Dinner Tonight

I will be taking a week off for a little RnR so I will be back next week. Check back then for more homestyle cooking!

Tonight's Menu

South of the Border is the theme tonight! We had a great Fourth of July and the relaxing weekend continues with an easy dinner tonight.

Grilled Salmon Tacos
Mango Salsa
Guacamole and Chips

Brush 2 salmon fillets with a little Olive oil
Grill fillets on a hot grill - searing the outside well
Cook until done to desired consistency (don't over cook)

Brush olive oil very lightly over corn tortillas
Lightly heat on grill to keep pliable

Place flaked salmon on tortilla

Top with:
A little shredded cabbage
A dollop of sour cream
A dollop of guacamole
A Tablespoon of mango salsa

Mango Salsa

• 2 mango, peeled and diced
• 1 cup peeled, diced cucumber
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeno
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 3 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves
• Salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
  

Combine the mango, cucumber, jalapeno, red onion, lime juice and cilantro leaves and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Dinner Tonight

It's the 4th of July and time for an all American backyard cookout. This year we are going to keep the theme easy and fun. Getting together with family and friends is the best way to spend the day!

Nathan's hot dogs
Red potato salad
4 bean salad
Chips and Salsa
Corn on the cob

Nathan's hot dogs are, in my opinion, superior in the world of the dog. They are more costly than the average brand, but in our house we rarely eat hot dogs...so when we do, we want the best.

Condiments

• Mustard
• Mayo
• Ketchup
• Relish
• Chopped Vidalia onions
• Chopped tomato
• Dill pickles

Potato Salad

• 3lbs small red potatoes, boiled and cooled (skins on)
• 2 cups mayo
• 2 T salt
• 2 T cracked black pepper
• 2 T dill weed
• 2 T mustard
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped dill pickle
• 1 small can black olives, drained
• 2 stalks celery finely chopped

Mix all ingredients together and chill for 2 hours prior to serving.

4 bean salad

• 1 can green beans
• 1 can wax beans
• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup onion
• 1 T salt
• 1 T pepper

Drain and mix the beans and onion. Mix together all other ingredients to make the dressing. Pour over beans and let marinate for 2 hours prior to serving.

HAPPY 4TH of JULY!

Dinner Tonight

Tonight we are having some down home cooking. One of my favorite things to do is throw some dinner in a crock pot and come home in the evening to the smells of home cooking. It is a welcoming thing to open the front door and have a whiff of something tasty just waiting for us. And now that the tomatoes in our garden are getting ripe, this meal is truly the taste of home for me.

Herb Braised Roast
Baby Carrots
New Potatoes
Onion Wedges
Sliced Tomatoes Fresh from the Vine

Pot Roast

• 3 lb Tri Tip Roast (or your favorite cut)
• 8 small red potatoes cut in half
• 1lb bag baby carrots
• 1 large Vidalia Sweet onion (or other good flavored onion) wedged in quarters
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 2 T garlic powder
• 2 T dried Italian herbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

In the morning- Braise the roast in a large frying pan by heating the olive oil and cooking on all sides to brown.

• Place meat in crock pot.
• Pour in wine
• Sprinkle with Garlic Salt, Herbs, Salt and Pepper
• Place potatoes, onions and Carrots on top of Roast

Cook on low for 8-10 hours

Slice tomatoes and serve on the side with a tall glass of Sweet Tea.

This is heart warming dish that will bring back the memories of home. As we approach the 4th of July weekend- we want to pause and be thankful that we live in America as we celebrate the freedoms we are blessed with. We also want to thank those who diligently serve our country each day!

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Dinner Tonight

You know how I like easy...well tonight tops them all. I am gearing up for a busy fourth of July, so I thought I would make tonight a simple, relaxed one.


Smoked Turkey Wraps
Watermelon
Chips and Salsa

Wraps recipe-
1 (15-oz.) can Black Beans, rinsed and
drained
1 cup small cubes smoked turkey
1 cup canned or frozen, thawed corn
1/3 cup Chipotle Salsa
3 tbsp. balsamic vinaigrette
5 small radishes, halved and thinly sliced
Chopped green onions and chopped fresh
cilantro (optional)


Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl;
let stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped green
onions and chopped fresh cilantro, if you like. Wrap in a tortilla spread with a little sour cream and fresh guacamole. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with tortilla chips and salsa on the side. Enjoy!

Dinner Tonight

Tonight I am making it an EASY dinner night. Easy doesn't mean going through a drive thru, however. One of my favorite places to shop (in case you hadn't noticed) is Trader Joe's. If you don't have a Trader Joe's where you live, you should still be able to find a substitute for the items.


Tempura Prawns
Steamed Broccoli
Mango Salad
Iced Green Tea


Tempura Prawns
These are very EASY. I buy a package of frozen prwans from Trader Joes in th efrozen fish section. Heat olive oil in a pan - and follow cook time on package. If you like, you can also bake these. I think frying them in a little olive oil gives the batter a better taste. Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

Mango Salad

• 2 cups cubed fresh mango
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes- cut in half
  
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

In a medium bowl, combine mango, tomatoes, onion, lime juice, and cumin. Toss to combine. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving to allow it to chill.

Have a wonderful dinner! See you tomorrow!

Dinner Tonight

Tonight we are heading back to the grill (we like to take advantage of the beautiful summer weather). It is dinner party night tonight. Some simple entertaining with a few close friends and a good game of back yard Bocce Ball...after a long day at work it is a great way to relax and make a midweek day feel like the weekend.

Wine and Herb Infused Tri Tip Roast
Roasted Corn on the Cob
Spring Green Salad with Feta Cheese and Cranberries
Crusty Garlic Sourdough Grilled

Trip Tip

Soak the Tri Tip in the following for at least 2 hours prior to cooking:
1/2 bottle of "2 Buck Chuck" Cabernet (AKA Charles Shaw from Trader Joe's)
1/2 cup of chopped fresh herbs- Thyme, Sage, Rosemary
4 chopped garlic cloves
1 T salt
3 T Cracked black pepper

Cook Tri Tip on Grill- I like it medium rare...some like it well done, so the time on the grill will vary. Plan for an hour or more for cook time.

One important tip- don't sliced into the Tri Tip for at least 20 minutes after you take it off the grill. This will allow all the juices to stay in the meat.

Roasted Corn on the Cob
2 ways to do this-

1. Remove the husk from the corn. Brush with a little olive oil and wrap in foil. Place on grill for about 20 minutes- rotating a few times to allow all sides to cook.

2. Pull the husks back from cob, but keep intact. Tie the husk with a little cooking string. Cook directly on the grill. This is a fun presentation...very rustic.

Spring Green Salad
1 bag of fresh organic spring greens from Trader Joe's (or your favorite store)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnut pieces or halves

Dressing-

• 3/4 cup tomato juice
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (white or red)
  
• 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
• 4 teaspoons sugar

Crusty Sourdough Bread

• Slice a large round loaf of sourdoug in half
• brush on a cup of melted butter
• sprinkle with garlic powder (not garlic salt)
• lightly sprinkle with dried parsley flakes
• Wrap each half in foil (this keeps the butter from dripping off)
• Place on grill for about 10 minutes- butter side down.

Have a few friends over tonight to enjoy this tasty meal. Make Tuesday feel like Saturday! Open an nice bottle of Zinfandel and Enjoy!