All posts filed under: Foodie Stuff

Tacos In La ðŸŽ¶

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Oh, tacos in LA! Everyone should taco-taste in LA! So in talking to another traveler (honestly this guy is more of an adventurer really, as he seems to always be looking for the next most fab adventure.) Well anyway we got to talking… tacos in LA. He gave me plenty of recommendations, but I decided to start my own quest… Best tacos in the LA/surrounding areas, join me?. First stop… Yuca’s. I have to say I definitely was not disappointed. The toppings here really add to the tasty goodness of the tacos. Lot’s of goodness going on here, in this tiny little kitchen. The tacos here are quite delish, but a little on the pricey side I think. I do love the condiments/toppings offered here though, the toppings only add to the deliciousness! Later Yuccas. On to… (In East LA) These tacos are ginormous in size! They are mega-filled with the meat/filing of your choice. This morning (for my breakfast 😊) I went with the carnitas taco. Wow probably enough meat for 3/4 tacos in …

Easy Creamy Ranch Crockpot Chicken with Vegetables

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I was in the mood for comfort food, easy peasy comfort food! Serves 2-3 In a crockpot combine 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with the following… 1 packet ranch dressing mix 1 can cream of chicken soup plus 1 full can of water 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder dash of pepper After one hour you’ll add in 2 cups frozen vegetables of your choice, defrosted Process… In a crockpot cook on high all ingredients except for the vegetables for 3 hours. At the 3 hour mark add in the defrosted vegetables, combine all well. Cook covered for one more hour. Shred the chicken to create bite size pieces. I did this in the crockpot, it was easy to pull apart the chicken using 2 forks. 4 hours total… to create this creamy goodness. Serve over mashed potatoes with biscuits on the side. Enjoy! This has such great flavor, really, it’s so very yummy and it’s so easy to put together! The only negative is that it has ingredients heavier than I like …

Enchiritos For The Win

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Who remembers these? The famous Enchirito, a Taco Bell thing, no longer on the menu. Unless… you ask?! Yup, at least in my neck of the woods they definitely are a possible indulgence at Taco Bell or as shown here, at home. I found this simple recipe on Pinterest. I opted for the easiest version, I seasoned the meat with taco seasoning and I used canned refried beans. https://pin.it/iv547fsse4hmea Throw them together in a jiffy, bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 and walla, you have one (or two) tasty treat/s! Oh so good! Top as you see fit 😉 with chopped green onion and sliced olives, or fresh chopped white onion, cilantro, sour cream or just extra sauce. * I baked this batch with slice olives on, after baking I topped the enchiritos with chopped green onion. Also, for the filling I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. Here’s the story on this delectable treat… … http://hackthemenu.com/taco-bell/secret-menu/enchirito/ Happy day, g.

Scalloped Potatoes w/Spam Of Yesteryear 

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So I’ve been craving these delish scallop potatoes with spam. My Aunt, through marriage, made them from time to time and boy do they bring back some awesome and delish good foodie memories. The recipe is quite simple actually. Keep in mind this dish is a little different in that the looseness/soupiness of the finished dish is part of it’s extreme goodness. Layering up! Don’t forget the spam man. 😉 Final layer (I added extra pepper) It’s about done Ready to serve One big chunk of the casserole… gone! 😋 So good and quite close to how I remember them. Ingredients 7/8 medium size russet potatoes, scrubbed 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/8 tsp pepper 1/2 can of spam, chopped (use light spam if you prefer) 1/2 – 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded 2 cups milk * No salt needed if you are using regular spam, if using light spam add about 1/4 tsp to the seasoning mix Process Preheat oven to 350 Par …

Rosemary Cloud Wraps (Keto-Friendly) 

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Fresh rosemary rules! Excuse my busy kitchen. 😉 The main events Process… follow Big Apple Mama’s lead here, (I doubled this recipe, so double the below listed ingredients if you’ll be doubling too. http://thebigapplemama.com/2016/04/garlic-cloud-bread.html with the following exceptions… omit sugar Add 1/4 tsp garlic powder Add 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary I used whipped cream cream (next time I will definitely use the block type cream cheese, you should too.

Keto Squash and Peppers

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I’ve been doing a modified Atkins thing lately just to drop some vacation pounds. With all the hoopla about the ‘Keto’ diet I decided to call this dish… Keto Squash and Peppers w/Cheese.  I love to enjoy this kinda soupy but feel free to cut down on the chicken stock by a cup or so to make it more of a side dish and less of a soup.  Before moving on I thought I’d share some of my personal history with this dish, my mother made a version of this for years, her famous ‘Calabacitas’. Her version was always so very delicious. One evening while I was in culinary school in the South of France I made my mom’s calabacitas for some of my fellow chefs in training, talk about a hit! Aw, such fond memories. 💖 My mom would use sautéd onions, tomatoes and garlic and many times she’d add a can a corn to her soupy dish too.  Since I’m doing the Atkins/Keto thing I omitted the (fresh) onions, tomatoes and corn and …

Stove Top Smoothered Pork Chops and Braised Onions

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Years ago I was watching this show or that one, really I can’t recall which one, but that’s not too important here because what I do remember…. is the amazing recipe shared that day!  Thanks to the Southern Chef for sharing this major pot of goodness on that fateful day.  This has to be one of my most favorite comfort meals, it is so darn delish. I hope you’ll give it a try.  You are only browning the chops here  Set them aside You want to cook off the flour flavor here, so don’t rush this step. Cook the flour & butter mixture until thickened and good and hot.  And there it is, perfection on a plate. Ingredients… 8 thick cut boneless pork loin chops 1 onion, thinly slices 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil 2 tsp salt (divided) 1/2 tsp pepper divided 1 tsp garlic 2 Tablespoons butter 1 cup seasoned flour mix divided (season with 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1 tsp garlic powder) 1/3 cup (already seasoned) flour 2 packets pork gravy …

Vanilla Crepes w/Fresh Fruit Medley and Cream… (Whipped That Is) 

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It’s my husband’s birthday 🎈, what better way to help him start his special day.  ðŸ’™ A delish and special breakfast it is… I just made the batter ahead in order to let it rest, according to Alton Brown who’s recipe I tweaked a tad… this will keep the Crepes from tearing easily. Here I sit… giving at least one hour time for the bubbles in the batter to go down. This batter can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, love that. I’m hosting a sisters (I have 4💖) slumber party in the next few months, this recipe will definitely be on my planning list.  I’m waiting for the birthday boy to awaken into his special day. Here’s the crepe recipe link, the only change I made was to add 1/4 tsp of real vanilla extract, it gives the crepes a subtle flavor of vanilla, they are delish.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/crepes-recipe.html For the finished crepes, fruit… Chop up 2/3 cups of assorted fruit To the fruit add a sweetener of …

Shepards Pie, Oh My

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Meet my Shepards Pie :), it’s a bit of a re-do as I took steps to make the original recipe a bit healthier.  I used ground turkey instead of beef and I made the top layer (mashed potatoes) using lots of Greek yogurt, some butter and some milk.  Ingredients… 2 lb cooked and seasoned ground turkey (season with 1 tsp each garlic powder and salt, add 1/4 tsp dry thyme as well and 1/4 tsp pepper)  1 cup frozen peas and carrots 1/4 tsp dry thyme 1 cup tomato sauce 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 cups beef gravy  1 large quantity mashed potatoes (I cooked about 4/5 pound of potatos for my recipe, I used Greek yogurt, butter and milk to create a bit healthy version of a great pot of mashed potatoes)  grated parmesan cheese for topping   Process… in progress, need to recharge my phone folks.  Happy day all.            g. 

Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops and Gravy 

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Here’s an easy way to make delicious smothered pork chops  Ingredients…    8-10 small boneless pork steaks 2 cans cream of chicken soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 2 envelopes pork gravy mix 2 cups water 1-2 tsps chicken boullion  1 tablespoon dried chopped onion 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/4 tsp onion powder 1/4 tsp pepper Process… Season the pork chops with salt and pepper Combine the rest of the ingredients right inside the crockpot. Make sure to whisk the mixture until smooth Add in the pork chops Cook on high in the crockpot for 4 hours Lower theheat and continue to cook for 3 hours on low Taste and adjust  * Normally I’d use fresh thin sliced white onion (1 whole onion) in this, but currently I’m living with a couple of none onion lovers so I got the onion flavor in on the down low with the dried onion and onion powder. Shhhh, don’t tell. 😉  *finished dish photo coming soon Serve these pork chops …

Thee Best Smashed Potatoes 

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Ok folks if you want wow your guests and make them fall all over you (in a good way), make them these yummy smashed pototoes.  I learnt this method of making mashed-like potatoes in culinary school, years ago. They absolutely never disappoint. In fact I’ve got my own following of smashed potato fans, I do!     Ingredients…  5 lbs baking potatoes cooked to soft and peeled 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 tablespoons salted butter or margarine  1/3 cup white onion, chopped small 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 1 cup heavy cream  Process Heat oil and butter or margarine in a medium size sauté pan on med heat until butter or margarine is melted. Add in the onions, salt and pepper Cook the onions on low to med heat until they are clearly translucent and soft, mixing them often. Add in the minced garlic and continue to cook the mixture on low until the garlic is soft.  In a large bowl combine the peeled cooked potatoes with the butter …