Sweet Chili Aioli (for Shrimp Tacos)

 I went to visit my daughter who is lucky enough to live close to Zion's National Park for a few days. While there, we ate at a few of the local restaurants, and one had the most awesome, life changing, shrimp tacos!! it was the sauce!!! My son-in-law talked to the chef and asked what was in it, so when I got home I googled a recipe similar to what the chef said he put in it.. and did my own thing too... cuz recipes are more like guide lines to me, are they? I came up with this recipe and grilled up some shrimp and these were close!! I LOVE this aioli....would be good on fish tacos too!! I'll share how I did my shrimp and assembled the tacos after the Aioli recipe.

Enjoy!!

Sweet Chili Aioli

1/2 cup Avacado mayonnaise (you can use regular too)

1 Tablespoon Sweet Chili Sauce

1 teaspoon Sambal Olek (fresh Chili paste)or a garlic chili paste, (can add more if you want more spice)

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

2 to 3 teaspoons rice vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste if desired

Combine ingredients in a bowl and use an immersion blender or whisk to mix. I added the 3 teaspoons of vinegar.... started with 2 then thought it could use a little more. You can use a garlic chili  paste too if that's what you have, then you can omit the minced garlic. 

For the Tacos

I used a large bag of the biggest shrimp I could find, 21-29 size I think? I thawed out and removed the tail and shell.

Blot dry on a paper towel. Then I drizzled a little olive oil and Kinders Seafood blend dry rub, and tossed them around. You can use any seafood seasoning you desire.

I preheated my grill then turned down to medium, then I put my shrimp on a grill tray and grilled for 2 minutes per side or until your shrimp are a nice opaque pink color. Remove from heat.

I fry my corn tortillas in avocado oil a minute or two, fry one side till they start to bubble then on the other until they lightly start to brown on the edge... remove and let drip on a paper towel lined plate.. I fold mine in half while they are cooking on that last side.

To assemble the tacos... I spread a good spoonful of the aioli on my taco shell, then lay 5 big shrimp, stacked slightly in a row... we topped ours with pre shredded cabbage, Cotija cheese, and homemade salsa or hot sauce. The picture above is what I took of my plate at the restaurant.... you could top with Pico d Gallo and chopped cilantro too.. top with your favorite taco toppings. Service with black beans and rice if desired.... bet ya can't eat just one.

Ranch Dressing

 It’s been a while since I have posted a recipe. We decided to try the Keto Diet this passed year which evolved into low carb eating. My hubby lost a lot of weight  and I seem to roller coaster up and down but still weigh less than I did a few years ago. Also working out helps....Love the way  I feel after I workout.

Anyway, our meals have been mostly clean eating,  meaning meat and steamed or roasted veggies and salads which don’t require a lot of recipes.... but, we have been watching our sugar intake and ingredients you can’t pronounce so I have started reading food labels. I can't believe how much sugar is in food these days and oils that aren’t that good for you. With that, I have started making my own ranch dressing. LOVE this recipe. I use an avocado mayonnaise and whole fat plain Greek yogurt. Sometimes I spice it up a bit by using a chipotle Avocado mayonnaise. I won’t buy Ranch dressing anymore.. I use this ranch for Salad dressing, and Coleslaw for sandwiches or tacos. You can always add more spice for a Southwest dressing or what ever you like. This recipe seems to thicken a bit in the refrigerator, you can leave it thick for a veggie dip or thin out a little by adding more half n half to your desired thickness. Enjoy!

Ranch Dressing

3/4 cup Avocado mayonnaise (I use Primal Kitchen)

3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

1-2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried chives

1 teaspoon dried dill 

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powdered

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 n 1/2 works too —just use 2 teaspoons lemon juice if using )

In a medium bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. You can thin out if you like by adding a little regular milk or 1/2 n 1/2 to your desired thickness.

Refrigerate for a least an hour to let the flavors develope. I like to store mine in a canning jar in the fridge... then if I need to thin out I just add a spoonful or two of milk or cream and shake...

Turkey Mushroom Sloppy Joes

I found this recipe here. It's more of a low carb recipe which we have been trying to eat less carbs and more healthy. This recipe was delicious. Watch the salt tho, the first time I made it, it seemed a little on teh salty side. Add less than called for and then adjust according to taste. I served on a low carb buns that I made but we served opened faced so we had more meat. Was really good! I have made more than once. I also served the sauce on cooked spaghetti squash for something different along with steamed veggies. YUM!

Turkey Mushroom Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

8 ounces portobello mushrooms, very roughly chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped 

1 small red bell pepper, chopped 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 

1 pound ground turkey (85% lean) ( or ground chicken)

One 13- to 15 -ounce carton crushed tomatoes

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder 

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 

4 buns, for serving 

Directions:

Wash mushrooms and rougthly chop. Add to a food processor and pulse the mushrooms until finely chopped.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and an additional 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for 3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, 1 teaspoon salt ( add a little less and adjust to taste) and some pepper and cook, stirring and breaking up any clumps with a wooden spoon, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, chili powder, soy sauce, Worcestershire and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Serve on buns.

Grilled Zucchini Parmesan

I was inspired by a recipe I saw on Food Network for this dish. I had some large Zucchini that I needed to use up and since my Hubby is doing a Keto lifestyle I thought this would be a good way to use it up without carbs. It was Yummo!

Grilled Zucchini Parmesan

1 large Zucchini, sliced into 1/4 slices (I did about 10 slices)

2 large roma tomatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices

Italian dressing, I used Kraft Tuscon style

Grated mozzarella cheese

Grated Parmesan, or Asiago Cheese

Salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning as desired

I tossed my zucchini in a splash or 2 of Italian dressing, just enough to lightly coat both sides of each slice, then laid out on a cookie sheet in a single layer. I lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper and a little italian seasoning.

Next, I tossed my tomato slices gently with another splash of Italian dressing and little salt and pepper.

Heat grill to medium heat. When grill is hot, place zucchin on grill and cook for 2 mintues. Then add the tomatoes on the grill and turn the zucchini slices over. Cook for 2 more minutes. Turn the tomates over. Turn Zucchini over one more time to get good grill marks. Cook for another minute or two.

Remove veggies from grill. I placed back on my cookie sheet, First the zucchini, then place one or 2 slices of grilled tomatoes on top of each slice of zucchini.

Turn off the grill.

Preheat oven to broil. Then sprinkle a teaspoon or pinchfull of mozzerela cheese, then a pinch full of Parmesan on top of each zucchini, tomoatoe slice. Broil for 2 -3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown on top.

Remomve from oven and enjoy. I seaved with grilled steak for a side dish. So good!!!

 

Corn Dip

 

I made this recipe on the 4th of July, I got the original from the Pioneer woman but tweaked it a bit. I cut the recipe in half, added Walla Walla onions and cooked on my Grill outside in a cast iron skillet. The edges get this crispy cheese crust that is amazing... good for an appetizer served with your favorite tortilla chips. Yum!!

Easy Corn Dip

1 Walla Walla Sweet onion
4 oz. cream cheese, at rooom temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonaise
1 10 oz. package frozen fire roasted corn, or fresh corn, you can grill ahead of time. just so you have approx. 2 cups
1- 4.5 oz can green chilies
1 large jalapeno, roasted or 1/4 cup chopped jalapenos
1/4 cup of your favorite jarred salsa
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

Heat your Barbeque grill so it's good and hot. I cut the onion in half and place directly on the gril grates along with my shucked ears of corn and Jalepenos. Turn every 5 minutes until there are grill marks and a little char all over your onion and corn and the jalepenos start to bubble. Remove from grill and lets rest until your veggies are cool enough to handle. 

Next, dice the grilled onion, and jalepenos, cut the corn off the cob. 

In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise until combined. Add the corn, canned chilies, jalapeno, onion, salsa, and salt and pepper to taste. (I start out with a little of each and taste and add more if necessary) Add in 1 cup of the grated cheese.

