Sarah P's Profile
Mango Salsa
Ingredients
2 avocados, cut in 1/4-inch diced
2 mangoes, cut in 1/4-inch diced
Juice of 2 Limes
1/4 C. minced red onion
1 Garlic clove, minced fine
1/4 C. minced cilantro
2 Jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
In a medium glass bowl (not metal), mix the diced avocado, diced mango, lime juice, jalapenos, onion, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 1 hour before serving. The fruit will begin to "cook" in the lime juice and become soggy.
good sangria?
Ingredients
1 C. washed and hulled strawberries
1/2 C. washed blueberries
1/2 C. washed raspberries
Juice of lemon
1/4 bottle dry white wine
1/4 bottle dry champagne
1 bottle rose zinfandel
1/4 C. fruit-infused vodka
2 C. white cranberry juice
1 1/2 C. soda water
Directions
Put ice cubes in bottom of pitcher, toss in fruit on top of ice along with lemon juice. Add wine, champagne and vodka. Stir. Retire to someplace comfortable with two glasses and a good friend.
Dressing for this pasta salad?
I agree with Gio with leaving the mayo out -
I would try a balsamic type of dressng with either a hint of mint or cilantro.
Inexpensive meals
Casserole's are always a way to go, there are always left overs and usually you don't have to spend a lot of money on the ingredients.
For a lighter type meal I always make extra egg or chicken salad. So one day I could have it as a sandwich, the next a salad and so on....
KC OUTSIDE
It's been a couple of years since I have lived in Kansas but I forgot to mention Westport as well. There are a lot of bars/resturants with outside seating.
I use to manage spin pizza and yes the outside is really nice but can get really crowded and annoying if busy.
KC OUTSIDE
I would try Blue Moose! Great enviorment, drinks, lots of outdoor seating but it does get busy really quick outside if it is nice out.
TOO MUCH CELERY
I agree with what everyone has said, you can use it in almost any salad, also a good healthy snack is to put reduced fat peanut butter inside it. It's really good. I also sometimes soak pieces of celery in balsalmic dressing- its awesome!
Crabmeat Ideas
Try making some sort of crabmeat dip mabye with artichoke hearts. It is a good combination with a perfect blend of saltiness!
What does cous cous taste like?
I agree with Purple Godess, it does have a bit of a nutty flavor but yes it is very bland. You need to mix and let sit in spices and broth to get the full affect.
What to do with 2lb of cherries
Ice Cream
Jam
Jello
Cherry Pie
Cherry salsa to add on top of chicken or seafood
Chicken Burritos - need seasoning ideas
I would use most of what everyone has already told you and also think about using crushed red pepper. Adds some heat!
Regional "food quirks"
Back when I lived in Overland Park, Kansas my friends and i always use to order beer with a glass of tomato juice and we would mix both together and add some salt. Delicious!
I am a found fan of eating almost everything with ranch dressing! Especially Pizza and now that I live in Chicago everyone looks at me very strange when I eat pizza.
let's share a cooking "trick"
When I cook corn on the cob whether it is sweet corn or just regular I always add a pinch of sugar or now I use splendid to the pot of water to make the corn more sweet.
What do you put in stew?
I put a lot of what you do in your stew but I also add avocados!
Favorite Summer Drink? (Alcoholic)
There is this restaurant I use to work at that had the best martini I have ever tasted! I don't remember how much of everything you use but it consisted of Champane, Bacardi O and peach syryp with a cherry and it was delicous!
I also tend to drink more beer in the summer but lately I mix the beer with tomato juice. Delicious!
Stir-Fried Vegetables with Tofu Recipe?
Here you go! Hopefully you will enjoy this as much as I did.
