Mmm, mmm, Margaritas!

Test Recipes Week 14!

I love me a good margarita (I like on-the-rocks better than frozen).  It's a 'girly' drink that appeals to guys too.  Nice and refreshing - great for summer days.  It's getting close to 90 here in South Texas, so today was a perfect day to test out a homemade margarita recipe.  They're also a great way to unwind after a long day trying to keep 2-year-olds in a chair.

MARGARITAS (Erin'sFoodFiles)
First step: make a simple syrup.  This can be stored in the fridge for a couple months.

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
Boil water, add sugar, and stir until dissolved.  Remove from heat and let cool.
Agave nectar can be used as a substitute.

For the Margarita:
1 1/2 oz tequila
1/2 oz triple sec (can also substitute Orange Juice)
1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 tsp. simple syrup (more or less to taste)
Kosher salt

Wipe rim of glass with lime wedge, then dip into a plate of salt.  Fill martinia shaker half full of ice.  Pour tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and syrup into the shaker; cover and shake thoroughly.  Pour into ice-filled glass and enjoy!  Can garnish with lime wedge.

my glasses are orange, not the drink

I rated this recipe EXCELLENT.  It is so much better than margaritas made from a mix.  Not so syrup-y and not too sweet.

Pasta Ban

I was looking through all my previous posts yesterday and I noticed one thing: I make a lot of pasta recipes.  So I hereby declare April a No-Pasta Month.  I am not going to allow myself to test any recipes containing pasta this month.  However, I'm not going to stop myself from bookmarking them for later! ;)

{recipe} Meatloaf and Creamed Spinach

Test Recipes Week 13!

Comfort Food!!  I've always been a fan of meatloaf, even though beef isn't my first choice when it comes to meat (have you noticed the favored chicken recipes on here?).  I always have a preference for my Mom's recipe, but decided to give a new one a try.

MEAT LOAF (Simple&Delicious Jan/Feb '10)

1 egg, slightly beaten
1 can (5 1/2 oz) V8 juice
1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs (I just made my own by toasting and smashing a few pieces of bread)
1 envelope onion soup mix
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1/3 c. ketchup

In a large bowl, combine the egg, V8 juice, bread crumbs, soup mix, cheese, and garlic powder.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Pat into an ungreased 9"x5" loaf pan.  Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 30 minutes.  Spread ketchup over top; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160*.  8 servings.

Overall, GOOD.  But not as good as Mom's!  Want to know a secret?  When I eat meat loaf, I always always always cover it in ketchup and then mash/stir it thoroughly until it becomes more of a Meat Mush.  I can't help it.  Meat Mush just seems more appetizing to me than putting a chunk of beef in my mouth.  I'm weird like that.....In other comfort food news: Creamed Spinach.  I've only had creamed spinach one other time in my life at a Sunday brunch buffet, but have never had a desire to make it until I came across this recipe.  I guess just seeing a picture of it was enough to make it.  That's another THING of mine - I only test recipes that include pictures of the finished product.  I like to see what I'm getting myself into.


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CREAMED SPINACH (SmittenKitchen)
**I made a half recipe (using the proportions listed below, although I didn't change the amount of garlic).  See SK website for original proportions - or just multiply by 2!)

1 pound baby spinach or 1 1/4 pounds fresh spinach, tough stems discarded
7/8 cups heavy cream or whole milk
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 1/2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
salt and pepper, to taste
pinch of nutmeg

Wash your spinach well. Place wet spinach in a large pot over high heat. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 2 to 4 minutes.  Press or squeeze out the excess liquid.  Coarsely chop the wrung-out spinach.  Heat milk or cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring, until warm. Keep warm. Meanwhile, cook onion and garlic (if using) in butter in large pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Whisk in flour and cook roux, whisking until thickened. Add warm milk or cream in a slow stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and simmer, whisking, until thickened. Stir in nutmeg, spinach, and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring, until heated through.

I rated this recipe EXCELLENT, although I had to add more salt/pepper/nutmeg than I originally thought.  And it was much easier to make than I imagined it would be :)

homemade gifts: Coasters

I've seen many renditions of homemade coasters on the interwebz.  Some using paint, napkins, rubber stamps, monograms, etc.  I used scrapbook paper because it comes in soooo many different colors and patterns and can be easily personalized for the gift-receiver.  I made these for Christmas presents for co-workers, and am in the process of making a set for each of my sisters.

Supplies:
* 3 3/4" square tiles (set of 4) from Lowe's (I looked at Menard's and Home Depot also, but liked tiles from Lowe's the absolute best.  They are called Sierra Beige something-or-other, and I like them because they have flat tops and straight sides - easy for Mod Podge-ing)
     ***Look over your tiles in the store and make sure no corners are chipped***
* Mod Podge
* foam brushes
* clear acrylic matte coating (aerosol)
* scrapbook paper cut slightly smaller than tiles (I cut mine 3 5/8" square)

just a SAMPLE of the beautiful scrapbook papers out there

1. Wipe tiles with damp cloth to remove dust/tile dandruff.

2. Work with one tile at a time.  Place tiles on top of scrap paper or newspaper to protect work surface.  Brush a light, even coat of Mod Podge on one tile and immediately place one piece of scrapbook paper on top.  Press firmly from center outward.  Then do the same with the remaining tiles.

3. Brush another light, even coat of Mod Podge on top of the scrapbook paper.  Make sure the entire top is covered, and even extend the Mod Podge over the edges and onto the sides.  (This ensures the paper won't be able to come off the tile).  Repeat with remaining tiles.

4. Let dry 15-20 minutes; Then brush another light, even coat of Mod Podge over entire tile surface, extending over edges.

5. Dry completely (i.e. overnight).

6. In well-ventilated area, spray an even coat of acrylic sealer over tiles.  Let dry (~15 minutes), and spray another light coat.

Voila!  Warning: they're kind of addicting to make! 

***Alternative Idea:  The first time I made these, I made a single test tile, which I now use as a SPOON REST on my stove :)

{recipe} Stroganoff-Style Spaghetti 'n' Meatballs

Test Recipes Week 12!

And I'm all caught up!  With this post, I am officially caught up with the recipes I have tested out in 2010.  Woohooooo!!  Here's what I made:

STROGANOFF-STYLE SPAGHETTI 'N' MEATBALLS (Simple&Delicious Jan/Feb '10)

1/2 lb. uncooked spaghetti

3/4 lb. frozen cooked Italian meatballs, thawed

2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/4 c. milk

1 Tbsp. concentrated au jus sauce

1/8 tsp. Cajun seasoning

1 c. (8 oz.) sour cream

Cook spaghetti until al dente, then strain.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the meatballs, onion, and garlic in oil for 4-5 minutes or until meatballs are browned.  Stir in the soup, milk, au jus sauce, and seasoning.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.  Gradually stir in sour cream.  Heat through (do not boil).  Stir spaghetti into skillet.  Serve immediately.  Makes 4 servings.

EXCELLENT!  Of course, I could not make this recipe exactly as written.  That would be unlike me.  I used half regular spaghetti, and half whole-wheat spaghetti.  I also didn't want to buy concentrated au jus sauce (didn't know if I would use it again), so I just splashed a little Worcestershire sauce into the mix.  And instead of Cajun seasoning, I used some seasoned salt and cayenne pepper.  It turned out nummy nummy, and I will be making this again.

South of the Border

Test Recipes Week 11!

I've had these Taquitos from Our Best Bites bookmarked for a while now, and decided to test them out this week.  Then I noticed the Brazilian Lemonade link on the same post, so this week's test recipe sort of has a theme.  (If you've never checked out Our Best Bites before, go do so.  I have so many recipes bookmarked from their site that I'll be able to do a 2nd year of test recipes in 2011...)

CREAMY CHICKEN TAQUITOS (OurBestBites)

1/3 c. (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. green salsa (I used regular, because that's what I had on hand)
1Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. granulated garlic
3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp. sliced green onions
2 c. shredded cooked chicken
1 c. grated Pepper Jack cheese
small corn or flour tortillas (about 12)
kosher salt

Combine cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well. 

Slightly warm your tortillas so they don't break while rolling.  Place a spoonful of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Then roll it up as tight as you can.  Place seam side down on the baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on top. 

Bake at 425* for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.  Dip in salsa, sour cream or guacamole, or use your favorite toppings.

These were super yummy and super easy to make!  They also tasted very good when reheated.  I dipped them in sour cream and that's it.  This one is rated EXCELLENT.  There was also a drink recipe linked to the taquitos recipe.  The ladies over at OBB were raving about this drink, so I decided to try it out at the same time as the taquitos.

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BRAZILIAN LEMONADE (OurBestBites)

4 limes (with thin, smooth skin)
1 c. sugar
6 c. cold water
6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

Mix cold water and sugar until dissolved.  Chill until ready to use. This step can be done ahead of time.  Wash limes thoroughly with soap Cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into eighths.  Place 1/2 of the limes in your blender.  Add 1/2 of the sugar water, and pulse 5 times. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher and pour the blended mixture through the strainer and into the pitcher. Use a spoon to press the rest of the liquid into the pitcher. Repeat with remaining limes and sugar water. Add sweetened condensed milk.  Add more sugar or milk if it's too bitter.  Serve immediately over ice. Serves 4.
 
OBB said this does not keep well, so only make the amount you think you'll need (I made a half recipe).  This was another 'oops' recipe for me.  I don't own a wire-mesh strainer, so I attempted to strain (SLOWLY) through a paper towel.  A couple times some rind spilled over into the pitcher, but I just scooped it out with a spoon.  Overall, I rated this recipe GOOD.  It was a little too bitter for me, even after adding more sugar.  I would attempt it again (using an actual strainer), and try even more sugar.
 

{recipe} Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Test Recipes Week 10!

We had another office party the week I made this bread.  We decided to have the party in the morning, with special coffee selections and breakfast items - Mexican pastries, granola, and a couple breads made by Yours Truly.  I made the traditional Mueller banana bread recipe, and also decided to try a lemon poppy seed.  I love lemon.  Lemon Meringue Pie. Lemonade. Lemon tea.  Lemon sherbet. Lemon Bars. *drool*

I've never made lemon poppy seed anything before, but have always been a fan.  After an extensive online recipe search, I narrowed it down to this recipe.

LEMON POPPY SEED BREAD (allrecipes.com)

BREAD:
3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract


GLAZE:
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, poppy seeds and 2 1/2 cups white sugar. Add the eggs, milk, oil, vanilla and lemon extract; mix until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour batter evenly into the three greased 8x4 inch loaf pans.  3.Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean. Cool loaves in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Combine orange juice with remaining 3/4 cup sugar and extract; stir well. Pour this mixture over the loaf while it is still hot. Allow loaf to cool completely before serving.
 
Makes three (3) 8x4 inch loaves.  I only have two loaf pans, so I made the extra into muffins.  I had one 'oops' moment when making this recipe.  I only had 3/4 c. oil in my cupboard.  When I was making the grocery list for this recipe, I just assumed I had enough oil.  Oops.  It was probably 9pm by this point, and I didn't want to make a trip to the grocery store just for oil, so I took a chance.  I substitued olive oil for the remaining amount of oil.  The bread baked like normal, and I thought it tasted good.  But in the end, I swore I could taste just a hint of the olive oil in the bread.  The bread was gobbled up at the office, and no one mentioned any odd flavor, so it may have just been my imagination.  Regardless, I'm eager to test this recipe again with only vegetable or canola oil to see if it tastes any better.  I'm going to rate it GOOD until I have a chance to retest it.