This simple, hearty dip is great for crisp fall football weekends when you'd rather watch the action on the field than the stove, oven, or grill.
2 lbs. Jimmy Dean Sausage (hot or mild as you like), or 1 lb. sausage and 1 lb. ground beef
1 large jar salsa (mild, medium, or hot as you like)
1/2 large red onion, diced
1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained (Rotel recommended)
32 oz. Velveeta, cubed
1 jar sliced jalapenos, including juice to taste
Salt and pepper, garlic powder to taste
Tabasco to taste if desired
Brown and drain the sausage. Put the cooked sausage and all other ingredients in a crock pot. Set the pot for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally during dead-ball situations.
Serve with Fritos Scoops or sturdy tortilla chips.
15 July 2008
18 December 2007
Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Here is the recipe I use for making the chocolotate chip cookies, enjoy!
Renee
Chocolate Chip Cookies
From Food Network Kitchens How to Boil Water, Meredith, 2006
This is such an easy chocolate chip cookie. No special equipment, no creaming--a perfect cookie to do with kids. We love how versatile this dough is, too. It makes an awesome rocky road bar cookie.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips, or chunks
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
Evenly position 2 racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. (on convection setting if you have it.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone sheets. (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.)
Put the butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover and microwave on medium power until melted. (Alternatively melt in a small saucepan.) Cool slightly. Whisk the sugars, eggs, butter and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon; take care not to over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared pans. Wet hands slightly and roll the dough into balls. Space the cookies about 2-inches apart on the pans. Bake, until golden, but still soft in the center, 12 to 16 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you like your cookies.
Transfer hot cookies with a spatula to a rack to cool. Serve.
Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.
For a Rocky Road Bar: Lightly butter a 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Make the batter as per cookie recipe and fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts along with the chocolate chips. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until the edges are light brown and the batter sets, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly and cover surface with 4 cups marshmallows and 1 cup chocolate chips. Broil at least 8 inches from the heat until marshmallows turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Keep an eye on the marshmallows, and turn the pan frequently--they go from golden to char in a wink.) Cool, cut and serve.
Renee
Chocolate Chip Cookies
From Food Network Kitchens How to Boil Water, Meredith, 2006
This is such an easy chocolate chip cookie. No special equipment, no creaming--a perfect cookie to do with kids. We love how versatile this dough is, too. It makes an awesome rocky road bar cookie.
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips, or chunks
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine salt
Evenly position 2 racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. (on convection setting if you have it.) Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone sheets. (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.)
Put the butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover and microwave on medium power until melted. (Alternatively melt in a small saucepan.) Cool slightly. Whisk the sugars, eggs, butter and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a wooden spoon; take care not to over mix. Stir in the chocolate chips or chunks.
Scoop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared pans. Wet hands slightly and roll the dough into balls. Space the cookies about 2-inches apart on the pans. Bake, until golden, but still soft in the center, 12 to 16 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you like your cookies.
Transfer hot cookies with a spatula to a rack to cool. Serve.
Store cookies in a tightly sealed container for up to 5 days.
For a Rocky Road Bar: Lightly butter a 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Make the batter as per cookie recipe and fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts along with the chocolate chips. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until the edges are light brown and the batter sets, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly and cover surface with 4 cups marshmallows and 1 cup chocolate chips. Broil at least 8 inches from the heat until marshmallows turn golden brown, about 2 minutes. (Keep an eye on the marshmallows, and turn the pan frequently--they go from golden to char in a wink.) Cool, cut and serve.
09 August 2007
Macaroni & Cheese
Hey guys and gals,
Here's the new recipe everyone is asking for.......Quite delicious and very easy. Don't be thrown on the method of preparing this. It really does work
Macaroni & Cheese
Place in large kettle ¼ cup of butter and melt on low.
Increase heat to Medium and add 1 cup finely chopped onion. Sauté until tender. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 Tablespoons flour to this.
Mix together and cook for 1 minute.
To this mixture add 3 cups of milk. Bring to a simmer on Medium High stirring frequently so as not to burn. When this mixture begins to simmer, add 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce to the lowest temperature and cover. Cook 9 to 11 minutes stirring frequently so as not to burn.
When this is done the macaroni is tender and the mixture will be quite creamy. At this time add 1 cup (heaping) of grated Fontina Cheese and ½ cup (heaping) of grated Parmesan Cheese.
Stir to blend and serve.
The recipe says you can substitute Mozzarella for the Fontina.
