Shrimp Salad On Cucumber Slices

One of my new favorite sites to get recipes from is Skinnytaste.com.  There are lots healthy recipes that actually taste delicious!  I picked a couple to try out on the bunco girls.  This was a winner!  Super easy too!  Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/08/shrimp-salad-on-cucumber-slices.html

Mini Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream & Chives

 

These are amazingly delicious and look very elegant on the table.  If someone in your house isn't a fan of smoked salmon, skip it.  I had an extra small plate ready for anyone who may not want the salmon, but everyone ate them.  That includes my 7 and 11 year old boys, so try it...don't be a wimp!

I got this recipe from Gale Gand's "Brunch!" cookbook.  Can you tell yet that I love it?  My last few posts have been from this amazing book.  Go get it!

To make these delicious bites (which can be served warm or at room temperature) you need to wash and quarter 4 large russet potatoes, and peel and quarter 1 1/2 medium yellow onions.  Put through a food processor with the grater attachment.  Then drain the liquid out.  Put 1/3 back into the food processor and puree.  Add it all together and continue to drain out the excess water.

In a separate bowl mix 2 eggs, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper.  Pour this over the potato mixture.  Sprinkle 1 cup of flour over the entire mixture and incorporate completely.  

Pour enough canola oil into a medium high heat pan to coat the bottom.  Form one inch potato balls and flatten them out with a spoon.  Let them cook until golden brown (about 5 minutes) and flip.  

Top these with sour cream, smoked salmon pieces and fresh chives.

Roasted Potato Bites

These potatoes are delicious!  I'm always looking for new ways to serve potatoes since my youngest son is not a fan.  I find when I roast them, he tends to eat them, and who can resist a potato with all that added topping?

I washed sliced about 12 potatoes lengthwise.  I used a melon baller to take out most of the inside of the potato.  (Don't throw it away.  I boiled some water and added all the insides for a quick smashed potatoes for another day for lunch.)

Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil on both sides, then season with salt and pepper.  I also added an Italian seasoning to them that I love.  Mix them all with your hands so they are completely coated, and place in a preheated 425 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Take them out of the oven when they are golden brown.

In the meantime, mix 8 oz cream cheese (melted in the microwave about 30 seconds) with 6 tablespoons of sour cream, and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh chives.  I used kitchen shears to cut them right into the bowl.

Fill potatoes with cheese mixture and top with cooked bacon (I used Canadian bacon) and freshly grated cheddar cheese.  Thew were soooooo good!  Great as part of your meal or as an appetizer.

We had ours with steaks one night and turkey burgers the next!

ENJOY!