Mable's Kitchen

BLT Steak

2012-03-09T10:45:00.001-08:00

2-12 oz top loin steaks
1/2 c balsamic vinaigrette
tomato slices
8 strips pf bacon
mixed greens

1. Season steaks with kosher salt and pepper and grill until medium rare (14 to 18 minutes). While those sizzle away, fry bacon in a medium size skillet. Remove bacon from the pan and drain all but about a Tbsp of fat.

2. Add balsamic vinaigrette to the skillet. Cook until bubbling and stir to scrape up any brown bits, about 2 minutes.

3. Slice the steaks in half, then top each with tomato slices, the bacon, greens and a splash of dressing from the pan. ENJOY!!

New Orleans-Style Red Beans and Rice

2012-03-08T12:52:00.001-08:00

I love Mexican food. I think this is because with every meal you get served beans and rice. Since I cannot eat Mexican food every night, I like other cuisines that include beans and rice on a regular basis. That is where the red beans and rice comes into the picture.

When I was in college I had a roommate who was a vegetarian. Whenever she went home on the weekends she would bring back Tupperware containers of red beans and rice and share them with me. Although it did not have a New Orleans flavor, it was very good.

I like to serve this as a main dish, either by itself, or with some nice greens. I found this recipe online, here, and I changed up the ingredients a little after I tried the first batch. You may want to try both and see what fits you better, but here is my version.

1 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 c white onion, chopped
1/2 c green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
6 oz andouille sausage, sliced in half lengthwise, then sliced then into half moons
1 lb dried red beans
2 Tbsp garlic, smashed
8 to 10 c water, or chicken stock
2 c cooked white rice

1. Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Saute the onions, bell pepper, salt, cayenne, pepper and thyme for about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally, make sure the onion browns a little and the bell pepper is soft. Add the bay leaves, and sausage and saute for about 5 more minutes. Add the beans, garlic, and enough water to cover.

2. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 2 hours stirring occasionally. Add more water if the beans become too dry and thick.

3. Remove 1 c of the beans and add them to a blender. Blend until smooth and add back to the pot. Continue to cook, about 1 1/2 hours until the mixture is creamy and the beans are soft.

4. Remove the bay leaves and serve over white rice. ENJOY!!

Carne Adovada Tacos

2012-03-07T11:18:00.003-08:00

I love this recipe...I love tacos, really. Pork is one of my favorite things to make because it takes a little bit of time and it's super yummy. At my house, we do what's called "Taco Tuesdays" where we get in our pajamas and eat tacos in front of a movie. I cannot take credit for this idea. I took it off a reality show some time back, but it's fun and the kids like it. Now, normally we just make simple beef tacos, but since we eat them every week, sometimes I get bored. This is a great recipe to kind of mix things up a little. (If I get really bored, I make enchiladas.) Add some rice and beans to this and you have a great dinner! It is worth your time to at least look for the specified chili powders, but if you can't find them, use regular chili powder as a substitute. (I just found them at the local grocery store.)

3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1 in pieces
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
2 Tbsp California chili powder
2 Tbsp New Mexico chili powder
1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
5 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
2 c olive oil
8 to 12 white corn tortillas, heated through
diced white onion
chopped cilantro leaves
limes

1. Place the meat into a 11 by 12 in baking dish. Toss this with the dry ingredients and the oil. Marinate overnight, or for at least 6 hours, covered in the fridge.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take the baking dish from the fridge and place it on the counter for 20 minutes. Bake this, covered with foil, in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Take out the bay leaves and cloves. Chop meat into small pieces.

3. Serve on 2 warm tortillas, sprinkled with the white onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. ENJOY!!

Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

2012-02-27T11:36:00.002-08:00

Normally I do not do a lot of baking for the simple fact that I am not very good at being given a limitation for my ingredients. The way I love to cook is a little more of this, a little more of that. Plainly speaking, I don't measure things out very well.

However, my cousin, recently, called and has asked me to make some mini red velvet cupcakes for her birthday. I couldn't tell her no, so I have been practicing some recipes and found one I liked.

Originally, I went over to my cousin's house and we spent the latter part of a morning trying out one recipe. While the cupcakes came out very moist and delicious, they did not come out of the wrapper. This causes a problem when serving at a birthday party. So what I did was I called my best friend, the baker, and asked for some advice. She said that while the white vinegar used in red velvet cake is normally a staple it does not really add any flavor to your cupcakes and only adds to the fluffiness. (Good word!!) Fluffy, while good, is not beneficiary when your cupcake crumbles while being pulled out of it's wrapper.

In conclusion, what I did, being the genius I am, got online, found a great recipe, and changed it a little. I used Paula Deen's recipe because I have heard she makes the best red velvet, and it was easy. The original recipe can be found here.

