Easy Holiday Appetizers

So you going to throw a holiday party and you need a few easy appetizers. No problem, here’s a few good ones to get you started.

EASY RECIPE

                                        1. Monica’s fabulous fruit platter.

show stealing fruit platter

Ingredients:

1 pineapple

fresh strawberries

fresh blackberries

fresh raspberries

Preparation:

Step 1: At the base of the  pineapple crown cut straight across the crown (plume of leaves) taking about a half inch of pineapple so the leaves stay together.  Reserve the crown for use as the center of fruit tray

Step 2: Cut pineapple in half lengthwise.

Step 3: Half each half lengthwise to create four equal pineapple sections.

Step 4: Slice down the center on an angle to remove the core (this results in a long triangular piece for each quarter being removed)

Step 5: Use a medium sized knife to knife to fillet cut around the shell and free the fruit in one piece.

Step 6: Put the piece back in the shell and slice lengthwise down each quarter (taking care not to slice the shell) and then slice crosswise to create bite sized pieces of fruit sitting freely on top of the shell.

Step 7: Place the crown on a large platter, and then position the pineapple quarters like spokes.

Step 8:  Fill the voids between quarters with strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

And that’s all there is to stealing the show with your easy but beautiful fruit dish platter.

                                 2. Brie and bacon mini sandwich appetizer.

easy brie and bacon appetizer

Oh yeh, there’s also fire roasted red peppers and hard boiled egg.  What’s not to like!

Ingredients:

2 French baguettes – sliced.

10 slices thick cut butcher style bacon (as the cook you can eat any extras).

5 hard boiled eggs.

2 – 8 oz jars of fire roasted red peppers.

8 oz brie cheese (preferably slicing style which is formed like a stick of butter)

Olive Oil and balsamic vinegar.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

Hard boil the eggs.

Fry the bacon, and when fully cooked, but still soft, remove them and slice them into 1 inch pieces (one for each slice of bread).

Slice the fire roasted red pepper into 1 inch pieces (one for each slice of bread).

Shell the eggs and slice them into nice slender rounds.

Slice the baguettes into thin slices (no more than 1/2 inch thick)

Mix olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a ratio of two oil to one vinegar.  Then brush the mixture onto the sliced bread.

Slice the brie into 1/4 inch or so thick slices.

Place one slice of brie on each bread, and then add the bacon, red pepper, and top with egg slice.  Add a little salt and pepper.

                                                   3. Guacamole stuffed eggs.

Ingredients:

12 eggs

store bought guacamole

Sriracha chili sauce

Preparation:

Fill a large pot with  enough water to cover eggs.

Bring water to boil on medium high heat and then reduce heat to strong simmer.

After 8 minutes poor hot water from pot and add cool faucet water to eggs in pot until water stays cool.

Remove shells from eggs.

Slice eggs in half, remove and discard yolk.

Spoon prepared guacamole into the cavity of each egg half (foodista has a great guacamole recipe but I’m all about easy).

Put a small dot of Sriracha sauce on each egg, cover and refrigerate.

                                          4.  The mini turkey dinner appetizer.

Ingredients:

1 loaf French bread

Fresh or packaged turkey slices

Dressing (stove top works just fine if you don’t have left overs)

Fresh cranberries

Mayonnaise

Worcestershire

Preparation:

If you do not have left over dressing, prepare stove top dressing per box.

Slice French bread making about 19 slices or so.

Spread small amount of Mayonnaise on each bread slice.

Add turkey slice to each bread slice.

Drizzle a little Worcestershire sauce on meat.

Add a small spoon of dressing.

Top with one cranberry each, affixed with tooth pick.

Cover with wrap and refrigerate.

AND STUFF

Easy Recipes and Stuff  has posted 205 recipes over the last four years, and attended 3 IFBC blogger conventions to enhance our blogging skills..  It has been, and is, great fun to give these easy recipes away for free.  But guys, my day job is writing, and I would really appreciate if you would buy a copy or two of my action novels.

Check this out!

My second Jack Fields and Amber Reyes action adventure novel VEYRON  has been published in print and all e-book formats.  The new novel builds on the relationship established in GOLDPLAY  and adds strong new characters.

The nonstop action in VEYRON  takes Jack, Amber, Chuck, and new character Juval from the deserts of Arizona to those near the Red Sea, and then the final showdown in Montana.  If you like to read action novels while relaxing at the lake or beach this book is for you.

Good Eating and Table Talk,

Roger

5star-shiny-web

_01PUT_112443_Cover2.pdf

Recently discharged unofficial Army Ranger Amber Reyes, now residing in Los Angeles, meets ex-FBI agent Jack Fields.  They merge their formidable skills to form 3-D Security.  A London insurer hires them to do a simple security review of a firm that stores gold for the wealthy.  Now all they need to do to grow their new client is live long enough to thwart an elaborate gold heist. Available in select bookstores and all e-book formats.

