Homemade Pepperoni

Here is a great recipe for homemade pepperoni made from ground beef.

It will make about 2 pounds.

you will need:

2 lbs of lean ground beef. Use only lean. You don't want a lot of fat in this.

2 tsp of black pepper

1/2 tsp of sugar

2tsp of liquid smoke flavoring

2 tsp of mustard seed

a tsp of paprika

1/2 tsp of garlic powder.

2 big tsp of Curing Salt.

You can order Prague Curing salt online. Curing salt it NOT the same as regular salt. Mortons also makes one.

Combine all the ingredients , cover and refrigerate for 2 days.

Remove from refrigerator and shape the meat into rolls. You will have enough here to shape 2 long rolls.

Use a baking pan that has a rack in it so that the rolls can drain any fat.

Place the rolls on the rack and bake in a 200°F oven for 8 hours.

Yes, 8 hours. You are curing the meat that way. You can turn them over every few hours.

They won't be dark when done but more pink in color and thats what they should look like.

Wipe off any excess oils and cool the rolls.

You can slice them into thin slices after they are cool or just refrigerate the rolls and cut slices as you wish.

They freeze up nicely and in the fridge will hang out for up to 2 weeks.

Enjoy!

Cajun Style Fish

Cajun doesn't have to mean blackened or super spicey hot.
Here is a recipe that is neither and yet very Cajun.
You can use whatever fish you prefer but Tilapia and flounder are especially nice in this dish.

You will need:

2 pounds of flounder fillets
16 ounces of tomato sauce
1 green bell pepper sliced thinly
1 yellow or red bell pepper sliced thinly
1 medium sweet onion sliced thinly
2 minced cloves of garlic
black pepper, cayenne pepper , salt to taste.
Olive oil for frying

Put a bit of oil in a frying pan and saute the bell peppers for a few minutes. Just get them a bit limp.
You saute the peppers first because they cook more slowly than the onion and the garlic.
Once your peppers are moving ahead but not yet really limp, add the onion and garlic and continue sauting until all are cooked well. They will be limp in appearance by then.
Sprinkle with black pepper, salt and cayenne to taste.

Now saute your fish about 2 or 3 minutes per side, also in some olive oil. You don't need too much oil but enough to keep the fish from sticking to the pan bottom. Don't turn the heat too high either.

Once you have cooked the fish for a few minutes on each side, cover the fish with the vegetables you have sauted and cover the pan and simmer it all for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to mix.

Serve on a bed of rice... or alone. Or, serve in taco shells.

If you do not like hot foods be careful when adding the cayenne pepper.
Some people love this recipe with Louisiana hot sauce but those are the die hard heat fans.

Enjoy .

EGG CREAM RECIPE.. YUM

Once more with Feeling!
This was very popular when first published so here it is again because people asked.
It is a staple at the Rock and Roll Cafe.
Once you try it , it will be a favorite of your own too.

The Egg Cream first appeared in NYC and Brooklyn in the 1800's and has been one of the most refreshing drinks you can imagine!! And tasty? You Bet!! No eggs and no cream in them though.


Here.. make one for yourself and you will see how wonderful they are:
About 1/2 cup cold whole milk
1 cup bottled seltzer
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Pour about half an inch of cold milk into a tall chilled soda glass. Add seltzer or club soda to within 1 inch of the top of the glass; stir briskly with a long spoon to make it frothy..really frothy.

Pour in some chocolate syrup, approx 2 heaping Tablespoons. Let it drizzle down the inside of the glass then give some more brisk stirring action.
Serve cold with a straw.
Ok.. ok.. if you really have to break tradition, you could add a couple spoonfulls of vanilla icecream and I wont't tell .

Substituting in Kosher Cooking

You don't have to let a recipe stymie you just because it contains meat and milk. There are ways around this.
When you find a recipe you think you would love just find substitutes for some of the ingredients.
One way is to find suitable pareve soy products that replace milk, creams and cheeses.
They come in all varieties now and they are quite good and very healthy.

