Chicken and Stuffing Skillet

Ingredients:

1 tbsp. butter

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves

1 box (6 ounces) Pepperidge Farm® One Step Stuffing Chicken Mix

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions:
Heat the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 15 minutes or until it's well browned on both sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet.

Prepare the stuffing in the skillet according to the package directions except let stand for 2 minutes.

Return the chicken to the skillet. Stir the soup and milk in a small bowl. Pour the soup mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle with the cheese. Cover and cook over medium heat until the mixture is hot and the cheese is melted.

Serves 4.

Source: Campbell's Kitchen

Colonial Corn Chowder

6 slices bacon
1-1/2 cups diced raw potato
1 medium onion
1/2 green pepper
1 quart milk
1 can cream-style corn
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 tsp. curry powder, or to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Pare and dice potatoes. Simmer in boiling salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.

In soup pot, cook cut-up bacon until crisp.

Remove to paper towel with slotted spoon.

Remove excess bacon drippings, leaving enough to coat bottom of pot.

Saute chopped onion and green pepper in bacon fat for 5 minutes.

Stir in all other ingredients, including potatoes and the water in which they were
cooked.

Season to taste.

Garnish servings with crumbled crisp bacon.

Serves 6 to 8.

-Women's Circle Home Cooking, December 1982

Morrison's / Piccadilly Macaroni and Cheese

2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 1/4 cups milk, warmed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
2 cups grated extra sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.

Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat.

Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.

Use a whisk and add milk, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens.

Add salt and pepper.

Beat eggs slightly and add small amount of sauce to eggs and then add remaining egg mixture to sauce.

Set aside 1/3 cup grated cheese for top.

Add one third macaroni to a buttered 2 quart casserole, alternating layers of macaroni and cheese.

Pour sauce all over and add reserved cheese.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes and serve.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Cooking time: 14 minutes
No. of Servings: 6

Ingredients:

1 bag Steam n Mash Cut Russet Potatoes
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Salt and pepper to taste


Directions:

Stir 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and cream of chicken soup together,
adding salt and pepper to taste.

Mix cheese mixture with frozen potatoes
and onion in a microwave safe casserole dish.

Microwave for 12 minutes;
stirring half-way through.

Top with shredded cheese and heat an
additional 30 seconds.

Salsa

Quick and Easy Salsa
Makes 3 cups

3 red tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), seeded, chopped and drained of some
juice
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, minced (add to taste)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and mix gently.

Cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours before serving.

Perfectly Melted Chocolate

Melting chocolate for baking is an exacting task, if not done
perfectly you can end up with a burned or grainy mess and ruin
whatever you are baking. Below are 3 methods for melting chocolate,
each can be successful in it's own way and you need only pick a method
that works for you and get cooking!

In The Oven

Chocolate can be melted in the oven quite easily but you will need to
be very diligent about watching it. It's easy to get caught up in your
other baking chores and not realize that you have overheated it until
it is too late. To melt chocolate in the oven, heat the oven to 110
degrees. Chop the chocolate and place in a dish inside the oven. Keep
the door open and check regularly. It will take about an hour to melt
thoroughly.

Double Boiler Method

This tried and true method uses two pots or a special double boiler
pot. The bottom pot has about an inch of water in it and the top pot
is a bit smaller and rests on the bottom pot. The water should be
heated to just below a simmer. Chop the chocolate and put it in the
top pot. The chocolate should be stirred until melted and you must be
very careful not to get any water mixed in with the chocolate as this
will make it grainy.

Microwave

Using the microwave to melt chocolate can be the fastest but also the
most disastrous method as a couple of seconds of overheating can ruin
the chocolate. Chop the chocolate and put it in a microwave safe bowl.
Heat on 50% for 1 to 4 minutes - the amount of time needed will depend
on the amount of chocolate you are melting so you will have to watch
the chocolate the whole time. When you see that it is turning shiny
and before it is fully melted, remove it from the oven and stir until
it melts fully.


About the author:
Lee Dobbins is editor of www.online-gourmet-foods.com where you can
learn more about gourmet food and find out more about gourmet chocolate.

S'mores Brownies

Ingredients

Crust:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Pinch fine salt

Brownie:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 4 large cold eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

• 4 cups large marshmallows

Directions

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.

For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Stove Top Easy Chicken Bake

6 oz. pkg. Stove Top stuffing mix for chicken
1-1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 cup sour cream
16 oz. pkg. frozen mixed vegetables, thawed, drained

1. Heat oven to 400. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package.
Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in 13x9 inch baking dish;
top with stuffing.

2. Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy now or
cover and refrigerate. To reheat, microwave each serving on high 2 to
3 minutes.

Tip:
If using a deeper, narrower baking dish, increase baking time by 15
minutes or until cooked through.

Source: Kraft Food & Family Magazine, Fall 2008

Scalloped Chicken and Potatoes

Prep Time: 15 min
Start to Finish: 55 min
Makes: 5 servings

1 box (4.8 oz) Betty Crocker® sour cream 'n chives sliced potato mix
2 1/4 cups boiling water
3/4 cup half-and-half or whole milk
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup Green Giant® frozen sweet peas
1 can (8 oz) Green Giant® mushroom pieces and stems, drained
1/2 cup Progresso® plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley


Heat oven to 450°F.

