My Crab Cakes

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells
2 slices of toasted bread crumbs
3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 egg
1 teaspoon mustard

2tbsp oil and 2 tbsp butter (melted in pan)
2 tbsp old bay seasoning
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch of cayenne pepper
Flour, for dusting

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour, butter and oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour. Line up in a platter and place in freezer ( to keep firm ) for 5 min while u get oil and butter hot.

Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce

Great with: Salad, Rice, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, String Beans and your favorite rolls.

Misha's Spicy Chili ( 4 those cold Winter nights )

6 slices thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 spring onions (green onions)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 cup beer (recommended: (Corona or Budweiser)
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes diced
1 (24-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice ( I used Rotel )
1 (12-ounce) can tomato sauce or paste ( I used Hunts )

Sour cream, for garnish
Shredded Cheddar, for garnish

Directions
In large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp, stirring occasionally. Once the bacon is browned, add the garlic, onions, bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook until the vegetables are tender and seasonings are aromatic. Add the beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Once beef is broken up and beginning to brown, add the pork. Break up with wooden spoon like the beef, and brown, until no longer pink, roughly 4 minutes. Stir in the beer and beans. Toss together, then add the crushed and diced tomatoes. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Transfer the chili to serving bowls and garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese. Saltines Optional.


Great one pot meal for a cold winter evening at home...Serve with Coronas or Passion Fruit Margarittas

Couples Indoor Cookout...

Bar-B-Q Chicken Breast & Atlanta Backyard Potato Salad


Atlanta Backyard Potato Salad

5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed ( the kind of your choice, I use idaho white )
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 large onion, chopped finely
3 hard-boiled eggs, 2 chopped and 1/2 sliced
2 heaping tablespoons sweet salad cubes,
1/2 cup salad dressing, (recommended: Miracle Whip)
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Paprika, for garnish

Directions:
Boil cubed potatoes until they are tender. Drain and cool. In a large bowl add celery, onion, 2 eggs and pickled relish. Add the salad dressing, yellow mustard and sugar. Stir well. Place the sliced egg on top of potatoes and sprinkle with paprika and salt. Let the potato salad chill in the refrigerator for 2 1/2 hours or overnight.


Saturday Park Day Bar-B-Q Chicken

Bar-B-Q Chicken Rub:
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
2 tablespoons onion salt
1 tablespoon garlic salt
2 tablespoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper
1 tablespoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, finely crushed
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients well in a small bowl with your fingers.

Rub olive oil all over chicken and then massage the rub into the chicken and make sure its evenly coated then cover and place in refrigerator overnight or at least up to 2 hours.

When ready to prepare place chicken on a rack in 400 degree oven for 20 min. Then take out dip in sauce and place back in the oven for 10 min under 500 degrees.

Grandma Marys South Atlanta Bar-B-Q Sauce

2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons light brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 tablespoon lemon pepper ( and cut out ground black pepper )
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 hour 15 minutes.