No Avocado, No Refried Beans, Mexican Layered Dip

This weekend the whole Rees clan gathered together at the cabin. My sister Lori (left) and her husband (center white cap) were here from Ottawa as well as my two nephews Mark and Tyler (right green and white cap) for a vacation. That's my brother Blair and his wife Donna sat together and Mom on the far right. The food fishery was open and Dad the boys caught their quota down in Flatrock. We started off the weekend with pan fried cod. I contributed a couple of dips. Artichoke and Spinach Dip and No Avocodo, No Refried Beans, Mexican Layered Dip. Lori asked me for the recipies before she left.

No Avocado, No Refried Beans, Mexican Layered Dip

8 ounces cream cheese (lowfat or fat free is fine)
8 ounces sour cream (lowfat or fat free is fine)
1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
1 bottle salsa (how hot depends on you)
3 cups diced lettuce
2 diced tomatoes
1 small bag grated Mexican Blend cheese (if you wish, use more if you love cheese)
3/4 cup diced green onion
3/4 cup diced green pepper (small pieces)
8 pitted black olives, sliced thinly
hot banana peppers or jalapenos, slices (if desired)

Using an electric mixer, beat the sour cream, cream cheese and taco seasoning until smooth and creamy.
Spread mixture evenly on an oval platter or "medium" pizza pan size plate.
Cover evenly with salsa.
Sprinkle lettuce evenly all over.
Top evenly with diced tomatoes and then sprinkle with cheese.
Sprinkle evenly with green pepper, then green onion, then the black olives and banana pepper/jalapeno slices (optional).

Bev's 40th Birthday

Today our friend Bev (center) celebrated her 40 birthday. She decided to have a garden party to celebrate. The food and dessert was amazing. It was like being at the buffet at the Newfoundland Hotel. Coconut Shrimp, Pesto Pizza, Crab stuffed Mushrooms, Steamed Mussels with a creamy garlic dipping sauce. Excellent job Colleen. Cathy brought sweet coctail tomatoes stuffed with goat cheese and basil and curried chicken. Delish! I brought a Spinach and Artichoke Dip and of course a dessert, The Black Beast. I had asked Bev earlier if i could make her a cake and what she would like. She wanted something chocolate and dense. So when I found this recipe I knew I had to try it. It's basically a giant trufffe and I decorated it with Kaluha Truffles. Truly amazing!

Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

1 10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375* F
Squeeze excess moisture from spinach until it is dry. Mix all ingredients except parmesan cheese in medium bowl until well blended.
Spread mixture in ungreased shallow casserole dish
Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly
Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese and serve

Crispy Coconut Shrimp

1 cup flaked coconut, toasted
1 pouch SHAKE'N BAKE Extra Crispy Original Coating Mix
1/4 tsp. each curry powder and cayenne pepper
24 uncooked large shrimp (1 lb./450 g), peeled, deveined
1 egg, beaten

HEAT oven to 400°F. Combine coconut, coating mix and seasonings in shallow bowl.
DIP shrimp in egg, then roll in coconut mixture until evenly coated. Place on baking sheet.
BAKE 10 to 12 min. or until shrimp are tender.

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

1 cup crabmeat
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup onions, chopped
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt (to taste)
12 white mushrooms
1/4 cup bread crumbs
Nonstick cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Clean the mushrooms, and remove the stems. Dice the stems and add the crabmeat, cream cheese, parsley, onions, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture and top with bread crumbs. Spray the tops with nonstick spray to help them brown.

Transfer to the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is hot and melted.

In the last few minutes of baking, top with Parmesan cheese.

The Black Beast

Cake:

1 cup water

3/4 cup sugar

9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, diced

18 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

6 large eggs

Ganache:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

8 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped

Lightly sweetened whipped cream

Preparation for cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment round; butter parchment. Wrap 3 layers of heavy-duty foil around outside of pan, bringing foil to top of rim. Combine 1 cup water and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Whisk sugar syrup into chocolate; cool slightly. Add eggs to chocolate mixture and whisk until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan. Place cake pan in large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of cake pan.Bake cake until center no longer moves when pan is gently shaken, about 50 minutes. Remove from water bath; transfer to rack. Cool completely in pan.

For ganache:

Bring whipping cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until smooth. Pour over top of cake still in pan. Gently shake pan to distribute ganache evenly over top of cake. Refrigerate cake in pan until ganache is set, about 2 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.Run knife around pan sides to loosen cake; release sides. Cut cake into wedges and serve with whipped cream.

Pesto Chicken Pizza

1 (12-inch) prepared pizza crust
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup pesto
1-1/2 cups sliced cooked chicken
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pizza toppings: chopped or sliced (red/green or yellow bell peppers and Mushrooms/onions/ripe olives or tomatoes)

Place crust on pizza pan. Brush with olive oil. Spread pesto on crust; top with chicken, cheese and desired toppings. Bake according to prepared pizza crust directions.

P.S. When I made this pizza, I used a Thin and Crispy prepared pizza crust from Sobey's. I didn't add any toppings except for the chicken. It was delicious.