Air Fryer Egg Rolls
Air Fryer Egg Rolls have the same crispy, crunchy outside as fried egg rolls only made with less mess. They make a great appetizer or a meal for two.
For this Mitten Movie Night, I decided to just make 8 eggs rolls to serve just my husband and me to eat while enjoying a few beers that we brought back with us from our trip down South. Air fryers are perfect for small-batch snacking recipes like this one!
What beer pairs well with small-batch snacks like egg rolls?
The beer: Cheetah from Rhinegeist Brewery.
One of my favorite parts of traveling is seeing what the area we visit has to offer as far as craft beer. Recently we traveled from Michigan to Charleston to Savannah to Atlanta to Indianapolis to Chicago. PHEW! we found some great beers along the way including this one from a Cincinnati area brewery.
American lagers are what many deem as mainstream beer. Most breweries and taprooms have a lager available year-round so it’s a great recommendation for those who are looking to dip their toes into something new.
Want more food and beer pairings with American Lagers?
What movie goes great with small-batch snacks like egg rolls with sweet and sour dipping sauce?
BINGE WATCH ON! Gearing up for Season 3 of Ozark so we’re rewatching Season 2. I mean, who remembers everything that happened last season when it’s been a year? Snacks, drinks, Netflix-night made.
How to make Air Fryer Egg Rolls:
For these egg rolls, I used some leftover pork that I used to make BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza. I cooked the pork once in the crockpot and got double duty meals out of it. Win-win! If you prefer chicken or beef feel free to swap them out in this recipe in a one-to-one ratio.
Start by chopping the cabbage and green onions. Shred the pork.
In a pan add 1 tsp oil and sautee the egg roll filling until the cabbage is softened and pork is slightly crispy around 10 minutes.
Once the cabbage has softened add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ground ginger, sugar, and garlic powder. Turn off the heat and let the filling cool slightly.
Grab the egg rolls wrappers, a plate and a small dish of cool water. Don’t use warm water it will make the wrappers gummy).
On a plate or piece of wax paper lay down one egg roll wrapper with one corner facing you. Slightly below center add two spoonfuls of filling. Be careful not to overfill.
Using your finger, dab it into the dish of water then rub water on all four sides side.
Fold the bottom over the filling.
Bring each side into the center, folding over the filling. Finish by rolling the rest of the way.
Spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil. Lay the prepared egg rolls into the air fryer tray, 4 at a time, then spray the top with more oil. *Make sure to check your air fryer manufacturer’s directions to see if it’s safe to use oil in it before proceeding.
Set the temperature for 350 degrees and ‘fry’ for 5 minutes.
Flip the egg rolls after 5 minutes, spray with more oil then ”fry’ for another 3 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer tray, pour some sweet and sour sauce into a dish and here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 16 ounces egg roll wrappers, premade
- 4 Tbs cool water
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup cooked pulled pork shredded
- 1 cup head cabbage chopped
- 2 green onion stalks chopped
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Ingredients
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- Chop the cabbage and green onions. Shred the cooked pork.
- In a pan add 1 tsp oil and sautee the egg roll filling until the cabbage is softened and pork is slightly crispy around 10 minutes.
- When cabbage has softened add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ground ginger, sugar, and garlic powder. Turn off the heat and let the filling cool slightly.
- On a plate or piece of wax paper lay down one egg roll wrapper with one corner facing you. Slightly below center add two spoonfuls of filling. Be careful not to overfill.
- Using your finger, dab it into the dish of water then rub water on all four sides side.
- Fold the bottom over the filling.
- Bring each side into the center, folding over the filling. Finish by rolling the rest of the way.
- Spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil. Lay the prepared egg rolls into the air fryer tray, 4 at a time, then spray the top with more oil.
- Set the temperature for 350 degrees and 'fry' for 5 minutes.
- Flip the egg rolls after 5 minutes, spray with more oil then ''fry' for another 3 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer tray and serve with sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy!
Chicken Parmesan #SundaySupper
Layers of egg noodles, crispy chicken, spaghetti sauce and loads of cheese. Chicken Parmesan is a great go-to for busy weeknights.
I can’t believe we are already talking about Back To School! If your like my house, back to school also means back to sports. Busy weeknights of homework and practice call for a meal that can pull double duty-one night dinner, tomorrow leftovers or freezing half for dinner when dirtying dishes is the last thing you want to do.
This week I have been seeing TONS of back to school pics because we live very close to Indiana who start right now. I’m saying to myself, ‘We still have 4 weeks!’.
Did you know that in Michigan it is the law you cannot start until after Labor Day? Some schools are starting to challenge it and getting waivers but for us, I am so glad that it’s that way. I really feel like it gives kids time to enjoy more of the warmer months. We are getting ready though because it will be here soon enough.
So as I mentioned above, this Chicken Parmesan casserole is a great meal because it makes TONS, is easy to freeze, and can be made ahead placed in the refrigerator then popped into the oven later in the evening or even the next day. Take the guess work out of dinner and add this to your dinner rotation ASAP!
How to make Chicken Parmesan:
Start to cook the egg noodles according to package directions. These are the frozen kind that are found by ravioli in the frozen food section.
Grease a 9×13 pan then cover the bottom with some of the spaghetti sauce.
While they cook chop the chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat up oil in the pan and get ready to fry the chicken. On a plate add the bread crumbs, flour and parmesan cheese.
Once the oil is heated take the chicken and dredge in the crumb mixutre then add to the hot oil.
Fry chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked through and super crisp. This is the key to a great casserole.
Both the noodles and the chicken should take around 15-20 minutes to finish.
Drain the noodles and now it’s time to layer. One layer noodles, one layer chicken, one layer cheese, one layer sauce.
Do it one more time then top with remaining cheese. Yes, use the whole bag! Sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley for a little extra oomph.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
This post was originally from August 2017-it has been updated with photos & text.
Thank you to this weeks Sunday Supper host. Check out all of the other recipes that will give your family a great start to the Back To School season.
Back to School Dinners
Beef and Pork
- Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats by The Crumby Kitchen
- Beef and Sweet Potato Stew by What Smells So Good?
- Easy Meatloaf Meatballs by Palatable Pastime
- Mexican Lasagna with Corn Tortillas by Sunday Supper Movement
- One Dish Taco Goulash by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Pierogi with Sausage and Peppers by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pot Roast with Mushrooms, Tomatoes and Red Wine by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Pastas, Soups, Rice and Stews
- Casimer Rice by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Dad’s Glop by My Blissful Mess
- Homemade Lasagna by Soulfully Made
- Kid-friendly Salmon Curry by Caroline’s Cooking
- Salmon with Pappardelle and a Brandy Cream Sauce by Mysavoryspoon
- Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup by Books n’ Cooks
Poultry
- Chicken Enchiladas by The Freshman Cook
- Chicken Parmesan by Bottom Left of the Mitten
- Chicken with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce & Roasted Asparagus by Gourmet Everyday
- Chicken with Sautéed Zucchini Peppers and Mushrooms by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cornflake Chicken Tenders by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Easy Instapot Roast Chicken by Our Good Life
- Easy Ranch Chicken Pasta with Bacon by Cricket’s Confections
- Perfect Scrambled Eggs by Pies and Plots
- Roasted Chicken Breasts by Life Tastes Good
- Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Chicken & Spinach by My Life Cookbook
- Whole30 Mini Turkey Meatloaf by Bites of Wellness
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 16 ounce bag egg noodles, frozen cooked to package directions
- 2 small chicken breasts cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 cup parmesan
- 3 Tbs olive oil
- 8 ounces shredded italian style cheese blend
- 1 jar spaghetti sauce
Ingredients
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- Grease a 9x13 pan then cover the bottom with some of the spaghetti sauce. Start to cook the egg noodles according to package directions.
- While they cook chop the chicken into bite sized pieces. Heat up oil in the pan and get ready to fry the chicken.
- On a plate add the bread crumbs, flour and parmesan cheese. One the oil is heated take the chicken and dredge in the crumb mixutre then add to the hot oil. Fry chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked through and super crisp. Both the noodles and the chicken should take around 15-20 minutes to finish.
- Drain the noodles and now it's time to layer. One layer noodles, one layer chicken, one layer cheese, one layer sauce.
- Do it one more time then top with remaining cheese.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder and parsley.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti
This Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti has just a few ingredients but when they come together, they make for a brilliant meal that features crispy cheese and chicken on a bed of spaghetti covered in a sauce with a kick.
Let’s talk about comfort food for a minute. The weather is getting colder and I’m sure your thinking soups, casseroles, and things covered in gravy BUT might I remind you how comforting cheese is?
I mean…ccccchhhhheeeesssseeee. The gooey, melty goodness that only gets better when it’s cooked in a cast iron pan. The bits that get just a little overcooked and then the bits that are melted perfectly.
I mean look at that crispy chicken with the melty cheese! I’m not ashamed to say that when I make this chicken recipe, I grab a big forkful of all the goodness and take a big bite before serving.
Then to top it all off, this recipe comes together after you place the chicken on top of spaghetti noodles and a zesty sauce. EASY COMFORT FOOD – that’s what this is all about.
What beer pairs well with a cheesy chicken and spaghetti dinner?
The beer: 312 from Goose Island.
Light wheat beer pairs well with nearly every dish. Plus, it’s a great way to chase down the spiciness in the sauce.
What movie should you watch while eating chicken on top of spaghetti?
We’re starting the first of MANY times we’ll watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s a family favorite for sure.
What is your family’s favorite Christmas movie?
How to make Zesty Cheesy Chicken and Spaghetti:
First, cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
Next, cut the chicken breasts into strips.
On a plate add the flour then HALF the packet of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix to the flour, combine it using a fork.
Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture. Add to a heated cast iron pan that has 2 Tbs olive oil over medium/high heat.
Fry the chicken on each side for 5-6 minutes. Check the chicken to make sure that it has cooked through, turn off the heat and cover with the cheese.
Once the spaghetti is cooked, remove and drain the water. Add the noodles back into the pan.
Add the rest of the Italian Mix to the pan. Then finally add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.
Cook up some garlic bread, plate up the spaghetti and chicken and here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
- 2 Tbs olive oil
- 1/2 cup flour
- 0.6 ounces Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix 1/2 in flour mixture, 1/2 in pasta
- 4-6 ounces shredded colby jack cheese
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta cooked according to package directions
- 24 ounces spaghetti sauce
Ingredients
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- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
- Cut the chicken breasts into strips.
- On a plate add the flour then HALF the packet of Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix to the flour, combine it using a fork.
- Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture. Add to a heated cast iron pan that has 2 Tbs olive oil over medium/high heat.
- Fry the chicken on each side for 5-6 minutes. Check the chicken to make sure that it has cooked through, turn off the heat and cover with the cheese.
- Once the spaghetti is cooked, remove and drain the water. Add the noodles back into the pan.
- Add the rest of the Italian Mix to the pan. Then finally add the spaghetti sauce and stir to combine.
- Plate up the spaghetti and chicken. Enjoy!
Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili
Chunks of tender beef, tomatoes, spices, and jalapeno come together beautifully in this Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili. Hearty and full of flavor you will not miss the beans in this chili at all.
We have been busy around here lately. School, sports, work, etc. and everything in between so why not add even more to our plate? Enter a new addition to the family.
So for this Mitten Movie Night instead of recommending a movie, I want to introduce you to Titan.
We have been in discussions about getting a puppy for some time now but once we saw his little face, we knew we didn’t want to wait any longer.
Titan was one of a litter that my husband found through Paws Of Hope in Stevensville, MI. They were so great to work with and I would highly recommend them if you are in the area and interested in adding a new member of your family.
What beer goes well with Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili?
The beer: Spaten Oktoberfest.
Yes, I know it’s no longer October but this beer is something I purchased extra of in October because it’s great to use in recipes and a light drinkable beer to have on hand for guests who don’t particularly like IPA’s.
I chose to make a beanless chili recipe because I wanted a chili recipe that would also double as a great way to use up a bag of tortilla chips that had been hanging around my cupboard.
Let’s start by talking about the ideal meat to use in the Instant Pot. I picked up this 2-pound eye of round roast from the store. With the marbling on it, I just knew it would be great. Just like when we smoke meat I’ve noticed that the more fat content meat has in it, the more tender it gets.
How to make Instant Pot No Bean Beef Chili:
Prepare the ingredients that will go into the Instant Pot. Cube the meat, chop the onion and garlic, and handle with care when seeding and chopping the jalapeno.
Should you add jalapeno to your chili?
Yes! I really like jalapenos and find that they just heighten the taste of everything from pasta to burgers.
Set the Instant Pot to saute and add 1 Tbs olive oil to the bottom. Add the cubed roast to the pot and brown on both sides using tongs to turn the meat, around 2 minutes each side.
Turn the Instant Pot off. To the browned beef add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, jalapeno, sugar, flour, and spices.
Finally, add the bottle of beer and stir everything together one more time.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot until you hear the ‘good to go’ dings. Make sure the lid valve is pointing at ‘sealing’. Set the Instant Pot to the ‘Meat/Stew’ setting and set the timer for 45 minutes.
Once the 45 minutes are up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes. Turn the valve to venting to release any further steam then open the lid.
The Instant Pot spends around 10 minutes building up the pressure and then another 10 minutes to bring the pressure down before taking the lid off. Make sure to factor this additional time for serving this instant pot chili.
I served this beanless chili with tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, white onion, and sour cream. These toppings helped to cool down the jalapeno and add even more flavor.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 2 pounds beef eye of round roast cubed
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1 white onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
- 2 14.5-ounces diced tomato with green chilies
- 15 ounces tomato paste
- 1 Tbs granulated sugar
- 1 Tbs all purpose flour
- 1 Tbs chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Spanish paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 12 ounces light beer I used Oktoberfest, or other light lager
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese for topping
- 2 cups restaurant style tortilla chips for topping
- 1/2 cup sour cream for topping
- 1 white onion chopped, for topping
Ingredients
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- Cube the meat, chop the onion and garlic, and handle with care when seeding and chopping the jalapeno.
- Set the Instant Pot to saute and add 1 Tbs olive oil to the bottom. Add the cubed roast to the pot and brown on both sides using tongs to turn the meat, around 2 minutes each side.
- Turn the Instant Pot off. To the browned beef add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic, jalapeno, sugar, flour, and spices.
- Add the bottle of beer and stir everything together one more time.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot until you hear the 'good to go' dings. Make sure the lid valve is pointing at 'sealing'. Set the Instant Pot to the 'Meat/Stew' setting and set the timer for 45 minutes.
- Once the 45 minutes are up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes. Turn the valve to venting to release any further steam then open the lid.
- Serve with tortilla chips, sharp cheddar cheese, white onion, and sour cream. Enjoy!
Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
Want crispy potatoes but you don’t want to deal with lots of oil and a messy stovetop? Making these Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes in the air fryer leaves little mess but that doesn’t mean they aren’t big on flavor.
Is there anything that the air fryer can’t do? I use it to make everything from sandwiches to snacks, so this appliance gets a workout here in my kitchen. So for this Mitten Movie
What beer pairs well with fried potatoes?
The beer: Twilight Summer Ale from Deschutes Brewery.
These potatoes pair perfectly with the citrus notes in this summer ale. This is such an easy-drinking beer so it’s perfect for long summer afternoons.
What should I read while eating air fryer potatoes and drinking a summer ale?
I have been reading like crazy this summer. On Twitter, Stephen King recommended this book and said he could not put it down. Guess what? Neither could I! I read Necessary People by Anna Pitoniak in ONE DAY.
Want more book recommendations follow my Book Reviews stories on IG.
Look how crispy these are! So why wouldn’t I call these Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips? They sure look like chips. I didn’t call them ‘potato chips’ because I want to keep this recipe open for interpretation.
Can you snack on them like chips? Yes. But they can be so much more. Make these potatoes and add them to make a Cajun Steak & Potato Salad. Skip the tortilla chips for Smoke Sausage Nachos and make a ‘tachos’ meal with them. Use the sauce on these Pesto Fries for a salty and cheesy side dish.
Now that we have down a few ideas of how to use these fried potaotes, let’s make them!
How to make Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes:
First, clean the potatoes. Slice them thinly using a knife or vegetable slicer.
The next step is very important. In a bowl add cool water and place the sliced potatoes into it. Let them sit in the water for 30 minutes.
Why do you want to soak potato slices in water before frying them?
This gets the potato starch from the potatoes and keeps them from getting soggy and sticking together. You want maximum crispiness so make sure to do this step.
After the potatoes have been soaked drain the water then using a paper towel dry off the potatoes.
To the uncooked potatoes add the olive oil and seasonings. Stir to coat the potaotes evenly.
Place the potatoes into the basket of the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 380 degrees and set for 25 minutes. Push ‘start.
Check the potatoes after 10 minutes and using a small spatula, flip the potatoes around. Slide the basket back in then perform the same action every 5 minutes for another 15 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer and serve as desired. And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 3 medium russet potatoes cleaned then sliced thinly
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
- 1/4 tsp thyme leaf
Ingredients
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- Clean the potatoes. Slice them thinly using a knife or vegetable slicer.
- In a bowl add cool water and place the sliced potatoes into it. Let them sit in the water for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water then using a paper towel dry off the potatoes.
- To the uncooked potatoes add the olive oil and seasonings. Stir to coat the potatoes evenly.
- Place the potatoes into the basket of the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 380 degrees and set for 25 minutes. Push 'start.
- Check the potatoes after 10 minutes and using a small spatula, flip the potatoes around. Slide the basket back in then perform the same action every 5 minutes for another 15 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve as desired. Enjoy!
Salmon Tacos with Avocado Ranch
These Salmon Tacos are not only easy to make, but they are also delicious! Top with a homemade avocado ranch dressing and pair with a craft beer for a great light dinner.
We are just getting back from a H-O-T end of school year vacation to Florida. Ugh. While it has been cooler here lately in Michigan, I will not complain about it after spending a week there.
When we got home it was finally feeling like summer so to celebrate I’m making salmon tacos with fresh tomatoes, creamy avocado ranch, and crispy tortillas. This meal was giving me ALL the warm weather feels.
What beer pairs well with Salmon Tacos?
The beer: Local’s Light from Short’s Brewing.
For this taco and craft beer pairing ‘light’ meets ‘light’. A subtle beer that’s perfect for a summer afternoon then transitions perfectly to enjoy with this seafood taco recipe.
What to watch while eating tacos?
Season 3 of Claws just started! If you aren’t watching this show, you are missing out. It also works well with this Mitten Movie Night because it’s set in Florida.
How to Make Salmon Tacos:
Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cumin.
Next, cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil, skin side facing up. Fry for 3-5 minutes, then flip. Cook an additional 3-5 minutes.
Remove from pan and flake the salmon by using two forks.
How to make Avocado Ranch Dressing:
In a food processor add the skinned and pitted
Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like. I used about 2 tsp of olive oil as I like it to thicker.
We LOVE Tacos! How about you? Check out these other taco recipes!
Crisp the flour tortillas over an open flame if you wish. Serve with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a side of
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 1 pound salmon
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 6-8 flour tortillas
- 1 large ripe avocado skinned and pitted
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 Tbs mayonnaise
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 bunch fresh parsley cleaned of the stems (can sub for 1 Tbs dried parsely)
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil to thin out as needed
Ingredients
Salmon Tacos
Avocado Ranch Dressing
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- Start by preparing the salmon. Lay the salmon out and sprinkle with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and cumin.
- Cook the salmon in a frying pan with 2 tsp olive oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes, then flip. Cook an addition 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from pan and flake the salmon by using two forks.
- In a food processor add the skinned and pitted avocado, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, onion powder, white vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse the ingredients adding a light stream of olive oil until you get the consistency that you like.
- Crisp the flour tortillas over an open flame if you wish. Serve with chopped tomatoes, red onions, and a side of refried beans. Enjoy!
Smoked Sausage Nachos
Crispy tortilla chips, smoked sausage, a mix of peppers and onions drowned in beer cheese sauce. For the main dish or easy appetizer, Smoked Sausage Nachos are not your ordinary finger food.
I was looking around from some Midwest favorites to remake for Mitten Movie Night. That’s when I came across this article: 52 Comfort Foods All Midwesterners Know. Even as a Midwesterner, there were loads of recipes in here I had never even heard of. One that immediately jumped out to me on the list was Beer and Brat Nachos from Taste of Home.
A NACHO RECIPE LOADED WITH MEAT THEN COVERED IN BEER CHEESE? Yeah, that sounds good. For this nacho recipe, I swapped out the bratwurst and made it even simpler with cooked smoked sausage. Then made a simple recipe for beer cheese sauce and we are on our way to tasty town.
This week is a “celebration’ of sorts on the blog! It’s the first time that I get to show off what I’ve been up to besides the blog.
A few months back I was asked if I would be interested in writing recipe and craft beer pairings for an area magazine, Michiana Life. Having this honor really felt like Bottom Left of the Mitten is not only online but also reaching out to local readers too!
I had been struggling lately with the decision to rebrand the blog name for a larger audience, but this just made me realize that sticking with what I started with was the right move.
This week is also 3 months at my new job! The new year had me
Working from home can be lonely and frustrating. Long hours paired with long winters and work always beckoning from the sleeping laptop even when you want to focus on other things. It’s rough. Since Little A started school in the Fall I felt like this was a great time to look for a part-time job.
So with resume in hand, I jumped at the chance to apply for a job at our local library, and happily got it! I couldn’t have asked for a better position. It gets me out of the house while still affording me time to work on my virtual assistant business and blog. Bonus, I get to be around books all day.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King in On Writing (print from InkInTheOzarks)
I’ve always been an avid reader so I thought this would be a great time to add another entertainment aspect of the blog and start adding book recommendations along with movies and TV shows. So let’s get started on these Smoke Sausage Nachos!
——-> Let’s follow each other on GoodReads! <——-
What book pairs well with beer and nachos smothered in beer cheese?
The book: No Exit by Taylor Adams.
Holy smokes, this book is a thrill ride from beginning to end. I could not put it down and you won’t want to either.
What craft beer pairs well with Smoked Sausage Nachos?
The beer: Larry’s Fruit Flight from Bell’s
The fruity notes and lime pair so well with not only the smoky sausage but the warm weather that is finally here!
How to make Smoked Sausage Nachos:
The best thing about this recipe is how easy it is! Let’s start with the beer cheese sauce.
For this, I used a recipe from one of my favorite bloggers, The Chunky Chef. This Creamy Beer Cheese Sauce turned out great using Yuengling.
Start the rest of the nacho recipe by chopping the smoked sausage, peppers, and onions.
In a pan heat up 1 tsp olive oil then
On a sheet pan spread out the tortilla chips. Add the sausage and peppers over the top.
Finally, pour the beer cheese sauce over the top. Add more chopped peppers and cilantro if you wish. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations for this Nachos recipe:
- Eat these nachos IMMEDIATELY! The beer cheese sauce, once poured, can make the nachos soggy.
- What if I’m thinking of serving them at a party? Add the items in serving trays and bowls and let guests build their nachos directly on the plate.
- Not a fan of beer cheese sauce? Skip it and use regular shredded cheese. Put under the broiler in the oven to melt for 3-5 minutes.
Looking for more Sausage & Beer pairings?
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 1 13-ounce bag restaurant style tortilla chips
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 orange pepper chopped
- 1 yellow pepper chopped
- 14 ounces smoked sausage I used skinless smoked sausage
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 cups beer cheese sauce I used The Chunky Chef's Creamy Beer Cheese Sauce recipe
Ingredients
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- For the beer cheese sauce: I used a recipe from, The Chunky Chef. I used Yuengling for the beer.
- Chop the smoked sausage, peppers and onions.
- In a pan heat up 1 tsp olive oil then sautee the sausage, peppers, and onions until the peppers and onions are cooked, around 6-8 minutes.
- On a sheet pan spread out the tortilla chips. Add the sausage and peppers over the top.
- Finally, pour the beer cheese sauce over the top. Add more chopped peppers and cilantro if you wish. Serve immediately.
Pesto Fries
Want an out of this world french fry recipe for when you’re craving something salty and crunchy? Pesto Fries are drizzled with a buttery pesto sauce then sprinkled with cheese. The perfect snack or side to any main dish.
Who doesn’t love a big pile of hot, crispy french fries? They are like a really great little black dress, they go with everything and can be dressed up with a few accessories. The ‘accessories’ for these fries happen to be a delicious pesto sauce that is drizzled on then baked in. Sprinkle with some cheese and you’ve got a great dish for this Mitten Movie Night.
This recipe is inspired by a hot dog food truck that we had dinner from at our local energy cooperative customer appreciation day. I was sad that I didn’t get the name of it because if I had, I probably would be following it like a Grateful Dead groupie.
While waiting in line to order the smell coming out of the food truck was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Once I was up to the window I ordered a bacon-wrapped hot dog and for the side, pesto fries. They came out piping hot and loaded with pesto, cheese and tasted even better than I expected.
I locked the flavors away in my mind and knew that like most wonderful things I eat, I had to come home and recreate this Pesto Fries recipe and pair it with some great craft beer.
What movie or TV show pairs well with fries and beer?
I’m sure you have probably heard of a little show that is sweeping the horror scene called, The Haunting of Hill House. While Halloween is over this show will keep you in the creeps for a long time. My recommendation when you start watching is to plan for a binge session because you will NOT be able to turn away.
What beer pairs well with Pesto Fries?
The beer: Sunspot Hefeweizen Ale from Greenbush Brewing Company.
This beer was in a mixed 6 pack of Michigan beers that my husband picked up at one of his favorite beer store in Southwest Michigan.
What makes a Hefeweizen a great beer to pair food with?
This German beer is a drinkable beer that pairs well with nearly everything. It’s light and drinkable and you can enjoy it while you fill up on delicious food, not the beer.
Better yet, Hefeweizen has a fruity, lemony appeal so it may lend as a little breath refresher for all the garlic on these Pesto Fries.
How to make Pesto Fries:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or to the temperature that is on the package of fries.
On a sheet place parchment paper. Spread the whole bag of frozen french fries to the pan in a single layer.
Cook according to package directions, mine took about 30 minutes flipping halfway through.
