Category Archives: Recipe Experimentation

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Rotisserie Mac & Cheese

March 8, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Happy almost Friday!! I had a last minute trip to Austin yesterday and didn’t get back to Dallas until late last night. Soooo….I didn’t get to post yesterday’s recipe for Yahoo! blogger Lyndsey Parker and her Reality Rocks blog.

Last night on Idol the top 13 had a soulful night with songs from Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. Since we’re talking about two of the most soulful singers of this (and past) generation I thought I would try something a little different. Instead of offering up traditional soul food I wanted to put my own spin on what makes my soul say Thank You! And what says comfort better then mac and cheese.

These little tasty ramekins turn out damn good if I may say so myself. I got a little anxious leaving them in the oven for 30 minutes but it was well worth it. The panko turned out nice and crispy without drying out the creamy pasta. Yummm…now I wish I had some for lunch!

Try this recipe out…it’s worth the calories!! Check out last night’s feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Since I didn’t post this yesterday today will be a double post day. I’ll have tonight’s recipe later on this afternoon so make sure you check back!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

March 1, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I finally caught up on some American Idol last night. I still need to listen to all the boys but I was REALLY impressed with two girls last night, Jessica Sanchez and Skylar Laine. They both really blew me away. First of all is Jessica seriously 16 years old…phew amazing. And I’m not the biggest country fan but Skylar kicked ass. For being so young she had amazing stage presence and the fact that she kept her breathe while jumping around…so hard to do.

Anywho…on to the snacks. I’ve been coming up with Idol snacks for Yahoo! music blogger Lyndsey Parker and her Reality Rocks blog every week this season. Tuesday night was Mushroom & Mozzarella Crostini night, last night I was baking up some Chicken Puffs with Pesto and tonight I’m making Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.

Who was your favorite girl last night? Let me know in the comments below.

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Chicken Puffs with Pesto

February 29, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Last night on Idol we got a glimpse of the boy’s talent including a surprise twist when Jermaine Jones took the 13th spot. I was also cooking up some delicious Mushroom & Mozzarella Crostinis for Lyndsey Parker’s Reality Rocks blog.

Two things I need to preface about tonight’s recipe. 

1 – I didn’t have the SLR so I had to rely on my trusty Canon PowerShot and the pics turned out a bit shoddy compared to usual (I’m getting spoiled with my mom’s camera…I need to get one ASAP).

2 – Complete fail at the grocery store when I forgot to get eggs. If you’re dealing with puff pastry you NEED to use egg wash. It helps give your  dish that beautiful golden color, and helps seal up any edges when you’re overlapping the pastry.

Moving on…

Give this recipe a try, it’s easy and fun to eat. Check out my feature on Reality  Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Mushroom & Mozzarella Crostinis

February 28, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

We’re finally getting into my favorite part of American Idol…the live shows!! If you guys have been following along I’ve been cooking up some scrumptious recipes for Yahoo! Music blogger, Lyndsey Parker, and her Reality Rocks blog.

Since Idol is giving us three episodes this week I’ve got 3 simple and delicious snacks to share. Tonight I’m starting out with a hearty snack that really is incredibly easy to make. If you’re having any trouble finding Shitake mushrooms or you don’t want to fork out the extra cost, just use all baby bella mushrooms. They work just as well.

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Happy eating!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Caramelized Onion Dip

February 23, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Last night on American Idol contestants sang for their life and 14 lucky singers found their place in the top 24. Tonight we learn the fate of the final 10 and I’m cooking up some more snacky goodness for Reality Rocks’ Lyndsey Parker.

I was in a French onion dip type of mood tonight so I thought I would crank it up a notch by caramelizing the onions until nice and sweet. Caramelizing is a labor of love but so worth it. The onions turn into these little pieces of scrumptious candy…I could just eat it with a spoon (sorry honey).

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Taco Packets with Avocado Cream

February 22, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Tonight is the last performance in Vegas on American Idol before the remaining contestants find out if they make it to the big stage or not. I’ve got some serious catching up to do on Idol. I’ve been too busy coming up with delicious snacks for Lyndsay Parker’s Yahoo! blog, Reality Rocks.

I’m not really sure what got in to me with this one but I must say…it’s freakin delicious. It’s too small for a burrito, too big for Flautas but just right to pop in the oven and call them taco packets. It has all the elements of a crispy taco, just stuffed in a tortilla and served with some creamy goodness on the side.

Try them…eat them all…they’re that tasty! 🙂

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Mini Veggie Tarts

February 16, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Season 11 is flying by on American Idol and we’re already down to 70 hopefuls. Tonight they’re headed to Vegas for some sin city fun and of course the drama that only Idol can provide. So for tonight’s recipe I thought I would follow some inspiration from a few of my favorite Vegas chefs.

All season long I’ll be dishing out themed recipes for Lyndsey Parker’s (Yahoo! Music) Reality Rocks blog! This recipe actually serves 8 tarts but in a moment of brilliance I pulled the hot pan out of the oven with a damp towel (yes I’m a genius) and instantly dropped the entire tray of tarts. Thankfully there was only one casualty and a few burned fingers! Try it out (the recipe…not my kitchen fail) they taste like mini veggie pot pies.

Read my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Spicy Pimento Cheese Bites

February 15, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

After last week’s nausea inducing episodes it was good to get back to some good ole fashion singing on American Idol tonight. Hollywood Week is quickly coming to an end as we get closer to another year in Vegas and one step closer to the live shows (my fav)!

Every week I’ll be cooking up plenty of snacks for your Idol viewing pleasure and for Yahoo! Music blogger Lyndsey Parker’s Reality Rocks blog (sorry that was a mouthful). So while everyone is getting their appetites back from last week I thought I’d whip up a delicious and incredibly simple appetizer. Give it a try…it’s stick to your ribs good!

Check out my feature on Reality Rocks HERE!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

February 9, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Hollywood Week has officially started on American Idol! From the usual nervous contestant (oh how I can relate) to the fall heard round the world, yes Symone Black is okay, last night’s episode definitely didn’t lack in the drama.

This season I’m cooking up idol snacks for Yahoo! Music Blogger Lyndsey Parker and her music injected reality blog, Reality Rocks. Last night I started off Hollywood week with some delicious Veggie Stuffed Crescent Rolls and tonight I’m making some classic Cali cuisine (or my version at least)!

So while you’re waiting to see if Symone made it to the next round snack on my Shrimp Tostadas…they won’t disappoint!!!

Click HERE to read my feature on Reality Rocks!

Continue reading →

Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers: Veggie Stuffed Crescent Rolls

February 8, 2012 By in Recipe Experimentation, Snackin' with Sarah Sellers Tags: , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

We’ve made it past 7 cities and thousands of auditions later so tonight American Idol is taking us to Hollywood (or Pasadena California…close enough). Throughout the auditions I’ve been cooking up city favorites for Lyndsey Parker’s Yahoo! blog, Reality Rocks.

According to the Idol website we were suppose to head to East Rutherford, New Jersey for auditions, but according to conflicting schedules the judges couldn’t make it out for the call back rounds (or so I read online). The recipe I had planned sounded too delicious to pass up so I’m making it for tonight’s Hollywood premier.

This is definitely the easiest recipe I’ve done so far for Snackin’ with Sarah Sellers so try it…it’s good…it’s REALLY GOOD! I think I ate half the plate before all was said and done.

Click HERE for my feature on Reality Rocks!

Continue reading →