Steak yup, STEAK Empanadas

It had been well over a year since I last made empanadas.. so just imagine how excited I was. My soon-to-be sister in law was my helper for the night, thankfully! If you ever attempt this recipe, its a good idea to have someone there :-)

OK here we go.....

RECIPE:

(For the sauce) 6 Dried Pasilla, 2 roma tomato's, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1 garlic clove, slice onion!

Cook the chiles & tomatoes in a small pot with water for 15mins. Transfer to a blender without the cooking liquids, add garlic, onion, cumin & salt.. blend until smooth! Set aside!

1 lb. of Carne Ranchera (flap meat) chopped

1 large idaho potato (small dice)

Saute meat until browned, add in potato & chile sauce. Cook for 20 mins until potato is cooked through. Turn off. Meanwhile assemble the dough.

I used Maseca, which is a ready made flour (add water & salt).
So I followed the instructions on the back & prepared my dough.

Excuse my almost empty Corona bottle,
how else do you think I managed to get through this meal!

SO.. unless you have a tortilla maker... use 2 plates & a large ziplock bag (cut thru sides). Make golf size balls & squeeze them slightly into palm size circles... This will allow you to create an even circle. Press down until circle is about (ummmm.. like a thick tortilla) until you feel the meat mixture won't break through.

Add about 2-3 Tablespoons of the meat mixture to half the dough, grabbing both ends of the plastic bag fold the dough in half, press down on edges.. With a fork slightly pressed down on the edges for an even seal & some design.

Heat up some Grape seed oil or Canola & fry (as many as you can fit) until each side is golden brown. 

Drain well & allow to slightly cool before serving.

Serve with fresh chopped iceberg lettuce, your favorite spicy sauce & some sour cream.. *optional

ENJOY!!

1st Indoor Fancy Nancy Party

First of all Happy New Years!

I've been dying to share our most recent extravaganza... my daughter turned 7!

We decide on 12 guest of her choice <3

As always I go above & beyond for her.. here are a few pictures documenting the fun & all the fabulous decor that took place indoors! Yes, indoors...& it all worked out!

Jewelry Buffet

Above: Chocolate Pretzel Rods & I made her a personal mini "Fancy Nancy" cake!

Story Time!

The beautiful Birthday Girl!

Now this is a food blog after all... so last but not least the food!
Below: Pink Lemonade (which they enjoyed in plastic wine cups), a veggie platter, tea sandwiches (turkey, ham & cucumber), Mixed green salad, Shrimp Orzo Salad (for the moms, made by my sister), Pigs in a blanket, Chips & a enormous tray of Lasagna!!

The assortment of FOOD

ENJOY!!

Simple Beef "Stir-Fry"

Easy is a great way to describe this dish... very easy. I usually create these dishes when I draw a blank & have no idea what to make... for the most part they work out. Sometimes the simple, is very delicious.

RECIPE:

1 1/2 lb. of Beef Flap Meat (sliced lengthwise)

1 large green bell pepper (thinly sliced)

3 Green Onions (scallions) chopped

3-4 Cloves of garlic (minced)

Teriaki sauce to taste

Salt & Pepper

Heat up a large skillet... till very Hot!! Add a small amount of oil & saute meat, after 2 min add in garlic & continue to cook until meat starts to brown (6 mins more).

Add in Teriyaki sauce & combine...

Add in Bell peppers & scallions & combine ( cook for 1min)..

Veggies should be crisp & bright green & meat still juice.

* For an extra kick.. add in chopped Serrano Peppers.. & serve with white or brown rice. YUM!

ENJOY!!

Chilaquiles (Fried tortilla w/ Red Chile Sauce)

If I could make these everyday.... would I? Heck YES!

My significant other & I argue about which way is the "right" way to make these... of course I say I'm right. His way: scramble eggs into the finally product... yes its delish but that isn't called chilaquiles, it would then be called chilaquiles con huevo!!! Anyhow... Lets talk business.

RECIPE:

5-6 dried pasilla chile's (Roasted over a flame until char)

1 small garlic clove

1 thin slice of onion

1/2 Tb salt

1/2 cup of water

splash of milk (mom's way)

Add ingredients into the blender & puree for a while until very smooth.

Heat up oil in a small pot & add 1 Tb of flour.. Mix until bubbles..