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the pesto sauce to go on top.
In a heatproof cup or glass measuring cup melt the butter.
To the melted butter add the minced garlic.
Add the prepared pesto sauce.
Finally, pour in the olive oil. Stir to combine completely.
Take the french fries out the of the oven and pour the pesto sauce over the fries. Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.
Take out and serve individually with parmesan-romano cheese sprinkled on it.
Looking for a dish to serve with Pesto Fries?
And here you are……
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 35 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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Ingredients
- 1 28 ounce bag of french fries cooked according to package directions
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 Tbs prepared pesto
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan-romano for topping
Ingredients
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Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees or to the temperature that is on the package of fries.
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On a sheet place parchment paper. Spread the whole bag of frozen french fries to the pan in a single layer.
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Cook according to package directions, mine took about 30 minutes flipping halfway through.
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In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the pesto sauce to go on top.
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In a heatproof cup or glass measuring cup melt the butter.
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To the melted butter add the minced garlic.
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Add the prepared pesto sauce.
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Finally, pour in the olive oil. Stir to combine completely.
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Take the french fries out the of the oven and pour the pesto sauce over the fries. Put back into the oven for 5 minutes.
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Take out and serve individually with parmesan-romano cheese sprinkled on it. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Granola
This is the perfect breakfast for fall! Pumpkin Spice Granola is packed full of pumpkin spice flavor, dried cranberries, and walnuts. This granola is a happy medium between baked and crunchy Granola Recipes.
I cannot believe how much I’ve truly dug into pumpkin spice this year. I don’t know if it’s the colder weather we’ve had since early October or just really getting into the spirit of the season but I am Team Pumpkin Spice!
You know what else I love? Granola! One day I was craving some so I got out my usual ingredients of olive oil, honey, and oats. I had my coffee going and was thinking about some pumpkin recipes I could make for the blog and then immediately thought of the perfect substitute for my regular cinnamon that I add to the granola – pumpkin spice!
Then, what could be more ‘fall’ than dried cranberries? Nothing! Add my usual walnuts for that good brain health and voila! Breakfast is ready.
Love Pumpkin recipes? Check these out:
This Pumpkin Spice Granola recipe is so easy to make and ready in less than 25 minutes. I do like it a little on the warm side so I eat a big bowl of it right after making it. Such a great wholesome way to start the day.
How to make Pumpkin Spice Granola:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
In a bowl mix the olive oil, honey, salt, pumpkin spice, and turmeric. Stir to combine.
To the liquid ingredients add the oats. Stir to combine completely.
Add parchment paper to a 9×13 pan.
Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven and stir the granola, level back out and bake an additional 10 minutes.
Take out of the oven and let cool.
Once the granola *has cooled completely* add the dried cranberries and walnuts.
Serve with milk or yogurt.
Tips & Variations for Pumpkin Spice Granola:
- Do not add the dried cranberries and walnuts until the granola has cooled all the way. You will end up with burnt nuts and hard as rocks cranberries if you add them any earlier.
- Do you like crunchy granola? Follow the same recipe just use a 12×18 sheet pan instead and spread out thinly over the whole sheet.
- How to store the granola: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
And here you are…..
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 1/2 cup olive oil you can substitute for coconut or vegetable oil as well
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice blend
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 3 cups instant oats
- 1/4-1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/4-1/2 cup dried cranberries
Ingredients
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- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- In a bowl mix the olive oil, honey, salt, pumpkin spice, and turmeric. Stir to combine.
- To the liquid ingredients add the oats. Stir to combine completely.
- Add parchment paper to a 9x13 pan.
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven and stir the granola, level back out and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Take out of the oven and let cool.
- Once the granola *has cooled completely* add the dried cranberries and walnuts.
- Serve with milk or yogurt. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations for Pumpkin Spice Granola:
- Do not add the dried cranberries and walnuts until the granola has cooled all the way. You will end up with burnt nuts and hard as rocks cranberries if you add them any earlier.
- How to store the granola: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons
Coconut shrimp meets with a cream cheese wonton. Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons are the best of both worlds. All wrapped together in a crunchy shell then sprinkled with powdered sugar. So sweet!
Happy Memorial Day weekend! Let’s start this Mitten Movie Night with a classic appetizer mashup. Do you love coconut shrimp? How about sweet and creamy wontons? Why don’t we just combine them? Of course we can. So now let’s sit back and start the holiday with a sweet beer and an even sweeter treat with these baked coconut shrimp wontons.
