Christmas 2020 brought many challenges; celebrating safely with your family didn't mean you had to cancel Christmas. Thanks to my niece, Mica, we enjoyed most of our Christmas traditions outdoors, next to a cozy fire, munching on delicious appetizers, and sipping on gourmet cocoa. Grab a warm throw and join us!
Mica's puppy, Fendi was dying with anticipation🤣😂
ROCK'S COZY CHRISTMAS MENU
ROCK'S STICKY CHERRY CHICKEN WINGS MICA'S CHILLI CON QUESO
KOCO'S FAMOUS CRAB CAKES WITH REMOULADE SAUCE
HOMEMADE BEEF AND CHICKEN TAMALES WITH SPICY DIPPING SAUCE
IRETHA'S DEVILED EGGS ROCK'S SPICY MEATBALLS
CRANBERRY CHOCOLATE OATMEAL COOKIES
GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE COOKIES
IRETHA'S PRALINES
MICA'S MOVIE SNACK TREATS
HOT COCOA BAR
STICKY CHERRY CHICKEN WINGS
The sticky Cherry Chicken Wings were a big hit for the Pre-Thanksgiving Celebration so we brought them back for Christmas. This time let's make them together.
Start with fresh clean chicken wings cut at the joint(you can toss the flapper if you want, but we like them😋) Watch the video and make a note of the ingredients you'll need. The cherry preserves are seasonal, but you can usually find them at most gourmet supermarkets.
The sauce is the secret to the Sticky Cherry Chicken Wings....the ingredients include both Cherry Preserves and Marciano Cherries, plus Port Wine, Ketchup, Karo Syrup, and Red Wine Vinegar.
KOCO'S FAMOUS CRAB CAKES
My friend Myra treated me to Koco's fabulous crab cakes as a retirement gift. They are the most delicious crab cakes you'll ever taste, just packed full of crab meat. You can only buy them at family owned, Koco's Pub in Baltimore Maryland, don't jump on the plane...they ship anywhere in the United States. 😁 https://kocospub.com/
ROCK'S SPICY MEATBALLS
The combination of ground chuck and breakfast sausage is the perfect blend of flavors for Rock's Spicy Meatballs. But, it's the horseradish cheese that gives them that ummph. I add Nadine's Barbeque Sauce to the mixture (you'll find the recipe in my cookbook Rock's Soul Food Sunday rockssoulfood.com/ ), you can always substitute your favorite bottled sauce, but my mother's sauce is awesome!
Mix Nadine's barbeque sauce to the meat mixture, add the onions, eggs, cheese, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and minced garlic. Blend well, then marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Form into medium balls, brown in a large skillet, then bake in the oven until done. Serve with the remaining barbeque sauce for dipping.
GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE COOKIES
When You eat this cookie it's like taking a bite of German Chocolate cake.
To make the cookie dough simply mix the cake mix, eggs, and butter in the blender.
Place the balls on a parchment paper
lined cookie sheet and bake until the tops split, allow to cool completely on a rack.
While your cookies are baking, make the Coconut Pecan Frosting. Allow the frosting to cool, then use a spoon to spread the frosting in the center of each cookie.
IRETHA'S PECAN PRALINES
History has it that pralines were brought to Louisiana as early as the 18th century. Louisiana chefs added cream to the sugar mixture giving it the soft fudgelike texture. If you ask people how to pronounce "praline" chances are you will get these two answers PRAW-leen or PRAY-leen. Iretha calls hers PRAY-leens, as a child she watched her Mom Doretha make pralines on a regular bases, not just holidays. Doretha grew up in Opelousas, Lousiana...this is her recipe.
Doretha never used a candy thermometer, but I suggest as a beginner you should....When the thermometer reaches 236 degrees F, (soft-ball stage) about 20 minutes..the mixture should be thick and hard to stir.
Quickly drop by tablespoonfuls on buttered wax paper. Let stand until pralines are set. Store in an airtight container.
I want to take this time to give a shout-out to Iretha Bright, my ride or die. She has been the face behind the camera for many of my cooking videos. Thanks Iretha🧡💛💜
IT'S MOVIE TIME
Once the temperature dropped we moved inside to open presents and watch our favorite Christmas Movies...This Christmas, The Best Man Holiday, and the hilarious
A Madea Christmas.
We munched on the sweet and salty movie packs Mica made each of us😋
And finally, WE OPENED OUR PRESENTS!!!!!
Hugs and Kisses to Mica, my niece and Linda, my sister for pulling our 2020 Christmas together, love y'awl💝
This is the last "Dinning With Rock" blog for 2020. Next week I'll share Rock's New Years 2021 dinner menu and much more! DON'T FORGET TO SIGN IN AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS.