FISH AND RICE STEW

Fish is just one of those foods that is so right.  The benefits are so numerous.  It doesn't take a whole lot for me to enjoy the flavor.  I don't like to put any meat in a rut, so I'm always looking to change things up.  When I can create a dish packed full of great things from my harvest and an abundance of healthy benefits I'm reminded why I enjoy my garden so much.  This will serve four, and it pairs very well with these Southern Biscuits for one delicious and simple dinner.


4 cups fat free chicken broth
1 cup each of the following-chopped:
   Broccoli
   Cauliflower
   Carrots
   Red Pepper
   Green Onion
   Cabbage
2 TBS Knox Tomato Chicken Bullion
1 TBS Kosher Salt
1 TBS Fresh Ground Pepper
3 cups chopped cat fish fillets
2 1/2 Cups cooked white rice

In large pan heat chicken broth on medium. Once broth is boiling gently stir in all chopped vegetables, bullion, salt and pepper.  Simmer vegetables for no more than ten minutes so that they are still slightly crisp.  Add fish and cooked rice. Cover and cook on medium low  for another 10 minutes or until fish is flaky and done..  Remove from heat and let set for five minutes before serving.
 

PORKY BEAN DIP

Creating a new dish out of leftovers is one of my favorite things to do.  We had Pork Chalupa's (See: Chalupas de Puerco) for dinner so this was an easy throw together.  I really enjoyed this.  It had a different flavor with the pork blended right in with the beans, peppers, tomatoes and even a leftover avocado.  I topped it off with a little shredded cheese and a sprinkle of cilantro.  Add what makes the dish special to you.  It'll make the dip so much better.

2 1/2 cups refried beans
1 1/2 cups shredded pulled pork
1/2 large avocado
1 small jalapeno chili chopped
2 small romo tomatoes
2 TBS minced garlic
2 TBS minced onion
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1 cup fiesta blend cheese shredded
1 TBS cilantro

Slightly heat the beans and meat in a pan together first so they will blend easier and smoother.  Do not over heat though. Place mixture in a blinder or food processor and mix on high until creamy smooth.  Toss in avocado, chili, tomatoes, garlic and onion.  Sprinkle in a dash of salt and pepper to taste.  Leave on high for several minutes until no lumps are visible.  Place in a microwave safe bowl and top with shredded cheese.  Microwave on high for one minute until melted.  Remove and top with cilantro.  Serve with these Baked Pita Chips

 

EASY BREEZY SOUTHERN BISCUITS

I can't recall ever meeting anyone who didn't enjoy a good biscuit for breakfast.  I have to admit I struggled trying to come up with the most perfect mix of ingredients.  The biscuits either came out too flat, or with no flavor.  So I played with several different combinations until I got just what I was hoping for.  A Biscuit so fluffy no one will believe it didn't come from a can, and so tasty you are sure to want seconds.   These are yummy by themselves, drenched in a good sausage gravy, or make a quick breakfast sandwich.  They even go well with a bowl or warm soup, or hardy dinner like fried chicken.  This recipe will make eight to ten biscuits depending on how big and thick you make them
.

4 Cups White Flour
4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
3 Tablespoons Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Tablespoons Bacon Grease (chilled)
2 Tablespoons Butter (Chilled)
1 1/2 Cup Butter Milk

1/2 to 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups melted butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  The best secret for a well raised biscuit is to place them in a well heated oven.

Mix all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar and salt) in a large mixing bowl.  Add chilled butter and grease.  With a pastry cutter or fork cut the butter and grease into the dry ingredients until mixture is slightly moist with no visible lumps.  Slowly add butter milk mixing thoroughly until dough forms a ball, but is not too stiff.

Spray a 13" baking pan with cooking oil.  Cover a flat smooth surface with flour.  Place dough on flour and toss another hand full of flour on top.  Fold outside of dough inward, kneading slightly about ten times.  With a rolling pin that has been rubbed with flour flatten dough to approximated 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick.  When I cut the biscuits I like to use the top of a plastic glass that is 4 inches round.  Dip the rim of the glass in flour and cut slice through dough getting as close to the edges as possible.  Gather the remaining dough, gently kneed and roll again cutting additional biscuits.

When all dough is used (there will always be a small portion left) spread melted butter on top of each biscuit and place in oven.  Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, or until biscuits and a golden brown.  Remove from oven and spread remaining butter on top and bottom of each biscuit.

SHRIMP CHOWDER

This is one dish that is a win win in every way.  The nutrition value is off the charts.  Packed full of shrimp and fresh vegetables, this is one of the best reasons I know to turn to my garden for a great meal.  Not all of the ingredients have been grown in my own garden, but the variety and color is pleasing.  The flavor is amazing also with a slightly sweet taste.  I managed to keep the dish diet friendly by using fat free cream cheese and fat free chicken broth instead of the traditional cream and butter.  This recipe will serve four, but be sure to prepare plenty.  The leftovers will make you the envy of the lunch room at work.

