Sunday, June 19, 2011

Cheesy Tortilla Cups

Hey Y'all!

I recently tasted this recipe at a ladies bible study group. Lisa was so kind to share it with me, and gave me permission to share it with you. She served some additional salsa on the side, but you could also use a dollop of sour cream on them as well, maybe even some chopped black olives too.............. 
They are delicious!

Enjoy!!!

Lulabelle











10  fajita sized flour tortillas, quartered
1 large egg
1 cup cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
3/4 cup cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
3/4 cup chunky tomato salsa, divided
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Lightly oil three mini muffin pans, or spray them with no-stick cooking spray.
  3. Press the tortilla quarters into the muffin cups, letting the points stick up and over the edge. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned.
  4. Cool slightly, leave the oven on.
  5. In medium bowl, lightly beat the egg with a fork. Stir in grated cheese, cream cheese, corn, 1/4 cup salsa, 1/4 cup of the cilantro, & the pepper.
  6. Spoon some of the mixture into each of the tortilla cups.
  7. Bake an additional 5-7 minutes, till filling is set. Let the cups cool for 5 minutes, then top each with about a 1/2 tsp. of the remaining salsa, and sprinkle with the remaining cilantro.
makes about 40 appetizers

***  a great substitute for the fresh cilantro, is to use a small can of drained, green chilies.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Low Country Pimiento Cheese

Hey Y'all!
This week I celebrated my __??? birthday, and my family and I celebrated it at a local restaurant. On the menu was an appetizer of pimiento cheese with tortilla chips and grilled flat bread. Oh my goodness! I was in pimiento cheese heaven!!!
Needless to say I had to go to the store and get the ingredients to make homemade pimiento cheese. I like to spread it on very FRESH sliced white bread, remove the crusts, then slice it into finger sandwiches. Of course, it is good on crackers or pita chips as well. I also like to serve it with potato chips (classic Lays)  dill pickle wedges and slices of tomatoes. Oh, and a tall glass of sweet tea. You know I am "southern"!!

This recipe makes about 24 plus ounces ( a large cottage cheese container) depending how you sample while you make it! LOL!!


Lowcountry Pimiento Cheese


1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup chopped onion
6 oz cream cheese
1/2 - 3/4 cup real mayonnaise ( I use Kraft)
1/4 tsp. hot sauce
1 tbls. white vinegar
1 tbls. granulated sugar
2 oz chopped, drained pimientos

Combine all ingredients ( except pimientos) in food processor. Pulse until mixture is well blended. Finally, add well drained pimientos and pulse just till pimento is blended. Chill several hours before serving.



*** Additional ideas:

I have topped various foods with pimiento cheese including;
hot dogs, hamburgers, and more recently tried it atop grits~ delicious!!!

You can add or subtract the sugar, vinegar and hot sauce to tweak it to your own tasting. Also, you can add a little more shredded cheese at the end if you like yours a little chunkier.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

Hey Ya'll,
I love collecting new recipes and trying them out. I recently made this delicious chocolate cake for a potluck dinner a few weeks ago. It disappeared so quick, I didn't even get a slice! My friends all seemed to love it and it was declared a winner. The secret is a cup of cold coffee in the batter. It makes the cake extra moist and flavorful. Even if you don't like coffee, don't let that keep you from making this cake.....it's really good and would be even better with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream with it. The perfect summer treat!
Hope you all have a great summer!

Lulabelle



Black Magic Chocolate Cake

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong, black coffee, cooled
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add remaining ingredients; beat with electric mixer for two minutes on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally. (mixture will be thin)
  4. Pour batter into greased and floured, 9" x 13" baking pan.
  5. Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes or until done.
  6. (test center of cake with a toothpick for doneness)
  7. Let cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
3 cups confectioners sugar
3 Tbls milk
2 tsp. vanilla

  1. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl.
  2. Beat on low speed of mixer till ingredients are well blended.
  3. Continue beating for two minutes on medium speed, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.
  4. Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled cake.
yield 12- 15 servings