I’ve made a few versions of smashed chickpea avocado sandwiches. It’s been a try this with the recipe, try that with the recipe, using whatever’s at hand. I haven’t come up with an actual “recipe” that I wanted to share, though, until I hit upon a combination of Southwestern flavors. So here’s my Southwestern Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich.
Southwestern Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich
I have seen so many articles and posts about Yaka Mein, ever since Anthony Bourdain featured Miss Linda Green on his show, “No Reservations.” But Yaka Mein first came on my radar in this article from Go Nola. I knew I just had to taste Yaka Mein and I knew the only way that was going to happen is if I made it myself. So here is my Instant Pot Yaka Mein. (Stovetop directions included, too.)
New Orleans Instant Pot Yaka Mein – Stovetop directions, too.
Yaka Mein has a long history so I’m not going to go too much into that because it’s been covered extensively elsewhere, like in this article from The Deep South. I am going to tell you to make it if I can be so bossy! And make it soon. There’s no need to lose another day without having Yaka Mein in your belly!
I was blown away by these Corn Fritter Pancakes. They’re absolutely surprising, straddling the line between savory and sweet, and they are absolutely delish, too.
Corn Fritter Pancakes
I thought I might have made a new invention when I made my Unstuffed Egg Roll Skillet Dinner not too long ago. See, I was going to make Egg Rolls, but for some reason, I was just ravenous.
Unstuffed Egg Roll Skillet Dinner
It seems I’m all about the summer party recipes, lately, not my typical everyday fare! (See the explanation marks? That proves it!) And this Loaded Baked Potato Salad is definitely one. Heck, it’s a party in a bowl.
Loaded Baked Potato Salad
So over the long weekend, temps way up in the 90’s (oh why is the weather so craaaazy this year?) I somehow got the idea that I wanted some of that Old Fashioned Tuna Macaroni Salad. You know the one I mean, all cool, creamy deliciousness with a few crunchy veggies and that tuna that somehow melds in and makes everything so rich.
Old Fashioned Tuna Macaroni Salad
Want a simple one-pan skillet dinner? Make paella. Seriously. If there’s ever been a simple dish so wrapped in mystique with so many rules, I don’t know what it is. If you want a “world class” Paella, follow them all. If you want a fabulous supper, keep reading. Yeah, we’re gonna break a few rules and get you a fantastic Paella. Maybe for Valentine’s Day?
Paella Valenciana
Ok, it’s February, now. I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but it’s cold, here, and we have feet of snow. Yeah, feet. And it’s just the time of year when it gets old. So I wanted a little pick me up. Something with a little tropical flair? Maybe something with pineapple!
Pineapple Chicken – Chunks of Chicken, bell pepper, onion & pineapple stir-fried in a spicy/sweet sauce
There’s nothing like a little Mexican food when you’re just absolutely over Christmas & Christmas leftovers & New Years and New Years leftovers. And then there were the leftovers from the leftovers. So change it up and make enchiladas!
Home-made Enchilada Sauce, quick & from the pantry.
So you all know (if you follow me – and if you don’t, I’d love it if you would, here with email (on the right) or on facebook or twitter (on the left)) I cooked up a ham for Thanksgiving. And what a ham it was! The stunning and absolutely delish Biltmore House’s Tawny Baked Ham. It was just a half ham, but of course there were leftovers!
Instant Pot Opelousas
Some of you might remember I made a one pan Porcupine Skillet Dinner a few weeks ago. It was surprisingly good. It inspired me to see if I could do the same thing with a Mexican style meal. And so my Easy Taco Skillet Dinner was born.
Easy Taco Skillet Dinner
Ok, so do you ever fall in love with a dish at first sight? I did, and these Thai Beef Rolls called to me from the moment I first saw them until I had them on my plate. Heck, there are a couple still in the fridge and they just won’t be quiet! Shush now, I already ate too many of you!!
Grilled Thai Beef Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce
This Honey Sesame Chicken in the Instant Pot has saved me over and over in the last few months. When the hunger-crazed octogenarians (my folks) begin circling around 5:00 p.m. like sharks and the day’s been too hectic for anything else, I think Honey Sesame Chicken.
Honey Sesame Chicken Instant Pot
In the summer heat (and it has been so hot & so humid, here) I can hardly get enough cool, crunchy salads. Here’s a fantastic crunchy little salad with a little bit of a Thai twist. That this is more American Thai than Thai doesn’t detract from the utter deliciousness.
