Weekend Chow-Down

Few things make me happier than good friends and good food. 

Lots of food. 

It was a little chilly out, but a ton of calories and laughter kept us warm.

Here are a few of the items that filled our bellies.

Candied Bacon with Pecans

Parmesan + Thyme Crisps

Jalapeno + Cheddar Shortbread

Crab + Avocado Cocktails with Chili Garlic Sauce

Grilled Grapes and Sausages

All of the recipes were taken from Ina Garten's, the 'Barefoot Contessa's' new cookbook "Foolproof," except for the crab cocktail recipe which is one that I have adapted over the years. I believe the original recipe came from either Bon Appetit or Gourmet magazine, but I have changed it so much that it is probably just a hint of the original. 

Here are both the links for Ina's new 'Foolproof' cookbook, as well as my crab cocktail recipe. 

Enjoy!

                                                

http://www.barefootcontessa.com/cookbooks

Crab and Avocado Cocktails with Chili Garlic Sauce

Ingredients:
Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Cleaned and Picked Over for Shells
2 Avocados, Cubed
3 Scallions, cleaned and sliced
1 cup of Cilantro, chopped
1 1/2 cups of Clamato Juice
1 1/2 cups of Ketchup
2 tablespoons of chili garlic sauce
The juice from 1 lime

Steps:
Combine Clamato Juice, Ketchup, Chili Garlic Sauce, Lime Juice, Cilantro and Scallions. Stir to mix well.
Pour an equal amount of this mixture into individual cups (5-8 cups depending on the amount you want to serve). Reserve one cup to drizzle over the top of the cocktails.
Top Sauce with avocados and crab meat; drizzle with the remaining sauce. Serve with extra lime slices and/or chopped cilantro
Keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Serve chilled.

Enjoy, thank you Ina, and let me know what you all think!

Nom, nom, nom....