Guacamole Salad

Once upon a time there were 2 friends who had a food blog. Then one friend moved away. The other friend who stayed behind missed her and all the cooking adventures they had. Months passed. Then the friend who left, returned! It was only for a short while, but oh how happy the friends were! They ate and cooked and baked and ate some more. (Maybe they ate a little too much.) One night for dinner, this salad was born and the two friends ate in silence. The one friend said, "This is very good." The other friend said, "This is really good." And that was the end of the conversation because they were too busy eating the salad. With bellies full of good food, the 2 friends parted that night thanking the stars above for each other and for the fantastic thing that is guacamole salad. The end.

*inspiration came from this Mel's Kitchen Cafe recipe.
She is a beautiful person for sharing it with the world.

*need a grilled corn tutorial? click here.

Ingredients:
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cans (15oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4- 1/2 cup diced red onion (depends on how much raw onion you like)
3 ears grilled sweet corn, with the kernels removed from the cobs
1-2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled
1 tsp freshly grated lime zest
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
1/4 cup EVOO
1-2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 medium garlic clove, finely minced OR 1 tsp fresh chopped garlic from a jar
a dash (or two or three or seven) of cayenne pepper
3 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled and diced

* a note about measurements before we start with the directions. This recipe serves 6 as a side dish. Or it could also serve 2 ravenously hungry friends who sat down with a bag of tostitos new pepper jack tortilla chips and that was all they had for dinner. First, decide on how many people you are serving. If its on the "more" side, use the bigger measurement. If its on the "less" side, you could tone it down a little and still have lots of salad. You don't want a lot of leftovers because it doesn't keep very well. You know, the avocados turn brown and ruin the prettiness. Its not a "make the day before" salad. Next, adjust to your taste. Don't love corn? leave it out. (really, you don't love corn, what's your deal?) Like more black beans? Throw in another can. This is a starting point really. You can take it and run wild. And try the chips.
Seriously. They were made for this salad.

Directions:
Throw the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, corn, quinoa and lime zest in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the lime juice with the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and cayenne pepper and pour over the veggies in the big bowl. Mix 'em up good. Pop in the fridge until you're ready to serve, they can hang out in there for a few hours.

A few minutes before you bring out your salad and wow your guests, get the avocados seeded, peeled and diced and GENTLY fold them into the mixture. Give it a taste test. Or two. Or three. You are the quality control person. Needs another squeeze of fresh lime? Do it now. Needs another dash of salt and pepper? Get 'er done. Then put it on the table and watch it disappear. Every last corn kernel will have vanished. And your guests will be duly impressed. And you will say, "What? I cook like this all the time!" Well done friend, well done.

Coconut Israeli Couscous

I can't believe I haven't shared this one already. Its another favorite from the cooking class I took last year. Its simple, fast and oh so delicious. The only catch is that it only works with Israeli couscous, not the regular variety. The Israeli version is slightly larger and what with the absorption, etc, regular couscous doesn't set up as well. Anyway, like you needed another excuse to shop at Trader Joe's, right? This is a tasty side dish, slightly on the sweet side.
It would pair really nicely with a spicy main dish.

Here it is, in the middle. Makes my mouth water a little remembering this meal.

1 (14 oz)can coconut milk (I use Trader Joe's light coconut milk)
1 cup chicken broth (don't use reduced sodium)
1 1/4 cups Israeli Couscous (I use the 8oz box from Trader Joe's)
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp sliced green onions, cut on the bias

Bring broth and coconut milk to a boil. Add couscous. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes and then cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and generously salt to your liking. Add cilantro and green onion, serve immediately!!

* really, serve immediately. Its not nearly as good room temperature.

Green Bean Casserole

Who doesn't love green bean casserole?? I think it is another of those comfort foods that most enjoy. I love this recipe because instead of buying cream of mushroom soup and french fried onions, you do it all yourself!

Green Bean Casserole
Everyday Foods November 2009


Serves 8
3 cups vegetable oil
6 large shallots, cut into very thin rounds, rings separated
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 pounds green beans, trimmed and halved
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1 pound button mushrooms, trimmed and coarsely chopped
14.5 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole milk



Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Line a baking sheet with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss together shallots and 1 1/4 cups flour until shallots are evenly coated. In batches, shake off excess flour from shallots and fry until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes, adjusting heat if shallots are browning too quickly. With a slotted spoon, transfer to sheet and season with salt. Set aside. (Store in an airtight container at room temperature with a layer of paper towels underneath, up to 2 days.)



In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook green beans until crisp-tender, 6 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water



In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup flour and cook, stirring, until incorporated, about 1 minute. Whisking constantly, gradually add broth, then milk. Bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (To store, refrigerate with plastic wrap on surface, up to 2 days. Reheat before using.)
Add green beans to mushroom sauce and toss to coat. Transfer mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake until bubbling around edges, about 15 minutes. Serve topped with fried shallots.

Sweet Potato Casserole

I like pretty traditional Thanksgiving fare and I love sweet potatoes so this recipe fits the bill...my mouth is salivating just thinking about it. Hope you enjoy!

