tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39793266150993510002012-02-27T05:00:43.929-05:00Cooking in a Closet Sized KitchenKevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.comBlogger1460125ClosetCookinghttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakestag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-67986500221858007652012-02-25T13:43:00.000-05:002012-02-25T13:43:13.937-05:002012-02-25T13:43:13.937-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LTeLH7uQYzI/T0kpArvQIpI/AAAAAAAAN7Q/hfonLzIDNbc/s800/Sweet%2BPotato%2Band%2BBlack%2BBean%2BQuesadillas%2Bwith%2BSwiss%2BChard%2BPesto%2B500%2B3629.jpg" alt="Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas with Swiss Chard Pesto" title="Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas with Swiss Chard Pesto" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> It has been my experience that most things that make good taco filling also make good quesadilla filling and so whenever I make tacos I try to make sure that there are some leftovers to make quesadillas. I mean, you really cannot go wrong taking an already tasty filling and covering it with ooey gooey melted cheese, placing it in a tortilla and grilling it until it is golden brown and crispy! It was with this in mind that I made these sweet potato and black bean quesadillas with swiss chard pesto with the leftovers from the tacos. I kept things nice and simple and filled the quesadillas with the chipotle roasted sweet potato and black beans along with some of the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/swiss-chard-pesto.html">swiss chard salsa</a> and of course, plenty of cheese. As is sometimes the case, these sweet potato and black bean quesadillas with swiss chard pesto turned out to be even better than the tacos that inspired them!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-quesadillas.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-6798650022185800765?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dOORiBJy4UPNpzbdEc4ZAbCub7E/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dOORiBJy4UPNpzbdEc4ZAbCub7E/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dOORiBJy4UPNpzbdEc4ZAbCub7E/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dOORiBJy4UPNpzbdEc4ZAbCub7E/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=sW1ToNATNCw:CBh0HrSxqXc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/sW1ToNATNCw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com16http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-quesadillas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-30650998066770950612012-02-23T19:44:00.001-05:002012-02-25T13:45:18.021-05:002012-02-25T13:45:18.021-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGPC9sAc60A/T0bZU68GECI/AAAAAAAAN6o/_Bqt8TC955c/s800/Sweet%2BPotato%2Band%2BBlack%2BBean%2BTacos%2Bwith%2BSwiss%2BChard%2BPesto%2B500%2B3535.jpg" alt="Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Swiss Chard Pesto" title="Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos with Swiss Chard Pesto" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Sweet potato and black beans is an amazing flavour combination especially when seasoned with chilies for a Mexican style dish so I could not resist using the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/swiss-chard-pesto.html">swiss chard pesto</a> is some <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2012/01/black-bean-and-sweet-potato-tacos-with-swiss-chard-pesto/">sweet potato and black bean tacos</a> as inspired by <a href="http://bevcooks.com/">Bev Cooks</a>. The sweet potatoes are tossed in some smoky chipotle chili powder along with some cumin and then roasted until nice and tender and for the beans I went with a slight modification of my <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/12/refried-beans-frijoles-refritos.html">refried beans recipe</a> where I used black beans instead of pinto beans and I did not mash them after cooking them. Once the sweet potatoes and beans were done all that remains is to place them into some tortillas and top them with the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/swiss-chard-pesto.html">swiss chard pesto</a>, some cool and creamy avocados and crumbled queso fresco. These sweet potato and black bean tacos with swiss chard salsa are so tasty and fulfilling that you will not not be missing the meat and it will be hard to resist going back for seconds!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-tacos-with.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-3065099806677095061?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8ZfsC99HPbP4_W9sanu8oSmw3Xg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8ZfsC99HPbP4_W9sanu8oSmw3Xg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8ZfsC99HPbP4_W9sanu8oSmw3Xg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8ZfsC99HPbP4_W9sanu8oSmw3Xg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=nJAR8fyJh44:_MS0HRsM27c:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/nJAR8fyJh44" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com22http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-tacos-with.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-28221875382624125752012-02-23T18:53:00.000-05:002012-02-25T13:45:16.282-05:002012-02-25T13:45:16.282-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TOp_FTETH8E/T0bLsPxmQ6I/AAAAAAAAN6U/wKDHO9jWRwo/s800/Sweet%2BPotato%2Band%2BBlack%2BBean%2BTacos%2Bwith%2BSwiss%2BChard%2BPesto%2B500%2B5832.jpg" alt="Swiss Chard Pesto" title="Swiss Chard Pesto" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> Swiss chard is a green leaf vegetable that I enjoy but I feel that I do not use it nearly often enough so when I came across the idea of a <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2012/01/black-bean-and-sweet-potato-tacos-with-swiss-chard-pesto/">swiss chard pesto</a> on <a href="http://bevcooks.com/">Bev Cooks</a>, I was immediately intrigued and knew that I would have to try it. This pesto is pretty simple with a base of fresh swiss chard which is pureed with some garlic, jalapenos and pepitas (otherwise known as toasted hulled pumpkin seeds). I was thinking that this pesto is really more like a cross between a pesto and a salsa with its use jalapenos and I took that idea and ran with it a bit adding lime juice and plenty of cilantro. I have to say that this swill chard pesto/salsa is one of the best pestos that I have ever had and I found myself having to resist eating the whole batch by the spoonful before I got to use them in some tacos!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/swiss-chard-pesto.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2822187538262412575?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4RUEQaSa0u3qT-_VbmrR0a4fk3s/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4RUEQaSa0u3qT-_VbmrR0a4fk3s/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4RUEQaSa0u3qT-_VbmrR0a4fk3s/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4RUEQaSa0u3qT-_VbmrR0a4fk3s/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=SNYloUKCtBw:Adze40LD0d8:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/SNYloUKCtBw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com12http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/swiss-chard-pesto.