The English Kitchen: Poker Party Food Ideas

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Make Your Own Self Raising Flour: You can make your own self raising flour by adding 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt to every cup of plain flour.
Make Your Own Baking Powder: You can make your own baking powder by combining 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda with 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar. It's ideal for coeliac sufferers who can't find the gluten-free variety of this raising agent, but measure it out carefully because too much or too little can upset a recipe's balance. Make Your Own Mixed Spice: You can easily make your own mixed spice: Combine 1 TBS ground cinnamon, 1 tsp each of ground coriander and nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger, 1/4 tsp each of ground cloves and all spice. Mix well and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Make Your Own Cajun Seasoning: Mix together 2 1/2 TBS of salt, 1 TBS dried oregano leaves (Rub to a powder using your fingertips), 1 TBS sweet paprika, 1 TBS cayenne pepper, and 1 TBS ground black pepper. Store in an airtight container for up to six months. Make Your Own Pumpkin Pie Spice: Mix together 1 TBS ground cinnamon, 2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg and a pinch of ground mace or ground cardamom. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Make Your Own Italian Seasoning: Mix together 3 TBS dried basil, 3 TBS dried oregano, 3 TBS dried parsley, 1 TBS garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

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Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Poker Party Food Ideas

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Every so often some friends and I get together to host our own poker party. Realistically, none of us are that good and our basic poker strategy consists of trying to not look like a total idiot at the tables. Women are not good in playing poker according to most guys. With that said, the games are still a ton of fun.

The game was really more for the social interaction and for me to try out a couple of simple poker party themed recipes on my friends. Buffalo chicken dip was one option that I provided for those looking to eat a bit healthier but didn't want to be stuck with tofu or the like.

The biggest hit happened to be my "Whiskey Wieners." I actually had to wind up making a second batch of them because they liked them so well. You know that food is enjoyed when it actually becomes part of the currency. When the amount of wieners started getting low, they started playing for the right to eat them. Maybe next time, I will just use them instead of poker chips.