Spicy Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes

What a fun evening at Michael's. "Weekends With Paula" mean great food and the company of good friends. My daughter was home sick but we made a "doggy Bag" and she has enjoyed it even if she is not feeling better yet. We missed her. She saw this recipe in Paula's magazine and wanted to try it. The stuffed potatoes were easy to prepare. If you or anyone you are cooking for can't eat or just do not care for seafood or you want to make the dish a little less expensive don't add the seafood sauce. The sauce is really good but so are the potatoes. Try some both ways. Know Paula must love this recipe....she loves potatoes and good recipies. Thanks Paula!

Tartar Sauce

This tartar sauce was the perfect compliment for the crab cakes. Very easy to make and the lemon juice added a nice "zing" and great flavor! If you like sea food, this tartar sauce should go nicely with most breaded sea food that needs a dipping sauce, enjoy!

Savanah Crab Cakes

Crab cakes just sounded good this weekend! These were fairly easy to put together, just some chopping of the green bell pepper and green onions. When I was in the store getting the ingredients I went to the fresh seafood counter and asked for some fresh crabmeat and the lady said it was not very popular and they no longer had it available, so I had to buy the crabmeat in the little containers (it was still real crabmeat NOT imitation). The only mistake I make was over cooking the crab cakes a bit, but they were not burnt and were delicious! So be careful that you take them out of the oil when they are still light in color.

Chocolate Gooey ButterCookies

These cookies are pictured in the center of the plate and a favorite of Michael's so they had to be an addition to our Easter meal. You can make them in any flavor. The last time I make them I used a white cake with lemon juice, coconut, and nuts. To the Easter cookies I added peanut butter and banana. If you have tried Paula's Gooey Bars this is the great cookie spin off. The Gooey Bars have been a family favorite of ours for a few years and now we have them to enjoy in cookie form also. If you have never tried the Gooey Bars go directly to Paula's website and print out the recipe to try. People say Wall Mart carries baked Paula's Gooey Bars but I have never found them at our local stores. If you can find them they would be great to pick up when you want to impress but do have time to bake or just don't like to bake. Thanks Paula!

Gingered Carrot Cake

If you like carrot cake you're going to love this. wow! It was even worth the 30 minutes of carrot grating! There are three cakes and the icing is inbetween the layers and the pecans are pressed into the icing around the sides. The cake is so incredibly moist! Definately worth the time it takes to make this wonderful dessert! Enjoy!

Vadalia Onion Pie

This is a unique quiche like recipe that combines the usual ingredients with sour cream. It gives added flavor to the pie. I did add some grated parmesan cheese to give it a more quiche like taste. Hoping Paula does not mind that I tend to get creative when I cook. Can't believe I found out what Paula had for Easter dinner. She was on the Joy Behar Show and talked about her Easter. Ham, beer in the rear minus the beer this time, yams, potato salad, vegetables from her garden and banana pudding. She and Michael had friends and family over to enjoy the holiday. Asked her favorite food she said potatoes. Asked who she would like to cook for she said her parents because she lost them way too soon. What would she like to do she has not done? Solve a murder because she is interested in forensics. What makes her mad? She does not get mad anymore. There was so much fighting early in life with her first marriage but don't mess with her kids! Paula was on the show promoting her new book "Savanna Style" about her beloved home of the past 20+ years. A new must for all us Paula fans. Thanks Paula!

Pineapple-Coconut Easter Egg Cookies

When I saw these cookies in Paula's magazine they reminded me of making cut out sugar cookies with my grandmother and mother as a child. Then using the same cookie cutters with my daughter.The bunny's and chicken's were my grandmother's cookie cutters and the egg cookie cutter mine that I used with my daughter when she was little. A special plate of memories. Paula's recipe is one of the best I have ever tried. The flavorings give them added taste and a wonderful smell.Four grocery stores did not carry the pineapple extract.I debated what flavor to use instead and finally decided to use orange. It was a good choice but I am still on the hunt for pineapple.I added the extracts to the icing and think it was a good addition.I am sure Paula will not mind. Thanks Paula!