Semi-Homemade Cooking Episodes
Sweet and Spooky Halloween
Halloween is Sandra’s favorite time of the year! This year Sandra is getting decked out as four different divas: Cher, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli. First up on the Halloween menu, a great start to an autumn day: Spooky Puffed Pastry with sauteed apples topped with whipped cream. She’s bringing out the blowtorch for her toasty Ghoulish Cream Pie. Next, an embellishment to the classic cupcake to create Bloodshot Peanut Butter Eyeballs that are so much fun to make. Then it’s a no-bake Creepy Cookie Cake that’s so simple to make but looks like it’s gourmet. And it’s just as much fun with cocktail time: Sandra mixes up a Black Widow Martini that tastes like black licorice. For the second cocktail, it’s a red and spooky Vampire Kiss Martini.
Creative Cakes
Sandra is baking cakes today, colorful, whimsical and tie-dyed cakes. She takes the classic cake mix and adds a few tricks of her own to make them creative and delicious. She starts with Tie-Dyed Cupcakes that are colorful and so much fun to eat. Then it's a festive Rainbow Ribbon Cake that's splashed with gelatin polka dots. Next up, a Coffee Angel Food Cake that's baked in a Bundt shape, without a Bundt pan! And it's cocktail time! Her cocktail is just as sweet, an Icing on the Cake Martini.
Fountain Fantasy
Today is a blast from the past! Sandra's menu is a tribute to the soda fountain shops of yesterday, and she's putting a modern, semi-homemade spin on all her recipes. Even though the kids don't remember the days of soda jerks, they won't be able to say no to good old burgers and fries! The menu starts off with a modern twist on the classic burger: Blue Cheese and Bacon Burgers. You'll love how Sandra dolls up the retro hot dog for her bacon-wrapped Fountain Dogs. Then it's an old-time boardwalk favorite, Chili Fries. For dessert, you won't believe your eyes! She's shaped ice cream and other goodies into the shape of a potato, for her amazing Baked Potato Ice Cream. Then it's cocktail time! You'll love this new classic -- Spiked Egg Cream.
Fast/Slow Cooking
Sandra loves her slow cooker and the way it makes meals tender and juicy. But she also loves quick and simple recipes. So today the menu is a mixture of both fast and slow cooked food. First up, a favorite, Sandra's Pork Roast, which cooks low and slow with some unexpected ingredients. Next, a Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin that cooks under the broiler in no time at all. And for dessert, a Cherry Crumble, done in the slow cooker. Then it's cocktail time! Sandra's Cafe Roma Martini is delicious and you can put it together in a snap.
Fall Feast
Sandra made a huge dinner last night for Thanksgiving, and she's stuck with a ton of leftovers. So she came up with a clever semi-homemade way to use them! This way there's no wasting food, and it's super cheap. Sandra will show how to transform leftover food into a mouth-watering meal. First up, inventive Green Bean Stuffed Portobellos made with items from yesterdays feast. Then there's Potato Blini with Caviar, which transforms everyday leftovers into a sophisticated meal. Next, Turkey Hash with Country Gravy, which cleverly combines three delicious Thanksgiving menu favorites. Next, a few fall side dishes are sweetened up in a Sweet Potato Cake with Coconut Frosting. Then it's cocktail time with a sparkling Burgundy Bubbler.
Holiday Cocktail Party
First up, Blue Cheese with Date Spread. Marmalade Meatballs are sure to be a party pleaser. And the final appetizer is a traditional one only this time served with a kick - Rock Shrimp with Spicy Creamy Sauce.
Money Saving Menu
Sandra is looking out for your purse strings, and she creates a menu that’s inexpensive and super delicious. A few pre-packaged ingredients here and there can really cut down your grocery bill. The menu starts off with a bang — Beer Beef Fajitas — that brings cocktail time a little earlier. She creates her side dish, Smoky Spanish Rice, without overspending. Next se creates a simple and scrumptious dessert — Apple Raisin Betty, plus a Tropical Granita that’s sweet, icy, and so much fun to make. Then it’s cocktail time with a special Pineapple Fresca.
Indoor Lake Side
Sandra loves the sights and the smells of lakeside cooking, but doesn't like the hassle. So she takes her favorite waterside ingredients, like fish and tropical fruit, and brings them indoors, to create a chic and lively menu. First on the menu is a crisp and juicy Bacon Grilled Cajun Trout. It's so simple, but it looks gourmet! On the side, it's Grilled Vegetables with Saffron Rice, that is so flavorful and goes perfectly with the trout. For dessert, it's a Santa Fe Peach and Mango Cobbler that's both sweet and spicy. Then it's cocktail time! A Mango Ginger Martini is the perfect drink both indoors and out.
Ocean Breeze
Everything today is light and luscious. This lively menu starts with Gazpacho Monterey that’s a cool and simple way to eat your veggies. Next is a simple Shrimp with Avocado "Ceviche" that is so flavorful, you won’t even realize it’s good for you. On the side, Sandra has a Cool Couscous Salad that brings together so many ingredients, your taste buds will thank you. For dessert, she’s serving the very elegant Pears with Almond and Chantilly Cream. Then it’s cocktail time! Her cocktail is tart, bubbly and sophisticated--it’s Sandra’s Tangerine Champagne.
Comfort Food Zone
Curl up in front of the fireplace for this hearty meal with your family. Sandra’s Roasted Tomato Basil Soup will warm you up to the Turkey Cutlet with Tart Cherry Sauce and Garlicky Green Beans. Don’t forget Sandra’s Shortcake with strawberries and crew topping. And a Butter Rum Coffee ends a perfect meal in the Comfort Food Zone.
Casino Night
Sandra’s Casino Night pizza menu is no gamble! For easy winnings try her zesty Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza. Meaty Stuffed Pizza with sausage and ground beef is a sure-fire ace in the hole! You don’t need to have a full house in hand to win with Grilled Fruit Pizza for dessert and a coconut Cocojito.
Spring Picnic
First up, a perfect picnic food - Cucumber Tea Sandwich Flowers that are bite-sized and beautiful! Then it's her main course, a Grilled Raspberry Chicken that's sweet, smoky, and great for grilling. On the side, it's a Fresh Herb Pasta Salad.