2 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 tsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 c vegetable oil
1 c buttermilk, cold
2 large eggs, cold
1 tsp red gel-paste food coloring
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line your first mini muffin pan with cupcake papers and spray with Pam. (The Pam will help the cupcakes come out of the wrapper once they are finished.)

2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with the paddle attachment. Add the sifted ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

3. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop the batter into each paper wrapper. This recipe makes about 5 dozen cupcakes, so unless you have that many muffin tins, you may have to bake these in batches, like I did. Bake in the oven about 10-15 min until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out dry. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 stick butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp maple syrup
2 c sifted powdered sugar

1. In a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and maple syrup together until smooth. On low speed, add the sugar, 1/2 c at a time until incorporated. Increase the speed and mix until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

2. Frost the cupcakes how you would like. I am not good at this part, but I do suggest cutting a small to medium hole in a Ziploc bag to make a piping bag. If you have tips, they can be inserted here instead of having to buy more bags.

3. I added candy sprinkles to mine, but feel free to use nuts, fruit, or even plastic signs that say "Happy Birthday". Haha! ENJOY!!

Caponata

2012-02-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

I used to make this in college because it makes a huge pot of food that can be eaten all week long. I'm not sure how many people this would feed, but I am guessing about eight. It would be great served room temperature on top of some crusty bread as an appetizer at a party.

Do lot be afraid of the eggplant. I didn't even like eggplant when I first tried this recipe. Over the years I have changed it a little for my tastes. Feel free to add or subtract ingredients for your families liking.

2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 to 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 Cubanelle Italian long green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large white onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 c large green olives, pitted and chopped
1.2 c black olives, seeded and chopped
1-3oz jar capers, drained
1/2 c golden raisins
1 medium firm eggplant, chopped
1 -32oz can diced tomatoes
1 14oz can crushed tomatoes
1 handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1. Preheat a large, deep pot on the stove over medium heat. Add the oil and let it heat up a minutes, then add the garlic and red pepper. As you chop each vegetable, add them to the pot, just until you get to the celery. This whole process should take about 10 minutes. Don't overcook the vegetables.

2. Increase the heat a little and add the olives, capers, raisins and eggplant. Add the tomatoes to the pot and give it one big stir.

3. Cover the pot and cook on medium to low heat until all the vegetables are soft. Stir in the parsley and remove the pan from the heat. **This can either be eaten warm like a stew with some crusty bread, or I like it cold like a dip.** ENJOY!!

Lemon and Olive Chicken

2012-02-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

I love to make this recipe at my house. It is very easy, uses very little preparation, and tastes so good! Prepare this next to some wild rice and sweet carrots and you will have one happy family.

8 bone-in chicken thighs
Kosher salt and pepper
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 lemons
2 onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 c green olives, pitted and halved
1 c chicken stock
2 tsp dried thyme
1.2 tsp crushed red pepper

1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. In two batches, sear the chicken, skin side first, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

2. Cut the lemons in half lengthwise, and then into thin slices crosswise. If the skillet is dry, add more oil. On low heat, add the onions and garlic and cook until soft, but not brown, about 4 minutes. Stir in lemon slices, olives, stock and 2 c water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

3. Put the chicken back into the pan on top of the vegetables, pour in any accumulated juices from the plate, and sprinkle with thyme and red pepper flakes. Cover, and simmer until the chicken is just cooked through, about 15 minutes. **Remember to make sure a thermometer inserted into the middle of the chicken reads 165 degrees.** ENJOY!!

Crispy Oven Fish

2012-02-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

My husband only likes his fish fried and I only like my fish pan fried, so when I found this recipe that was really light and very delicious I had to jump on it. I have changed it from the original a little and I can't even remember where I found it, but I love it. My kids just mainly like the fact that there are chips involved.

When shopping for a good fish for this recipe, I mainly look for a white flesh and I try to find the thickest fillet I can. This does work great with tilapia, or catfish which are fairly inexpensive, but I like a good piece of swordfish every now and then.

2 1/2 c crushed potato chips (I use Lays)
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp chopped parsley (I sometimes use dried parsley because it's mainly for color)
1/2 c mayonnaise or salad dressing
4 Tbsp lemon juice (3 lemons)
1 lb fish fillets, fresh

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine chips, cheese and parsley on a plate, or a dish with sides. Add salt and pepper to taste. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, and 2 Tbsp lemon juice.

3. Dip fish in remaining 2 Tbsp lemon juice, then mayonnaise mixture, then cover in chip mixture.

4. Arrange fish in oiled baking dish. Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork. *The fatter the fillet, the longer the cooking time will be. Serve with a green vegetable and some fluffy rice...YUM! ENJOY!!

