Author: Mike

Mike’s Chili, version 2

Published by Mike on November 12, 2012

1.5 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, minced (about 1 cup)
1 Tbsp jalapeno, seeded and diced
1 15-oz can peeled diced tomatoes
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar, optional
1 dried ancho chile, ground
1 dried guadijillo chile, ground
1 dried chipotle chile, ground
4 Tbsp chili powder (2+2)
4 Tbsp cumin (2+2)
4 garlic cloves minced + 1 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf
2 tsp oregano (1+1)
3 tsp paprika (2+1)
1 16-oz can kidney beans, drained

*Note: Ingredients listed with (x+y) indicate to add “x” amount initially, and the remaining “y” amount at the end.

Brown ground beef in a dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Remove beef from pot and drain fat.

Add onion, jalapeno, and garlic to the pot; saute for about five minutes.

Return the beef to the pot and add remaining ingredients (reserving indicated portion of spices for final spice dump). Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add remaining reserved spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano). in the last 5 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar and green onion garnish.

Sauteed Cabbage

Published by Mike on June 4, 2012

1 head cabbage (about 2 1/2 pounds)
2 tablespoons UNSALTED butter (reduce kosher salt if using regular butter)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Cut the cabbage in half and, with the cut-side down, slice it as thinly as possible around the core, as though you were making coleslaw. Discard the core.

Melt the butter in a large saute pan or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, cabbage, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is tender and begins to brown. Season, to taste, and serve warm

Mojo de Ajo

Published by Mike on May 3, 2012

4 large heads garlic
or 10 ounces (about 1 3/4 cups) peeled garlic cloves
2 cups extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh lime juice

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Break the heads of garlic apart, then mash each clove (a fist against the side of a knife is what I do) to release the clove from its papery skin; if using already-peeled garlic, scoop the cloves into a heavy plastic bag and use a rolling pin to mash them slightly.

Stir together the garlic, oil and salt in an 8×8-inch baking pan (make sure all the garlic is submerged), slide it into the oven and bake until the garlic is soft and lightly brown, about 45 to 55 minutes.

Add the lime juice and return to the oven for 20 minutes for the garlic to absorb the lime and turn golden brown.

Using a potato masher or large fork, mash the garlic into a coarse puree. Pour the mixture into a wide-mouth storage container and refrigerate it until you’re ready to enjoy some deliciousness. The mojo will last for up to three months as long as the garlic stays submerged under the oil.

Black Bean Salsa

Published by Mike on May 3, 2012

2 (16 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed & drained (Goya Premium brand is best)
2 cups frozen yellow corn
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 green onions, chopped, including the green tops
1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded & minced
2 Tablespoons minced fresh cilantro (may substitute 1 tablespoon of dried)
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 large lime, juiced
salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

In a non-reactive bowl, place black beans, corn, red and green bell peppers, green onions, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, and tomatoes. Pour juice of lime over ingredients and mix gently.

In a small glass bowl, add red wine vinegar, cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, salt & black pepper. Whisk in olive oil to emulsify dressing. Pour dressing over black bean and corn mixture and mix gently until dressing is well distributed. Cover and chill at least one hour.
Serve with corn chips or Tostitos.

Note: add tomatoes right before serving if the salad is marinated more than a couple of hours.

Mongolian Hot Pot, version 2

Published by Mike on January 29, 2012

2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces flank steak, cut into 1 1/2-inch wide strips and thinly sliced

6 cups stock (4 beef and 2 chicken is optimal)
2 cups water
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2-4 whole cloves (about 1/4 teaspoon ground clove)
3 star anise (or 1 teaspoon fennel seed)
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken (about 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 (3-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, halved
3 garlic cloves

1 Tbsp peanut or canola oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
6 cups thinly sliced bok choy (about 1 pound)
1 cup (about 2 ounces) shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
1 cup carrot, sliced
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
4 ounces uncooked soba (buckwheat) noodles
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 1/2 tsp dark sesame oil, divided

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag, and seal. Marinate in refrigerator 2 1/2 hours, turning bag occasionally.

Combine the next 9 ingredients in a large stockpot over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes covered. Strain broth through a sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. Return broth to pan; keep warm.

Heat oil in a small Dutch oven over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add beef mixture to pan; stir-fry 1 minute or until browned. Remove beef mixture from pan; set aside.