Sweet Potato Casserole
Everyday Foods, November 2008

Serves 8
3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 8), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups mini marshmallows or chopped regular marshmallows

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan, and cover with cold water by 1 inch; salt generously. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until easily pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, and return to pan. Heat over medium, stirring, until liquid has evaporated and a thin film covers bottom of pan, about 2 minutes.

Remove pan from heat; add milk, butter, and nutmeg. Mash until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Transfer sweet-potato mixture to a 2-quart baking dish. (To make ahead, refrigerate, up to 1 day.)

Top casserole with marshmallows; bake until center is warmed through and marshmallows are lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes.

Thanksgiving Corn

So I feel like I'm breaking the biggest food blogging rule EVER . . . I am posting a recipe of something I have not actually made or eaten. But, to be fair, it is a tried and true of my very good friend, Christy Miller and I have it on excellent authority that this dish is foolproof. It is a star at their meal and anytime I hear that about a vegetable (really, what veggie outshines dessert?) I have to try it. I am going to make it this year for Thanksgiving and who knows, maybe you want to too and if I wait till AFTER I make it to share the recipe, well, then Thanksgiving will be over. Hence my rule breaking. :)
I promise to add notes/photos after I make this.

Ingredients:
6 slices bacon, drippings reserved
1/2 cup chopped onion (yellow or white onion)
2 tbsp flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup sour cream
3 1/2 cups whole kernel frozen corn
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives (garnish, optional)

Directions:

In a skillet, fry bacon until crisp, you don't want any wiggly parts. Drain grease and save 2 tbsp drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside. In your skillet with the reserved drippings, saute onions until tender, add flour, garlic and salt/pepper. Cook and stir until bubbly, then cook and stir one minute more. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream (isn't this sounding yummy?) Add corn, parsley and 1/2 the bacon, mix and pour into a 1 quart baking dish. Sprinkle the top with remaining bacon. Bake uncovered at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Serve with chives as a garnish.

* Christy says she usually doubles this for Thanksgiving and it fits perfectly in a 9x13. She also says to get a really high quality frozen corn, she uses the frozen organic corn from Costco with great results.

Another Stuffing Option

Sallie posted this on My Sister's Kitchen (see sidebar) and it is just what I was imagining so I will be giving this a go on Thanksgiving! p.s. I copied the recipe and picture straight from your blog Sallie...hope you don't mind :)!!

Bread and Sausage Stuffing

Williams Sonoma

Ingredients:
1 loaf sourdough French bread, about 1 lb., cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 lb. sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 leek, white and light green portions, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup half-and-half
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 350ºF. Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.In a large fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the sausage, onion, leek, celery and sage and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns and is cooked through and the vegetables are translucent, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and fold in the bread cubes, parsley and half-and-half. Stir in the stock until the mixture is evenly moistened. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool completely before stuffing into the cavities of the turkey. Serves 8 to 10.

You can either use this savory mixture to stuff the turkey (see yesterday's recipe) and then spoon any extra stuffing into a buttered baking dish and bake it alongside the turkey during the last 40 minutes of roasting or just pile it all in a large baking dish. While the turkey rests, keep the stuffing in the oven to develop a golden brown crust.

Next up:
PIES--banana cream, chocolate pecan, and from scratch pumpkin
Turkey Brine
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Jello Salad

so...stay tuned!!

Simple Stuffing

This is the stuffing my grandma always makes and I think it is so delicious. The stuffing is always what I want for leftovers. I think the trick to make this so delish is to not skimp on the butter. mmm.

BASIC STUFFIN'

Two 6 oz. bags Mrs. Cubbison's stuffing
1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups broth

Combine dressing with butter or margarine and vegetables. Stir liquid in gradually. Spoon into 2 1/2 or 3-quart greased casserole dish. Bake covered 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Remove cover and bake 5 to 10 minutes longer for a crisper top.

Thanksgiving

It is right around the corner and I couldn't be more excited!! I mean, who doesn't love a holiday that revolves around eating delicious food full of butter and cream?? YUM. So, I am going to slowly share the recipes that I will be using for my Thanksgiving fare. The first will be mashed potatoes. I am a fan of fairly traditional mashed potatoes fror Thanksgiving...you know, the comfort type. This is originally from Martha Stewart and is rich and creamy (look at the ingredients, how could it not be!)


4 pounds russet, Yukon gold, or long white potatoes
2 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more to taste
1 1/2 cups milk or cream (go for the cream, it's Thanksgiving!!)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
Peel potatoes, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place in a medium stockpot, and cover with cold water. Add 2 tablespoons salt. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, about 20 minutes. Drain.
While potatoes are cooking, place milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat just until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, and keep warm. Place a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Press hot, drained potatoes through a ricer into bowl. Stir potatoes with a wooden spoon until smooth, about 1 minute.
Stir in butter until completely melted and well incorporated. Slowly pour in hot milk, stirring continuously. Add pepper, nutmeg, and salt; stir to combine. Taste, and adjust for seasoning. Serve immediately.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Paula Deen has never led me astray. She is one superb cook. And I love how she never apologizes for putting a pound of butter in every recipe. When asked about how healthy (or unhealthy) her dishes are she responded with, "I'm a cook not your doctor!" Amen Paula, amen. These potatoes were all that I wanted them to be and more. I did omit the bacon because we served these alongside steak and quite frankly, what with the holidays coming up and all, I don't need a 2800 calorie meal. But really, very tasty, I savored every bite and my husband, kids and baby all enjoyed them too. Victory!

