To All Of The Mother’s Throughout The World I Would Like To Wish You A Happy Mother’s Day!!!

As everyone knows the 5th of May is Cinco De Mayo .I made a nice dish that is a great mexican appetizer it is called Salsa Roja (roasted tomato salsa).I just wanted to make something in celebration for that day because I missed it last year so this year I was determined to make something.This salsa has great flavor not to salty and not to spicy it is just right . This salsa is quick to make and a very healthy dip  that you can eat with vegetables ,put on pasta,chips or tortillas.Its really tastes good and I know you’ll like it.

Ingredients:

6 vine ripe tomatoes -sliced in half

1 cup canned crushed tomatoes

1 pablano pepper -sliced in half

1 small onion-slices in half

4 cloves of garlic- whole

1 habanero pepper-seeded and halved

1-1/2 tbsps olive oil

Juice from 1 lime

Bunch of cilantro

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1-1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt ( add more to suit your taste)

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425.

1.Place tomatoes,peppers, onion and garlic on a foiled lined sheet pan.

2.Place into oven and roast for 35-40 or when the vegetables and peppers are little charred.Make sure to keep an eye on it.

3. Take out oven and let cool for 5-7 minutes .

4. Place all ingredients  in a food processor or blender  except the crushed tomatoes.

5.Blend until smooth or until desired consistency.

6.Pour salsa in a bowl and add the crushed tomatoes. Now Stir and combined.

7. Plate and Serve and Enjoy!!!

I went to the food pantry the other day and some things they give you there is a shelf life.I decided to use the bread I got from there because its really nice bread that really compliments what I made to post today.Its  Italian bread loaf. I think it made it better than the usual french baguette I probably would use.I made tomato and mozzarella bruschetta its easy and quick to make .I love making things  with bread such as garlic,crostini,croutons or  whatever else you can make with bread.This Italian appetizer is great for parties,a snack or for satisfying you appetizer.Its really tasty,healthy and vegetarian,but if  you are vegan or have a gluten allergy you can change the recipe.

Mis En Place

French or Italian Bread sliced

2 medium vine ripe tomatoes -chopped

1 large clove of garlic coarsely- chopped

1/2 of a small onion -chopped

1 tbsp fresh or dried basil (If fresh cut into thin strips)

1-1/2 tbsps olive oil

1/4 cup grated shredded mozzarella

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

2.Place sliced bread on a foiled lined baking sheet.

3.Bake for 3-7 minutes or until golden brown.

4.Take bread out oven and let cool.

5. Stir  the tomato mixture .

6.Now spoon  the tomato mixture on top of bread slices.

7.Put mozzarella cheese on top and place back into oven for 1-2 minutes or until melted.

Now you can plate,serve and enjoy!!!

I remember the first time I had lamb I did not like it.It was the second time wow wee I fell in love from there.The way it was made it was so tender you can cut it with a credit card .The only thing I have to get over was the gamey flavor some told me try mint Boy let me tell you that did it for me.This lamb was different because I made it different.The lamb has a nice lamb seasoning rub That I made and something I have always wanted to make chimichurri sauce.When I paired the lamb with this sauce it was like to ships passing in the night Bam.The sauce has a zesty twang like a country rock star and me the food  groupie got all excited.Argentina has got it  going on when it comes to the idea of chimichurri sauce thank you much.The lamb tastes good the best I ever had.

Ingredients:

1 lb lamb chops

3 tsps lamb seasoning

2 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2.Mix the oil and the spice blend until there is a thin paste.

3.Take a spoon and slather the paste all over the lamb chops.

4. Place lamb chops in a foiled lined pan.

5.Place in oven and bake for 45 minutes.

6.Take out of oven and let rest for 5-7 minutes.

7. Now you can plate and serve.

This lamb goes well with roasted potatoes,rice,any vegetables, or just by itself.

I hope you enjoy.

I finally found another way to use parsley and mint .I made something that to me is a relative to pesto and that is Chimichurri sauce .Chimichurri sauce is an Argentinean staple and its put on beef,lamb or anything you like.This is my first time making this sauce and to my surprise its really good.I sort of changed it to my taste I used mint and flat leaf parsley because i don’t like cilantro to me it was still good.I find it to be lemony and garlicky that was good I love strong flavors.If you haven’t had chimichurri sauce maybe you can start here and try mine and tell me what you think.

Ingredients:

1 cup packed flat leaf parsley

1/2 packed cup fresh mint

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 cup of olive oil

1 tbsp of red wine vinegar

2 tsps lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp red pepper flake

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1.Place all of the ingredients in a blender or food processor.

2.Pulse until mixture is smooth.

3. Put sauce in a bowl or container.

4.Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

5. Sauce can be kept for 2-3 days.

Here is a simple lamb herb seasoning I put together . I love making homemade spice and herb blends its so much cheaper.I made some lamb today and this what I used on it.Recipe down below.

Ingredients:

1 tsp rosemary-crushed

1 tsp basil

1 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp oregano

2 tsp sweet paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Mix all of the ingredient and then place them in glass spice jar or a small plastic container.The spice and herb black lasts up to 6 months.

