Tex - Mex Zucchini Casserole

If you follow my Blog, you know how much I love a Tex - Mex recipe. I adapt them and I create them. It's a category of food that we miss when we travel outside the country. It's the first meal we want when we return.
Here's a new concept for a Zucchini Casserole.
You can also use Yellow Squash or a combination of each.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the Oven to 375 degrees.
1 - 2 quart Casserole Dish. You can also use an  8" or 9" Square Pan.

2 TBS Butter
4 Zucchinis, thinly sliced
1 C diced Onion
2 TBS Dried Parsley
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
3 Garlic Cloves, minced.
1/4 tsp Dried Basil
1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Red Chile Pepper Flakes
1 - 4oz. can of Diced Green Chiles, drained.
3 Eggs, beaten.
2 C Grated Fresh Pepper Jack Cheese
1 C Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 - Pillsbury Crescent Dough Sheet
2 TBS Grainy Mustard ?

In a Skillet on Medium High Heat:
Butter, until melted.
Add:
Zucchini
Onion
Garlic
Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

Remove from Heat.
Add:
Parsley
Salt
Pepper
Basil
Oregano
Sir to mix well.
Set aside to cool.

In a Mixing Bowl:
Eggs
Pepper Jack Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
Stir to combine well.

Add:
Zucchini
Stir just to combine.

Roll out the Dough on a flat surface to fit the size of your Pan.
Transfer to the Pan, on the bottom and up the sides.
Brush the Bottom and Sides of the Dough with Mustard.

Spoon the Mixture into the Pan.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes. Just until Golden Brown.
A knife in the center should come out clean.

Remove from Oven to a Rack to Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

2 Cup Shredded Cheese Conversions

Just another bit of information that helps when deciding how much Cheese to use when a recipe calls for 2 Cups of Shredded Cheese.

2 cups

Ingredient Quantity and Equivalents

Ingredient	Quantity	Equivalent
Cheese, Cheddar	1 pound	4 cups Shredded
Cheese, Cheddar	4 ounces	1 cup Shredded
Cheese, Cottage	1 pound	2 cups
Cheese, Cream	1/2 pound	8 ounces

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Chocolate and Sea Salt Cashews

This is a simple recipe for a Party Snack. I have many recipes for Sweet and Savory Nut Mixes. Cashews are my favorite Nut.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A Double Boiler
A Sheet Pan covered with Foil.

2 C Raw Cashews
8 oz. Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped.
1 tsp Sea Salt



On the Sheet Pan:
Raw Cashews in a single layer.
Roast in the Oven for 5 minutes, making sure they don't burn.
Stir half way through the roasting.
Remove Pan to a rack to cool completely.

In the Double Boiler:
Chocolate, until melted.
Remove from Heat.
Add:
Cashews
Stir to coat well.

Transfer back to the Foil Lined Sheet Pan in a single layer.
Immediately sprinkle with Salt.
Refrigerate until chilled and hardened.

Remove and Break apart just prior to serving.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Chocolate Whipped Cream

It may sound simple but the key to making this delicious Whipped Cream is the use of Cocoa Mix.
I recommend Ghirardelli.
Sometimes the simple recipes are the best. They're tried and true.
My mother made her Chocolate Whipped Cream like this when we were kids. She probably used Nestlé Cocoa.
This is great for Layered Cakes, Cup Cakes, Top off a Cup of Coffee or a Hot Cocoa Beverage.

They're available in a variety of flavors.

For Chocolate Peppermint Whipped Cream

Here's what you'll need:
A Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment.
It's better if the Bowl and Whisk are refrigerated until chilled.

1 C Heavy Cream
1/2 C Cocoa Mix

In the Stand Mixer:
Heavy Cream
Beat for 2 minutes.

Add:
Cocoa Mix
Beat until Stiff Peak.
Refrigerate until ready to use.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Flaming Margarita

There's a restaurant in Hollywood that's famous for their Flaming Margaritas. We've been there with our son. It makes a great presentation at table side. It has the WOW factor. They serve it with a Flaming Lemon Disc but in Texas, I use Lime.

This is also a great, simple Margarita recipe. While there are many varieties of Margaritas, sometimes the original is the best. I have many on the Blog, but this is the basic recipe.

This makes 1 Margarita.

Here's what you'll need:
A Cocktail Shaker
A Rocks Glass
Matches or a Long Utility Lighter

1 1/2 oz. Gold Tequila + additional for Flaming.
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice + additional for garnish.
3/4 oz. Triple Sec
Ice Cubes
1 Lime for Garnish and Flaming
Coarse Salt

Moisten the Rim of the Glass with some of the additional Fresh Lime Juice.
Hold the Glass, inverted, in your hand and sprinkle the rim with Salt. (this keeps it out of the drink.)

In a Cocktail Shaker:
Ice Cubes (just enough to fill the Glass)
Tequila
The Fresh Lime Juice
Triple Sec
Cover and Shake well.
Strain into the Glass and add the Ice.

Flaming Lime Disc for Garnish:
Cut the Lime in Half.
Scoop out 1 Half and Wedge the other Half.
Cut a Disc from the Scooped out Half.
Float it on top of the Drink.
Add some additional Alcohol.
Place 1 Wedge on the Rim.

To Serve:
Light the Disc with a Match or Long Utility Lighter.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Mediterranean Crown Appetizer and a Tex - Mex Option

I received this recipe via a video from a friend in France. It was difficult to get a recipe so I copied a link to post it on my Blog. I was able to create some still photographs from the video.
It looks delicious and I will definitely make it.
In order for me to be able to print the recipe I have to break it down and create it myself.
It's an appetizer "crown" or wreath.
It can certainly be customized to your personal taste.

Here are photographs that I took from the video:
They're not in any order but it gives you an idea of the process and the final dish.

Mediterranean Crown Appetizer

Puff Pastry and a bowl to use as a template.

The outer ring is sprinkled with Dried Oregano.

Cut the center into wedges to pull back over the Ring.

Egg Wash

Cover the Ring with Sliced Black Olives.

1 Zucchini, unpeeled and sliced.

Puff Pastry Circle

Tomato slices

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Egg Wash

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
1 - Round Pizza Pan
A Bowl create a template in the center of the Puff Pastry Dough.(you'll see it in the video)

This is a pretty vague recipe so the amounts of ingredients will change according to the size Appetizer you make.

Ingredients:

Puff Pastry (enough to create a Pizza Sized Circle)
A Recipe of Fresh Pesto, or a Jar.
3 small Tomatoes, sliced
1 Zucchini, sliced
Feta Cheese
Appetizer sized Mozzarella Balls or pieces of Mozzarella Cheese.
An Egg Wash to brush on the Pastry Ring.
Sliced Black Olives
Dried Oregano

Here's a link to the video:

Couronne méditerranéenne

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Here's another option:
Preheat the ove to 375 degrees.

Create your favorite Tex-Mex filling of Ground Beef, Cheese, Jalapeños with Taco Seasoning.

Here's a suggestion:

1 lb. of Ground Beef or Gimme Lean Vegetarian Meatless Ground.
1 Package of Taco Seasoning Mix.
1 - Diced Jalapeño
1 Cup of Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese.

In a large Skillet on Medium High Heat:
Sauté the Beef until browned.

Add:

Seasoning Mix
1/2 C Water
Jalapeño
Simmer 5 minutes. Stirring often.
Transfer to a Bowl.
Add:
Cheese
Mix well.
Spoon over the Dough.

Garnish Filling Suggestion:
Shredded Lettuce, Chopped Tomatoes, sliced Black Olives, Guacamole and Salsa.

Bake for 20 - 25 minutes.
After it's baked, transfer to a Serving Platter and fill the center with Shredded Lettuce, Chopped Tomatoes, sliced Black Olives, Guacamole and Salsa.

Serve with Tortilla Chips


Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Parmesan Potato Stacks Baked in a Muffin Tin.

Wow, I just received this video and I had to post it on the Blog. This is comfort food at its best. They look delicious. This would be a great side dish for a family gathering or when you'r asked to bring a dish to an event. It's convenient to make them in a Muffin Tin. They'd be easy to transport in a Tupperware container and then  heated in a Microwave just prior to serving.

Parmesan Potato Stacks Recipe

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!