Party Dips

2012-02-15T10:18:00.000-08:00

This is a collection of some of my favorite dips. The Wind-Down Dip is something I came across in college and I ate it all the time! It is perfect with those scoopable Fritos, and even better a little warm. I used to sit in front of a movie with a blanket and eat a whole bowl.

The Tartar Sauce is a little different then most, but you can make this ahead and keep it in your fridge. It's great for a summertime fish fry...very light.

Last, but not least, this pesto is super easy and great on anything! Store this in the fridge and mix it in your favorite pasta, or grill with some shrimp, or even chicken. This is definitely a staple in my house.

Wind-Down Dip

5 c fresh spinach, (you can substitute 10 oz frozen, but do not use canned...yuck!)
1-15 oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained; liquid reserved
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan along with 2 Tbsp of the liquid from the can of beans. Cook over medium heat for minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.

2. Cool. Blend this up in a blender, or a food processer until smooth. ENJOY!!

Tartar Sauce

1/2 c mayonaise
1 Tbsp celery leaves, chopped
1 Tbsp pickle relish
1 Tbsp capers
1 Tbsp green onions, chop the white ends only

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Chill before use. ENJOY!!

Garden Pesto

2 c fresh basil leaves
4 tsp garlic, minced
2 Tbsp pine nuts
1/3 c olive oil
2 Tbsp grated parmesan
Kosher salt and pepper

1. Chop the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor, or blender.

2. With the motor running, drizzle in the olive oil.

3. Blend in the cheese and add the salt and pepper to taste.

4. Refirgerate, covered, for up to a week. ENJOY!!

Tuna Tampico

2012-02-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

This recipe has been in my family for a very long time. It's great for almost any night of the week because you can make it early and just pop it in the oven. The story I remember (which may be wrong) is that my brother thought this gem up because he didn't like the tuna casserole my mother was serving. (Nothing is wrong with her tuna casserole, by the way. I think he just didn't like it.) At my house, I love to serve this when a night of tv watching is involved...usually a football game or a great kiddie movie. Try it, you will love it!

1 large bag of tortilla chips
15 slices of cheddar cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup (you can also use cream of celery, or chicken)
4 small cans of tuna
1 jar Pace Picante (we use medium, but you can use whatever level of spice you want)
4 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1. Layer the bottom of a 9x13 in glass casserole dish with sliced cheese; about 7 slices. Crush 1/3 of the tortilla chips and add to cover the cheese. Keep going with each layer as follows; 2 cans of tuna, 1 can of soup, the half the Pace.

2. Start over with the rest of the sliced cheese and top the finished product with more tortilla chips. Sprinkle the top with the shredded cheese. *At this point you can cover the entire casserole dish and refrigerate it until the time you want to put it in the oven. Add about 10 minutes to the cook time if you remove it straight out of the fridge.

3. Bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted and the chips turn golden brown; about 15-20 minutes. Slice into small squares and serve next to a nice salad. ENJOY!!

Fresh Seafood Pasta

2012-02-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

This is not a recipe that I make very often because of the expensive ingredients, but it does make a lot of pasta so, if there are people coming over for dinner, or it's a special occasion, it's a good choice. This is also a really easy way to look like you know how to cook fancy. Feel free to mix up the seafood choices if you can't find some of these items in your supermarket. This would even be good with some cooked salmon.

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c shallot, minced
2 tsp garlic, chopped
kosher salt/pepper
2 c tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 lbs fresh mussels, scrubbed (you can buy canned if you don't want the hassle)
1 lbs medium shrimp
2 c dry white wine
1 lbs lump crab meat, cleaned
1/2 c chopped green onion
1 lbs penne pasta, cooked
4 oz grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 c chiffonade fresh basil
white truffle oil

1 In a large saute pan eat the oil. Add the shallots and garlic and saute about 2 minute on low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tomatoes and saute for 1 minute. Add the mussels and shrimp and season again with salt and pepper. Let this saute for 2 minutes.

2. Add the wine and scrape all the bits ff the bottom of the pan. Bring this to a simmer and cover; cook until shells open, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add the crab meat and green onions and saute for 1 minute. Add the pasta, toss and combine cooking until the pasta is heated through, about 7 minutes.

3. Toss the pasta with the cheese and basil. Spoon onto a large serving plate and drizzle with just a little truffle oil. ENJOY!!

Easy Chicken and Pasta Dinner

2012-02-10T10:53:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all time favorite recipes. I pretty much lived on this in college because it was so easy and quick. I still make this as a quick lunch or even dinner for the kids with some roasted broccoli. I have even substituted broccoli for the pasta if I didn't want to eat any carbs that day. YUM!!

2 Tbsp butter
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1/2 Tbsp lemon pepper
2 chicken breasts, boneless (you can also use a white fish, pork, or chicken tenders)
4 oz. spiral pasta, cooked (I like the multi-colored ones, but any short pasta here would work)

1. Melt about half the butter in a medium skillet. Season the chicken with the cumin and lemon pepper. When the butter gets hot, add the chicken to the pan and cook through, flipping once. This should take about 5 minutes per side.