Soy based yogurts are tasty and can be used to act like cream in a recipe. The idea of the cream is to make the recipe richer. Pareve plain Yogurt can accomplish the same thing.


Mayonnaise can be a good butter and oil substitute.


Soy cheeses are delicious and some are really indistinguishable from real cheese.

Beer in recipes is often substituted with non alcoholic beer or chicken broth. So, chicken broth might be substituted with beer.. if you are adventurous that is!

You have to experiment with these things to find out what works and what doesn't but over all I have had good results in using them.

If you don't like the idea of soy based products and want the real thing you can substitute for meat and its products in a recipe too.
If it calls for chicken broth, why not try a vegetable broth instead?

Also 1 Tablespoon of soy sauce in a cup of water will substitute for chicken broth.

Yogurt is a great substitute for buttermilk. You can use it in pancakes.

To substitute for cream use a pareve whipped topping.

Tofu can substitute for meat in so many things as well. Once cooked with spices and sauces it takes on it's own tastes and most can't tell it's not meat of some sort.

Recipes are rarely written in stone. You can and should add your own ideas and innovations to them.
Sometimes you will have a hit and sometimes a miss but you will be learning and having fun along the way.

Pumpkin Bread

This is a nice recipe for pumpkin bread.

2 tsp. cinnamon
one 16 ounce can of canned pumpkin
2 tsp. nutmeg
3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon allspice
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups of water
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
2 lightly floured and greased loaf pans( 9"X5")
2 tsp. baking soda

In a large bowl , stir together flour, spices , salt and baking soda.
Now add your eggs , oil, water and the pumpkin and mix in nicely until you have a batter.
You can add your nuts now if you wish. They are optional in the recipe, of course.

Pour the mixture into the loaf pans and bake for about one hour at 350° F
Test with a toothpick or tester . If it comes out clean the bread is finished.

Cool a bit and serve or wait one day as it tastes better the next day.
You can refrigerate it once you wrap it in clear cling wrap.

Enjoy.

Adjustment to Pumpkin Soup recipe.

A reader called to my attention that I failed to add the adjustments to the recipe as I have in all my other posts.
A substitution of pareve soy based yogurt and soy milk is what I use in place of the cream in the recipe. I have used both together, and just the yogurt and found it worked nicely with the recipe.
You can also use pareve whipped topping or pareve thick creamer as a substitute for cream. It works very nicely.

Most cheeses and milks and creams are now available in soy pareve form.
I have even found cheddar in a pareve form. Enjoy.
If you don't like soy foods, then you might not like the recipe.

Thanks for the help anonymous!!

Pumpkin Soup

Autumn is the time to cook up recipes that use harvest vegetables and are homey and soothing to the taste.
Pumpkin soup is one such recipe that can become an autumn favorite.
Here's are a few variations of it:

For a thick cream soup:
1/2 cup of half and half
2 cups of mashed cooked pumpkin. You can use canned pumpkin just be sure it has no spices or sugar in it.
1 tsp of sea salt
1Tablespoon of sugar
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 cups of good chicken broth... use a flavorful kind or make your own. Be sure its nice a chickeny .
3Tbs of butter
1/2 cup of yellow onion, chopped

Saute the onions in some of the butter , as they become transparent, add your pumpkin and heat through a bit.
Now add all your spices and pour in the broth while stirring.
Don't let this boil up. Keep it simmering to heat it and meld the flavors.
When just about to serve, add the half and half cream and stir through.


Spanish Pumpkin Soup :

Spices:
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (15oz) pumpkin(spice free!)
1 cup whipping or heavy cream
3 Tbls of dark brown sugar
3 cups of chicken broth or stock

Mix the broth and cream in a pan and heat to very hot...almost boiling.
Stir in the pumpkin and the sugar and spices and simmer low til flavors mix from the heat.
Soup should thicken from the pumpkin . Simmer about 10 minutes or so.
Season off heat with salt and pepper.
Garnish with grated cheese. Cheddar is nice.