In ungreased 2-quart casserole, mix uncooked potatoes, sauce mix, boiling water, half-and-half, chicken, peas and mushrooms.

Bake uncovered 30 to 35 minutes, stirring once, until potatoes are tender.

In small bowl, mix remaining ingredients; sprinkle over potato mixture.

Bake uncovered about 5 minutes longer or until light golden brown.

Tex-Mex Burgers

These burgers can be prepared ahead and kept in the cooler until
you're ready to barbecue. Serve them with corn chips and guacamole.

1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
4 oz. can chopped green chiles, draied
3 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
6 sandwich buns
6 Tbs. sour cream
6 Tbs. salsa
6 lettuce leaves, if desired.

1. Heat grill. shape ground beef into twelve 3-1/2-inch patties.
Place 6 patties on waxed paper. Top each with one-sixth of the chiles
and one-sixth of the cheese. Place remaining patties over stuffing;
press edges to seal.

2. When ready to barbecue, place prepared patties on gas grill over
medium-high heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium-high
coals. Cook 10 to 15 minutes until meat is no longer pink, turning
once. Serve on buns with sour cream, salsa and lettuce. 6 servings.

Broiler Directions:
Prepare recipes as directed. Place patties on broiler pan; broil 4 to
6 inches from heat for 10 to 15 minutes until meat is no longer pink,
turning once. Serve on buns with sour cream, salsa and lettuce.

-Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks, June 1992 (#136)
Picnics & Potlucks

Refried Beans Supreme

1 can (16 oz.) TACO BELL® HOME ORIGINALS® Refried Beans
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped green onions

MIX beans and 1/2 cup of the cheese in 1-quart microwavable dish;
cover.

MICROWAVE on HIGH 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through; stir.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.

Microwave, uncovered, 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

SPRINKLE with tomato and onions

4 servings

Coconut Fried Shrimp with Dipping Sauce

Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup orange marmalade
4 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Peanut oil, for frying
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup water
2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Add all dipping sauce ingredients to a pot on a low temperature. Heat for 10 minutes, making sure you stir ingredients every few minutes.
In a large, heavy pot, heat 2-inches of the peanut oil to 325 degrees F.



Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the water and whisk until smooth. Let the batter stand for 15 minutes.

In a wide, shallow bowl, toss the coconut and bread crumbs together.

Put the shrimp into the batter. Remove the shrimp, 1 at a time, and dredge in the coconut mixture, pressing to help the coconut adhere. Fry the shrimp in batches in the hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes or until brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Serve the shrimp with the dipping sauce.



Source: Paula Dean . . . Food Network

Corn and Crab Chowder

INGREDIENTS: 4 slices bacon 1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups) 2 cloves garlic, minced 6 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth OR Natural Goodness™ or Certified Organic Chicken Broth 2 tsp. seafood seasoning 6 to 8 red potato OR fingerling potato, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn 1 container (8 ounces) refrigerated pasteurized lump crabmeat 1/2 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS: Cook the bacon in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon with a fork or kitchen tongs and drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of drippings. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the onions and garlic and cook in the hot bacon drippings until tender. Stir in the broth, seafood seasoning, potatoes and corn. Heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Add the crabmeat and cream. Cook for 5 minutes. Divide the chowder among 6 serving bowls. Top each with about 1 tablespoon of bacon. www.Swansonbroth.com.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake

1 tablespoon vanilla powder (1 scoop)
1/2 cup sugar-free cherry yogurt
4 ice cubes
1 dash water
vanilla extract (to taste)
cherry extract (to taste)

Liquify in blender!



The flavor varieties are endless . . . experiment with what you love :)

Banana Split Pie (low fat)

I have not tried this recipe yet, but I've been on a very strict diet and have been craving something that tastes rich but isn't . . . you can make your own adjustments to suit your needs . . . I use no fat half and half as a substitute for milk.


1 graham cracker crust
1 (4 oz.) pkg. sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
2 c. low-fat milk
2 bananas, sliced
1 (15 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 c. diet Cool Whip
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. pecans, chopped


Mix pudding with milk and beat until thick, pour into crust. Put
bananas over pudding. Squeeze pineapple to remove all juice.
Sprinkle on top of bananas. Cover with Cool Whip, sprinkle pecans on
top. Chill well.

Fruit Smoothies

Ingredients
1 C. vanilla-flavored fat-free soy milk or 1/2 C. vanilla yogurt plus 1/2 C. skim milk
1/2 frozen banana
1 C. frozen fruit: strawberries, blueberries, peaches, melon etc.
1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)


Directions
Place the soy milk (or yogurt/skim milk) and banana in a blender and mix until smooth. Add the frozen fruit and blend until smooth.


***********************************

When I'm seriously dieting, smoothies made with the powder form of Slim Fast are my primary meals. My smoothies are loosely based on this recipe with the following variations:

I use fat free half and half . . . makes a very creamy, rich tasting smoothie . . . add a handful of ice to the blender to make it thick like a milk shake.

For flavored smoothies, I use vanilla Slim Fast with fat free yogurt in my preferred flavor, add a handful of ice and fat free half and half.  The yogurt makes it much creamier and provides a greater variety of flavors.