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-17520329042839001242012-02-21T19:45:00.001-05:002012-02-21T19:49:09.648-05:002012-02-21T19:49:09.648-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9n2ZroiWw4/T0Q2blKBSbI/AAAAAAAAN5Y/d3dJj4KofH4/s800/Taco%2BStuffed%2BShells%2B500%2B7249.jpg" alt="Taco Stuffed Shells" title="Taco Stuffed Shells" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> Taco stuffed shells have been on my to try list for a long time and when I recently came across some <a href="http://www.inspiredtaste.net/10010/taco-stuffed-shells-recipe/">taco stuffed shells</a> on <a href="http://www.inspiredtaste.net/">Inspired Taste</a> I could not put off making them any longer. The basic idea of the taco stuffed shells is that large pasta shells are stuffed with the flavours of tacos and then covered in cheese and baked. For the taco inspired filling I started out with ground beef that I flavoured with a homemade <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/08/taco-seasoning.html">taco seasoning blend</a> along with some onions and garlic. I then filled the mixture out, and made it a bit healthier, with some tomatoes, corn and black beans before finishing it off some hot sauce and creamy goat cheese. The shells are then stuffed with the filling and placed in a baking pan with a layer of salsa on the bottom and then cheese is sprinkled on along with some bread crumbs for a crunchy topping.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/taco-stuffed-shells.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1752032904283900124?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xcvd2zEtgaNXAbKP_qoKTvMXxFw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xcvd2zEtgaNXAbKP_qoKTvMXxFw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xcvd2zEtgaNXAbKP_qoKTvMXxFw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/xcvd2zEtgaNXAbKP_qoKTvMXxFw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=s5ZBJ_giqD0:9Vr4nFDZdU4:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/s5ZBJ_giqD0" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com37http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/taco-stuffed-shells.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-56696966313876877332012-02-19T12:06:00.001-05:002012-02-19T12:06:06.288-05:002012-02-19T12:06:06.288-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv3t22GCVSo/T0EnqKNu2NI/AAAAAAAAN4w/UFAmz4FJFQs/s400/Shrimp%2Band%2BAndouille%2BGrits%2B500%2B6112.jpg" alt="Shrimp and Andouille Grits" title="Shrimp and Andouille Grits" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Shrimp and grits is another classic southern dish consisting of shrimp that is cooked in a sauce and served over grits, or cornmeal. I have been meaning to share this recipe for shrimp and andouille grits for a while now and with Mardis Gras coming up it was the perfect time to do so. Don&#39;t let the long list of ingredients fool you as this recipe is actually really easy to make and it only takes about a half an hour to throw together. This is one of those recipes that I like to play around with a lot, changing things up but this version with the andouille sausage has to be my favourite. The sauce that the shrimp and andouille sausage are served in starts out with a base of onions, celery and pepper and it is seasoned with garlic, thyme and <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/02/shrimp-po-boy.html">cajun seasoning</a> before being smoothed out by some cream. Serving the shrimp and andouille over simple buttered grits is always nice but I like to add some cheese to the grits and a sharp white cheddar is particularly nice.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/shrimp-and-andouille-grits.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5669696631387687733?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8uAlwtxxrV9wPnfhA5RnQhD3R6c/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8uAlwtxxrV9wPnfhA5RnQhD3R6c/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8uAlwtxxrV9wPnfhA5RnQhD3R6c/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/8uAlwtxxrV9wPnfhA5RnQhD3R6c/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=MZTq1sn_PVE:QqWCzbSY0BI:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/MZTq1sn_PVE" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com17http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/shrimp-and-andouille-grits.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-31651256750073371872012-02-18T13:37:00.000-05:002012-02-18T13:37:27.829-05:002012-02-18T13:37:27.829-05:00<img alt="Pickled Green Tomatoes" class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C2kHS_XyQ7U/TWRNn4WEepI/AAAAAAAALUo/Jz69-2iiYVE/s800/Pickled%2BGreen%2BTomatoes%2B1%2B500.jpg" title="Pickled Green Tomatoes" /><br /> <br /> With Mardis Gras coming up next week I have been thinking about Southern Cuisine a lot and it seemed like the perfect time for a roundup of some of my favourite Southern Recipes. Last year I had the opportunity to visit New Orleans and the one thing that sticks out in my mind is all of the amazing food that I had while I was there! I came home inspired and made a number of New Orleans style dishes and I have to say that I am definitely enjoy the flavours and cooking style! <br /> <br /> What are your favourite Mardis Gras dishes or Southern foods?<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/shrimp-and-okra-gumbo.html"><img alt="Shrimp and Okra Gumbo" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43eBpx5IVH0/TXba_5nQmNI/AAAAAAAALac/ZU12h5fxWoc/s800/Shrimp%2Band%2BOkra%2BGumbo%2B500.jpg" title="Shrimp and Okra Gumbo" /></a><br /> Gumbo is one of the first things that comes to mind when I think about New Orleans cooking and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/shrimp-and-okra-gumbo.html">Shrimp and Okra Gumbo</a> is some pure comfort food delight!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/blackened-shrimp-on-kale-and-mashed.html"><img alt="Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b-iBUfwLvE/Tz2PcIJg3KI/AAAAAAAAN4E/Kh2LfJHfq7k/s800/Blackened%2BShrimp%2Bon%2BKale%2Band%2BMashed%2BSweet%2BPotatoes%2Bwith%2BAndouille%2BCream%2B500%2B0002.jpg" title="Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream" /></a><br /> Shrimp and grits is another classic Southern dish and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/blackened-shrimp-on-kale-and-mashed.html">Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream</a> is a really nice twist on it.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/cajun-red-beans-and-rice.html"><img alt="Cajun Red Beans and Rice" class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zz6HGZZY3MA/TWY938DJiMI/AAAAAAAALVI/20zvbL7oJe4/s800/Cajun%2BRed%2BBeans%2Band%2BRice%2B500.jpg" title="Cajun Red Beans and Rice" /></a><br /> You really cannot go wrong with <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/cajun-red-beans-and-rice.html">Cajun Red Beans and Rice</a> and the andouille sausage and smoky ham hock make this one really tasty!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/08/fried-green-tomatoes.html"><img alt="Fried Green Tomatoes" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmIG8wl0aSU/TnplDe3uAzI/AAAAAAAAMrk/VSw2rG0UYEg/s800/Fried%2BGreen%2BTomatoes%2B500%2B2031.jpg" title="Fried Green Tomatoes" /></a><br /> Green tomatoes are hard to come by around here and I think that it is because of that, that I have such a fondness for them. Crispy cornmeal coated buttermilk soaked <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/08/fried-green-tomatoes.html">Fried Green Tomatoes</a> are definitely my favourite way to enjoy them!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/10/fried-green-tomatoes-with-crab.html"><img alt="Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Remoulade" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TMIZqPpznJI/AAAAAAAAK1g/L3vRvNkNreI/s800/Fried+Green+Tomatoes+with+Crab+Remoulade+500.jpg" title="Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Remoulade" /></a><br /> Although fried green tomatoes are great to snack on all by themselves it is always fun to use them in as an ingredient in another recipe and these <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/10/fried-green-tomatoes-with-crab.html">Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Remoulade</a> make a great appetizer or even a light meal.