How Bout them Saints!

Who Dat! Our house was in shock as our Saints actually won the Super Bowl. I thought my husband was going to cry, being a native from New Orleans, he has dreamed of this day for a long time. I watched him grin from ear to ear in complete silence as he soaked it all up. It was so cute and memorable. The day was filled with eager anticipation and excitement as the game kicked off. Food was plentiful and it was a night to remember. My husband wrote a wonderful story for my mom about what the Saints victory means to the people of New Orleans and I would love for you to check it out if you get a chance over at her blog or All Things Southern emag.

Like I said, the food was plentiful and I am so glad I decided to make muffaletta's because they really hit the spot. A few of the dishes I made are below along with the ingredients and directions. I hope you stick these recipes in a safe place and pull them out for that next get together! I have some exciting dishes in mind for this week so make sure you head back here and check them out.


On another note, if you have noticed, I took a little time this weekend and made a menu bar for my blog. It is nothing special and definitely homemade. One of these days I will get it professionally done but I thought using wooden plates and spoons kinda went with my theme and all. The first button called Belleicious Finds is devoted to those cooking gadgets or tools that I just couldn't live without and make my life much easier. The Share your Secret button is my favorite because I really want this to be a friendship and I want to hear about your favorite recipe or the dish you couldn't live without. I hope to take your recipes and try them out and them blog about you and them. The last button is not even set up yet but I just put it there for keeps. I hope to start an online store of different mixes and sauces I am known by family and friends for and sell them to you all. Not sure if there is a market for this or not but I guess I am going to just take a leap of faith and more importantly just trust my Savior that I am doing the right thing. For some reason the comment box is not popping up on these pages so please leave me a comment on the main page for the time being. I am no html guru so it is taking me a while to work out the kinks! Anyway, take a look at my new additions and please give me feedback- I am so new at all of this! Love you all to pieces!

Jessica's Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients:

1 container of sliced mozzarella
1 cup flour
3 eggs beaten with 1/3 cup milk
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup panko
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place the flour, egg mixture and breadcrumbs each in a separate bowl or plate. Pat your mozzarella as you take it out of the container and cut each slice in half. Next dredge the cheese in the flour then egg and finally breadcrumbs. Place each cheese stick in either your deep fryer or a large cast-iron pot on the stove with oil heated to 350 degrees. They only take about 4 minutes to cook so keep an eye on them.




Classic Muffaletta's with a Belleicious Twist

Ciabatta Bread Loaf
1/3 lb salami
1/3 lb pepperoni
1/3 lb ham
1/2 lb provolone cheese
1/2 lb Swiss cheese
1/2 lb Monterrey jack cheese
1 cup olive salad (you can find this in the store next to the olives)
2 TBSP spicy Dijon mustard

Directions:

Cut your ciabatta bread in half and sprinkle with olive oil. Spread your olive salad on one side and mustard on the other. Next add the meat and cheese in the following order but it doesn't matter which cheese you start with. Cheese, meat, and cheese- you get! Wrap tightly in foil and let sit in refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Next, place in the oven on 300 and let bake for 1 hour. Yummmm- it was a hit. If you are wondering what the Belleicious twist was- it was the Dijon mustard, pepperoni and ciabatta bread.




Belleicious Veggie & Cheese Dip

My mom and I got this recipe from somewhere back when I was in high school and it has stuck with our family. Friends marvel at it and strangers always want the recipe. So I have decided to give it up. That's right. You are going to be the lucky few to receive this recipe. It is the best out there- I promise! I added chopped artichokes to it this time around and I really like the extra kick it gives the dip. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

8 oz. Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
1 4 oz can chopped olives
1 can rotel
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 TBSP Italian dressing

Directions:
Okay- are you ready. Only 1 step after chopping the necessary ingredients and that is to mix them all together!