Pea Salad

I can’t tell you the first time I had this, because my mother has been making this since before I was born.  It has been a staple in my life, since I have had a life.  So it’s only right to share this dish, that I hope will be served in my family long after my grandchildren’s grandchildren are gone.

here’s what we’ll need:

1 can sweet peas ( thoroughly drained )

1/3 c. chedder cheese cut into 1/4″ cubes

1 hard boiled egg ( chopped)   optional

1/4 c. onion  ( finely minced)

3 T. Mayonase or Miracle Whip

Combine ingredients, stir.    Serve Cold

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

I have yet to meet anyone who thinks asparagus is ok.  Seems to be one of those love it or hate it.  Well I love it, and this is my page, so here is a good one =-).

Here’s what we’ll need:

1 bunch fresh asparagus  ( cleaned and trimmed )

1 brick Pepperjack cheese  ( cut into slivers about half as long as the asparagus and about as big around as a pencil )

1 pkg Bacon  ( I use Wright’s Peppered Bacon )

take 3 spears of asparagus and surround a sliver of cheese with them.  Wrap the asparagus in bacon, and place on a non-stick deep cookie sheet.

continue this process for as many servings as you choose.  3 wraps is about perfect as a side.  4-5 for just a finger food snack.

place the sheet in the oven and bake at 350 for about 15 min, or until bacon is at desired degree of done.

Enjoy

Yup, them there is Biscuits

What is it about a home made biscuit that starts making the mouth water? I don’t know either cept to say that they’re damned tasty. Pretty simple to make and the results?…. ZOMG FEED ME!!

So here is what we’ll need:

2 C Flour

4 t. Baking Powder

3 T. Butter

1/3 t. salt

3/4 C Milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Use a pastry blender to blend the butter in to the flour. You know it’s well blended when it looks like a bowl of flour pellets. Slowly add the milk and stir well. Now it’s going to look like a big gooey ball. At this point I place a piece of newspaper on the counter and coat it with flour, and dump the dough onto it. Coat your hands in flower and kneed the dough for about a minute. ( for all you folks that say don’t over handle your dough…. I got something you can handle =-) This i my blog ). Now the dough should be smooth. Roll out to about 1/2″ thick. Grab ya out a water glass/coffee cup and coat the rim in flour. Cut out your biscuits and placed on a greased cast Iron skillet or other baking dish. Place em kinda close to each other so they rise up ( and don’t spread out and get hard ). Give em a light topping with melted butter and bake for 15 min.

Enjoy

Spanish Rice

This recipe is courtesy of my mother, who is responsible in the most part for my love for cooking.

Here’s what we’ll need:

2 cups Long Grain Rice  ( DO NOT USE INSTANT )  I personally use Mahatma rice

1/2 medium Onion ( diced )

1/2 Bell pepper ( diced )

1 clove Garlic  ( pressed and minced )

2 T. Butter  ( REAL BUTTER )

4 C  Beef broth   ( 1cube or teaspoon of bullion granules = 1 cup )

1t. ground cumin

2t. chili powder

1t. salt

1 Jalapeño  ( diced)

4 roma tomatoes  ( diced )

Saute  onion, bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeño .  set aside

Heat Oil and butter in a large skillet or heavy pot.  Stir in rice and cook till brown ( approx 5 min. ) Stir constantly to avoid scorching the rice.

Stir in broth spices, and vegetables

Bring to a boil, reduce heat cover and simmer for 30 min ( or until all water is absorbed )

Hint :  you can also add a touch of cilantro to add a little more flavor

Enjoy

Pico de Gallo

Ok, so now you get to see the Texan in me coming out. It’s my personal estimation… there are two kinds of sauce people: all sauce, or show me the veggies. Well I am the later. This is a little prep intensive but it’s worth it.

Here’s what you will need:

10 Roma tomatoes ( diced )

1 medium white Onion ( diced )

4 Jalapeño peppers ( diced )

1 Habanero pepper ( minced )

1 clove garlic ( pressed and minced )

1/2 bunch fresh Cilantro ( finely chopped )

2 small limes ( quartered for squeezing )

2 t salt

Again, pretty straight forward … As you dice the veggies, put them in a large bowl. once all the veggies are in the bowl, squeeze the limes over them then add the salt. Toss and serve

Enjoy

P.S. If you are of the grp that can not eat very spicy or very hot food items I have 2 things to say.

1.) Sorry bout yer luck

2.) Remove Habanero from recipe, and de-seed the Jalapeños.

Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad

This is pretty damned tasty for those seeking a break from just….. Salad

This salad keeps pretty well refrigerated so again, this is what I do.

1 head Broccoli ( remove fowerettes from stems and discard stems )

1 head Cauliflower ( remove fowerettes from stems and discard stems)

1 Cucumber ( sliced )

4 medium roma tomatoes ( quartered )

6oz.  can sliced mushrooms or 6-8 fresh sliced mushrooms lightly sautéed

2 cups light Balsamic Vinaigrette

In a large bowl combine Veggies and dressing. Toss thoroughly to ensure a total coating of dressing.

Serve Cold.

Enjoy

Home Fried Potatoes

This is prolly my favorite side dish. I could make a meal out of these… So what we need is this:

4 C. diced fresh potato ( I leave the skins on )

1/3 Red Bell Pepper ( diced )

1/4 C. diced Onion ( I use the red onions for the flavor )

1/2 t. ground cumin

1 t. coarse ground black pepper

It’s pretty straight forward….. Mix all the veggies and spices then fry till done. I know it’s oxy-moronic to consider health when talking about fried food, but I use canola oil to fry vegetables.