FoodQT: Lucky Green Treats

Here's some goodies I made for St. Patrick's Day, using new Wilton tips and new quick and easy coupler.

FoodQT: Frijoles Puercos

In my house, we have regular refried beans, but this time I made these delicious, Frijoles puercos. Translates to Pork Beans, but there's no bacon. Using chorizo and pork lard making super delicious and adding a little kick wI'll guarantee them to be gone from the table quick.

Supplies
1lb of beans, pinto preferred. Must be washed and soaked for more than 5 hours to soften.
1/2 onion
3 cloves of garlic
Boiling Water
A stock pot
Salt and Pepper
2 tubes of Mexican chorizo pork or beef
2-3 slices of pickled jalapeño +a small amount of pickled juice
2-3 tablespoons of pork lard or vegetable

1. Make sure beans are washed, sorted, and soaked for more than 5 hours to soften.

2. Boil them with cloves of garlic and onion. Do not discard onion and garlic.

3. After you boil, let cool for 5 minutes. Pan fry chorzo and include beans.

4. To get a smooth consistency, you need to blend beans, garlic, and onion. Add salt and pepper and a little bean broth to make them not so thick or runny.

5. Add shredded jack cheese and mix well, until melted by heat.

6. Served wit any main dish or alone on a tortilla.

FoodQT: Chicken Eggrolls

I've been making veggie Eggrolls for a long time. I've never really liked the chicken Eggrolls from Panda Express or other restaurants. So, I decided to make my own with Sweet n Sour dipping sauce.

Supplies:

1 package of Eggrolls

1lb of chicken, chopped into small cubes.

1 tsp of oil 

1 Tbsp of plum, sauce, fish sauce, and soy sauce.

1/4c of chicken stock

1-2 stalks of green onions, sliced thinly.

1/2 shredded cabbage finely.

1 shallot diced small

2 cloves of garlic chopped finely.

Egg wash, 1 TBSP of water +egg, scramble.

Oil for frying 

1. Mix in a bowl, chicken, green onions, and sauces. Set aside.

2. Add Tbsp of oil, saute shallot and garlic. Then, add chicken. Break up chicken as it gets cooked. 

3. Add cabbage and Cooke a bit. Add a little chicken stock to keep egg roll filling wet. Don't add to much liquid. 

Salt and Pepper to taste. 

4. Prepare Eggrolls and seal with egg wash. Fry. Pat oil on dry paper towels. Serve along side sweet and sour sauce. 

FoodQT: Cheeseburger Soup

When, it's winter you think of hearty meals. Burger and fries, is a summer staple, but in the winter it's a soup.

Supplies:
1lb of lean ground beef
5-6 potatoes, diced small
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 c kernel corn (thawed)
1 cup of Pepper Jack Cheese
1 cup of Cheer Cheese
3 Tablespoons of butter
5 Tablespoons of flour
Salt and Pepper to tastensure
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of burger seasonings
1 stock pot
5 cups of low sodium chicken stock
1/2c of milk
Sautee pan

1. In a stock pot add 2 tablespoons of butter, add potatoes, onion, and corn. Sautee on low until onion is transculent.

2. Add flour, mix well and let taste cook out.

3. In a Sautee pan, add hamburger meat with rest of butter and some seasonings, including hamburger seasonings.  Cook, meat until all brown. Drain oil.

4.  In Stock pot, slowly add chicken stock. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Lower temp on stock pot and add meat and milk. Simmer until potatoes are soft.

6.  Add cheeses and mix well. Turn off soup.

7. Enjoy with parmigiano reggiano and some croutons. 

FoodQT: Chicken Parm Bites

What's better than having a spaghetti night? Adding crispy and crunchy chicken bites to your pasta. These are fast to make and super easy.

