Cookbook Book Club

A few weeks ago our cookbook book club met which was on Fat Tuesday. Our clever hostess Mary did not miss an opportunity to decorate with a Mardi Gras theme. As we gathered we were served New Orleans Hurricanes. In my last post I shared the recipe that I've used for a very long time. They all must have liked them because one other in the group served them when we were at her house as did Mary our most recent hostess. I think friend Velva who is also a member of this group is serving them in one of her cooking classes that she will teach this coming week. Soooooooo, if you haven't tried that recipe that is already on my blog you are missing a mighty fine cocktail.

Now to tell you a little about our cookbook book club. This particular time our hostess chose for us to each bring our favorite recipe rather than cooking from a book. There were so many excellent recipes shared. The tone was set with this beautifully decorated table.

Friend Mary, our hostess, lives in a historical area where we live and her dining room is just lovely. An older home with such charm and character and you feel such comfort and warmth when visiting.

We always serve buffet style and this was a pic that I took before most had arrived. After a Hurricane I forgot to take any other pictures. Funny how that happens.

This was the dish I had brought, A Baked Spaghetti with Mushrooms topped with Mozzarella and Parmesan.

I'll post this recipe really soon. Each of us were suppose to bring a copy of the recipe we had brought and of course, I had forgotten but will post it here soon.

Each and every recipe were excellent but when I tasted this one I knew my Mr Picky Eater would love it. Friend, Harriet, brought this and it was delicious, a Jalapeno Rice with Chicken. It can be served as a side dish without the chicken but makes a delicious meal pared a side salad.

I did change the recipe just a little. First of all I halved it because it made a huge amount but Harriet said that it freezes beautifully. The other thing that I did was cook all the rice and I cooked the rice in chicken stock which I often do anyway.

Jalapeno Rice

4 cups cooked rice (2 cups uncooked)
2 cups grated Cheddar Cheese (8 ounces)
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cups sour cream
1/2 - 1 cup jarred jalapeno peppers

While rice is still hot, stir in onions, sour cream, jalapenos and about half of the cheese. Put in a large buttered casserole and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Cover and cook in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes or until very hot and bubbly.

This recipe can be prepared in advance without final cooking, or frozen, defrosted and then cooked.

It's also a good way to use a leftover rotisserie chicken, added in to make an entrée instead of a side dish.
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This was quite simply delicious and a recipe I will make again and again. Such a simple recipe but packed with flavor. I halved the rice which was 1 pound box of Uncle Ben's original rice but did not half any of the other ingredients. I did not measure out the amount of chicken I put in but just determined that as to how much rice there was. I absolutely LOVED the use of the jalapeno peppers and the jarred jalapeno's can be found where you would find pickles in a grocery store.

 

Thank you my friend, Harriet for sharing this recipe, it is definitely a keeper.

 

Thank you for visiting my blog and do come again.

 

Carolyn