Enjoy!

Steak Wraps

Easy, fast and delicious. It's perfect for left over beef in any form as long as it's tender. Steak is fine, but so is pot roast.

You will need whole wheat flour tortillas, the large kind. Whole wheat is healthier.
You will also need some sliced left over steak or roast, etc.
Some tiny sweet salad tomatoes,sliced
Baby spinach or lettuce,
Thin cucumber slices
thinly sliced sweet red or yellow onion (vidalia is nice)
Sweet red peppers from a jar.
A salad dressing or sauce of your choice( a recipe for one follows)

Just layer the tortillas with the greens, tomato, cukes, peppers and onions.. roll up and heat for a few minutes if you wish, though its not necessary.

For a variation, you can use left over chicken or beef and left over potatoes which you fry til a bit crispy. Add the rest of the ingredients and heat the entire thing til its warm.
This makes a full and healthy meal.
Serve with sauce of your choice, even ketchup mixed with mayonnaise can be nice. For chicken try a honey mustard sauce if you like.
Any nice salad dressing will fit the bill also.
If you add salsa you can spice it up Mexican style too!

Saucy Marinade for steak or beef:
this marinade is from better homes and gardens recipes:

1 (1-1/2 to 2 pounds) flank steak
1/4 cup chopped fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried, crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried, crumbled
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for grill pan
Directions
1. Trim fat from steak and place steak in a shallow dish. Stir together rosemary, marjoram, oregano, garlic, paprika, salt, and peppers in a small bowl. Stir in the oil until combined.
2. Spoon herb mixture evenly over both sides of steak, rubbing in. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
3. Preheat grill pan over moderately high heat. Lightly coat pan with oil and place steak in pan. Grill, turning once, until a meat thermometer inserted into center of steak registers 125 degree F for medium rare, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Transfer to a cutting board. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before cutting, across the grain, into very thin slices. Makes 8 servings.

Herring in Cream Sauce

This is a lovely dish any time, any place.

You will need:
8 pickled herring fillets

1/4 cup of Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons of whipping cream

1/4 tsp of sugar

1/8 tsp of lemon pepper

1/8 tsp of worchestershire sauce

1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion

1/2 cup of fine chopped sliced leek

fresh dillweed

coarse black pepper

Drain the herring and reserve a tablespoon of its marinade.

Combine your mayo with the cream, sugar, half the dill, lemon pepper , Worchestershire sauce and reserved marinade and mix together.

On a nice plate, arrange the onion and the leek and some dill in a pleasing arrangement.

Top with the herring filets and then drizzle on the cream sauce.

Grind fresh coarse black pepper on top and garnish with more dillweed on the very top.

Shaved carrot also makes a nice presentation.

To make it extra special, top with a large dollop of red Caviar.

Make sure it is not *real* caviar as that is from Sturgeon which is not a kosher fish.

But there are kosher caviar types out there that are very nice and made from Salmon roe. Look for that kind.

Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak is a British dish that is a delicious comfort food. If you have never tried it, you are in for a treat especially if you are a cabbage and potato lover as I am.
This recipe is easy and I give you here just a basic one, but you can add to it any vegetables from last night's dinner that you like. Its a perfect way to use up leftover veggies including potatoes.
The dish is perfect on a cold winter day with a serving of poached eggs for protein too. They just really go together well.


1 lb potatoes of unpeeled
salt and pepper to taste
2 1/2 oz butter
8oz cabbage, shredded
3 tbsp water
3-4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped well

How to:
Cook your potatoes in boiling salted water for about 20 minutes or so, til tender but not mushy. you stil have to fry them.. You can use potatoes from yesterdays meal and this is the best way to use them.
Peel them if you just made them.




Mash them with half of your butter.
Put the cabbage and remaining butter in a sauce pan with the water and cook on low medium for around 10 minutes or til nice and tender.
Now mix the cabbage in with the potatoes and season them with as much salt and pepper as you like. .

Heat half of the oil in a frying pan and cook the onion til clear and soft.
Now add the potato mixture and press down flat so it will brown nicely.
When one side is all browned, turn it over, adding more oil if necessary and brown the other side.
Remove to a plate to serve. You can cut it in wedges or just scoop and serve as a side dish.
This is hearty enough for a main meal though if you make enough of it and serve with thick slices of toasty bread and butter.

Comfort Food Potatoes

These are made with French's French Fried Onions, (kosher OU) , cream cheese and cheddar cheese and potatoes.

This is just out of this world and an ultimate comfort food. Worth a try at least once in your life time... calories or not!

Boil and mash 6 or 7 large potatoes.

chop a small sweet yellow onion (Vidalia if you have it) very fine.

You will need 4 ounces of cream cheese

4 ounces of sour cream,

and 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.

1 can of French's French fried Onions. (about 3 ounces of them)

Mix the onion with the cream cheese , sour cream and cheddar in the hot potatoes.

Now if it is way too thick , which happens sometimes, use a very small amount of milk to thin them just a bit. Be careful now and don't make them runny. Just a small bit of milk to thin if they are just too thick to stir with a spoon .

Put the mix into a rectangle baking dish and you wil bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees F.

When the edges are bubbling you know its done.

When its just about finished, maybe 5 minutes from being done, top it with the fried onions and pop back into the oven to complete the cooking

Now serve and eat! That's the best part of it all. Hope you enjoy them.

Morrocan Chicken

This is a great recipe and is served over couscous.
It is hearty and filling and tasty. Give it a try one chilly Autumn evening.
It makes a wonderful dinner party dish too.



Ingredients


1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), skinned
Cooking spray
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
24 pimiento-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped
8 lemon wedges

Directions
Preheat oven to 325°.

Combine first 8 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring well. Add chicken; toss to coat. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.

Combine flour, juice, and broth, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Sprinkle flour mixture over chicken, tossing to coat. Top chicken with olives and lemon. Bake at 325° for 1 hour

Mashed Potatoes for a Change

"Hi Annie,
You say to serve mashed potatoes but don't they contain milk? How can I serve them with a meat dish?"

Mashed potatoes do not have to contain milk. If, however you like that texture that creamy milk gives, soy milk will do just as well.
There are other ways to make mashed potatoes though.
One of the most flavorful ways is to use Kraft or Gefen Mayonnaise .
Boil your potatoes, red, golden yukon or any kind of baker until soft but still a bit firm. You don't want them mushy. Drain them very well.
Rice or mash them as you prefer.
You can leave skins on or off as you prefer. If you have opted to leave them on, be sure you went over them carefully with a soapy(Rokeach soap does a nice job as does Dr. Bronner's Peppermint soap) vegetable brush first and rinsed them well.
Now add some Kraft or Gefen Mayonnaise (we love the taste of Gefen) it is pareve.(neither meat nor dairy) so you are safe with it. Begin with a tablespoon and whip it into the potatoes. Add some pepper if you like. White pepper gives potatoes a particularly nice taste.
If they are not as smooth as you like, add more mayo or add a wee bit of soy milk to make them creamier.
This makes hearty and filling mashed potatoes but be warned .. they are high in calories this way. Well, aren't most comfort foods?

Another way to prepare mashed potatoes to serve with meat is to use non dairy sour cream and non dairy margarine. Add those slowly to the riced or mashed potatoes to give them a smooth and creamy texture.

As always, if you whip your potatoes with an electric mixer they will be fluffy and light.
Adding too much liquid will make them runny so go slow on adding any additions and make sure the potatoes were thoroughly drained before mashing them.



For variety, try adding garlic mashed into your potatoes.
Take one pound of washed , cooked and drained potatoes and mash them
Add in a few cloves of mashed roasted garlic. You can roast a whole head in aluminum foil in the oven or in a skillet!
Take the whole bulb..cut off the top so the inside shows a wee bit.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F til the garlic is soft and sweet.
Takes from 30 mins to an hour depending on your oven. Check often for the garlic insides to be pretty soft.
Add a few cloves of this to your potatoes along with other ingredients you decide to use. Roasting garlic makes it sweet but still retains the garlicy flavor.

Adding Horseradish or Crayonnaise to mashed potatoes is also a delicious change of pace. Try it ..add slowly !

Crock Pot Chicken

This is a quick and easy crock pot dish you will enjoy.

Crumple up some aluminum foil in the bottom of your crock pot.
Place a whole cleaned chicken on top and season it with garlic, paprika and whatever chicken spices you like. There are many of them out there that enhance the flavor of chicken so choose your favorite. You can even use dry salad dressing mixes if you like. Italian works very nicely. Season inside birdy too if you wish.


Set your crockpot on a high setting and allow to cook for one hour.
Then, reset the crockpot to cook on low for 7 more hours.
No liquid is used. The foil will keep the chicken from sticking and the paprika will lend a golden color.

Serve with Mashed Potatoes and green beans or salad for a lovely meal.

Chocolate-Toffee Trifle

This dessert if quick to make but looks and tastes like a million dollars and if you love chocolate you will certainly like this.
If you have a lovely trifle bowl you can put it to good use in making this lucious dessert.


You will need to bake a box of brownies from a mix. That is the 'hardest' part of this recipe.
You can bake two boxes if you wish to make tons of trifle!
You will need chocolate pudding mix .
Prepare according to box instructions. If you are pressed for time, buy chocolate pudding in the plastic tub and use that.
Next you will need some Heath Bars (OU-D) about 10 of them that you will crush up.
And some whipped topping in a container

Raspberries, fresh or frozen for topping. Raspberry syrup if you can find it. Kedem makes a nice one.

Once you have prepared the brownie mix, Fold about 3/4 of the whipped topping into the chocolate pudding.
Now place some crumbled brownies into the bottom of your trifle bowl.
Top with some of the pudding/whipped topping mix.
Now layer with some of the crushed Heath Bar.
Now top the Heath with a bit of plain whipped topping.
Continue this layering til you have filled the bowl and finished off your brownies.
You want to end the layering with a layer of whipped topping.
On the very top you place the raspberries to garnish. Some mint leaves look lovely also. As does a little handful of crushed Heath bar.

If you can find the raspberry syrup, you can alter the recipe a bit by drizzling a tiny bit of the raspberry syrup on each layer of brownie as well as the pudding mix.
It 's bright deep jewel red color looks beautiful in the dish and it gives added interest in taste to the final dish.
Do not add syrup on top though, since it melts the topping and will make the dish look kind of sad.
Layer carefully to prevent a whopping mess!
It will taste good no matter how it looks though.

Alternate toppings include: chocolate curls, crushed chocolate bars.

To make it even more special here is a trick you might try:
If you enjoy Kahlua or any coffee flavored liquors, brush some of the liquor lightly over the brownies before crumbling them into the trifle dish.
This will add a bit of a kick to the dish.
Don't get too wild with the liquor or you will have mush instead of brownies.

Cincinnati's Famous Chili

Use Non Dairy Cheese substitute on top! 

This chili recipe is really famous and one of the most unique and delicious I have ever tasted, though I never tasted it at the restaurants themselves but by making it at home.


It is served in Cincinnati Ohio at the famous Skyline Chili restaurants.


There are many soy or non dairy cheese substitutes now that are very tasty and you can pile them ontop just like in this photo. Ths is how it is served in their restaurants but I like it just plain with onion on top. Served over spaghetti or on hot dogs it makes a wonderful meal

1 qt. water2 med. onions, finely chopped

2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

5 whole allspice or 1/2 tsp. ground

1 1/2 tsp. red pepper

1 tsp. ground cumin

3-4 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate

2 lbs. ground beef

4 garlic cloves

2 tbsp. vinegar

1 whole bay leaf

5 whole cloves

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

Put the ground beef into water in 4 quart pot. Stir until beef separates to a fine texture. Boil slowly for 30 minutes. (YUP! you will NOT saute the beef in this recipe. You can if boiling bothers you but the authentic way is to just boil it. Give it a try.)

Now, all other ingredients are put into the mix. Stir well and then bring it all to a boil.

Next, reduce the heat and simmer it all uncovered for about 3 hours.

You might have to cover the pot after a while when a good thick consistency has been reached. You don't want it to dry out.

This chili is best served the next day for two reasons. One, it just tastes better that way and two because after it sits in your fridge over night you can skim off any fat that layers on top.

If you used a very lean ground beef though, you can serve right away.

The key is to serve it over hot spagetthi.

Now at Skyline they serve it several different ways. Piles of onions on top, piles of cheese, piles of everything .. etc.

You decide what embellishments you prefer and add them to the plate.
This recipe is delicious served on hot dogs too so if you make up a bunch of it, freeze it in small batches for just that purpose. Your cook out guests will really enjoy it.

Chocolate and vinegar give this chili is addictive flavor. I never met anyone who didnt rave about Skyline chili!
I have never eaten it at the restaurant as I eat strictly kosher ..but I have made this at home and let me tell you it is really scrumptious.

If you are allergic to chocolate I can tell you it tastes almost as good without it. Just as always sample as you go along and regulate to your own desires.

Food isn't any good unless YOU like it no matter what anyone else thinks!

Bon appetite.

Kahlua Chili

Kahlua gives this Chili the best flavor and a bit of a kick too. This recipe will make a large amount, but you can cut it down or freeze some for later use.
Here's how to make it:







In about 1/2 cup of olive or other veggie oil, saute 4 chopped yellow onions til they are transparent along with 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Now add 1/2 cup of chopped green peppers and 4lbs ground beef and cook the beef til all red is gone and crumbled nicely with a fork.
If you prefer sweet red or yellow peppers or none at all, that's just fine too. It's your recipe so you adapt it as you see fit.
Some people like to add Mexican green chilies to the recipe and that is also fine.
Taste along the way , though, to be sure how things are going.

Now add in:
2 teaspoons Cumin powder

2 teaspoons Dried marjoram

2 teaspoons Dried oregano
2 tablespoons Tomato paste

4 teaspoons Salt

2 teaspoons Red cayenne pepper

1 cup Kahlua

1/2 cup Parsley -- chopped

6 tablespoons Chili powder


Simmer all this together for a good hour or up to 10 hours in a crock pot if you like.
The results will be pretty doggone good.

Serve with a nice big dollop of sour cream. There are excellant non dairy sour creams that are light and low in fat.
Corn bread or crusty French bread make a great compliment for a real hearty meal.

Next up will be a recipe for Cincinnati (SKYLINE) chili!

Taco Mac

Taco Mac is simply delicious and easy to make.It is a fresh new taste that everyone loves and I am sure if you try it you will also.

You will need a pound of spaghetti..cooked and drained.

1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey.

Sweet red, green and yellow peppers cored,seeded and sliced in small strips.

One packette of taco seasoning

I large can of crushed tomatoes

one large vidalia onion (any onion you wish is ok really) chopped fine

a bit of crushed garlic clove

1 small can of green chilies if you like them , otherwise don't bother.

small can or 1 cup of sweet white or yellow corn.

1/3 scant cup of brown sugar (not packed. The sugar cuts down on acidity in tomato sauces. always taste when adding sugar slowly so you don't add too much or too little)

In a skiller cook and crumble the ground meat til almost done. Add your onions and peppers and continue to cook til they are soft. Add your garlic now and heat through a bit.