***********************************

Tropical Smoothie

Ingredients
6 oz. cold water
6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
6 oz. vanilla or strawberry yogurt (for a creamy or more fruity taste)
1 banana, sliced
1/2 C. frozen mixed berries

Directions
Put all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth and purple.

Guide to Seafood

Seafood Source Recipes, videos and tips for preparing your favorite fish and shellfish Seafood is quick and easy to prepare at home, but navigating the fish market can be a challenge. There are many decisions to make – the best species or type, farm-raised or wild, whole or filleted, fresh or frozen – plus the all-important question of how to determine freshness. Here, we guide you through the process of selecting and preparing the finest seafood possible. Finfish Tuna Tuna Steaks with Tomato and Basil Raw Sauce Grilled Tuna with White Bean Puree, Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes Tuna and Artichoke Panini Buying guide and recipes for tuna Salmon Grilled Salmon Fillet with Honey-Mustard Sauce Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil, and Salmon Salmon with Lemon, Capers, and Rosemary Buying guide and recipes for salmon Striped Bass Easy Baked Striped Bass with Tomatoes, Rosemary and Olives Roasted Striped Bass with Chive and Sour Cream Sauce Whole Striped Bass Buying guide and recipes for striped bass Swordfish Swordfish and Spaghetti with Citrus Pesto Grilled Swordfish Skewers with Coconut, Key Lime and Green Chile Sauce Curry-rubbed Swordfish Steaks with Fresh Green Chutney Buying guide and recipes for swordfish Red Snapper Roasted Red Snapper with Rosemary Whole Grilled Red Snapper with Jicama Slaw Oven Roasted Red Snapper Fillets with Tomatoes and Onions Buying guide and recipes for red snapper Trout Trout-In-A-Pouch with Fresh Herbs and Garlic Plank Grilled Whole Trout Pan-Roasted Trout Bruschetta with Chili Vinaigrette Buying guide and recipes for trout Other Finfish Flounder Baked Stuffed Flounder Flounder Francese with Toasted Almonds, Lemon and Capers Flounder Fish Salad Buying guide and recipes for flounder Tilapia Blackened Tilapia Sandwich with Cilantro Lime Mayonnaise Tilapia with Purple Potato Crust and Chive Rosemary Oil Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers and Orzo Buying guide and recipes for tilapia Sea Bass Sea Bass with Lemon and Caper Sauce Ginger Sea Bass over Wilted Greens Sea Bass with Mustard Crust with Garlic-Parmesan Broccoli Buying guide and recipes for sea bass Mahi Mahi Mahi Mahi Lettuce Wraps Grilled Mahi Mahi with Jerk Spice The Ultimate Fish Tacos Buying guide and recipes for mahi mahi Monkfish Monkfish Chowder Bacon-Wrapped Monkfish with Beurre Rouge Rosemary Skewered Monkfish with Pancetta and Bread Buying guide and recipes for monkfish Cod Beer and Chipotle-Battered Fish Tacos Pecan Crusted Cod Fish Cod and Potato Cakes with Lemony Tartar Sauce Buying guide and recipes for cod Halibut Halibut with Balsamic Glaze Roasted Halibut with Grapefruit Fennel Salsa Halibut and Chickpea Salad Buying guide and recipes for halibut

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/ck_cg_seafood_guide/0,3100,FOOD_27337,00.html

Strawberry Milk Shakes

July is National Ice Cream month and strawberry ice cream is my favorite ice cream flavor . . . here is one of my favorite things in the world, Strawberry Milk Shakes . . .

I substitute no fat half and half for the milk and strawberry frozen yogurt and omit the sugar when I'm seriously dieting.

1 1/2 pints strawberry ice cream
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup fresh strawberries (or frozen)


Directions

Pulse all of the ingredients in a blender until the ice cream begins to break down, about 5 pulses, then blend on high until completely smooth.

Serves 4


A fabulous variation to this recipe to make an Orange Freeze . . .

use Orange Sherbet instead of ice cream, omit the strawberries

Make it richer by adding some vanilla ice cream . . .

Cottage Cheese Fruit Salad

This is one of those recipes that is so versatile and adaptable to your taste and dietary needs. It is what I make to take care of my sweet tooth when I'm seriously dieting . . . it is excellent even when made with no fat cottage cheese and sugar free jello.


Here is the basic recipe . . .

24 ounces cottage cheese
1 (12 ounce)container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (6 ounce) package orange flavored gelatin mix
2 (11 ounce)cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 (20 ounce)can pineapple chunks, drained


Blend together the cottage cheese, whipped topping
and gelatin. Add the oranges and pineapple; mix well
and refrigerate until chilled.


Variations . . .

Strawberries with strawberry flavored gelatin

I love adding walnuts and coconut to any combination
(sorry, I don't measure - I go by how it looks in the bowl)

Fruit cocktail is excellent with any flavored gelatin

Experiment with different flavors and fruits

Pocket Pies and Toaster Pastries

Alton Brown, "Good Eats" on the Food Network . . . his was about pocket pies and toaster pastries tonight. As a single woman who loves to cook, this is a perfect recipe for me.

Usually I don't like to freeze foods, other than meat and seafood, but this is the type of food that is perfect to freeze. He demonstrated sweet and savory recipes . . . an excellent idea for leftovers (he put leftover beef stew in pocket pies as an example).

