Sunday Dinner

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Crunchy Grits-Fried Pickles with Ranch Dressing

Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Western Carolina Barbecue Sauce

South Carolina Mustard Sauce

Stove-Top Baked Beans

Classic Creamy Coleslaw

Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

This Sunday is a belated birthday dinner menu.  My husband celebrated a birthday this past week, so it was his turn to choose the menu--and a good one it is.  Especially since I had a little pork left in the freezer (takes a little of the Sunday dinner work load off of me).

I made this cake a couple months back for my father's birthday.  My husband wasn't able to join us for the celebration, so I thought this would be a good excuse to make it again.  But once you taste this cake, you will realize there is no need to have an excuse to make it.  The cake itself is made with Nutella and ground hazelnuts.  It is light and moist, but sturdy enough to hold the frosting.  The frosting is a basic cream cheese frosting with Nutella added.  It is lick-the-bowl good and takes the cake from delicious to ridiculous.

Sunday Dinner one year ago

Sunday Dinner two years ago

Brown Sugar Angel Food Cake

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I took the day off this past Sunday from blogging our dinner menu in order to spend a wonderful Mother's day with my family, but I didn't take the day off from cooking.  It was a delicious dinner that ended with this dessert that conjured up memories of my childhood and my own mother.

One of mom's desserts that was always well received consisted of a bowl of fresh summer strawberries, a bowl of sour cream, and a third bowl of light brown sugar.  Pulling back the foliage and holding the stem end of the berries, we would dip the whole berry into the sour cream, then roll it into the brown sugar.  Mmmm... I'm sure many of you know just what I'm talking about.

Now take that idea and put a little elbow grease into the concept and you have this dinner finale (or afternoon hand held snack☺).

The original recipe hits the mark on flavor, but the form of stabilizer was lacking (trust me, I have tried it without out it; a.k.a cue the dogs to clean up the kitchen fail).  I used cream of tartar along with the lemon juice to ensure a tall and fluffy cake.

Skillet Lasagna with Sausage and Spinach

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A hearty, delicious, one pan dinner is a gift from on high.  OK, maybe this skillet lasagna wasn't sent directly from the heavens, but on a busy weeknight, it kind of feels like it was.  Sorry.  I've just heard "Mom...where are my (fill in the blank) and don't forget to get (fill in the blank again)" one too many times already this week.  You have lots of food groups and a ton of flavor in an easily prepared delivery system.  And, yeah, everybody is gonna like it--even if there is spinach in it.

Serve it with a simple salad dressed with a low-fat balsamic vinaigrette and if you have time a loaf of garlic bread.  But wait... speaking of time and the heavens, if you plan your weeknight meals ahead, a batch of homemade ricotta in this dish will really make the angels sing☺.

Raspberry Buttermilk Coffee Cake

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Time for brunchalicious recipe number two.  This time it's on the sweet side of the menu.  This raspberry buttermilk coffee cake has everything you could want in a brunch treat.  It is a light and tender coffee cake, making it the perfect sweet companion for hearty, savory dishes.  The slightly crunchy top of the cake gives way to a tender interior containing just the right amount of tangy raspberry goodness.  It is equally delectable served warm or at room temperature.          

Baked Eggs in Ham Cups

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Mother's Day is well known as a day to take Mom out to brunch.  That's nice and all, but I personally would rather eschew the lines, waiting and hubbub of a restaurant on Mother's Day morning for the (relative) calm and comfort of my home.  I get the time with my kids and some help to make things like these nifty little egg and ham cups.

When making the cups, I like to fit the ham snugly into the muffin wells so the ham is just barely peeking out over the well.  Otherwise the edges get a little overcooked and rubbery.  I also like to include the extra step of lightly tenting the muffin cups with a sheet of foil.  That helps steam the eggs and to keep the ham moist.  

This is a wonderful preparation in that it can be doubled to feed a hungry brunch crowd and can be served warm or at room temperature.  I like to serve them with buttered toast and a simple green salad with sliced tomatoes (I save the fresh fruit for the coffee cake course).  Any leftovers can be sandwiched between two English muffin halves with a little cheese for a weekday breakfast to go.

A couple of other egg dishes you might enjoy...

Asparagus, Ham, and Cheddar Frittata

Potato and Boursin Frittata

Baked Cheese Blintzes with Fresh Blueberry Sauce

Sunday Dinner

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Shrimp and Avocado Fritters with a Chipotle Dipping Sauce

Pork Carnitas

Mexican Red Rice

Refried Beans

Corn and Flour Tortillas

Pico de Gallo

Tomatillo and Poblano Guacamole

Shredded Cabbage

Cilantro and Onion Crema

Frozen Strawberry Margarita Pie

With a menu like the one we'll be enjoying today, a light and fruity dessert seemed like just the right capper.  I know that I'll be saving room for this pie.  It won't be that difficult, knowing that plenty of delicious leftovers will be providing meals throughout the week.  

The pie itself brings all of the tropical essence one would want, but strawberry is in the driver's seat here.  A coconut and lime infused pretzel-based crust provides the base.  It all adds up to a creamy, dreamy, perfectly pink slice of yum.

Sunday Dinner one year ago
Sunday Dinner Two years ago

Margarita Ice Cream

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How can margaritas get any better?  Well, how about letting ice cream in on the party?  Like the Margarita Cream Cake, this frozen concoction has all the flavors of the classic cocktail in the form of a spoon-ready dessert.  But don't worry, the alcohol in this recipe is reduced and cooked out, so it is kid-friendly and safe for those who would rather not imbibe.

The original recipe only called for a few tablespoons of booze, but I didn't think the flavor of the cocktail came through as nicely with that amount.  Knowing that the mixture would not freeze with too much alcohol, I decided to reduce the amount amount of alcohol by simmering it on the stove until I was left with just a couple of tablespoons.  That left me with a concentrated flavor that would freeze to a soft-serve instead of a milkshake (ok, that's another idea).  A little goes a long way with this puckery treat,  so I like to serve it in mini glasses that are rimmed with lime juice and salt for a cocktail-like experience.

Cinco de Mayo Round-Up

Pin It After sharing with you a meal fit for a Cinco de Mayo celebration, I thought I would share a few more recipes from the archives to round out your fiesta.  From appetizers and snacks like guacamoles and salsas to main events like chicken tortilla soup (a hearty warm bowl for those of you who experienced a snow storm yesterday!?!) and chilaques, I think there is a little something for everyone.  The one thing that you may notice missing from the line-up is something sweet to end the meal.  I'll save that one for tomorrow☺.

Appetizers/Snacks

Chile con Queso

Guacamole with Pico de Gallo

Mango Guacamole

Shrimp and Spanish Chorizo Bites

Shrimp with a Chipotle Dipping Sauce

Sweet Potato Chips with Lime Salt

Tejas (phyllo crackers) with Sunflower Seeds

Tomatillo and Poblano Guacamole

Beverage

Blackberry Margarita

Bread

Flour Tortillas

Salsa

Fire-Roasted Tomato Salsa

Pico de Gallo

Mains

Chicken Chilaquiles

Chicken and Spinach Tortilla Pie

Chicken Flautas in a Roasted Tomatillo Broth

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

Ceviche Verde

Grilled Salmon with Lime Butter Sauce

Grilled Steak Fajitas

Soups

Albóndigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Sides

Sautéed Corn with Manchego and Lime

Rice

Mexican Red Rice

Mexican Rice with Tomatoes and Beans