American Idol’s Top 11 results show had it all; flash, cheese, product placement, and one of the most shocking eliminations I’ve seen in all my years as an Idol fan. Last night’s Motown themed soul-fest delivered strong performances, leaving me wandering who would be the unlucky contestant to miss the Top 10 and Idol tour by just one spot. What I didn’t expect was for Casey Abrams, the eccentric and show stopping Seth Rogen look-alike, to be the one at the bottom.
Week by week Casey has delivered something that I can’t say for every other contestant, passion and originality. Every time he steps on stage I’m anxiously waiting to see what he’ll do next. So what gives America? Why the low votes? Maybe everyone was just cooking up a storm like I was and forgot to vote….(segway)
Over the last month I’ve had the pleasure of dirtying up my kitchen to create recipes for the lovely Lyndsey Parker at Yahoo’s Reality Rocks. Last week we were noshing on some cheesy bruschetta and chicken skewers with pesto dipping sauce. This week I thought I would honor the soul music of Motown with my spin on some traditional soul-food appetizers.
So check out this week’s “Snackin’ With Sarah Sellers” recap and check back next week for some more delicious snacks for your Idol watching party.
Happy Eating!
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Yields 4-6 servings
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt and pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 8 oz rotisserie chicken, cubed
- 4 tbsp wing sauce (I used Franks medium)
- green onions for garnish, thinly sliced
Heat the oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-height heat. Saute the onion, seasoned with salt and pepper, until translucent, around 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, around 30 seconds.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining ingredients through the wing sauce. Heat through until the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth. Garnish with green onions.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or veggies!
Deliciously Deviled Eggs
Yields 4-6 servings
- 8 eggs
- 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp coarse ground dijon mustard
- 1 green onion, diced
- 1 tbsp diced pimentos w/the juice
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt and pepper
- paprika for dusting
Place the eggs in a large sauce pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and boil eggs for 8 minutes. Remove the eggs and cool until they are easy to handle.
De-shell the eggs and slice in half. Scoop out the yolks into a medium-sized bowl. Mix all of the ingredients, through the kosher salt and pepper, together until smooth. If the mixture appears to be a little dry, add a bit more mayo.
Place about a teaspoon of the egg mixture back into the egg halves, where the yolks used to be. Dust lightly with paprika and chill.
I love Lykke Li! Her voice carries this mysterious simplicity that is so soothing to listen to. Wounded Rhymes, Li’s sophomore release, is an ear catching follow up to 2008’s Youth Novels. I love this album and definitely don’t skip a song the entire listen. So check out two of my favorite tracks off the album. Next time your playing around on YouTube look up her cover of the Kings of Leon’s “Knocked Up”. It will be a pleasant new find.
Sarah's Musical Kitchen 