Rustic Recession Tacos | Post 28

{Rustic Recession Tacos}

Last night we were planning on bbq'ing so hamburger meat had been out thawing all day.  But come afternoon there were one too many bronchitis-cases and the weather was awfully dreary and rainy.  Nothing about it screamed "let's go outside and cooook!"  

Other than some buns and potatoes for a salad, we didn't have much else around.  I opened the fridge and their was english muffins, corn tortillas, four open jellies, and lots of tupperware with leftovers, about 12 salad dressings and chicken broth.  I opened the freezer and there was turkey sausage, frozen strawberries, pie crust, and two bags of peas.

Dad suggested making a meatloaf.  But for some reason I wasn't "in the mood."  After a quick google search I came across this recipe for what to do with hamburger meat and peas.  I modified it a bit, added a taco shell and wa-la!  Dad and all the adult and teenage boys who were over loved it.  Caleb, my meat-and-potatoes trash compactor had nine "tacos."

Everyone was trying to figure out what it was.  "It's like light Shepherds Pie?" "Or, like, British Tacos?" "It's a kind of 1930's 'depression dish.'  At least that's what it said online."  Whatever it was, everyone was a big fan and it took a total of 20 minutes to whip together.  We'll absolutely be making it again.

It's probably very customizable, but I have to admit that the simple, basic ingredients and no-fuss seasoning somehow worked really well together.  I wouldn't do too much to change it! 

pc: spinach tiger

Ingredients

• One large white onion diced
• Two large potatoes, boiled and chopped
• One pound ground beef (seasoned with salt + pepper)
• 1  bag of frozen peas
• olive oil
• 1 teaspoon butter
• red chile flakes
• freshly grated parmesan (optional - and I used Fontina because we didn't have fresh parm)
• fresh herbs (parsley, basil, oregano, thyme…they all work! and I didn't use any because we don't have any, but I bet it'd be great.)
• Corn tortillas

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil and butter in dutch oven or deep frying pan (perfect use for my trusty red Lodge). Add onions, saute until soft.
2. Add ground beef that has already been flavored with salt and pepper. Cook until medium rare.
3. In separate pan (we use an electric griddle) heat vegetable oil and fry corn tortillas.
4. Add in frozen peas, right at end and allow them to defrost and heat up, while the meat is on its way to medium-well done. Add potatoes. Toss in fresh herbs and red chile flakes. Season with salt + pepper to taste.  
5. Serve meat mix in tortilla shells and top with cheese.

(This is an EASY recipe. You may be tempted to keep adding other ingredients, but the simplicity is what gives this dish it’s proper structure and flavor.  More is not always more. 

You could also easily skip the tortillas and put the meat in a bowl and serve with crusty bread.  My fam was all about the taco-not-taco thing, but it'd be great on it's own!)

Biscuits | Part 14

The Easy Biscuits That I, The Terrified Baker, Made

pc: stranded in cleveland

 The other night Caleb was working late (heck, who I am kidding.  He works late every night.  Unbelievably attractive, that determination and work ethic of his is.  Praise God he's days away from finishing this current monster project) and I wanted to make sure he had a good meal waiting for him when he came home.  Except that I didn't get myself to the kitchen, ready to cook... until... about 45 minutes before he came home.  We had left over roast beef.  Perfect.  Green beans.  Done.  Mashed potatoes.  Easy.  And while I was looking for something to make for dessert, I discovered a biscuit recipe on the side of the pancake mix box.  The entire process was supposed to take less than 15 minutes and include only TWO ingredients.  How bad could it be?  At the worst the biscuits would just taste like pancakes, right?  I decided to take the risk and give it a try.  

Well!  They weren't bad!  Caleb ate about seven of them (But.  He eats a lot of any kind of bread.) and they were really really easy to make.  They're no Thanksgiving Dinner biscuits, but they ain't shabby for a weeknight!

- 2 cups of pancake mix

-3/4 cup of milk

In a bowl, mix complete pancake mix and milk. Stir and "knead" in bowl or on floured surface (I kinda did both. 

You can then make drop biscuits by dropping your mixture on a greased cookie sheet in large spoonfuls or cut into misshapen 1/2-inch tall triangles or circles. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

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Remember, these were not THE BEST BISCUITS I'VE EVER HAD.  However, I am determined to try them again with a little more creativity.  Probably put some butter pats in the middle of each biscuit, and then coat with butter again as soon as it's out of the oven.  I also think they would be tasty with ice cream/whipped cream and berries.  Or apples cooked in sugar and cinnamon, and vanilla ice cream.  Or with honey and jam.   Oh!  Or maybe add some cheddar cheese and jalepenos to the dough?    WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO DIP IN COFFEE (My boy would love that.)  I really think these easy little suckers have potential.   I would ere on the side of less-cooked than more-cooked.  And I would give them a shot.  Worst case scenario?  You wasted 5 minutes and, like $1.50, and have some crumbles to go on your dessert!