Once they are sauted to your liking, add the crushed tomatoes , packette of taco seasoning, and the corn and 1/3 scant cup of brown sugar.

Simmer for about half and hour til the flavors are mixed nicely.

You can serve with a sprinkling of pareve cheese (soy usually) which are very nice .

Another variation of this recipe is Chili Mac. Simply serve your favorite chili recipe over cooked pasta. It's a hit with kids and adults alike.

Fish Vera Cruz

Here is one of the all time favorite fish recipes from Rock & Roll Cafe. People have been known to order 2 portions for themselves!
Fish is excellant food. They call it brain food and it seems that it does promote a healthy brain. Most people do not eat enough fish.





Here is the recipe. Give it a try and let us know what you think would you please?


You are going to need :


About 2 pounds of fresh or frozen red snapper filets. You can use flounder or cod too, your call, but snapper is traditional with this. You need enough for about 6 people . Try to buy locally and make sure your fish is fresh if you can get it. Coastal states will have no problem with that.

2 Tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
1 pound of tomatoes that you core, seed and chop fine. It should be about 3 cups worth of chopped tomato.
1 1/2 cups of finely chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 tablespoon of snipped parsley
1 tablespoon of fresh snipped mint (dry if you have to)
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 small jar of jalapeno peppers rinsed, seeded and chopped fine . If you dont like hot pepper use green chilies.
1/4 cup of pimento stuffed green olives
1 tablespoon of capers
1 large bay leaf
1 tablespoon of snipped fresh thyme.

Take your fish, fresh of thawed and sprinkle with a bit of salt and then drizzle on the olive oil and set the filets aside.
In a 12 inch skillet you will cook the tomatoes, onion, garlic, mint, parsley in some olive oil til the onion is tender but not browned.
Now add your jalapeno or chilies, the capers , bay leaf and thyme and your olives (sliced olives are nicer I think)
Cover and heat til it boils.
Now add your fish , lower the heat and simmer covered for about 10 to 15 minutes til the fish is flakey.
When done place the fish on a plate and arrange the vegetables on top of it in a pleasing manner.Throw out your bay leaf.
Take the liquid from the cooking and bring back to boil after removing veggies and fish and reduce it . Takes about 3 minutes. You can use this to pour over the fish .
Garnish with parsley , capers and more olives.
It will serve 6 to 8 people nicely





A good side dish with this is always rice and a cheesy rice goes very nicely. A crispy lettuce and tomato salad are excellant alongside this.


Add some lime or lemon wedges to the plate for extra flavor if you like.

Patriotic Pound Cake

This is a repeat of a wonderful recipe from last year.
Lemon Patriotic Pound Cake... Delicious
Try this to celebrate the Independence we all love .

1 pound unsalted butter, softened, plus additional for pans
4 cups cake flour, plus additional for dusting pans
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 teaspoons baking powder
10 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
2-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar, plus 4 tablespoons
2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest (from 3 large lemons)
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups assorted berries
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups heavy cream
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325 degree F. Butter two 9- by-5-inch loaf pans. Line bottoms of pans with waxed paper, then butter paper and flour pans, tapping out excess flour. Whisk flour, seeds, and baking powder together in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs, milk, and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla together in another bowl.
2. Beat butter, 2 cups granulated sugar, the zest, and salt together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy, about 6 minutes. With mixer on low, alternately add flour and egg mixtures in batches, scraping bowl as needed, until combined.
3. Divide batter between prepared pans, smoothing tops. Bake in middle of oven until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edges and invert cakes onto a rack to cool.
4. Meanwhile, toss berries in a bowl with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and the juice. Let stand, stirring occasionally, 15 to 25 minutes.
5. Beat heavy cream with remaining 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed to soft peaks.
6. Cut each cake into 3 horizontal layers. Divide and spread 3/4 berry mixture and all of whipped cream between layers to form 2 layered cakes. Top each with remaining berries and dust with confectioners' sugar. Makes 12 servings (2 cakes).

It's wonderful!