Available in select bookstores, and all e-book formats,.  Signed copies available through http://www.rogerscouton.com
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Easy Mediterranean Chicken

Easy Recipes

This week I found a super easy recipe in the Betty Crocker cooking basics book, and of course added a few ideas of my own.  This is a super easy recipe for a family meal that will please everyone in the family; especially the dishwasher!  You cook the meal in foil on the BBQ so there’s no pots or pans to clean!

DSCN2343

Recipe serves 4

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 and 1/2 pounds).

1 small red onion – slide into rounds and then halved.

16 pitted kalamata olives -halved.

8 thinly sliced lemon rounds.

2 cloves garlic – minced.

24 grapes or cherry tomatoes.

1 can marinated artichoke hearts.

4 Tbsp of the artichoke marinades reserved.

olive oil (about 1 tsp per breast).

1/2 cup Mediterranean flavored feta cheese.

a pinch of dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

Preparation:

Spread a large piece of aluminum foil on counter. Place tsp olive oil on foil, add chicken breast.

To each breast drizzle 1 tbsp  of marinade, add oregano, salt, pepper, and then top with red onion.

Place equal amounts of tomatoes, olive, and artichoke hearts on foil, and position two lemon slices on top of chicken stack.  Add a good serving of feta (1 tbsp or more) to each chicken stack and then fold aluminum foil over to create a packet.  Place packet seam side down on another sheet of foil and fold over to create juice tight packet.

On a grill heated to medium high heat, cook the packets for 25 minutes, turning once at mid-point.  The chicken must be cooked until juices run free of blood and internal chicken temperature is 170 degrees.

When opening packets keep your distance, make small pierce in aluminum to allow hot steam to escape in order to avoid potential burns.

And that’s, time for a great but easy dinner!

AND STUFF

I’m very proud to share this recent 5-Star review on my new novel VEYRON.

5star-shiny-web

_01PUT_112443_Cover2.pdf

 

Reviewed By Eileen Johnson for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars In Veyron by Roger Scouton, Jack Fields and Amber Reyes are a high powered team hired to oversee a security job at the Marine Corps Warrior’s Hospice Car Rally, a rally of classic cars in Arizona. The most classic and most expensive of the cars in the rally is a Bugatti Veyron owned by Prince Ahmed. Jack and Amber are ex-military and clandestine operatives hired by the insurance firm in London to work with Colonel Day, whose organization is providing security for the event. Of course, the event does not proceed as planned, as priceless cars are stolen, owners are killed, and the Prince is kidnapped during the rally. Now, Jack and Amber are required to use their considerable skills and connections to solve the mystery and bring the perpetrators to justice. Veyron is a sequel to Roger Scouton’s book Goldplay in which readers were first introduced to Jack and Amber, the team of protagonists in his new novel. Not having read the first novel, I am sure there is some back story that describes how Jack and Amber ended up being a couple and a team. However, Veyron definitely stands on its own and the reader should not feel compelled to read Goldplay first. Having said that, the energy, characters, and plot line in Veyron were so interesting that I intend to go back and read Goldplay, too! The best part about Veyron is that the reader essentially gets three stories in one book. The characters are the glue that holds the book together – and the primary and secondary characters are wonderful. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery.

Good Eating and Table Talk,

Roger

Available in select bookstores, and all e-book formats,.  Signed copies available through http://www.rogerscouton.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pot Roast Slow Cooker Style

EASY RECIPE

It’s getting chilly so I thought it time to break out my Ninja Slow Cooker.  I started with the Ninja recipe for Savory Pot Roast, and added a few of my own ideas to come up with an easy but great recipe for Pot Roast Slow Cooker Style. This is old school for sure, but the meat is affordable and so very tender on the plate.

DSCN2336

recipe serves 4.

Ingredients:

4 red potatoes – peeled and halved.

3 lb.  choice boneless beef chuck roast.

3 stocks celery – chopped.

3 cloves garlic – finely minced.

3 sprigs fresh rosemary.

2 carrots, peeled and chopped.

1 medium white onion – chopped.

1 cup red wine.

1 cup canned beef broth.

28 oz can of whole plum tomatoes – halve the tomatoes and use all juice.

1/4 cup flour.

1/4 cup olive oil.

1 tsp dried thyme.

1/8 tsp liquid smoke.

Preparation:

Coat boneless chuck roast with flour.

Heat heat Ninja Stove Top High (or a fry pan) add 1/2 of the olive oil and brown meat, on all sides , uncovered for approximately 10 minutes total.  Remove meat.

DSCN2331

Add remaining olive all and all vegetables except the potatoes and saute until tender (about 10 minutes).

DSCN2329

Add tomatoes (and juice), wine, beef broth, dried thyme, liquid smoke, and rosemary and stir.

Add meat and potatoes, cover, and set to Slow Cook Low for 6 to 8 hours or Slow Cook High for 4 hours. About mid way in the cooking process I turned the meat over.

That’s it, you just made a super easy wonderful meal in a cooker old school family meal.

AND STUFF

I’m very proud to share this recent 5-Star review on my new novel VEYRON.

