Easy Insalata Caprese
June 27, 2009
It’s tomato time! If you’re a gardener, you might be wondering what you can do with all those luscious tomatoes growing in your backyard right now. One of the easiest, yet most delicious, dishes to enjoy at the height of summer, when tomatoes are plentiful, is Insalata Caprese (named for the Island of Capri, Italy).
The secret to this delightful dish is using only the freshest ingredients. When served with fresh bread and a glass of chilled white wine, Insalata Caprese makes the perfect summer lunch.
Here’s all you need:
2 lbs. vine-ripened tomatoes that are red, juicy and flavorful and have never been refrigerated (Get them at your local farmer’s market if you don’t have your own backyard vegetable garden)
8 to 10 leaves of fragrant young basil (check for basil at your farmer’s market if you don’t grow your own)
1 lb. good quality fresh, moist mozzarella (The best mozzarella for this dish is made from buffallo milk ? mozzarella di bufala ? but that’s hard to find, so cow’s milk mozzarella ? mozzarella fior di latte ? works well for this, too)
1/4 c. genuine extra-virgin olive oil
To make the salad:
Rice Noodles with Tomatoes and Tuna -A Savoury Gluten-free Alternative to Pasta
June 22, 2009
Ok. I never thought that the day would come when I would sing the praises of a rice noodle. Let alone consider it a valid, gluten-free alternative to pasta. But I’ve come to understand and love the little blighters.
In olden times (that is until about 4 months ago) I thought I couldn’t live without pasta; then I tried - and discovered how much better I felt. My body certainly is a happier creature on rice noodles.
But pasta is a fantastic vehicle for carrying flavours, and rice noodles, truth to tell, are not. Still rice noodles have the edge in that you can get them from packet to table, sauced, within about 15 minutes flat.
There’s no need to bring huge vats of water to the boil, salt humungously and then drain off a veritable sea of potentially lethal, scalding water. (Never a good idea with small children and furry companions in the kitchen.) All you have to do is boil a kettle full of water, throw the noodles into a bowl, pour the contents of the kettle over and leave to sit for a few minutes while you prepare the sauce.
Famous Secret Recipes Exposed!: Rosemary Chicken with Orange-Maple Glaze
June 18, 2009
Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 35 Minutes
Makes: 4 servings
To serve, place chicken on top of hot cooked rice on each plate and spoon sauce over the top. Wonderful served with steamed asparagus.
Ingredients
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup maple flavored syrup
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
1. Bring orange juice and wine to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat slightly, but keep high enough to continue a low boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in maple syrup and continue boiling for another 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until glossy and just slightly thickened. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl mix together the rosemary, salt and pepper. Rub mixture on both sides of chicken breasts, and set aside.
Chili Recipe - A Red Chili Nightmare!
June 15, 2009
This chili recipe is, indeed, a really nightmare! Taste it only when curiosity becomes unbearable and courage is strong! 
)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Pinto beans, dried
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 5 cups Water
- 1 Nutmeg, ground, whole
- 2 tbsp Lard
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Bacon drippings
- 2 tsp Oregano, dried, pref. Mexican
- 1 Onion
- 4 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 12 oz Pork sausage, country-style
- 1 cup Almonds, blanched, skins removed
- 1 lb Beef, coarse grind
- 12 Red chiles, whole dried
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1 tsp Anise
- 1 1/2 oz Milk chocolate, small pieces
- 1/2 tsp Coriander seeds
- 1 can Tomato paste (6oz ea)
- 1/2 tsp Fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp Vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Cloves, ground
- 3 tsp Lemon juice
- 1 Cinnamon stick, ground
- 1 Soft tortilla, chopped
- 1 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
- Salt
Instructions for this special chili recipe:
Place the rinsed beans in a bowl, add 2 to 3 cups of water and soak overnight. Check the beans occasionally and add water as necessary to keep them moist. Pour the beans and the water in which they were soaked into a heavy saucepan and add 2 to 3 more cups of water.
Steaks
June 12, 2009
Eating steak has always been a symbol of prosperity. During the turn of the century, steak houses were patronized by the elite. The cattle and the oil barons ate their thick cuts of sirloins smothered with oysters or stuffed with them making it too expensive of a place for the common folk. Nowadays, steaks are as popular a meat item as a hamburger. From the various cuts of steaks cooked rare or medium and also done, everyone has their own way of enjoying them.
The steak eaters meal begins with a Steak And Potato Soup that is made with sirloin tips that have been sliced very thin.
Steak And Potato Soup (Serves 6)
6- sirloin tips , tenderized and cut into thin strips 1-medium yellow or white onion, chopped 2-cups potatoes, cut into chunks 2- cups green beans, fresh or frozen, 1-cup stewed tomatoes, chopped 3-cups chicken broth or stock 3-cups water 3-Tlbs. cooking oil 1/2-cup flour, seasoned with salt and pepper 2-Tablespoons parsley flakes
Swiss Cheese Fondue
June 8, 2009
Ingredients
600g white bread (I recommend baguette or any other kind of white bread with a lot of rind)
600g Swiss cheese (e.g. Freiburger, Appenzeller, or Greyezer) 3dl white wine
1tbsp cornstarch
1 peeled garlic clove
a bit pepper, paprika, nutmeg
Preparation
1. Cut the white bread into small cubes
2. Grind the cheese and put it into your Fondue Pan
3. Now mix the white wine with the cornstarch and pour to the grinded cheese. Cook it with low heat. It is important to stir regularly.
