Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Simply the best. The most yumminess a corn tortilla has ever seen. As a treat for our birthdays growing up, mom would make our favorite meal and favorite cake. My request was always tacos and angel food cake. Strange combo indeed! But sooooo good! I've decided to share this Smith family recipe with y'all. Mom would make DOZENS of tacos and kids from all over the neighborhood would come over. They're easy to make. And will be gobbled up in no time. Best part is making the "taco bar"....you know...the fixins'! Be creative and have fun! Hola!
Corn tortillas
1 lb of ground beef (80/20)
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of garlic
1 teaspoon of chile powder
1 teaspoon of salt & pepper
1 can of refried beans
1 bottle of taco sauce
Iceberg lettuce
Tomatoes
Velveeta Cheese (YES, I said VELVEETA!)
(a packet of taco seasoning can replace the spices above)
Saute onions in a little vegetable oil until they sweat a bit, add ground beef and cook thoroughly. Add spices, refried beans and taco sauce. Stir together and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. In another pan, add about 3/4 cup of vegetable oil. Flash fry (about 30 seconds), the corn tortillas flipping over once. Place tortillas on a paper towel and blot away the oil. Place the heavenly taco meat in the tortillas and top with shredded Velveeta, iceberg lettuce and diced tomatoes.
I dare ya to eat just one! Enjoy!
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Wednesday, 28 December 2011
I’ve been fortunate enough to be the General Manager of FEZ Restaurant in Phoenix for 5 ½ years now. It’s been the cherry on my career. Or shall I say, strawberry? This was my first FEZ foodie crush. The fresh greens, with the intense dried blueberries, sweetness of the strawberries along with the crunch and salt of the cashews and nuttiness of the Manchego cheese tossed with this amazing Champagne-honey vinaigrette is so so delicious. Serve it for your family. Get those kids to eat their fruit and veggies. And this is quite impressive to serve to guests or take to a pot luck. This recipe serves four with extra vinaigrette for your fridge!
1 bag of field mix
¼ cup minced red onion
¾ cup cashew pieces
¾ cup dried blueberries
1 cup halved strawberries
¾ to 1 cup of Manchego cheese (similar to Parmesan...a good substitute!)
In a large bowl toss field mix, red onion, cashews and blueberries with vinaigrette (recipe below). DO NOT OVER DRESS! Not you! The salad...Plate salad on chilled plates and arrange five strawberry halves around the rim of the plate. Odd numbers in plating and decorating are always preferred over even numbers. I don’t know why I know this. I just do! Sprinkle, generously, the Manchego cheese over the top.
This salad is great for so many reason. You can increase or decrease the cheese, onions etc. as it fits the taste of your family or guests. It’s got a super food...blueberries...and is so easy on the eyes. And we all know we eat with our eyes first. Vinaigrette below...
Champagne-Honey Vinaigrette/
½ cup Champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon
¾ teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon salt
2 ½ tablesoon honey
1 ⅛ cup canola oil
Blend all ingredients except oil in blender or food processor thoroughly. Slowly drizzle in the canola oil.
Wa La! You have a delicious, nutritious and gorgeous salad for the eyes and the tummy. Grilled chicken or seared salmon would make excellent pairings to the greens and fruit. Enjoy!
Monday, 26 December 2011
Mary's Fish Camp was on my bucket list on my NYC Culinary Comedian Foodie Adventure. Below is my five star review of this charming, clean and fresh West Village landmark! Go Mary!
I know. I know. You're thinking the same thing I thought about the name of this place. Mary's Fish Camp. Hmm...must be a gay pescatarian summer camp for kids.
But. It's. Not.
It's the cutest little place in the heart of the West Village. And I went here for one reason only. Lobster roll. You see, living in the Sonoran Desert has it pluses...great weather, lots of time by the pool sipping alcoholic beverages and old people who leave in the summer.
The last $30 sandwich I had (and enjoyed) was at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C. And that was room service priced. This $30 sandwich was the smartest culinary cash I have laid down in a long time!
Creamy with chunks of lobster in a slightly crispy buttery bun...Dang! I just actually drooled on the comma key.
I arrived early as the place is very small. Had immediate seating and service. Everything was flawless.
Can't wait for camp next year!! Oh. And Thank You Mary!!
Picture this. South Mountain. Covered in careening white mini vans and large American cars. Children. Everywhere. Like Children of the Corn. Octogenarians with walkers complete with two yellow tennis balls. Parents scrambling to keep their brood in order. Teenagers glued to their smart phones, completely unaware of the reason for this holiday. The stealing of land from the Native Americans. Yep. We Americans sure know when to party.
Picture this. Me. My mom and my dad. Two of the cutest things I've ever seen. Walking. Slowly. Navigating the "rustic" entrance to the restaurant. It's like they're trying to imitate Tim Conway. Me? Patient. Oh so patient. You see, I was psyched to have my folks all to myself. No cooking. No cleaning. But would the food be gross? Cafeteria-like? And the worst, cold?
No. No. And no.
From our warm biscuits and Indian flat bread to our entrees (we all chose turkey with all the fixins)...it was a fantastic meal for $20 a head. Our server was efficient and delightful. If I remembered her name I would publicly apologize for my father's flirting. Heck. Maybe she liked it! She mentioned she was working from 9am to 9pm. God Bless her. Hope she's wearing sensible shoes.
They were helpful with extras (can you say "More gravy please?") and with boxing up to go treats. We skipped dessert as I was serving pumpkin pie, chocolate coffee cake and coffee at my place.
The window booth we had (thanks dad for calling ahead) had those famous sweeping views of the valley. And of the large families swallowing the picnic tables outside below, chowing down and obviously having a good time.
Other staff were energetic, friendly and helpful.
I cannot imagine the pilgrims having a finer meal and a better time then me and my folks.
Well, they did have those cute outfits. Not my folks. The pilgrims. Though mom was working her dangely Christmas tree earrings.
Oh. The. Holidays.