Garlic Oil Recipe

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Jim

garlic oilThis garlic oil recipe couldn’t be any simpler and can be prepared in about 2 minutes. You may be wondering why garlic infused olive oil even requires its own recipe, but just think about walking into any good Italian restaurant without it being included in a dish (the horror!).

Not only is this homemade garlic oil recipe good for dipping, sautéing and spreading, or even in chicken pasta salad it has long been used as an herbal supplement with promises to aid in blood flow, heart health and even as an antioxidant. So enjoy the versatility of this magical little oil!

Time

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes

Ingredients

1 clove crushed garlic
1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  1. Stir 1 clove crushed garlic into 1/2 cup good olive oil.
  2. Allow to sit about 30 minutes before using, but be sure to refrigerate if kept longer. Once refrigerated, homemade garlic oil should be used within 3 days.

Uses For This Homemade Garlic Oil Recipe

Garlic oil is commonly used in everything from:

  • pizza (brushing the crust)
  • sautéing vegetables
  • salad dressing
  • dipping sauce
  • herbal supplements
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Jalapeño Salsa Recipe

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jim

jalapeño salsaThis jalapeño salsa recipe is so tasty and easy to make, you may never buy the bottled stuff again. Quite possibly one of the most versatile dips, jalapeño salsa can be served with everything from chips to tacos to tortilla roll ups. Go ahead, spice it up!

Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 large garlic clove, minced
2 (or more) medium fresh jalapeños, minced
5 radishes, minced
1 bunch green onions (about 6)
l/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon grated onion
2 28-ounce cans peeled plum tomatoes, chopped with juice
3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Mix all ingredients. Best made 1 day ahead.
  2. Serve with chips, tacos or any recipe that calls for salsa.
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Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Jim

tortilla roll upsThis tortilla roll ups recipe will make you look like a pro with very little effort. Every party needs good appetizers, and tortilla roll ups are a classic standard when it comes to entertaining. Prep time is minimal, but be patient while they refrigerate, which may take several hours. It’s best to plan ahead and get these babies knocked out the morning of your shindig. And if your guests are impressed, just give ‘em the old line about it being something you just “whipped up”. Because, that’s exactly what you did, you ole’ pro!

Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3-4 hours
Total Time: 3-4 hours, 10 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces cream c heese, low or no-fat okay
1 tablespoon grated onion
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons jalapeño salsa
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

4 9-inch flour tortillas
1/3 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/3 cup finely chopped red pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
3 tablespoons sliced or chopped black olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Mix first 4 ingredients and spread evenly over tortillas. (If tortillas are fresh or from a freshly opened package, you may want them to sit at room temperature a few minutes to “dry out” a little. If too moist, they may get sticky when you roll and refrigerate.)
  2. Sprinkle red peppers, green peppers, chopped onion, black olives and cilantro over cheese spread. Roll up each tortilla jelly roll style.
  3. Roll tortillas in waxed paper and place in plastic bag.
  4. Refrigerate several hours before cutting into 1-inch bite size pieces. Then serve on a tray with the rest of the salsa as dip.

Makes about 30 pieces

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Oyster Roll Appetizer Recipe

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jim

oyster rollThis oyster roll recipe could be a perfect appetizer for your next get together. It serves about 10 people and is very quick and easy to prepare. Just be sure to give it enough time to chill properly before serving. Oyster rolls are typically served with crackers for dipping, so be sure to have plenty on hand and more for backup. Enjoy this oyster roll recipe!

Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces cream cheese, low or no-fat okay
1 tablespoon mayonnaise, low or no-fat okay
1 teaspoon white wine Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot red pepper sauce
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 3 1/4-ounce can smoked oysters, drained
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons finely grated onion

Directions

  1. Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, hot red pepper
    sauce and garlic. Spread about 1/2-inch thick on waxed paper.
  2. Mash oysters with fork and spread on top of cheese mixture. Sprinkle with
    fresh lemon juice.
  3. Cover with waxed paper and chill until firm, at least I hour.
  4. Remove waxed paper and roll like jelly roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and
    refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  5. Before serving, roll in chopped parsley combined with grated onion. Serve with plain crackers.

