Kristen's Presidential Night

 Spoon Bread. This is a modern take on James Monroe's favorite dish.  Instead of Jiffy, I used 8.5oz of Bob's Redmill cornbread mix, because the quality is a bit higher, but it works fine with Jiffy.

Michelle Obama's Pea Salad.  I don't think it needs the maple syrup so I didn't use it.  I also didn't puree some of the peas because the presentation looks messy.  Also soaking the leeks and shallots in cold water for about 10min helps soften the flavor of those vegetables a bit, if they're too strong.

President Nixon's Barbecued Chicken   I used butter for the marinade.  It offers your grill a chance to catch fire and give the chicken that really good smoky flavor!  haha!

George Bush's Camp David Potato Gratin

Abraham Lincoln Almond Cake.   Be careful on the cooking time, I baked for 48 min (instead of the recommended 1hr)

Sarah's Gluten and Dairy FREE night!

Arancini Appetizers

*if wanting to make these GF use the brand Aleias for the panko.  Used Almond flour for the all-purpose flour

*if wanting to make these DF you can use plant base cheese (like Miyokos) and also plant base butter (Miyokos)

*if wanted to make these cow DF you can use cheese like Pecorino or Goat (substitution for parmesan & mozzarella)

Salad

Carrot side dish

Potato side dish

to make DF I used plant base butter (Miyoko) or Ghee would work also

Try to get potatoes  that are big since you cut them in half (mine were a bit too small)

Roasted Cornish Hens

I cooked mine on the Traeger, but I am sure the oven would be just fine

Chocolate Tart Dessert

To make this DF I used plant base whipping cream from Country Crock

Amy's "for the LOVE" night

 Appetizers:

**Pretzels and costco cranberry/jalepeno dip

**pomegranate avacado salsa

Main:

**Biscuits (I double the recipe and make it in a 9x13 pan, I just use 1.5 cubes of butter instead of doubling that.  It'll bake for 23 min)

**Farro & Mexican chicken bowls (I sometimes also add some diced zucchini to this, just cook it with the corn and pepper)

** deconstructed lettuce wrap bowls.  Rice, sausage/veggie mix, chopped lettuce or cabbage, Chow mein noodles, peanuts, sauces.

1lb Spicy sausage

2 tsp Szechuan seasoning

1 small zucchini chopped

8 oz mushrooms washed and chopped

2 carrots chopped

1/2 bunch green onions

8oz can of sliced water chestnuts

1/4 c. Soy Sauce

Brown the sausage with the seasoning.  Add veggies and cook until crisp-tender.  Add the soy sauce at the end.  

Sauce toppings: japanese bbq sauce, Kinders chicken dipping sauce (both found at Costco or Harmons)

or just mix some mayo, sriracha, and water for a sauce with a kick!

Dessert:

Churros with ice cream and Carmel sauce

extra large metal piping tip

Michelle B.'s test kitchen night

 

Baked Brie appetizer

I used the same dried berry mixture as I explained below for the rice and used pistachios instead. 

Maple Chipotle Roasted Sweet Potatoes

I used the chipotle peepers in adobo sauce (you don't need much)!  I also tossed them with some brown sugar to caramelize them a little.

For the wild rice I substituted the mulberries with a mixture of cranberries, golden raisins, and cherries.  I also used the cultivated wild rice and followed the cooking time directions on the bag.  Definitely use a pressure cooker (otherwise it takes a very long time to cook)!

For the salad I used a mixture of arugula and spinach (watercress is hard to find)!

Coconut Cream Cheese pound cake (the cook time for me was more like 95-100 min)