Ham & Brie Sandwich

Ingredients

6 slices black forest ham
1/2 (8 ounce) wedge Brie cheese, sliced
2 tablespoons apricot preserves
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 thick slices Italian bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions

Assemble the sandwiches by layering the ham, brie cheese, apricot preserves, and mustard in equal amounts on two pieces of bread, topping with the remaining two slices of bread. Brush the top of each sandwich with olive oil.
Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, lie the sandwiches, oiled side down, in the pan. Brush the top of each sandwich with oil. Cook each side until the bread is golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.

Deep Fried Shrimp

Ingredients

4 pounds large shrimp - peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
Directions

In a medium size mixing bowl combine shrimp, salt and pepper; stir.
Heat oil in a medium size saucepan. In another medium size mixing bowl stir together eggs, flour and baking powder. Dredge shrimp in egg mixture then fry in oil until they are golden.

Deep Fried Oysters

Ingredients

2 quarts vegetable oil for deep frying
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 ounces shucked oysters, drained
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup fine bread crumbs
Directions

Heat deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Combine flour, salt and black pepper. Dredge oysters in flour mixture, dip in egg and roll in bread crumbs.
Carefully slide oysters into hot oil. Cook five at a time until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain briefly on paper towels. Serve

Fried Pickles

Ingredients

1/2 cup buttermilk
salt and black pepper to taste
1 (16 ounce) jar dill pickle slices
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 quart oil for frying

1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 (12 ounce) jar buttermilk ranch dressing
Directions

Cover a plate with parchment paper or wax paper. In a shallow dish, combine buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Place pickles in mixture and set aside.
Pour the flour, cornmeal, seafood seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning into a large, resealable plastic bag; shake to mix well. Add pickles a few at a time and tumble gently to coat evenly with the flour mixture. Remove and place on prepared plate.
Heat oil to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C) in deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet.
Fry pickles in several batches until golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside with a moist interior, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine buttermilk ranch dressing with 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; blend. Serve as a dipping sauce for warm pickles.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic, basil, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Gently stir in artichoke hearts and spinach.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.