Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Baja Battered Fish Tacos

This recipe was so much fun to make! AND, so easy! I bought Tilapia on sale, so all in all, these tacos cost about $0.30 each to make! I also put together a sauce that I mixed in with the cabbage made of Thousand Island dressing and red taco sauce and it was delicious!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup beer, preferably lager or pilsner
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1-1 1/4 pounds tilapia, or other firm white fish, sliced into 1/2-inch-by-2-inch strips
3 tablespoons canola oil, divide

Directions:
1.Place beer, all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, salt, oregano, mustard, cayenne and pepper in a blender; blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Transfer the batter to a shallow baking dish. Add fish, turning to coat all sides.

2.Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer one-third of the battered fish to the pan, placing each piece into a little oil. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer cooked fish to a plate; keep warm. Add 1 tablespoon oil and half the remaining fish to the pan; cook as directed above, reducing the heat if necessary. Cook the remaining fish with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Serve immediately.

Mama's Chili Cheese Quiche


This is one of my all time favorite foods! My mom made this for Elijah's baby shower and it was a huge hit! The green chili's are mild so the quiche is loaded with flavor without the spice!

Ingredients:
10 eggs
1 pint Cottage Cheese
1Teaspoon baking powder
1 Teaspoon salt
10 drops tabasco, tapatio or taco sauce (to taste_
1/2 cup flour
1 pound Jack cheese
1 7-8 can green chilis
1/2 cup butter melted

Directions:
1. Whirl first 6 ingredients in a blender. Grate cheese into bowl, add chilis and butter. Pour blender mix into bowl. Mix all together. Pour into sprayed 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Mama's Ham and Swiss Quiche

This quiche is SO tasty! My mom made this quiche for Elijah's shower and everyone loved it! The swiss gives it a very uniqe flavor...mmmm!

Ingredients:
9" unbaked deep dish pie shell
12 oz. can evaporated mild
3 large eggs
1.4 cup flour
1 cup Swiss cheese
1/2 cup cooked ham
1/4 sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Whisk liquids--stir solids--pour into shell.
3. Cook 45-50 minutes

Mama's Broccoli Casserole

This recipe is a family favorite! My mom has been making this recipe for special occasions for as long as I can remember. It's such an easy recipe and can be made anytime, but what makes it special to me is that we have always had it for special occasions. It's pretty rich but super tasty!

Ingredients:
1/2 can mushroom soup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 small onion chopped
1 beaten egg

Directions:
1. Drain and dry 1 pound box of chopped broccoli. This step is very important. I let frozen broccoli sit out until it defrosts then put in colander to drain. Then with paper towels and dish towel, push all water out of broccoli.
2. Pour all ingredients into buttered casserole dish--sprinkle top with 18 Ritz cracker crumbs. Dot wtih butter. Bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

*Serves 4-6

Monday, April 26, 2010

Crunchy Vanilla Almond French Toast

This recipe is from Rachel Ray. I love to try new things for breakfast and while I have never actually tried this recipe, I want to! Sounds delicious!

Ingredients:
Bacon (1 pound applewood smoked bacon)
Toast:
8 large eggs
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup half-and-half
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pinches salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, ground or freshly grated
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups corn flakes, lightly crushed
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly crushed
4 tablespoons butter
12 (1 1/2-inch-thick) slices challah bread or soft "Italian" style bread•Medium or dark amber maple syrup to pass at table
Mint sprigs and edible flowers, for garnish (optional)
Fancy Fruit Topping (optional):
•1 large navel orange, peeled and chopped
•12 large strawberries, sliced
•1/2 pint blueberries
•1/2 pint raspberries
•1/2 pint blackberries
•2 tablespoons sugar
•1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as Grand MarnierPreparationPre-heat oven to 350°F.