Ingredients:

8 medium baking potatoes, about 4 pounds
One 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 cups (1/2 pound) shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 pint sour cream
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chopped chives, for garnish (optional IMHO)
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled, for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Pierce the potatoes and place on a baking pan. Bake the potatoes for 1 hour and 15 minutes, until very soft. Allow to cool.

2. Peel and mash the potatoes in a large bowl with a potato masher or the back of a fork. Or use your kitchen aide with the cookie paddle, worked great for me! Add the cream cheese, butter, 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese and the sour cream. Stir well. Add the garlic, salt, and pepper and stir again.

3. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray. Place the potatoes into the dish. The casserole may now be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated until ready to bake.

4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Remove the plastic wrap and bake the potatoes for 30 to 35 minutes, until hot. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts. Garnish with the chopped chives and crumbled bacon before serving. Serves 10-12

*a note. If you make it like this, its like a casserole. I preferred to save the potato skins and made these traditional twice baked potatoes. Just stuff the saved skins with the yummy potato mix and continue to follow the directions.

Lemon Pudding Fruit Salad

The picture really doesn't do it justice, because it was very, very tasty. Love that lemony flavor with all the other fruit, and the creamy texture. Another hit from the "Essential Mormon Cookbook!" Make it in the earlier in the day so it has at least 3-4 hours to chill before serving. We served this alongside BBQ and beans and it was a great pairing, the spicy/hot with the lemony cool.

1 large (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained with juice reserved
1 (3 oz) package lemon jell-o
1 (3 oz) package lemon pudding (NOT instant)
1 (8 oz) tub frozen whipped topping (read cool whip)
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
2 bananas, sliced
1 cup miniature marshmallows

In a large measuring glass, combine reserved fruit juice and enough water to make 3 cups liquid. Pour into a large saucepan and bring liquid to a boil. Mix in jell-o and pudding mix. Cook and stir until thickened. (Use your whisk to break up the clumps, you want a smooth texture) Cool. Stir in whipped topping, fruit, and marshmallows. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (should be more like 3-4 hrs) Serve the same day. Makes about 12 servings.

Ranch-style Beans

My family loves beans, its something all of us enjoy eating. So I love recipes that add a little spice and pizazz, like this one, instead of boring from the can beans. I hope you like it too! Thanks to my Essential Mormon Celebrations cookbook for another winner. Fix these at your next BBQ!

1 lb bacon, cut in 2 inch pieces
1 small onion, chopped
1 red or green pepper, chopped (I used red)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
2 tbsp mustard
2 tsp chili powder
2 tbsp molasses
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) can white or pinto beans, drained (I used pinto)
1 (16oz) can lima or butter beans, drained (I used butter beans)
1 (16oz) can red kidney beans, drained
2 (16 oz) cans pork and beans, UNdrained

Fry bacon in a large skillet until cooked but not crisp. Add onion and chopped pepper and cook for about 3 minutes. Drain off bacon grease and discard or save for another use. In a large baking dish, combine all other ingredients. Stir in bacon, onion, and pepper mixture. Bake at 325 for about 1 hour. Makes 12 servings.

*notes. In an effort to use my oven less and my crock-pot more, I put these in my crock-pot on low for about 3 hours and they were gggggreat!

Herbed New Potatoes

one thing i am always on the search for is quick, easy, versatile side dishes. i have found one that fits the bill. with the spices i add, i can make it more italian (add more oregano, basil, garlic) or more french country (rosemary, sage, thyme, etc.) and if somebody loves basil, well, throw that on there too! see how adaptable this is? and i always have potatoes on hand so i can whip this up fast.

1-3 lbs baby red potatoes, thinly sliced. (i use my salad shooter with the slicer attachment, i check the baby red potatoes for any yucky parts, slice those off but i don't have to cut them smaller, i just push them whole through the chute)

i slice them right into my greased 9x13 pan. when i'm done with the potatoes, i PAM the potatoes before i add herbs.

herbs can include any and/or all of the following, let your taste buds guide you:

1tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp italian spice mix
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp sage
1 tsp thyme
salt and pepper to taste

toss them once they have been sprayed and herbed and if desired, spray and herb an additional time if there are a lot of potatoes in the pan. this will ensure every potato slice is flavorful.

bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes. adjust the time as needed for the amount you making, less potatoes take less time to bake, larger potatoes more time. also, mine slice very thin so i have to stire them once or tin foil them so the top slices don't get too crispy. enjoy!

baked potato topping

our family loves this

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp green onion, chopped
3 slices crispy bacon, crumbled

mix butter and sour cream. fold in cheese, onion and bacon. serve at room temperature on baked potatoes. 4-6 servings