Monday, August 29, 2022

Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad.


 Here is a recipe for my favorite summer salad.


INGREDIENTS:

2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced 

1 red onion, sliced into rings

 ½ pint of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half 

⅓ cup white vinegar 

¼ cup oil

 ⅔ cup water 

3 tbsp granulated sugar

 Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:


Cut the cherry tomatoes in half 

Slice the red onion into slices 

Peel and slice the cucumber, (you could then cut each slice into fourths, depending on the thickness) 

In a bowl mix the water with the vinegar and oil 

Stir in the salt and pepper to taste 

Pour the liquid over the cucumber, tomato and onion mixture 

Stir to combine well 

Refrigerate for up to an hour before serving 

Enjoy!

Monday, August 22, 2022

Garlic Butter Steak Skillet


Whatever you do...don't sleep on or lose this recipe... Comfort food for any night.


INGREDIENTS: 

A piece of meat 

2 tsp olive oil

 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided (for steaks)

1 1/2 lbs. Cut top sirloin into 1-inch pieces (or filet mignon, New York strip or rib eye) 

1 medium pound gold Yukon cut into 3/4 inch wedges* spice mix 

1 TB each garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar 

2 tsp every powder onion, coriander / cumin / kosher salt

 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, chipotle chili pepper Garlic Butter Sauce (must be prepared before cooking!) 

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 

4-6 garlic cloves, minced 

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried 1/2 tsp. All dried thyme, dried thyme


DIRECTIONS:


Whisk all the seasoning mix seasonings together in a small bowl.

 Remove two tablespoons to use on potatoes. 

While steak is still on a cutting board, pat dry and sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. throw to cover it evenly; Sit aside. 

Place the potatoes and ½ cup of water in a microwave-safe dish. 

Cover in the microwave for 6-7 minutes (the potatoes should be barely soft).

 Strain it and leave it to dry. 

Drizzle the potatoes with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with two tablespoons of the seasoning mixture. 

Stir to cover evenly.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the potatoes and simmer for 1-2 minutes or until they begin to brown, flipping the potatoes for an additional 1-2 minutes until the fork softens. 

Remove to a tent plate with foil. Wipe the pan. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a now empty skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated through, add half of the steak to the skillet in a single layer and allow to sear for 2 minutes, then flip the steak and continue cooking for an additional minute or until desired doneness. 

Remove to a plate. Wipe down the pan if there are any black parts. To empty the pan now, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium to high heat. Once heated through, add remaining steak to skillet in a single layer and let sear without simmering for 2 minutes. 

Stir in the steak, then immediately add the butter, garlic, parsley, oregano and thyme. 

Cook, stirring, for a minute, then remove from heat. 

Add the steaks and potatoes to the skillet and stir to coat evenly in the butter sauce. Season with additional salt and/or pepper to taste. 

Feet it right away.

ENJOY!

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Pecan Upside Down Cake

And the Sweet Treats of Summer 2002 Keep Coming. Pecan Upside Down Cake..Check it out!


INGREDIENTS:
 

Sauce-caramel 

310 ml sugar 

60 ml (1/4 c) Scotch (whiskey or bourbon) 

60 ml (1/4 c) water

 30 ml (2 tbsp.) light corn syrup, preferably 

250 ml (1 c) cream, hot 

60 ml (1/4 cup) salted butter 

375 ml (1 1/2 c) pecan halves 

For The Cake 

500 ml (2 c) all-purpose flour 

180 ml (3/4 cup) pecans, finely chopped in a food processor 

5 ml (1 tsp) baking soda 

1 ml (1/4 tsp) salt 

125 ml (1/2 c) un-salted butter 

60 ml (1/4 c) canola oil 

375 ml (1 1/2 c) brown sugar 

5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract 

3 egg 250 ml 

(1 c) buttermilk

DIRECTIONS:


Putting grill at center of oven. Preheat oven 180°C (350°F). Butter and line the bottom of two 20-cm (8-inch) square baking dishes with parchment paper, letting it hang over two sides. Place on a cookie sheet. 
Butterscotch caramel sauce 

In a saucepan, bring the sugar, Scotch, water and syrup to a boil. Cooking without stir to mixture takes on golden color. Off the heat, gradually add the cream and butter. Bring to boil again, stirring to mixture is smooth. Divide the caramel into the baking dishes. Sprinkle with half pecans.

