~~Bizarre American Holiday Foods~~10-2- through 10-9


This weeks holiday are:
National Frappe Day--October 7
Cheese Day--October 9





And holidays for the month of October 1-31

National Applejack Month
National Seafood Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Dessert Month
National Pretzel Month
National Popcorn Poppin' Month--October 1-31



Some ideas for this weeks holidays are:

Coconut Mocha Frappe
1/2 c shredded coconut
3/4 c strong coffee
1 c low-fat milk
1/3 c Hersheys Chocolate Syrup
3 Tbs sugar
2 c ice

Preheat oven to 300.

Spread coconut on a baking sheet and toast in oven,stirring every 10 min.
After 25 to 30 min,remove and cool.
Make expresso by brewing with twice through your coffee maker.
That should be 2 Tbs of ground coffee per cup of water,then chill.

Mix cold coffee, milk, 1/3 c toasted coconut, 1/3 c chocolate syrup,
and sugar in a blender. Blend for 15 to 20 sec to dissolve sugar.
Add ice and blend til crushed and drink is smooth.

Garnish w/whipped cream,drizzle of chocolate, and pinch of toasted
coconut.


Chocolate and Coffee Frappe

1/4 c water, chilled
1-1 1/2 tsp instant coffee powder
1/2 c skim milk, chilled
1-1 1/2 tsp chocolate syrup
crushed ice cubes
cinnamon

Dissolve the coffee powder completely in the cold water.
Add the chocolate syrup and whisk well to dissolve.
Add the milk, and stir well again.
Transfer the contents of the bowl into a blender/mixer and blend until smooth and frothy.
You may add the crushed ice cubes while blending.
Serve w/dash of cinnamon.


Marinated Cheese Appetizer

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese
1 (8oz)cream cheese
1 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp basil
1 dash salt
1 dash pepper
1/2 c olive oil
1/2 c white wine vinegar
1 (2oz)jar diced pimentos, drained
3 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
3 Tbs minced green onions
3 garlic cloves, pressed

Cut cheddar cheese and cream cheese into 1/4 inch slices, then again in half.
Using small plate,line cheese on end,alternating cheddar and cream cheese.
Make the marinade by combining sugar, basil, salt, pepper, oil, vinegar, pimento,
parsley, onion and garlic.
Pour marinade over cheese, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Serve with crackers.

__________________
*Wife to Rick since (14 years)*
~Mom to 2 boys Dakota 13 & Ryan 9~
__________________________________



~Month~Budget~Spent~
February~400.00~380.35(under 19.65)
March~400.00~419.65(over 19.65)
April~400.00~395.94(under 4.06)
May~400.00~391.53(under 8.47)
June~375.00~373.13(under 1.87)
July~375.00~365.62(under 9.38)
August~365.00~363.24(under 1.76)
September~355.00~292.74(under 62.26)
October~345.00~345.00(even)
November~350.00~352.81(over 2.81)
December~340.00

1 med onion, chopped
2 celery ribs with leaves, chopped
1 med green pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
1 (46oz)bottle spicy V8
1 (14.5)diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 (16oz)package frozen sliced okra, thawed
1 pd catfish fillets,cut into 3/4-in cubes
3/4 pd uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 c cooked long-grain rice


Saute the onion, celery, green pepper and garlic in oil til tender.
Stir in V8,tomatoes and cayenne-bring to a boil.
Reduce heat,cover and simmer for 10 min.
Stir in okra and catfish; cook 8 minutes longer. Add the shrimp; cook about 7 minutes longer,til shrimp turn pink.
Place rice in bowls; top with gumbo.

__________________

20 mini pretzels
20 rolod or dove chocolates w/caramel
20 pecan halves


Turn oven to 300.
Put pretzels in single layer on a parchment lined sheet.
Place one candy on each pretzel.
Bake for 3 min.
While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel.
Cool completely before storing in airtight container

__________________

Marinated pretzels

1 (15oz)bag pretzels
3/4 c olive oil
1 (1oz)dry ranch dressing mix
3 Tbs garlic powder
3 Tbs dry dill weed


Break the pretzels into a large bowl.
Whisk olive oil, ranch-style dressing mix, garlic powder and dill weed.
Pour over the pretzels.
Marinate 1 hour, toss every 10 min or so.
Preheat oven to 350.
Spread the marinated pretzels on a large cookie sheet. Bake approx 10 min.
Cool then serve.

__________________