All posts by rsouthern

Baked Mac and Cheese

 

Baked Mac and Cheese

Course Side Dish

Ingredients

  • 12 oz Macaroni
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 2 tbsp Butter
  • 2 1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Grease 13x9 pan with butter.
  • In a large pot of salted water, lightly boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes until half-cooked.
  • Whisk the eggs and milk together in large bowl. Add melted butter and cheese. Stir well.
  • Add macaroni to large bowl and mix. Pour into baking dish and press the mixture evenly around the baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is brown.

Black Bean Tacos

Black Bean Tacos

Ingredients

  • 14.5 oz Black Beans (2 cans) drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup Salsa
  • 1 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 8 Warmed Tortillas
  • Shredded Romaine Lettuce
  • Shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • Diced Tomatoes

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan combine black beans,salsa, chili powder and cumin.
  • Simmer mixture for about 5 -10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Slightly mash beans if desired.
  • To assemble tacos, on each tortilla layer black bean mixture, lettuce, cheese and tomatoes.
  • Serve immediately.

Pineapple Salsa

Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Ripe pineapple trimmed and sliced
  • 1 Large red bell pepper seeded and quartered
  • 1/2 Small red onion peeled and cut in half (so you have 2 quarters of a whole onion)
  • 1 Whole jalapeno
  • 1/2 cup Loosely packed cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • olive oil

Instructions

  • If you are not grilling the salsa, then chop the pineapple, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno and cilantro and combine with remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Can be served immediately, or better chilled.
  • GRILLING: Grease grill and heat to medium high heat.
  • Drizzle red onions with olive oil and thread onto a skewer (if using a wooden skewer, soak skewer in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand). Drizzle red bell pepper quarters and jalapeno with olive oil to lightly coat.
  • Working in batches as needed depending on grill size, grill pineapple and vegetables at medium high heat until tender and lightly charred all over, about 12 minutes for the onions, turning occasionally, about 8-10 minutes for the pineapple, or until caramelized, flipping once, 6 minutes for the red bell peppers, flipping once, and jalapeno for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally.
  • Once cool enough to handle, dab off any excess oil with paper towels from vegetables and chop pineapple (cutting around core), red bell peppers, and onions. Devein and deseed jalapeno and dice, reserving some of the seeds if desired.
  • Toss pineapple, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, ginger, cumin and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. If you would like it spicier, add some of the jalapeno seeds to taste.
  • Can be served immediately or even better chilled.

Chili Lime Tacos

Chili Lime Tacos

Course Main Course

Equipment

  • Zester

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 tbps Fresh-squeezed Lime Juice (from 1 Lime)
  • Lime Zest (from 1 Lime)
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Breasts
  • Flour or Corn Tortillas
  • Shredded Cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 F
  • In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, seasonings, brown sugar, lime juice, and zest together.
  • Rub evenly all over chicken strips.
  • Bake chicken for 15-20 minutes (or until it reaches 165 F)
  • To assemble, top tortilla with chili lime chicken and desired tippings.

Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies

 

Chocolate Espresso Chip Cookies

Course Dessert
Servings 4 Dozen

Equipment

  • Mixer
  • Double Boiler
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 3/4 cups Cocoa
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 3/4 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 cup Semi-Sweet Morsels
  • 3/4 cup Butter (1 1/2 Sticks)
  • 2 1/4 cups Sugar
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 1 2/3 cups Espresso Morsels (9 oz pkg.)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 F
  • Melt butter and semi-sweet morsels over medium heat using a double boiler. Set aside.
  • Combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl
  • In a large mixer bowl, beat sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined
  • Slowly add chocolate mixture and combine
  • Add flour mixture and mix thoroughly
  • Stur in espresso morsels
  • Drop onto ungreased baking sheets by rounded tablespoon
  • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm, but center is still slightly soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes