Pesto Falso

Pesto is a sauce originating in Genoa in of northern Italy (pesto alla genovese). Pesto in its basic form is basil, garlic, salt, pine nuts and olive oil — that’s it! Making fresh pesto can be a little expensive, so I developed this recipe to help reduce cost, but still retain that great pesto flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, chopped
• 2 ounces sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon dried Basil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
• 1 cup olive oil

Directions:

Add cilantro, garlic, basil, salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until well mixed and all ingredients are finely chopped. Next add the almonds and again blend until well mixed and finely chopped. Now drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches the desired consistency. That’s it — enjoy.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Stacy’s Guacamole

Guacamole isn’t my favorite dish, but people ask me to make them a batch from time to time and it is always a hit. It has a bit of a kick to it. Try it out and let me know what you think.

Ingredients:

• 4 large Haas avocados
• 1/2 large red onion, chopped (a white onion works well too)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 3 Roma tomatoes, deseeded and diced
• 4 Serrano chili peppers, chopped
• 2 Jalapeno chili peppers, chopped
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
• 8 drops Tabasco sauce
• zest and juice of 2 limes
• 2 shots tequila
• 1 lime wedge

Directions:

Stacy's Gaucamole

Ah, the easy part. Add peppers, bell peppers, onion, garlic in food processor. Mix until well blended. Add rest of ingredients reserving 1 shot of tequila, lime wedge and 1 teaspoon of salt. Lick the skin between your thumb and forefinger, then sprinkle salt onto the area. Using the same hand that contains the salt, hold the lime with thumb and index finger. Lick the salt, down the tequila, and bite the lime. Swish it around in your mouth for a couple of seconds and then swallow. Now mix rest of ingredients in the food processor until well blended and creamy. Serve with tortilla chips.

If there are more than one person in the kitchen, this recipe may require more tequila, salt and lime wedges.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Simple Pad Thai

A very simple and quick recipe for Pad Thai. Being single, I can whip this up pretty quick when I need a meal and don’t have a lot of time to cook.

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

2 oz Pad Thai noodles
10 medium shrimp, peeled deveined, tails removed
3 tablespoons pepper infused extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce
2 eggs, well beaten
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 tablespoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tablespoon Teriyaki Ginger rub (Adams Reserve)
Dried Cilantro leaves
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

Directions:

Soak Pad Thai noodles in warm water for at least 10 minutes until soft, salt can be added to the water if desired. I put them in a medium sauce pan over low heat. While noodles are soaking peel, devein and remove the tails from the shrimp, chop garlic, and slice shallot. In a medium skillet or wok, over medium-high to high heat, add olive oil, garlic, shallots and shrimp. Saute until shrimp become pink and opaque. Remove and set aside, leaving oil. Add eggs to the skillet and scramble until cooked. Reduce heat to medium-low. Drain and add noodles, Teriyaki sauce, Teriyaki ginger rub, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir fry until thoroughly mixed and sauce is absorbed. Add back in shrimp, shallots and garlic. Mix well. Remove to dish and garnish with cilantro leaves and Sriracha sauce.

Popularity: 37% [?]

Universal Chimichurri

Bison Rib-Eye with Chimichurri

Chimichurri … chim-EE-churrrrrrrr-EE … chiiimmmmm-ee-CHURY …CHIM-ee-CHEW-ree. It dances on your tongue, and just wait until you taste it!

No! It has nothing to do with Mary Poppins flying around England, hanging on the end of a silly umbrella!

Chimichurri is perhaps one of the most recognizable culinary exports of Argentina. Usually used as a sauce for various meats. It can, however, be used in many other applications. Think of it as general condiment much like ketchup, though always fresh and with a lot more flavor.

Ingredients:

Since this is “Universal” Chimichurri the ingredient list is rather vague, giving only a general idea of what to use. Feel free to experiment, add a little bit of this, take away a little of that.

A big bunch of green stuff (weeds)

• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Basil
• Arugula
• Green Onions

Smelly stuff

• Garlic
• Onion

Hot spicy stuff

• Jalapeno
• Serrano
• Habanero
• Cayenne

Sour/Acid stuff

• Lemon juice
• Lime juice
• Some type of Vinegar

Oily Stuff

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Quaker State 10W40 (maybe not)

Extras

• Herbs
• Spices
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bell Pepper

Directions:

Toss everything into a blender or food processor, blend until ingredients are well mixed. Make as chunky or smooth as you would like, I prefer a smooth sauce.

Notes:

This is a sauce that can be different every time you make it. Find proportions that work for you then refine it with each new batch.

If you come up with a really exceptional version please share!

Popularity: 4% [?]