Broccoli Salad

One of my family favourites! This is also good with toasted sunflower seeds.

1 head broccoli, broken into small pieces
1/4 large red onion, chopped
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp vinegar

Mix above ingredients.  Chill

Taco Dip and Chips

A popular recipe this time of the year.

8 oz pkg of cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 pkg taco seasoning (start with 1/2 pkg and adjust seasoning to your preference)
2 chopped tomatoes
1 chopped green pepper - or red/yellow
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 or 3 chopped green onions

Soften cream cheese.  Add taco seasonings.  Spread chopped lettuce on platter.  Put chream cheese mixture on top.  Layer remaining ingredients.  Serve with taco chipps or small party pitas.

Monster Garlic Bread

Simple and something the kids always eat!

Preheat oven to 450F.  Shred about 2 cups of cheddar and mozzarella cheese.  Combine both in a bowl. Chop a small amount of parsley; add to shredded cheese.  Blend in well by hand while adding 1 to 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese.

Mel approx. 1/8 pound of butter in a pan at low medium heat.  Add finely chopped or crushed garlic about 2 cloves and let simmer until garlic is slightly brown.  Slice a loaf of French or Italian bread in half.  Cut 1 of the halves lengthwise through the middle.  Take that quarter loaf of bread and place it face down in te pan of butter and garlic.  Allow the bread to soak up the butter.  Brush the crust of the bread with the butter from the pan.  Once coated with butter, place bread on a baking sheet; spread the cheese mixture evenly.  Heat bread in oven just until edges of the bread start to turn brown.  Slice the garlic cheese bread into smaller bite size pieces and enjoy.

Crab Pate

125 g Pkg Cream cheese
3 tbsp tbsp melted butter
Dash Worcestershire sauce
5 oz drained crab meat
1 green onion, chopped

Melt butter.  Add softened cream cheese; cream well.  Add remaining ingredients.  Form into a ball.  Wrap in Saran Wrap.  Put in fridge.  Remove 1/2 hour before serving.  Great on crackers or veggies.

Crab Meat Puffs

A tasty and easy hors d'oeuvre!

6 oz can flaked crab meat, drained
1/3 cup chopped pitted ripe olives
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
Dash Tabasco sauce
Mayonnaise
Miniature cream puff shells

Combine crab meat, olives, green pepper, Tabasco sauce and enough mayonnaise to moisten.  Mix well.  Fill cram puff shells

Avocado Salad with Smoked Salmon

I am Danish - and it doesn't get much more traditional than this.

2 avocados
150g Smoked Salmon

Dressing:
2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
2 Tbsp Sunflower oil
100 ml cold water
Black Pepper

Mix oil and mustard; stir in water for the dressing.  Cut avocado in half.  Peel and remove stone.  Cut meat of the avocados into thin slices; arrange on plates.  Pour dressing over avocado and place salmon, cut into small pieces over top.  Garnish with freshly ground black pepper.  Serve with thin slices of toasted rye bread.

Green Beans Gremolata

This recipe also works well with new potatoes, carrots, baby zucchini and broccoli.

500 g Green beans, trimmed
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp grated lemon rind
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

In saucepan of lightly salted boiling water, cook green beans for 5 minutes or until tender crisp; drain well.

Combine parsley, lemon rind and garlic; toss with beans along with oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.