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/09/fried-green-tomato-and-shrimp-remoulade.html"><img alt="Fried Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TJ4Fs-wAUhI/AAAAAAAAKxk/19TIIxq2smg/s800/Fried+Green+Tomato+and+Shrimp+Remoulade+Po+Boy+500.jpg" title="Fried Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy" /></a><br /> Of course you cannot talk about New Orleans cuisine without mentioning the po boy and one of my favourites is this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/09/fried-green-tomato-and-shrimp-remoulade.html">Fried Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy</a> which can also be done as a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/pickled-green-tomato-and-shrimp.html">Pickled Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po Boy</a> or a more classic <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/02/shrimp-po-boy.html">Shrimp Po’ Boy</a>. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/blackened-swordfish.html"><img alt="Blackened Swordfish" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2s2qLFaNeP4/ToRHmgM33pI/AAAAAAAAMuE/PAXLw_ojc9A/s800/Blackened%2BSwordfish%2Bwith%2BCorn%2BMaque%2BChoux%2B500%2B2327.jpg" title="Blackened Swordfish" /></a><br /> One of the most memorable dished that I had when I visited New Orleans was a blackened red fish and now I enjoy making it at home but since red fish is not available here I more commonly do a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/blackened-swordfish.html">Blackened Swordfish</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/maque-choux.html"><img alt="Maque Choux" class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGXL6BCJKsQ/ToOqOP-pU-I/AAAAAAAAMt0/iB9YPqBPvGQ/s800/Maque%2BChoux%2B500%2B1930.jpg" title="Maque Choux" /></a><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/09/maque-choux.html">Maque Choux</a> is a dish native to southern Louisiana consisting of corn, bell peppers, tomatoes and onions and it makes for a great side dish or even a main if you add some meat like andouille sausage. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/09/fried-green-tomato-blt.html"><img alt="Fried Green Tomato BLT with Remoulade" class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_0ymrM9LIQ/Tn0zPUTarVI/AAAAAAAAMs0/-QzzizUFfKI/s800/Fried%2BGreen%2BTomato%2BBLT%2Bwith%2BRemoulade%2BSauce%2B500%2B1985.jpg" title="Fried Green Tomato BLT with Remoulade" /></a><br /> I could not help but experiment with a Southern take on a BLT in the form of this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/09/fried-green-tomato-blt.html">Fried Green Tomato BLT with Remoulade</a> which is absolutely amazing! You can also add some blackened shrimp for a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/10/fried-green-tomato-blt-with-shrimp.html">Fried Green Tomato BLT with Shrimp Remoulade</a>.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/fried-tuna-ball-po-boy.html"><img alt="Fried Tuna Ball Po Boy" class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UVnquivEkas/TWRIgPwpP1I/AAAAAAAALUM/1xsGlf9PG98/s800/Fried%2BTuna%2BBall%2BPo%2BBoy%2B500.jpg" title="Fried Tuna Ball Po Boy" /></a><br /> Next up is this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/fried-tuna-ball-po-boy.html">Fried Tuna Ball Po Boy</a> which is I could not help but mention since the crispy fried tuna balls are so good!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-3165125675007337187?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dZS87_Yn3nyflkKoaFMMnzZEvX8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dZS87_Yn3nyflkKoaFMMnzZEvX8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dZS87_Yn3nyflkKoaFMMnzZEvX8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/dZS87_Yn3nyflkKoaFMMnzZEvX8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=g7JkYgczS3w:C31fTOD1tKw:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/g7JkYgczS3w" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com19http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/recipes-for-mardis-gras.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-17762426995513276242012-02-16T18:42:00.003-05:002012-02-19T12:08:38.869-05:002012-02-19T12:08:38.869-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2b-iBUfwLvE/Tz2PcIJg3KI/AAAAAAAAN4E/Kh2LfJHfq7k/s800/Blackened%2BShrimp%2Bon%2BKale%2Band%2BMashed%2BSweet%2BPotatoes%2Bwith%2BAndouille%2BCream%2B500%2B0002.jpg" alt="Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream" title="Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Mardis Gras is next week already and while I may not be attending it is a great excuse to enjoy some Southern cooking! That being said it was the perfect time to pull out this recipe for <a href="http://ourlifeinfood.com/2011/03/07/shrimp-with-mashed-sweet-potatoes-and-andouille-cream/">blackened shrimp mashed sweet potatoes with andouille cream</a> that I came across on <a href="http://ourlifeinfood.com/">Our Life in Food</a> a not too long ago and was saving for a special occasion. Andouille sausage is an amazing ingredient in Southern cuisine and I have been into it ever since I came across it! The andouille cream or gravy in this recipe sounded absolutely delightful and combine that with the tasty blackened shrimp and you have a complete winner! Normally I would think that the andouille cream and blackened shrimp would be served on grits but I liked the idea of serving them on the creamy mashed sweet potatoes like this. The only thing that was missing was some vegetables and I went for some winter greens in the form of blanched kale for a complete tasty meal in one bowl.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/blackened-shrimp-on-kale-and-mashed.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1776242699551327624?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sx2fVTxOV8csEUa4MTC--Ag8Tyg/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sx2fVTxOV8csEUa4MTC--Ag8Tyg/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sx2fVTxOV8csEUa4MTC--Ag8Tyg/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Sx2fVTxOV8csEUa4MTC--Ag8Tyg/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=7W4aqpO0l7I:U-_KCH-ftmc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/7W4aqpO0l7I" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com27http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/blackened-shrimp-on-kale-and-mashed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-11636776567104066322012-02-14T19:14:00.001-05:002012-02-17T06:15:12.600-05:002012-02-17T06:15:12.600-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rC75hburN-I/TzrxfZkPd6I/AAAAAAAAN2U/CpIGKV4jzj0/s800/Thai%2BChicken%2BPizza%2Bwith%2BSweet%2BChili%2BSauce%2B500%2B4355.jpg" alt="Thai Chicken Pizza with Sweet Chili Sauce" title="Thai Chicken Pizza with Sweet Chili Sauce" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> With all of the experimenting that I have been doing with pizzas over the years, the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/10/thai-chicken-pizza-with-spicy-peanut.html">Thai chicken pizza with spicy peanut sauce</a> is one of my favourites. I mean the <a href="http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2007/11/peanut-sauce.html">spicy peanut sauce</a> is surely one of the most addictive substances that I have come across and if you it with ooey gooey melted cheese on a pizza you get something truly irresistible! I was recently reminded of the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/10/thai-chicken-pizza-with-spicy-peanut.html">Thai chicken pizza with spicy peanut sauce</a> when I came across some thing similar, a <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/12/thai-chicken-pizza/">Thai chicken pizza with sweet chili sauce</a> on <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/">How Sweet Eats</a> and I knew immediately that I would have to make it!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/thai-chicken-pizza-with-sweet-chili.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1163677656710406632?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z-YyaE1GQM58V0cWjUp1Ij2pyX0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z-YyaE1GQM58V0cWjUp1Ij2pyX0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z-YyaE1GQM58V0cWjUp1Ij2pyX0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Z-YyaE1GQM58V0cWjUp1Ij2pyX0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=G7-5Oqbk_RM:qJdgI6suW8s:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/G7-5Oqbk_RM" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com26http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/thai-chicken-pizza-with-sweet-chili.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-14223809942785486002012-02-13T18:19:00.001-05:002012-02-13T18:19:24.210-05:002012-02-13T18:19:24.210-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C4ZsXzPzA7I/TzmZphzO_lI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/UNliABzZ33U/s800/Raspberry%2Band%2BDark%2BChocolate%2BCheesecake%2B500%2B6584.jpg" alt="Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Cheesecake" title="Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Cheesecake" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> The final component for my Valentines Day dinner, and arguably the most important part, is the dessert and it is the perfect time to go for something a little more decadent! I am a huge fan of cheesecake and at first I was thinking that a pink strawberry cheesecake was the way to go but then I was thinking that I would absolutely have to include chocolate somehow. A white chocolate strawberry cheesecake would have been nice but I was more in the mood for dark chocolate and I was thinking that dark chocolate is even better with raspberries and that was when I arrived at my final idea for this raspberry and dark chocolate cheesecake. I kept things really simple making a classic cheesecake but then I hid a layer of dark chocolate and fresh raspberries in the middle for a Valentines Day surprise. You can get an even bigger chocolate fix by serving the raspberry cheesecake drizzled with a chocolate sauce.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/raspberry-and-dark-chocolate-cheesecake.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1422380994278548600?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j84GtmbKP_h-dKVzpV4sQatXRd0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j84GtmbKP_h-dKVzpV4sQatXRd0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j84GtmbKP_h-dKVzpV4sQatXRd0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j84GtmbKP_h-dKVzpV4sQatXRd0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=-NPSVQAfMRs:Z-9gnGmJXt8:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/-NPSVQAfMRs" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com33http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/raspberry-and-dark-chocolate-cheesecake.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-20384736175042102492012-02-11T15:12:00.003-05:002012-02-11T15:12:34.023-05:002012-02-11T15:12:34.023-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPJsNrExWs8/TzbHBAGkEHI/AAAAAAAAN0c/MLo6mILbPws/s800/Fennel%2BGratin%2B500%2B6272.jpg" alt="Fennel Gratin" title="Fennel Gratin" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> I particularly enjoy fennel but I hardly ever seem to use it and I was thinking that it would be perfect to pull some out for a special occasion like for Valentines day. Fennel bulbs have the flavour of star anise or black licorice that is fairly strong when raw but it mellows out really nicely when cooked. I had recently come across an interesting way of using some fennel, in a <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/fennel_gratin/">fennel gratin</a>, on <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/">Simply Recipes</a> and I simply could not resist the idea of covering some licorice-y fennel with cheese and baking it until it gets all bubbly and melted. Normally a gratin has a cheese sauce that starts with a bechamel sauce or a cream based sauce and I liked the fact that this recipe takes a pass on both of them and gets right to the cheese! Basically the fennel is blanched, placed in a baking pan, covered in mozzarella, topped with a parmesan bread crumb crust and baked. Despite being so simple this fennel gratin is quite amazing! The hint of the black licorice flavour remaining in the baked fennel pairs fantastically well with the savoury melted cheese and the crispy golden brown bread crumb topping adds a pleasant textural contrast.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/fennel-gratin.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2038473617504210249?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9tkw4c65jNiwmJLIqfg7VdRPYA4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9tkw4c65jNiwmJLIqfg7VdRPYA4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9tkw4c65jNiwmJLIqfg7VdRPYA4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9tkw4c65jNiwmJLIqfg7VdRPYA4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9tuAhNqJQKc:W4WaMlBsGRM:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/9tuAhNqJQKc" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com27http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/fennel-gratin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-50235919826170232912012-02-09T18:48:00.001-05:002012-02-09T18:59:31.378-05:002012-02-09T18:59:31.378-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ptz-f29RkPw/TzRT2lYfjQI/AAAAAAAANzo/NG0PF1tWHtI/s800/Steak%2BDiane%2B500%2B4001.jpg" alt="Steak Diane" title="Steak Diane" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Valentines Day is less than a week away and it was about time that I got to trying some recipes out to make sure that it is perfect. On a special day like Valentines day it is nice to splurge and to be a bit decadent and I had had the idea of doing a steak with a nice cut of beef for a while. In addition to getting some nice ingredients for your special meal you can be adventurous with the cooking techniques like in this recipe for steak diane where the brandy in the pan sauce is ignited!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/steak-diane.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5023591982617023291?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aiy3cFw7iWu2tpev31toCQkHhNw/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aiy3cFw7iWu2tpev31toCQkHhNw/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aiy3cFw7iWu2tpev31toCQkHhNw/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/aiy3cFw7iWu2tpev31toCQkHhNw/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=mlStIqX0cZo:N5Bg1b7Fu04:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/mlStIqX0cZo" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com28http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/steak-diane.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-81451426143225644602012-02-07T19:36:00.002-05:002012-02-07T19:36:17.762-05:002012-02-07T19:36:17.762-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvPGqBMkFRE/TzHA1m60MtI/AAAAAAAANyw/w8Om8EwPdII/s800/Peameal%2BBacon%2BBreakfast%2BSandwich%2Bwith%2BMaple%2BCaramelized%2BOnions%2B500%2B1420.jpg" alt="Peameal Bacon Breakfast Sandwich with Maple Caramelized Onions" title="Peameal Bacon Breakfast Sandwich with Maple Caramelized Onions" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Now that I had a batch of <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/maple-caramelized-onions.html">maple caramelized onions</a> made it was time to make the breakfast sandwich that I had envisioned using them in. As soon as I think about a breakfast sandwich I immediatly start with bacon and eggs and this time I decided to go with peameal bacon and a fried egg. Of course I fried my egg sunny side up making sure to leave a nice runny yolk as that is really what makes any breakfast sandwich. Up next was the sweet <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/maple-caramelized-onions.html">maple caramelized onions</a> to balance the saltiness of the bacon and I finished teh sandwich off with some tangy grainy mustard. Since I alrady had maple in the sandwich I decided to mellow out the grainy mustard a bit by adding more maple syrup to it. I have to say that this is one tasty breakfast sandwich that I look forward to waking up for!