An excellent episode . . . sorry, but I usually don't like his shows, his personality is way too corny for me, but if you have Food Network on demand and this idea of pocket pies sounds good to you, look it up and watch it.

In the meantime, here are the recipes from this episode . . .

Pocket Pies Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005 Show: Good Eats Episode: A Pie in Every Pocket

Pastry: 9 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 2 cups 2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 1/2 ounces shortening, approximately 6 tablespoons 3/4 cup milk 1 egg mixed with 1 to 2 teaspoons water Vegetable, canola oil or butter, for frying Curried Mango Filling, recipe follows Chocolate Filling, recipe follows In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Pulse for a few seconds and then pour into a large mixing bowl. Add the shortening and knead it into the flour with your hands until it is crumbly. Add the milk all at once and mix in with a spatula until it begins to come together. Lightly flour your hands and the countertop and turn the dough out onto the countertop. Knead the dough ball, folding over 10 to 20 times. Using a rolling pin roll the dough to 1/3 to 1/2-inch thickness, then cut into rounds using a 2 1/4-inch ring. Roll each round as thinly as possible or to 5 to 6 inches in diameter. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling onto the dough, brush the edges of half of the dough lightly with the egg wash, fold over and seal the edges together with the tines of a fork, dipping it into flour as needed. Gently press down to flatten and evenly distribute the filling and snip or cut 3 slits in the top of the pie. Dock pies that are going to be deep-fried, instead of snipping or cutting slits. To pan-fry pies, place a medium saute pan over medium low heat along with 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable, canola oil or butter. Once heated, place 2 to 3 pies at a time into pan and saute until golden on both sides, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side. Allow to cool 4 to 5 minutes before serving. To deep-fry pies, heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or a large heavy pot to 375 degrees F. Once hot, add 1 to 2 pies at a time and fry until golden brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. To bake pies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place finished pies onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. To make toaster pastries: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Divide dough in half and roll out to less than 1/8-inch thick. Cut into 4 inch by 5 inch rectangles. Place 1 to 2 tablespoons of filling onto center of one piece of dough. Brush the edges with egg wash and top with second piece of dough. Seal edges by pressing together with tine of fork. Gently press down to flatten and evenly distribute the filling and dock the top of the pie. Repeat with second half of dough. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool completely and place into zip-top bags until ready to toast. The pies will not be brown until toasted. Curried Mango Filling: 4 mangos, peeled and diced, approximately 2 cups or 12 ounces 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup cider vinegar 2 teaspoons curry powder 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice Place all of the ingredients into a small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and place in refrigerator to cool completely before using as filling. For each pie place 1 to 2 tablespoons onto the center of the dough. Follow directions above. Yield: enough for 10 to 15 pies Chocolate Filling: 2 1/2 cups sugar 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder Pinch kosher salt 10 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature Place the sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and butter into a large zip-top bag and squish to combine. Cut a whole in 1 corner of the bag. For each pie, pipe 1 to 2 tablespoons of mixture onto the center of the dough. Follow directions above. Yield: enough for 10 to 15 pies

Spicy Corn Frittata

What a wonderful meal to celebrate the summer veggies that we grow in our gardens . . . hmmm . . . a frittata that has no rice in it? I'll be adding some colby cheese to mine :)



1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 large ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded, and chopped (about 2 cups)

2 large (or 3 medium) ears sweet corn, kernels scraped off the cob (about 2 cups)

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 bunch (6 to 8) scallions, trimmed and sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

Coarse sea salt or kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

8 large eggs

1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces



Set a rack on the top shelf of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.

In a large ovenproof skillet over high heat, warm 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes. Add the corn, cilantro, scallions, garlic, and jalapeno and saute for 2 more minutes or until the garlic is fragrant and the mixture thickens. Transfer the vegetables to a plate and let cool for several minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

In a large bowl, season the eggs with salt and pepper. Beat them lightly with a fork, only enough to mix the whites and the yolks. Add the cooled vegetables and cold butter and stir to combine.

Wipe out the skillet with a paper towel and put it over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, swirling it all around and up the sides of the pan. Add the egg and vegetable mixture and stir gently with the back of a fork without touching the bottoms and sides of the pan. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the bottom of the frittata begins to set. Remove the cover and transfer the pan to the top shelf of the oven and bake until golden brown and puffed, about 15 minutes.

Slide the frittata onto a serving platter, cut it into wedges, and serve immediately or cool and serve at room temperature.


Nutritional analysis per serving:

Calories 385; Total Fat 28g; (Sat Fat 7g, Mono Fat 15g, Poly Fat 3.5g) ; Protein 16.5g; Carb 22g; Fiber 4 g; Cholesterol 430 mg; Sodium 165 mg


Source: The Food Network

Seafood Pot Pie

1 box frozen puff pastry sheets
1 egg, beaten
1 to 2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 tablespoon diced fennel
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons diced celery
2 tablespoons finely cubed carrots
2 tablespoons green peas
3 large scallops
2 tablespoons diced ham
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
Pinch freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon seafood seasoning
1/2 fish-flavored bouillon cube
1/4 cup lump crab meat, picked over
3 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 large oysters, shucked
White pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Thaw 1 sheet of puff pastry, unwrap it, and brush with beaten egg. Slice pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Weave strips into lattice design, sized to fit the top of a 1 1/2 quart oven-safe medium-sized serving bowl or casserole. Place pastry on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and bake until light golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand until needed.