April 25th is National Zucchini Bread Day so to celebrate the day I made chocolate zucchini bread .Let me tell you it tastes really good. I was really surprised because I don’t like Zucchini except in  in a bread or dessert form I’ll like zucchini all the way.This bread is not sweet but very  chocolatey I used Valrhona  unsweetenend cocoa I got from Whole Foods because I love the quality.This bread have a couple of surprises and they are ground star anise and cayenne pepper to accompany the chocolate.The cayenne pepper is very subtle it hits the back of the palette and the star anise just a little bit of a licorice flavor.This  bread is moist also I like how it came out .Ooh I forgot it also has mini semi sweet chocolate chips in it .Just the way I like it.So I will after all become a zucchini fan because it seems to like me as long as it stays sweet.Now onto the recipe down below.

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup unsweetnend cocoa powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp star anise

1/4 tsp cayenne powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup cane or white sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup butter -1 stick (melted butter)

1/2 cup + 2 tbsps canola or vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini

1/2 cup chocolate chips -any flavor or size( I used mini)

2 eggs -room temperature

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and Flour a loaf pan.

2.In a large bowl mix all of the dry ingredients and Set aside.

3.In a medium bowl mix the eggs,oil,butter,vanilla and sugars together.

4.Now gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix all ingredients until smooth.

5.Add in the grated zucchini and chocolate chips and mix until fully incorporated.

6.Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-50 minutes or when a tooth pick comes out clean.

7.When bread is done place on a cooling rack and let cool for 10-15 minutes.The take bread out of loaf pan and place carefully on back on the loaf pan to some more.

Now you can eat up have it with some milk or coffee .Have it for Breakfast,Lunch.Dinner or at anytime of the day .

So Please Enjoy!!!

We all know that when it comes to baking quick breads and cakes that we have to grease and flour the pan .Doing that prevents the cake or bread from sticking to the pan .The only problem I had was with chocolate cakes and breads its when you use white flour to prepare the pan oh god what disaster .Now the chocolate cake is all white on the sides I got mad and had to find a solution to that problem.

  A very bright idea came to mind it was to use cocoa powder to coat the pan instead of flour.  So that is what I did  and it  made a difference in how the cake came out  the cake didn’t stick to the pan and my cake was not white YEAH. So from that day on I have been baking chocolate cakes and breads that way. So hopefully this will be helpful to you in your baking.

Happy Baking :0)

What you’ll need:

Any baking pan

1-2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp shortening

Parchment Paper

Directions:

1.Put the shortening in the pan.With a paper towel or pastry brush even spread the shortening to cover the sides,middle and corners.If you have excess shortening just wipe it out carefully.

2.Now sprinkle the cocoa and tap to coat the whole pan .If there any excess cocoa just tap onto a paper towel.

3. Take parchment paper and cut it out to the size of the pan .Now line the parchment paper in  the bottom of the pan .

* There  you go this  was so quick and  easy now your chocolate cakes and breads will come out perfect*

I got the idea  for this dish  from a food sample at Whole Foods Last week.I though the sample that I had was good.So I prepared it today it was easy and can be quick because the asparagus and rice are frozen both are from Whole Foods their 365 line .I was surprised when saw that they had brown rice didn’t know it had existed .I am glad I found it because it was very convenient because I don’t know how to cook brown rice I mess it up.So Yeah Hoo to frozen food.I also loved this rice combo of mushrooms and asparagus. I used  cremini mushrooms and  you can use any type of mushroom like the sky is the limit. I also put some shredded mozzarella it gives it a nice taste. You can serve this with steak or chicken .This rice dish is sorta elegant you can serve this maybe at a 5-star event .I thought it was good .Its quick and easy to put together you impress your friends and family with this dish so please cook,eat and enjoy.

Mis En Place:

1-1/2 cup fresh cooked or frozen brown rice

1/3 cup chopped purple or white,yellow onions

1 garlic clove coarsely chopped

1/3 cup cremini or white button mushroom chopped

1/2 cup fresh or frozen chopped asparagus

1/2 cup beef,chicken or vegetable broth

2 tbsps shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tbsps salted butter

2 tbsps olive oil

1/4 tsp paprika

2 tsps fresh or dried  parsley

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1.In a large  pan over medium high heat.Add  your oil and butter.

2.Add in the onions ,garlic and mushrooms.

3.Saute until the onion, garlic and mushrooms are tender.Now add the rice and stir.

4.Add the beef broth and stir. Add the paprika,parsley,salt and pepper. Stir the asparagus into rice mixture.

5.Add the mozzarella cheese and stir into the rice until cheese is melted.

Now its time to serve this nice side dish.Just plate and serve it.Please Enjoy!!!

The other day I went to Whole Foods and they ever so often have food samples .I tried a couple of their food samples but one had an ever lasting impact on me.It was the one with the brown rice,mushrooms and asparagus all I can say was WOW goes the beat of my heart.So I ask for a second sample because it was that good .The rice tasted good and I didn’t know that the rice was frozen especially brown rice.I ask the lady who giving the samples and she said its in the frozen section .I went and got myself a bag because I am not that good at cooking brown rice.It takes 45 mins to cook and not that patient but I will practice. I usually don’t take short cuts in cooking but this was worth it.So I will give this rice a try.This rice is easy to cook and takes no time at  all only 2 minutes. If you don’t have the time to cook this your answer. The rice is costs only $ 2.99 .Brown rice is heart healthy and very good for you.I just want to let you know what I bought that I was excited about.I will let you know what I make with the rice.

Have A Nice Day!!!