Pesto

So, my basil plant recently went berserk ... ok, not true, it's just been plentiful and I've not cooked dishes that use it, so ... I had a LOT of basil.  And, as it happens some times, I also had pine nuts in the house.  So ... bam, pesto!

Currently cooking pasta to give it a try-o!

Pickle Steaks, O'So'Goot!

Pickle Steaks, more commonly known as Rouladen, is one of those dishes that I've known since childhood.  A German dish, made often by my Mother who lived with my Father in Germany for 3-years, I really can't say enough good things about Pickle Steaks.

Beef - yes.
Pickle - yes.
Bacon - yes.
Mustard - yes.
Cooking in beef-brothy-goodness ... for hours ... YES YES YES!
Served with Spaetzle and Red Cabbage ... ohhhhhhhh yes!

Yummmmmmmmmmmmo!

My Mom recently had a dinner party, and though I wasn't at the party, she made me one too!  Woot woot.  And then my Dad brought it to me the next day.  My folks ROCK!

Penzy's Spices ... oh hell yeah!

So, I know it's not just me ... Penzy's spices are AWESOME!  There's now a Penzy's store at the mall, a short 10 minute drive from my home ... do you know how hard it is to stay out of that place???  If you like to cook then I am sure you do.  I could spend an entire weeks pay check without blinking an eye ... if I was one of those folks who didn't have to worry about money (who are those people anyway and how do I meet a tall dark and handsome - SINGLE - one???)!

But I digress...the point of this post is to talk about how much I love their spice magazine that comes to me very few months.  

A.) There is always a coupon for a spice on the front cover - with a small purchase (like the salt or pepper one uses) you get a freebie!  Woot woot!  Who doesn't LOVE a freebie?!

B.) The recipes inside are great with a capital G!  I've used several to date, and they have all come out great!  (Absolutely NO rhyme intended there...I'm awesome!)

With all of that said ... I need to go make me some dinner.  Peace.

Spicy Black Bean Hummus

So after my foray into the wonderful world of homemade hummus, I decided to try my hand at BLACK BEAN HUMMUS.  I googled a simple recipe, and after making it and tasting it I'm calling it Spicy Black Bean Hummus.  

Again, super easy to make and super yummy to eat!

Ingredients:

1 Can Black Beans

2 Cloves Garlic

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons Tahini Paste

3/4 Teaspoon Cumin

1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1/4 Teaspoon Paprika

Salt to taste

How to: Combine in a food processor until desired consistency using some of the Black Bean liquid to reduce thickness of the hummus.  Transfer to a bowl and enjoy!

Homemade Hummus

Homemade Hummus ... first time I've made hummus and I don't mind tooting my own horn when I say it's delicious!  And so much more inexpensive than the pre-made stuff at the store.  

INGREDIENTS
1 Can of Chickpeas (and up to 1/4 cup of the liquid from the can)
Fresh Lemon (3-5 tablespoons)
Olive Oil (2 tablespoons)
Tahini Paste (2 tablespoons)
Crushed Garlic Clove (2 Cloves)
Salt

Mix in a food processor ... and then eat with pita chips, veggies, or on a sandwich!

Burnt and crispy...LOVE it!

It's not a typical thing to write on a foodie blog, but the truth is, there are a few things I actually like when they're burnt ... or crispy.

#1 'When the mallow is flaming...'
Toasted Marshmallows, there is something so totally perfect about a burnt marshmallow, especially if you then stick it between 2 graham crackers and some chocolate.  (Oh, and a little birdy recently suggested one use a reese's pieces peanut butter cup for the chocolate, and I was like ... 'holy moly YEAH')

#2 Potatoes, onions and garlic in veg packs.
Veg packs are sooooooooooooo yummy, and the number one reason why?  Well that's easy, it's the bottom layer that gets the intense heat from the grill and turns the bottom bits into "almost burnt" and totally crispy pieces of heaven!  Oh yeah.

#3 Toast / bagels (sometimes...)
I'm not entirely sure why I like this one, but I do.  Now don't get me wrong, a totally blackened piece of toast is not good.  But a bagel or piece of toast that's just started to burn a bit...I love it.  No really, I do!

What about you?  Is there anything you like when it's a little bit burnt - or super crispy?

Downton Abby's "spicy fish n chips"

Totally made some awesome fish n chips for dinner tonight.  Beer battered in my own brew (Maggie Moo Slobber) and soooooooooo tasty!

I used a recipe from my "Downton Abby" Cookbook.  

And though the true Brit would serve it with mushy (pronounced m-uh-she) peas, I don't particularly care for them that way ... but I do LOVE fresh (or frozen) peas with my fish n chips!

I cooked it at my folks place - for me and them - and it was nice enough (and cool enough) that evening to eat alfresco ... woot woot!