Steak Enchiladas
I had a leftover grilled steak so I decided to make Steak Enchiladas. Nice and easy. You can buy enchilada sauce, but I like to make my own.
INGREDIENTS
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Cup Sour Cream
8 Ounces Red Salsa
8 Ounces Green Salsa (Salsa Verde)
1 Extra Large Grilled Steak
1 Sliced Red Onion
12 Flour Tortillas (6 inches)
3 Cups Enchilada Sauce
3 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Preheat oven to 350° F. Slice the grilled steak and the red onion and set aside. Making the sour cream mixture is easy. In a food processor or blender, combine the cilantro, sour cream, red salsa and 4 ounces of the green salsa. Pulse until you have a good puree, pour into a medium size bowl and set aside. In a separate medium size bowl combine the sliced grilled steak and the rest of the green salsa and mix well. You will need a 9×13” baking dish or a large baking dish. Pour the sour cream mixture at the bottom of the baking dish to coat. Evenly distribute the steak mixture between the 12 flour tortillas. Roll up the filled tortillas and put seam side down in the baking dish. Pour the enchilada sauce over the top of the rolled tortillas. Top with the shredded cheese and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 6
Noodle Bowls For Everyone
When it’s this hot and muggy out no one wants the oven heating up their house or apartment. Besides I am usually not in the mood for a heavy meal when the weather is so oppressive. Here is a great idea for an easy, but flavorful lunch or dinner.
INGREDIENTS
14 Ounces Chicken or Beef Broth
1/2 Cup Bottled Peanut Sauce
2 Cups Stir Fry Vegetables of Your Choice
6 Ounces Ramen Noodles
In a large size pan combine the peanut sauce and chicken or beef broth. Bring to a boil and stir in the vegetables and noodles. If you are using the flavored ramen noodles throw away the spice packet. You may use either frozen or fresh vegetables. Cover and simmer for 4 minutes or until the noodles and vegetables are tender. Portion out the noodles and broth between four serving bowls. Serves 4
Make It Your Own Noodle Bowl
Here are options to “make it your own.”
Tofu-Sesame: Stir in 1/4 cup hoisin sauce (instead of the peanut sauce), 1/4 cup water, 1 Teaspoon toasted sesame oil, 1 cup diced tofu. Heat through and top with toasted sesame seeds.
Shrimp: Stir in 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger to the broth mixture and peanut sauce. Stir in cooked shrimp and heat through.
Sweet & Sour: Use sweet & sour sauce instead of the peanut sauce. Stir in breaded chicken strips and heat through.
Alfredo: Use Alfredo sauce, instead of peanut sauce. Use chicken broth and frozen peas. Stir in cooked & diced chicken. Heat through.
Southwest: Use salsa instead of peanut sauce. Add frozen sweet peppers and onions for the vegetables. Top with corn chips.
Teriyaki: Use 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce and 1/4 cup water instead of the peanut sauce. Top with cashews.
Mexican: Use salsa instead of peanut sauce. Stir in cooked chorizo sausage and heat through.
Italian: Use pasta sauce instead of peanut sauce. Add chopped zucchini, fresh spinach and green beans. Stir in cooked meatballs. Heat through.
Beef & Broccoli: Use beef broth, peanut sauce and broccoli. Stir in cooked roast beef strips or leftover steak strips and heat through.
Thai Curry Vegetable: Add 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, peanut sauce and 1 teaspoon curry powder to the broth. Add vegetables of your choice. Top with Peanuts.
My Indoor Tomato Plants
I am so excited! I am finally getting tomatoes from my indoor tomato plants. With the basil that I have growing and the tomatoes I think that I will make my Caprese Salad.
Caprese Salad
INGREDIENTS
3 Sliced Tomatoes
1 Pound Fresh Mozzarella (Sliced)
1 Bunch Fresh Basil Leaves
Kosher Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Drizzling
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4 inch slices. On a large shallow platter alternate layered slices of tomatoes and mozzarella. Add basil leaves between each layer. Drizzle the salad with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Serves 6
Busy Day Cake
Everyone needs to have my Busy Day Cake recipe at their fingertips. It’s great to have in a pinch. Top it off with whipped cream and berries or top it with your favorite ice cream or drizzle with honey, chocolate or caramel sauce. Any of these toppings will make this cake a special-day treat.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/3Cups Unbleached Flour
2/3 Cup Sugar
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2/3 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
2 Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grease and flour an 8×1 1/2 inch round cake pan and set aside. In a large size bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking powder. Add the milk, butter, eggs and vanilla. Beat on a low speed with an electric mixer until combined. Beat for another minute on medium speed, but don’t over beat. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes until done. When you insert a wooden toothpick near the center is should come out clean. When done remove from the oven and cool in the pan, on a wire rack, for 10 minutes. Loosen the sides of the cake and invert onto a cake plate. Cool for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve warm with berries & whipped cream, ice cream or honey or caramel sauce. Serves 8
Classic Martini
Here’s an idea, why not have a martini party?
INGREDIENTS
2 Ounces Gin
1/2 Ounce Dry Vermouth
3 Green Olives
Lemon Peel
Thread 3 green olives on a cocktail pick and set aside. In a cocktail shaker combine the gin and vermouth. Add ice cubes. Cover and shake until VERY cold. Strain the liquid into a martini glass. Garnish with the olives and lemon twist. Makes 1 serving.
Olympic Fried Chicken
Last night I made fried chicken, potato salad and a green salad for dinner. I always eat at the table with a place setting and all that. I do think that food should be eaten sitting down and with the television turned off, but last night I felt like breaking my own rule. I brought my dinner out to the living room and had the best time watching the Olympics. Here is my recipe for great fried chicken.
INGREDIENTS
2 Lightly Beaten Eggs
3 Tablespoons Cream
3 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
3 Pounds Meaty Chicken Pieces
Olive Oil
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a small bowl combine the egg and the cream. In a shallow bowl combine the flour, thyme, kosher salt, paprika and pepper. Dip the chicken pieces, one at a time, in the egg mixture. Then coat the chicken with the flour mixture. Dip back into the egg mixture and coat again with the flour mixture. The secret is double coating. In a very large skillet brown the chicken in the hot olive oil over a medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn occasionally. Drain and place onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Put into the oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving plate. Season if you like. Serves 6
Cosmopolitan
Ever wondered how to make a Cosmopolitan? Perfect for backyard barbeques, holiday or dinner parties.
INGREDIENTS
2 Ounces Vodka
1 Ounce Orange Liqueur
1 Ounce Cranberry Juice
1/2 Ounce Lime Juice
Lime Slice For Garnish
In a cocktail shaker combine the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice. Add ice cubes. Cover and shake until very cold. Strain the liquid into a chilled glass. Garnish with a slice of lime. Makes 1.
Pan Seared Scallops With Ginger Sauce
There are many species of scallops in the sea, but you will find two general categories at the fish market. Sea scallops are typically about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and are between 20 to 30 per pound. Bay scallops smaller and are typically about 1/2 inch in diameter and are between 70 to 100 per pound. When purchasing scallops look for plump meats in clear juices without shell particles or grit. The juices should not exceed 10 percent of the total volume. The scent should be a fresh ocean scent and not a sour or sulfur like scent. Scallops should be firm and moist and should retain their shape when touched. To store scallops refrigerate, covered in the juices, for up to 2 days. You may freeze them for up to 3 months; however I think that they lose their flavor when they are frozen.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Fresh Sea Scallops
5 Teaspoons Butter
1/3 Cup Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Frozen & Thawed Pineapple Orange Juice Concentrate
1 Teaspoon Grated Fresh Ginger
Rinse your scallops. Pat them dry with paper towels. In a large skillet melt the butter over a medium high heat. Add the scallops to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes until the scallops are opaque. Make sure to stir frequently. Remove from the skillet, transfer to a plate and keep warm by covering with foil. For the sauce, add the chicken broth, juice concentrate and ginger to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 3 minutes until the sauce is reduced by about half. Spoon the sauce over the scallops. Serves 4
Salsa Verde
Salsa Verde or green tomatillo salsa is bright and fruity and is the perfect complement to grilled meats and cheese dishes. Not bad with just tortilla chips either.
INGREDIENTS
4 Ounces Husked & Rinsed Tomatillos
5 Garlic Cloves
2 Quartered White Or Yellow Onions
2 Stemmed Jalapenos
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Bunch Stemmed Cilantro
In a medium size saucepan fill with 2 cups of water. Put the tomatillos, garlic, onions and jalapenos in the saucepan. Boil for 5 minutes. You will want the contents to be slightly soft. Drain, but save 1 cup of the cooking water. Put the ingredients into a blender or food processor along with the cooking liquid that you saved. Add the salt, pepper, sugar and cilantro. Pulse until chunky. Pour into a serving bowl and serve at room temperature. Makes 4 cups.
Raspberries, Peaches & Plums OH MY
Stone fruits are now at their juiciest and most fragrant. And who can resist raspberries?! Celebrate them in this sweet and delicious cake.
INGREDIENTS
5 Large Peeled & Sliced Peaches
4 Sliced Plums
1 Cup Raspberries
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Softened Butter
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
3 Eggs
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Tablespoon Vanilla
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large bowl combine the sliced peaches and plums. Keep the raspberries separate. In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate large bowl combine the softened butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Begin by beating in half of the flour mixture. Alternate with beating in half of the milk. Add the rest of the flour and beat for 20 seconds. Finish with beating in the rest of the milk and beat for 30 seconds. Scrap the sides of the bowl to incorporate any remaining flour. Prepare a large glass or ceramic baking pan by greasing. Pour the batter into the baking pan. Scatter the peaches, plums and raspberries on top of the batter. The fruit will sink in a bit. Bake on the middle oven rack for 50 minutes. Check to see if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick. If you need to bake a bit longer go ahead, but make sure not to overcook this cake. Remove from the oven and let cool. You can frost this cake if you wish, but I think that it can stand on its own. Slice and serve. Serves 10
