Cocktails & Veggie Slider Recipes Inspired by Elvis!

January 8 is the birthday of one of the greatest entertainers of all time, Mr. Elvis Aron Presley, and we're ready with cocktails and sliders worthy of the occasion!

"Saucy" Baked Beans

And by "sauce" I mean that kind of sauce. As in hooch!

Let's face it: we don't always have all day to let beans cook in the slow cooker, or all night to let them soak. Sometimes you just need to eat dinner, soon. Here's a, dare I say it? hack for a can of baked beans that will feel special, especially if you're pairing it with a nice ale or glass of wine.

"Saucy" Baked Beans

1 28 oz can of vegetarian baked beans (I used B&M in this case)

1/2 tsp ground garlic

1/4 tsp onion powder

Salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste

1 1/2 oz bourbon

3/4 oz Ancho Reyes liqueur

Combine all ingredients and allow to simmer for 10 minutes or so.

Booze, is there anything you can't improve?!

Crackerquariums!

The next time you're looking for an effortless appetizer that is nevertheless impressive looking, make Crackerquariums! All you do is combine cream cheese with your favorite spices (or use any premade white spread), add blue food color, spread on crackers, top with a goldfish cracker and coral and seagrass made from pimentos, yellow banana peppers and spinach leaves. They couldn't be easier to prepare and they're a real conversation starter!

Crackerquariums!

Corn And Black Beans: Is There Anything You Can't Do?

In much the same way that roasting a chicken and using it in dishes all week is a great way to save time and money, this easy combination of corn and black beans can serve as a base for dishes to last for days! All you do is combine one can of rinsed black beans and an equal amount of corn (I used frozen). Toss in some minced onion and salt, along with the juice of half a lime, and in about 30 seconds you're done!

This combination made its first appearance this week in an easy appetizer that is always popular at parties. Add a little spoonful each to Tostitos Scoops chips, top with hot sauce or salsa if you like. That's it! So simple and they disappear quickly!

Other uses for this magical mixture: combine with chicken or veggie broth (and a little beer or tequila if you're feeling frisky) and add a few tortilla chips for a delicious soup, add to your favorite chili recipe, tacos or melt with cheese in quesadillas, mix with eggs and milk for a fabulous frittata, toss with some olive oil and garlic and serve with pasta, blend with cream cheese or mashed avocado and spices for a yummy sandwich spread - the options are endless! Best of all, you'd be hard pressed to find a less expensive meal option. Pick up some corn and black beans the next time you're at the supermarket and don't worry about meals for a few days - you've got it covered!