Shelly's Muffuletta Roll-ups
1/4 pound Ham, thinly sliced
1/4 pound Genoa salami, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Whipped Cream Cheese
1/4 cup (plus a few for garnish) Spanish Pimento Stuffed Olives
Whiz cream cheese and olives in a mini food processor till smooth. Place 1 slice of salami on a plate, cover with 1 piece of ham, smear with a dollop of cream cheese olive mixture. Roll-up. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Andouille Sausages SkewersSlices of Cajun Andouille Sausage sauteed and skewered. Served with a spicy mustard.
Shelly's Spring Shrimp Salad
1 bunch of Asparagus Spears
1 cup Frozen Peas
14 Large Cooked Shrimp, chopped
1 stalk of Celery, diced
3 1/2 oz. Fage Greek Yogurt (1/2 a container, I use 2%)
1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar
1/4 Red Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Fresh Dill, chopped
1 Anchovy Fillet, mashed (jarred packed in olive oil and salt are the best)
a few twists of Black Pepper
Hold both ends of each asparagus spear and bend. The tough part should snap right off. Toss those (or better yet compost.) Chop into 1" segments and steam along with the frozen peas for 2 minutes in the microwave. I use this nifty gadget. Remove from microwave and drop in ice water to stop the cooking and set the pretty green color. Drain. Toss with remaining ingredients and don't leave that anchovy out. They are in Caesar Dressing and you like that, right? LOL ;)
Later we're having a cup of Cafe Du Monde coffee and dessert...
Shelly's 5 Minute Sugar Free Banana Caramel Nut Cake with Bananas Foster Topping
1 Egg, beaten
3 Tablespoons Milk (I used Vanilla Soy)
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
2 Tablespoons Banana, mashed
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix (I use this)
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon Pecans, chopped
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
Pinch salt
1 Measuring Cup or Microwave Safe Mug
In a measuring cup or microwave safe mug, Mix egg, milk, syrup, banana and oil and combine thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix pancake mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, protein powder and salt. Tip dry into wet and stir till combined.
Nuke in microwave for 2 minutes*. *Microwave wattage varies. Mine takes 2:20 but start with 2 minutes and add 20 second increments if needed. Let it sit for three or so minutes (it pulls away from the sides) before tipping the cake onto a plate. Yields 4-5 slices.
This cake is soooo good! It totally gives me my banana bread fix. It's also great toasted.
Shelly's Non-Alcoholic No Sugar Added Bananas Foster Topping
1 Banana, sliced
1 teaspoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Sugar Free Torani Syrup (I used SF Caramel)
dash Cinnamon
dash Nutmeg
2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped
Heat butter and bananas in a non stick pan. Add syrup, nuts and seasonings. Toss lightly to coat and warm through. Top slices of my 5 Minute Sugar Free Banana Caramel Nut Cake with mixture.
Oh I have to share this funny Mardi Gras related story...
When I was teaching, my co-teacher was an African American woman named Donna. Hey Donna! Donna and I both love a good party... so we decided to have a little Mardi Gras celebration in the classroom. The children made masks, counted and charted with beads, told alligator stories, listened to Zydeco music and I made a King Cake at home that I brought in for the kids to try. We talked about the three colors of the icing sugar and what they represent: Purple (Justice), Green (Faith) and Gold (Power). I hid a traditional plastic baby under each piece of cake (so everyone had a little reminder of the day to take home) as the children discovered their hidden babies Donna and I had to laugh as they asked each other, "Did you find a Ms. Donna or a Ms. Michelle?"
So see you can celebrate without getting drunk on Hurricanes, flashing random men your boobies and ending up on one of those videos they sell on late night infomercials.
Though thanks to Dr. Q and Bio Oil I have damn good boobies for flashing ;)
Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez! Let The Good Times Roll!
