Therapeutic Ramblings

Mexican Salsa

June 13, 2009 · Leave a Comment

 

 

Salsa

My mother is always making homemade salsa. She is either using her tomatoes from a grocery trip that need used up, canned, or in the summer fresh. So it inspired me to make salsa of my own. Family loves it and it is EASY, which is my middle name! This is just a base for any type of salsa you may want to make, whether it be fresh, fruit, canned, hot or mild. Experiment with it!

3 jalapeno peppers (more or less depending on your heat level)
1 medium onion quartered
1 garlic clove, halved
drizzle of olive oil
3 14 ounce cans of whole tomtatoes
4 fresh cilantro sprigs
1/2 tsp salt

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Quarter the onion and place on a baking sheet with jalapenos and garlic. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Cook until the peppers are blistering. approx. 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and take the stems out of the jalapenos. If the you prefer you can sweat the jalapenos to remove the outer skin. Do this by placing in a bowl while hot and covering with plastic wrap for 20 min.

Place onion and garlic in food processor; cover and pulse four times. Add the tomatoes, cilantro, salt and jalapenos. Cover and process until desired consitency.

Chill and serve with chips.

Note: Jalapenos vary in heat. I usually cook three, and add two. If the heat is not hot enough I add the last one during the tomatoe process.

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Appetizers · Mexican Food

BBQ Rub Recipe

June 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

I was always intimidated about making ribs. I have tried several times but have always had tough, chewy results. So after spending sometime reading, and watching Food Network, I decided to try what I learned. I mixed and matched ideas, and think these came out amazingly good. I will next time let them sit with the rub longer, if not up to 24 hours before cooking. I think the flavor would have penetrated even more.

Cumin Rib Rub Recipe

3 Tbsp. cumin

1 Tbsp coriander powder

2 Tbsp. dried thyme

2 Tbsp chili powder

2 Tbsp. paprika

2 Tbsp fresh ground black pepper or Montreal seasoning

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup kosher salt

Instructions: Mix. Rub into ribs, marinate over night and cook as desired.

Remove the membrane from the back side of the ribs, and rub the ribs generously with mixture. Wrap in plastic wrap and let sit overnight or up to 24 hours. Cook as desired.

Note: I put the ribs from saran wrap to foil, and braised them in the oven with orange juice and margarita mix. The foil holds the liquid in if you wrap them good. The cooking time for me was 6 hours at 225. Remove from oven and let sit for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, soak some wood chips in water and place in a pan or foil. Put the chips under your grate on the grill to add that smoky flavor to your ribs.

Remove the meat when the carmalization forms from the sauce, and cut into serving size portions.

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Braised Chicken Thighs

June 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

braised chicken

Braise

Definition: This cooking method is used for less tender meats. The meat is browned slowly and thoroughly on all sides, then a small amount of liquid is added to the pan, the pan is covered, and the meat is simmered over very low heat until very tender.

I love braising food.  There is something about cooking something low and slow that tastes like you slaved away on it all day. 

My husband always says he hates chicken thighs.  I thought I would try again but this time combining them with his favorite thing… Mushrooms!   So below is a delicious way to cook up an inexpensive dinner that tastes like you worked all day to produce it!

Braised Chicken Thighs

1-2 Tbsp Olive Oil (to coat saute pan)
6 chicken thighs
1 Tbsp. Montreal chicken seasoning
2 Tbsp. butter
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 cup sliced onion
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp fresh rosemary

Heat Oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Season chicken Montreal chicken seasoning, and place skin side down in the pan and sear until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Lower heat to medium. Remove chicken from pan and add 2 Tbsp of butter. Add the onions and garlic, saute till tender and add mushrooms, cook an additional 4-5 minutes stirring till mushrooms are browned and most of the liquid is soaked up. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes till mixed through and a roux is made. Add the tomato paste, stock and rosemary to pan and bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and add chicken. Cook for 30 minutes on one side, turn and cook an additional 30 min. or till chicken is very tender.

Serve over rice

Makes 4-6 servings

→ Leave a CommentCategories: Chicken