Super Bowl Snack-Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Are you ready for some Football!

Check out this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Meat Balls.  This recipe comes from a Meatball Shop in New York City.  I made a batch for my family as well as a client and they gobbled them up.  They are out of this world.  Your guest are sure to love them.

I recommend using a non-stick pan for ease of clean up, but if you want them to brown nicely then use a ceramic dish, like something you would get from Pamperd Chef. 

Also, you may want to make a double batch if you are hosting a larger get together.  This recipe makes approximately 70-75 meatballs. 

Buffalo Chicken Meat Balls 
  

2T Olive Oil

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

3/4 cup Frank's RedHot hot sauce, plus more for serving

2 pounds ground chicken, preferably thigh meat

2 large eggs

2 ribs celery, minced (about 1 cup)

1 2/3 cups dried breadcrumbs

2  teaspoons coarse salt

Blue Cheese Dressing & Celery sticks, for serving

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Evenly coat a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.

1. Place butter and hot sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, whisking, until butter is melted and hot sauce is well incorporated. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl; let cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes.
2. Add chicken, eggs, celery, breadcrumbs, and salt to bowl with butter mixture; using your hands, mix until well combined.
3. Roll chicken mixture into firm, 1-inch round balls and place on prepared baking sheet; arrange the meatballs in rows so that they are touching on all sides. Transfer to oven and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
4. Take out of oven and let stand 5 minutes before removing from baking sheet. Place on a serving platter and drizzle with hot sauce; serve with dressing and celery sticks.

Enjoy and cheer for your favorite team!

Deborah

Old Dominion Concierge

"We Run Your Errands"

Do you make your bed?

There's a little bit of debate going on in many homes across America.  The topic of discussion could have a direct effect on your daily stress levels....or not.

DO YOU MAKE YOUR BED? That's it. A simple question, but much debate.

I find that a good way to start my day with as little chaos as possible and to end restfully is to make my bed.  Making my bed every morning before leaving the bedroom helps me to keep the rest of the day in order.  I start the day off completing tasks, making the bed completes the action of sleeping. 

Who knew that smoothing the sheets, tucking the blanket, straightening the comforter and stacking the pillows could be such a stress reliever.  I find it hard not to make my bed every day!

Now, there have been times when I've had to jump up and leave for an emergency (my son had asthma growing up).  Only to return at the end of the day to face the disruption of the morning all over again. 

Some folks feel there is no reason to make a bed when they are just going to get back in it later in the day.  The task of making their bed is nothing more than a waste of time.  That's great too, we all start our days in different ways. 

There's something to be said about leaving the stress of the day at the door and slipping in to the calm of a well made bed.  There's nothing worse than having someone walk into my home and getting a glimpse of an unmade bed. 

So, I was wondering am I the only one that has a Type A point of view about making my bed. 

I'd love to hear from you on this topic.  See you in the comments.  Please take a moment to answer the poll below and let your opinion be counted. 





Deborah

Old Dominion Concierge

"We Run Your Errands"

Spice of Life: Cardamon

I love cooking with rare spices and exotic ingredients.  We have to cook to eat, but there is no reason for the food we create to be boring or everyday.  Gaining access to spices is easier now than ever before.  Ships once sailed far and wide to fill there bays with the rich spices of foriegn lands now all we have to do is visit our local specialty store or better yet visit MarketSpice.com to have it delivered to our front door. 

This months Spice of Life is Cardamom.  I remember dining at an Ethiopian restaraunt here in the US and I wish I could describe the excitement caused by the flavor .  You'll simply have to try the spice on your own. 

Cardamom is used mainly in the Near and Far East and is one of the world’s very ancient spices.  Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants, such as Siam cardamom.  Cardamom comes from the seeds of a ginger-like plant, the flavor is warm and eucalyptine with camphorous and lemony undertones. 

The pods can be used whole or split when cooked in Indian substantial meals — such as pulses. Otherwise, the seeds can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the pan, or pounded with other spices as required. Keep the pods whole until use. The pod itself is neutral in flavour and not generally used, imparting an unpleasant bitter flavour when left in dishes.

I love the very unique and exotic flavor of this spice.  I think the moment you taste it, particularly in rice dishes, you'll immediately become a fan just as much as I. 

This smoothie of blueberries or (blackberries) & honey mixed with a few spoonfuls of honey make for the perfect breakfast kick-start. A dash of ground cardamom adds interests and rounds out the sweetness. 

Ingredients

Serves 4; makes 4 cups

• 12 ounces blueberries or blackberries (3 cups)
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 pinch ground cardamom

Blend ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth, and serve.

Sign up for our newsletter and receive a great Roasted Cardamom Chicken recipe and other great tips. 

Deborah

Old Dominion Concierge

"We Run Your Errands"

Keeping the lines of communication open

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Deborah

Old Dominion Concierge

"We Run Your Errands"