Adjust oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Filling:

Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions, fennel, garlic, celery, carrots, and green peas and saute until tender.

Add scallops and ham and continue to saute until scallops are barely halfway done. Sprinkle in flour and stir until coated.

Add cream, nutmeg, seasoning, and bouillon. Increase the heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. When mixture reaches a boil, remove from heat.

Add crab meat, shrimp, and oysters and season, to taste, with white pepper. Pour into the oven-safe serving bowl. Top with the pre-baked lattice puff pastry and gently press down into filling. Bake about 10 minutes or until bubbly.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving

"UNCLE BUBBA'S SEAFOOD POT PIE"
Source: Paula Dean, The Food Network

No Roll Pie Crust

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1 stick of butter or margarine
Powdered sugar


Directions

Melt the stick of butter or margarine in pie pan in oven.

Put in 1 cup of flour and a couple of teaspoon of sifted powdered sugar.

Mix in pan and as it cools a little pat it out mixing it at the same time.

Bake



NOTE: I have not used this recipe . . . not sure how long it should bake and what the oven temp should be . . . I'm gonna start with 350 degrees and keep a constant eye on it as far as time. This recipe comes from my personal collection.

Hot Dogs and Sausages

July is National Hot Dog Month . . .

According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council an estimated seven billion hot dogs will be eaten by Americans between Memorial Day and Labor Day and during the 4th of July weekend alone 155 million will be enjoyed.

Did you know that every year Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each?

Council research shows that mustard is the condiment of choice for adults, while children prefer ketchup.

Preferences change from region to region . . . hot dogs in New York are generally served with a lighter mustard and steamed onions . . . Chicago hot dogs can come with mustard, relish, onions, tomato slices, or pretty much anything at all . . . I prefer mine topped with cole slaw.

For more information, visit the Council's website at www.hot-dog.org.

Hot Dog and Sausage recipes

National Food Holidays for July

When I saw all the national holidays for food in one of my emails this morning, I couldn't stop laughing. Who comes up with this stuff? Is there an official "national holiday naming entity"? How much does it pay? I want that job . . . what would the title be? Director of National Holidays? :) Where do I apply?

After I stopped laughing, I thought it would be an awesome idea to take each "national food holiday" and honor that particular food holiday with recipes. Everyday is a food holiday for foodies like me :)

UPCOMING FOOD HOLIDAYS:


July is:

National Ice Cream Month
National Picnic Month
National Baked Bean Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Pickle Month


July 1: National Gingersnap Day
July 2: Celebrate National Hot Dog Month
July 3: Eat Beans Day
July 4: National Cesar Salad Day
July 5: National Apple Turnover Day
July 6: National Fried Chicken Day
July 7: National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 8: National Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9: National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10:National Pina Colada Day
July 11: National Blueberry Muffin Day
July 12: National Pecan Pie Day
July 13: National French Fries Day
July 14: National Macaroni Day
July 15: National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16: National Corn Fritters Day
July 17: National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18: National Caviar Day
July 19: Celebrate Ice Cream Month
July 20: National Lollipop Day
July 21: National Junk Food Day
July 22: National Penuche Fudge Day
July 23: National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24: Celebrate National Baked Bean Month
July 25: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day
July 26: Celebrate National Hotdog Month
July 27: National Creme Brule Day
July 28: National Milk Chocolate Day
July 29: Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
July 30: National Cheese Cake Day
July 31: Jump For Jelly Beans Day

Gingersnap Cookies

Today is National Gingersnap Day . . .



3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
2 tsp. ginger
1 1/2 cup butter
2 c. white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. molasses

Cream butter until fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Add eggs and molasses, add flour mixed with spices and soda.

Drop by teaspoon onto an ungreased baking sheet. Allow for spreading.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool a minute or two before removing from baking sheet.

Crab Cocktail Dip

by Tracey Seaman

From Every Day with Rachael Ray
August 2008


Spread 1 pound of softened cream cheese in a 5-by-9-inch baking dish.

Layer with 1 cup of cocktail sauce and 1 pound of lump crab meat.

Sprinkle chopped chives on top and serve with crackers.

Watermelon Cooler

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen, 2008 Show: Paula's Home Cooking Episode: Garden Delights

4 cups sliced seedless watermelon, rind removed 1 cup lemon sorbet 1 lemon, zested 1 1/2 cups cold water Watermelon wedges and mint, for garnish


In a food processor, blend watermelon, sorbet, and lemon zest until very smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cold water; cover and refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.

Recipe from the Food Network

National Ice Cream Soda Day

Today is National Ice Cream Soda Day

Actually, June 20 and June 30 are both listed as National Ice Cream Soda Day, depending on which website you refer to. Take your pick . . . I chose June 30 because that is today's date . . .

My personal favorite ice cream soda is a Root Beer Float.

When I was a kid, my mom and dad used to take us to one of those drive in restaurants . . . Dog N Suds . . . they made the best Root Beer Floats!

Sometimes I'll get a strong craving for one (actually one of the things that will get me out to the grocery store fast) . . . I even have the big and thick Dog N Suds mugs that I found on eBay . . . I also have A&W mugs and those awesome milk shake glasses from Steak & Shake . . . I love ice cream sodas and the glassware associated with back in the day.