4. Put the peeled garlic clove into the Fondue Pan
5. Spice it with pepper, paprika, and nutmeg Cook the Fondue with a Fondue Burner at the table.
Now you can enjoy your Swiss Fondue. Use Fondue Forks to stir with the cubed white bread.
Tips
Long stocked cheese suits better for Swiss Fondue.
You can pour more white wine into the Fondue when eating. The Fondue will stay viscid longer.
The crust, which remains at the end of every Fondue is known as a delicacy among Fondue connoiseurs.
I recommend to drink tea or red wine to enjoy a perfect Swiss Fondue.
Party Appetizer Recipes ? So Easy And So Affordable!
June 3, 2009
These are two of my favorite party appetizer recipes that I used to prepare in parties! They are quick, easy and the ingredients are available in any store.
Note: Both party appetizer recipes yield 8 servings.
Cocktail Kebabs
Ingredients:
8 large Shrimp, cooked
1 Garlic clove, crushed
2 Green onions, trimmed
2 tbsp Lemon juice
1/2 Red bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips
2 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Coarsely ground mustard
8 small Ripe or green olives
1/4 tsp Creamed horseradish
Instructions:
Remove heads and body shells from shrimp but leave on tail shells. De-vein shrimp by removing black spinal cord. Cut each green onion in 4 daisies. Put shrimp, green onions, bell pepper and olives in a bowl. Mix garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, sugar, mustard and horseradish. Pour over shrimp mixture, cover and marinate at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Remove ingredients from marinade and thread equally on 8 wooden picks. Drain on paper towels.
VARIATION: Add small slices avocado to shrimp mixture.
Crispy Wontons
Ingredients:
3/4 lb Ground Pork
1/2 tsp Grated Fresh Ginger Root
Mexican Recipes ? World Class Dishes In Your Kitchen!
June 1, 2009
Here are two **Must Try** Mexican recipes! They are HOT, tasty and so easy!
Chiles Rellenos Meatballs
- 12 small potatoes, or 2 large baking potatoes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Anaheim chili peppers
- 1/2 cup yellow onions — minced
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- black pepper — to taste
- garlic salt — to taste
*Anaheim chilies, roasted, peeled and diced.
Peel and boil potatoes until just tender. Let potatoes cool. In a large bowl break up potatoes to make a lumpy mixture, do not mash. Saute ground beef in 2 tablespoons vegetable oil until browned, drain well. Add beef to potatoes then add chiles, chopped onion and egg yolks.
Add seasonings (salt, pepper, and garlic salt). Mix and form into egg-shaped balls about 1-1/2 inches long. Dip each ball in egg whites (beaten slightly) then roll in flour. At medium heat, cook in vegetable oil about 1/4-inch deep. Brown well, then drain on paper towels. Serve hot, at room temperature, or refrigerate and reheat at serving time.
Note: Both Mexican Recipes yields between 4 to 6 servings.
**Our** Family Secret Salsa
Do You Know How Many Ways There Are To Eat A Cat Head Biscuit?
May 27, 2009
A time honored Southern tradition, the infamous “Cat Head” biscuit has become as much an icon of southern cooking as fried chicken. Just say the words “Cat Head Biscuits” almost anywhere in the South and you will instantly conjure up memories childhood and of mouthwateringly delicious meals.
Born of humble beginnings, the “Cat Head Biscuit” was never anything fancy. Just a few simple ingredients, usually mixed and “patted” out by hand, these delicacies bring back wonderful memories like no other food can.
What makes a “Cat Head Biscuit” so special; it’s just a biscuit after all, right? I can’t honestly say why they are loved so much or why just the mention of the name sparks such comforting memories. Maybe it’s the thoughts of our mothers and grandmothers standing in hot kitchens, over wood burning stoves, lovingly preparing food for their families or maybe it’s that first bite fresh from the oven. This is the very definition of “Comfort Food”. From that first savory taste of butter as you bite through the crispy crust to the soft, warm inside; you know you are in for a real treat!
Pasta Recipes ? The Very Best In Italian Cuisine!
May 24, 2009
These pasta recipes are excellent for dinners or parties.
In this article, I’m going to share with you three delicious pasta recipes that you can prepare for any occasion that suits you. The recipes are very easy and can be prepare in less than 30 minutes.
So, here we go?
Lemon Tuna Pasta
- 4 tsp Butter
- 18 Black olives, pitted & sliced
- 1 tsp Oil; olive
- 2 can Tuna; chunk, drained
- 4 large Garlic cloves, chopped
- Pasta; penne, cooked and drained
- 1/8 cup Lemon juice
- 4 tsp Butter (add at end)
- 3 tsp Capers, drained
Melt butter with oil in skillet. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, capers and olives and cook another 2 minutes. Turn heat to lowest setting. Add tuna & separate it (do NOT flake) with a fork. Heat through, stirring gently. Drain pasta. Add remainder of butter and sauce to hot pasta, tossing well.
