Side Dishes « Celebration Generation: Food, Life, Kitties!

Archive for the ‘Side Dishes’ Category

Shrimp and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms Recipe

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Lately, we’ve been on a bit of an artichoke kick. I’m not sure where or how it started, exactly. Spinach-artichoke dip somewhere? Maybe. The marinated artichoke hearts we had in Chicago over Halloween weekend were *insane*. Also, the bacon wrapped artichoke heart quarters we made a few weeks ago? Ridiculous. So freaking tasty!

So when my husband recently requested a batch of stuffed mushrooms, I knew I’d want to play with my recipe a bit. The results were spectacular, so I’d like to share them with you!

The addition of both artichoke and mushrooms definitely makes this a mushroom that eats like a MEAL, so I found mushrooms that were about 3″ in diameter. While this size made a great presentation for a dinner (By that, I mean we didn’t have the “we’re pigging out on APPETIZERS as a meal!” guilt!), feel free to use regular button or baby bella mushrooms for appetizer sized bites.

(more…)

Posted in Gluten Free, Low Carb, Main Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Snacks and Appetizers | No Comments »

Making Spanakopita in the Tornado Kitchen (Recipe)

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Can I just say that I’m sick of not having a kitchen?

Yesterday I had a bit of a meltdown. I got myself out of bed (I was on day 2 of bedrest on account of heat stroke, and bored out of my mind!), went down to the grocery store* with a rough idea of what should be in Spanakopita, and set about to make some – for the first time. I’d been craving it recently, and had a fairly disappointing experience with the ones we picked up at a local cafe.

Yes, I’m aware that it was a stupid move with regard to the heat stroke, and I’m paying for it this morning. It sounded like a good idea!**

Yes, I’m aware that the kitchen was NOT ready to be cooked in. We have no cabinets or counters. we haven’t even grouted the floor, and shouldn’t be doing anything messy/dirty in there at ALL until we do. It’s more accurately an unfinished room with a fridge and a stove randomly tossed in it, rather than an actual kitchen.

Yes, I realize that one would traditionally follow a recipe the first time. Gleaning a basic idea and winging it from there is FAR more my style, though. I don’t know that I had the reading comprehension skills to follow a recipe yesterday, anyway…

No, I didn’t have any measuring utensils, and all of the ingredients listed below are a “best guess” on what I did, from eyeballing it…

Oh, but it was SO worth it! (I do think I earned some Badass Points as a result of the whole deal, too!)

(more…)

Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Ethnic, Greek, Main Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Snacks and Appetizers, Tornado | No Comments »

Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Pretzels Recipe

Tuesday, November 30th, 2010

Yes, you read that right. Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Pretzels. I think I may have just invented the *perfect* food.

What started as a “hey, you know what would be awesome..?” thought a while back was seen through to fruition this weekend, with spectacular results. This recipe is not only simple, it only costs about $5 to make 40 poppers! So freaking good.

As is, these have the ideal amount of heat – enough to give it some kick, not enough to make it painful or mask the actual flavor. Feel free to use more or less jalapenos based on your personal preferences.

–

(more…)

Tags: beer, guy food, pretzels, recipe
Posted in Entertaining Ideas, Guy Food, Recipes, Side Dishes, Snacks and Appetizers | 6 Comments »

Poutine Recipe – The way I Do it!

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Hey guys!

So, can I just say how great it feels to finally be out of the closet as an immigrant? Still feeling like a huge weight’s been lifted from my chest.

You guys will reap the benefits, by the way, and today’s a great example. Aside from having to dance around where I went to school, and making sure I didn’t let a stray “u” end up in “flavor”, I balked at the idea of publishing some of my wholeheartedly Canadian recipes. Let me tell you, I have some great ones that I’ve been dying to share.

Poutine is.. well, honestly it’s probably the nastiest thing ever. It’s a 2am-going-home-from-the-bar kinda food. There is nothing redeeming in nutrition OR appearance. It’s not haute cuisine in the slightest. It may just end up clogging your arteries on sight. Sometimes, I’m kinda embarrassed that it’s sort of looked at as our national dish in Canada.

Oh, but it can be soooo good!

–