BAKED SAUSAGE STUFFED BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO POPPERS and BAKED BUFFALO WINGS WITH BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

Happy Super Bowl Sunday 

BAKED SAUSAGE STUFFED BACON WRAPPED JALAPENO POPPERS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound of Italian sausage, casings removed
36 jalapeños
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
36 slices of bacon (I used center cut)

Heat oven to 450F.
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high (I used cooking spray in place of the olive oil). Brown the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 7 minutes. Drain on a paper towel.
Slice off and discard the stem ends of the jalapeños, remove the ribs and seeds (I sliced down one side to open them up, remove the seeds and stuff with the cheese-sausage mixture).
In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, parmesan and sour cream until well combined. Stir in the  cooled sausage. Using a small spoon, stuff the jalapeños with the cream cheese mixture. Wrap each pepper with a piece of bacon.
Place peppers on a baking sheet covered in foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray, October 2013
www.rachaelray.com/‎

BAKED BUFFALO WINGS WITH BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

2 pounds of chicken wings (tips removed and separated at the joints - although we neglected this step)
1/2 cup hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
2 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar (divided use)
2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
celery sticks for serving

Heat oven to 450F. Line two baking sheets with parchment papaer and arrange wings, in a single layer, skin side down. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden on the bottom, turn and bake 5 minutes more.
Meanwhile combine hot sauce, butter, honey and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar in a large bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix blue cheese, remaining vinegar, buttermilk, sour cream, sugar salt and pepper.
Toss the warm wings with the hot sauce mixture until well coated. Transfer to a platter, serve with blue cheese sauce and celery sticks.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Shape, January/February 2013
www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes‎

BACON PARMESAN TASSIES and PINK CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

When I first moved to America, I viewed the Super Bowl as an excuse to drink beer on a Sunday, and watch all the fun advertisements. Not much has changed. I still enjoy the most expensive televised messages of the year over and above the actual competition for The Vince Lombardi Trophy, although now I am more focused on the food than the beer.
Despite the fact I first made these for a darling girls Christening - I thought they might add a lovely touch to the chicken wing and nacho laden tables this Sunday.

BACON PARMESAN TASSIES

1/2 cup butter, softened
5 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup half and half
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 bacon slices, cooked and finely chopped
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add flour to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Chill mixture for 30 minutes, then roll into 28 balls, and place on a baking sheet. Cover and chill for 30 more minutes.
Place dough balls into cups of a greased miniature muffin pan, press dough, forming a crust.
Heat oven to 375F.
Whisk together half and half, egg and salt. Sprinkle bacon into pastry shells, top each with 1 teaspoon of cheese, and about 1 1/2 teaspoons of egg mixture.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack and cool 5 minutes.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Southern Living, June 2011
www.southernliving.com › Food › Entertaining

PINK CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4  cups champagne
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 egg whites
4 drops red food color
CHAMPAGNE FROSTING
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup champagne
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 drops red food coloring

Heat oven to 350F.
Place paper baking cups in miniature muffin pan.
In a large bowl, combine dry cake mix and champagne. Add oil, egg whites and food color. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes, remove from pan to cooking rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
In medium bowl, beat frosting ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Frost cupcakes, sprinkle with decorating sugar and pearls if desired.
Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from cupcakes, cakes &more, April/May 2010
www.bettycrocker.com/.../pink-champagne-cupcak...