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/peameal-bacon-breakfast-sandwich-with.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8145142614322564460?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Fr2xkCBRsgYgZ9xUYUSJAvnk-4o/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Fr2xkCBRsgYgZ9xUYUSJAvnk-4o/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Fr2xkCBRsgYgZ9xUYUSJAvnk-4o/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Fr2xkCBRsgYgZ9xUYUSJAvnk-4o/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=zmp-0mqb00Y:rGa-86F7yJA:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/zmp-0mqb00Y" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com19http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/peameal-bacon-breakfast-sandwich-with.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-82595834735046338742012-02-07T19:16:00.001-05:002012-02-07T19:43:02.604-05:002012-02-07T19:43:02.604-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3JkYzq0ByA/TzG7ERI8-6I/AAAAAAAANyc/yREMz4nYqws/s800/Maple%2BCaramelized%2BOnions%2B500%2B1410.jpg" alt="Maple Caramelized Onions" title="Maple Caramelized Onions" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> I am a huge fan of caramelized onions and over the last little while I have been experimenting with adding different flavours to them. Some of my more recent experiments include the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/onion-marmalade.html">balsamic caramelized onions</a> and the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/chipotle-caramelized-onions.html">chipotle caramelized onions</a>. Each of these different kinds of caramelized onions has found a home in one or more sandwiches and they have taken those sandwiches to whole new levels of greatness! For my next caramelized onions I was thinking about a batch that could be used in a breakfast sandwich and maple caramelized onions seemed like the perfect way to go!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/maple-caramelized-onions.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8259583473504633874?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/deUiBFoX4YkZxIxHWt9bG0e24VQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/deUiBFoX4YkZxIxHWt9bG0e24VQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/deUiBFoX4YkZxIxHWt9bG0e24VQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/deUiBFoX4YkZxIxHWt9bG0e24VQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=II7WAeTLxuE:nthVZ8W8iNY:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/II7WAeTLxuE" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com13http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/maple-caramelized-onions.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-10592982805757728602012-02-06T18:27:00.000-05:002012-02-06T18:27:02.031-05:002012-02-06T18:27:02.031-05:00<a href="http://www.pinterest.com">Pinterest.com</a> is my latest obsession!<br /> <br /> If you are interested in following my adventures on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com">Pinterest.com</a> here is my boards: <a href="http://pinterest.com/ClosetCooking/">http://pinterest.com/ClosetCooking/</a><br /> <br /> Leave a comment with a link to your boards so that I can follow you.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-1059298280575772860?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yU63WpPey4gcEVlQDlMBUn7btIQ/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yU63WpPey4gcEVlQDlMBUn7btIQ/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yU63WpPey4gcEVlQDlMBUn7btIQ/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/yU63WpPey4gcEVlQDlMBUn7btIQ/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=69UN95-UCjw:4dOqRsud5eQ:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/69UN95-UCjw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com102http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/whos-on-pinterest.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-69972811963036691602012-02-04T11:54:00.000-05:002012-02-04T11:54:02.355-05:002012-02-04T11:54:02.355-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bSC0tGeWsz0/Ty1dVA88ADI/AAAAAAAANxs/d6iM0CGA82U/s800/Cucumber%2Band%2BFeta%2BRolls%2B500%2B0599.jpg" alt="Cucumber and Feta Rolls" title="Cucumber and Feta Rolls" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> With all of the decadent snacks that I have been testing out for my Super Bowl party I know that some of you are wondering: &quot;Are there any lighter options?&quot;, and these cucumber feta rolls definitely fit the bill! When I first came across the recipe for these <a href="http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2011/12/cucumber-feta-rolls-holiday-recipe-exchange.html">cucumber feta rolls</a> on <a href="http://www.goodlifeeats.com/">Good Life Eats</a> I knew that I would have to make them and I have just been itching for the chance! A lot of my favourite Greek flavours are used in the cucumber rolls and they even kind of remind me of deconstructed and reconstructed <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/05/tzatziki-sauce.html">tzatziki</a> with the cucumbers, lemony Greek yogurt and plenty of fresh herbs. <br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/cucumber-and-feta-rolls.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-6997281196303669160?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NpcyCMJ2lOzfleffBScPpxhFNCs/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NpcyCMJ2lOzfleffBScPpxhFNCs/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NpcyCMJ2lOzfleffBScPpxhFNCs/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NpcyCMJ2lOzfleffBScPpxhFNCs/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=M-O8CZdeqqA:oCXdt5lgF94:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/M-O8CZdeqqA" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com38http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/cucumber-and-feta-rolls.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-42612190012801951472012-02-02T18:38:00.000-05:002012-02-03T05:52:34.121-05:002012-02-03T05:52:34.121-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mIyNqe5vQ8g/TysZYQRpbaI/AAAAAAAANww/kRtKWlZSE1g/s800/Buffalo%2BChicken%2BPotato%2BSkins%2B500%2B5802.jpg" alt="Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins" title="Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> I have had the idea to do buffalo chicken stuffed potato skins for a long time now and what better time to pull out the skins than for the Super Bowl? The basic idea was to stuff some potato skins with chicken in a buffalo hot sauce along with cheese and baked them until the cheese melts and gets all nice and bubbly. I mean you really cannot got wrong with spicy buffalo chicken covered in melted cheese right?<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/buffalo-chicken-potato-skins.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-4261219001280195147?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1BBV0CWMKprl8XUVbJyj8577P-g/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1BBV0CWMKprl8XUVbJyj8577P-g/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1BBV0CWMKprl8XUVbJyj8577P-g/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1BBV0CWMKprl8XUVbJyj8577P-g/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=BwdxlIEYHiw:rwHMkUY6Kqc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/BwdxlIEYHiw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com30http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/buffalo-chicken-potato-skins.