5star-shiny-web

_01PUT_112443_Cover2.pdf

 

Reviewed By Eileen Johnson for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars In Veyron by Roger Scouton, Jack Fields and Amber Reyes are a high powered team hired to oversee a security job at the Marine Corps Warrior’s Hospice Car Rally, a rally of classic cars in Arizona. The most classic and most expensive of the cars in the rally is a Bugatti Veyron owned by Prince Ahmed. Jack and Amber are ex-military and clandestine operatives hired by the insurance firm in London to work with Colonel Day, whose organization is providing security for the event. Of course, the event does not proceed as planned, as priceless cars are stolen, owners are killed, and the Prince is kidnapped during the rally. Now, Jack and Amber are required to use their considerable skills and connections to solve the mystery and bring the perpetrators to justice. Veyron is a sequel to Roger Scouton’s book Goldplay in which readers were first introduced to Jack and Amber, the team of protagonists in his new novel. Not having read the first novel, I am sure there is some back story that describes how Jack and Amber ended up being a couple and a team. However, Veyron definitely stands on its own and the reader should not feel compelled to read Goldplay first. Having said that, the energy, characters, and plot line in Veyron were so interesting that I intend to go back and read Goldplay, too! The best part about Veyron is that the reader essentially gets three stories in one book. The characters are the glue that holds the book together – and the primary and secondary characters are wonderful. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery.

Good Eating and Table Talk,

Roger

Available in select bookstores, and all e-book formats,.  Signed copies available through http://www.rogerscouton.com

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Southwestern Caesar Grilled Chicken Salad Sandwich or Chopped Lettuce Salad

EASY RECIPE

This week my easy recipe main component is chicken salad which incorporates the          Mii amo Cafe’s awesome southwestern Caesar dressing.  Whether you make the sandwich or the salad you’re going to love the sweet and tangy meal.

chicken salad sandwich

DSCN2316

Ingredients:

2 cups cubed chicken breast (about 1 lb or so) – poached.

1/2 cup Southwester Caesar salad dressing.

1 chopped pealed apple.

1/2 cup sliced celery.

4 slices Provolone cheese.

8 slices bread or lettuce for 4 if making salad.

soft butter to smear on outside of bread for grilling.

dash of salt and pepper.

Preparation:

Southwestern Caesar Dressing:

Step One – Mayonnaise Substitute
1 cup soft tofu (drained so as to remove packaging moisture)
1 cup fat free plain yogurt (drained)
1 tsp garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Tabasco
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¼ cup rice vinegar
Dash of salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth.

Step Two – Southwestern Caesar Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise substitute
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 limes (juiced)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese                                                                                                                      2 tsp red wine vinegar

8 to 10 anchovies filets
Dash of Tabasco sauce
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Dash of salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients in blender.
Blend until smooth.  Refrigerate until needed.

In large pot bring water to boil and then add chicken breast to poach  Cook at low boil for 15 to 20 minutes.  Make certain no blood flows from meat when cut and it is white through center.

Cool cooked chicken and then cut into cubes.

Chop the pealed apples, and thinly slice the celery.

In a large mixing bowl combine above ingredients and stir together.

Butter the outsides of the sandwich bread.

To base bread add chicken mixture, 1 slice of cheese, top with bread and grill on fry pan or pannini maker until golden brown.

Or if making chopped salad, chop the salad, plate chicken mixture, surround it with lettuce and drizzle extra southwestern Caesar dressing over lettuce.

AND STUFF

I’m very proud to share this recent 5-Star review on my new novel VEYRON.

5star-shiny-web

_01PUT_112443_Cover2.pdf

 

Reviewed By Eileen Johnson for Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars In Veyron by Roger Scouton, Jack Fields and Amber Reyes are a high powered team hired to oversee a security job at the Marine Corps Warrior’s Hospice Car Rally, a rally of classic cars in Arizona. The most classic and most expensive of the cars in the rally is a Bugatti Veyron owned by Prince Ahmed. Jack and Amber are ex-military and clandestine operatives hired by the insurance firm in London to work with Colonel Day, whose organization is providing security for the event. Of course, the event does not proceed as planned, as priceless cars are stolen, owners are killed, and the Prince is kidnapped during the rally. Now, Jack and Amber are required to use their considerable skills and connections to solve the mystery and bring the perpetrators to justice. Veyron is a sequel to Roger Scouton’s book Goldplay in which readers were first introduced to Jack and Amber, the team of protagonists in his new novel. Not having read the first novel, I am sure there is some back story that describes how Jack and Amber ended up being a couple and a team. However, Veyron definitely stands on its own and the reader should not feel compelled to read Goldplay first. Having said that, the energy, characters, and plot line in Veyron were so interesting that I intend to go back and read Goldplay, too! The best part about Veyron is that the reader essentially gets three stories in one book. The characters are the glue that holds the book together – and the primary and secondary characters are wonderful. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes action, adventure, and mystery.

Good Eating and Table Talk,

Roger

Available in select bookstores, and all e-book formats,.  Signed copies available through http://www.rogerscouton.com

Posted in Easy Recipes and Stuff | Comments Off on Southwestern Caesar Grilled Chicken Salad Sandwich or Chopped Lettuce Salad