*** Thickness of sauce should coat a spoon!

Grab a fine mesh strainer & pour in sauce in batches.. Gently tap on the edge of the strainer to allow sauce to flow thru... & Mix in with flour.

Heat sauce thru until gently begins to simmer & its ready! Taste & adjust seasonings accordingly.

At this point Congratulate yourself if its spicy but tasty... because you have also just made the most basic RED Enchilada sauce! YAY!! (Can be used on cheese, chicken, beef enchiladas) Your Welcome ;)

Cut in whatever shape you prefer & fry your tortillas up... drain & pour in some sauce until its saucy enough for you & add some cheese & maybe some diced or sliced onion..

 Or go a set further & saute your onion & then pour the sauce... garnish with cilantro!

Don't forget your eggs!

ENJOY!!

Roasted Cornish Hens

RECIPE:

2 Cornish hens cut in half (faster cooking time)

2Tb of Butter

1 Tb seasoning salt

1/2 Tb garlic salt

pepper

Total cooking time: 1hour, 15mins.

Pre-Heat oven @ 350..

Oil a oven safe pan/ tray and season both sides on the hens... arrange & place 1/2 tb of butter on each, cover with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins.

After 30 mins. turn Hens upside down, cover & continue to cook.

 (this allows the breast to absorb all the juices released)

After 30 mins... Flip hens back to right side up & cook UN-COVERED for the last 15 mins. to brown. After remove from oven, allow to cool & serve!

* I have left these whole & roasted for a longer period without flipping & there's a chance they can dry out.. So I tried this method & it worked!

ENJOY!!

EASY night!

Ever walked through Trader Joe's freeze section & gazed into all the pre-packed products available...? Well ever had a busy night were you have absolutely no idea what to feed your family? 

Problem solved!!

Pick up one of these & you'll have a meal in minutes.. I try to keep these on hand.

For the Shrimp Stir-Fry:

 1 Package

1 used (an additional 1/2 a pound of frozen shrimp & some soy sauce for flavor) Add in the shrimp & cook until pink... Why more shrimp? So I have enough to feed 3 1/2.. (2 of these packs would feed 4)

I also cooked some white rice on the side to complete the meal.

This may not be homemade... BUT it's a lifesaver indeed! Us mom's need a break too!

ENJOY!

Herbed Shrimp & Penne

Please excuse my lack of blogging... December is an extremely busy month for me or for us ALL I'm sure. With shopping, holiday prep, birthday planning & work... all my photo's remain in my phone waiting to be uploaded.. I will try & play catch up. I kinda made this recipe up, it was good & easy. Hope you try it!

1 lb. Raw (peeled & cleaned) Shrimp

1 lb Penne Pasta

5-6 cloves of garlic

Your 4 favorite herbs!

Extra Virgin Olive oil

Parmesan cheese

Squeeze of Lemon juice or splash of White wine

Blend herbs, garlic & olive oil in a processor or blender until smooth, set aside.

Cook pasta accordingly & set aside.... REMEMBER reserve 3/4 cup of pasta cooking water.

Heat up a large skillet that will accommodate all ingredients at the end. Add 1 TB of oil & begin cooking shrimp.

 When shrimp begin to slightly turn pink add in "pesto" (herb)

& finish cooking until all shrimp are pink. 

About 2 to 3 minutes more... don't over cook the shrimp.

Add pasta into the skillet & reserved pasta water, combine all ingredients together & top with Parmesan cheese.... However much your heart desires.

Serve Immediately &

ENJOY!!

Crescent Rolls w/ Ham & Cheese

When your brain shuts down, dinner is waiting 'for you to make', kids hungry.... This is your break! Tasty alternative... Doesn't have to be a feast every night, were human! I'm going to post my go-to easy recipes in the following post to come... hope you enjoy!

RECIPE:1 can Crescent roll

Your favorite cheese sliced

Deli Ham or Turkey

Cooking Spray

Preheat oven @ 350 degrees. Unroll the crescent rolls, place a slice of ham & slice of cheese. Fold over edges & roll up. Pinch tight any open edges.

Spray baking sheet & aline rolls... Bake for 12 mins. or until golden.

Remove & allow to cool completely!! Only Con... I used Pillsbury & it was on the verge of being somewhat salty... might try a different brand next time.

ENJOY!