Some of my glassware collection





The way I make my Root Beer Float . . . chill the mug in the freezer, fill the mug with vanilla ice cream (I like to smoosh it a bit to make it soft enough to stir around, but that is my preference) . . . carefully pour chilled root beer over the ice cream. I like to make it thick, using more ice cream than root beer, stirring the root beer in a little at a time until it is just the way I like it . . . and eat it with a spoon . . . try it some time. I guess I should just put it in the blender, but that would ruin the fun.

So Delish . . .


Other than taking your favorite flavor of ice cream and adding your favorite soda, below are two basic recipes for old fashioned ice cream sodas from back in the day . . . I remember purposely missing the school bus home so I could stop off at the drug store soda fountain on my walk home to have a strawberry ice cream soda . . . mmmmm :)

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Soda
INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 cup vanilla ice cream (or 1 large scoop)
club soda or seltzer water (cold)
canned whipped cream (optional)


DIRECTIONS:

Pour the milk into one tall 16-ounce glass.

Stir in syrup.

Add in ice cream and enough soda water or selzer to fill almost to top of glass.

Top with whipped cream if desired.

Serve with a long spoon and a big straw.




Strawberry Ice Cream Soda

INGREDIENTS:

strawberry jam
crushed fresh strawberries
heavy cream
strawberry ice cream
soda water
whipped cream
more berries for garnish or cherries


PREPARATION:

For each ice cream soda, put a heaping tablespoonful of strawberry jam and a heaping tablespoonful of crushed fresh strawberries in large (16 ounce size) glass. Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream and a big scoop of strawberry ice cream.

Fill up to 2/3 full with soda water, then add another big scoop of strawberry ice cream. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a garnish of chopped berries, if desired. Serve with straws and a long iced teaspoon.

Caramel French Toast

1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter
2 tablespoons of corn syrup
12 slices of regular sandwich bread
6 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/4 teaspoon of salt

Combine sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat until
thickened, stirring constantly.

Pour syrup mixture into a 13x9x2-in baking dish. Place 6 slices of bread on top of syrup mixture. Top with remaining 6 slices of bread.

Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt, stirring until blended. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread slices.

Cover and chill 8 hours.

Bake, uncovered, at 350ºF. for 40 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings

Perfect Crab Cakes

- serves 4 as a generous main course or 8 as an appetizer -

Adapted from The Dean & Deluca Cookbook by David Rosengarten, Joel Dean, and Giorgio Deluca

Ingredients

Canola or safflower oil for oiling the baking sheet
3/4 cup thick mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 pounds lump crabmeat, picked over to remove cartilage
Lemon wedges as an accompaniment

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, and egg in a mixing bowl until combined well. (I realize now that the last time I made these, I seasoned lightly with salt and pepper at this point. It seemed odd to me that it wasn't part of the instructions. I don't know if it made a big difference or not.) Gently fold in the crab with a rubber spatula until just combined.
3. Gently form the mixture into eight 1-inch thick cakes and transfer to the baking sheet.
4. Bake the crab cakes for 15 minutes or so, or until lightly golden. Run a spatula under them once or twice to make sure they’re not sticking. When the cakes are ready, put them under a preheated broiler for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they’re lightly browned on top. Remove from broiler and let stand on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast

12 slices bread 3/4 C. peanut butter 6 T. jelly or jam 3 eggs 3/4 C. milk 1/4 t. salt 2 T. butter or margarine Spread peanut butter on six slices of bread; spread jelly on six other slices of bread. Put one slice of each together to form sandwiches. In mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs; add milk and salt and mix together. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture; coating well. Place in skillet and brown both sides. Serve immediately. 6 servings. Dorie http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Momsmenuplan/

Bean Facts

1 cup of dried beans equals 8 ounces

1 cup of dried beans equals 2 to 3 cups of cooked beans

1 pound of dried beans equals 6 cups of cooked beans

One 15 to 16 ounce can of beans, rinsed and drained, equals 1 1/2 to 2 cups

Banana Coconut Cream Dessert

This recipe is begging for me to try. It is one of those quick and easy desserts you can control ingredients to make lower fat. Looks yummy . . . will comment when I try it out. If you make it before I do, please comment! By the way, keep an extra box of Bisquick around!

2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup firm butter or margarine
1 package (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 3/4 cups milk
2 medium bananas, sliced
2 cups whipped cream
1/2 cup toasted shredded coconut


1. Heat oven to 375°F. Mix Bisquick mix and sugar in medium bowl. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until crumbly. Press in bottom of ungreased square pan, 9x9x2 inches.

2. Bake about 15 minutes or until light brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

3. Make pudding mix as directed on package for pudding, using 1 3/4 cups milk; spread over crust. Top with banana slices. Spread whipped cream over top. Sprinkle with coconut. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 24 hours.


High Altitude (3500-6500 ft) No changes.

This recipe comes from Betty Crocker.com . . . on my link listing

Lemonade Party Cake

This recipe immediately caught my eye on Betty Crocker.com and now I have to find an excuse to make it . . . the only thing I will do different is make a cream cheese frosting.