*Remember to make sure the finished temperature is above 165 degrees.

2. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest on a plate. Melt the remaining butter in the same pan and add any remaining cumin and lemon pepper you might have. Toss the pasta into the butter mixture and cook until hot and even a little brown on the edges. (This gives your pasta a little texture.) This should take 4-5 minutes.

3. Serve along side the chicken and add a green vegetable for a full meal. ENJOY!!

Tuna Steaks with White Bean Salad

2012-02-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

I need to post a few without pictures to get back in the swing of things. I have, over the years, written down some of my favorite recipes in a journal. I normally use recipes for my cooking, but I tend to make notes and change things according to my family's likes and dislikes. Over the next week I am going to just throw some of these recipes up so you guys can see. Sorry about not having any pictures right now. I tend to forget to take them about half way through cooking.

3 Tbs. lemon juice
3Tbs. Olive oil
3 Tbs. minced scallions
1 Tbs. chopped sage (if using dried here double it)
2-15 1/2 oz. cans cannellini beans, drained
4-5 oz. tuna steaks

1. Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil in a medium-size bowl; add scallions, sage, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Combine 3 Tbs of this mixture with beans. Reserve remaining mixture for later.

2. Season tuna steaks with salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbs olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet. Sear the tuna steaks on each side about 2 min each for medium rare, or leave on longer for desired degree of doneness.

3. Place bean salad on serving plate, top with tuna steaks, and drizzle with reserved lemon mixture. ENJOY!!

*Also great served over white rice*

BLT Cobb Salad

2012-01-17T13:26:00.000-08:00

I'm back!! I went on a little hiatus over the holiday mainly because with the kids all being home I didn't have a lot of time to write. Plus, with the busy schedules comes eating out a lot and not so much cooking. I have decided to start off easy this first post with a salad. I know some of you may not think of salad as a main dish, but if it's served at our house, it usually is. This is my husband's favorite salad and I can get the kids to eat most of it, so it's a real winner.

A few things first... Normally, and in this case, a salad is about cutting things up and throwing them on top of lettuce. This salad does, however, have one ingredient that, for some people, is a little difficult. So, I want to show you how I tackle it:

The one ingredient I am referring to is the avocado. There are a lot of tools out there now for this little green fruit, but I like to stick with the basics...a knife and a spoon. First, you take the avocado and turn it upright where the smaller end is pointing up. Then take your knife and slice the avocado in half turning it all the way around the seed.

Now, take the knife out and hold the avocado like you would a football with the cut part in between your thumbs and twist in opposite directions. This should release one side of your avocado from the seed so you will now have two pieces.

Next, it's time to take out the seed. This can be very dangerous, so please be careful. I like to hold the avocado half in a folded up towel, so if my knife should slip it hits that first and not me.

Now, hold the avocado, seed up, in the hand you are not using the knife with. Take the knife and press down with gentle force to cut slightly into the seed. Then, give it a little twist and it should slide right out. The more ripe your avocado, the simpler this should be, so if you are nervous, don't buy a hard avocado. Also, if you don't want to try this use one of those tools I told you about.

Lastly, still holding that avocado, take your knife and make a criss-cross pattern into the fruit. Then, take that spoon I was talking about and scoop out the meat of the avocado. Finished!

Let's get on to the recipe:

2 1/2-3 c lettuce (this can be heads of lettuce cut up, or the bagged stuff)
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 c crumbed blue cheese
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 package bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 bunch scallions, sliced thin
1/2 c shredded chicken
1/2 c frozen corn kernels, defrosted
1 avocado, chopped

1. Lay out the lettuce on a serving plate, or in a big salad bowl. Pour the balsamic over the lettuce and mix it all together.

2. With each ingredient, lay them carefully side by side on top of the lettuce.

3. Serve just like this with any salad dressing of your choice. In my house, we like to use Ranch. ENJOY!!

Stuffed Peppers

2011-12-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

In my house we do stuffed peppers a lot. They require a little bit of prep work, but they are hearty comfort food that still can be healthy. I like to serve these gems with a light salad, or maybe some crusty bread in front of a good movie (cartoon, of course). The kids even enjoy these because cooking the pepper a little brings down the sharp flavor. So, let's get cooking:

Ingredients:

4 bell peppers (any color can be used)
1 lb. ground beef (turkey or pork can also be used)
1 medium onion, chopped
1-14.5 oz can chopped tomatoes (not drained)
4 oz frozen corn
1 c cooked white rice
2 c mozzarella cheese, separated
kosher salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. First, let's take on the bell peppers. What you want to do is cut the top off (just enough to take off the stem and create an open cavity). Then, reach into the pepper and pull out all the seeds and as much of the veins as you can. If you need to use a small knife to get more out just be careful not to cut yourself. Now, in a small Pyrex dish arrange the peppers so they stand up straight. You may have to shave a little off the bottom if one is uneven. When I go to buy the peppers at the store I look for something that is pretty stable on it's own.