Supplies:
3 shallow bowls
Panko breadcrumbs
1 egg, whisked + 1 tsp of water (mixed)
Family pack of chicken breasts, cut medium size slices, pounds to thin
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 tsp of salt
1 tsp of italían seasonings
1/2 tsp black peper
1/2 tsp of crush red pepper
1/2 c of flour
Oil to pan fry

1. Start dredge station. ONE bowl with flour, 2nd with egg wash, and third, with Panko crumbs.

2. Add seasonings in egg wash and on chicken.

3. Dredge chicken in flour, then in egg wash. Give a shake, coat in panko.

4. Pan fry until golden brown. Blot on a paper towel.

5. Enjoy with Marinara sauce and spaghetti.

FoodQT: Thanksgiving Leftover Soup

Here's tonight dinner cooking away on the stove. I decided to give these ingredients a last goodbye from our thanksgiving meals. I added a couple of extras to give it a nice cozy comfort-food feeling.

Supplies:
1 package of real hash browns
1 shallot, diced
1/4 white onion, diced
1-2 carrots, chopped
1 stock of celery, chopped
3 Tablespoons of butter, separated
3 Tablespoons of flour, separated
1/2c of corn and peas
2 broccoli crowns, pulled apart
1/2lb of leftover hardwood smoked ham, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups of chicken stock +1 cup of water
2 cups of whole milk
1/4 c of Colburn or cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Sauté veggies together with 2 tablespoons of butter.

2. Hashbrowns go in last, quick stir.

3. Make a well and add rest of  butter and 2 heaping tablespoons of flour. Mix well, unto veggies.

4. Add liquids, stir slowly. Let simmer, for 10 mins. The cup of water and flour tablespoon are form making the soup thicken, but not necessary to add.

5. Enjoy with some shredded cheese and chives.

FoodQT : Champurrado

It's been very hot these last couple of days. In attempts to bring on the winter days, I'm making easy-peasy delicious Champurrado. A mexican based corn masa drink, made with mexican chocolate discs. Served hot on cold nights, usually accompanied by pan dulce or sweet bread.

Supplies:
1 lb corn masa
1 Chocolate Abuelita Disc
1 c of sugar or 1 piloncillo
1/2c of sugar (needed)
(compacted sugar molasses )
1 TBSP of vanilla
1 tsp of ground cinnamon or 2 sticks of cinnamon
5 c of water + 2 cups of boiling water
2 1/2 c of milk
Vitamix blender & large pot

1. Set 5 cups of water to boil. Add piloncillo.

2. In blender mix boiling water masa, and all other ingredients, except disc. Blend well, add to pot.

3. Keep mixing masa and add chocolate disc. When thicken, add milk.

4. For smooth drink, make sure mixture is blend well in blender and you're mixing in por often. Turn off, once drink is hot, enjoy! 

Lazy Pork Wontons

Traditional  wontons are made using s pinch/pleat method. I decided to simply triangle fold and then fry. 

Supplies :

1 lb of ground pork 

1 pack of square wonton wrappers 

1/4c of water in a bowl

3 garlic cloves minced

2 green onions, minced

1/2 c soy sauce low sodium

2 TBSP of oyster sauce

2 TBSP sesame seed oil

1 TBSP of hoisin sauce 

1 TBSP of sugar 

1 TBSP of sriracha 

Oil for Frying + 2 TBSP

1. In a bowl,  add meat, make a well. mix all sauces, except water. 

2. In a Frying pan fry shallots and garlic until it becomes fragant. Then transfer into bowl.

3. You must mix all liquids with meat. Cover with plastic wrap. Let marinate for at least 2 hours. (I left mine for 5 hours)

4.  Take pork mix and place in the center of wrapper. Add water on top side and width side of wrapper, fold over to Form a triagle. Press meat mixture to flatten wonton.

5. On med-high hot oil, fry wontonuntil it's golden brown. Place on paper bag to absorb oil. Serve with some hoisin sauce + sriracha mixture. 

FoodQT : Pho Bo Updated Version

Lately, everyone is my house has been sick. We all love going to the noodle house to pick up this cure-all soup. But, after time, it can get expensive, especially if you're eating soup more than twice a week. But, this soup has helped clear sinsus and help my sickies get better.

After doing some research and politely asking our Vietnamese  friends, possibly the family secret recipes. The trademark of any good soup that makes PHÓ so great, is a clear broth. I have made PHÓ BO (Bo is beef in vietnamese ) about 15 times. Each time getting better and better. My noodles are cooked perfect, the soup is made delicious and the consistency of any respectable PHÓ noodle soup. Simple ingredients, cheap meats, and deliciousness! Enjoy!

Supplies :

For condiments:
Green onions (chopped thinly)
White onions blanched in ice water
Hoisin sauce
Sriracha Hot Sauce
Sliced Jalapeños
Cliantro
Bean Sprouts
Thai Mint

For Soup:
2 stock pots of water on at boil
Beef Shanks, I used 6-7 for a family of 5
Small piece of ginger shaved peel
PHÓ Soup Consomme Cube
PHÓ Spices Package
1 onion, sliced in half charred
2 cloves of garlic charred
1 palm sugar or 4 Tablespoons of regular white sugar
Salt
2 laddles, one for skimming Dat and other for serving

1. I went to Vien Dong (a vietnamese market) and picked up all these items. I toasted spices for about 1-2 mimutes, making sure to keep spices moving in a small skillet pan. I did the same for onion and garlic.

2. In a main stock pot, I dropped consomme, sugar, salt, onion, and garlic.

3. In second pot, I parboiled meat  only for 20 minutes to get impurities out, strain, and wash them over cold water.

4. I put spices in a muslin pouch, tied and dropped into main stock pot. You can now discard water in 2nd pot and clean it.

5. I cook broth cook for about 4-5 hours, without any meat. Then, when serving time is approaching, I will drop meat into pot and cook for another 2-3 hours to make sure all bones are cooked and there's good flavor.

6. I keep skimming the fat off the main pot, until the broth is mostly clear. NO ONE wants a bowl of greasy PHÓ.

7. I take shanks out, let cool for a couple minutes, then take all meat off bones to use for soup. Take out onion, garlic, ginger, and spice package out of soup, discard.

8. You can also purchase paper-thin cut of eye round meat. You can cook in main pot using strainer. Takes a 1-2 minutes in broth or leave it raw and the hot temperature of broth will cook it in your bowl. Large bowls are preferred.

9. Serve rice noodles to soft, not mushy consistency.  Add meats, onions, cliantro, bean sprouts, and mint. Add broth, sriracha,  and hoisin sauce. Enjoy with chopsticks and a thick soup spoon!

FoodQT: Fresh Rice Noodles

Rice Noodles are delicious, when prepared correctly. There's are many thickness available, both fresh and dry packages. I'm usually making Pho (a Vietnamese soup) I grab a big family pack of fresh noodles at my local Vien Dong store.

Supplies :

Package of fresh noodles or dry noodles whatever thickness 

A big stock pot of boiling water 

1 strainer or colander  (large)

Cold water 

1. Make sure you have a rolling boil in a stock. 

2. Add a personalized amount of noodles into pot. 

3. Cook from 1-2 minutes for fresh or up to 3 minutes for dry. You may have to adjust tome, due to consistency of noodle.

4. Check noodles. Place in colander, run under cold water, strain for a minute. You can squeeze noodle water out, as well.

5. Prepare noodles for soup or main dishes to your liking.

FoodQT : Salisbury Pork Bites

Here's my take on Salisbury steak. I saw a sale on thin cut pork chops and I decided to do some comfort food with them. I usually make this dish using apples and pork medallions, which is easier, since you don't have to cut around chops.

Supplies : 

1 pack of chops, thin cut or pork medallions, trim fat.

1/2 onion sliced thin

1/4 c of flour + 2 TBSP

2 cups of chicken stock 

1 cup of water 

1/4 stick of butter

2 tsp of oil 

1 tsp of tyme

1 tsp of seasoning salt

1 tsp of soy sauce 

1 tsp of garlic powder 

Salt and pepper 

A bowl 

1. After you have cut medallions or chops. Season with 2 TBSP of flour and all other spices. Let marinate for 30 mins to 1 hr.

2.  Add 1 tsp of oil and medium high heat sear the pork bites. Just get a nice sear and brown meat. Do not overcook. After, you have brown meat, place in a bowl to rest. 

3. Add oil, then add onions and saute veggies until soft and transparent. 

4. Move onions to side of pan, add butter and remaining flour, make a roux, by mixing flour and butter together. Cook of flour and slowly add chicken stock. Mix in onions and make sure sauce is not lumpy.

 5. If sauce is too thick, add water slowly, to desired consistency. 

6. Add pork bites, cover and shimmer in gravy for additional 3-5 mins. Turn of heat.

7.  Serve atop mash potatoes. 

FoodQT : Guacamole

Here's some Guacamole that's so delicious. Freshly made with some Bandera Chips. (called Flag chips, like as in mexican. Flag)

Supplies :
4 Ripe avocados
1 Roma tomato diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 tsp of oregano
1/2-1 jalapeño diced finely
1 tsp of garlic powder
1 juice of lime
2 TBSP of parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Mash avocados with lime juice.
2. Add veggies and tomato.
3. Mix well, add everything else.
4. Serve with chips or tortillas. 

FoodQT : Turkey Loaf

A great Sunday dinner is best way to start the beginning of the week. It's back to normal routine, waking up early, kids going to school, and so on. I wanted to make a comfort dish, but not so heavy on the stomach. I went for turkey loaf.  It's light, healthier, and more flavorful.  This meal  cost $4.50 for a family of 5, with some leftover for tomorrow.

Supplies :
1 lb of ground turkey, I used Jennie-O.
1/2 yellow onion, diced
4 baby carrots, diced
2 TBSP Butter
1 TBSP garlic
1 tsp Italian seasonings
Salt and Pepper
1/4-1/2 c of water
Pepperidge Farms herb stuffing only use half of large package

For topping:
 1/2 cup of ketchup
2 TBSP of yellow mustard
1 tsp of vinegar
1/4c of Turbinado sugar
Parsley flakes

1.  In a saute pan, add butter and saute veggies until tender.

2. In a shallow bowl,  add ground turkey, season aggressively. Add stuffing, veggies, and eggs.

3. Give a big mix, then add half of water, give a bother big mix, and add the rest.  Keep mixing until everything is incorporated.

4. Shape into loaf, add a divet with spoon. Cover with foil cook for 30 mins at 375F. Add ketchup mix into divet, bake for 5 mins.

* I added loaf on a roasting rack, so if wouldn't have a soggy bottom, I added chicken bullion and fill it a little less than half the rack. This is so the loaf doesn't dry out beca use turkey is a lean meat.

FoodQT : Caramel Apple Crockpot Oatmeal

It's lazy sunday, I have some projects to finish up for clients and I don't really want to make a big breakfast as usual. So, on Saturday night, I decide to make a caramel apple oatmeal.  I mad this recipe for a family of 5, if you are a smaller bunch than cut recipe in half.

Supplies :
3 red apples, peeled and diced
4 cups of rolled oats
1 3/4 cups of water
3 1/2 cups of milk
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
2 pinches of salt
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
Juice of half a lime or lemon
4 eggs, whisked together
4 Tablespoons of cold butter, Mashed into little pieces + some to butter dish
Crockpot or slowcooker

1. Butter your crockpot/slowcooker dish. Add half of brown sugar and butter to the bottom, so it will Form a crust.
 2. In a bowl, combine apples cinnamon, sugar, brown sugar, juice, and salt. Mix well.

3. Add, roll oats and milk to mixture.  In another bowl, mix water and eggs.  Add the egg mixture to rolled oats mixture, mix well.

4. Pour into heating dish, you can add a bit more sugar if you want. I added Turbinado sugar to get bit more crust.

5. Cook for 7-9 hours on low. Serve with cold milk in your bowl, and enjoy!

FoodQT : Bananas Foster

Here's our dessert from the other night. I made my take on Bananas Foster dessert. I Bruleé bananas in a saute pan aND made my own caramel sauce.

Supplies :
4 Bananas split down in the middle
1/2 c of Turbinado sugar
4 Tablespoons of butter
Caramel sauce
Ice cream

1. Over med-high heat add half butter, then Sautee for 1-2 mins.

2.  Add sugar atop of bananas. Turn over slowly so sugar can Bruleé.

3. Pull off slowly. Place in bowl. Add ice cream and caramel sauce. 

FoodQT : Nopales

A traditional Mexican meal on friday, started with Nopales in salsa roja. I love these as a kid, accompanied by Tortas de camarón, Shrimp fritters.

