What's for dinner? This week steak's the answer for two quick and delicious meals. We'll grill a double batch one night for a steak dinner and slice the rest to top a healthy arugula salad another night. A pasta dish packed with vegetables makes it to the table in minutes, along with savory puff pastry twists that bake up in no time.
As the master of ceremonies at the annual Rockefeller Center tree lighting ceremony, no one knows how to celebrate Christmas in New York like Al Roker. Experience what goes into the tree lighting, come with Al as he delivers homemade cookies to the Radio City Rockettes, and enjoy all the holiday magic of New York City at holiday time.
Michael gathers his best chef friends and gives them a mission - remake pot luck classics with no more than 5 ingredients, no more than 10 steps, it must be finished and ready to eat, and no exotic ingredients. Church suppers will never be the same!
Gameplan Day of Potluck Challenge:
Peel, and cut celery for Rockin’ Celery Boats
Mix, coat, and put pecan nuts in to bake for Celery Boat filling
Prepare Celery Boats for soaking, soak for crunch
Puree nuts with cream cheese, stuff into Celery Boats and top with jalapenos.
Chop, juice and dress the Ambrosia Salad
Blanche and cool green beans for Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions
Mix, heat and reduce mushroom brandy sauce for Green Bean Casserole, mix in green beans, set aside.
Boil pasta shells, mix cheese sauce for Macaroni and Cheese My Way.
Add spinach, shrimp and bake in the oven.
Fry up onion rings to top Green Bean Casserole with Fried Onions
Wine Recommendation Chiarello Cabernet Sauvignon, Gargiulo Vineyards Pinot Grigio
Chef George Stella heads for the border with a menu of tequila chicken quesadillas, southwestern chili con carne, a no-bake Key lime cheesecake, and guacamole. George finishes the meal off with a classic Mexican drink, Sangria. Ole low carb!
Top 5 Tips
1. Avocados have the highest amount of oils and protein of any fruit. They're also loaded with healthy fats that actually lower your cholesterol.
2. Soy flour is made from toasted soybeans that are ground up. It's not absorbed by your body the way white flour would.
3. Cream cheese is a low carb staple and contains almost zero carbs.
4. Spice up dry red wine by adding fresh lime and lemon juice, sugar substitute, diet orange drink mix, and club soda to make sangria. Garnish with slices of lime and lemon.
5.Club soda isn't only a beverage. It can be used as a leavener in quesadilla crusts.
No matter how hot it gets, it's just too cool when Michael and his guests whip up a vanilla gelato with crazy variations. Making your own ice cream cones is almost as much fun! A fancy pre-frozen layered ice cream torta served with smashed strawberries brings it high cotton.
Gameplan
1 Day Before the Party:
Bring chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice creams for Neapolitan to room temperature.
Simmer and strain Mint Simple Syrup for Cantaloupe Granita.
Peel and puree cantaloupe. Blend cantaloupe puree with Mint Simple Syrup and freeze overnight.
Layer softened ice creams into a freezer-proof dish. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.
Heat cream and espresso to blend with chocolate for Chocolate Hazelnut. Set aside.
Clean, core and quarter strawberries for Strawberry Balsamic Sauce. Blend strawberries with balsamic vinegar. Season and allow to marinate.
Stir Cantaloupe Granita.
Blend Mint Pesto with one pint of vanilla ice cream and return to the pint. Cover and freeze overnight. Blend Chocolate Hazelnut Ganache with one pint vanilla ice cream and return to pint container. Cover and freeze overnight. Blend one pint vanilla ice cream with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce and return to pint container. Cover and freeze overnight.
Blend batter for Ice Cream Cones. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Place plates for Neapolitan in freezer, freeze overnight.
1 Hour Before Party:
Bake and shape Ice Cream Cones on a parchment paper covered baking sheet.
Place milk for Egg Creams in freezer for 15 minutes.
Unmold Neapolitan and slice into one inch slices and place on pre-frozen plates. Drizzle with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce.
At the Party:
Blend Egg Creams and serve.
Scoop and serve Blended Ice Creams and Ice Cream Cones.
Scoop and serve Cantaloupe Granita.
Eat and Enjoy!