Our Celebration of 2013 and Preparation for 2014!

Well friends and fellow servants we have arrived at the end of one year and the beginning of another. Wish slave had something cosmic and profound to impart, but nothing. In fact slave is not even going out to party. An upper respiratory distress is dragging it down. When that happens, the mind just doesn't want to work either!

Many use this night to reflect on their year or to make pledges to themselves to be better in the next year. Last year Master had slave make 13 new years resolutions, then it had to post its progress on each on every Saturday!

You might think that was tough, but it kept them fresh in slave's mind and active on its to do lists! It can report accomplishment on ten of the thirteen! Including putting an end to 50 years of smoking. Slave has been smoke free for 10 months now and could not be talked into going back!

So on this night You might consider what has been your victories this year as well as decide what your victories will be next year! 

Slave wanted to share just a couple of recipes with you for any possible get togethers you might have. Even if you do not go out and instead stay with the most important people of your life.

How about some bake ahead muffins for New Years Day?

How to make muffins:

Line the pan(s) with paper or foil liners; coat the liners with cooking spray. (For savory muffins, dust with flour after spraying.)

Fill each liner 2/3 to 3/4 full with batter and bake at 350 degrees F until a toothpick comes out clean.

Now then here are some varieties for you to chose from!

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Does your master like Streusel?       

Make the topping:

Mix 2/3 cup each chopped pecans,

brown sugar and

flour, and

1/4 teaspoon salt;

work in 5 tablespoons cold cubed butter.

Make the batter:

Mix 2 cups flour,

1 teaspoon baking powder,

½ teaspoon each

cinnamon and

salt, and

¼ teaspoon baking soda.

Whisk 3 eggs,

¾ cup sugar,

1 stick melted butter,

1 cup sour cream and

1 teaspoon vanilla;

fold into the flour mixture.

Divide among 12 prepared muffin cups,

sprinkle with the topping and

bake 20 to 25 minutes.

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Oh, How about Banana?

Mix:

2 cups flour,

½ cup chopped nuts,

1 teaspoon baking powder,

½ teaspoon salt and

1/4 teaspoon baking soda.

Whisk 3/4 cup brown sugar,

1 stick melted butter,

½ cup each mashed banana and sour cream, and

2 eggs;

fold into the flour mixture.

Divide among 12 prepared muffin cups; bake 20 to 25 minutes.

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or Apple-Cranberry

Make Banana Muffins (above except),

add ½ teaspoon cinnamon with the flour and

replace the nuts with dried cranberries and

the banana with applesauce.

Top with dried apples and dried cranberries before baking.

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Any pumpkin left?

Make Banana Muffins (except for), adding

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice with the flour,

omitting the nuts and

replacing the banana with canned pure pumpkin.

Top with coarse sugar before baking.

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Maybe some savory Corn Muffins?

Mix 1 ½ cups each flour and cornmeal,

1/3 cup sugar,

1 teaspoon baking powder and

½ teaspoon each baking soda and salt.

Whisk 2/3 cup each sour cream and milk,

1 stick melted butter and

2 eggs;

fold into the flour mixture.

Divide the batter among 12 prepared muffin cups and

bake at 400 degrees F, 20 to 25 minutes.*

*NOTE the difference in this recipe of temps and times!

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How about a Breakfast Maple-Bacon Muffin

Make Corn Muffins (with these changes),

omit the sugar,

add 3 slices chopped cooked bacon with the flour

replace the milk with maple syrup

….slave can just smell them reheating on News Years Day to have with coffee!

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Sweet Butter Cookie Muffin

Mix 2 cups flour,

1 teaspoon baking powder and

½ teaspoon salt.

Beat 1 ½ sticks softened butter and

2/3 cup sugar until fluffy, then beat in

2 eggs and

1 teaspoon vanilla.

Slowly beat in the flour mixture and 1/3 cup milk in alternating batches.

Divide among 12 prepared muffin cups and bake 20 to 25 minutes.
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slave gave you that recipe so you can do this one also:

Eggnog Muffins .. sure to please A Daddy Bear!

Make Sweet Butter Muffins (except for),

adding 1 teaspoon nutmeg with the flour.

When cool, dip the muffin tops in a mixture of

1 cup confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons Dark rum.

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Or just a Harvest Muffin made with Cider-Cinnamon

Make Sweet Butter Muffins (except for)

replace the milk with apple cider.

Brush the finished warm muffins with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

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By now You have the main idea down, try some variations of your own!

Now then for tonight, slave has given great party ideas You can re-cycle from Halloween!

And here is a new one for you. Saving the best for last!

Make shrimp this way and you will never boil it again! Roasting imparts such a good flavor, a real shrimp flavor, You might even wish to go light on the sauce.

A Tasty Cocktail of Roasted Shrimp

Ingredients
For the shrimp:

2 pounds (12 to 15-count) shrimp *2 Tbs of mayonnaise

1 Tbs of a good canola oil

1 Tbs melted butter
½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
*NOTE: The 20-25 count shrimp will take about 6 minutes: 16-20 count will roast for 8 minutes, (since it continues to cook on the pan when you pull it out of the oven)and JUMBO shrimp will also cook for 8 minutes.

For the sauce:

½ cup chili sauce*
½ cup ketchup*
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice and the zest of that lemon.
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* vary the proportions of these depending on how hot Your Master likes!

For an even more homemade cocktail sauce:
1 (14½ ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
½ cup prepared chili sauce
4 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon sugar
Few grinds fresh black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon canola oil

You can serve with both traditional cocktail and a homemade creamy horseradish, if you like.

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel and de-vein the shrimp. Use a pair of heavy kitchen scissors or a serrated knife, make an incision down the backside of the shrimp, following the intestinal track. Then the black vein will come out easily with a little bit of practice.

You can also buy a large bag of frozen shrimp from Costco and take out what you need, thaw, and cook. However you just never know and you will miss the freshness of peeling and de-veining them yourself and slave finds that enjoyable.

Toss with a mixture of mayonnaise, melted butter and oil. Arrange in one layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Roast for 8 to10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through.

Set aside to cool.

For the sauce, just combine the ingredients. Serve as a dip with the shrimp.

Present the shrimp on a platter with a small dish of toothpicks and 7 inch paper plates. They should hold shrimp and leave room for spooning small amounts of dip. Slave thinks this is better, if you have guests, than leaving the tails on. Because you will find they have hidden those morsels everywhere around your place, (just looking for somewhere to put them)!

Frankly you might decide not to use any sauce because it is so very good. A great food for toasting in the new year 2014!

Now that's a cocktail You don't have to worry about making people drunk!

Remember this is the night for amateur drinkers and they will all try to drive!

Please be safe

Have fun

That way we can see what kind of mischief will be concocted on this blog in the next year!

Serving My Master Indy

socialslave

To satisfy and restore.

To nourish, support and maintain.

To gratify, spoil, comfort and please,

to nurture, assist, and sustain

…..I cook!