Well, now we know which teams are going to be in the big game.
After months of football, it's come down to the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. Two very deserving teams. And I'll be honest, I love Peyton Manning. Although, Cam Newton has definitely captured my interest.
Just yesterday morning it hit me that in only two weeks, football will be over.
A sudden sadness fell over me. Do I sit and watch every game? No. But there's just something right about hearing the roar of a game in the background on weekends.
Subconsciously, I must already be gearing up for the big game, because Saturday night's dinner consisted solely of appetizers. And I did it all with stuff I had on hand.
We had classic deviled eggs.
Great anytime, but especially when you have a surplus of eggs.
Brie-Stuffed Mushrooms.
I can hardly think of a time when I wouldn't want these, but when you have a package of mushrooms that are down to their last couple of days and Brie leftover from New Years, it's definitely time.
You can find the recipe here.
And then we had these.
Bacon-wrapped shrimp.
I'd been dying to try this recipe for a while, though I'm not sure what I was waiting for. I always have shrimp in the freezer and bacon in the fridge. No special ingredients required.
To make them, you simply wrap raw, peeled and deveined shrimp (preferably large to jumbo variety) in half a slice of regular-sliced bacon, securing the bacon with a toothpick.
Lay them atop a wire rack that's been placed over a baking sheet and set aside.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Melt 1 stick of butter, add a tablespoon of chili powder and blend well. For those of you who aren't fans of spicy food, you're in luck. Chili powder isn't hot, merely full of flavor. You can also add some finely minced garlic or garlic powder, if you wish. I decided this after they were cooked.
Brush the wrapped shrimp with half of the butter mixture, then bake until bacon is cooked, 5-10 minutes.
Remove from oven and brush shrimp with remaining butter mixture.
Easy peasy.
And delicious, too.
Do you ever have appetizers for dinner? What are some of your favorites?
Hi Mindy, What yummy appetizers and yes, with those it can be dinner. smile
ReplyDeleteOften when we go to happy hours we just call it dinner. Our friends make yummy stuff like you do.
And it will be different without the football. I'm always popular during games because I could care less so don't mind missing a play. That makes me available for go-fers. I bring the snacks and drinks to the family watching. chuckle
That is if I'm not hiding so I can write.
Sandra, I love to do appetizers at restaurants. Everyone gets something different, then we share. That way you get to try more than just one thing.
DeleteSounds like you're the MVP on game day. Game watching wouldn't be the same for your family without you.
And there was I overcome with disappointment when I discovered the big game on Sunday wasn't THE big game and there was still more football to come. Bwahahaha!
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think I've ever made appetizers. I have no class. Just go straight to the main course or if it's a party, it's a potluck. Hmmm...maybe I should host an appetizer potluck sometime. That would be different.
Kav, appetizer parties are always fun. Lots of things to sample. You would love it.
DeleteAnd just so you'll know, the BIG big game is on February 7th. Then football is over until September. Come on baseball.
Hi Mindy, I looked up that mushroom recipe and I am SO making them this week! I'm thinking about making this deliciousness even better by (close your ears Kav) adding some crumbled up bacon on top. It's wonderful to have a new and yummy recipe to enjoy without all the carbs usually in appetizers, may just do a test run and eat them all myself. In the interest of testing, of course ;)
ReplyDeleteOf course. Quality control is very important, Tracey. ;-)
DeleteOoo...bacon sounds like a great addition. I'm smacking my forehead for not thinking of it myself. Then again, I used all my bacon on the shrimp. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. You'll have to let me know how you like them. But if you like Brie and mushrooms, it's a no-brainier.
Tracey I think a test run sounds like a terrific idea. Want some help? lol
DeleteMindy, I agree about the bacon. But its yummy on the shrimp too.
Sure Sandra, that'd be great fun. Just transport your virtual self over to Virginia and we'll do it. Must get to the store for the brie first, haha.
DeleteThese all look amazing! What a great idea to make a meal out of appetizers. I do that sometimes at restaurants but never think about it at home.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad football is almost over! Not that I don't enjoy a good football game. I watch a lot of it. But it's because I get the remote back from my husband once the Super Bowl ends! :) I'll get control of the TV for the next 6 months until the pre-season starts again. LOL
That is too funny, Missy. I guess we're the antithesis of stereotypical around our house. It's usually me manning the remote. Though I do change channels per hubby's request. If he wants to watch something else, he goes to his office upstairs.
DeleteI thought you were going to say you were ready for some baseball.
We solved our remote problem in the den by getting our cable company to give us an extra. The lady there said she knew exactly what my husband meant about which person was closest to the remote and had control. Now sometimes without thinking we are both using it at the same time and wondering why we can't get to our channel, lol.
DeleteLOL, Tracey!! We would have quite a battle on our hands here if we both had remotes. It would be back and forth and sneaky changes during commercials. :)
DeleteMindy, I wish my husband would do that! When it's my part of the year to be in control, he'll go to the kitchen to watch other shows. But not during his half of the year. He's all about fairness, so claims his share. LOL
We love to have simple appetizers for dinner. Different kinds of cheese & crackers, or baked brie, bruschetta and French or Italian bread, antipasto. For dessert, whatever fresh fruit is in season.
ReplyDeleteEdwina, you now have me craving cheese. And I'm not talking about the sharp cheddar in the fridge. I do love a good bruschetta, too. Looks like I've got my shopping list started for this weekend. ;-)
DeleteI'm kind of laughing at your sadness (in a very nice sort of way, Mindy), because I'm relieved. Sunday meal times can now be planned in advance and everyone doesn't walk around on pins and needles on game day!
ReplyDeleteYour recipes look yummy though!
LOL! There are no pins and needles at our house, Mary Cate. Life doesn't revolve around any game. Which reminds me, is your husband in mourning? That game must have been tough for him.
DeleteHe isn't talking about it, so I guess that says it all.
DeleteI have stayed far away from Patriots' fans. I'm giving them time to grieve.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the meantime, planning food for next week, and Mindy, I think those bacon-wrapped shrimp sound amazing. Like REALLY amazing.
We always have too much food, but I could rationalize eating them THE NEXT DAY.
No carbs.
Happy Ruthy!!!!
Thank you for this wonderful idea!
Ruthy, if you'll notice, there were virtually no carbs in anything I made that night. Love that! I could have thrown in wings and who knows what else and still been good. Woot-woot. That said, the bacon-wrapped shrimp was hard to beat.
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