Bourbon Shrimp Tacos

 Tonight was Jake's turn and he couldn't wait to find a recipe that contained the bourbon (so we didn't waste it). He was really excited when he found a recipe that he got to set something on fire. Thank God it wasn't the house. It was a really easy recipe. We had everything except the white corn tortillas.

 First you take a tbls of olive oil and heat it over medium heat in a deep skillet. Add the shrimp to the pan. When they start getting pink, flip them over and add 1/4 cup bourbon/whiskey. Use a grill lighter to set the bourbon on fire of the bottom of the pan. Allow to burn for 30 seconds, then cover the pan with a lid to put out the flame. Remove the lid and sprinkle on 1/4 tsp. cayenne, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/4 tsp. salt, and Jake added a pinch of black pepper and 2 cloves sliced garlic. Next heat up the tortillas. Serve with your favorite toppings. We used fresh cilantro, sliced orange bell peppers, radishes, 50/50 lettuce mix, and of course cheese.

 I was going to make a chili sauce it called for but who knew the adobo was made mostly of sesame seeds, I did not, and since Jake has tested positive to being allergic to them I made a different sauce. I took 1/4 cup sour cream and added some cayenne, cumin, smoked paprika, and fresh cilantro. I mixed it well and that's it.

Creamed Spinach and Steak Sandwich

 Last night, Jake was suppose to cook the steak he laid out, but he took and easy way out by making a box of red velvet pancakes.

 I had to figure out something to do with the steak so it didn't waste. I saw this recipe on Food Network yesterday and thought I would try it. I have to admit it was a little pricey, only because I had to buy alcohol, which I will probably give the rest to Troy because he is at that stupid drinking age. There are a few steps and I did change one thing, the glaze. It called for oranges and maraschino cherry juice, Jake and I are both allergic to oranges, so I made my own glaze. 

 For the glaze, I took about 4 tbls of balsamic vinegar (that's what was left in the bottle), 3 tbls. of brown sugar, 2 large cloves garlic thinly sliced, 1 tsp. chopped dried rosemary, and 1 cup of bourbon. I put all ingredients into a small sauce pan, brought it to a boil then reduced the heat to medium low, and let it reduce for about 5 minutes.

 For the cream spinach, take 3 tbls. butter (I used olive oil), melted it in a deep skillet, added 1 diced yellow onion, and 3 cloves minced garlic. I let that cook until it was tender, turn off the stove, add 1/4 cup bourbon, stir to combine, turn back on the heat and cook for about a minute. Next, add 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (I used Jake's lactose free milk), cook on low until it is reduced by 1/2 about 5 minutes. I then added 2 cups of shredded gouda cheese (I bought this at Grocery Outlet for $2.00, because I live in a very small town where it's not sold), cook until cheese is melted. Add 2 boxes, thawed drained (squeeze all the water out by putting the frozen thawed spinach into a clean dish towel and squeezing out as much water as you can) spinach, combine well. Cover and cook on low for about 10 minutes.

 Meanwhile heat a cast iron skillet over medium high heat, pat dry your steak (it called for a hanger steak, but I used a round steak that had been in the freezer( it was $4.00), salt and pepper both sides, next drizzle with olive oil, place in the hot skillet, let cook about 5 minutes, then turn and do the same to the other side, when the steak is close to being done start spooning on the glaze, then keep turning the steak to let the glaze cook. I glazed and turned the steak about 4 times. Let the steak rest at least 5 minutes. Slice the steak very thinly.

 Here is how you assemble the sandwich. I toasted the rolls, again it called for pretzel rolls but there isn't any in this little town.

                                                         Pile on the cream spinach

                                                            Next goes the steak.

                                          Then the red onion, if you like it, Jake does not like it.

                                       Last place on the top bun, and try to fit this in your mouth.

Pizza

 I thought I would be alone tonight for dinner but I brat sat for my nephews, Zach(8 yrs.) and Dakota(13 yrs). So, I had to come up with something fast and easy. Right after Zach walked through the door he asked what we were going to bake, he meant cookies, cake, etc., I said nothing.  But, I started thinking about what I was going to feed them, after searching the net for quick easy dinners I came up with pizza. So this is what we did. I just wanted say that I know a lot of people do not like kids in the kitchen but I don't mind it. They love to help (make a bigger mess) and teaches them how to cook.

 First Zach and I took 3 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp. sugar, 1 packet of instant dry yeast, and 2 tsp. salt., we put that in a large mixing bowl, then slowly added very warm water (110 degrees) and 2 tbs. olive oil. We mixed that until it formed a ball. Next, I put that onto a lightly floured surface and let Zach knead it. (of course I kneaded it too). We then placed it in a glass bowl that had been greased with olive oil. Then we covered that with plastic wrap and placed in a warm place so it would rise. It doubled with in 1 hour. Zach loved checking to see how it was growing.