Ingredients
1 quantity of Ankake sauce (below)
1/2 lb. carrots
1/2 lb. daikon (Asian radish)
6 stalks of celery
6 scallions
12 oz.- 1 lb. firm tofu
2 tsp. sunflower oil
Directions
Cut the carrots, daikon, celery, and scallions into matchstick-sized pieces. Slice the tofu. Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet. When hot, stir-fry the vegetables for 3-4 minutes over a high heat, stirring constantly, until they are just soft. Add the tofu and cook for another 2 minutes. Heat the Ankake sauce and serve immediately with stir-fried vegetables and tofu.
Ankake Sauce
Ingredients
7 oz. pineapple juice
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. red-wine vinegar
1 Tbs. miso (soy paste)
1 tsp. cornstarch
Directions
Mix all the ingredients together in a saucepan. Bring to boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens, stirring all the time.
Yummy avocado spread/dressing recipe.
This sounds absolutly fantastic! I would of never thought of using honey and avocado together but I can't wait to try. I am sadden that I just ate my last avocado in a salad I made myself last night. I guess I will have to make a trip to the store tonight!
Recipes using cottage cheese
Here is one for Cottage Cheese and Spinach Gratin
Ingredients
Vegetable oil for the baking dish
1 lb. spinach (about 2 bunches or 1 1/2 10-oz. bags)
5 eggs, beaten
1/2 C. chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. dill seeds
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
2 C. small-curd cottage cheese (nonfat or low-fat is fine)
1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Warm marinara sauce or grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously oil an 8-by-10-inch gratin dish or a 9-inch square baking pan. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the spinach with the water clinging to its leaves, tossing frequently, until the spinach is barely wilted. (Not all the spinach will fit into the skillet at first. Add some first, and then as it cooks down, add the rest.) Press out the liquid from the wilted spinach and reserve it in a measuring cup. Finely chop the spinach. In a bowl, whisk the eggs, parsley, dill, coriander, cottage cheese, salt and a little pepper. Stir in the chopped spinach and 1/4 C. of the reserved cooking liquid and mix well. Pour into the prepared dish and bake until set, about 45 minutes. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes. To serve, cut into diamonds or squares. Top with warm marinara sauce and/or grated cheese.
Makes 6 servings.
COLD SERVED PARTY SNACKS
Guacomole
Veggie Pizza- just buy already make pizza dough- cover with veggie dip and then add your favortie fresh veggies on top and then sprinkle with american cheese.
home made salsa
Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Stuffed Celery
Bruschetta
Sweet Cherry Peppers
I love them too! Here is a recipe that I use when I have guests over or even sometimes I just make it because I crave them!
Ingredients
1 C. seasoned breadcrumbs
1 C. olive oil
1 medium can of pitted black olives, drained
1 medium jar or can green olives (no pimentos), drained
1/2 tin of anchovies (substitute tuna if desired)
1 gallon jar hot cherry peppers
Directions
Cut off the tops of the peppers, de-seed and rinse bodies. Set aside. Blend the rest of the ingredients in a blender. Stuff empty pepper shells.
Hummus
Here you go-
Ingredients
2 medium cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1/4 C. lemon juice
1/4 C. water
1 14 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1/2 C. tahini (sesame seed paste)
1 tsp. sea salt (or table salt to taste)
Directions
Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth, scraping the sides occasionally. It can be refrigerated, covered, for up to 1 week and frozen for up to 3 months.
Your favourite thing to do with artichokes...?
I love artichokes also! However I am not a found fan of steamed artichokes. I either eat them right out of the can or I use them in pastas mixed with olive oil and other fresh veggies or of course for DIPS! Spin and art dip is my favorite!
Best Chowhound Cities
I would just like to add, Kansas City for the outstanding BBQ!
Your Favorite Pasta Salad
This is my favorite so far!
