Olive Tapenade Bruschetta With A Kick

Along with all the appetizers and snacks, I always make some sort of a Bruschetta to put out for a party.  I also like to put out a few relish trays and it seems that the olives are always the first to need a refill. This year I have decided to combine the two and make a spicy olive tapenade to spread on my crostini rounds. It was such an easy recipe to make thanks to Star Fine Foods. I used their Hot Pepper Stuffed Green Olives to give this appetizer the perfect kick!  These little crusty rounds topped with a subtle dash of heat are going to be just perfect for the big game! 

Olive Tapenade Bruschetta With A Kick

1 jar StarFine Foods Hot Pepper Stuffed Green Olives, chopped

4 Tablespoons Star Fine Food Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced

1/4 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon capers, drained

1/8 teaspoon pepper

¼ cup parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 medium French baguette, sliced (about 30 slices) or use petite toasts

Drain the liquid from the olives and finely chop. Next finely chop the garlic and the onion and add to the olives. Then add the capers, parsley, lemon juice and pepper and stir to blend. Finally add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and mix well.

NOTE:  If you use a food processor you want to only pulse it about 3 or 4 times so that you keep it a little chunky.  Pour into serving bowl and refrigerate.  Slice your rounds and stack around bowl when ready to serve.

If you prefer toasted Crostini:

Prepare the crostini toasts by laying them out on a baking sheet and brushing each slice with olive oil.  Put the baking sheet under the broiler and broil on low for about a minute or two until golden brown.  Remove and allow to slightly cool.

Spread a heaping tablespoon of the tapenade onto each slice of toasted bread. Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.

Star Fine Food's new Hot Pepper Stuffed Green Olives are available at Savemart and Walmart stores and online at http://bit.ly/HotPepperOlives.

So far I've tried Star's new  Hot Pepper Stuffed Olives, the new Lemon Stuffed Olives. the new Flavor Destinations Spanish (Tomato & Peppers) Marinated Olives, and the new Flavor Destinations Italian Garlic and Basil Marinated Olives.

And I love them all! 

Disclaimer: I have an ongoing relationship with STAR Fine Foods for my recipes and photography using their wonderful products. This post is sponsored by STAR. I am compensated for my time and work and I am sent products as I request them. However, all opinions of the product stated in this post are 100% my own. I truly love their products!

Shrimp in Garlic Sauce over Penne

Where was I this afternoon? I decided I was in the mood for shrimp and pasta...so I ran to the store and picked up what I needed and ran back home to make it.  I'm back already. That's how quick and simple this dish really is. This is a keeper my friends!

Shrimp in Garlic Sauce over Penne

3 tablespoons Olive Oil           
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon shallots, finely chopped
2 cups white wine or chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 cups heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp peeled and de-veined with tails left on
1 1/2 to 2 pounds cooked pasta
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (optional)

Cook pasta as directed ...just to al dente. Drain well and set aside.

In a large skillet, add the olive oil and sauté garlic and shallots until translucent. Add shrimp and continue stirring until they begin to turn pink in color. Do not over cook. Remove shrimp to plate and set aside. De-glaze the pan with the wine or chicken broth and let the liquid reduce by half.

Next stir in the cream and allow sauce to thicken over low heat, stirring occasionally. Salt and pepper to taste and add half the parsley. Toss the drained pasta with the garlic cream sauce and shrimp. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with remaining parsley and cheese, as garnish if desired.

 Photographs are copyrighted and the property of ©Welcome Home.

Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

No need to heat up the oven or fire up the grill for this recipe.  My Skillet Teriyaki Thighs are so delicious and easy to make right on top of the stove.  Tender chicken thighs with a delicious sticky glaze served over sticky rice. Oh Yum! 

Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 tablespoons Star Fine Foods Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tablespoons butter 

3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon cornstarch

In a large Ziploc bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped scallions and salt. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and then carefully move the chicken around in the bag until it's thoroughly coated. Place the chicken in the fridge to marinate overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours.  Remove the chicken from the bag and shake off excess marinade. Reserve the marinade for later. 

