Appetizers

So, you know I am a breakfast enthusiast, not a chef, not a caterer, but, well, WOW!  A friend requested of me, Mariby, with your flare, would you do this for me?  To which I responded, Appetizers, me, really?  Never before, no, nothing like this!  I was so excited in the planning, the preparation and the execution, as much as just being there, serving YOU!  What a treat for me, too - pleasing and pampering you!  It's what I do!  Just look at what I did, me, ReRe!  #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

Appetizers Display

The plan was a healthier mix of vegetarian, along with the standard crowd pleasers, so the menu went like this and dubbed, The International:

Appetizers - The International

  • Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - which was more of a kicked up seafood cocktail, to include shrimp, crab meat, clams, avocado, fresh hot chili peppers, roasted onions, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.

  • Filipino Vegetarian Lumpia - essentially spring rolls stuffed with sauteed carrots, a green and purple cabbage medley and a host of my favorites, like onions, capers, etc., served with the standard of sides - sweet & sour, hot mustard and spicy vinegar sauces.

  • Peruvian Chicken Wingettes - Peruvian-spiced, roasted and served, of course, with the infamous Aji Verde (green chili) dipping sauce, I make fresh of cilantro, jalapenos, garlic, etc.

  • Americano Spinach & Artichoke Dip - Fresh spinach, pickled artichoke, mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, baked and served hot from the oven

  • Italian Insalata Caprese Mini-Skewers - Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes & basil on a stick, drizzled with a Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • Greek Quinoa Tabouli Salad - a tasty medley of fresh chopped vegetables and quinoa, to which I like to add to the mix some parsley, spring onions, tomatoes, etc.

  • Seasonal Fruits, Cheeses & Mixed Olive Display - beautifully-arranged assortment of fresh fruits, dried nuts, seeds and fruits, Aged Cheddar, Havarti and Pepper Jack cheeses, mixed olives & caper berries, specialty crackers and dips, etc.

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Mariby Corpening's

My First In Afternoon Appetizers

The International

                                   Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

Mac My Cheese

Now, I won't claim that My Mac & Cheese is the best, for I truly believe that Mac & Cheese - creamy or firm, elbow macaroni or pasta shells, shredded or chunked cheeses, burnt or breaded crust on the top, stove-top or oven-baked, two-cheese or seven-cheese - is a palate choice, but I will say, that it taste the best to my family!

My baby just came home from an overseas summer internship, craving Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese and Chocolate Cake, which I quite happily prepared - My Sunday Bliss!  Throughout dinner, all you heard were pleasurable moans, Ooooooom!  #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

My Daughter's Favorite: Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken and Roasted Brussel Sprouts!

My Daughter's Favorite: Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken and Roasted Brussel Sprouts!

So, my Cheese & Macaroni recipe requires nothing unique or even special, and I prefer to do it easy!  I used to take the time to shred my cheeses, but found the result is no different in chunks.

This is how I Mac My Cheese:

Ingredients

  • 1 box elbow macaroni noodles (or pasta shells)

  • 1 stick of butter

  • Half the large blocks of Extra Sharp, Pepper Jack & Velveeta (cut into 1/2 in. chunks)

  • 1+1/2 cup of cream (or milk)

  • 3 Eggs

  • Salt & pepper

  • Italian seasoning & paprika (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

  • Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees

  • Coat baking dish with oil spray

  • Boil pasta al dente (partially cooked)

  • Drain pasta into a big bowl and add butter, cream and eggs

  • Cut up 1/2 inch chunks of (your favorite blend of) cheeses

  • Add little salt, pepper and mix

  • On top, sprinkle Italian seasoning and paprika

  • Bake for 30 minutes!

That's it!  Fast!  Easy!  Oooooom!

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

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Mariby Corpening's

Easy Mac & Cheese

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

Joys of Granola

Finally, I lifted a leg today - a try at least to attain some form of fit; but, oh, this was an unexpected and healthy surprise!  I stumbled upon my own home-made Granola, while actually making Banana Coconut Bread - the mix of Walnuts, Brazil Nuts, Almonds, Peanuts, Dried Cranberries, Pineapple, Raisins, Coconut, Sunflower, Pumpkin & Flax Seeds, Honey, Molasses, and so on; basically, just put in it what you like!  The mix tasted soooo good, even before I mixed in the remaining ingredients of what would make it a bread.  #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

Granola Made Your Way

In your world, you would put your favorite dried fruits, nuts and seeds!

In your world, you would put your favorite dried fruits, nuts and seeds!

So, one day, I tried roasting the wet mixture in the oven, as is, and man-o-man, I'm telling you, it is too good to be true!  So versatile, too - as satisfyingly delicious as a candy bar, a great-tasting and nutritious snack, atop fruit and yogurt and even, on it's own, a great cold cereal.  I was so excited on how my own granola turned out, I jumped up with such unexpected joy; I threw up my arms and even clapped with intended encore; yes, motivation enough, but uh, that's enough exercise for today!

Trust me; try it!  You will love my home-made granola, as much as I do!  Here's my recipe!

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

Trust me, you'll eat it with unexpected joy and I mean, straight from the pan, before it even gets to the bowl!

Trust me, you'll eat it with unexpected joy and I mean, straight from the pan, before it even gets to the bowl!

Mariby Corpening's

Home-Made Granola

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

Belgian Waffles

Golden brown, thick, light on the inside, crispy on the outside, warmed syrup, melted butter AND some bits of cold butter on the side.  I tell ya, these waffles make me go, Ooooooom!  And, I have never been a waffle person; sure, if that's what's being served for breakfast; but never preferred over some good old buttermilk pancakes.  So, well, this recipe just so does it for me.  As always, made from scratch and like anything else I do, I keep trying something new - a dash of this, a sprinkle of that!  My Belgian Waffles sing to me!  No, really, if you know me, oh, wait, see, I sing, really, and sometimes even a little jiggle of the hips, as I go, Ooooooom!  No kidding! #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

Mariby Corpening's Best EVER Belgian Waffles

Yields: 

Approx. 4 Servings - 2 squares ea.

Ingredients:

  • 1+1/2 cup buttermilk (or Milk + 2 tsp Vinegar)

  • 1+1/2 cake flour

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour*

  • 1/4 cup corn meal

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 2 eggs

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) melted butter

     *Note:  If using Self-Rising Flour, then NO Salt, Baking Powder nor Baking Soda!

Instructions:

  • Pre-heat waffle iron

  • Set out table butter (to ensure room temperature for serving)

  • Add vinegar in milk and set aside (5 minutes until thickened)

  • In mixing bowl, combine sifted dry, then all wet ingredients (don’t over beat batter)

  • Pour in (over-filled) quarter cups of batter (more or less, as preferred)

  • When the waffle iron stops steaming (3-4 minutes, depending on your iron) and it’s done!

  • Keep warmed at lowest temperature in oven until ready to serve

Serve:  Taste good just plain; though, optionally, serve with fresh, cooked-in or topped with a pan-fried fruit compote (blueberries, apples, peaches, black plums, etc.), warmed maple syrup, softened butter (room temperature) and/or sprinkled with powdered sugar! 

COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED!

Mariby Corpening's

Best Ever Belgian Waffles

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

Lamb Meatballs

Torn!  What's my mood - hamburgers, a meatloaf or meatballs?  I had some ground lamb and I thought I'd do something different; maybe go a little Greek in flavor, rather than the traditional Italian Meatballs. Pulled up a random recipe (always 5-star) for Greek Meatballs & Tzatziki, but of course, added my spin.  Then, I think I just got a little carried away!  Started out Greek, but ended up, well, let me be frank and say, It was something else!  Yes, they do appear all that!  With the spices - Cumin, Coriander, Paprika, Oregano, Garlic, Onion, Red Peppers, threw in some Caper Berries and even Sun-Dried Tomatoes - so, the flavor was great! 

A Work In Progress

BUT, well, you know like when you're watching a cooking show and at the end presentation, the taste-test response is always that, It's good?  Well, this ain't that show!  Oh, it looks all that, just can't believe I forgot to add Salt!  I even made the Tzatziki sauce (mainly Greek Yogurt and Fresh Dill), which is bland, less the Feta Cheese; so of course, I did a little more with it, adding Fresh Lemon and Garlic, too. Overall, some good stuff!  Oh, well, a work in progress!  Worth the try! 

So, this was off-the-cuff play with ground lamb.  Next time, my best recipe!

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED!

Mariby Corpening's

Lamb Meatballs & Tzatziki Sauce

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM