Mussels, Pasta, and Carrots

  I saw this recipe in the The Michael Symon 5 in 5 cookbook and thought I would try it, I don't really like mussels, so I thought I would get clams instead. I went to the store I that I bought the clams at before, but they didn't have any. I went to Safeway, they had the clams and mussels, the mussels were $2.00 a pound cheaper, so I went with them. I really wish I hadn't! I don't know if they were bad ones but they were stringy, looked like snot, and had a bad fishy smell and taste. On the bright side the sauce was very good.

 I started with the pasta since it took longer. I started the water, then in another pan, I added 2 tbs of olive oil and butter when that was melted I added 3 cloves of chopped garlic, and let it simmer. I then dropped the linguine into the boiling salted water. I then added 1/2 cup white wine to the sauce. After the pasta was done, I added it to the sauce along with fresh chopped basil, oregano, and flat leaf parsley. I also added red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup shredded gouda, and chopped spinach.

 Meanwhile, I had the oven heated to 450 degrees. I placed the mussels, tomatoes, fresh chopped flat leaf parsley, 1 tbs. red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup olive oil, and 2 cups white wine into a lined baking 9x13 inch pan and tightly covered it with foil. It cooked for 5 minutes in the oven.

 Oh, and I made some cooked baby carrots, just water and a little bit of butter, salt to taste.

 We didn't eat the mussels, I ate the tomatoes out of it. I won't be buying mussels any time soon. The whole meal took me less than 20 minutes to make.

Fried Chicken Strips, Mashed Potatoes, and Brussel Sprouts

 Tonight was Jake's night to cook. I really think he's against me here and doesn't want me losing weight. He finds the most fattening foods possible. Of course I am just kidding, besides he needs all the fat and calories he can get.

 He started off soaking his boneless skinless chicken breast strips in his lactose free milk, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, ancho chili powder, and cayenne pepper for about 2 hours. Meanwhile he peeled 4 small potatoes and cut them into small pieces.

 When he was ready he put the potatoes in a pot along with water. He boiled them until soft. Meanwhile he started some canola oil heating in a deep skillet. He took the chicken from the milk bath...lol, and dipped it in flour, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Then he dipped it back into the milk, and back into the flour mixture. Next into a the hot oil. He cooked them until they were golden brown, then he turned them over, and cooked until they were done. He then placed them on a plate covered with a paper towel.

 He then used some of the oil that he cooked the chicken in, he added a couple tbls of margarine to it and 3 tbls flour, he let this cook for about a minute (it looked like sand). He then added his lactose free milk, and added almost the same seasonings as the chicken. This is why his gravy has a weird color. He stirred it until there weren't any lumps left, then turned the heat to low, while he was mashing the potatoes.

 For the potatoes he added margarine, 2 cloves of chopped garlic, salt, and pepper, oh and a little bit of milk.

 I put some frozen brussel sprouts in a small pan and steamed them. He did another great job!

Creamy Asparagus Soup

 Tonight was suppose to be Jake's night to cook, but of course he had something else to do (the kid has a better social life than I do). The band went to play in a competition, so they didn't get back til close to 7.

 I was trying to decide what I wanted to cook for myself. I decided to fix some soup. I went to look in the fridge to see what there was. I have a lot of asparagus because it was cheap, so there it was.

 In a medium saucepan melt 2 tbs. butter, then add 1/2 of onion, I used a red onion. The recipe called for a leek, but the store I went to didn't have any. I also added 2 cloves chopped garlic. Cook until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Next add 2 tbs flour, mix until well combined and there isn't any raw flour. Next add 2 cups of chicken stock, 1 bunch chopped asparagus (it doesn't have to be even cuts), 1 package of sliced mushrooms, and 2 tbs. chopped fresh flat leaf parsley. Stir continuously until it comes to a boil. Then cover it and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes.

 Take the mixture by cupfuls and place it in a blender, place the lid on the blender, cover the lid with a towel and hold firmly down, if you don't do it that way the lid will pop off and you will be splattered with hot liquid. Blend until smooth, keep repeating until all soup has been blended. Return the soup back to sauce pan, add 1 cup heavy cream (the worst part of this recipe, and I actually used it because I knew Jake would not eat this), mix thoroughly, add salt and pepper to taste, if you like spice, I added some cayenne pepper. I topped it with some Parmesan cheese, some raw red onion, and parsley. Enjoy!

Burgers

 Last night Jake had to play at the basketball game, so it was just me. I had some of the soup I made a little over a week ago. He said I wasn't off the hook and had to cook tonight. I wanted to do something fast and easy, yes that seems to be my motto.

 I decided that I would make sliders. I had to take my sister to the store, so I thought we would pick up what we needed. I picked up the onions and peppers. I went to grab the meat so Jake asked if I wanted him to get the rolls. I said sure. He came back with the fresh bolio rolls. They are bigger than regular hamburger buns. He said these will taste better, so my sliders turned into giant burgers.

 I took the hamburger meat put it in a bowl and added: salt, pepper, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 of a small red onion grated into the bowl, 1/4 of a zucchini grated, 1 very small red and orange pepper diced into small pieces. I mixed it all up, made them into patties, and placed them on a cookie sheet. I put them in an 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. A few minutes before it was done I put some sliced gouda cheese on it so it could melt.

 To assemble them, I took the roll and hollowed it out (so there was less bread), then put a thin layer of the creamed spinach I made a few days ago, then the burger patty, pickles, and lettuce. I then used some dried tomato and basil spread (made with greek yogurt) on the top bun then put it on top.

 I only ate 1/2 of this. Jake, however, ate the whole thing before I could take a few bites.

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.