Directions:
1. Arrange bacon on slotted broiler pan. Sprinkle with brown sugar and place in oven to bake until crisp, 20-22 minutes.
2. Pre-heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. In a shallow dish, beat together with a wire whisk: eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. In a second shallow dish combine flakes and nuts.
4. Add two tablespoons butter to warm skillet. Place a cookie sheet lined with foil (for easy clean up) near the stove. Coat 4-6 slices of bread in egg, depending on the size of your skillet, then coat bread in cornflakes and nuts. Cook slices two minutes on each side and transfer toast to cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining slices and transfer toast to oven. Bake 10 minutes, with already cooking bacon.
5. While bacon and toast are in oven, combine fruit, sugar and liqueur in a serving bowl and reserve.
6. Remove toast and bacon from oven. Warm syrup in a small pitcher in microwave for 15 seconds on high. Serve toast and bacon on plates with optional garnish of mint and edible flowers.
7. Pass syrup and topping at the table.

Steak Diane


I have a friend whose mom used to make Steak Diane all the time and man it was SO good! The aroma filled the house and the meat just melted in your mouth. I'm not sure what recipe she used and sadly she has passed away so I cannot get it. The following recipe is from Emeril and is a bit challenging, but very tasty!

Directions:
4 (3-ounce) filet mignon medallions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup sliced white mushroom caps
1/4 cup Cognac or brandy
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup reduced veal stock, recipe follows
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 drops hot red pepper sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions
1 teaspoon minced parsley leaves

Directions:
1. Season the beef medallions on both sides with the salt and pepper.
2. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meat and cook for 45 seconds on the first side. Turn and cook for 30 seconds on the second side. Add the shallots and garlic to the side of the pan and cook, stirring, for 20 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring, until soft, 2 minutes. Place the meat on a plate and cover to keep warm.
3. Tilt the pan towards you and add the brandy. Tip the pan away from yourself and ignite the brandy with a match. (Alternatively, remove the pan from the heat to ignite, and then return to the heat.) When the flame has burned out, add the mustard and cream, mix thoroughly and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the veal stock and simmer for 1 minute. Add the Worcestershire and hot sauce and stir to combine. Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pan and turn the meat to coat with the sauce.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the green onions and parsley. Divide the medallions and sauce between 2 large plates and serve immediately.

Ingredients Reduced Veal Stock:
4 pounds veal bones with some meat attached, sawed into 2-inch pieces (have the butcher do this)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups coarsely chopped yellow onions
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1 cup coarsely chopped celery
5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
1/4 cup tomato paste
6 quarts water
4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups dry red wine

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place the bones in a large roasting pan and toss with the oil. Roast, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 1 hour.
3. Remove from the oven and spread the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic over the bones. Smear the tomato paste over the vegetables and return the pan to the oven. Roast for another 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour off the fat from the pan.
4. Transfer the bones and vegetables to a large stockpot. Do not discard the juices in the roasting pan. Add the water, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and peppercorns to the stockpot and bring to a boil.
5. Meanwhile, place the roasting pan over two burners on medium-high heat. Add the wine and stir with a heavy wooden spoon to deglaze and dislodge any browned bits clinging to the bottom of the pan. Add the contents to the stockpot. When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 8 hours, skimming occasionally to remove any foam that rises to the surface.
6. Ladle through a fine-mesh strainer into a large clean pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle boil, and cook, uncovered, until reduced to 6 cups in volume, about 1 hour. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
7. Remove any congealed fat from the surface of the stock. The stock can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

My Sister's Noodle Salad

This is one of my sister's famous recipes. She makes this salad for every family get together and it's always the first dish gone! It is just bursting with flavor and is perfect for summer bar-b-ques or for a potluck dish.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 packets sweet and low
5-6 chopped green onions
1 package ready made cole slaw
2 packages chicken flavor top ramen

Directions:
1. Mix coleslaw, crushed noodles and onion in serving bowl.
2. Mix vinegar, sugar, oil, and seasoning from top ramen in separate bowl.
3. Once toroughly mixed, pour liquid over coleslaw mix and stir
4. Refrigerate for a couple hours until noodles are soft.