SANDRA'S FAMOUS ALASKAN KING CRAB DIP for a crowd

The absolute best recipe, it's addicting and a great method in which to extend your
Wild Alaskan King Crab experience when its richness overcomes you...

Yield: (Appx. 2-1/2 cups)

Prep: 20 mins.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups prepared cooked, Wild Alaskan King Crab (knuckles and legs), shredded and cut into 1/2" pieces

3/4 cup whipped cream cheese

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1-1/2 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 teaspoon worcestershire

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon granulated onion

1 teaspoon old bay seasoning

1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (I used Johnny's)

1/2 teaspoon ground paprika

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish options:

--Green onion (green parts only), finely sliced

--Paprika

Serving options:

--crackers

--whole wheat bread slices quartered

--cucumber slices

--celery stocks

--toasted baguette slices

METHOD

Combine all the above ingredients in a medium bowl, using a dinner fork. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Spoon into a decorative serving bowl, surrounding the bowl with a larger platter spread with your favorite snacking options (a few suggestions are listed above), then top dip with fresh, finely sliced green onions and a light sprinkle of paprika. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S BAKED WHOLE-WHEAT HERB PITA CHIPS

These warm and crispy herb pita triangles
have a crazy-good texture and flavor
you just can't get compared to
the store-bought version...

Servings: (10)

Prep: 5 Mins.

Cook: 7 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

6 whole-wheat pita bread pockets

Olive oil cooking spray

Spice/Herb Mixture:

¼ teaspoon granulated garlic

¼ teaspoon granulated onion

1 teaspoon dried cilantro

½ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a couple of baking sheets with foil; spray, then set them aside.

Cut each pita bread around the circumference so you have 12 halves.  

Line the cutting board with foil (for easier clean up), and spray both sides of 12 halved pitas with olive oil spray. 

Mix the spice/herb mixture in a small bowl.  Sprinkle one side of the halved pitas with half of the spice mixture, then spray with olive oil for spices to adhere.  Repeat, doing the same on other side of pita halves as well.  Toss the tin foil, and cut pita halves into 4 equal triangles; yielding 48 total pita chips (or cut them smaller if you wish to yield even more smaller triangles).

You will be baking these in batches.  Begin by placing the pita triangles on baking sheets in a single layer, and bake for about 7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.  Watch carefully, as they could easily burn! ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:  I only make as much as we are going to eat of the herb pita chips at one setting, as they tend not to store or reheat as well as when they first come out of the oven.

Click here for Sandra's Addicting Baked Tropical Jalapeno Spinach Dip

SANDRA'S METHOD FOR SAUTÉED FRESH GREEN BEANS

Brilliant green and fresh
sauteed green beans...Yummm!

Servings (6)
Prep. and Cook, about 15 to 20 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

½ lb. fresh green beans, trim ends, and cut into 1-1/2” pieces
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon light olive oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

METHOD

Place the cut fresh green beans in a microwave-safe bowl with water, cover with a damp paper towel, and par-steam in microwave on high for 5 minutes. Drain, and rinse in a colander under cold water to retain color and to stop the cooking process, and then pat dry (this can be done ahead of time). Place olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat, when oil is hot add the par-cooked green beans and spices, and saute for 7 to 10 minutes, just until crisp-tender. – Enjoy!


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Tip: I have found that many like fresh green beans cooked longer until tender - not crisp, if so, you may choose to do so and continue sauteing for another 5 minutes.

SANDRA'S TO-DIE-FOR CAJUN GRILLED CORN

How can you resist this??

Servings: (8)
Prep/Brine: 35 mins. |
Grill: 12 to 14 mins.
Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

8 ears corn , husks and silk removed

***Brine
½ cup salt
½ cup sugar
4 quarts cold water

***Cajun Butter (Yields about ½ cup)
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons cornstarch
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth

METHOD

Preheat grill to medium-high  (we use charcoal of course). Take a ½ cube of butter out to come to room temperature 30 minutes beforehand.

Meanwhile, in large pot, stir ½ cup salt and ½ cup sugar into 4 quarts cold water until dissolved. Add corn and let soak for at least 30 minutes while grill gets hot.

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and broth until well combined, and set aside.

Begin making the cajun sauce by heating small saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter, and then add all the spices and saute for one minute. Increase heat to medium high, and whisk the broth and cornstarch mixture (as cornstarch will have settled), and bring cajun sauce to boil to thicken. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.

Dry corn cobs with paper towel, and baste with cajun sauce.  Cook prepared corn on the cob over hot portion of grill, baste with cajun sauce and turn slightly every 2 to 3 minutes, until kernels are lightly charred, and keep doing so for a total of 12 to 15 minutes cooking time. Remove corn from grill, and brush a final time with Cajun Butter before serving hot. – Enjoy!


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Tip:  This is a perfect side to any barbecue or other entree!

SANDRA'S TUTORIAL ON HOW TO SECTION A LIVE CRAB (for sautéing, roasting, or grilling):

It's rather easy and enjoyable to do...

***HOW TO SECTION A LIVE CRAB
(For sauteing, roasting, or grilling):


Place the crab in the freezer for 15 minutes to put it to rest. Put on rubber gloves, and place a large clean pan in sink with the crab in it. Lift the flap on the underbelly while placing your right thumb into the hole and lifting the flap up up - while pressing down on the back shell with your other hand and the top will pop right open. Be careful not to spill the juices, and reserve the shell liquid and crab butter by setting it aside for Sandra's Grilled Whole-Sectioned Dungeness Crab recipe. Clean off the gills and whatever parts you are not going to eat, while leaving body and leg sections intact. Hold the crab in both hands so cleaned outside is facing you. Grab both sides of crab sections, so you can bend it into its own belly to 'crack' it in half. Each has four legs sticking out, so stop here if you choose. Or else you could spread, and chop between each leg and body area if you want to separate it further into eight sections.

