Hot Corn

I hate when recipes sound good and when you make them they're not so great. This is one of those. The concept was there, but the follow through, not so much. Something is missing from this dish. I thought I would post it anyway and see if you are inspired by what can make it better. Maybe a small can of creamed corn would help as well as subbing a can of mexican corn. Possibly added other veggies maybe. The hubby liked the crunch of the fresh jalapenos in it, but for me a corn lover I was not excited by the dish at all. So your assignment is to see how you would improve the dish.

Hot Corn

(Adapted from HSLR Volunteer cookbook)

2 cans white shoe peg corn, drained

2 cans sweet yellow corn, drained

1 stick butter

1 (8 ounce) cream cheese

jalapenos, your desired amount

1 cup bread crumbs

Melt 1/2 stick of butter and cream cheese together in a bowl, stir.

Slice up as many jalapenos as you woul like and mix into the cream cheese mixture.

In your serving dish, pour drained corn in.

Pour jalapeno cream cheese mixture on top of corn and mix together. (I forgot to mix together I just layered it.)

Melt the other 1/2 stick of butter and combine with bread crumbs.

Sprinkle on top of mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until bread crumbs are browned and corn is bubbly.

Dreyers Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute

The party was a huge success! The hot weather melting our ice cream didn't stop the fun we had either.

I checked the weather a few days earlier and what do you know the clouds were scheduled to part the day of the party woohoo!

On Wednesday the shipment of ice cream arrived.

The day of the party we decided to BBQ a few things for dinner before the party started.

While I was starting to set up my hubby got a quick shot of me.

We asked the neighbors to bring a dessert or ice cream topping to share and boy did they, we had a full table of things to pick from. Over all the party was a lot of fun and we vowed to start doing a block party at least once a month. A special thank you to Dreyer's Ice Cream for hosting the contest.

Here's some of the pictures from the party:

Here's my essay that got us the party:

What makes a neighborhood a place you want to raise a family and feel like everyone is already part of your family? It’s the people who care about others besides their selves. It’s the kids that want to make a difference and volunteer at the social events. It’s the neighbors who organize events to welcome new neighbors and make you feel like you’ve been part of them for years. They don’t pass judgment and they like to have a good time. My neighborhood is the neighborhood you want to be a part of. Whether it’s movie night in the park or friendly competitions we make you want to join in and be a part of the action. Why does my neighborhood deserve a Slow Churned Party? We deserve it to show that no good deed goes unnoticed, that the appreciation for everyone who is encouraged to get out and be involved pays off and make a neighborhood a true neighborhood. Seven Meadows in Katy, Texas is more then just another neighborhood, it’s a place where you form life long bonds and feel safe knowing that other people care the same as you do.

Bloody Mary Ice Pops

I was recently notified that I was one of the lucky winners of the Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute for writing an essay about my neighborhood. Long story short I won an ice cream party for 100 people and that party is taking place tomorrow. I hope to post lots of pictures about the party on Monday so be on the look out. I wish all of you were in the area so you could join in on the fun!

I'm not a Bloody Mary fan, but I have some friends who are so I decided to try a recipe out on them that looked interesting. I know I forgot the vodka in the picture, but there is vodka in them. You can make these virgin by leaving out the vodka if you want.

Bloody Mary Ice Pops

(Adapted from Gourmet magazine July 2009)

Makes 8 ice pops

2 1/4 cups tomato juice (18 oz)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon horseradish

3 or 4 drops Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup vodka

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve, into a measuring cup, pressing on and then discarding solids. Pour into molds. (I only have 4 molds so I used small plastic cups and inserted toothpicks.)

Freeze 30 minutes. Insert sticks, then freeze until firm, about 24 hours.

Parchment Paper Fish

I love this dinner, fish is filling and doesn't leave you with that bloated feeling that you ate a buffet. A while back I saw Martha Stewart bake a chicken in parchment paper and that gave me the inspiration of using fish instead.

This is a quick meal to throw together. I use frozen fish and since it's thin it thaws as it bakes and keeps the fish moist. The flavors are simple and as usual add your own level of heat or additional herbs as desired.

Parchment Paper Dinner

serves 2

1 potato

2 cups spinach or spring mix

2 individually frozen tilapia fish

Old Bay, divided

red pepper flakes

2 lemons, sliced

salt and pepper

Fold a piece of parchment paper in half then open.

Lay a bed of thinly sliced potatoes about the size of the fish in the center of the parchment paper against the fold.

Sprinkle seasoning on the potatoes.

Spread 1/2 of the spinach onto of the potatoes.

Top with a fish fillet.

Sprinkle additional seasoning on fish.

Top fish with a couple slices of lemon.

Fold parchment paper over fish and begin to crease around the edges to create a packet.

Repeat process with remaining items. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 35-45 minutes, or until potato slices seem cooked through.

Roasted Spicy Broccoli

I have to admit I love watching reality tv. Why, I have no idea. It's not like I don't have enough drama going on in my own life that I feel the need to watch someone else with 10 times the issues I do. I guess in a way it makes you feel better about your horrible day after you watch their issues. I'm hooked on So You Think You Can Dance, Real Housewives of NY and Orange County, Big Brother, American Idol, Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen....you name them there's a chance I might watch it. Anyway, Bethenny Frankel I originally saw on Martha Stewart's version of Donald Trumps show where she was a contestant. Now she's a star on Real Housewives of NY and promotes her new book and line of Skinny Girl products. I decided to give a couple of her recipes a try so first up is an easy side dish to eat with our not so skinny steak for Sunday Steak Night at our house. :)

Our thoughts on it was that it was ok, but as usual we had to add more seasoning to kick it up to be considered "spicy".

Roasted Spicy Broccoli

Ingredients:
4 C broccoli florets
1 small red pepper, chopped in 1" squares
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper
½ tsp crushed red pepper
Zest of ½ lemon
1 garlic clove, minced

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees. Roast for 15 minutes, then toss and continue to roast for 15-20 minutes or until tender.