So today was USC game day at the Sarna house.  That meant two things, our house would be taken over by hard core fans, and I would make a bunch of yummy food!  Thank goodness SC pulled out a win in the end! (Sim can get very depressed when they lose)  I decided on a menu of American Classics.  Here is what I made: Spinach Artichoke Dip (a definite crowd pleaser, see "jewelry party" blog for recipe) Pulled Pork Sandwiches Beef Sliders Coleslaw Italian Pasta Salad Cheesy Potatoes Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Here are some recipes: 

  Beef Sliders 

 What you'll need: 

 5 lbs. of Ground Chuck Beef 

 1 medium yellow onion, diced finely

 5 cloves of garlic, chopped finely

 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce

 2 Eggs

 A Handful of chopped Parsely 

 A Handful of Parmesan Cheese 

 Salt and Pepper 

 What you'll do: 

Easy Peezy!  Just mix it all together in a big bowl with your hands and form patties.  You can make hamburger size or slider size which is what we did.  Then just grill. 

  Coleslaw 

 What you'll need:

 1 package of Coleslaw (mix of cabbage, purple cabbage and carrots)

 1 can of Mandarin Oranges, drained and roughly chopped 

 1 ear of Corn, cooked and zipped 

 2 Scallions, chopped 

 1/2 cup Veganaise of Mayonaise

 2 tbsp. Milk 

 1/2 cup Sugar 

 1 tbsp. ground Celery Seed

 2 tbsp. Cider Vinegar

 What you'll do: 

In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage, oranges, corn, and scallions.  In a small bowl whisk the mayo, milk, sugar and celery seed.  When it's smooth, add the Vinegar.  Dress the salad and serve cold. Be creative with this one, you can add chicken, shrimp, nuts, tofu, anything you like. : )

Cheesy Potatoes (also been known as Party Potatoes) 

This is the greatest recipe!  My Mom used to make this when we were kids for all of our pool parties (hence how it got its alternative name)  It's really easy and tasty. 

 What you'll need: 

 2 lbs. frozen hash browns 

 ½ cup melted butter 

 1 tsp. salt 

 ½ tsp. pepper

 2 Tbsp. chopped onions 

 1 can cream of mushroom soup 

 1 pint of sour cream (remember, fat-free is the only vegetarian one) 

 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 

 2 cups crushed corn flakes 

 ¼ cup butter melted 

 What you'll do:

 Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in large bowl.  Pour into a buttered 9 x 13 dish.  Top with corn flakes and melted butter.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted in the center.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting 

 What you'll need: 

 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 

 1 ½ cups sugar

 1 teaspoon baking soda 

 1 teaspoon salt 

 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 

 1 cup vegetable oil 

 1 ½ cups buttermilk, room temperature 

 2 large eggs, room temperature 

 2 tablespoons red food coloring 

 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar 

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 Frosting: 

 8 oz. (1 package) cream cheese, softened 

 1 stick of butter, softened 

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 1 pound of confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a cupcake pan with liners.  In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.  In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a mixer.  (careful when you first turn on.  Start on low then build up or the red dye with splash on you!)  Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.  Bake for 20 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth.  Add the sugar.  Beat until light and fluffy.  Frost the cupcakes when cool.  I took some of the leftover frosting, dyed it red and wrote "GO" and "USC" on them.

 Fight On!