Prep Time: 20 min
Start to Finish: 3 hr 10 min
Makes: 12 servings


1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® lemon or yellow cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

1 can (6 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 container Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white or fluffy lemon frosting
Yellow colored sugar, if desired



1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 15 minutes.

2. Mix lemonade concentrate and powdered sugar. Pierce top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle lemonade mixture evenly over top of cake. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.

3. Spread frosting over top of cake. Sprinkle with sugar. Store covered in refrigerator.


High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude directions on cake mix box.

Baked Smoked Ham

Ever since I found this recipe on David Ruggerio's PBS cooking show "Little Italy" (at least 15 years ago), it has been MY recipe for baked ham. I had tried various recipes, but this is "the one", even though it can get very messy putting the brown sugar on a very hot ham and ending up with burning hands. It is worth it!!

David Ruggerio remains my absolute favorite television chef even though he has not been on television since his unfortunate legal problems . . . not for me to judge! I do miss his sparkling wittypersonality, awesome recipes and "back in the day" stories that parallel my background and reminded me of my childhood . . . well, yeah, he's a sicilian italian. Come back David, your biggest fan misses you!

Here is the recipe for the most awesome baked ham ever . . .

1 large smoked ham, about 12 to 18 pounds
whole cloves
3 cups pineapple juice
I pound dark brown sugar
One 16-ounce bottle dark corn syrup

Preheat the oven to 325° F

Place the ham in a shallow pan. Score the fat and cover it with cloves. Pour the pineapple juice over the ham and bake for 12 minutes per pound.

After baking 1 1/2 hours, remove the ham from the oven and carefully (watch out . . . it is very hot) pat the brown sugar on top, completely covering the top of the ham. Gently pour the corn syrup over the ham, being careful not to disturb the sugar covering. Continue baking, basting every 15 minutes.

Remove the ham from the oven and continue basting until it is cooled, leaving a beautiful glazed look.

I use the remaining syrup as a "gravy" for the ham . . . added cornstarch makes it thicker. I don't measure . . . take a little cornstarch at a time until you get the desired consistency.

A video clip from the series "Little Italy"

Key Lime Cupcakes

Cake mix and ready-to-spread frosting make prep super easy.

Topping

1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup Key lime or regular lime juice
4 drops green food color
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar


Cupcakes

48 regular-size paper baking cups
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box


Frosting

1 container Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
1 tablespoon Key lime or regular lime juice
1/2 teaspoon grated Key lime or regular lime peel



1. In large bowl, beat pudding mix and whipping cream with wire whisk 2 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Beat in 1/4 cup Key lime juice and the food color; stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make cake batter as directed on box. Spoon about 1 rounded tablespoonful batter into each muffin cup, using about half of the batter. (Muffin cups will be about 1/3 full.) Refrigerate remaining batter. Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Repeat with remaining baking cups and batter. Cool cupcakes completely, about 15 minutes.

3. Remove paper baking cups from cupcakes. Swirl about 2 teaspoons topping on top of each cupcake.

4. Stir frosting in container 20 times. Gently stir in 1 tablespoon Key lime juice and the lime peel. Spoon frosting into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 1/2-inch opening from bottom corner of bag. Squeeze 1 rounded teaspoonful frosting from bag onto topping. Garnish with fresh lime wedge, if desired. Store in refrigerator.



This recipe comes from Betty Crocker.com . . .

Fruity Cream Cheese Muffins

Ingredients

1 1/4 C. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 C. sugar
4 oz. cream cheese -- cut into 1/2-inch squares
1 egg
1/3 C. vegetable oil
1/2 C. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. frozen fruit (unthawed)

Directions

In medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Add sugar and mix well. Add cream cheese squares; coat well with flour mix. In another medium bowl, combine egg, oil, milk and vanilla. Add reserved dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in frozen fruit. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill greased muffin pans half full. Bake in preheated oven 20 to 25 minutes or until they test done.

Makes 10 to 12 muffins.

Sour Cream Muffins

Ingredients

1 C. sour cream
1 1/3 C. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbs. sugar
1 egg yolk, beaten
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 egg white, beaten

Directions

Mix cream, sugar and salt. Add egg yolk and blend together. Sift flour, measure and then add soda and baking powder. Sift again. Add to creamed mixture and fold in egg white.

Bake in lined muffin tins at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes.

Yields 12 muffins.

Banana Bread Muffins

These simple muffins are a great breakfast treat or an easy snack. Make sure your bananas are super ripe: the blacker the better!

Ingredients

3 or 4 ripe bananas
1/3 C. melted butter
1 C. sugar
Raisins and/or nuts (optional)
1 egg beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 C. flour

Directions

In a large bowl, smash bananas. Mix all the ingredients in, adding the flour last. Mix together with a fork. Pour mixture into a greased 4x8 loaf pan (muffin pan will do as well).

Cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until desired color.

Something that I love to do with muffins and/or banana bread . . . ice them with cream cheese frosting . . . yum, try it some time . . . I posted the recipe that I use last week, check my blog labels for the post

Country Morning Muffins

Muffins are one of my favorite things! In the past week I have been searching for something that hits the spot since it seemed like everything was boring me . . . and muffins won. Now that I am in a muffin-obsessed mood, I'm on a quest for muffin recipes that I have not tried and will also post some of my favorite muffin recipes.

