Easy peasy Chili

January 19, 2012 in Main Dishes, Poultry | 2 comments

This is one of my go-to meals in the winter.   I freaking love chili!  It’s super easy to make and oh so good.   I like mine with cornbread, sour cream, corn chips and cheddar cheese.

I will put this on everything…put a heaping spoonful of this on your ordinary hot dog and turn it into a chili dog.  Delish!!I like a good bean to meat ratio, I need to see my beans and my meat.   This combination works best for my taste.  Bon appetit.

 

Chili

1 1/2 lb ground turkey

1 large onion, chopped

2 tbsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp oregano

2 canned chipotle peppers, chopped

1 tsp salt

3 tbsp sugar

2 beef bouillon

15 oz can chili beans

15 oz can kidney beans, drained

28 oz can diced tomatoes

1 cup water

1 tbsp canola oil

In a large pot over medium fire, heat oil.  Add onions and turkey, cook until brown.   Add the rest of the ingredients.  Bring to a boil, then lower heat and allow to simmer for 1 1/2 hour.  Serve by itself or with cornbread.

*Garnish with sour cream, cheddar cheese, chopped scallions or pickled jalapenos.

Tags:

Veggie Chowmein

January 16, 2012 in Side Dish | 2 comments

I had to make a meal in a hurry this morning.  I instantly thought of vegetable chowmein.   It’s quick meal that’s a favorite of mine.   Guyana has a large Chinese population and their dishes are a part of our cuisine.   Fried rice, chowmein and char siu pork are take out dishes I enjoyed as a child growing up in Guyana.

The number one  request  of Guyanese who have emigrated to friends who are traveling to Guyana is to bring back some Chinese food.   We all have that craving imbedded in us.  I usually have a pack or two of chowmein in my pantry to combat the cravings.

Vegetable Chowmein

12 oz Chowmein noodles

1 cup shredded cabbage

1 cup shredded carrots

3 scallion, finely chopped

3 tbsp soy sauce

3 tbsp oyster sauce

1 1/2 tbsp fresh ground ginger

1/2 tsp chinese five spice powder

2 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp canola oil

 

Cook noodles according to directions on the package.  Place in a large bowl.  Add soy sauce, oyster sauce and five spice to noodles.  Mix until evenly distributed.

In a wok over medium fire, heat sesame and canola oil.   Add ginger, cook for 1 minute. Now add carrots and cabbage; cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.   Add noodles  to pot and mix well, cook for an additional minute.  Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped scallion.

Tags:

A sweet treat

January 13, 2012 in Dessert | 5 comments

I’ve been on a strict diet/exercise routine as of 1 week ago.  It’s less of a New Years resolution and more of “I have to lose this baby weight so I can be a sexy mama” diet.   So far it’s been going well and I’ve seen results, so I’m pleased.

I’m a firm believer that diet food should be just as tasty as regular food and I’ve achieved that with the recipes I’ve been cooking.   Since I’m no longer getting flavor from using fat i.e butter and cream, I’ve found other ways of  injecting flavor into my meals.  The key to tasty low fat foods is using tons of fresh herbs and vegetables and season, season, season…it makes all the difference in the world.  So don’t feel sorry for this foodie, I’m not deprived.

I’ve been snacking on fresh fruits and granola bites and have been satisfied until yesterday.  I had a chocolate attack.   I needed my fix.   I searched the internet and found a brownie bite recipe.   These babies are 104 calories each before the caramel and powdered sugar.  I just happened to have a jar of homemade caramel in the fridge so I added a tablespoon on top.  How can caramel be bad?   I managed to eat just one bite, it took all the will power I had but I succeeded.

Brownie Bites

adapted from Skinnytaste

2 tbsp margarine

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cold water

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Melt margarine.  Add sugar, vanilla and water and stir.   Add flour, baking powder and cocoa powder and stir until smooth.   Stir in chopped walnuts.

Place cupcake wrappers into a muffin pan.  Divide batter equally.  You should get 8 brownie bites.   Bake for 12-15 minutes.  I like to under cook my brownies so they remain gooey.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with caramel.

 

 

Tags: ,

« Older entries

Amy