Category Archives: Dinner

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Mexican shrimp cocktail is a bit different then tradition ship cocktail you find in a seafood restaurant. It is more like a cold soup. It can be served as an appetizer or meal with a few fun sides.

Ingredient:
1 lb Shrimp
1 1/2 Cups Clamata Juice
1 Avocado Diced
1/2 Red Onion Diced
1/3 Cup Ketchup
1 TBS Mustard
1/4 Cup Traditional Bottled Cocktail Sauce (or 1 TBS horseradish)
1/2 Cup Cilantro
Salt and Pepper to taste

Start by coating the shrimp in salt and pepper. Cook the shrimp off quickly on a hot pan until pick. Once shrimp are done remove from pan and cool in fridge. Now, in a separate whisk together clamata juice, ketchup, mustard and cocktail sauce. Then add onion, avocado and cilantro and mix it all together. When shrimp is cool, add to bowl of sauce and combine. Serve cold and enjoy!

 

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Slow Cooker Corn-beef

For St. Patty’s Day or year around and nothing can be more traditional then corn beef and cabbage. It is a very easy dish to make in a slow cooker.

Ingredients:

2-3 pound corn beef (packaged with seasoning pack)

5 Carrots

1/2 Head Cabbage

1 Large Onion

About 3 Cups Water

Start by cutting carrots and onions into large chunks. Place in the slow corner. Rinse off the whole corn-beef and place on-top of carrots and onions. Add content of spice packet. Pour in water to just cover the top of the meat. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low of  6 hours. An hour before serve place cabbage in a pot with half the liquid from the cabbage. Cook cabbage for about 30 min until soft. When you are ready to serve slice meat against the grain and serve with cabbage, carrots, onions and some mustard.

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DineWise

I try to make really easy and quick recipes for people to follow but I am constantly asked for grab-n-go meal options. Being gluten free is almost impossible to find a quick bite or even a frozen meal to turn to in a rush. I was asked to review a new line of frozen products and I am happy to report that they are good!

The line is called DineWise and they offer a wide range of meal options from weight loss, low sodium, diabetic and a few more options. They recently added a gluten free option to the menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Each meal in one complete package that is microwaves and over safe. No need for dishes or anything else which is something very new in the gluten free world. Portions are all good and every meal was satisfying. The option range from ethnic dishes to comfort foods. Here is the list of GF options:

  1. Mac & Cheese
  2. Penne with Tomato Cream Sauce
  3. Cornmeal Crusted Talapia
  4. Meat Loaf with Gravy and Potatoes
  5. French Toast
  6. Chicken Tikka w/Rice
  7. Oatmeal with Peach Compote

I listed them in order starting with what I liked the best. I have to admit I was very surprised by the Mac & Cheese and Penne. Did not think it was possible to have a gluten free frozen pasta that can be re-heated and tun out really good! My boyfriend was a huge fan of the mac &cheese and he never likes any gluten free pasta options. It really came out like creamy souther mac.  The talapia also stood out for its huge portion, very crispy coating and zesty great flavor all around. I added some fruit to the french toast for a quick breakfast and was really happy with that.

The meals are easy to prepare either in the microwave or oven. I found that for the best result I would microwave for a minute or so and then placed it in the oven for 15 minutes. This took a bit longer but made a huge difference although the microwave worked fine. I love to cook so I do not keep frozen food around much but I must admit I was really nice to have a quick and easy option when I was in a rush or got home late.

You can order DineWise meals online at http://www.dinewise.com . Good prices and a bunch of bundle packages. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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Cilantro Chutney

Chutney makes for an incredible dipping sauce for any meal. Full of flavor that pops. Chutney recipes can be creative. This one is easy to whip up in a crunch.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Fresh Cilantro

1 Clove Garlic

1 inch cube ginger grated

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbs honey

1 small thai chili or half a jalapeño

Juice of 1 lime

2 Tbs Water

Place everything in a small food processor and blend until a paste forms. Feel free to keep out chili if you want to keep it mild.

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Sloppy Joe Pie

I had a pound of ground meat and wanted to do something different. I played around with a few ideas and I was craving my famous sloppy joes recipe. This was a great spin, easy to make and an fun kid fav.