Ingredients
1 (16 oz.) package farfalle (bow tie) pasta
1 C. broccoli florets
8 oz. fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and chopped
8 oz. diced cooked chicken breast meat
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained
1 (4 oz.) can sliced black olives, drained
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1 C. Italian salad dressing, or as needed salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add broccoli florets and asparagus to the boiling water during the last 5 minutes. Drain, and run under cold water to cool. In a large serving bowl, stir together the diced chicken, kidney beans, black olives, green pepper, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and Italian dressing. Stir in the pasta, broccoli and asparagus. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I like it pretty heavy on the pepper. This salad is best if chilled for a couple of hours before serving
Making Cinnamon Rolls for the First Time
Here are a few recipes for home made cinnamon rolls-
Savory Cinnamon Rolls
http://www.recipe4living.com/content/view/11388/162/
Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls
http://www.recipe4living.com/content/view/10912/162/
Orange-Cinnamon Rolls
http://www.recipe4living.com/content/view/10585/162/
I don't like breakfast food.
What about an egg salad sandwich? Keeping the breakfast theme with the eggs but you can upstyle the eggs and make them into a salad with crisp lettuce and tomatoes. That way you wouldn't have to worry about heating anything up in the microwave and this should fill you up for a while?????
The line between homemade and...not so much.
Totally agree with Macca, she has got love the show Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee. Absolutly not does her pie get to be said as "Homemade". If it were to be homemade then at least I would expect the crust of the pie to be made from scratch. Gee if that were all true and I just bought pre-made everything then I would be one of the best HOMEMADE chef around.
Place with a party room or deck in NW 'burbs?
If you want to venture just a little out of the way to Schuamburg, try and shoot for Moretti's. I use to work there and they have a great outside patio along with a huge menu selection and they also have planned party menu's as well. Morreti's is right off the highway too so its not bad!
On my knees, beggin' you please for your pie crust recipe...
Here is one of my favorite recipes for apple and raisin pie. There is a recipe along with this for home made crust.
Ingredients
Crust
1-3/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
4 Tbs. shortening (Crisco)
1/2 stick butter, at room temp
Cold water
Filling
1 lb. rome apples, peeled, cored and sliced
8 oz. dessert apples (such as Granny Smith), peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 C. raisins
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 C. brown sugar
Glaze
1 small egg, separated
6 brownulated sugar cubes, crushed or brown sugar
You will need a solid baking sheet.
Directions
Make up the pastry by sifting the flour into a large mixing bowl then rubbing the shortening and butter into it lightly with your fingertips, lifting everything up and letting it fall back into the bowl to give it a good airing. When the mixture reaches the crumb stage, sprinkle in enough cold water to bring it together to a smoothie dough that leaves the bowl absolutely clean. Give it a little light knead to bring it fully together, then place the pastry in a plastic bag in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the filling and mix it all together in a large bowl. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll the pastry out on a flat surface to a round of about 14 inches in diameter: As you roll it, give it quarter-turns so that it ends up as round as you can make it. Don't worry about ragged edges, they're fine. Carefully roll the pastry around the rolling pin and transfer it to the center of a lightly greased baking sheet. To prevent the pastry getting soggy from the juice of the apples, paint it with the egg yolk over roughly a 10 inch inner circle -- this forms a kind of waterproof coating. Now simply pile the prepared fruit mixture in the center of the pastry, then turn in the edges of the pastry. If the pastry breaks, just patch it back again; it's meant to look ragged and interesting. Brush the pastry surface all around with the egg white, then crush the sugar cubes with a rolling pin and sprinkle over the pastry (or just sprinkle some brown sugar over the crust). Pop the pie on the highest rack of the oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve warm with crème fraiche or ice cream.
Yield: 6 Servings.
Hope you enjoy!
What are your favorite Spring dishes?
Springtime to me is for lighter types of food. I love this one dish i always make that is grilled salmon marinated wtih lemon juice and old world seasoning. I top it with a mixture of small sliced tomatoes, avocado and scallions that have been sitting and marinated with extra virgin olive oil and balsalmic dressing, It is wonderful. I usually add a side of steamed asparagus.
