FWF: Deviled Ham Terrine & Roasted Asparagus

This was a great appetizer for dinner, but it was even better as leftovers for a lunch!

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

DEVILED HAM TERRINE

1-1/2 lb smoked ham, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/2 cup mayonnaise

6 Tblsp butter, softened

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

3 Tblsp dry white wine

1 celery rib, finely chopped

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 tsp lemon zest

3/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground red pepper (optional)

Crackers

Veggies

• Pulse ham, in batches, in a food processor 4 to 6 times or until shredded. (do not overprocess)
• Stir together parsley and next 9 ingredients. Stir in ham until well blended. Cover and chill 8 hours. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator up to 3 days.
• Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers and veggies.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

2 lb fresh asparagus

2 Tblsp pan drippings from the Roast [or use 2 Tblsp Olive oil and Salt & Pepper to taste]

1 lemon, thinly sliced

• Preheat broiler with oven rack 3 inches away from heat.
• Snap off and discard tough ends of the asparagus [Click HERE for clearer instructions] and toss with pan drippings and lemon slices.
• Arrange in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan. Broil 4 to 9 minutes or until browned.

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

"Feast with Friends"

~Quick Winter Pickled Veggies

~Deviled Ham Terrine

~Kumquat Martini

~Fennel-Crusted Rib Roast

~Roasted Asparagus

~Warm Greens with Cornbread Croutons

~Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Zinfandel-Poached Figs

Elegant Holiday: Cherry-Pecan Brie

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

CHERRY-PECAN BRIE

1/3 cup cherry preserves
1 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1 (16oz) warm Brie round with rind removed from top
Garnish: toasted pecans
Assorted crackers

• Stir together cherry preserves, balsamic vinegar, pepper and salt in a bowl. Drizzle over Brie. Top with chopped toasted pecans. Serve with crackers.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

My Meatloaf Peppers

Meatloaf is a staple in our house. Over the years I've perfected it, at least to our liking. There is that special seasoning, TexJoy, that is the key ingredient! I have a roast in the crock pot HERE using TexJoy too, which is fantastic as well. So to "spice" this meatloaf up, I'll put them in some green peppers--it adds an entire new level to my meatloaf.

MEATLOAF PEPPERS

1 pound extra lean ground beef
4 oz tomato paste
1 egg,  lightly beaten
20 crackers [Club multi-grain are the best!], crushed
1-1/2 teaspoon TexJoy
4 green bell peppers

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Mix the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl and mix until well combined. Divide mixture into 4 parts.
• Cut tops off of peppers and clean out the seeds. Place into a square baking dish (or 2 loaf pans). Fill each pepper with 1/4 of the meat mixture.
• Cook for 45 minutes to an hour, or until center reads at least 160 degrees F.

Tuna in Celery Boats

My son insists on making tuna at least 3 times a week and he loves it when I put it in celery boats. He also gets to help me make the tuna, and I think thats why he likes it so much. =)

TUNA IN CELERY BOATS

2 cans Chunk-light Tuna in water
1/2 green apple (Granny Smith) diced really small
2 celery stalks, diced really small
2 teaspoons relish
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 celery stalks, cleaned and cut in thirds
Club multi-grain crackers

Mix the first 5 ingredients together then spread into the celery stalks.

See? How easy was THAT! The trick is the green apples--it adds a crisp, sweet flavor!

I like eating the club multi-grain crackers with them, but in the picture those are Ritz crackers (I was out of Club). But any cracker will work!