Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Lori Caso
Lori Caso

'Cooking with Lori': Super snacks

Thu, Jan 30th 2020 03:50 pm

‘Lori & Friends’ host shares some thoughts & favorite recipes

By Lori Caso

Super Bowl is kind of a big deal at our house. My husband, Fred, has been hosting a Super Bowl party that predates our marriage. The "Caso Party" is now in its 33rd year. I try to mix in some new dishes along with the obligatory pizza and wings, and this year it’s going to be homemade potato skins (which are much more cost-effective for folks on a budget.)

Here are some ideas to add to your party:

Potato Skins

Wash baking potatoes then poke with a fork, rub with oil and bake in a 450°F oven for one hour.

Let cool and then quarter. Scoop out a little of the potato. (I use this later in soups.) Add shredded cheddar and bacon. (I use the pre-cooked bacon and cut with scissors into small pieces.)

Broil for about 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream.

You may have seen Steve Kishel on my show with his stuffed hot pepper recipe. I modified the recipe a little. …

Potato skins, above, and stuffed peppers, below.

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Clean, slice and de-seed six banana peppers.

Stuff with 8 ounces of cream cheese and a half-cup of Parmesan cheese. Top with a little mozzarella cheese.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Top with an Alfredo sauce (EASY! In a saucepan, combine ½ stick butter + one cup heavy cream and ½ cup Parmesan cheese)

Years ago, I had a chef on the show and he made this wonderful hot dip – the secret is the Alfredo sauce. The recipe calls for a jar of Alfredo sauce, if you’re making the Alfredo sauce above, just double the recipe.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

  • 1 bag frozen Spinach (thaw and squeeze to remove water)
  • 8 oz. marinated artichoke hearts – juice and all (cut them up a little)
  • 1 bottle of Alfredo sauce (or your own)
  • 4 oz. Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz. Asiago cheese
  • 2 tbl. chopped parsley

Mix together above ingredients and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes.

Serve with breadsticks or tortilla chips.

This recipe came from my dear friend Karen Steiner. She passed some years ago, but she lives on in my heart and through some great recipes that she shared with me. This is one of my favorites.

Best Ever Bread Dip

  • Hollow out a round bread – save the top!
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 4 green onions – cut up small (white and green parts)
  • 1 small can green chilies – diced
  • Dash Worchester sauce
  • 8 oz. shredded (sharp) cheddar cheese

Place everything in the bread. Place top back on bread.

Cover the bread completely in tin foil.

Bake on cookie sheet at 350°F for one hour.

Stir contents of bread.

Serve with pieces of bread for dipping.

For an easy dessert that you can bake and bring to any party, I recommend caramel brownies. This “go-to” recipe is fast enough for you to make an hour before going somewhere.

Caramel Brownies

  • 1 German chocolate cake mix
  • 1 small can evaporated milk
  • Carmel sauce from a jar or squeezable bottle
  • 1 package of chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 1 stick margarine

In a bowl, melt the butter, add the cake mix, the nuts and the small can of evaporated milk.

Mix well by hand.

Pour half of the cake mixture into a 9-by-13 pan (coated with vegetable spray) and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes.

After removing from the oven, pour chocolate chips over, and then pour the caramel sauce. Spoon the rest of the cake mixture over the top. Return to the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Even though they didn’t make the Super Bowl, I couldn’t resist making Buffalo Bills cutout cookies. …

Do you have a fun recipe to share? Contact me at loricaso.com.

Hometown News

View All News