2. To make the filling, brown the meat in a hot skillet. Add the chopped onion and saute about 3 minutes until soft. Add the canned tomatoes and corn and simmer all together about 15 minutes. The mixture will thicken a little, but don't let it get too dry.

You want to use "no salt"
so you are in control of how much salt is
in the finished product.

3. Add the rice to the mixture and one cup of the cheese. Season the filling with kosher salt and pepper to taste. Then, with a large spoon, fill each bell pepper with as much of the mixture as you can stuff in there. Top each pepper with a mound of the leftover cheese. You should use about 1/4 cup for each pepper. Add a small amount, about 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the Pyrex dish. Bake, uncovered, in the oven for 30 min, or until nice and browned on top. ENJOY!!

Side Note: This meal can easily be made vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables like maybe some spinach, or even eggplant.

Quickly...

2011-11-29T11:07:00.000-08:00

Cranberry Rice

This recipe is super easy and I love it. I use pre-packaged wild and white rice mix because it's quicker and I like the combo of white and wild rice. The original recipe called for just wild rice.

Ingredients:

package wild and white rice mix (I use Uncle Ben's)
1/2 c dried cranberries
4 scallions
1 oz. walnuts, roasted

1. Make rice according to the package instructions. Let it cool a little because you don't want the cranberries to be rehydrated.

2. Mix in the cranberries, and the walnuts. Slice the white part of the scallions and mix into the rice. Slice the green part of the scallion and sprinkle on top for color. Serve at room temperature. ENJOY!!

Apple Pie

2011-11-24T06:13:00.000-08:00

I have never been much of a baker before. I have always stuck to savory cooking mainly because I am lazy with the measuring. Well, I have found a recipe for Apple Pie that is really easy to make and remember. Remind me to never make three in one day again, though. One might think that cooking in bulk would not be that much harder, but it was!

Let me start this off by saying I do not make my own crust. I fear that doing this would really mess up my easy dish. There are good products out there to use instead. If you like to make your own crust, by all means, go ahead. I will try to tackle that later. Also, about the apples. I have heard that Grammy Smith are the only apples good enough for pie. I agree...almost. I use half Granny Smith and half Golden Delicious. The green apples stand up to cooking much better then the red ones, but I like the two textures and the way the red apples melt in your mouth. Now that we have those two points out of the way, let's make some pie!

Ingredients:

2 ready-to-bake pie crusts for 9 in pies
8 small-medium apples (4 green, 4 red)
1 lemon, juiced
1 c white sugar
1 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
pinch kosher salt
cinnamon sugar mixture (for serving)

1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Take pie crusts out of the fridge and let them sit in a semi-warm place while you prepare the filling. Peel the apples and cut around the core (like the bell peppers) to get all the meat off. Slice the apple into small slices and toss in a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the bowl and stir together. (I like to let the mixture sit while I make the crust.)

2. Remove one crust from the packaging and unfold it onto the counter. If there are any tares in the dough just press them back together. Lay this bottom crust into the pie pan and press, carefully, into the bottom corners. If the dough ripples on any of the sides of the dish just press flat. Pour the apple mixture into the dish and get working on the lattice top.

3. The lattice top is hard to explain, easy to do, but hard to explain. There is a diagram below. Basically, you take out the other pie crust and roll it onto a flat surface (counter). Take a ruler, or I us the side of the box, and cut strips about 3/4 in thick. Remove every other one and lay them starting with the smallest across the pie. Now, unroll every other strip and lay another strip parallel to the previous strips. Make sure the strip you choose to lay down reaches the length of the pie. Lay the strips that you rolled up back down and roll up the other strips that were down before. Lay another parallel strip and cover back up. Repeat this until the whole pie is covered. If you choose another topping feel free to ignore this past paragraph.

I made one on the counter so it might be easier to see.

Pillsbury.com

4. Now to make the edges. I cut off all the excess dough that has formed around the pie. Just take a pair of clean scissors and cut everything that is hanging over the edge. Take your fingers in your right hand and make an almost touching "V". Place your left index finger in between and push. This is how you will form the edges. Just take a small amount of the edge, lift it off the lip of the dish and press in between your fingers. It should look like this:

Not my picture, but I can't do that and
take the pic at the same time!

5. Place the pie on a sheet pan in the oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Take the pie out and cover the edges with strips of foil. Put the pie back in the oven and continue baking for additional 15 minutes. Pull the pie out and let it rest for 2 hours. ENJOY!!