Here is one that you can vary by changing the type of fruit or add nuts, raisins, dried fruit . . . I like to make a basic batch of muffin batter, divide it up and make variations from one batch.


Ingredients

1 C. fresh or frozen fruit
2 C. all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 C. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/2 C. butter, melted
1 C. milk
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon


Directions

Cut fruit in small pieces. Combine flour, baking powder, 3/4 C. sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir in fruit until well blended. In a small bowl, beat eggs; add butter and milk. Stir into the flour mixture just to blend. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle with 1/4 C. sugar and cinnamon.

Bake in 400-degree oven about 15 minutes.

Yield: 1 dozen muffins

Hush Puppies

This recipe comes from the Food Network website . . . from an episode of Emeril's show that I saw the other night and now I'm not going to be happy until I make some fried fish with these hush puppies.

Vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 teaspoons Essence
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 large onion, grated
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced

Preheat a deep-fryer fill with oil to about 3/4 of the way full to a temperature of 375 degrees F.

While the oil is heating, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, Essence, baking powder, baking soda and black pepper in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. In a second mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, grated onion, green onions and jalapenos. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until a batter comes together. Be careful not to overmix.

When the oil is hot, drop 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and let rest on a paper lined plate briefly before serving hot. Repeat with remaining batter.

Yield: About 2 1/2 dozen hush puppies

Emeril's "Essence" Creole Seasoning

BAM . . . kick anything up a notch

(also referred to as Bayou Blast)

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch
Published by William Morrow, 1993.

Pan Fried Fish

This recipe is from the Food Network website for pan fried catfish . . . I saw this episode of Emeril's show the other night and was particularly interested in the crispness of the fish and wanted to try out this technique/recipe for coating the fish.

Personally, I coat the fish with a light dusting of corn meal, garlic powder, red pepper and dill to pan fry my fish, but I thought I would try kicking it up a notch and using Emeril's recipe . . . will include my comments after I have tested it on Tilapia, my favorite fish.


1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch strips
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons Creole mustard
1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons red hot sauce
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup flour
2/3 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon salt


Place the catfish in a non-reactive bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, Essence, garlic and hot sauce and pour over the fish. Stir to thoroughly coat, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat 3/4-inch of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy cast iron skillet to a temperature of 350 degrees F.

Remove the fish from the refrigerator. Combine the flour, cornmeal, and salt in a re-sealable plastic food storage bag and shake to blend. Using a fork, remove the fish fingers, a few pieces at a time, from the marinade, allowing excess marinade to fall from the fish. Transfer the fish to the flour-cornmeal mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining fish.

Fry the fish, in batches if necessary, turning to promote even browning, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-lined plate to rest briefly before serving.

Paula Deen's Crab Cakes

In my quest for the perfect crab cake recipe, I could not leave out Paula Deen's recipe. As I've mentioned with my other entries, I'll comment on each one as I test them out . . . and I will, crab cakes is one of my favorite things!




1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells
1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz)
3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 egg
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
Dash cayenne pepper
Flour, for dusting
1/2 cup peanut oil


Favorite dipping sauce, for serving

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce.

New Orleans Crab Cakes

This recipe was featured on Tyler Florence's show from the Food Network on crab cakes . . . part of my series of crab cake recipes . . . as I try these recipes, I'll add my comments.




1 1/2 stalks celery heart, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped
2 bunches of scallion, green part only, finely chopped
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black and white pepper
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 cup parsley leaves, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 egg whites, beaten to stiff peaks
1/2 cup smoked salmon
1 cup whipped cream
1/2 lemon, juiced
Hot sauce (recommended: Crystal's)
1 pound jumbo lump crab
3 cups seasoned bread crumbs
5 tablespoons corn or vegetable oil, for frying
2 tablespoons butter, for frying

Serving suggestion: Remoulade

In a big heavy bottomed frying pan saute celery, peppers, onions, scallions in butter and oil. Add oregano, basil and thyme, salt and white pepper. Lastly add parsley and garlic and cook until soft. Leave to cool.

Finely chop smoked salmon, then flatten it, using the blade of a kitchen knife. Add the salmon to the whipped cream in a large mixing bowl. Add dill and season with salt and white pepper. Add 1/2 of the lemon juice and blend gently with spoon. Add 1 tablespoon of the sauteed vegetables and herbs to the mousse. Fold egg whites into mousse.

Check the crabmeat for pieces of shell and put in a large clean bowl.

Season with a handful of bread crumbs, salt, pepper, hot sauce and remaining lemon juice.

Fold in mousse, taking care not to over mix it. Fold in the rest of the vegetables and herbs and a handful of bread crumbs. Blend it together very carefully with your hands taking care not to break up any of the crabmeat and overwork the mousse.

Gently work into little cakes and bread them with more bread crumbs. Set aside.

Heat the butter and oil in a large heavy-bottomed frying pan. Fry the crab cakes until golden brown on each side. Only turn them once after the bottom side is browned.

Blonde Remoulade:

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red bell pepper, finely chopped
3 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons Creole mustard
1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon capers, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended Crystal's)
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Chop all vegetable ingredients. Place in bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly then refrigerate.

*Cook's Note: It's best if you can make it the day before, using a food processor will make your sauce watery.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings