Fourth of July Inspiration

With the Fourth of July weekend just around the corner I am going to provide you with two recipes that can be served as a side or appetizer for your weekend BBQ. First up is the Meatball Casserole! This quick fix will easily please your hungry guest. Place this casserole next to a few napkins and toothpicks and your guests will surly help themselves to this meaty and cheesy goodness. After having a savory meatball, your guests can crunch into this unique appetizer; Fried Green Tomatoes!! This dish can be served as an appetizer or as a tasty side to the hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. Make sure to provide a home-style ranch dipping sauce to balance the salty and tartness of the green tomatoes.   

Thursday I will be attempting to make Cake PoPs! Yes, those god sent mini-desserts that Starbucks recently started caring. This could be a very dangerous recipe to know how to whip-up, but what a cute dessert to provide for your guests as you watch the fireworks in the sky!   

Meatball Casserole

Prep: 15 minutes    Bake : 45 minutes

Ingredients

About 10-12 slices of French bread

3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

1 pk. (18 oz.) frozen Italian-flavored or regular meatballs, healthier option use ground turkeyballs

1 medium red bell pepper

½ white onion

1 ½ cup tomato pasta sauce, choose your favorite flavor

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

The Process

1.    Heat oven to 350*

2.    Spray pie plate, 10x1 ½ inches with cooking spray

3.    Brush one side of bread slices with EVOO. Line the bottom and side of pie plate with bread, oil side up and slightly overlapping… like so

4.    Bake for about 5 minutes or until the edges are light brown

5.    While the bread is cooking, toss meatballs, bell pepper, onion and pasta sauce in a large bowl

6.    Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes or until hot in the center. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

7.    Enjoy.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Prep: 5 minutes   Fry: 15-20 minutes

Ingredients

1 egg

Vegetable Oil, depending on the size of the pan will determine how much you will need

About 5 large green tomatoes, if serving for a BBQ you might need to make more

½ cup flour

½ cup yellow cornmeal

1 Tbsp. chili powder, optional

1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper, optional

Salt, to sprinkle on after the frying

The Process

1.    In a large saucepan or deep fryer heat vegetable oil over a medium high heat; the oil should be about an inch deep

2.    Slice all the tomatoes… like so

3.    In two shallow bowls; one should contain egg and the other flour, cornmeal, chili powder and cayenne pepper mixture… like so (sorry this was taken midway through when things were a little messy)

4.    One at a time, take a tomato slice and drench it in the egg. Directly from the egg mixture cover it in the flour mixture. From there the tomato goes straight into the hot oil. Repeat the process until there is about 4-5 slices in the oil.

5.    Turn slices over after about 4 minutes have passed or they appear to be a golden brown color.

6.    Remove the slices from the oil after both sides are a nice golden brown. Place on a plate that a paper towel placed over it. Sprinkle with salt while still hot.

7.    Repeat steps 4-6 until all the tomato slices are gone.

8.    Tomato slices can be stored in a 250* oven for about 30-45 minutes to keep warm or until served.

9.    Enjoy!