Here's the new recipe everyone is asking for.......Quite delicious and very easy. Don't be thrown on the method of preparing this. It really does work
Macaroni & Cheese
Place in large kettle ¼ cup of butter and melt on low.
Increase heat to Medium and add 1 cup finely chopped onion. Sauté until tender. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 Tablespoons flour to this.
Mix together and cook for 1 minute.
To this mixture add 3 cups of milk. Bring to a simmer on Medium High stirring frequently so as not to burn. When this mixture begins to simmer, add 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni. Reduce to the lowest temperature and cover. Cook 9 to 11 minutes stirring frequently so as not to burn.
When this is done the macaroni is tender and the mixture will be quite creamy. At this time add 1 cup (heaping) of grated Fontina Cheese and ½ cup (heaping) of grated Parmesan Cheese.
Stir to blend and serve.
The recipe says you can substitute Mozzarella for the Fontina.
20 June 2007
Fresh Mint Mojito
The Mojito was the topic of much discussion while we were in Wilmington for the Clinical Foundation Program. Several of us went to a Cuban restaurant to get the 'authentic' version of the drink. Some of those in attendance tried a Mojito for the first time! Upon my return to austin I learned that my good friend, Sujata, has had an overwhelming mint crop in her garden this year. She suggested a Mojito party to use up her fantastic mint. I agreed, and we tested various recipes. Here is my favorite.
12 fresh mint leaves
2-3 tsp simple syrup (or 4 tsp sugar)
1.5 oz light rum
Juice of 1/2 a fresh lime
Ice
club soda or sparkling water
Put the clean mint leaves and the simple syrup in the bottom of a chilled glass. Muddle the mint leaves. Add the lime juice and rum. Add ice and club soda to fill the glass. Stir gently. Garnish with more mint and a lime wedge. It is best to drink a mojito with a straw, otherwise you have to fight with the mint leaves to drink it!
If you prefer a more tart drink use a whole lime, and less simple syrup. If, like me, you like your drinks sticky sweet, then up the sugar and reduce the lime.
Although you can use sugar to sweeten this drink, the simple syrup is easy to make, and in my opinion, completely worth the effort (you can also buy it pre-made at any liquor store).
Simple Syrup Recipe (provided by Joey)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp cream of tartar
Place sugar and water in sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved. Add the cream of tartar, stir until it dissolves and then turn off the heat. Allow mixture to cool slowly. The cream of tartar stablizes the syrup so that it does not recrystalize, and it will last longer. It is not a necessity, but it makes it easier to make more simple syrup than you need and store it in the fridge for later use.
12 fresh mint leaves
2-3 tsp simple syrup (or 4 tsp sugar)
1.5 oz light rum
Juice of 1/2 a fresh lime
Ice
club soda or sparkling water
Put the clean mint leaves and the simple syrup in the bottom of a chilled glass. Muddle the mint leaves. Add the lime juice and rum. Add ice and club soda to fill the glass. Stir gently. Garnish with more mint and a lime wedge. It is best to drink a mojito with a straw, otherwise you have to fight with the mint leaves to drink it!
If you prefer a more tart drink use a whole lime, and less simple syrup. If, like me, you like your drinks sticky sweet, then up the sugar and reduce the lime.
Although you can use sugar to sweeten this drink, the simple syrup is easy to make, and in my opinion, completely worth the effort (you can also buy it pre-made at any liquor store).
Simple Syrup Recipe (provided by Joey)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp cream of tartar
Place sugar and water in sauce pan. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved. Add the cream of tartar, stir until it dissolves and then turn off the heat. Allow mixture to cool slowly. The cream of tartar stablizes the syrup so that it does not recrystalize, and it will last longer. It is not a necessity, but it makes it easier to make more simple syrup than you need and store it in the fridge for later use.
Spinach / Strawberry Salad
Dressing
½ cup Sugar
2 T. Sesame Seeds
1 T. Poppy Seeds
1 ½ teas. Minced Onion (Red is best)
¼ teas. Worchestire Sauce
¼ teas. Paprika
½ cup Oil (I usually use EVOO)
¼ cup Vinegar (My favorite is Balsamic but anything would work)
Mix all together.
2 - 10 ounce bags of spinach.
1 pint strawberries (hulled and quartered)
Do not pour dressing over salad until just before serving. Use all the dressing and toss evenly.
Delicious.
½ cup Sugar
2 T. Sesame Seeds
1 T. Poppy Seeds
1 ½ teas. Minced Onion (Red is best)
¼ teas. Worchestire Sauce
¼ teas. Paprika
½ cup Oil (I usually use EVOO)
¼ cup Vinegar (My favorite is Balsamic but anything would work)
Mix all together.
