Monday, April 4, 2011

Lobster Rolls

I'm addicted.  I love them. They're delicious. They're my favorite.  I think I could eat them for breakfast, lunch & dinner.  I do not lie about this.  Lobster Rolls are what I like to think of as sweet little sandwiches, where the roll just wraps it's self around sweet pieces of lobster meat and gives it a big hug. 

I will not keep you waiting anymore!  

Lobster Rolls



2 or 3  1 ½ lb. live Maine Lobsters
1 onion cut in half
½ cup dry white wine
Fresh thyme
Coarse Salt

Fill a very large pot with water and add the wine, onion & thyme to a rapid boil.  Add the salt.  Then add the live Lobsters (head first) and cover the pot.  Now walk away and say a little thank you to the lobsters and come back in 11-13 minutes… and it’ll all be over.  Remove the lobsters and set aside and allow to cool for about 15-20 minutes. (SEE BELOW FOR ADDITIONAL HOW TO'S FOR COOKING THE LOBSTER) 

Then you can get crackin’! Remove all of the lobster meat.  Start with the tail, twist it off the body and then using kitchen shears, cut on the inside of the tail all the way down the middle… the tail meat should come out fairly easily.   Then using a mallet, crack the claws and pull out the claw meat.  Using the kitchen shears again, cut the knuckle on the claw- it’s got the sweetest part of lobster meat in it!  Cut all of the meat into a large dice. Don’t cut them too small! 

Reserve in a bowl, put in the fridge. 



½ cup lowfat mayo- or you can make your own- (egg yolks, lemon juice, oil & a smidge of Dijon) 

½ lemon juiced
1 tsp. fresh thyme minced
2 celery stalks diced
2 green scallion or onions sliced thinly
½ tsp. Dijon mustard

½ stick melted butter (optional… but oh so good!!!)
1 tsp. Paprika

Mix all the ingredients, except the butter and paprika, in the bowl with the lobster meat.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

4 Hot Dog Buns

Brush the hot dog buns with the melted butter.  Put face side down on a grill or a skillet and allow to turn golden brown.

Layer with Ice Berg lettuce and the Lobster Salad mixture.  Sprinkle some paprika on top! And if ya got a little bit of that extra butter left... a little drizzle of that wouldn't hurt either on top! 

OH EM GEE GOODNESS!!!!  

**If you're a bit squeemish about boiling your own lobster- when at the market or fish monger- you can ask them to steam them for you- most of the time they will!  If you can do it on your own... here's a pretty detailed guide on how to. 


**How to Boil a Lobster**

  • Boil enough water to cover the lobsters in a large pot.
  • Add the lobsters head first carefully into the water then partially cover the pot.
  • When the water comes back to the boil reduce the heat to a low boil and begin timing.
  • How long to boil a lobster:   Boil for 10 minutes for the first pound, then add three minutes for each additional half pound. So a one and a half pound lobster will be cooked in 13 minutes, a 2 pound lobster will be cooked in 16 minutes. Multiple lobsters can be cooked in a pot with this timing – just make sure your water comes back to the boil before starting the clock.
  • Remove the cover entirely when the water begins to foam up to avoid spilling over.
  • When cooked the lobsters will be bright red.
  • Drain the lobsters carefully and let cool until they can be handled.

    Special Note:  It might be tempting to grabbed the pre-cooked whole lobsters you see in the seafood case, but don't do it!!!  If the lobsters were not alive when they were cooked, the meat will be very off-tasting and mushy. There is an enzyme that's released by  lobsters when they die and any delay in cooking them will result in a very gross tasting lobster.  Some stores will fish any dead lobsters from their tanks (it happens…) and cook them to avoid throwing them away. If you are not absolutely sure buy one that’s live and kicking!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Artichoke Hearts Sun Dried Tomatoes Buffalo Mozzarella & Basil Pasta

The Pasta....

1 can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained
2 tbs. chopped sun dried tomatoes or 1 large tomato diced
Buffalo Mozzarella drained and cut into 1 inch pieces 
1 clove of garlic sliced paper thin
1-2 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. fresh basil chopped
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional) 
salt & pepper to taste



1 lb of spaghetti, fussilli, bow tie, linguine, fettucini, or any kind of pasta that you really like cooked al dente.

The Chicken... 

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 clove of garlic minced
1-2 tsp. olive oil
fresh basil & oregano chopped
1 tbs. balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper
red pepper flakes (optional)
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large zip lock bag or tupperware and allow to marinate for at least 5 minutes.  Spray a pan with some non stick spray and cook on each side (depending on thickness) for at least 5-7 minutes.  Set aside. 

In a large saute pan add olive oil, artichoke hearts and garlic & saute for a few minutes.  Add tomatoes & garlic and cook for a few more minutes.  Add al dente pasta and all seasonings & herbs.  Give a through toss & then add the mozzarella.  

Slice chicken breast on a diagonal and place a top the pasta.... sprinkle a bit more of basil on top and drizzle with a bit more olive oil.


Monday, February 21, 2011

Chicken & Lemon Potatoes


 Chicken & Lemon Potatoes


 Chicken & Lemon Potatoes

Potatoes:
6 Medium Yellow Potatoes Quartered
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 teaspoon oregano
½ cup lemon juice
Chicken:
1 whole chicken quartered
¾ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
¾ garlic salt
2 tabespoons. butter melted
1/4 cup lemon juice

Peel & quarter the potatoes. Place in bowl and combine with all ingredients. Let marinate, mixing it every so often so that potatoes do not discolor or turn brown.

Combine all of your dry seasonings together in a bowl and rub all over both sides of your chicken pieces.
Place chicken, skin side up, in roasting pan and drizzle butter and lemon juice over the top. Add potatoes all around the sides of the chicken, juices included. Roast,uncovered, in preheated, 395 degree oven for 45 min to 1 hour.


**sidenotes**
Make a quick greek salad on the side and this is a perfect meal for any night of the week!

Greek Salad

2 -3 Large Diced Tomatoes
1 Large Diced Red Onion
2 Large Diced Cucumbers
1 Small Diced Green Bell Pepper
1 cup Diced Feta Cheese
1/4 cup Kalamata Olives
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup Olive Oil
salt & pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, toss & enjoy!


Thursday, February 10, 2011

Love Love Love me some Chocolate Dipped Strawberries!

Love Love Love
Valentine’s Day… I’m gonna get cliché on all of you right now… and 3…2…1… CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES!!!!

1 package milk chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
1 pound strawberries with stems- about 20

Wash & dry the strawberries very well.

Melt the Chocolate Chips in a heatproof bowl.  Fill a small saucepan with a  cup of water and bring it to a boil… place the heatproof bowl on top of it and turn off the heat.  Allow to sit on top of the hot water until all the chocolate melts.
To make your life even easier, you can put it in the microwave on half power for 30 second intervals and  melt the chocolate until melted.  (Should take about 2 minutes)

Once it’s melted, dip each strawberry in the chocolate and lift and twist it allowing any excess chocolate to drip off.  Place dipped strawberry on a  cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment or wax paper.  Place in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes before it sets.

Happy Valentine’s Day my friends! May it be filled with lots of  LOVE & CHOCOLATE!!!!!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Football Sunday Buffalo Wings

When football season is going on in our house this is a staple!  This recipe has been tweaked and turned and well, let's just say I've done all the wing work for you!  TOUCHDOWN!!!! 

So easy to make and always a favorite! 

Buffalo Style Chicken Wings


24 chicken wings & drumettes
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of your favorite hot sauce (I use Crystal) 
1/4 tsp. garlic powder 
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. salt

2 cups canola or vegetable oil


Heat the oil over high heat in a deep skillet or deep-fat fryer  (around 400 degrees F). Add half the chicken wings and cook until they're golden and crisp.  When done, remove them to drain on paper towels and cook the remaining wings.  
Melt the butter and then incorporate the rest of the ingredients.  Pour into a bowl large enough to hold all of the chicken and give it a toss to coat throughly.

Serve with blue cheese dressing or ranch with some fresh cut celery and carrots! (those are the veggies that justify eating them!) 

Buffalo Wing Goodness!!!! 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

It's Tuesday... Taco Tuesday that is!



This recipe can be applied to either Tacos or Taco Salad, it all depends on how creative you wanna get... at the end of the day though, it's fast, it's relatively healthy and it's good!   

 I use ground turkey meat for my tacos just to cut down on the fat... you can use ground beef or even ground chicken... it's all muy rico if you ask me! 

And lastly... making tacos does not necessarily mean that you brown some meat and throw a package of sodium filled pre-made taco seasoning mix all over it... you can make a great seasoning blend/mix with the ingredients that I am SURE are already in your kitchen or use fresh ingredients and throw them in a blender... give it a try!!!

Taco Salad

1 lb. Ground Beef (Turkey or Chicken) 
1 Small Onion Finely Diced

Now there are a couple variations on this dish... you can go either way! 

The first is for the seasoning... 
Combine in a bowl: 
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1/2 tsp. Ground Cumin
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1 tsp. Paprika
1 tsp. Garlic Powder 
1/2 tsp. Ground Coriander
1 tsp. Tomato paste

The second seasoning mix uses fresh ingredients... 
Grab the old blender and jut throw in: 
1 Onion
1 Small Tomato
1/2 Jalapeno (seeds removed) 
2 Garlic Cloves
1 Heaping Spoonful of Chili Powder
A drizzle of Olive Oil


Brown your meat in a frying pan and add your seasonings... 
Shred some iceberg lettuce, dice an avocado, chop a tomato, get out your shredded cheese and some sour cream and top with a black olive. 

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Baked Chicken Casserole with Spanish Rice & Black Beans

Sunday nights are generally a night where I am just pretty tired from an active weekend with the family and don't like to spend too much time in the kitchen.  

I found this recipe a while back in Southern Living magazine and forgot about it till I opened it up this afternoon and was reminded just how easy Sunday night dinners can actually be... and just cause it's easy and you get a little help, doesn't necessarily mean it's not equally as delicious! 


Baked Chicken Casserole with Spanish Rice & Black Beans

1 Cup White Rice
2 Cups Chicken Broth
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 green bell pepper diced small
1/2 red bell pepper diced small
1 clove garlic minced
4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 large can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can diced tomatoes
1 small can diced chiles 
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Monterey Jack 
1 small can sliced black olives
3 or 4 scallions or green onions chopped
2 tbs. olive oil
Salt & Pepper


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  

In a saute pan with the olive oil, saute the onion, bell peppers & garlic. Add Chicken and allow to brown on either side.  Remove. Set aside. 
In a large oven safe casserole dish add your rice & tomatoes, onion, bell peppers & garlic, chicken broth, chiles, salt & pepper.  Arrange chicken breasts on top.  Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.  Remove from the oven and pour the beans on top, sprinkle with the cheese, scallions and olives.  Cook uncovered in the oven for another 15 minutes. 

Super easy! Super delicious! 

**adapted from Southern Living Magazine Recipe**