Ingredients:

Filling-
1 lb ground meat. ( I like lean beef but you can use anything)
1 Onion Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic Chopped
16 oz Crushed Tomato
2 Tbs Bbq Sauce
1 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbs Mustard
1 Tbs Honey
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper

Topping
1 Cup Corn Meal
1/2 Tapioca Flour
3 Egg
1/4 Cup Almond Milk
2 Tbs Honey
1 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Balsamic
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbs Butter (room temp)

Start with the filling by sautéing onions and garlic in a large well greased pan. Once brown add ground meat, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until mean is almost full cooked. Add tomato, honey, mustard and Worcestershire. Cook for another ten minutes until liquid starts to reduce. While the meat cooks, move to the topping. In a large bowl mix together the corn meal, tapioca, salt and baking soda. Once mixed add the remaining wet ingredients. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes.
Once meat is done pour as an even layer into a square casserole dish. Then pour the topping on top slowly and evenly. Topping will seem a bit fluid but it will come together.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes until top is golden and firm.

Enjoy!

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Polenta Waffle

I love coming up with a savory twist on a classic. I must have 50 waffle recipes but this one quickly became a fav. Plus now I can have a heathy waffle for dinner.

Ingredient:
1/4 cup instant polenta
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
Pinch fresh cracked pepper
1/3 cup almond milk

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add on egg and mix well. Now add half the milk, combine and let stand for a few minutes. Then add remaining milk and again let stand. Mix well and pour into hot waffle iron for 4 minutes. Enjoy with any toppings. Try something savory like avocado and salsa.

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Masala Cauliflower

I could eat indian food all the time. It is easily gluten free and paleo which is great. My favorite part about indian food is that its packed with flavor and veggie dishes. Making indian food at home is easy and fun. You can use this recipe on any mix of veggies.

 

Ingredients:

1 Small head of cauliflower

4 Carrots

2 Tbs Gram Masala Spice Blend

Cooking Spray or Oil

Start by cutting cauliflower and carrots into large pieces. Place into large bowl and toss with oil or spray. Add spice blend and toss well. Spread on a large foiled cookie sheet. Roast at 500 degree for 20 minutes.

 

If you can’t find the spice blend try making your own with cumin, coriander, cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

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Baba Ghanoush

This is a recipe that has been passed down in my family for a long time. My dad use to tell me story’s of my grandma making it for him as a child in Isreal. I have never been able to get it just right but at least it’s close.

Ingredients:

2 Eggplant

6 Garlic Cloves

2 Tbs Tahini Paste

1 tsp Salt

1 Tbs Oil or Spay

Start by cutting each garlic cloves into about 3 large slices. Then using a pairing knife make a bunch off deep gashes in each. Shove a chuck of garlic in each slit. Spread oil or spray the eggplant all over. Place the eggplant on a grill or under a broiler turning every few minutes until each side is blackened and soft. Once the eggplants are fully cooked and soft peel off the skin. Place the inside of the eggplant in a food processor and mix it up well. Add the tahini and salt and pure. Serve cold or warm.

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Spicy Avocado Ranch Dip

I was looking for something a little more fun then guacamole. This came out spicy, creamy and perfect for dipping veggies in.

Ingredients:

2 Small Avocados

1 Cup Yogurt

1/2 Lime

1/2 Cup Fresh Cilantro

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Garlic

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp Parsley

1 tsp Sugar

1 Jalapeño Diced ( leave seed if you want extra spice)

 

Using a food processor mix together avocado, cilantro, lime and jalapeño. One mixed well add yogurt, salt, garlic, parsley, oregano and sugar. Pure until smooth and serve cold.

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Sweet and Sour Shrimp

I love Chinese food but I am always scared to eat it out because I have no idea what is in the sauce. I normally just order plain steamed veggies and meat. This recipe came out great!

 

Ingredients:

2 Bell Peppers (sliced thin)

1 Small Onion (sliced thin)

1 Cup Fresh Pineapple (diced small)

2 Pounds Large Shrimp (cleaned)

2 Tbs Corn Starch

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

 

Sauce Ingredients:

1/3 Cup GF Soy Sauce

1 TBS Seracha  Sauce

1/3 Vietnamese Quick Fish Sauce

1/3 Cup Sweet Chili Sauce

1/3 Cup Water

1/2 Tbs Sugar

Juice of half a lime

 

Place peppers and onion in a well sprayed sauce pan over medium heat. Add pineapple, mix well and cook for a minute or two. Now add all the sauce ingredient, combine, cover and cook on low for 10-15 until pepper are soft. While sauce is cooking place shrimp in a bowl with salt, pepper and corn starch. Mix the shrimp up and then add to sauce once it’s ready. Increase heat to medium and cook shrimp for about 3  minutes until they turn pink. Serve hot on rice or steamed veggies.

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