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3. In a large non-stick skillet, add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and two tablespoons of butter and heat over medium high heat. Sear chicken on all sides until nicely browned and caramelized. 

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4. Cover skillet and turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 25 minutes or until thighs are done. Chicken should reach a temperature of 165 degrees.  When done, remove from heat and set aside. 

Transfer the marinade to a saucepan. Whisk in cornstarch and two tablespoons water.  Turn heat to medium high and bring sauce to a low boil until sauce begins to thicken and look like syrup. You want to stir frequently to make sure it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and set aside.

Pour or brush sauce over chicken and serve over fluffy rice. Enjoy!

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.

How To Make Any Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade

How To Make Any Boxed Cake Mix Taste Homemade

Follow the directions on the package but ......

-Add 1 more egg than what the package calls for.

-Instead of using oil, use double the amount of room temperature butter.

-Replace the water with whole milk.

-Mix and bake according to the directions on the package.

Rocky Road Cheesecake Tarts

Who doesn't love Rocky Road anything! That combination of nuts and chocolate, and marshmallows the perfect combination. I am crazy about cheesecake and I love Rocky Road anything, so I found a way to combine both for an "oh my gosh" experience! They taste like a combination of a S'mores cookie and a Snickers Bar! Now what could be better than that?

Rocky Road Cheesecake Tarts 

Crust: 

1 1/2 cups chocolate wafers or Oreo cookie crumbs (about 30 cookies) 
6 tablespoons butter 
1 ounce dark or semisweet chocolate, chopped 

To prepare crust, finely chop cookies in a food processor. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs. In a small microwave safe bowl, microwave butter together with chocolate for about 1 minute, stirring every 15 to 20 seconds, or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add to cookie crumbs and pulse or stir until crumbs are evenly moistened. 

Firmly press crumb mixture into six greased tartlet pans or one 9-inch round tart pan. Use a flat-bottomed measuring cup  or the bottom of a round drinking glass to press the crust firmly into the bottom and sides of the pan. Place crust(s) in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the crust to set. 

Cheesecake Filling 

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened 
1/3 cup granulated sugar 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
pinch of salt 

Whip cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt together until combined. When you are ready to assemble, remove tarts from refrigerator and fill each tart with cream cheese filling. 

Topping 

chopped nuts (I used chopped walnuts) 
mini-marshmallows 
chocolate fudge sauce 
maraschino Cherries 

Garnish each tart with stacked mini-marshmallows and chopped nuts. Drizzle with chocolate fudge sauce. Chill in refrigerator. Top with cherry before serving. 

I use Wilton's 4.75 Inch Round Tartlette Pans for this recipe. They come in a set of 6 and because of the drop bottom, they make it easy to turn out beautiful little tarts. You can buy yours here through Welcome Home for only $12.21 using this link.... 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001392JRE/ref=as_li_ss_sm_fb_us_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=399837&creativeASIN=B001392JRE&linkCode=shr&tag=welchome08-20&linkId=UT62ISS32OZWSJHC&qid=1427039305&sr=8-1&keywords=3+1%2F2-inch+tartlet+pans

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.

The February Issue Is Here!

It's here! The new February issue of the Welcome Home online blog magazine was released early this morning and is now ready for your viewing pleasure! I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I did making all these recipes and sharing them with you. February is the month for delicious recipes for Valentine's Day and I think you might find some great choices for that special dinner or dessert for your Valentine!

Wait! What's that? You're not a subscriber to the magazine yet?

Oh you have no idea what you're missing. Click on the link below to join the hundreds of other fans that love getting exclusive recipes not published anywhere else!

My Creamy Beef Stroganoff is in the new February Issue.  Subscribe today!

Subscribe today to the Welcome Home Online Blog Magazine to get over 500 of my private, all exclusive, mouthwatering recipes that are not published anywhere else. Each month you will have private access to my brand new recipes at a member’s only website that only subscribers can access. All for only $2 a month!

http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/p/my-store.html

The Welcome Home Online Blog Cooking Magazine

I just finished the newest issue of the Welcome Home Magazine and I am proud to say it will be published, as scheduled, on February 1st! So what's on the menu this coming month?