Have you ever went out to dinner and instead of ordering a meal you just order an appetizer….for yourself? I do because I can’t resist a good artichoke dip with crispy bread. A local restaurant here has the best potato skins with ranch that again I will order and just eat as my meal. This recipe came to me after I made these Sweet Cream Cheese Wontons from The Cozy Cook. They were so good so how could I make these appetizers into a meal? Add shrimp? Sure! I was just waiting for the right beer to pair them with…..and it all came together last weekend.
What beer pairs well with Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons?
The beer: Palisades Pineapple from Golden Road Brewing.
My husband, the kids and I went up to Flint, Michigan for our nephews graduation party. With our in-laws we made a weekend out of it and got a hotel so the kids could swim and not worry about driving 6 hours round trip in one day. It was a great get away and of course while away why not treat ourselves? We stopped at the Kroger to pick up some beer. Wow! What a wonderful selection they had. After picking up then putting down a bunch of choices because it was hard to choose, I went with this Palisades Pineapple from Golden Road Brewing.
While it’s not a Michigan Craft Beer I have been on a fruit beer kick so, why not? This beer ended up being one of my favorites this year. Light, drinkable, fruity with pineapple and apricots but not overwhelming.
What movie pairs well with wontons and beer?
Finally, I have to perfect beer for Mitten Movie Night to pair with these wontons. Now to pair a great beer with a great movie? Since this beer was made in LA we’re watching Pulp Fiction.
While the ingredients for this recipe are pretty basic the assembly can make them a little tedious to make. Worth it but just a little *warning*.
How to make Baked Coconut Shrimp Wontons:
For the shrimp, I use already cooked salad shrimp. I always have a bag in the freezer and you can easily take out how much you need and thaw in some hot water and it’s ready. For this you need 2 cups.
On the stove top in a pan heat up 1/2 Tbs olive oil and add the thawed shrimp and sautee until brown around 2 minutes. Add 1 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
Once cooked through the meat needs to be minced. You can either do this by chopping it into small pieces with a knife or you can do like I did for this Shrimp Cannelloni and bring out the small food processor.
Next, set the shrimp aside to cool then preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
To another bowl add softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and the coconut. In a smaller dish crack one egg and whisk it to combine. Once the shrimp has cooled add it to the cream cheese and coconut mixture.
To this I added a ‘splash’ of sesame oil. While I love the taste it can be overwhelming so proceed with caution or leave this off the recipe if you think you or your guests might not like it.
Lastly, is filling these baked coconut shrimp wontons. This is the step I warned you about taking some time. Place a small dollop in the middle of a wonton wrapper. Take your finger and dip it into the egg then rub all the edges with it.
To create the little pillows of goodness pinch the 4 corners with your index and middle finger on top then thumbs on the bottom and pull together making an ‘X’. A wobbly ‘X’ at best but sometimes flavor makes up for the presentation.
You won’t use all the egg for this so to the bowl add a splash of water then brush the egg wash onto the top of each wonton.
Pop these baked coconut shrimp wontons into the preheated oven for 12 minutes.
Sprinkle on some additional powdered sugar and serve with a side of sweet and sour sauce.
And here you are….
From our home in the Bottom Left of the Mitten to yours ~ Enjoy!
*Affiliate links are included in this post. Please read my Discloser Policy.
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 12 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
|
- 2 cups cooked shrimp, thawed
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 12 ounces wonton wrappers
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 'splash' sesame oil optional
- Powdered sugar for topping if desired
- 1 cup sweet and sour sauce for dipping
- 1 large egg whisked
Ingredients
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- Thaw 2 cups of frozen, cooked shrimp. On the stove top in a pan heat up 1/2 Tbs olive oil and add the thawed shrimp and sautee until brown around 2 minutes. Add 1 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Mince the shrimp by hand or food processor. Set the shrimp aside to cool
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- To another bowl add softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and the coconut. In a smaller dish crack one egg and whisk it to combine. Once the shrimp has cooled add it to the cream cheese and coconut mixture. To this I added a 'splash' of sesame oil.
- Place a small dollop in the middle of a wonton wrapper. Take your finger and dip it into the egg then rub all the edges with it. To create the little pillows of goodness pinch the 4 corners with your index and middle finger on top then thumbs on the bottom and pull together making an 'X'.
- To the egg bowl add a splash of water then brush the egg wash onto the top of each wonton. Pop these into the preheated oven for 12 minutes.
- Sprinkle on some additional powdered sugar and serve with a side of sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy!
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