dip by Silvana Nardone - My favorite!!

1 cup corn kernels

1 cup chopped shrimp

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup Silvana's All-Purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley

1/2 cup salsa

1/4 cup mayonnaise

Vegetable oil, for frying

Now onto Dessert:

Rocky Road Rice Crispy Treats by Silvana Nardone - These where so YUMMMY!!

4 cups mini marshmellows

1/2 cup well-stirred almond butter

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp salt

5 cups rice cereal

1/4 cup marshmellow creme

2 tsp boiling water

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

melted for drizzling

:: FOR COPY WRITE REASONS I CANNOT PUT DIRECTIONS FOR COOKING ::