2 - 10 ounce bags of spinach.
1 pint strawberries (hulled and quartered)
Do not pour dressing over salad until just before serving. Use all the dressing and toss evenly.
Delicious.
25 April 2007
Guacomole
4 ripe beautiful Haas avocados
3 Tablespoons of freshly sqeezed lemon juice
8 Dashes of Hot Pepper Sauce (I used Tabasco)
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
2 fresh large cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of course kosher salt
1 teasp freshly ground black pepper
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced as small as possible.
Scoop out the avocados. Immediately add the lemon juice as it discolors easily. Add Pepper sauce, onion, garlic, salt & pepper. Toss well. Slice through whole thing with a sharp knife to cut up the avocados. Add tomoatoes. Add more salt & pepper to taste, if needed. Serve with the finest of corn chips. (unsalted are the best)
Enjoy!
3 Tablespoons of freshly sqeezed lemon juice
8 Dashes of Hot Pepper Sauce (I used Tabasco)
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
2 fresh large cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of course kosher salt
1 teasp freshly ground black pepper
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced as small as possible.
Scoop out the avocados. Immediately add the lemon juice as it discolors easily. Add Pepper sauce, onion, garlic, salt & pepper. Toss well. Slice through whole thing with a sharp knife to cut up the avocados. Add tomoatoes. Add more salt & pepper to taste, if needed. Serve with the finest of corn chips. (unsalted are the best)
Enjoy!
24 April 2007
Thai Tiger's Tears Salad
Thai food is one of several ethnic varieties of grub that I very much enjoy. Locally, I recommend Sawasdee on Capital Blvd. and ShabaShabu on Old Wake Forest Rd. in Raleigh as two excellent Thai restaurants.
At ShabaShabu they serve an appetizer salad called Tiger's Tears. I have requested a double portion as an entree, and they have happily obliged. This is a spicy beef delight that is absolutely perfect for a light meal in warmer weather. Prep is a bit involved, but the results are highly satisfying indeed.1/4 cup raw jasmine rice
1.5 pounds top sirloin or round beef, 1” thick
Marinade:
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp minced ginger root
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp chili pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
Salad:
1 green pepper, seeded
1 red pepper, seeded
2 jalapeno peppers, minced
2 scallions (white and green parts)
12 sprigs fresh mint (optional), remove the leaves and discard the stems
1 cup lightly packed Thai basil leaves
1/2 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
2 to 3 shallots, sliced crosswise very thin or 1 small red onion, sliced very thin
2 stalks lemon grass
1 head Bibb or Boston, or 1 heart of Romaine lettuce
Dressing:
2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
Juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp sesame seed oil
Rice preparation:
Toast rice in a skillet over med-high heat shaking the skillet constantly, until rice is golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Remove from skillet, let cool completely. Process in the food processor until it is the size of couscous. Remove to a bowl. This step can be done ahead of time; the rice will keep in a sealed container indefinitely.
Beef marinade:
Mix all marinade ingredients in a non-reactive bowl that is just big enough to hold the steaks in one layer. Add the steaks and turn them to coat. They should be sitting very tightly in the bowl. If you don't have the bowl of appropriate size, just pour the marinade into a large ziploc freezer bag, add the steaks, squeeze all the air out and close the bag. If marinating only for 30 minutes leave the beef at room temperature. If marinating longer than that, keep it in the fridge removing to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking. Marinate 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Salad preparation:
Slice the peppers into quarters lengthwise, and then slice crosswise into very thin slices (1/16" thick). Put into a large bowl. Thinly slice scallion and shallots or onion and add to peppers. Add mint, basil, and cilantro to the bowl. Slice lemon grass into very thin rings (the thickness of a sturdy sewing thread) using Benriner slicer or mandoline, and add to the bowl. You can do this with a very sharp knife, but it is much harder to get slices that thin with a knife. Finely mince jalapenos including seeds, and add to the bowl. If necessary, the salad can be prepared to this stage 1 hour before serving and kept covered in the fridge.
Cooking and dressing:
In a small bowl, mix fish sauce, lime juice, and sesame oil to make a dressing. Sear beef to medium rare. Remove beef to a plate and slice thin, into pieces approximately 2 inches across and 1/8 inch thick. Use the lettuce to make a bed in the bottom of the plate. Add beef and toasted rice to the salad. Pour in the dressing and mix well. Adjust seasoning as desired. Place on bed of lettuce and serve immediately.
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