Let's start with my delicious Beef Stroganoff.....Oh my!

Toasted Candied Almond Cake ......say what?

Lasagna Roll-Ups.......now that's Italian!

Pork Chop and Fried Egg Sandwich .......back to my country roots!

Mushroom Barley Soup......stick to your ribs good!

Homemade Chocolate Cherry Bread.......No Way!

Marie's Chocolate and Almond Jam Cookies.....Hello!

Crab Topped Baked Salmon......You're kidding me!

Bacon Wrapped Scallops......Get out a town!

Jamie's Red Velvet Sugar Cookie Bars.......Wowza!

Blueberry Walnut Bread .......Just like Mom used to make.

French Dip ........Perfecto!

Waldorf Salad ....... Oh stop!

Creamy Shrimp Corn Chowder .....How can this be?

Shrimp Salad on Buttery Croissant ......Unbelievable!

Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes .....Have you lost your mind?

Teriyaki Salmon Loaf ......Can this be real?

Sausage, Bean and Kale Soup ........YES!

Sausage Stuffed Cherry Peppers ......Outrageous!

Blueberry Crumb Cake ......Now we're talkin'

Sugar Biscuit Strawberry Shortcake ...And they lived happily ever after!

And there's more!

If you haven't subscribed yet, don't wait a minute longer. You really have no idea what you're missing!

You're missing the chance to have over 500 of my very own private recipes that only my subscribers see every month! 

You're missing a chance to save the lives of dogs and cats that are killed in shelters when no one gets there in time. You're missing the chance to help the homeless and feed the hungry. It's a win/win situation!

Click on this link and subscribe through your credit card or PayPal. Works out to only $2 a month! Think about it....only $2 can go so far.

http://www.welcome-home-blog.net/p/my-store.html

Cheddar Cheese Olive Puffs

I like to plan ahead when I have a fun gathering of friends over for a Super Bowl party and this year Star Fine Foods made it super easy for me with their new Flavor Destinations: Italian Garlic and Basil Marinated Olives. They are delicious! 

Let's face it, half the fun of a Super Bowl party is eating all those snacks and appetizers, right?  But I want to have fun too and so instead of staying in the kitchen all day, I like to make my appetizers ahead of time and freeze them. Then on the big day, I can take them straight from the freezer and pop them into the oven for a quick bake and serve.  

I have made this delicious Super Bowl party appetizer for years and now with these new olives from Star Fine Foods, they are even better!   There's something about a warm puffy, cheesy pastry wrapped around a juicy olive with just a hint of basil and garlic. YUM!  

Cheddar Cheese Olive Puffs

1 cup white cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon of salt

25 Star Fine Foods Italian Garlic and Basil Marinated Olives

1 egg beaten mixed with 1 tablespoon water to make egg wash

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking pan with parchment paper.

In a food processor, combine shredded cheese, butter, flour, and salt. Process until you have a loosely formed, soft ball of dough.

Pinch off enough dough to wrap each olive. Using your hands, form a hollow space in the dough, place olive in the middle, and wrap dough to cover half of olive. Place on an lined baking sheet. 

Brush with egg wash and bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

 Photography is the property of and copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.

Star Fine Food's new Flavor Destinations: Italian (Garlic and Basil) Marinated Olives are available at Save Mart, Nob Hill, Raley’s and Lucky stores and online at  http://www.starfinefoods.com/our-products/olives/flavor-destinations-italian-garlic-basil-marinated-olives/

So far I've tried Star's new  Hot Pepper Stuffed Olives, the new Lemon Stuffed Olives. the new Flavor Destinations Spanish (Tomato & Peppers) Marinated Olives, and of course the new Flavor Destinations Italian Garlic and Basil Marinated Olives.

And I love them all! 

Disclaimer: I have an ongoing relationship with STAR Fine Foods for my recipes and photography using their wonderful products. This post is sponsored by STAR. I am compensated for my time and work and I am sent products as I request them. However, all opinions of the product stated in this post are 100% my own. I truly love their products!