Year: 2014

Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce

Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Garlic Sauce

These artichokes are delish!  This is Chef Michael Rossi’s recipe from the Ranch Restaurant in Anaheim. The first time I had this appetizer, I wanted the recipe.  Funny thing was, I had already clipped the recipe from The Orange Country Register and hadn’t realized that 

Gooey Chocolate Pudding

Gooey Chocolate Pudding

I have been making this dessert for years.  This dessert is super simple, and I always have all of the ingredients on hand.  The “Wow” factor is big, for something very easy to make.  As with all recipes, I suggest only using the best ingredients. 

Sweet Pork Barbacoa

Sweet Pork Barbacoa

A friend was talking about a copycat recipe for Cafe Rio’s Seweet Pork Barbacoa, so I decided to scour the web and Pinterest and find a recipe.  There are so many recipes out there, and many of them are very similar. What I noticed is that each person seemed to tweak their recipe a bit in order to come up with their version of the delicious meat.  I found myself doing the same thing.  My friend’s recipe that she received from someone years ago, called for Coke originally, but she swapped Coke for Dr. Pepper and as it is noted in her printed recipe, it really is “better”.  So my first decision was to use Dr. Pepper for sure, and then add what I thought might be right.

The recipe that I came up with, doesn’t require cooking or marinating over night.  My recipe is also a little less time consuming than some of the recipes outs there.  The pork was delicious, sweet, tender, and full of flavor; I wouldn’t change a thing.  My kids order the Sweet Pork Barbacoa whenever they go to Cafe Rio, and they thought it tasted very similar.  Their only comment was that it was a little less sweet than the restaurant version, but that they actually liked that the meat wasn’t so sweet.  



Ingredients:

1 3-5 lb. pork roast
1 can Dr. Pepper
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. pepper

Ingredients for the sauce:


3/4 can of El Paso enchilada sauce
1 small can of diced green chiles
1/2 can of Dr. Pepper
1/4 c. brown sugar


Directions:

Place the roast in a slow cooker.  Add the Dr. Pepper and then the brown sugar, garlic, dry mustard, cumin, cayenne pepper and pepper.

Let the meat cook for at least six hours, or until it is tender enough to be shredded. When it is ready, >pull the meat from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board.  Cut off any fat and shred the meat.  


In a blender, make the sauce.  Add the enchilada sauce, green chiles, Dr. Pepper and brown sugar.  Blend until smooth.  


Drain the juice from the slow cooker and the put the shredded meat back in cooker along with the sauce.  Cook on low for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  You want the meat to soak up the sauce.


Use the meat to make burritos, tacos, quesadillas, or serve over rice or salad.  





Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

This pasta sauce is simple and delicious.  You can either make the sauce in a slow cooker or in a dutch oven.  Letting the sauce simmer or cook slow is important; you want the sauce to thicken and for the flavors to meld.  Ingredients: 6-8 

Caramelized Onions

Caramelized Onions

Caramelized onions seem like a complete “no brainier”, but to have super tasty grilled onions, requires some seasoning and some patience.  Caramelized onions are sweet, savory and delish.  I serve them with burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and even with steak.  They  Ingredients:2 yellow onions (Maui or Vidalia 

Hogan’s  FAMOUS Avocado Mash

Hogan’s FAMOUS Avocado Mash

We love avocados!  My husband always makes fresh guacamole for us as an appetizer with tortilla chips.  My son likes the guacamole, but he decided to come up with a simpler version to be used as a dip, spread or side.  He calls it his “Avocado Mash”.  Lawry’s Side Door Restaurant also makes an Avocado Mash, but Hogan’s is even better.  

Ingredients:
3 Ripe Avocados
Freshly Cracked Pepper
Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
Lawry’s Garlic Powder
Lawry’s Chile Garlic Seasoning

Directions:

Cut in half and seed the 3 avocados.  Use a spoon to scrape the avocado from the skin.  Mash the avocado with a fork until almost smooth, with some chunks.  Season the avocado with the ingredients that are listed.  Start by shaking each seasoning over the entire top of the bowl.  Mix, taste and add what is needed.  Season the avocado to taste.
*Garnish with fresh lime or lemon.


Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

I love the zucchini blossoms at Pizzeria Mozza.  This recipe for zucchini blossoms is very similar to Mozza’s.  They are light, crisp, delicate and delicious.  The key to frying anything, is making sure the oil is the right temperature.  If the oil is not hot 

Best Pancakes Ever

Best Pancakes Ever

I have made lots of pancake recipes, and I have used many different mixes.  These pancakes by far are the BEST ones I have ever made.  They are light, fluffy and a tad sweet.  The freshly squeezed lemon juice gives them a flavor kick that 

Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas for the New Year, and now Black Eyed Peas for the WHOLE year, because they are so yummy.  Try them as a side dish, or even as a substitute for pinto or black beans in your burrito.  I originally started to make Black Eyed Peas for New Year’s Day, because eating  black eyed peans on New Year’s Day is thought for bring prosperity in the new year.

Ingredients:
1 11 oz.tub black eyed peas 
(Melissa’s Brand is best)
1 medium onion , finely chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
3 cups chicken stock
1 tsp.garlic powder
1 tsp. celery salt
Pepper to taste



Directions:
In an uncovered saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil.  Add black eyed peas and return to a boil. Reduce heat and bring to a rolling boil for 8-10 minutes or until tender.  When done, drain the black eyed peas and set aside.

Next, sauté onion in olive oil until tender. Add the cooked black eyed peas and remaining ingredients.  Cook for ten minutes and serve.

Recipe adapted from Melissa’s 




Spiced Boiled Peanuts

Spiced Boiled Peanuts

My husband’s family is from the South, and boiled peanuts are one of his favorite snacks.  In California raw peanuts are impossible to find.  You have to order them online, and finding a reputable place to order from is hard.  Today on Saveur, the magazine