Heat the BBQ grill to medium high heat. Spray a 8 or 9 inch cast iron skillet with a good non stick spray or rub with a little oil. Spread your mixture into the skillet and top with the rest of the cheese. Place on the grill and close the lid. Let cook at about a medium heat till hot and bubble and the edges start to turn a golden brown. This takes about 20 to 25 minutes , depending on the temperature of your grill. I start checking mine after about 15 minutes. 

Remove from the grill and serve directly from the skillet with your favorite tortilla chips.  Delish!!! 

Portabella Mushroom Tacos

I love tacos. My hubby and I thought it would be awesome to see if we could do a meatless Monday  and Portabella mushrooms have a great meaty texture. These were awesome! Didn’t even miss meat! We topped with avocado and salsa and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Portabella Mushroom Tacos

3–4 large portobello mushrooms caps

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 large onion, cut into thin slices

2 large sweet bell peppers, cut into thin slices

juice of 1 lime

tortillas

taco toppings such as avocado, salsa, hot sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, black olives, cilantro,      cheese, sour cream, etc.

Directions: 

1. To prepare the mushrooms, rinse them under water and rub your fingers along the dark “gills” on the underside to remove the gills. Remove any debris or dirt. Slice into 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide pieces.
2. In a small bowl, toss the prepared mushroom slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the Worcestershire or soy sauce. Then add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, and salt, and stir to combine. Set aside.
3. Heat a large cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the onion and peppers and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are just starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan.
5. Add the marinating mushrooms and all of the accumulated juices into the hot pan. Add a little more oil if needed. Cook until the mushrooms are tender, 4-5 minutes.
6. Returned the vegetables to the pan and cook until heated through. Cook until the vegetables are to your liking without overcooking. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
7.  Add the juice of one lime and stir to incorporate.
8. Remove from the heat and serve as you do other tacos, in a tortilla with all the toppings. Also makes a great topping for taco salad.

Sour dough start

I love home made bread. I have been restricting my baking  / eating carbs over the last year due to trying to eat healthier. One diet I followed and found very successful allowed you to have whole grain or sourdough bread since it digests slower... and is more healthy than other kinds of bread. I read a book last month, that was about a baker and it sparked something in me, that baker in me that had felt squashed lately, so I thought why not, life is too short to squash the real you. I have always wanted to try a sour dough start and making the different things you can make with it. So I watched You tube videos and looked up recipes for a sour dough start. I reccommend looking up you tube videos for hints. But I found this recipe and it worked great!!! REMEMBER!! Sour dough starts take time and becomes a "pet" so to speak. Mine is named Borris... and he continues to come in handy. But he took a good two weeks before he was ready to make anything from him. You notice the elastic around my jar? I use it to mark where my starter is right after I stir and feed him. Then I can see how much he grows and bubbles.... Good luck! I'll post a great Sour dough bread recipe later. Today I"m trying English muffins! Yum!!

Sour Dough Start

Ingredients:

To begin your starter

• 1 cup (113g) whole rye (pumpernickel) or whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) cool water*

*See "tips," below

To feed your starter

• scant 1 cup (113g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup (113g) cool water (if your house is warm), or lukewarm water (if your house is cool)
• 
  

