Carne Asada Tacos

This is an absolute MUST MAKE dish.

Ingredients

• 1 bunch cilantro (no stems) finely chopped

• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon each Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 1/2 cup neutral oil

• Zest & juice of one lime

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 pounds skirt, flap or flank steak (I like skirt and flap)

• 1 medium tomato, diced small

• 1/2 white or yellow onion, diced small

• Street taco sized flour tortillas

• Avocado Cream

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine cilantro, garlic, cumin, brown sugar, salt & pepper, oil, lime zest & juice and soy

2. Mix well, then put steak and the marinade into a large zippered bag, zip shut and squish around really well to make sure steak is well covered - refrigerate 1-4 hours

3. Combine diced tomato & onion in a small bowl and set aside

4. Heat grill to high and grill steak approximately 3 minutes a side or as necessary until approx 130 degrees

5. Remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest about 10 minutes before cutting across the grain

6. Heat tortillas, add some avocado cream, the chopped carne and finally a little of the tomato/onion mix

7. Serve, eat, devour, whatever - just do it!

MINI QUICHES

Bust these out for parties and NYE, they are quick and super delicious. Also, a great way to use up leftover pie dough and anything else in the fridge.

Makes 12 quiches

INGREDIENTS

• frozen and thawed pie dough
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red onion, diced
• 12 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 3/4 cup soft goat cheese or Monterey Jack
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon Sambal chili paste (or any hot sauce)
• Big pinch Kosher Salt
• 5 grinds fresh black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. cut out 12 pastry 4'' circles (I use a cup), shape into muffin baking tray
3. Preheat skillet on high, add oil, mushrooms and onion cook 3 minutes
4. Lower heat to medium, add garlic, cook 1 more minute
5. Add spinach, let it wilt for 1 minute, remove from heat let it cool
6. Beat eggs, cream, Kosher salt and pepper, Sambal chili paste
7. Spoon 1 tablespoon of vegetable mix into each, spoon 2 tablespoons of egg mix
8. Bake for 22 minutes, cool on rack for 2 minutes, eat!

WATCH ME MAKE THEM

Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

Makes 24 mushrooms

These little gems are perfect for anything. NO really - anything.

Ingredients

• 24 mushrooms: white, cremini, brown, whatever works for you
• Olive oil
• 6 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup smoked Gouda, grated
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt and fresh ground
• 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and finely diced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Remove stems from mushrooms, set caps aside and chop stems finely
3. Preheat non-stick pan on low/medium heat
4. Lightly drizzle mushroom caps with olive oil and place bottom-side up in pan
5. Cook until softened and just beginning to color - about 5 minutes - remove, gently turn upside down on a paper towel to drain any liquid then put face up on a lightly greased baking sheet
6. Cook chopped stems with a little oil over medium heat in a non-stick pan about a minute
7. Add green onions and continue to cook until all is softened, 4 to 5 minutes more - remove and put in a bowl
8. Add panko, gouda, Worcestershire, parsley, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper & bacon - mix well
9. Put some of the mixture into each mushroom cap
10. Bake 20 minutes or until slightly crispy on top - serve

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Filled Jalapeños

Makes a dozen

These are ridiculously good.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/3 cup cooked baby shrimp

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire

• 1 large clove garlic, minced

• 12 short, fat Jalapeños with stems

• 12 strips uncooked bacon

Directions

1. Combine cream cheese, shrimp, Worcestershire and garlic in a medium bowl - mix well

2. Holding the jalapeños vertically, cut a T shape into each one

3. Then use your fingers to open the door-like cut to expose the inside - remove seeds and membrane

4. Once cleaned out, stuff them with the filling, close the door and wrap with a piece of bacon

5. Cook seam side down in a medium hot pan or grill until the bacon is crispy all the way around, 10-15 minutes

6. Let cool slightly before devouring, I mean eating – no, I mean devouring

Hoisin Beef Skewers

Makes about 2 dozen skewers

These can be made in 5 minutes and cooked in about 5. That's pretty darn good - plus you get to eat them off those cool little sticks. Put the steak in the freezer for about 15 minutes before slicing - it will make it easier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound steak, I think a New York works well
• 1/2 cup Hoisin sauce, supermarket Asian aisle
• Juice from 2 limes
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• bamboo skewers
• chili sauce, to taste
• green onions, thinly sliced and toasted sesame seeds for garnish

Directions

1. Mix Hoisin, lime juice and garlic well - set aside
2. Trim steak across grain into slices about 1/4 thick
3. Thread steak onto skewers
4. Add some of the sauce to the skewered meat - reserving some for dipping
5. Heat grill pan or bbq really well
6. They won't take long - no more than about 3 minutes a side
7. Mix a little chili sauce with reserved dipping sauce and serve on the side

Crab Dip

You can buy expensive crabmeat at your favorite seafood joint, but as long as you find yourself a really good quality canned version you don't need to.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound crabmeat
• 1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce, I like Cholula
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Mix all ingredients well and put in a oven proof serving bowl
3. Bake for 15 minutes, then place under broiler to brown top
4. Serve with crackers or something crunchy like baked won ton chips

Fresh Mozzarella & Tomato Pizza

Serves 6 as an appetizer

Also referred to as a 'Margherita" pizza (but different from the Margarita drink) this is easily on of my favorites. The fresh mozzarella makes it the bizzle. The quantities below will make a 10-inch pizza, or 2 of the smaller appetizer sized ones.

Ingredients

• 1-10" ready made pizza crust - like Boboli
• Fresh Mozzarella, sliced 1/8" thick
• 3-4 Roma tomatoes, sliced 1/8" thick
• Fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Put tomatoes in bowl with olive oil & garlic, mix well
3. Put tomatoes on crust & cover with mozzarella (NOTE: Do not cover too perfectly - you want some of the tomatoes showing through)
4. Top pizza with some of the basil leaves
5. Bake approximately 12-15 minutes

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Makes 24 halves

Think deviled eggs are old-school and don't belong in contemporary life? Think again junior.

Ingredients

• 12 hard-boiled eggs
• 6 ounces package smoked salmon, chopped fine
• 1/3-cup mayo, roughly
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced small
• 1 or 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• Big pinch Kosher salt
• Pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
• Caviar

Directions

1. Slice eggs down the middle lengthwise (you knew that right?)
2. Put whites on your serving plate, and the yolks in a bowl
3. To the yolks add the salmon, mayo, red & green onion, hot sauce, salt, pepper & mustard
4. Mix all well and then fill each of the egg halves
5. Add a tiny amount of caviar to the top of each egg and sprinkle with chives
6. NOTE: You can get these all set a few hours in advance, but don't add the caviar until the last minute because when it sits on the eggs too long the liquid can come out and make the top of the eggs a bit messy.

Chocolate and Grand Marnier Fondue

You...someone special...the lights down low...candles flickering...romantic music and a smooth dark chocolate fondue to share...one fork...two mouths. Or it could be just you and the chocolate...whatever works, right?

Ingredients

• 3 oz Bittersweet chocolate
• 2 oz Milk chocolate, chips are fine
• slightly more than 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon Grand Marnier
• Stuff to dip:
• Pound cake cut in cubes or rectangles
• Fresh strawberries, stems on
• Fresh orange sections, anything else you like chocolate on

Directions

1. Chop bittersweet chocolate into smallish chunks and place in a small bowl with milk chocolate
2. Bring whipping cream to boil in a small saucepan
3. Immediately remove from heat and pour over chocolate - whisk until smooth and silky
4. Stir in Grand Marnier
5. Place in a little fondue pot or small serving bowl and serve with whatever you like to dip

Chili Nuts

Sweet and spicy at the same time - these little guys are hard to put down. Feel free to adjust the spices to your own taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lightly salted peanuts, shelled
• 1 cup lightly salted cashews
• 2 tablespoons oil, peanut or vegetable is fine - not olive
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1 tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Heat oil in pan
2. When hot add chili and cayenne - mix
3. Add nuts and stir well to make sure all are coated evenly
4. Remove from heat and add sugar and mix
5. Bingo - that's it.

Tuna Tacos with Mango

Makes 6

I'll be the first to admit that tuna tacos don't really sound very good - but they are. In fact, they're deeelicious.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe mango, diced small
• 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 fresh lime, squeezed
• 3/4 pound yellow fin tuna, uncooked and diced medium
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• corn tortillas
• 1 tablespoon oil

Directions

1. Mix first 4 Ingredients and set aside
2. Heat oil to almost high
3. In medium pan and add tuna
4. Saute quickly & when almost done stir in seasoning
5. Put in a warmed tortilla and add mango salsa
6. That's all - ok, so it wouldn't kill you to add a little extra squeeze of fresh lime

Sangrita

Makes about 20 ounces

Drink this along side your really good tequila. Its awesome....try it!

Ingredients

• 10 oz tomato juice
• 10 oz orange juice
• Juice from 1 lime
• 1/4 cup onion (preferably white), diced extra fine
• 1 tablespoon Cholula Hot Sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• A pinch of salt

Directions

1. Mix ingredients together
2. Refrigerate
3. Serve in a small glass along side an equal amount of good tequila

Whole Grilled Filet of Beef

Serves about 15

Think one long filet mignon before it gets cut into individual steaks. And here's my thinking - one giant steak is easier to cook than about 10 small ones.

Ingredients

• 1 whole fillet of beef, about 4 pounds
• 6 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon each Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Directions

1. Remove filet from fridge about 45 minutes before cooking
2. Clean and trim the filet, removing the silverskin and excess fat
3. Combine the garlic, salt, pepper and rosemary with 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil
4. Rub oil/garlic mixture all over tenderloin
5. Heat your grill well and cook the filet, grilling until its cooked to your liking (medium rare is perfect, so look for your thermometer to read between 130-135 degrees)
6. Allow to sit at least 20 minutes before serving
7. Serve with horseradish cream

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Dates with Blue Cheese and Bacon

As many as you want to make

The date is the sweet, the blue cheese is savory and the bacon is the salt - but the date is what brings this all together.

Ingredients

• Pitted dates
• Wedge of blue cheese, cut into chunks about 1/2 inch but rectangular so they fit into the date
• Ready Bacon
• Bamboo Skewers

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450
2. Snip open one side of the date with small kitchen shears
3. Stuff a cube of the cheese into a date and wrap the edges around it to cover the cheese
4. Wrap each date fairly snugly with a piece of ready bacon (trimming off the end if needed)
5. Skewer the bacon wrapped date, putting about 4 on each skewer
6. Place on a baking sheet and put in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes (until the bacon is brown and crispy and the cheese is melting)

Blue Cheese Shrimp Toasts

Makes 20 pieces

Warm...shrimpy...and blue cheesey. Damn.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked small shrimp
• 3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
• 1 bunch green onion (white & light green parts only) chopped fine
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 tablespoon cholula - or your favorite hot sauce
• 20 sour dough bread slices (cocktail size, about 3.5 inches square) lightly toasted
• Five slices deli muenster cheese, each slice cut into quarters

Directions

1. Turn broiler to high
2. Combine shrimp, blue cheese, green onion, mayo & cholula in a bowl - mix well to combine
3. Top each bread slice with some of the shrimp mix, and then one quarter of a cheese slice
4. Broil until lightly golden and cheese begins to melt

Smokey Bacon Guacamole

Makes about 2 cups

Really - you're not doubting this are you?

Ingredients

• 3 avocados - make them ripe please
• 1/2 cup chunky red salsa
• 1/3 - 1/2 pound bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1/2 - 1 chipotle pepper, minced fine
• Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions

1. Spoon out avocado flesh and put in a bowl
2. Mash a bit with the back of a fork - but not too much
3. Add salsa, bacon, chipotle pepper and lime juice
4. Mix well and serve

Carne Asada

Serves 6ish

One of our favorites, and if you make extra you'll have enough for Carne Asada Fries. And if ur making tacos, we suggest this most delicious Avocado Cream

Ingredients

• 1 bunch cilantro (no stems) finely chopped

• 3 large cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 2 teaspoon brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon each Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 1/2 cup neutral oil

• Zest & juice of one lime

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 2 pounds skirt, flap or flank steak (I like skirt and flap)

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except the steak- mix well

2. Put steak and marinade into a large zippered bag, zip shut and squish around to make sure steak is well covered

3. Refrigerate 1-4 hours

4. Heat grill to high and grill steak approximately 5 minutes a side or as necessary until approx 130 degrees

5. Remove from grill, cover with foil and let rest about 10 minutes before cutting across the grain (very important btw) and serving

Pork & Shrimp Potstickers

Makes about 30

These might be a little work, but they're certainly worth it.  Delicate little dumplings that will have you wishing you made more - or that you didn't share them.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled
• 4 green onions, white & light green parts only with root cut off
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 30 round won ton wrappers
• vegetable oil for frying

DIPPING SAUCE:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon hot chili oil

Directions

1. In a processor, combine first 7 ingredients (or chop all finely by hand and mix well)
2. Put some of the pork mix in the middle of each wrapper, dip you finger in water and lightly moisten the wrapper edge
3. Fold in half and seal shut
4. Heat oil in a pan and cook gyoza until lightly browned on bottom, 3-5 minutes
5. Add water carefully (it'll steam & splutter) and cover with a lid
6. Steam until cooked through, approx 5-8 minutes
7. Remove, plate and mix sauce ingredients for dipping

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Hot Buttered Doughnuts

Makes 4 servings

Once again there's truth in advertising. These are exactly as the name suggests - doughnuts that have been simply cooked in hot butter - and boy are they good.

Ingredients

• 16 glazed doughnut holes
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lemon wedge
• 1 pint really good vanilla ice cream
• 1/4 cup caramel/butterscotch sauce, warmed
• Powdered sugar for garnish

Directions

1. Slice each hole in half
2. Melt butter in a non stick pan and add doughnuts
3. Cook on all sides but especially with the flat side down so they get brown, caramelized and crispy
4. Squeeze on lemon juice just before removing from pan
5. Serve with ice cream, drizzled with caramel/butterscotch sauce and dusted with powdered sugar