 For The Cake 

In a bowl, combine the flour, chopped pecans, baking soda and salt. To book. In other bowl, cream butter with oil, brown sugar & vanilla with an electric blender.

 Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous. At low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk. 

Carefully divide the batter into the baking dishes over the caramel. 

Bake for about 50 minutes . Leave to cool about 30 min. Invert a first cake onto a serve platter.

 Invert the second cake onto a baking sheet and slide it onto the first. 

Let cool completely. 

Serve warm or cold and top with whipped cream if desired.

ENJOY!

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Fried Apple or Peach Pies


 Another Sweet Treat for the summer.  Check it out!


INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces dried apples or dried peaches

 1 cup water 

1/3 cup sugar 

1 tablespoon butter 

1 tsp. cinnamon or apple pie spice 

1 can jumbo refrigerated flaky biscuits 

Vegetable oil, for frying


DIRECTIONS:

1. In saucepan, combine together apples and water then bring to a boil. Make sure to cover, reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and let cool, mashing slightly if pieces are large. Then you may stir in sugar and butter; set mixture aside.

 2. For the filling: If using fresh apples, you should add 2 TBS of butter to a large saute pan and melt. Immediately add 4 peeled, cored and chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tsp lemon juice together and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until the apples are soft. Next, remove from the heat, mash slightly and cool. 

3. Now please roll each biscuit into a 5-inch circle on a lightly floured surface, then place about 1 tablespoon apple mixture on half of each biscuit circle. Make sure to dip fingers in water and moisten edges of circles to seal pies. Remember to, fold in half, making sure edges are even, then press edges firmly together with a fork dipped in flour to seal. 

 4. When finished, pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch into a heavy skillet, or use deep fryer. Then immediately fry pies in hot oil (370°) over medium-high heat until golden, turning once. Make sure not to rush it because you want the biscuit cooked completely through. 

5. Finally, drain well on paper towels. 

This should make 10 pies.

ENJOY!

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken


 If The thought of this doesn't make your mouth water...You're not truly alive....

Fried Wing Flats Drizzled With Honey Lemon Pepper, Oh Boy...Check out this recipe-

INGREDIENTS:

3 lbs of wings  

1 tsp adobo 

1tsp black pepper 

1 tsp cayenne pepper  

1/2 tbsp lemon pepper  

1/2 tbsp garlic powder 

1 tsp Italian seasoning

2 eggs 

3 cups flour


Sauce recipe! 

1 stick butter 

1 tsp black pepper 

1 tsp lemon pepper or more to suit your taste. 

1/4 cup honey 

Juice of 1 lemon 

Melt butter in sauce pan then add lemon juice black pepper, lemon pepper and honey 

bring to a boil then remove from stove. 

Note: melt the butter on like low heat don't let it burn .You need to see the yellow lemon pepper colour when you add it to the chicken wings!




DIRECTIONS:


Wash chicken add to a bowl then add all seasonings above and 2 eggs mix well . 

In another bowl add all purpose flour.

 Dip seasoned chicken into flour mixture then fry in vegetable oil for 6 minutes per side, add glaze to hit hot chicken. 

Serve and enjoy! 


Monday, August 15, 2022

Pepper Steak


 Best Ever Pepper Steak, Check it out!


INGREDIENTS: 

1/4 c. low-sodium soy sauce

 2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar 

4 tsp. packed brown sugar 

1 tbsp. cornstarch 

2 tbsp. vegetable oil, 

Divided Kosher salt 

Freshly ground black pepper 

1 lb. flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain 

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 

1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced 

3 cloves garlic, minced 

1 tbsp. freshly minced ginger 

Cooked white rice, for serving


DIRECTIONS:


Make sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce with the vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch. Set aside. 

In a large skillet over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. 

Add flank steak, season with salt, and cook until cooked through and seared on all sides, about 8 minutes. 

Remove steak to a plate. Add 1 tablespoon remaining oil and red and green bell peppers to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes. 

Add the garlic and ginger and cook stirring until fragrant. 

Return the beef to the skillet and pour over prepared sauce. 

Cook, stirring, until the sauce is glossy about 2 minutes more. 

Serve with rice.

ENJOY!