  Instructions

  1. Day 1: Combine the pumpernickel or whole wheat flour with the cool water in a non-reactive container. Glass, crockery, stainless steel, or food-grade plastic all work fine for this. Make sure the container is large enough to hold your starter as it grows; we recommend at least 1-quart capacity.
  2. Stir everything together thoroughly; make sure there's no dry flour anywhere. Cover the container loosely and let the mixture sit at warm room temperature (about 70°F) for 24 hours. See "tips," below, for advice about growing starters in a cold house.
  3. Day 2: You may see no activity at all in the first 24 hours, or you may see a bit of growth or bubbling. Either way, discard half the starter (4 ounces, about 1/2 cup), and add to the remainder a scant 1 cup King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, and 1/2 cup cool water (if your house is warm); or lukewarm water (if it's cold).
  4. Mix well, cover, and let the mixture rest at room temperature for 24 hours.
  5. Day 3: By the third day, you'll likely see some activity — bubbling; a fresh, fruity aroma, and some evidence of expansion. It's now time to begin two feedings daily, as evenly spaced as your schedule allows. For each feeding, weigh out 4 ounces starter; this will be a generous 1/2 cup, once it's thoroughly stirred down. Discard any remaining starter.
  6. Add a scant 1 cup (4 ounces) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, and 1/2 cup water to the 4 ounces starter. Mix the starter, flour, and water, cover, and let the mixture rest at room temperature for approximately 12 hours before repeating.
  7. Day 4: Weigh out 4 ounces starter, and discard any remaining starter. Repeat step #6.
  8. Day 5: Weigh out 4 ounces starter, and discard any remaining starter. Repeat step #6. By the end of day #5, the starter should have at least doubled in volume. You'll see lots of bubbles; there may be some little "rivulets" on the surface, full of finer bubbles. Also, the starter should have a tangy aroma — pleasingly acidic, but not overpowering. If your starter hasn't risen much and isn't showing lots of bubbles, repeat discarding and feeding every 12 hours on day 6, and day 7, if necessary — as long as it takes to create a vigorous (risen, bubbly) starter. Note: see "tips," below.
  9. Once the starter is ready, give it one last feeding. Discard all but 4 ounces (a generous 1/2 cup). Feed as usual. Let the starter rest at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours; it should be active, with bubbles breaking the surface. Hate discarding so much starter? See "tips," below.
  10. Remove however much starter you need for your recipe — typically no more than 8 ounces, about 1 cup. If your recipe calls for more than 1 cup of starter, give it a couple of feedings without discarding, until you've made enough for your recipe plus 4 ounces to keep and feed again.
  11. Transfer the remaining 4 ounces of starter to its permanent home: a crock, jar, or whatever you'd like to store it in long-term. Feed this reserved starter with 1 cup of flour and 1/2 cup water, and let it rest at room temperature for several hours, to get going, before covering it. If you're storing starter in a screw-top jar, screw the top on loosely rather than airtight.
  12. Store this starter in the refrigerator, and feed it regularly; we recommend feeding it with a scant 1 cup flour and 1/2 cup water once a week.

      Tips from Bakers

      • Why do you need to discard half the starter? It seems so wasteful... But unless you discard starter at some point, eventually you'll end up with a very large container of starter. Also, keeping the volume down offers the yeast more food to eat each time you feed it; it's not fighting with quite so many other little yeast cells to get enough to eat. You don't have to actually discard it if you don't want to, either; you can give it to a friend, or use it to bake. There are quite a few recipes on our site using "discard" starter, including pizza crust, pretzels, and waffles, and even chocolate cake.
      • Why does this starter begin with whole-grain flour? Because the wild yeast that gives sourdough starter its life is more likely to be found in the flora- and fauna-rich environment of a whole-grain flour than in all-purpose flour.
      • Want to put your starter on hold for the summer, or as you go on vacation? Here's how: Drying your sourdough starter.
      • Should you use bottled water? Unless your tap water is so heavily treated that you can smell the chemicals, there's no need to use bottled water; tap water is fine.
      • A note about room temperature: the colder the environment, the more slowly your starter will grow. If the normal temperature in your home is below 68°F, we suggest finding a smaller, warmer spot to develop your starter. For instance, try setting the starter atop your water heater, refrigerator, or another appliance that might generate ambient heat. Your turned-off oven — with the light turned on — is also a good choice.
      • One of our readers offers the following thoughts about the duration of everyday feeding, which we think is great advice: "Conditions vary so widely that 7 days can be far too little. I've learned the key is to watch for a dramatic and consistent rise in the jar — at least doubling between 1 and 4 hours after feeding. This could be 7 days or less after you begin, or it could be three weeks (for me it was 12 to 14 days).