Thai Slaw with Peanut Dressing
I’m sitting in what seems to be the red meat capital of the world, folks. Right smack dab in the Midwest. At my folk’s in a small town outside of Sioux Falls. (We even went to see bull riding last winter!) So it might be considered a bit of a stretch to serve my fave octogenarians a chicken burger. And Thai Chicken Burgers, no less!
Thai Chicken Burgers
If you’ve never had a really good German Potato Salad, you might think you might think you don’t care for it. I know this to be true because I’ve tried, from time to time, grocery store deli German Potato Salad. It doesn’t compare to what you can make at home.
German Potato Salad
I don’t know if I can think of a better beat the heat, quickie dinner for a hot, muggy summer day than these Asian Turkey (or Chicken) Lettuce Wraps.
Asian Turkey (or Chicken) Lettuce Wraps
I admit to being surprised that I liked this Bacon Ranch Potato Salad so much, and so did the folks. And I have my lil’ sis (who I no longer consider evil for suggesting such a salad knowing I’m not a Ranch fan) to thank.
Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Does it seem that time is just slipping by faster and faster or is it just me? I meant to post this for you as an option for leftovers from the Country Style Ribs in the Slow Cooker. I made that recipe months ago! At long last, here’s my favorite home-cooked better than take-out Pork Fried Rice. And I’m posting it right along with my newer Drunken Fried Rice, so you’ll have two options.
Pork Fried Rice from Leftover Pork Shoulder or any other type of pork you’d like to use
Years and years ago my sister gave me a cookbook called Women of Great Taste from the Junior League of Wichita, Kansas. It wasn’t a big cookbook, but I used it a LOT. Their Enchiladas con Pollo became a family favorite. Talk about cheesy creamy deliciousness!
Enchiladas con Pollo with a Green Chile Sour Cream Sauce
Since I’ve been helping out the folks, I’ve been “forced” to step up and find creative ways to use up extra steak. This time, it’s Steak Lo Mein and it HAS to be my best “secondary” steak dish, ever. Hands down.
Steak Lo Mein
So how’s everyone doing on their New Year’s resolutions? If this blog is any indication with the Million Dollar Dip, below? Me? Probably not so great. But hey, it was the Super Bowl last week and I felt like I had to make this dip…
Million Dollar Dip
Million Dollar Dip is the dip of many names: ABC Dip, Neiman Marcus Dip, Million Dollar Dip, One Million Dollar Dip. Well, you get the idea.
If you’ve been following along (Do I sound like a teacher? Class?) you’ve probably seen my most marvelous recipe for Vaguely Vietnamese Slow Cooker Pork Tacos last week. If you haven’t, take a peek, because that recipe is the starter for this Shortcut Pork Ramen. And as good as those tacos were, this spin-off recipe is even better.
Shortcut Ramen made from Vaguely Vietnamese Pork
Is it just me or is Korean food trending, now? It’s hard to tell sometimes because when I crave sumpin’, I seem to see it everywhere! I’m blaming Momofuku. I keep hearing so much about the restaurants and books and owner/chef David Chang.
Bulgolgi, I’m talking about wafer thin slices of tender beef, marinated overnight. Then grilled (or in this case) cooked in a skillet until the edges caramelize.
Here’s another one of my recipes that tastes and looks all “gourmet” but gets dinner on the table in no time at all – Soused Chicken. I’ve made this for years and the somewhat unusual flavoring gets rave reviews. Seriously, people think you’re going all fancy whenever wine and a little cream or half and half are in the picture.
Simple American Style Soused Chicken
I love mixed salads and you’ll see a lot of salads on my blog – many with wonderful dressings and an array of gorgeous ingredients. This salad is a simple side salad, and every bit as scrumptious. Spring lettuces, barley (or another grain of your choice) a few herbs, and a little Parmesan to dress it up.
Spring Mix Salad with Lemony White Balsamic Dressing
Here’s the other sauce to go with Momofuku’s Bo Ssam, and it’s a heady brew of ginger and scallion.
Momofuku’s Ginger Scallion Sauce
I just recently learned the history of Cowboy Caviar – along with the original recipe. The earliest recipes were basically pickled black-eyed peas with a bit of onion and garlic! While we’ve come a long way since then with all kinds of additions, bottled salad dressing just isn’t one I approve of! But then you probably already knew that if you’re a regular reader! Simple dressings like this are so easy and inexpensive to make at home and there are no worries about strange additives.
Cowboy Caviar Salad
