2016 Family Summer Olympics

The Appetizer Cook Off Edition

The 2016 Summer Olympics are right around the corner and the best way to celebrate them, some healthy family competition. Growing up, my family never failed to disappoint when it came to putting on family summer games. Sure, it was always nice to win the bragging rights... But the real fun was betting on who was going to get hurt first (Mark...), who was going to cry first (Mark...), and who was going to take the competition too far (Mark...)

Just kidding, Mark! 

This year, a few family members came together and decided we would put on the first ever Appetizer Olympics. The competition was tough, the trophy was cool, and the grubbin' was good.

I figured if I wanted any shot at winning this competition I would have to go to my creative roots and get as homemade as possible.....

Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sliders Stuffed with Mozzarella Cheese with Homemade Ranch & Blue Cheese

yes, I am that good.

*My Serving size was for 40-48 people! Each serving is 1 pound= 16 people*

Slider Ingredients:

• 3 Pounds Ground Chicken
• 6 Cloves of Garlic, minced
• 3 Eggs
• 3 Tablespoon of dry Ranch
• 1 1/2 Cups of Bread Crumbs
• 48 Pieces of mozzarella cubed
• 48 Small potato slider rolls

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees!

In a bowl,  mix together all of the ingredients (besides cheese). I did it in three increments to make sure each pound of chicken was being properly mixed with the other ingredients. 

After being mixed, grab a small portion and roll into a meatball size. Push it flat. Place the mozzarella cube in the middle and continue to roll the chicken around it. 

Place the meatballs on a baking sheet, bake for 20 minutes or until fully cooked. 

Buffalo Sauce:

• 1 cup of Franks Buffalo Sauce
• 3 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
• 3 Tablespoon of Honey
• 1/2 Oz of Soy Sauce
• 6 Tablespoon of Butter (melted)

Mix together in a small bowl

When ready to serve the meatballs, place in crock-pot on warm and smother them with the hot sauce. Continue to stir and mix them around for another 30 minutes to make sure the hot sauce is absorbed. 

Toast the slider buns and assemble, then ENJOY!

Ranch Ingredients: 

• 1/2 Teaspoon of dried Chives
• 1/4 Teaspoon of dried Dill Weed
• 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 3/4 Teaspoon of dried Parsley
• 1 Cup of Mayo
• 1/4 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
• 1/8 Teaspoon of Salt
• 1/2 Cup of Buttermilk
• 1/2 Cup of Sour Cream
• A little Dry Ranch...

Mix all together in a bowl, add some of the dry ranch if needed for that extra ranch taste!

Blue Cheese Ingredients: 

• 1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Cup of Mayo
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Black Pepper
• 1/8 Teaspoon of Salt
• 1 Teaspoon of Red Wine Vinegar
• 3/4 Cup of Blue Cheese Crumbles
• 1 Cup of Sour Cream

Mix together in a bowl and serve!

Even though i did not win the competition, I was given an honorable mention... But no worries, because next family cook off- I will be ready.

We had many other great recipes that tasted delicious! Here are the other entries:

Stuffed Long Hot Peppers with Cream Cheese and Chorizo by: GMAC

Stuffed Italian Peppers by: Mark & Carly (and Carlys Grandma)

(Team Cheerleader: Julia)

Sesame Chicken by: Aunt Cyndi

Cowboy Sushi by: Uncle Gerard

I got there too late, obviously was a crowd favorite!

Brie, Peach, Bacon Stuffed Pastries by: Liz & Justin

(Honorable Mention)

Pickled Deviled Eggs by: Mike & Ashley

(one of my personal favorites from the day)

Fruit Bruschetta & Fig/Bacon Spread by: Beth & Andrew

Chicken Cordon Blue Stuffed Pastries, Italian Style by: Aunt Mimi

(First Place Winner)

Homemade Brick Oven Pizzas: The DiGilio Family 

(Second Place Winner)

Yes, they brought their own wood oven fire pizza grill...

Sauteed Calamari by: Pop

(Third Place Winner)

Homemade Pizza Bagel Bites by: Mommom

Once the eating was done, voting began. Each person was giving 3 poker chips (Red= 1st, White= 2nd, Blue= 3rd) 

Chips were then placed in individual cups marked with the entries name according to who you liked best.

Family is one of the most important things in my life so to be able to share this fun-filled day with them was amazing. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful and caring family!

And of course, it wouldn't be a family party without some YUMMY Duck Donuts!

Luckily, there were no tears shed or fights to break up. 

Be on the look out for the next big family cook off!

Thanks again for keeping up with me through it all, Fam!

Keep on Eating!

XOXO, 

Caroline

PS- Shout out to my team mate who always kept the dog occupied and helped stack my sliders

Post Grad Life

Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Pasta, Family Style

I've been home for a week and by the 6th day, my parents already had me cooking for them. Post grad life isn't too bad. Obviously, when cooking for family, its my favorite because its free for me!! (still living in that broke college kid mentality). By request from my mom, I decided to make my Garlic Chicken with Spinach and Pasta. Its a very simple meal to make when you need to cook for a family thats not too time worthy. If you love garlic (like any normal person should) you will LOVE this!

Ingredients:

• 3 Large Chicken Breasts, cut into small bite size pieces
• Flour
• 1 bag of Spinach
• 1 lb of fresh spaghetti
• 1 cup of Parmesan cheese
• 5 tbsp. of butter 
• 12 cloves of garlic, minced

Directions:

First, flour the chicken bites and put them in a large skillet with the butter (melted) and garlic, like shown below: (salt and pepper to taste)

Meanwhile, in a pot, start boiling water and cook the spaghetti

When the chicken is done being cooked, slowly toss the parmesan cheese in while mixing around the chicken and then top it with the spinach

After that is done being cooked, throw it all in a bowl!

and.... ENJOY your family dinner!

Having family dinners is very important to me and my family so any chance we get to sit down and enjoy a meal is very important to us. Huge shout out to my sister, Julia, for sitting with me and helping me with everything (she begged for a shoutout)....

Until next time, I will be looking for more family oriented recipes that you can share with everyone! And as always, please send in any suggestions or requests!

HAPPY SUMMER and enjoy post grad life.

XOXO, 

Caroline