Fish Tacos

2011-11-23T11:03:00.000-08:00

I know, I know, I have been slacking big time! I am going to try to give you three recipes in one day. If I only get to two please don't stone me. When the kids get up from their nap I have to go.

My first recipe is for Fish Tacos. At my house we eat Tex-Mex at least once a week! We try to do Taco Tuesday (We eat tacos in our jamas in front of a movie) every week, but I often get bored with the same beef tacos over and over again. So, sometimes it is Enchilada Tuesday, or Fajita Tuesday, but I always keep it close to the theme. This recipe is very simple...almost too simple to blog, but I wanted to get it out there anyway. I find that you really can use any type of fish you like as long it is white and flaky. Meatier fish like salmon and tuna will have a different mouth feel and flavor. Also, this meal is pretty inexpensive if you stay along the lines of tilapia or even catfish. Let's get started...

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless white fish (I used tilapia)
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 Tbsp olive oil
8 corn tortillas
1 c. shredded cabbage
1/2 c. chopped tomatoes
1 lime (in wedges)
handful cilantro
2 green onions (sliced thin)
4 oz. sour cream
4 oz. cilantro ranch (recipe follows)

1. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel. Season with the Cajun seasoning. In a hot skillet over the stove add the olive oil and cook the fish until opaque all the way through (about 3 min per side). Remove the fish from the pan and let it rest on a plate in a warm spot.

Assorted Toppings

2. While cooking the fish, wrap the tortillas in foil and let them sit in a 200 degree oven to get warm. When the fish is finished separate it among each tortilla and use any combination of the toppings you would like. ENJOY!!

YUMMM!!!

Cilantro Ranch:

3 oz. ranch
handful cilantro
1/2 lime (juiced)
Kosher salt and pepper

1. In a food processor, or blender combine all ingredients. Cover the mixture with lid and turn it on! Blend until nice and smooth. If there is not enough liquid to make it a sauce you can add a little more lime, or even some water. (Just enough to loosen it up.) Taste mixture often to help with the seasonings. ENJOY!!

Update...

2011-11-15T12:35:00.000-08:00

I know...I haven't given you a recipe in over a week. I have been busy with the kid's stuff and not really been making anything too interesting. Here's what I am going to do about it... Everyone knows Thanksgiving is comeing up next week. Well, I have three dinners to make food for, so I am going to post the 6 recipes I will be fixing. I have to make one appetizer, two vegetable sides, one dessert and two cocktails. I promise, it will be a lot of food. I cannot at this time guarantee there will be pictures for all the recipes, but I will try my best. Don't be mad, just be patient...it's going to be good!

Gumbo

2011-11-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

Everybody has their own version of what they like to call a good gumbo. Some like it hot, some like it with just chicken, some don't like okra. There are many different ways to make gumbo and my way might not be your liking, but I love it when it starts to get a little cold outside. The one thing that makes all good gumbo alike is definitely the roux. The roux is the base for the gumbo and really needs to take time and effort in order to do right. Without a good base, there is "no soup for you"!

There are a few things that make my gumbo mine. One, I use chicken, beef and fish in my gumbo. I kind of use it like a "clean out my fridge" gumbo. Whatever I have available will go in. Two, I put some fresh tomatoes in to stew with the gumbo. I feel like it gives it more body, and I love lots of variety in my gumbo. The more vegetables, the better! Three, and this may surprise some people, but I use lemon juice to finish it off. I find that the lemon gives the gumbo a light feeling...even though it's a heavy comfort food. And last, but not least, I use a touch of Mrs. Dash for the seasoning. I saw a lady from Louisiana do it on television once, so I tried it and liked it. That's the only reason.

Ingredients:

1/4 lb. butter
1/2 c four
3 chicken leg quarters
kosher salt and pepper
14 oz. smoked sausage (cut into 1/4 in. slices)
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped, seeds removed
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
3 c stock (any kind will work)
3 Tbsp good Cajun seasoning
2 tsp Mrs. Dash, table blend
3 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 bag frozen, sliced okra
2 lb. shrimp, peeled, tail removed
1 lb. crawfish tails
1 lemon
white rice, for serving

1. To make the roux...get yourself a large, shallow pan and start to heat it up slowly on the stove. Melt the butter and add the flour in. At first, it will be a light yellow color:

Then, it will start to turn a peanut butter color:

When it gets to a rich chocolate color, you are finished. This should take about 30 min of constant whisking. Don't be discouraged though, you can always make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

2. While the roux is cooking away, season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear it off in a large Dutch oven. When it is nice and brown, remove it to rest on a plate. While that is resting, sear off the sausage...the same way. When the chicken is cooled off enough to touch, take all the meat off the bone and set it aside with the sausage.