 Next, we took the dough and they shaped it how they wanted it, I placed it in a 500 degree oven for about 10 minutes.  I then let them put on the toppings they wanted to. Zach put salami, cheese, and bacon. Dakota's was salami, bacon, cheese, and fresh basil. I cheated and used a jar sauce. I put it back in the oven for about 5 minutes.

 For my pizza, I took zucchini, yellow squash, onions, green peppers, orange peppers, red peppers, and mushrooms, I cooked them in a skillet with 1 tbs. olive oil, just until they were tender. I placed some of the jar sauce I had spiced up with basil, garlic, and oregano. Of course, I had to add cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan.

Soup

 I am home alone til later and needed to eat. It's rainy and cool, so I decided to make some soup. I could of took the easy way out and had a can of soup, or a cup of soup, but it didn't sound appealing.

 I heated a 1 tbls of olive oil over medium high heat, then I added 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced onion, 2 small diced zucchini, 1/4 of a head of shredded cabbage, 1 tsp dry rosemary, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 4 cloves of chopped garlic, 1 bay leaf, salt, and pepper. I let that cook until veggies were tender about 6 minutes. Then I added 2 cans of chicken stock (I would have added veggie stock but the chicken was cheaper), 2 cans of rotel diced tomatoes (if you don't like heat add reg can tomatoes), Let that come to a boil, then add 1/2 can of black beans, and 1/2 can of smashed black beans, 2 cups chopped fresh spinach, and finally I chopped up the leftover pork from last night( you can leave the meat out and have a nice veggie soup. Serve with parm cheese, and crackers.

 I have to say it was pretty good and I usually don't say that about anything I cook.

Pork Medallions, Skillet Potatoes, and Asparagus

 Jake took a quick and easy way out tonight, even though his dinner took longer than mine last night. He wasn't very creative.

 He took a package of pork medallions out of the freezer, that was already marinated, defrosted them, and seared them in a skillet with a little bit of olive oil.

 Meanwhile, he took a box of Betty Crocker skillet garlic potatoes and cooked them. Lastly, I heated the asparagus that was leftover from last night, because Jake isn't going to eat veggies.

Chicken Strips, Pasta, and Asparagus

 Tonight was my turn for dinner, I felt like crap, so it had to be something fast and easy.

 I took some boneless skinless chicken breast strips, sprinkled them with Chinese 5 spice and salt. Next, I took some very fine bread crumbs, mixed in some smoked paprika, then dipped the chicken in them, and cooked them in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil.

 I then, took a box of noodle roni, followed the directions, except I added 2 cloves of chopped garlic, some basil, and oregano.

 For the asparagus I drizzled them with olive oil, sprinkled on some Greek seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes, put them in the oven at 425 degrees for 5 minutes.

 In all this took maybe 5 minutes.

Someone mentioned that everything we cooked looked really fancy. Well, you can take anything and make it look fancy. It just makes it better to eat if it looks pretty. Everything on this plate, except the Parmesan cheese, came from The Grocery Outlet. It's a discount store. The chicken breast strips came in a large bag, probably 6 meals for Jake and I at $6.99. The asparagus was 2 bunches for $3.00, and the pasta roni was 2 boxes for $1.00. Yes, sometimes we splurge and cook something really good and cost a bit more but doesn't everyone do that? We really enjoy food and I really enjoy a good savings. 

Chicken in Tomato and Olive Sauce

 Jake got out of cooking last night because we had a late lunch. He did make dessert, a red wine and cherry sauce sundae. So, he did cook tonight.

 This is another Michael Symon 5 in 5 meal. What you will need. 1/4 cup olive oil, 6 4 oz boneless, skin on thighs, pounded to 1/4 inch thick, (he used boneless skinless chicken breast), Salt, pepper, 2 garlic cloves, sliced (Jake used more than 2), 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1- 14 oz can of crushed tomatoes, 1 cup chopped olives (kalamata) the zest and juice of one orange( seeing we are both allergic to oranges he sub a lemon + 1 tsp sugar), and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

 Heat a dutch oven (our large orange thing), over medium high heat. Add the olive oil. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Put the chicken skin side down, cook until golden brown. Flip the chicken, add the garlic and rosemary, and cook for 30 seconds.

 Add in 1/2 cup water and deglaze the pan, scrapping with a wooden spoon. Add the tomatoes with the juices, olives, zest and juice of the orange, and red pepper flakes. Cover and cook until chicken is done, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasonings, Jake added some greek seasonings to it. Serve hot.

 To go with this Jake threw 2 potatoes into the microwave for baked potatoes. This whole dinner took him about 7 minutes.