2 Cups Fat Free Chicken Broth

2 Cups Water

2 Medium White Potatoes

1 Ear of Yellow Corn

1 Cup Fresh Broccoli

1 Cup Fresh Cauliflower

1 Cup Red Sweet Pepper

1 Cup Carrots

2 Stalks Green Onion

1 Cup Shredded Cabbage

1 TBS Minced Garlic

1 TBS Chopped Green Chilies

1 TBS Ground Pepper

1 TBS Kosher Salt

1 ½ Cups Fat Free Cream Cheese

3 Cups Salad Sized Shrimp

1/2 Cup Cold water

1/4 Cup Corn Starch

Place chicken broth and water in a large Dutch oven.  Scrub and dice potatoes leaving skin on and add to broth.  Cover and boil potatoes on medium for 10 minutes.  Cut the corn from the cob and chop the broccoli, cauliflower, red pepper, carrots and green onions.  Add all remaining vegetables along with garlic, chilies, salt and pepper.  Whisk in Cream cheese until smooth and melted.  Cover again and continue simmering on medium for an additional 10 minutes.  Stir in shrimp, cover and simmer five minutes.  Mix corn starch in cold water until smooth and no lumps are visible.  Slow pour mixture into chowder stirring constantly until chowder begins to thicken.  Serve warm with biscuits or crackers and cheese.

Touch of Spice Pasta Saute

This is such a great lunch, and so easy to toss together.  Switch it up and add some chicken breast, or maybe some shrimp to make it something really special for a quick dinner.  Just make sure to leave some leftovers.  You'll want them for lunch.  This recipe will serve 2-4.

First to prepare the saute mix the following:

1 17oz bottle Pure Olive Oil
1 tablespoon each of the following:
Minced Onion
Minced Garlic
Minced Chili Peppers of your choice (serrano, jalapeno etc)

Add the onion, garlic and chili peppers to the olive oil.  Adjust accordingly if you like.  If you prefer more or less chili pepper mix it up.  Let the saute set for up to a week, shaking occasionally.

Shake Olive Oil and pour 1/4 cup of the saute in a large skillet.  Toss in the following:

1 cup Baby Carrots
1 cup Snow Peas
1 cup Broccoli
1 cup Cauliflower
2 Tsp kosher salt
2 Tsp fresh ground pepper

Saute vegetables in olive oil with salt and pepper stirring constantly for 10 minutes.

Prepare two cups of pasta (your choice..I used vermicelli) per package directions.  Drain but do not rinse.  Add to vegetables and continue tossing in skillet for another 5 minutes.



Berry Berry Tarts

Oh sweet Summer Berries.  You gotta love them, weather they are Strawberries, or Blueberries or Blackberries they are simply delicious and nutritious.  I always stock up when they are in season and at the best price.  I either can or freeze them, depending on what I want to use them for.  I have never done a tart before, but with a fresh crop of berries to play with I was the right solution.It isn't necessary, although it is tastier, to use a scratch dough for the crust.  Pop a can of crescent rolls open and roll them out.  It works perfect.  This recipe makes 2 dozen tarts.  My husband loved them with his lunch.



Basic Dough
.25 oz active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees)               

2   eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/21 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter or margarine

 

Mix all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.  Using hands turn dough inside several times for about five minutes.  Cover bowl with a warm towel and let raise for 20 to 30 minutes until dough has significantly risen.

 

While dough is rising prepare the filling:

 

Filling

1 12oz Pkg Blackberries

1 12oz Pkg Blue Berries

1/4 cup Orange Juice

1 Tbs cinnamon

1 Tsp ginger

1 Tsp Nutmeg

1/4 Cup Sugar

 

1/4 Cup Corn Starch

1/2 Cup Cold Water

 

Place berries and juice in a large pan on medium heat.  When mixture begins to boil with a work gently mash the berries.  Do not over mash.  Once berries are broken up add the next four ingredients and let simmer for 10 minutes.  Mix corn starch in cold water with a whisk until smooth and creamy looking.  Gently pour into berries stirring constantly.  Add small portions of corn starch at a time until mixture is nice and thick.  Remove from heat to cook.

 

Punch risen dough until all of the air is released.  Turn to a floured surface and kneed a couple of more times.  Using a rolling pen (or large can or coke bottle) roll dough until it is approximately 1/4 inch think.  Dip the top of a medium size drinking glass into flour using it to cut circles into the rolled dough.  Fit each circle into the holes of a mini muffin pan that has been coated with cooking spray. I Fill each Muffin until the cup  is 3/4 of the way full of the berries.  Bake in oven at 350 degree fox 15 minutes.  Can be served either warm or cold.  TIP:  If  you have any leftover filling you'll love it on 9 grain toast for breakfast.

 

 

Southwest Chipolte Grilled Burger

In our house it is never to early in the season to start up the grill.  You can never go wrong with a good hamburger fresh off of the fire.  So if you love a tasty burger with lots of flavor fire up the mesquite and give this one a try.  You'll love it.  This recipe makes four 1/4 LB burgers.
  

1LB Ground Beef or Ground Turkey
1/4 Cup Southwest Marinade
1/4 Cup Chipolte Pepper Marinade
1/2 Cup Mushrooms Chopped
4 Slices crisply cooked bacon
1/2 Cup Minced Onion
4 Onion Rolls


Many big seasoning companies will make this particular marinade combination.  I found these at my local Kroger store.  Mix the two marinade packages together in a large bowl.  This way the southwest blends with the chipolte to create a smooth flavor.   Add 1/2 cup total of mixture (or simply 1/4 cup of each if  you prefer).  Crumble bacon and add with all vegetables to meat.  There is no need to add salt or pepper unless you prefer.  The two seasonings have all the flavor you are looking for.  Form patties and let set in refrigerator for at least an hour before grilling.  This will infuse the seasoning and allow the patties to keep their shape when cooking on the grill.  Cook at least 10 minutes an each side turning once.  Slice buns in half  and place face down on grill for 2 minutes until toasted.

Place patty on bun and add your favorite condiments such as:

Avocado
Jalapeno
Ketchup
Mustard
Cheese
Relish
Lettuce
Tomato