Add sliced yellow onion to the pan and cook until tender and starting to color. Add bok choy, mushrooms, carrot, and green onions to pan; stir-fry 2 minutes or until bok choy begins to wilt. Add prepared broth mixture and hoisin sauce. Stir in noodles. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes or until noodles are done. Stir in beef mixture and vinegar. Ladle 1 1/2 cups soup into each of 6 bowls; drizzle each serving with 1/4 tsp sesame oil.

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Published by Mike on January 29, 2012

4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
15oz can pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan and dust with flour.

Beat together eggs, sugar, brown sugar, oil, pumpkin, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sat, and pumpkin pie spice. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Add batter to greased pan and bake 30-35 minutes, or until middle is cooked.

Lentil and Sausage Soup

Published by Mike on January 23, 2012

1 lb. hot Italian or garlic turkey sausage
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, rough chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander
2 cups dry lentils
1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 cups kale, rinsed and torn into small pieces
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
black pepper
salt, to taste

In a large soup pot, cook sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it into chunks, until browned (about 6-8 minutes). Remove sausage with a slotted spoon.

Add olive oil to pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onions, carrots, and celery, cook and stir until tender (about 5 minutes) being sure to scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Stir in garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, bay leaf, cumin, and coriander; cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in lentils, broth/water, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender (varies, but usually 30-40 minutes). Add kale in the last 10 minutes of cooking (optionally, spinach can be added in the final minute). Check seasoning and add vinegar.

Sausage and Broccoli Pasta

Published by Mike on December 16, 2011

1 pound pasta (orcchiette, penne, fusilli, etc)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound italian sausage, casings removed
1 head broccoli (about 3/4 pound)
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, minced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (about 1 can)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup grated parmesan

Prepare pasta in boling water, but stop cooking a minute or two early when the pasta is very al dente. Set aside.

In a large, heavy skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage and break it up while cooking until well browned (about 7 minutes). Remove cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add broccoli florets to the hot pan and leave un touched for 2 minutes, until they begin to brown. Toss the broccoli, add in a couple tablespoons of water and cover for 2 minutes until al dente. Remove lid. Add garlic and shallots, cook for 1 minute.

Add chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and add the seasonings. Bring to a boil. Return pasta and sausage to the pan, stir til combined and simmer for 1-2 minutes, when the sauce thickens. Add the parmesan and toss before serving.

Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Published by Mike on June 12, 2011

2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
4 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn syrup
4 ounces goat cheese

Prepare an ice water bath. Bring the cream and milk to a boil. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar and slowly pour in some of the hot cream to temper the eggs. Pour the tempered egg mixture into the cream and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes while whisking, or until the mixture coats the back of a spoon and steam rises from the top. Remove from heat. Mix to combine the corn syrup and goat cheese and then whisk this mixture into the warm cream mixture until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve and chill over the ice water bath. Freeze in an ice cream machine per directions (usually 25-30 minutes). Transfer to a dish and keep frozen until ready to use. Makes approximately 3 cups.

Fresh Strawberry Topping

1 pint strawberries, cleaned and stemmed
1/3 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Chop the strawberries into desired bite size, set aside about 1/3 of strawberries. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine remaining 2/3 strawberries, sugar, and vanilla. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat. In a blender, puree about 1/2 of cooked strawberry mixture. Combine fresh, cooked, and pureed strawberry mixture. Store in refrigerator.

Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Published by Mike on June 12, 2011

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice, optional
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup sliced cabbage
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 cups sugar snap peas
1/2 cup chicken broth
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon garlic chili sauce

Toss chicken with 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice and 1 tablespoon soy sauce and set aside. Heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. When oil begins to smoke, add chicken and stir fry until cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Return pan to heat.

Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil to pan over medium-high heat and quickly stir in onion, garlic, and ginger root. Stir fry until onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add chicken and stir until opaque, about 3 minutes. Add green onions, cabbage, bell pepper, peas and cover for 2 minutes. Remove lid, return chicken to the pan and stir fry until vegetables are cooked.

In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup broth/water, soy sauce, sugar, garlic chili sauce, and cornstarch. Add sauce mixture to wok/skillet and stir until chicken and vegetables are coated with the thickened sauce. Serve immediately, over hot rice if desired.