Almost April

Glad you all enjoyed the re-cap on my latest cooking class! The next one is coming up on April 8th and is titled Spring Fling—it’s going to be all on how to prepare a spring themed five course meal highlighting produce that is in season now, so stay tuned for that! =)

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The past week has been a busy one which is the norm lately. Friday I was down in Minneapolis again at the Kenny Chesney concert! It was a great show—Billy Currington and Uncle Kracker opened for him and the show ended up being 5 hours long—it was Kenny’s birthday the next day, so he insisted on jammin’ till midnigh. We definitely got out money’s worth at the concert!!

Before the concert though, we decided on Red Lobster for dinner. I was dying to try their new Lobster Feast! After much debate, I decided on the Grilled Maine Lobster and Shrimp. “A wood-grilled split Maine lobster tail, paired with two skewers of garlic-grilled shrimp topped with creamy lobster butter sauce. Served over wild rice pilaf.” I got it sans rice and subbed a baked potato instead.

Two words: excellent choice!

Then we were off to the concert.

Had to have the right apparel of course—cowboy hats!

Here’s a few videos from the concert too—Kenny Chesney ones coming soon!

Being that the concert was on a Friday, we had the whole weekend to fill yet. We ended up spending it at the Mall of America and just hanging out. There was some giant chef’s cook-off going on at the mall this weekend, we caught a few glimpses.

Shopping and eating out—I’d say that’s a guaranteed good weekend, right?!

Speaking out eating out, Saturday night we went to a new-to-me place called The 5-8 Club in Champlin. It’s actually been featured on Travel Channel’s Food Wars and Man Vs. Food. They are famed for their “Juicy Lucy Burger” which is basically a 1/2 lb burger stuffed with cheese. Did I go with their most popular item? Nope. But what I ordered was still pretty amazing!!

The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Jojo Fries

 

We came home with some leftover food like usual, so I already had my thinking cap on for what to do with the half of a baked spiral ham we had. I decided to use it two different ways so that we didn't get bored!!

First up: Ham, Broccoli, and Pepper Jack Stuffed Potatoes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon (1 turn around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1/2 pound baked ham from a deli ham, sliced 1/8-inch thick, cut into 2-inch thick strips

4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded

2 tablespoons butter, in small pieces

1/2 cup milk

1 cup chopped and cooked broccoli florets

Salt and pepper

Directions:

Rub potatoes with a drizzle of oil and pierce skins with the tines of a fork. Microwave on high 12 minutes or until tender.

While the potatoes cook in the microwave, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and saute chopped onions 2 to 3 minutes or until bits are just tender.  Add in broccoli and ham to heat through. Set aside.

Cool potatoes for 5 minutes, split potatoes down the center, and scrape flesh into a bowl. Set skins aside on a non-stick baking sheet. Preheat broiler to high with oven rack 6-inches from the heat source.

To the cooked potato in the mixing bowl, add shallots, ham strips, broccoli,  grated cheese, butter, milk, and season with salt and pepper. Mash mixture with a potato masher or dinner fork until mixture is combined, but not entirely lump-free.

Scoop mixture in even amounts into skins and broil 2 or 3 minutes to lightly brown stuffed potatoes on top.

Second up: Ham and Pineapple Bisquick Bake

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups chopped fully cooked ham
• 1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, drained
• 4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
• 1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)

Directions:

• Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle ham, pineapple and onions in pie plate. In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk, eggs and mustard until blended; pour over ham mixture.
• Bake uncovered about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 3 to 4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

 

What is your favorite recipe featuring ham?