Date Night Hot Spots | Latin | Post 12

The Post Where We Pretend We Are Foodies and Like Bethany Frankel

Caleb and I love our grub.  It's actually obsessive.  We are obsessed with food and we plan our dates around food, then budget.  Here are some local Mexican/Spanish/taco favorites (in our mouths AND our wallets) so far:

pc: p-dub

• TACO BAR // hands down best tacos I've had from a restaurant (also another FAVORITE soup comes from their kitchen.)  Don't be freaked out that it's located inside a gas station, inside a beer-and-wine store.  It's more magical like that!

• TORTACOS // They knew what they were doing when they put "tacos" in their name.  Sensational tacos!

• AY JALISCO // For their papusas and tortilla soup.  You'll think you're in Mami's casa in El Salvador.  Oh!  They have tremendous bean + cheese burritos as well.

• EL TEJANO // one of my favorite soups - big, well-cooked vegetables with a broth you'll crave later... they also have papusas worth getting fat over and Caleb's favorite margaritas.  

• RED, HOT & BLUE // Best Nachos In The Area.  Don't even get nachos somewhere else.

• ACAJUTLA // Other Best Nachos In The Area.  If you do go somewhere else for nachos, go here.  This version is a little more "authentic" than RH&B's more "American" version.

• JALEO // Expensive-ish and a tapas restaurant... I truly enjoyed everything I ordered (I know many people who haven't loved their Jaleo experience), but they best things on the menu were the surprising things:  like the duck risotto.  I've never fully recovered.

• JAZMIN CUISINE // These guys actually make the best quessadilla I've ever had (outside of my own house.  My mom's still trump.)

• FOUNDING FARMERS // A skirt-steak and enchilada fit for royalty

• CHIPOTLE // This is kind of a cop-out, but since it's so well-known and so good, I think it deserves to be on the list.  If you get a salad, make suresuresure you get the dressing and crunch chips on top to make it a "taco salad." 

• FOR A NIGHT IN // Southwestern Pulled Brisket Tacos I could eat these every single day.  And I also drink the juices from a cup when I finish eating. (And, the magic happens in a crock pot, so it's impossible to mess up.  Boo-rah.)

Maryland people!  Where do you like to get your ay-ai-AY! on?  Any other Latin/Spanish/Taco places we should check out?

Next up: pizza! PEETSA PEEEETSA!

Bacon Quinoa | Post 11

The Day I Tried To Impress A Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Friend

Before the wedding, I promised one of my flower girls, Audrey, that once I was married she could come over and eat whatever she wanted at my new house.  She chose macaroni-and-cheese and pizza.  For weeks before (and after) the wedding, she talked about "Mac Roni Cheese and peet-zi at Titi Caylub's house?

This past week Audrey, accompanied by her gf/df mamma and baby sister, Piglet, came over for lunch.  I was not about to try making gf/df mac&cheese and pizza.  No way.  

Quinoa, sweet potato fries, and chilled cucumbers - now that sounded right Janet's alley, and right in line with my cooking abilities.

Even though I've never made quinoa before, I've eaten before, so I had a fairly good idea of what would taste good with the healthy little grains.  I also had a fairly good idea of how to make it unhealthy.

Bu-hahhaah-haha:

BACON!

pc: delish.com

Trader Joe's Quinoa (or any kind.)

Oil (olive, coconut, whateveeeer)

Half an onion, chopped

Minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped, defrosted, raw bacon

The leftovers of frozen pea bag (it was probably about 3/4 a cup?)

Salt + Peppa

Garlic Salt

Cayenne Pepper/Chili Powder/Taco Seasoning (just something with some kick)

ONE: Make one cup of quinoa in pot according to box instructions.

TWO: While quinoa is cooking, heat up a good ol' dump of olive oil in frying pan.  Add onions and garlic. Cook for two-ish minutes.  Add BACON!  Once the bacon is cooked, add the frozen peas.  Feel free to salt + pepper as you feel led.  No legalism here.  You are free to cook as you'd please.

THREE: Once quinoa is done, dump from pot into pan.  Mix around.  Season with garlic salt, spicy seasoning, and salt'n'peppa.  Taste it.  If it tastes bland, season more.  

