A salad topped with candied walnuts and steak.

Candied Walnuts Steak Salad

A flavorful dish with rice, spices, and a mix of meats.

Jambalaya

Savory meatballs served with a delicious sauce.

Meatballs

A hearty dish of red beans served with rice.

Red Beans and Rice

A classic Southern dish with shrimp and creamy grits.

Shrimp and Grits

Nicely sized plates for a snack during happy hour.

Happy Hour Food Plates

Cuban

In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add sugar, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt. Cook until the sugar caramelizes and walnuts are toasted, about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Transfer to parchment paper to cool.

Prepare the Candied Walnuts

Season the steak with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Heat a grill or skillet over high heat. Cook the steak for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or to your desired doneness. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Cook the Steak

In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes halved, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion. Toss to combine.

Prepare the Salad

In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.

Make the Dressing

Slice the rested steak and place it on top of the salad. Drizzle with dressing and top with candied walnuts and crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.

Assemble the Salad

Mixed Salad Greens

Cherry Tomatoes

Cucumber

Red Onion

Feta Cheese

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until they are softened, about 5 minutes.

Sauté the Vegetables

Stir in the minced garlic and sliced Andouille sausage. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Add Garlic and Sausage

Add the diced chicken breast to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Cook the Chicken

Stir in the long-grain rice, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Incorporate Rice and Liquids

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid.

Simmer the Jambalaya

After 20 minutes, add the shrimp to the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.

Add Shrimp

Remove the bay leaves. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your flavorful Jambalaya!

Season and Serve

Olive oil

Onion, chopped

Green bell pepper, chopped

Celery, chopped

Garlic, minced

Andouille sausage, sliced

Chicken breast, diced

Shrimp, peeled and deveined

Long-grain rice

Chicken broth

Diced tomatoes, canned

Cajun seasoning

Bay leaves

Salt

Black pepper

Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.

Make the Meatballs

Shape the mixture into meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter, and place them on a baking sheet.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the meatballs for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.

Cook the Meatballs

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Prepare the Sauce

Add crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Once the meatballs are cooked, add them to the sauce and stir to coat. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving.

Combine and Serve

Ground beef

Bread crumbs

Parmesan cheese, grated

Parsley, chopped

Soak the red kidney beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Prepare the Beans

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

Cook the Vegetables

Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Add Garlic and Spices

Add the soaked beans, vegetable broth, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beans are tender.

Combine and Simmer

In a separate pot, cook the long-grain white rice according to package instructions.

Cook the Rice

Remove bay leaves from the bean mixture. Serve the red beans over the cooked rice.

Serve

Red kidney beans

Long-grain white rice

Vegetable broth

In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to low. Cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

Prepare the Grits

Once the grits are cooked, stir in heavy cream, butter, and cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then keep warm.

Finish the Grits

In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the shrimp, cajun seasoning, and cook until the shrimp turns pink, about 3-5 minutes.

Cook the Shrimp

Once the shrimp are cooked, add lemon juice and chopped green onions. Serve the shrimp mixture over the creamy grits and garnish with additional green onions if desired.

shrimp, peeled and deveined

grits

water

heavy cream

butter

cheddar cheese, shredded

garlic, minced

green onions, chopped

cajun seasoning

salt

black pepper

lemon juice

Gather all the ingredients and prepare them for serving. Slice the cheese into bite-sized pieces and the cured meats into smaller portions.

Prepare the Ingredients

On a large platter or individual plates, arrange the cheese, cured meats, olives, and cherry tomatoes in an appealing way.

Arrange the Plate

Place a generous scoop of hummus in the center of the plate and surround it with pita bread or crackers.

Add Hummus and Dippers

Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the plate for a burst of color and flavor.

Garnish

Serve immediately with your favorite beverages for a delightful happy hour experience.

Cheese (variety of your choice)

Cured meats (e.g., salami, prosciutto)

Mixed olives

Hummus

Pita bread or crackers

Cherry tomatoes

Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Slice the Cuban bread in half lengthwise.

Prepare the Cuban Bread

Spread yellow mustard on the inside of both halves. Layer roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, and dill pickles on the bottom half of the bread.

Layer the Fillings

Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich.

Top the Sandwich

Heat a skillet or panini press over medium heat. Spread butter on the outside of the sandwich. Place the sandwich in the skillet and grill for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Candied Walnuts Steak Salad

Jambalaya

Meatballs

Red Beans And Rice

Shrimp And Grits

Happy Hour Food Plates

Cuban