MUFFALETTA

What a funny name for such a great sandwich and this is my first with homemade Olive Spread. Every serious lover of good food deserves a home made Muffaletta at least once in their life! I made the Olive Spread yesterday and Found a great Italian Loaf and some first quality sandwich meats (Capicollo, Prosciutto, Calabrese Salami) and imported cheese ( French Emmental & Dutch Gouda) while shopping today. Fantastic Sandwich!!! The Muffaletta is one of those things that really benefits by using the best ingredients you can find - no cheap Olive Oil, deli meat, or Cheese Please.

 
 

Hot Dog w/Kraut & Sriracha

Hot Dog ideas are a dime a dozen no doubt but this idea greatly improved my ho hum attitude toward Hot Dogs with Kraut which has always been my least favorite Hot Dog.  I just don't think anything goes with Kraut on a Hot Dog except maybe onions and mustard.  But add some Lowry's Seasoned Salt and Sriracha and BAM! I liked it - a lot.

Italian Sausage and Pasta w/Mustard Sauce

I found this recipe in an old F&W mag and changed it up a bit and I think it is a big winner and you can't go wrong tying it. Italian Sausage (I had 1 lb homemade and the recipe called for 1 1/2 lbs) 1 Tbs EVOO for frying, 1 lb Penne or Med Shells (I use med shells), 3/4 cups of White Wine (I use 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar for that with pinch of sugar), 3/4 cup of heavy cream, 3 tbs of grainy mustard (instead of the grainy mustard I used 2 or 3 times that amt of the Williamson Bros Carolina BBQ Sauce which is of course mustard based and little sweet and spicey), and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Oh, I just about forgot that the recipe called for adding basil but since I did not have basil I used about 1/2 half sliced bell pepper which I chopped and added a little bit before the meat was done.

Just fry your meat and add your wine or wine substitute, then add your cream and mustard sauce, then your pasta and you have a great meal in that pan. You do need some good crusty bread and possibly a salad though and serve it with a little extra sauce and pepper flakes on top. Forget the fork and save yourself a lot of trouble and opt for a big spoon instead

Chinese Buffet Imitation Crab Casserole

I found this recipe and many others googling but this one sounded very much like what I was looking for except it did not include celery.  I added an equal amt of celery and onions and pretty much followed the recipe as it is listed on Please Give Peas A Chance blogspot.  I really liked it and the next day we warmed what was left and made what I called "Poor Man's Crab Roll".
http://pleasegivepeasachance.blogspot.com/2010/01/crab-bake-chinese-buffet-knock-off.html

Kraut n Weiners

Weiners, as in basic RED, CHEAP weiners like Oscar Mayer or any such brand are used in the south for more than a Hot Dog.  Hot Dogs can't be beat and the "Foot Long - All The Way" is a favorite for a lot of folks.  But we like those cheap weiners for other things as well, like this Kraut n Weiners that can make a good Southern Supper in a flash by simply cutting them up in about 1 inch slices and in a little oil to your liking then add the Kraut.  What do you serve with it?  About anything but one of the favorites would be Pinto Beans and Cornbread.  Let me know what you like to serve Kraut n Weiners with...

Easy Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich

Ice Cream Sandwiches are better with "Cool Whip"!!!

Mix strawberries and Cool Whip (or whipped topping) in a bowl, spread between two graham crackers (or Digestive biscuits for my UK friends) and freeze for 30 minutes. I feel like there should be more... but that's it!