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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Wienies and Booze...

Little nibbles. Tapa. Mezze. Pupus. Hors-d'oeuvre. Smorrebrod. Zakouski. Canapés. Appetizers. Amuse Bouche. SMALL PLATES. This is our theme this week over at IHCC. Small plates are great for socializing and sampling...as well as a big plus in the restaurant biz- using up the "little bits" and driving up profits. Many times you find yourself making perfectly delicious "trimmings" into an employee meal. Which is fine sometimes, but when you can actually get creative and make it into something artistic and fun that people actually ask for and want to try, that is a fabulous feeling. And really, you can apply the same principle at home. I decided this was the perfect opportunity for me to use up a couple of things left in the fridge from the holidays...try something that I may or may not have made otherwise. I had a pack of cocktail sausages that I thought maybe I'd put to use over the holidays. Didn't. I also had about half a jar of 2 types of olives. Yup, used 'em up. I improvised slightly and actually used up the ends of some pantry items, as well...honey, molasses, sesame oil and soy sauce...which will allow me to make a list and start fresh. Cocktail Sausages...or as I like to call them, Sticky Wienies! adapted from Nigella Express (I made a half batch ~40 sausages) ~1 1/2 lbs. cocktail sausages mini smokies 1/4 c. honey I used 1/4 c. honey AND 1/4 c. molasses...which I recommend doing...I've actually made these w/ just the honey before and the molasses adds a great, sticky richness 1 Tbs. sesame oil 1 Tbs. soy sauce Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange sausages in large, shallow roasting pan. Whisk together honey, molasses, oil and soy sauce and pour over the sausages. Toss the sausages with the sticky mess. Roast for 25-30 minutes, shaking the pan once about halfway through. Yum. Dare you to eat just one.Spicy Martini Olives inspired by the Martini Olives recipe from Nigella Express makes 1 c. olives 1 (8 oz.) jar pimiento stuffed green olives I used 4 oz. garlic stuffed olives & 4 oz. bleu cheese stuffed olives 1/4 - 1/2 c. Absolut Peppar Vodka (or other chili pepper infused vodka) couple dribbles olive oil couple pinches crushed red chile peppers Put drained olives into a bowl (or separate if you don't want to mix them). Toss with remaining ingredients. Let sit an hour or so to let them soak in the booze. There. Now you can eat your liquor ;). These rock. IHCC

Would you like to comment?

  1. A couple of great samplers plates using what is left in the refrigerator-Way cool. I would still be staring into my refrigerator waiting for an idea to surface.

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  2. Okay, I now I am late for cocktail hour! Torture, just pure torture!

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  3. Wienies and Martinis - a perfect New Years eve combo!

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  4. How diabolically evil of you to incorporate booze into wienies and olives.

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  5. Quite the name, but I must admit, they do look tasty!

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  6. Merci Me.. I thought you said Wieners and boobs..

    Happy New Year to you.

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  7. WooHoo! Party's at your place!
    Nice weenies and olives. (And just a littl phallic!)
    Very tasty, bring on the booze!

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  8. This looks very appetizing, especially for the upcoming Superbowl.

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  9. Those wienies look great. Family friendly and easy to make :)

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  10. Wienies and Booze...
    Really perfect combo! (I am not giggling - or bushing! I swear, I'm not that immature - no really I'm not ;-)

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  11. Sometime I just want a tiny excuse to throw a little gathering or party, so that I can make finger foods and appetizers.

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  12. Yeah!!! Those looks great and look at you - you did two Nigella recipes.

    Happy New Year!

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  13. U know am totally drooling and have jus done breakkyfasty....
    Its got that caramelly coating that looks so beautifull to and u'll soon find me fitting in these 2 at one of the theme...
    I can actually feel the caramelly sweet bite,i love in entradas,in the cocktails and the olives too!
    We have some stuffed olives in the pantry and would love love love to try these soooooooonnnnn!!!
    And thanx a ton for ur vote-it means so so much and will be here again but a merry britey great new year to ya sweetie....

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  14. I'll take that dare! I'm not saying I'll win though... ;)

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  15. My teenagers would have a field day with this combo!
    Happy New Year!
    Mimi

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  16. your guest will love you if you serve these on New Year's eve..

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  17. These are for sure one of the must-prepared cocktail party items. Awesome!

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  18. whoot whoot i am loving Blue Cheese stuffed olives lately... And I have a bottle of pepper vodka... I may drain the brine in the bottle of olives and store them permanent in a bath of the vodka... loving this post

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  19. I always feel super accomplished when I use up an ingredient that has been sitting in my fridge or cupboard for what seems like an indefinite amount of time. Small dishes are a great way to use them up!

    The wienies sound really delicious. I love the sauce on them!

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  20. Sticky weinies and booze...what more could a girl wish for?

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  21. We are huge olive fans around our house, so I'll have to make these! And love those wienies! That brought back memories of attending a bridal shower years ago and they served those little wienies in a grape jelly concoction and they were delicious! These sound MUCH more impressive. Thanks for the recipe Girlie.

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  22. This is one of those things that will always be welcome at any get together.

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  23. Can't go wrong with a Nigella recipe - finger food is perfect for celebrating - yum!

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  24. Those little sausages get gobbled up in my home before they are done. I could have the olives for breakfast. Happy New Year!

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  25. Perfect timing! I actually just bought 2 packs of little wienies for our New Year's Eve fete. I'm going to use your recipe!

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  26. I love drunken olives. They look yummy.

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  27. Yummm... I haven't had something like this in ages. Love the ingredients in these, YUM YUM

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  28. soooo...which comes first, the wienies or the booze? (behave myself). It looks good even though my mind is in the gutter...LOL Cheers my fellow lush and have a wonderful New Year!!

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  29. I want some sticky wienies!! (Gosh, I bet Donna had a field day with this one!!)-LOL! They sound delicious, especially the sticky part. This was a great choice! Don't you love when you get to clean out the kitchen and start with new ingredients?

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  30. Two of my weaknesses at parties: weinies and huge olives! How did you know? I hope that you had a most blessed Christmas and I wish you a most delicious New Years! Lovely photos girl; I simply don't know how you do it all! Love and hugs, Roz

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  31. Happy New Year. I left something for you on my blog....I'm playing catch-up.

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  32. My mouth is actually watering. These both look delicious. Too bad I'll be stuck on the couch this NYE, drinking plenty of fluids and resting...damn flu bug! I hope that you have a very Happy New Year!

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  33. greatttt!!!! m soooo loving this girlieee!!! ill be happy to give a try for new years eve!! :D

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  34. Two simple and perfect recipes and you have to love being able to use up those odds and ends in the fridge.

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  35. ooooOOOoooo Booze soaked Olives! Awesome! The cocktail sausages soaked in molasses yumminess sound pretty darned good to me.

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  36. This look really tasty!! Have a Happy and wonderfu New Year! xx gloria

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  37. wow..the glaze...yum yum yum...happy new year!

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  38. I'm a sucker for any recipe with Li'l Smokies, especially if grape jelly isn't involved. These look yummy! Happy New Year!

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  39. "weiners and booze" sounds like an office party gone wrong :)

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  40. Sounds terrific... what could be bad about wienies and booze?? Great little party addition...

    Have a Happy New Year!

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  41. Yummy! I love the addition of molasses.

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  42. I would have never known what an amuse bouche was...except that I watch Top Chef. Now I'm an 'expert.'

    Obviously.

    And my expert self has to ask you about bacon fat of all things. ;)

    Happy 2010!

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  43. These both sound perfect!! I love em.

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