SANDRA'S SOURDOUGH SMASHED-AVOCADO BRUSCHETTA

A little bit of heaven in every bite,
and these snacks are so easy to prepare 
with ingredients I generally have on hand...

Yield: 8 slices as a side, or 16 as an appetizer

Prep: 10 Mins.

Bake: 10 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Sourdough:

Click here for recipe:
sourdough baguette

1 (12") sourdough baguette

1 fresh garlic clove, halved crosswise (for rubbing on hot toasted bread)

Spread:

1 smashed avocado

Bruschetta:

1 (14.5-oz can) diced Italian seasoned tomatoes*, drained (then squeezed with hands, and chopped finer)

3 large fresh basil leaves, julienned

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Mazola oil

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish:

Feta cheese crumbles

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a small bowl, add the tomatoes, basil, balsamic vinegar, oil, and salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly and let sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.

Smash the avocado in a separate small bowl; set aside.

Cut baguette in half lengthwise, place on a baking sheet, and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, while bread is hot, rub each slice with garlic clove halves. Spread each with smashed avocado, then top with tomato mixture. Garnish with feta crumbles. Slice crosswise into 8 (to serve as a side), or 16 pieces (to serve as an appetizer). ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:

* Feel free to use (as I sometimes do when I have them on hand), fresh roma tomatoes vs canned - it will take about 1-1/2 cups, de-seeded and juiced, then finely chopped.

SANDRA’S ADDICTIVE BAKED-STYLE SMASHED TATERS

These smashed potatoes are insanely delicious and a 

perfect accompaniment that doesn't require gravy, 

although if you so choose they’re fabulous that way too...

Prep:   10 Mins.

Cook:  15 – 20 Mins.

Servings: (8)

INGREDIENTS

6 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1” cubes

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon freshly-prepared bacon bits

1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

¼ teaspoon pepper

½ cup shredded medium cheddar cheese

METHOD

Add potatoes to a medium pot, cover with cold water.  Add a lid to pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a gentle boil, setting lid slightly ajar and cook until potatoes are tender for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Drain, and add all remaining ingredients, except the cheddar cheese, and smash to desired consistency.  Using a spoon, fold in cheddar cheese. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S BROCCOLI CHEDDAR and SMASHED POTATO BAKE

You definitely can't miss with this side dish...

Servings: (6)
Prep: 15 to 20 Mins. |
Bake: 20 to 25

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. red potatoes, scrubbed, and cut into 1” cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 spanish onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups broccoli florets, chopped fairly small
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup medium shredded cheddar cheese ~ divided
--Garnish: 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

METHOD

Cook the potatoes in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saute pan, add the onion and saute 5 minutes until translucent, add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds more, and set aside.

Place the florets in a microwave safe bowl with 3 tablespoons of water, cover with a damp paper towel, and cook on high for 5 minutes until tender, drain, and set aside.

In the interim, preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drain the potatoes, and return to the pot or a large bowl. Mash with the sour cream, butter and milk. Add the onion, garlic, broccoli, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, then stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Spray a 9”x9” or 10” round baking dish with cooking spray. Place mashed potato mixture in the baking dish, and top with panko crumbs and remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese. Bake at for 20 to 25 minutes, until the crust is lightly golden brown, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S GLAZED HAM with SMASHED POTATOES 'n CARROTS

A very delectable and classic no-fail roasted ham 
with Smashed Potatoes 'n Carrots...

Servings: (12)
Prep: 10 Mins.
Roast Ham: 2 Hrs.
Let Ham Stand: 20 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

---Roasting Ham:
· 6 to 8 pounds fully-cooked boneless ham
· ¼ cup honey
· ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
· ½ teaspoon ground mustard

---Smashed Potatoes 'N Carrots
2 pounds peeled potatoes, cut into 1-1/2” cubes
2 pounds carrots, cut into 1" pieces
1-1/2 to 2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, at room temp
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

---For a delicious accompanying sauce
(click here for: Sandra's Cranberry-Pineapple Chutney)

METHOD

--Roasting Ham:
Place ham fat side up on rack in a shallow roasting pan. Score top and sides in a diagonal fashion to make diamond shapes on outer skin.  Roast, covered, for 2 hours.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix honey, mustard and ground cloves.  Remove ham from oven and brush with glaze, and continue roasting ‘uncovered’ 20 minutes longer.

Remove from oven, re-cover, and let stand about 10 minutes for juices to redistribute.

--Smashed Potatoes 'N Carrots:
[Begin making 40 minutes before Ham is scheduled to be served.]

Meanwhile, in a large pot, add potatoes and carrots with ½ teaspoon salt.  Cover vegetables about an inch over the top with water. Place a lid on pot and heat just to boiling, and then reduce to gently boil. Continue cooking 20 to 25 minutes until tender; drain thoroughly. Return drained potatoes and carrots to pot. Mash potatoes together with carrots until no lumps remain (or do so in separate bowls to fashion swirls, see above photo, splitting milk,butter, and salt and freshly ground pepper in each respective bowl). Blend in milk in small amounts to desired consistency. Add 3 tablespoons butter, and salt and ground pepper to taste. Mash a bit more until potatoes and carrots are light and fluffy (please don’t over do it or they will have a slimy in texture). - Serve with sliced ham and your other chosen side dishes. ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:  Serve with your favorite sides, desserts, and so on... ~ Find many other options under the HOME tab, click on Special Occasions, and then scroll down to Easter or another special occasion.