Friday, October 11, 2013
Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana
Chili Lime Chicken Wings
These chili lime chicken wings are sweet, savory, and not the traditional buffalo wings we're used to. They are in a category of their own. They are seriously that good. The unexpected twist? Pepsi. I won't explain why, just try it and see for yourself!
- 1- 1 1/2 pounds chicken wings
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- Kosher Salt
- Black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon ground red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon ground coriander
- Frying oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green chillies, minced
- 2 stalks scallions, chopped
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/4 ketchup
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
- Zest from one lime
- Juice from half of one lime
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Pepsi
- Pinch of salt
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Asian Beef Lettuce Cups
Asian beef lettuce cups is the perfect low carb, kid friendly, easiest dinner party appetizer ever. Instead of making these as wraps (which you can most certainly do) making them as cups makes them so elegant. Instead of using sliced steak, using ground beef will get you eating in no time.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1-2 tablespoon soy sauce*
- 1-2 tablespoon chili garlic sauce*
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- Salt*
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges
- Carrots, jullienne
- Red cabbage, jullienne
- Sesame seeds to garnish
Assemble the lettuce cups by taking a few pieces of lettuce and placing a few tablespoons of the beef onto the lettuce. Add in the carrots and cabbage on either sides and top with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
That's it! Simple, easy and deliciously beautiful.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Classic Beef Chili
Beef chili is one of those foods that can be eaten any time of the year as is, with bread, rice, corn or tortilla chips and can be topped with a number of things. The best thing about this dish besides being so easy? It's a one pot meal!
My version not only has the traditional flavors of cumin and paprika, but it also has a secret ingredient which is unexpected. Cocoa powder! Yup, (unsweetened) cocoa powder. This little gem adds such a depth of flavor and makes it well rounded. If you don't tell anyone, no one would even notice besides saying how delicious it is.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
- 1/2-1 tablespoon chili powder*
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite!)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups kidney beans
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water (optional)
- Salt*
Directions:
In a large pot over medium high heat, add onions and sauté until translucent. Add in the minced garlic and continue to sauté. Next, add in the ground meat and begin to brown. Do not stir it too much. Allow for the meat to brown and start by putting in all the spices: cumin, coriander, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, chili powder. Continue to brown the beef for 10-15 minutes allowing any liquid released from the beef to evaporate. Next, add in the worcestershire sauce and tomato paste, stir well. Add in the BBQ sauce and continue to cook on medium heat. Add in the diced tomatoes and depending on how thick you want your chili to be, add water. Stir well and reduce heat to low and allow it cook to let the flavors infuse. After 45 minutes, taste to adjust seasonings. Salt can be added at this point. Add in the kidney beans and bell peppers and stir. Let it cook for 10 minutes, still keeping the bell peppers crunchy.
Serve with corn chips, crusty bread or rice.
Toppings:
- Cheddar cheese
- Pico de gallo
- Diced avocado
- Corn
- Sour cream
- Chives/Scallions
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Eating chocolate chip cookies is one thing but eating chocolate chip OATMEAL cookies makes it healthier, right? Right.
These cookies not just have oatmeal in them, but they also have almond flour in them. They bake up soft and chewy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Friday, July 12, 2013
Falooda
This is the easiest Falooda recipe ever. It may not be the traditional way of making it, but it has all the same flavors! The perfect dessert for after iftar/dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 /2 inch cinnamon stick
- 3-4 cardamom pods
- 1/8 oz. Cellophane OR vermicelli noodles
- Rooh Afza
- Your favorite vanilla ice cream
- Chopped almonds
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Turkish Lamb Chops with Rice Pilaf
Lamb chops are one of the easiest cuts of meat to cook up either on an indoor grill or out. Make sure the chops haven't previously been frozen and are fresh.
The only seasonings needed to flavor the chops are already in your pantry!
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Fresh cracked pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon Granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon Sumac *
- 1 cup basamati rice or long grain rice
- 1/2 cup orzo
- 2 3/4 cups chicken stock
- 1-2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- salt to taste