3. In the same Dutch oven, saute the onion and the bell pepper until nice and soft, about 5 minutes. Throw in the garlic for an additional min.

4. When the roux is done, add it to the pan with the peppers and onions. Mix that together a couple of times and slowly add the stock. You should get a thick sauce-like soup at this point. Add all the seasonings and down to the tomatoes. Add the chicken and the sausage and bring it up to a boil. Cover the pot and let it simmer for one hour.

5. After the hour, add the okra, shrimp and crawfish to the pot. Bring this up to a boil long enough until the shrimp is nice and pink.

6. Finish off the gumbo by squeezing the lemon over the top. Serve with some hot white rice and homemade cornbread. ENJOY!!

Chicken Curry

2011-11-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I have been slacking, but with Halloween and my best friend's wedding coming up (not to mention three kids...) I have been a little busy. This next recipe is one that I have recently grown to really love. I was never a huge fan of curry before, mainly because I thought it tasted like it smelled, but this recipe really works for me and my family. I originally found it on the Martha Stewart website and as almost every recipe I use decided to change it up per my family. Basically I like this the most because it is a stewed item...something that can just sit and get yummy on the stove top.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 lbs. chicken thighs (I use bone-in)
kosher salt and pepper
1 small onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (I like lots of garlic)
4 carrots
3 Tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 c beer
1 can coconut milk
1 package frozen peas
cooked white rice (about 2 cups)

1. In a large dutch oven, heat the oil over medium high heat until just smoking. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear off all sides, about 5 min per side. Do this in small batches as to not overcrowd the pan. Take the chicken out and let it rest on a plate.

2. Add the chopped onion to the oiled pan and sweat until soft and browned a little. Now, peel the carrots and slice them about 1/2 in. thick. Add them to the pan and cook about 5 min stirring often. Throw in the garlic and continue to cook another minute. I like to just smash the garlic and throw it in whole, them remove it later before I serve the dinner. Feel free to mince the garlic before it goes in, or even use one spoonful of the jar garlic from the store.

3. Add the curry and the thyme and stir them in quickly. Then deglaze the pan with the beer. Make sure to get all the good bits off the bottom of the pan. Add the coconut milk and the reserved chicken with all it's juices. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat to a simmer. Place the lid on and let it cook slowly for 30 minutes. Open the lid and check to make sure you are not boiling the chicken. It should be simmering.

4. Check to make sure the carrots are cooked through and your chicken reads 165 degrees. If it does not, simmer for some more time. If it is ready, turn off the heat and mix in the frozen peas. The heat of the sauce should be enough to cook the peas through. If not, turn the heat back on until the peas are just finished.

5. Serve this over some rice and you should have a complete meal! ENJOY!

Meatloaf

2011-10-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

I know a lot of people have this misconception that meatloaf is not good and that "mommy" forced you to eat it when you were little along with nasty Brussels sprouts and gross spinach. Well, while a lot of people still don't like Brussels sprouts, spinach and meatloaf have come a long way. This recipe has been used in my family since I can remember and there have never been leftovers! This will be really simple to make and will be a new favorite in your house. (The ketchup helps the kids to love it.)

I have been slacking with taking pictures, so I don't have any today. As I thought more about it, though, you might not need to see any since this is so easy and quick.

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef (ground round is best because you want a little bit of fat...not too much)
1 small onion (chopped)
1 egg
4 oz. saltine crackers (one package from the box, crushed)
8 oz. tomato sauce (small can)
kosher salt and pepper
ketchup

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a large bowl, mix the first five ingredients together with your hands. Go ahead and get messy, but remember to either have the water running, or a paper towel close to clean yourself off.

2. Season the mixture heavily with salt and pepper. (I would suggest about 1 tsp. of each.)

3. Press the meat mixture into a loaf pan. Keeping the dish uncovered, put it into the oven and bake for 1 hour.

4. When the meatloaf is done, check the temp with a thermometer. You want to see at least 165 degrees. (It will probably be higher.) Let the meatloaf rest for 15 min.

5. Now, I use a metal spatula to remove my portion from the pan. It probably will not be a solid piece, but it will taste much better then your typical dense meatloaf. Top each slice with a generous serving of ketchup. ENJOY!!

P.S.- I have made this recipe with ground turkey, but remember not to use the leanest meat at the grocery store or your meatloaf will be dry.

Beef Pasta

2011-10-19T10:47:00.000-07:00

This is my version of a deconstructed Hamburger Helper. I like to make this when it starts getting a little cooler outside. Since I usually keep all these ingredients (except ground beef) in my pantry, this is a really inexpensive meal for us. Let's get started...