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-26868669637773876552012-02-01T19:24:00.000-05:002012-02-01T19:32:34.855-05:002012-02-01T19:32:34.855-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yJQrh2MOxQo/TynQD0YrvzI/AAAAAAAANwE/ZGrpbpD5pMQ/s800/Portabello%2BMushrooms%2BStuffed%2Bwith%2BSpinach%2Band%2BArtichoke%2BDip%2B500%2B5247.jpg" alt="Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Spinach and Artichoke Dip" title="Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Spinach and Artichoke Dip" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> With the Super Bowl coming up I have been thinking about snacks a lot lately and dips have been getting almost all of the attention. As I reminisced about how great <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/01/artichoke-bread.html">artichoke dip baked in bread</a> is, I remembered wanting to try roasted portobello mushrooms stuffed with <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html">spinach and artichoke dip</a>. I had made a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/creamy-stuffed-portabella-mushrooms.html">portabella mushroom stuffed with a creamy chicken mixture</a> a long time ago and I figured that the classic combination of spinach and mushrooms would be even better; but who are we kidding, it was the perfect excuse to make some more <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html">hot cheesy spinach and artichoke dip</a>!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/portabello-mushrooms-stuffed-with.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2686866963777387655?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/plXKc5pQAaQTcCiWFKJ54zyrfbc/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/plXKc5pQAaQTcCiWFKJ54zyrfbc/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/plXKc5pQAaQTcCiWFKJ54zyrfbc/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/plXKc5pQAaQTcCiWFKJ54zyrfbc/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=C_eCj7Tws7c:XbskBjIe9uk:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/C_eCj7Tws7c" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com23http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/02/portabello-mushrooms-stuffed-with.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-50066939590758804492012-01-31T18:35:00.003-05:002012-02-22T06:33:38.077-05:002012-02-22T06:33:38.077-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2az7lj3scTc/Tyh2XYtnZBI/AAAAAAAANu8/npTstl8FqWI/s800/Bacon%2BGuacamole%2BGrilled%2BCheese%2BSandwich%2B500%2B1953.jpg" alt="Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich" title="Bacon Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> A guacamole grilled cheese sandwich has been on my to try list for a while now and since I was making the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-guacamole.html">bacon guacamole</a> on the weekend I figured I would just pick up double the ingredients and make both. The basic idea behind this grilled cheese is quite simple and it started out with just adding guacamole to a grilled cheese but with the success of combining salty bacon-y magnificence with cool and creamy guacamole I could not resist adding a few slices of bacon to the sandwich. I also had some leftover corn tortilla chips from dipping on the weekend so I decided to crumble a few of them and add them to the sandwich for texture. <br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-guacamole-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5006693959075880449?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RRCtkHUnaZiIH5uvjV5rJgNL8r8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RRCtkHUnaZiIH5uvjV5rJgNL8r8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RRCtkHUnaZiIH5uvjV5rJgNL8r8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/RRCtkHUnaZiIH5uvjV5rJgNL8r8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=AMj6Go21490:jEMJmVJW0T4:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/AMj6Go21490" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com66http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-guacamole-grilled-cheese-sandwich.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-57395716820424213982012-01-30T18:09:00.000-05:002012-01-30T17:46:57.446-05:002012-01-30T17:46:57.446-05:00<a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLy3lCZIcwU/TZJpt93RnYI/AAAAAAAALjs/CpUBELlNkvs/s800/Pizza%2BDip%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Pizza Dip" title="Pizza Dip"/></a><br /> <br /> The Super Bowl is the perfect excuse to invite some friends over and throw a party and any kind of game day party is going to need food! Forget about calling for pizza because these recipes are all easy to make so you can make a few of them to ensure that you do not run out mid way through the the game. Even if you are not throwing the party but are instead heading over to a party or even tailgating you can never go wrong bringing some food to share and your friends will never forget these tasty snacks! Below you will find some of my favourite snacks for the big game and they include a lot dips which have to be one of the best party foods around but there are also a few non-dip snacks and even some great healthy options. These snacks are definitely not restricted to the Super Bowl and would go just as well when you have friends over to watch any kind of game whether it be football, hockey, basketball, baseball or even soccer; so crack some of these recipes out and make sure that not only do your friends not go home hungry but that they leave raving about the food more than the game!<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpXoUEOJSWs/TZJpuPPrMBI/AAAAAAAALj0/mhpPELx6TC8/s800/Pizza%2BDip%2B2%2B500.jpg" alt="Pizza Dip" title="Pizza Dip"/></a><br /> <p>The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html">Pizza Dip</a> recipe is a recent discovery but I was immediately addicted and requests keep coming in to make it again. The ultimate Super Bowl snack?</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SSNf47E2UeI/AAAAAAAAFf8/EvsS8N1Ed0o/s800/Hot+Spinach+and+Artichoke+Dip+500.jpg" alt="Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip" title="Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip"/></a><br /> <p>Although <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/11/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip.html">Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip</a> is an old-y, it is a classic for a very good reason and the recipe is super easy too boot!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgfa2-N3dJA/TxwDBGEHrPI/AAAAAAAANiU/4D4Ryy-4M54/s800/Bacon%2BDouble%2BCheese%2BBurger%2BDip%2B500%2B3557.jpg" alt="Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip" title="Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip"/></a><br /> <p>This <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html">Bacon Double Cheese Burger Dip</a> is inspired by the flavours of a bacon double cheese burger and it is perfect game day food! The fresh lettuce and tomato topping makes this hot cheese dip extraordinary, though completely optional.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/blue-cheese-guacamole.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JTmfOnf15ps/Tk8MxKAQeAI/AAAAAAAAMhA/jOGLLDZgyPY/s800/Blue%2BCheese%2BGuacamole%2B500%2B6981.jpg" alt="Blue Cheese Guacamole" title="Blue Cheese Guacamole"/></a><br /> <p>Not all dips have to be cheese based and <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/05/guacamole.html">Guacamole</a> is a great example of one that is not. I always enjoy playing around with guacamole recipes and one of my latest experiments a <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/blue-cheese-guacamole.html">Blue Cheese Guacamole</a> turned out to be truly amazing!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/jalapeno-popper-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/ScghBkk2-zI/AAAAAAAAGfA/vGQdKujpERo/s800/Jalapeno+Popper+Dip+500.jpg" alt="Jalapeno Popper Dip" title="Jalapeno Popper Dip"/></a><br /> <p>Dip recipes are certainly making the appearance on this list and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/03/jalapeno-popper-dip.html">Jalapeno Popper Dip</a> will not be left behind with the spicy jalapenos in a creamy melted cheese sauce topped with crunchy panko crumbs.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/01/artichoke-bread.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/S1j-KgppNJI/AAAAAAAAJX0/fGitIv8nwVM/s800/Artichoke+Bread+1+500.jpg" alt="Artichoke Bread" title="Artichoke Bread"/></a><br /> <p>With all of the amazing dips at you party for the big game you might just get tired of all that dipping so save your elbows and wrists the strain of dipping by baking the dip right into some bread like in this recipe for an <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/01/artichoke-bread.html">Artichoke Bread</a>.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/02/potato-skins.html"><img class="photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SYWDrILv3JI/AAAAAAAAGFg/OVHXjn5XN2w/s800/Potato+Skins+500.jpg" alt="Potato Skins" title="Potato Skins"/></a><br /> <p>If you are looking for something other than a dip, you really cannot go wrong with <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/02/potato-skins.html">Potato Skins</a> which although they take a bit of time to make, the recipe is pretty easy and they are well worth it. One of the things that I like so much about potato skins is that you can fill or stuff them with anything you want and one of my favourites is a simple combo of melted cheese with bacon topped with sour cream. If you really want to get creative you could stuff them with the flavours of your favourite food such as pizza.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/04/jalapeno-poppers.html"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SdidRqzkCOI/AAAAAAAAGkg/yNr3gVXSLRg/s800/Jalapeno+Poppers+500.jpg" alt="Jalapeno Poppers" title="Jalapeno Poppers"/></a><br /> <p>Some more classic party food that is perfect for the super bowl are these <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/04/jalapeno-poppers.html">Jalapeno Poppers</a> which are pretty easy to make at home and they will disappear in seconds so make a lot!</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/02/parmesan-crusted-baked-zucchini-sticks.html"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/SZyhNOePAhI/AAAAAAAAGNM/JJHump_MtTI/s800/Parmesan+Crusted+Baked+Zucchini+Sticks+with+Marinara+Sauce+500.jpg" alt="Parmesan Crusted Baked Zucchini Sticks with Marinara Sauce" title="Parmesan Crusted Baked Zucchini Sticks with Marinara Sauce"/></a><br /> <p>If you want, you can easily keep your game day appetizers on the healthier side and these <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/02/parmesan-crusted-baked-zucchini-sticks.html">Parmesan Crusted Baked Zucchini Sticks with Marinara Sauce</a> would make a great start with their crispy baked on crust and a tasty sauce for dipping.</p><br /> <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/greek-7-layer-dip.html"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UIXOn06Pz70/TUoN5i1Z-GI/AAAAAAAALN4/NGCj_gFOtHs/s800/Greek%2B7%2BLayer%2BDip%2B1%2B500.jpg" alt="Greek 7 Layer Dip" title="Greek 7 Layer Dip"/></a><br /> <p>Dips can be healthy too and this <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/02/greek-7-layer-dip.html">Greek 7 Layer Dip</a>, which is a take on the classic <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2009/01/7-layer-dip.html">7 Layer Dip</a>, just might be better than the original! The Mediterranean flavour combos in this dip are addictively good so make sure that you have lots of toasted pita wedges for dipping.</p><br /> More <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/search/label/Dip">Dip Recipes</a><br /> More <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/search/label/Appetizer">Appetizer and Snack Recipes</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5739571682042421398?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/82yQ6Xv4ABlq2i00nuUZcodpIU8/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/82yQ6Xv4ABlq2i00nuUZcodpIU8/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/82yQ6Xv4ABlq2i00nuUZcodpIU8/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/82yQ6Xv4ABlq2i00nuUZcodpIU8/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=XTEIjyzjBmU:VCarafAF2GA:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/XTEIjyzjBmU" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com31http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/01/super-bowl-snacks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-71877674608508126072012-01-29T12:13:00.000-05:002012-01-31T18:38:51.836-05:002012-01-31T18:38:51.836-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h129_EtKHro/TyV7C8YZW0I/AAAAAAAANtc/o27JRXWOQOQ/s800/Bacon%2BGuacamole%2B500%2B4970.jpg" alt="Bacon Guacamole" title="Bacon Guacamole" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> I already have a few hot melted cheese dips planned for the upcoming Super Bowl party but I also want to include something a little on the healthier side and guacamole is perfect party food! The basic <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/05/guacamole.html">guacamole</a> is pretty darn irresistible but I cannot help but tinker with it by adding different things with an example being the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/08/blue-cheese-guacamole.html">blue cheese guacamole</a> that I made not too long ago. This time however I was thinking about a bacon guacamole; if bacon and avocado go great together in sandwiches, and they do, then why not add bacon to guacamole?<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-guacamole.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-7187767460850812607?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KGNkqKV5u9MY3Z1iBw-GlAgoR-s/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KGNkqKV5u9MY3Z1iBw-GlAgoR-s/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KGNkqKV5u9MY3Z1iBw-GlAgoR-s/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/KGNkqKV5u9MY3Z1iBw-GlAgoR-s/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Qgf7NGjErto:UYewH_dOQBE:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/Qgf7NGjErto" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com35http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-guacamole.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-55470356760116240562012-01-28T12:30:00.000-05:002012-01-28T13:06:39.199-05:002012-01-28T13:06:39.199-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4qWC0Fr0UC8/TyQuwWroI1I/AAAAAAAANrw/p65JU6AcIgI/s800/Taco%2BDip%2B500%2B4368.jpg" alt="Taco Dip" title="Taco Dip" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> With the Super Bowl quickly approaching I have been getting some snack recipes together for the party. The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html">burger dip</a> that I made last week got me thinking about hot cheesy dips and one my favourites has to be this taco dip! Since I last made this dip I have learned a few things and I was just itching to make it again and apply what I had learned. The first thing that I wanted to change was to make it in a wider dish since I had discovered that it works really well for hot cheesy dips when I made the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/03/pizza-dip.html">pizza dip</a>. The <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/bacon-double-cheese-burger-dip.html">burger dip</a> that I made last week taught me that topping a hot dip with fresh ingredients makes it even better, as hard as that is to believe! If any dip deserves to be topped with fresh ingredients it is this taco dip as tacos are commonly filled with fresh ingredients!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/01/taco-dip.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-5547035676011624056?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/z0zsIzs0ZBc2lDn1UhrWGv5SAkA/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gXgcoDzjBwY:oKqzHAHDEos:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/gXgcoDzjBwY" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com37http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/01/taco-dip.