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It's savory yet light, salty and fresh, and really, really good for the soul.  Janet had four helpings.  I was on cloud nine.  Some of her balsamic vinegar (drizzled fantastically on the cucumbers) slid over to the quinoa.  Her next helping she went ahead and poured balsamic on the quinoa on purpose!  Also:  I burned the pizza, Audrey didn't eat her mac&cheese, and not only did I burn the sweet potato fries, I completely forgot I was even making them so they kind of disintegrated in the oven.  Hip hip hooray for quinoa!

delish.com

Maple Mustard Chicken | Post 9

My Stamp Of Approval On The Big Chicken Craze

pc: witty in the city

A mass recipe re-pin is very suspicious.   Just because someone took (or stole) a pretty picture, claimed that the recipe was THE BEST fudge-cake/lasagna/biscuit/crock-pot-chowder/cupcake-in-a-can they've ever had, doesn't mean it is actually tasty.  But it's hard to resist a recipe that has been re-pinned 14,567 times.  Or maybe it's not?  

Anyways, when The Man-Pleasing Chicken from Witty in The City started "going viral," I was skeptical.  But Becca made it once, and we were all hooked. It really is one of Caleb's favorite dishes, it's embarrassingly easy to make and it's a sophisticated, savory twist on classic honey-glazed or barbeque chicken.  

1.5 pounds thawed chicken thighs (or breasts, or whatever you have, really)

Salt + Peppa

1/2 cup of dijon mustard (or any mustard)

1/4 cup of maple syrup (or pancake syrup.  Whatever!)

2 tablespoons rice/wine/white vinegar

Rosemary/Green Onions/Fresh Parsley

One: Preheat oven to 450.  Put poultry-parts (eeeeew!) into a foil-lined baking specimen (eeeeew!).  Salt and peppa the thighs or breasts (eeeeeew!)

Two: Mix together the wet goods (eeeeeew!).  Pour and coat and drizzle the mixture onto the chicken.

Three: Bake for 40 minutes (or so).  Baste chicken halfway through so it looks all burned and barbequ-ed and cool.  When finished let sit for five minutes, drown in more sauce, and sprinkle some green plant on top.  Looks AND tastes so good.  

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I've made it about four times now... with all different kinds of mustards, syrups and vinegars.  It has always tasted great (albeit slightly different) and has not yet made it to the refrigerator to become a leftover.  

Carmelized Onion + Cucumber Salad | Post 7

An Accident That Made Me Feel Really Impressive And Talented

pc: taste of home

Butter or oil
Onion, sliced into thin rings

Cucumbers, peeled and cut how you like to eat them with a fork!

Rice/Cider/White Wine/Your Favorite Vinegar
Salt'n'Pepper
Crushed garlic clove

pc: panini happy

ONE: Heat about two tablespoons of oil/butter in frying pan.  Add the onion rings and cook for a few minutes (until kind of crunchy and kind of soft.  That was kind of clear, huh?) Dump into a bowl (with the juices.)

TWO:  Put the cucumbers in the bowl!

THREE: Add oh, I don't know, 1/4 cup of vinegar? Just taste it and see! Sprinkle the seasonings! Dump in the garlic! Mix it up and chill in the fridge for at least an hour or two.

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I can't wait to have this again!  It was a little sweet, a little salty, a little smooth, a little crunchy.  I over made onions for some pasta.  I intended on using raw onions for the cucumber salad like I normally do... but now I much prefer the onions a little cooked!

Spicy Autumn Soup | Post 3

Our First Sit Down Around Our Table Just The Two Of Us Dinner

ps. the kitchen sink

 Mornings are beginning to have a nice chill and evenings smell like wood, which is the precise time I start to really crave soup.  With joy in my heart I prepared this favorite of ours... and it turned out to be one of the sweatiest days in August yet.  Ha!  Oh well.  Caleb still ate two-and-a-half bowls like a Autumn Angel at its finest.

pc. the kitchen sink

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Butter or oil
1 onion, sliced into thin rings

1-2 pounds of your favorite sausage, cooked in crumbles or slices (I used half italian sausage, half Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage)

4-8 cups of chicken broth (if you use less chicken broth, you'll need to add a few cups of water.)

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Fresh or Dried Parsley

Salt + Pepper (1 teaspoon of each)

1-2 Large Sweet Potatoes, cubed

5-7 Kale stalks, chopped into strips


ONE: Heat about two tablespoons of oil/butter in soup pot.  Add the onion rings and cook for a few minutes.

TWO: Add the rest of the ingredients except the kale (all the spices are "to taste," but start with 1 tablespoon or so.)

THREE: Let the pot simmer with the lid on until boiling.  Remove the lid and add kale (if you do it sooner the leaves get kind of slimy and weird-texture-y.)  Simmer with lid off until you're ready to eat and potatoes are cooked! 

ps.  It's a wonderful idea to add some grated mozzarella or parmesan cheese when served.

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It's spicy, it's different, it's cozy, it's filling, it's best reheated the next day once all the flavors have spent the night together (sinners.), it's just a really good, easy little soup.