Food Safety Tips
Protect yourself against food-borne illnesses.


1. Use a "refrigerator thermometer" to keep your food stored at a safe temperature (below 40 degrees fahrenheit).

Cold temperatures slow the growth of bacteria. Ensuring that your refrigerator temperature stays at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder is one of the most effective ways to reduce your risk of food-borne illness. You can buy a refrigerator/freezer thermometer at appliance stories, home centers (i.e. Home Depot), and kitchen stores including online ones, such as Cooking.com.

2. Defrost food in the refrigerator, the microwave, or in cold water... never on the counter!

Perishable foods should never be thawed on the counter for longer than two hours because, while the center of the food may remain frozen, the outer surface may enter the Danger Zone, the range of temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees fahrenheit, in which bacteria multiply rapidly. If you’re short on time, use the microwave or you can thaw meat and poultry in airtight packaging in cold water. Change the water every half-hour so it stays cold and use the thawed food immediately.

3. Always use separate cutting boards for raw meat/poultry/fish and cooked foods/fresh produce.

Bacteria from uncooked meat, poultry, and fish can contaminate cooked foods and fresh produce. An important way to reduce this risk is to use separate cutting boards for raw meat/poultry/ fish, and cooked foods/fresh produce.

4. Always cook meat to proper temperatures, using a calibrated instant-read thermometer to make sure.

One effective way to prevent illness is to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat, poultry, and egg dishes. The USDA Recommended Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures are as follows:

* Beef, veal, and lamb (steaks and roasts), fish - 145 degrees fahrenheit

* Pork and ground beef - 160 degrees fahrenheit

* Poultry - 165 degrees fahrenheit.

Cook meats like roasts and steaks to lower temperatures, closer to medium-rare, so that they retain their moisture. It is recommended that those who are at high risk for developing food-borne illness (i.e. pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborns, young children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, or certain chronic illnesses) should follow the USDA guidelines.

5. Avoid unpasteurized/raw milk and cheeses made from unpasteurized milk that are aged less than 60 days.

Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, or goats that has not been pasteurized (heated to a very high temperature for a specific length of time) to kill harmful bacteria that may be present. These bacteria, which include salmonella, E. coli and listeria, can cause serious illness and sometimes even death. The bacteria in raw milk can be especially dangerous to pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses. Raw milk cheeses aged 60 days or longer are okay, since the salt and acidity of the cheese-making process make for a hostile environment to pathogens.

6. Never eat "runny" eggs or foods, such as cookie dough, that contain raw eggs.

Even eggs that have clean, intact shells may be contaminated with salmonella, so it’s important to cook eggs thoroughly until both the yolk and the white are firm. Casseroles and other dishes containing eggs should be cooked to 160 degrees fahrenheit and you can use an instant-read food thermometer to check. Eggs should always be cooked fully and those who are at high risk for developing foodborne illness (pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborns, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic illnesses should follow the USDA guidelines. If you can’t resist runny eggs or sampling cookie batter, use pasteurized eggs. They’re found near other eggs in large supermarkets.

7. Always wash your hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds before handling food and after touching raw meat, poultry, or eggs.

You can pick up a lot of bacteria out in the world, so it’s important to always wash your hands before you eat or prepare food. You should also wash your hands after touching any uncooked meat, poultry, fish, or eggs, as the bacteria from these foods can contaminate cooked foods and fresh produce. Use soap and warm water and wash thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.

8. Always heat leftover foods to 165 degrees fahrenheit.

The USDA recommends heating all cooked leftovers to 165 degrees fahrenheit in order to kill all potentially dangerous bacteria.

9. Never eat meat, poultry, eggs, or sliced fresh fruits and vegetables that have been left out for more than two hours or more than one hour in temperatures hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you leave perishable foods out of the refrigerator or freezer for more than two hours they may enter the Danger Zone—the unsafe temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, in which bacteria multiply rapidly.

10. Whenever there’s a food recall, check products stored at home to make sure they are safe.

You should discard any food that’s been recalled because it’s associated with the outbreak of a food-borne illness. But, according to a survey conducted by Rutgers University during the fall of 2008, only about 60% of Americans search their homes for foods that have been recalled because of contamination. For more information on food recalls, visit the website Recalls.gov






Cavier & Vodka
Courtesy of The Lady (Bug) of the Household