Cooking With The Pros: NFLPA

Since the days of Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Mean Jo Greene, Lynn Swan, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount, and the Steel Curtain, I have been a football fanatic. I was the little girl who asked for a Franco Harris jersey as a Christmas gift. Please note, this was well before it became culturally cool to do so. Sunday was a “very holy” day in my home. Not only was my father a minister; he religiously had us watching all games when our family returned home from church. My mother would make a quick lunch (usually grilled cheese and Jello;  I can’t make this up) and then we would retire to our basement for an afternoon of “Football 101” provided by my father. I can’t say that my father was a football aficionado, but he surly gave me a strong foundation in understanding the game.  As a little girl, I studied the game. I would watch intently, decided I would have been a great cornerback or tailback, could explain what the officials were doing, knew almost all of the coaches and the majority of the “star” players.  I should have been doing an internship with Chuck Noll by the time I was 10. Well, at least in my mind.  I was in a love affair and it was with football.

Unfortunately, my Dad is no longer with me, but what he instilled is etched in my very existence.  In an effort to provide my daughters with the full game day experience that was given to me (transforming my Mom’s food options), I’ve been hosting  football parties in our home for years. Sharing delicious game day food served up with a bunch of trash talk. With that being said, I’ve parlayed my hostess status into; a cooking show, blog, cookbook, game day sauces, and much more.

What I will give you are; easy, delicious, game day foods that will make you the fan favorite with all your guests.

 

Making your X’s and O’s Easier…

 

Jen

 

Ingredients
16 oz. lump crab meat
12 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2-3 dashes Worchester sauce
2-3 tsp. old bay seasoning
shredded Monterey jack cheese
corn tortillas
oil for frying
shredded Monterey jack cheese
pickled jalapenos

Directions
1. In a large skillet, heat oil to 350 degrees. Cut tortillas into quarters, and fry until golden brown.
Drain on paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. In medium sized sauce pan, mix crab, cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worchester sauce, and old bay. Cream together over
medium heat.  Allow to warm for over low heat for 15-20 minutes.
3. Spoon a scoop of the crab mixture onto individual tortillas. Top with Monterey jack cheeses and a jalapeno.
4. Place under broiler until cheese is melted.
 

Go To The Site…..

Thanks for reading and following!!! Moving forward you can find me at

www.cookingwiththepros.us

Remember….Who Do You Want In Your Kitchen On Game Day!!

Kansas City Here I Come!!!!!

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted an actual blog. The past few months my focus has been on my new website http://www.cookingwiththepros.us  and simply haven’t taken the time to sit down and write. As I woke this morning, determined to post before my day. Soccer with Brooke, a party for Paige, and Brooke hosting her own Halloween gathering this evening, my mind considered about 100 blog topics. But there is one thing sticking in my brain right now, I’m going to Kansas City this week for a school conference. YES!!!!! Kansas City while the World Series is taking place. BBQ I’ve never had. Big parties and new people. Did I say World Series? Oh my God I can hardly stand the  excitement. Let me give you the top 5 reasons for my excitement.

5. I love to fly (especially when it’s funded by a grant)

4. People watching in airports is the best and I always make new friends (typically at the bar)

3. Never been to KC, but the BBQ is calling my name ( probably pulled up to a bar)

2. Out of the classroom for 4 days ya’ll..holla back fellow middle school teachers (who are sitting in some bar)

1. The World Series I will watch in a new sports bar!!!! ( I hope)

Please don’t judge. I’m traveling without my daughters and the only thing I have to be responsible for is; attending all of my workshops/ meetings and getting my friend Melissa (who will be keeping my babies) the t-shirt below

Yes…that’s right! They Don’t Suck Anymore….

Now that I’m done gloating, let me share one of the recipes I believe you should try this World Series.

Considering the Baltimore Orioles made a great run, this soup is to honor their efforts

Maryland Cream Of Crab

Ingredients

1 lb. lump crab meat (remove cartilage)

 4 cups of heavy cream

1 cups of whole milk

1/2 tsp ground mustard

1 tsp dried parsley

2-3 dashes of Worcester sauce

3 tbsps. butter

3 tbsps. flour

2 1/2 tbsps. old bay seasoning

Directions

1. In large Dutch oven, melt butter and add flour to make a roux. Whisk until blond over medium low heat.

2. Add mustard, parsley, and old bay. Keep whisking add Worcester sauce then heavy cream and milk. Bring to a boil.

3. Once it comes to a boil, add crab meat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes of a medium low heat.

4. Top with an additional lump of crab meat, fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of old bay. I love this soup served piping hot!!!

Serve with seasoned oyster crackers…..

Ingredients

3/4 cup Canola Oil

1 tsp. Granulated garlic

1 tsp. Onion powder

1 (1 oz. package) ranch dressing

1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

1/4 tsp. White pepper

 2 (16 bags of oyster crackers)

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees.

2. In medium sized bowl, mix oil, granulated garlic, onion powder, ranch dressing, old bay, and white pepper.

3. Pour one bag of oyster crackers into a Ziploc bag, pour have of the seasoning mixture into bag, and toss to coat. Spread on a large baking sheet.

4. Repeat process with the second bag.

5. Bake in on for 15-20 minutes.

6. Allow to cool before serving. These are a great snack food in general.

Stay warm, watch the World Series, there’s no place like home, and remember

Who Do You Want In Your Kitchen On Game Day!!!!!

For more great recipes go to http://www.cookingwiththepros.us