Serves 10

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Best Recipe For Hummus Dip

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Jim

hummusIn my opinion, this is the best recipe for hummus dip. Of course, there are as many versions of hummus as there are cooks. But this one is fairly straightforward, and if you’re looking for something that will please a wide variety of palates, this is the safe bet. For a wonderful appetizer tray, serve Hummus with Toasted Pita Triangles, Greek olives, feta cheese and sliced ripe tomatoes drizzled with oil and vinegar.

Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups chickpeas with 2 teaspoons liquid reserved
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
3 tablespoons tahini, or to taste, available at most supermarkets
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
salt to taste
fresh parsley or cilantro

Directions

In a food processor, blend ingredients until almost smooth. Adjust
seasonings to taste. Will keep refrigerated several days.Garnish with parsley and cilantro.

Makes about 2 cups

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Plum Sauce Recipe

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Jim

plum sauceThis plum sauce recipe is the perfect companion for dishes like pork chop, duck and even chicken fingers. This sweet and tangy classic is versatile enough to use on a wide variety of meats without seeming like the “same old thing again”. It’s quick and easy, and can be made at the same time your main course is cooking. Have a go at it!

Time

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 I/2 cups red plum jam
1 1/2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Combine ingredients in small sauce pan.
  2. Heat over low heat stirring constantly until warm.

Next time you’re looking for an easy plum sauce recipe to compliment a savory meal like pork, duck or chicken, pull this one out of your hat and impress your guests!

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3 Chicken Salad Recipe Favorites

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Jim

The chicken salad recipe is a versatile one. There are so many great combinations you can make. That’s why chicken salad is such a hit as a finger food at parties, a sandwich for picnic lunches and light dinner for the whole family. Plus, it’s so quick to make, you can spend more time enjoying your creation than preparing it. Here are three favorite recipes for chicken salad that you can make for any occasion.

Classic Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 cups of shredded chicken
2 chopped hard-boiled eggs
1 cup of chopped celery
1 tbsp of lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup of mayonnaise

The steps to making classic chicken salad are pretty easy. Just mix all of the ingredients listed above into a large bowl and then serve it on whatever you’d like. Some suggested serving ideas include croissant rolls, a bed of lettuce or hollowed out bell peppers.

Almond Chicken Salad

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups of diced chicken
2 tbsp of lemon juice
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1 tsp of salt
1 cup of diced celery
1/3 cup of almond slivers

Again, nothing to it. Simply mix the chicken in a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients, and you’re ready to serve it. If you want to serve this one as a party finger food, try serving the chicken salad on thick slices of french bread. Your guests will love it!

Fruit & Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

4 diced chicken breast halves
1 diced stalk of celery
4 chopped green onions
1 diced apple
1/3 cup of raisins
1/3 cup of halved green grapes
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/8 tsp of ground black pepper
1/2 tsp of curry powder
3/4 cup of light mayonnaise

Do I even have to say it at this point? You know what to do. Mix everything in your favorite large bowl and serve! A favorite bread to serve this light meal in is pita bread for easy holding.

Conclusion

The next time you need to make a quick meal for yourself or any size group of people, consider making a chicken salad recipe from the three suggested ones above. They’re easy to make and can be used for so many different occasions. Just choose your favorite one, decide what to serve it on and get mixing.

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Tasty Lemon Chicken Pasta

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Jim

Chicken pasta is a quick and easy meal for those who want to eat healthy. With preparation and cooking time being about 30 minutes, you can spend more time enjoying your meal and your dinner guests than slaving away in the kitchen. Plus, with several pasta types from which to choose, you can keep this dish interesting each time you make it. Lemon chicken pasta is a lighter version of this classic meal that is both healthy and easy to make. Here’s how to do it.

Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 package of your favorite type of pasta
2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into fingers
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tbsp of olive oil
3 tbsp of fresh chopped parsley
2 lemons, juiced

Directions

  1. Boil a large pot of water on high, adding a little salt. Empty the package of pasta into the pot and cook for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Then drain the pasta.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Then season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Put the chicken breasts, along with the garlic and red pepper flakes, into the skillet and cook for about 7 to 10 minutes or until the chicken is golden and there is no pink left in the center. Pour the pasta into the skillet just before you turn the stove off, and then mix everything together.
  3. Pour the chicken pasta into a large serving bowl. Then add the lemon juice and parsley and mix everything together. You’re ready to serve!

Conclusion

For a healthy meal that will fill you up, lemon chicken pasta is a good option. You won’t have to spend much time in the kitchen making it. Plus, you can alter your recipe each time you do by using a different type of pasta. To make this an even tastier dish, add some grated Parmesan cheese on top. You’re sure to impress your guests with this lemon chicken pasta dish. So, get in the kitchen and get going!

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Delicious Chocolate Cake Recipe

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Jim

Here’s a delicious chocolate cake recipe that everyone will love. The preparation time and cooking time combined are only about an hour. And you can be sure this rich chocolate delight will satisfy even the most critical pastry chef. You’ll probably have a few people clamoring to lick the wooden frosting spoon, as well. Here’s how it’s made.

Time

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

Cake
2 cups of sugar
1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
3/4 cup of cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 cup of boiling water

Icing
3/4 cup of butter
1 1/2 cups of cocoa powder
5 1/3 cups of confectioners’ sugar
2/3 cup of milk
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, spread grease and powder into two 9 inch cake pans.
  2. Start with the cake ingredients listed above. In a medium sized bowl, stir the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Then add the vanilla, eggs, oil and milk. Mix everything together for about 3 minutes with your favorite electric mixer. Finally, stir in the boiling water and spread your mixed ingredients into the cake pans.
  3. Bake both cake pans in the oven for about 30 minutes. Check to make sure they are done by sticking a toothpick into the cakes. If the toothpick is clean when you remove it, they are ready. After removing the pans from the oven, let them cool for about 10 minutes, and then remove the cakes from the pans. Finally, slice the layers of cake horizontally in preparation for icing them.
  4. To make the icing, mix the icing ingredients above into a mixing bowl. Make sure you cream the butter first until it is fluffy. Then alternate mixing in the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa with the vanilla and milk until the icing is spreadable.
  5. Finally, the fun part, frost each layer of cake with icing, stacking up the layers. And then, frost the outside of the cake.

Conclusion

Following this chocolate cake recipe should put you in a good position to win some hearts. It’s relatively easy and doesn’t take much time. Of course, if you’re feeling a little lazy but still want a top notch icing, you can cheat by using something like Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” frosting. Your secret is safe with me.

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3 Easy Pork Chop Recipes

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Jim

Have you run out of pork chop recipes? Not to worry. Pork Chops are one of those meals that have endless ways of being prepared. Because so many people today just don’t have the time to spend preparing lengthy meals for their family, I’ll share three of my favorite easy pork chop recipes in this article.

Chili & Pineapple Pork Chops

Ingredients

4 pork chops
1 tbsp of chili powder
1 1/2 tbsp of brown sugar
3/4 tsp of garlic powder
3/4 tsp of onion powder
1/2 tsp of salt
3 slices of pineapple
1 jalapeno pepper
1 tbsp of lime juice

This is one of my favorites because of the juxtaposition of sweet and spicy flavors found in the pineapple and the chili and jalapeno peppers. It’s easy. Just mix the chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder and salt together in a bowl. Then rub on both sides of the pork chops before you grill them. Grill the pineapple slices and jalapeno pepper for just a couple of minutes. Then, slice the pineapples into smaller portions and dice the jalapeno. Mix these two ingredients together with the lime juice in a bowl. Then, after your pork chops are finished cooking, top them with the pineapple and pepper salsa. Yum!

Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients

4 pork chops
2 tbsp of melted butter
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp of milk
1/4 tsp of black pepper
1 cup of herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix

Perhaps one of the tastiest ways to make pork chops is to fry them. Simply line the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking pan with the butter. Then mix the egg, milk and pepper in a bowl. Dip your pork chops in the mixture, and then coat them with the stuffing mix. Then just lay them in the pan and cook them at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the process. Delicious!

Maple Orange-Glazed

Ingredients

4 pork chops
2 tbsp of maple syrup
2 tbsp of orange juice
½ tsp of chili powder
½ tsp of salt
¼ tsp of fresh ground black pepper

This one couldn’t be any easier. Set your grill to high. Mix the maple syrup, orange juice and chili powder in a bowl. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, and then brush on the maple orange glaze. Cook each side for about 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t be stingy with the glaze!

Conclusion

From the quick and easy to the more exotic recipes, you’ll find a myriad of options when it comes to cooking pork chops. Now that you know three easy pork chop recipes, go try them out.

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