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-3662104383874228302012-01-26T19:11:00.000-05:002012-01-31T18:49:29.736-05:002012-01-31T18:49:29.736-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z-MvWVSYCpE/TyHix4wG9NI/AAAAAAAANq0/A9AbINc36to/s800/Quinoa%2BFlatbreads%2B500%2B1685.jpg" alt="Quinoa Flatbread" title="Quinoa Flatbread" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> Next up in my week long exploration of Mediterranean cuisine and quinoa was these <a href="http://www.comocomecami.com/comocomecami/2011/06/panqueques-de-qu%C3%ADnoa-y-arroz-integral.html">quinoa pancakes</a> or flatbreads that I came across a while ago. They caught my attention immediately because of the creative use of quinoa and because of the tasty sounding Mediterranean toppings. These flatbreads are really simple to make with only a few ingredients including ground quinoa, flour, an egg and some water. I liked the sound of grinding my own quinoa as it allowed me the opportunity to make it a really coarse grind allowing a lot of the quinoa to remain whole as I figure the texture would be pretty amazing. After the batter is mixed it is as easy as cooking them in a pan as you would a pancake only they are not going to rise.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-flatbread.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-366210438387422830?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/4ctNEVk_2Iwh6llroSOFXDy1gk0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=9UjdmnyaSPQ:iTSqKQ_HxIA:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/9UjdmnyaSPQ" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com34http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-flatbread.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-421751335687154182012-01-25T19:03:00.000-05:002012-01-26T19:14:55.583-05:002012-01-26T19:14:55.583-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoAwOra1wb4/TyCQoVsgb2I/AAAAAAAANo4/ZpA8ZiaWowA/s800/Falafels%2B500%2B4583.jpg" alt="Falafel" title="Falafel" width="500" height="333"><br> <br> Falafel, or fried chickepea patties, have been on my todo list for a while! Making the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.html">quioa tabouleh salad</a> reminded of a photo that I had seen a long time ago where perfectly golden brown falafel were served on a bed of tabbouleh and I figured that it was the perfect time to try making falafel! As it turns out, making light, crispy and perfectly golden brown falafel at home is quite easy, though if you are starting with dried chickpeas you do need to let them soak over night so it takes some planning.<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/falafel.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-42175133568715418?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ddaOBbEyk0wWiFoSCJwEqqfjyvE/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=vXPydSl0Fbw:mINTCqf7gIs:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/vXPydSl0Fbw" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com33http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/falafel.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-24900441482343701422012-01-24T18:39:00.002-05:002012-01-26T19:15:41.324-05:002012-01-26T19:15:41.324-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QgIP0j_h3nY/Tx87bqJakwI/AAAAAAAANn8/GP2ZG4y6IN8/s800/Quinoa%2BTabbouleh%2B500%2B4570.jpg" alt="Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad" title="Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> When I made the <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-cakes-with-roasted-red-pepper.html">quinoa cakes with roasted red pepper and walnut pesto, goat cheese and a poached egg</a> it reminded me that I had not done much with quinoa lately and that got me thinking about all of the things that I want to try using quinoa in. A quinoa tabbouleh was pretty high on my list of quinoa dishes to try and it would fit in nicely with a few other recipes as well so I started with that. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabbouleh">Tabbouleh</a> is normally made with bulgar but I figured that the texture of quinoa would work well in it. In addition to the bulgar a tabbouleh salads normally consist of tomatoes, cucumbers, parsly and mint and it is dressed up in lemon juice and olive oil. I kept things pretty straight forward with this tabbouleh salad other than swapping the bulgar out for the quinoa and it turned out really well! There is nothing like a light salad filled with fresh herbs and a hit of lemon to push back the gloom of winter!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-2490044148234370142?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/NKhvw6V-FImlRt_0TKmtmFy4WJ4/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=Tj5CHK-lpbM:-4CSyNi_nXc:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/Tj5CHK-lpbM" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com21http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/quinoa-tabbouleh-salad.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979326615099351000.post-87722832291384552792012-01-23T18:05:00.002-05:002012-01-23T18:05:40.084-05:002012-01-23T18:05:40.084-05:00<div class="hrecipe"><img class="photo" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IaIjNXuCuaU/Tx3ijJN2jKI/AAAAAAAANnQ/EpnXGTcjkbA/s800/Mapo%2BEggplant%2B500%2B1545.jpg" alt="Mapo Eggplant" title="Mapo Eggplant" width="333" height="500"><br> <br> One of my favourite Chinese dishes has to be <a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2008/04/mapo-tofu-version-20.html">mapo tofu</a> for its use of not only the chili heat and numbing Sichuan peppercorn combo but also for its use of another great Chinese ingredient, fermented black beans. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapo_doufu">Mapo tofu</a> or mapo doufu is a dish where tofu and ground pork are served in a tasty chili and bean sauce but I was thinking that it would be nice to try replacing the tofu with eggplant and braising it in the sauce until it was nice and tender. This dish includes a few ingredients that may not be in every pantry but it is well worth the effort to track them down. If you cannot find the dried fermented black beans you can replace them and the garlic with black bean and garlic sauce which is more commonly available in the Asian section of grocery stores along with the fermented bean paste. I served the mapo eggplant on noodles, which are said to be lucky on the lunar New Year, garnished with green onions along with shredded cucumber to tame the heat of the dish.<br> <br> Happy Lunar New Year!<br> <br> </div><a href="http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/mapo-eggplant.html#more">Read the recipe »</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3979326615099351000-8772283229138455279?l=www.closetcooking.com' alt='' /></div> <p><a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/0/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/0/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a><br/> <a href="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/1/da"><img src="http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/j3fFb4SSZSXFqCFjw8OCg0WhPi0/1/di" border="0" ismap="true"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:3QFJfmc7Om4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:3QFJfmc7Om4" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?i=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?a=gUF-uvH3ujE:aGcShUFTKN0:I9og5sOYxJI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ClosetCooking?d=I9og5sOYxJI" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ClosetCooking/~4/gUF-uvH3ujE" height="1" width="1"/>Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07795596315329913917noreply@blogger.com16http://www.closetcooking.com/2012/01/mapo-eggplant.html