Ingredients

1/2 small onion (chopped)
1 lb ground beef (turkey or pork could be substituted)
1/4 c red wine
1 packet onion soup mix
1 c water
1 Roma tomato (chopped)
4 chopped scallions
4 c cooked pasta (about 1 1/2 c raw)

1. Saute the ground beef in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as you go. This should take about 5 minutes on medium heat. Throw in the onion and saute until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Deglaze the pan with the red wine and scrape all the good bits off the bottom of the pan. Then add the soup mix and the water and mix well to get all the lumps out. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.

3. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed. The soup mix is condensed and pretty salty, so you probably won't need it.

4. Turn off the heat and add the tomatoes and scallions. If you would like to cook these ingredients it's up to you, but I like freshness of them being just heated through.

5. Pour the meat sauce over some cooked noodles and serve with a nice salad and some garlic bread. ENJOY!!

How to truss a chicken (without string)

2011-10-13T11:16:00.000-07:00

Many people have their different ways to prepare a chicken for that sunburn in the oven, but I think my way is quick and simple.

First off, I start my basic roast chicken by letting it swim in yummy juices over night. In a large, freezer size Ziploc bag squeeze the juice from 3 lemons, add 1/2 c of olive oil, kosher salt, cracked black pepper, a small amount of water and 4 sprigs (large) of rosemary. I take the rosemary and fold the bunch in two and kind of squeeze and twist to release some of the oils.

One I have unpacked my chicken, taken out any giblets and/or neck, and rinsed it clean I let it rest for a min on a plate, or in the clean sink. There is no real need to pat the skin dry at this point because you are marinating. Shove that big bird in the Ziploc bag and zip it up. I usually marinate it over night, turning it over once in the morning.

Now to the trussing... When you remove the bird from the marinade you want to pat the skin dry with paper towels. This will help your seasoning stick better. First thing you want to do is get that bird into your baking dish. I use a medium size dish with high sides. The chicken fits just perfect inside.

Take the wing tips into your hand and fold them back behind the shoulder like if the chicken was scratching it's back. This will keep your tip from burning and the wing close to the body. Do this to both sides.

On to the legs... What you want to do is grab the big flap of skin that is under the leg connected to the thigh. With a paring knife, stab a small hole in the middle of it and use your fingers to pull it bigger. If one side breaks or does not tear big enough just use the other side. Take the leg from the opposite side of the tear and punch it through the hole. Then take the other leg and do the same criss-crossing the legs inside of the hole.

Now the chicken is ready to be roasted. Wash your hands well before touching anything else. Cover the baking dish with foil and place into a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours until almost cooked through. At this point, take the foil off and raise the temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes. Make sure a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 165 degrees before you start carving. ENJOY!!

Slop, Slop, Sloppy Joes!!

2011-10-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

We have sloppy joes a lot in our house. The kids eat them up and I think I make them pretty healthy compared to some pre-packaged brands. Now, we do eat them a little differently then one would think. Instead of sandwiching the wonderful meat mixture in between two hamburger buns we pile it high on soft white bread and top it with shredded cheese. Quick note, my daughter does not like onions or bell pepper and she has never even noticed they are in this recipe.

Let's get started...

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef (you can also use pork or turkey if you prefer)
1 small white onion (coarsely chopped)
1 med bell pepper (seeds removed, chopped)
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 Tbsp. steak seasoning (I use Harley's)
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
kosher salt
black pepper
white bread
shredded cheddar cheese

Note: I don't use any oil in this recipe because the meat should give off enough. If you are using turkey, or a very lean beef you might want to lightly coat the bottom of the pan with some oil before step #2.

1. Brown the meat in a hot saute pan. I use a deep dish saute pan so I can finish the entire meal in it. Break the meat up with a wooden spoon (can also be plastic) so the meat cooks quickly and evenly. Using a slotted spoon drain the meat onto a plate covered with a paper towel. This allows some of the grease to drain a little.

2. In the same pan the meat was just in add the onion and bell pepper and sweat a little, about 5 min. Real quick...an easy way that I like to chop bell peppers is to cut around the middle seed pods. This way I don't have to use my hands to pull seeds out and cleanup is a lot easier.

3. Add the meat back into the pan with the onion and peppers and heat up a little. Add the next three ingredients and let simmer for a while...about 5 min. Now is time to taste! I would recommend adding a small amount of salt and pepper before and then just check for seasoning.

4. Here I usually cover the pan and let it simmer for about 15 min. Just like a good soup, or stew this helps the ingredients to marry together.

5. Now the fun part!! Place one piece (or two like my husband) of white bread down on your plate. Smother the bread with at least two spoonfuls of the sloppy joe mixture. Top with shredded cheese.

**As you can see from the finished product we like to enjoy our meal with some yummy green beans (out of the can, of course). ENJOY!!

Busy....

2011-10-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

I was too busy today to post my menu from last night... I will post tomorrow.