SANDRA'S TRANSLUCENT ASIAN NOODLES and PORK over RICE

Traditionally this spectacular recipe is served
to a ratio of 3 parts Asian noodle mixture on top
over 1 part steamed rice underneath, as I do as well...

Servings: (2)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Cook: 6 to 8 mins.
(+ 15 mins. to soak bean threads)

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

***Noodles:
¼ lb. dried bean thread noodles (found in the asian section)

***Meat
2 tablespoons peanut oil
½ pound pork, thinly sliced

***Sauce:
3 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
3 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon asian chili sauce
1 teaspoon honey (link to Homemade Alaska Fireweed-Clover Honey)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped diagonally
1 jarred roasted bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken stock

Garnish:
1 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

--1 cup prepared steamed basmati rice

METHOD:

Prepare steamed basmati rice.

Cut the dried bean threads with kitchen scissors, and soak a ¼ lb. in a large bowl of hot water for 10 to 12 minutes, just until soft. Drain in colander, discarding the water.

Meanwhile, prepare all the sauce ingredients, stirring to combine in a medium-size bowl, and set aside.

Drizzle peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet and heat to medium-high. Add the sliced pork, and stir-fry until brown and slightly crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the sauce ingredients into skillet to deglaze, and scrape the bottom to loosen any meat drippings. Add the noodles to the sauce in the skillet and heat just until the sauce simmers and the noodles are warmed through.

Place steamed basmati rice in two pasta bowls, and ladle the pork and noodles and sauce equally over the top, then garnish with cilantro. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S HOT BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP - For a Crowd!

A very spicy appetizer that I love to serve
on game day with plenty of Alaskan Amber,
which accompanies this dish very nicely...

Servings: (12 to 16)
Prep: 30 mins. |
Bake 40 mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:
-4 Boneless skinless chicken breast, *poached and shredded (see below)
-16 oz. bottle hot sauce (I prefer Srirachas)
-2 green onions, chopped
-2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese
-2 cups ranch dressing
-1/2 cup celery, chopped
-1 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
-1 cup monterrey jack, shredded

METHOD

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Poach the chicken (see below). Once chicken is done, spray a 9”x13” baking dish with oil, and combine shredded chicken, hot sauce, green onion, and celery, and then spread in bottom of baking dish to form an even layer.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream cheese and ranch dressing, stirring until smooth and hot (do not boil), and then drizzle evenly over the chicken mixture.

Bake ‘uncovered’ for 20 minutes. Remove and add the shredded sharp cheddar and monterey cheeses and bake for another 20 minutes ‘uncovered’ just until bubbly (don't let the top get too browned or it changes its the flavor and hardens). Remove and let stand for 10 minutes.

I serve this with assorted tortilla and frito chips, and celery sticks.  Note:  This is awesome appetizer when reheated as well.

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*---Poaching chicken:

Place chicken breasts in a pot large enough to form one layer, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add water so it covers the chicken by an inch. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low so the chicken simmers. ‘Partially cover’ the pot. Continue cooking for 10 minutes; turn off the heat, and ‘cover pot completely’, leaving the chicken to finish cooking in the hot water for 15 more minutes. Remove chicken, and shred by pulling it apart with two forks.

SANDRA'S SWEET and SOUR CLASSIC RECIPE for many types of MEATS OR POULTRY

A perfectly seasoned and flavorful
recipe that'll quickly become
your quick go-to and main-stay recipe
when you're craving sweet and sour...

Servings (4)

Prep: 10 mins |
Cook: 20 mins

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:
·  1 pound beef tenderloin (or moose/venison/buffalo/chicken/pork)
· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
· 1/2 medium onion, julienned
· 1/2 medium green bell pepper, julienned (or red)
· 1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks in juice, (do not drain)

***Sauce:
· 1-1/4 cups water
· 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
· 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
· 1/4 cup ketchup
· 1 tablespoon soy sauce
· 2 tablespoons cornstarch

---Prepared steamed rice

METHOD

Cut meat with grain into 1" strips; cut strips across the grain into 1" cubes.

In a glass measuring cup, whisk all the sauce ingredients and set aside.

Heat large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; rotate skillet to coat. Add moose meat and let brown, add onion and continue cooking for 2 minutes, and then add bell pepper and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Stir in pineapple with its juice and heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Whisk sauce ingredients together to re-combine cornstarch in bottom of bowl, and then slowly pour in sauce mixture while stirring for 2 final minutes until sweet & sour thickens.

Serve sweet and sour over steamed rice.

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Tip:  When I use moose or venison tenderloin, I brown the meat and let it simmer in a bit of beef broth on low heat for about 1-1/2 hours, just to ensure it is tender.  I then re-crisp it by browning it again by following the above recipe.

SANDRAS HEALTHIER TIPS: For "Salad Bar" Dining

My guide to make the right choices
when visiting the salad bar...

Posted: by Sandra

The joy of eating at a salad bar is that you can make healthy choices as to what to place in your container. A salad bar can be very nutritious, depending on your choices.

Foods to limit or avoid include mayonnaise and cream-based salads like potato salad, pasta salads and desserts. Cheese, bacon, and croutons are generally also high-fat options.

For the healthier choices go for the veggies, plain fruits, eggs, ham, beans and marinated salads.  Also, avocado, olives, and nuts contain monounsaturated fat; a healthy choice.