Jalapeno Creamed Spinach

There is nothing I love more than dinner at an old school steakhouse.  You know the kind of place with dark wood paneled walls?  Big overstuffed red leather chairs.  Blue cheese salad dressing.  (With real blue cheese in it?)  And creamed spinach as a side dish.  That's my kind of place.  Preferably with some swanky lighting and decor.  Since Mr. DD can grill one heck of a steak just like any steakhouse, I figure I can keep up in the side dish department.  What's better than creamed spinach?  Jalapeno creamed spinach.  Rich and creamy with a little kick.  An excellent accompaniment to a ribeye steak. 

Jalapeno Creamed Spinach,
The kicked-up steakhouse classic...

The Jalapeno Creamed Spinach Line-Up

Combine flour and melted butter.
Stir in chopped onion.

Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add reserved spinach liquid.

Add evaporated milk.

Stir in pepperjack cheese.

Add chopped jalapeno.

Season with celery salt, salt and pepper.

Add spinach.

Place in a greased casserole dish.

Melt butter and add bread crumbs.

Place on top of spinach mixture.

Bake until bubbly and lightly browned.

Enjoy with a steak of course!

Funfetti Birthday Cake Cheesecake Bars

We have about 742 birthdays around here in the month of September.  Well, that might be a slight exaggeration.  But let's see...There's my brother-in-law on the 1st, my father-in-law on the 6th, Little Devil and the Devilish Nephew on the 12th, our sweet neighbor on the 13th, a dear family friend on the 14th, Mr. Devilish Dish and my BFF's hubby on the 18th and my sweet lil' Devilish Dish baking assistant on the 22nd.  WHEW.  Are you tired reading that?  I am.  That's a lot of birthdays...For Little Devil's birthday meal, she requested Magic Chicken.  Which is delicious, but I've made it so many times it didn't seem very special.  When I asked what she wanted for dessert, she said, "Cheesecake."  But her dad already asked for that for his birthday dessert (see future blogs?!?)  What could I make that's fun for a Little Devil, but still has cheese-cakey goodness?  Funfetti Birthday Cake Cheesecake Bars of course.  Mr. Devilish Dish described them as, "if a store-bought cake and a cheesecake had a baby."  I described them as, "ooey-gooey, rich, sweet, cheese-cakey, fun deliciousness." And Little Devil?  She's still eating them three days later.  Try them for the next birthday boy or girl on your calendar! 

Cheese-cakey goodness for your
birthday boy or girl!

Buffalo Chicken Salad

Did you know that the Buffalo Wing is only 49-years old?  It seems like it's been around forever though.  It's on the menu at practically every watering hole in America.  Men can't watch football on Sundays without them.  For many years, Buffalo Wings were a regional specialty found in the New York area only.  In the 1980's the recipe spread nationwide, becoming such a mainstream flavor you can get Buffalo flavored sunflower seeds, Pringles and even Buffalo-flavored popcorn seasoning!  It's such a popular flavor around my house, I've made Buffalo Chicken Casserole and Buffalo Chicken Dip.  My family likes it so much, I figured I'd throw Buffalo Chicken Salad a bone, (no pun intended) and give it a try!  It's all the flavors of Buffalo Wings, blue cheese and celery combined into a creamy mixture, perfect served on a toasted bun.  Easier to eat too.  If you're a Buffalo fan, give it a try.  I'm sure you can even find a football game to watch!

All the flavors of wings, served on a bun!

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

Little Devil loves Asian food.  I really thought this recipe would be a hit!  Turns out I was wrong.  I was the only one in the house that liked it.  Mr. Devilish Dish does not consider a salad and entrée.  Because his mantra is "Where's the Beef?"  Oh well, I can't win them all.  The cabbage and red onions turned her off.  I thought because it was called Vietnamese Chicken Salad I could trick her into liking two veggies she doesn't care for!  It's refreshing and colorful and full of crisp vegetables.  It's perfect for that hot weather that is still hanging around and refusing to let Fall do its' thing.  Regardless of what Little Devil thought, loved it,  and I think you will too.

Cool, with a little bit of spice!
Crisp and refreshing!