Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice
1 1/2 cups well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup long-grain white rice
Garnish: sweetened flaked coconut, toasted

In a small saucepan bring coconut milk, water, and salt to a boil and stir in rice. Reduce heat to moderately low and simmer rice, covered, until most of liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let rice stand, covered, 5 minutes. Serve rice sprinkled with coconut.

Coconut Shrimp with Lime Dressing

Hey- I thought I would try something new and different for me and it actually turned out pretty good! The whole time I could hear my dad in my head saying in a Jamaican accent "You take de lime and de coconut and mix 'em all up." The Shrimp was great (Really liked the cilantro/lime thing going on!) and we just fried them up on "George". The Dressing was a little strong, but with the shrimp it tasted pretty good. Good luck!

Coconut Shrimp with Lime Dressing:
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
3 Thai Bird Chiles, minced ( I just used a small can of green chilies)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 pounds large shrimp (I just used the small because they were cheaper- if you can call shrimp cheap. :)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine coconut, chiles, garlic, cilantro and lime juice in a shallow dish. Marinate shrimp in mixture for 1/2 hour. Season with salt and pepper and grill about 3 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through.

Lime Dressing:
1 cup sour cream
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 small shallot, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper (Not sure what that was?)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Combine ingredients in a small bowl, and chill until ready to serve.

The Famous Cafe' Rio Dinner...

I wish I could say I made this one up... but alas... it was given to me by a good friend, which made her an even better friend, because this has become a staple in our home. I'm always in the mood for Cafe' Rio. If you have ever eaten there, you'll know why. :)

Cafe' Rio Pork:
You'll need at least 3 lbs of pork roast (butt :o) or shoulder work best, but I have done it with just about any cut and it works- it does seem that the fattier the better, and bone-in has a little more flavor but you do have to fish them out.)
1 large pork roast
1 cup Worcestershire
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp powdered ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 T. dried minced onions (I actually cut up real ones)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup red enchilada sauce

Sprinkle all ingredients except the last two over roast and cook in a Crockpot on low all day. One hour before serving, shred roast in Crockpot, and add the brown sugar and enchilada sauce- mix well.

Cafe' Rio Lime Rice:
2 cup
4 cups water (That will make about 4-5 cups of rice, if you need more or less the ratio is 1:2)
1-2 tsp chicken bullion
1 T. fresh lime juice
1 T. garlic powder
1 T. dried minced onion pinch of salt
1/2-1 cup chopped cilantro
1 T. lime juice
1 cup green enchilada sauce

Combine first 4 ingredients, cover, and let it come to a boil and turn it down to medium. (Or cook rice however you cook it) When it is done, add the other ingredients, and stir.

Cafe' Rio Black Beans:
3 cans black beans
1 can drained diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced (or garlic salt or powder)
1 tsp cumin
1 T olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 T chopped cilantro

In a sauce pan, heat oil, cumin and garlic. Throw in the rest until warm.

How to make a Cafe' Rio Salad:
One large tortilla or a handful of tortilla chips topped with chopped lettuce, lime rice, black beans, pork, guacamole, chopped cilantro, a lime wedge, cheese, and a lime/ranch dressing.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

My sweet 9 months pregnant sister just sent me this recipe. (With that, you know they must be good. :) I think they have helped her though it all. I tried it out and they were tasty!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup crisco oil (I just use whatever oil I have on hand)
4 eggs
3 cups flour (She told me to use wheat and they actually tasted great!)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 bag chocolate chips

Mix together, press into greased jelly roll pan (cookie sheet). Bake at 350 for 17-20 minutes.

Clam Chowder

Clam Chowder is my all-time favorite soup. If I see it on the restaurant menu- I just have to try it out. I'm becoming quite the connoisseur, if I say so myself. :) I have tasted several different bowls full, and I think I would have to say my favorite was the bowl on the San Francisco wharf. Wow-- the smells, the sites, and the taste combine! I think that is why I just have to keep trying it out to take me back! My mother-in-law also makes a nice bowl for Christmas Eve... my only complaint is that it isn't often enough. The Applebee's version came pretty close too, but ok... let's be honest... I want a heaping bowl, not a cup! Anyone feel the same about the soups at restaurants? Maybe I'm just a piglet, but that little cup size portion just never does it for me. Anyhow, when the restaurant can't fill my craving for chowder, I whip up this little concoction to satisfy the hunger. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Lyd's Clam Chowder (Adapted mainly from my sister, Jessica's recipe)
*This makes a big batch.
In a large pot of boiling water place:
5 large peeled and sliced potatoes
1 onion, diced
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced

In another large pot:
Make a white sauce. (I pretty much double the white sauce recipe)

White Sauce:
5 T melted butter
6 T flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
3 cup milk (If I have it, I also like to substitute some half and half or cream for milk in there to make it rich and creamy.)

*Mix butter, flour, salt, and pepper well. Slowly stir in milk. Bring to a boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. If it doesn't thicken enough, slowly sprinkle a little more flour but be careful it may lump.

Once you have a nice thick white sauce, drain the vegetables that have been boiling in water, and add them to the white sauce along with 2 cans of undrained minced clams (if you want more "fishy" taste, use clam juice), and 2 grated carrots. Let it simmer on medium low for about 5-10 minutes. Serve with crackers and enjoy!

Cheesy Zucchini Skillet

Cheesy Zucchini Skillet
1 T. olive oil
2 T. water
1-2 medium zucchini's, sliced
1 cup grated cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp basil
1 tsp crushed cooked bacon
*Simmer zucchini in oil and water on medium heat. When it softens, sprinkle the rest of the ingredients on it, and simmer for a little bit longer.

Cheesy White Chicken Chili

I got this from my friend Emily. It is pretty tasty!

Cheesy White Chicken Chili
1 T. oil
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp oregano or Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
30 oz. chicken broth
3 cups chicken breast cooked, chopped, and shredded
3-4 cans white beans drained
16 oz. grated cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 oz. cream cheese
1 (15 oz) can white kernel corn

In pan, heat oil over medium heat and soften onion and garlic. Add cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook a few minutes. Add broth, chicken and 3 cans of beans. Add cheese until competely melted. Add sour cream, cream cheese and corn. Heat through and serve. Top with cheese and crushed bacon.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Hey, I'm finally back! I know you were all anxiously awaiting my incredible recipes... all five of you anyway! :)

Ok... so I have actually never been very good at making cookies, but for some reason, this recipes has worked for me. I also added a few different kinds of chips- like white chocolate and peanut butter and it turned out really good.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
*Bake 350, 10 minutes

Cream together:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Then Add:
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips

Appology

I am moving, so I have to admit "real" cookin' has been pretty low on my priority list. So I am sorry for not posting much, but be patient and don't give up on me... the best is yet to come! :)

Quick and Easy Homemade Mac with White Sauce

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Quick and Easy Homemade Mac:

First you have to make a white sauce. This is a great white sauce recipe from my friend Heather. You can use it as a base for all kind of things! (Soup, scalloped potatoed, Alfredo etc.)

White Sauce:
2 1/2 T melted butter
3 T flour
1/3 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 1/2 cup milk
Mix butter, flour, salt, and pepper well. Slowly stir in milk. Bring to a boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. If it doesn't thicken enough, slowly sprinkle a little more flour but be careful it may lump.

After you have made the white sauce, just stir in 1/2 lb. grated cheese. (I used cheddar, but if you are making Alfredo, use some Parmesan and mozzarella.)
Boil a Package of elbro macaroni noodles, drain, and stir in too.
I didn't have any, but I thought sliced ham would be good in this too.