Supplies :
1 package of fresh cactus, peeled of thorns.
1 stockpot
2 tablespoons of baking soda

For sauce:

1/2 onion sliced, reserve a little for sauce
3 garlic cloves
2 cups of chicken stock
Salt and pepper
2 tomatoes
2 tablespoons of tomato puree
2 tablespoons of Chile powder of california, guachillo,
2 chiles anchos chiles dried and softened

1. Slice cactus and give a rinse. The cactus will have a slimy texture. Dump in stockpot of boiling water and add banking soda. Boil for about 20 mins. (They will be tender and the slimy consistency will be gone)

2. Strain, Give a rinse with hot water. Set aside.

3.  Blend, then add to a saucepan and fry the sauce. Simmer for 6 minutes, so all flavors can marry. Add onions, so they're tender and then add cactus. Simmer for another 10 mins.

FoodQT : St. Patrick's Day

Here's our dinner for St. Patty's.
 Including, Slowcooker Corned Beef with Roasted Brussel Sprouts in a Honey-Balsamic reduction. Then, for dessert I chilled mini COKE sundae glasses in freezer. Made Grasshopper Sundaes with Green Lucky Charms Rice Krispies. 

FoodQT : Broccoli Cheese Soup

Here's a new recipe I decided to make using no cube cheese. I'm so glad to have made a soup that's thick, taste delicious, and there's no processed cheese.

This soup is so delicious I decide to add wontons to add a bit of crunch. I also let half of broccoli florets whole, to add texture to soup.

Supplies :
1 Broccoli head
1/ 2 an onion, chopped finely
4 baby carrots, diced
1/2 stick of butter
1/4c of flour
1 large potato,  small cubes
3 cups of chicken stock
3 cups of whole milk
2 pots

1. Add 1 Tablespoon of butter to one small pot. Sautéed veggies (not broccoli) on medium heat til they soften.

2. In a large soup pot. Add rest of butter and melt. Slowly stir in flour. Mix well. Then, slowly add chicken stock, mix. Repeat.

3. After you add stock, stir in mix in milk. Stir in slowly, bring mixture to slight boil, until soup thickens. Next, add veggies and broccoli into soup. Salt and Pepper to taste. Cover. Simmer for 20 mins. 

FoodQT : Agua de Fresa con leche

Agua de Fresa con Leche

Here's a look a screenshot pictures from my instagram food video ON Agua de Fresa con leche.  This a classic fruit drink served cold throughout the whole year. My family loves it, but it's a special treat when I make it.

Supplies :
2 cartons of fresh strawberries (washed, peeled steam, and save 4 whole)
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 can of sweet condensed milk
1 large pitcher
Water, 1 cup + half your pitcher

1. In a blender pureed strawberries, powderes sugar. If mixture looks too thick, add a cup of water.

2. Add water to half your pitcher and mix in sweet condensed milk, stir well until, water in cloudy milk.

3. Mix strawberry mixture in and mix well until everything is well combined.  Cover and place in fridge, let rest for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice.

FoodQT : Po's Steam Dumplings

Here's a recipe from Rosanna Pansino from YouTube or Nerdy Nummies.

I decided to test it out while we all watch Kung Fu Panda  and they were delicious. I also made them a few days with Pork Mix and they were way better than chicken mix.

Supplies :

Dumpling Mix;
1 cup of warm water
2 cups of flour
pink of salt
Rolling pin
Shallow Bowl
4in circle cutter

Filling:
1 lb of ground chicken or pork
2 scallions chopped
1 tablespoon Sesame Oil
1 Tablespoon spy
Salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
 Mix everything and refrigerate for at leat 1 hr.

1. Mix dumpling mix together. Continue to knead for 5-10 mins until dough is smooth and soft.

2. Make/ roll  little balls, keep them covered with damp towels while you roll out. Roll out thin and use circle cutter to get uniform shape.

3. Pinch and Pleat method to fold dumpling. Steam for 10-15 minutes.

4. Serve with Seasame oil, sriracha, and soy sauce dipping sauce.