Zesty Cook » delicious http://zestycook.com Food made simple. Food you love. Food you eat. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:21:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Deliciously Grilled! http://zestycook.com/deliciously-grilled/ http://zestycook.com/deliciously-grilled/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:06 +0000 zesty http://zestycook.com/?p=4694 Happy Monday!  I am on the road again this week visiting clients in Mississippi and West Virginia.  Despite the travels, I have some recapping to do from the camping extravaganza from last week.  I had a blast! We had a blast!  We ate great, the weather was very nice except one rainy day and the [...]]]>



Happy Monday!  I am on the road again this week visiting clients in Mississippi and West Virginia.  Despite the travels, I have some recapping to do from the camping extravaganza from last week.  I had a blast! We had a blast!  We ate great, the weather was very nice except one rainy day and the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

On to the Food

One evening we invited some friends up to the trailer for a dinner at the picnic table.  I was tossing around the menu ideas all day when I finally came up with a hoisin honey chicken breast topped with a fresh mango/pear salsa, grilled sweet potatoes with a brown sugar/butter glaze and a simple orange avocado salad.  I also did a quick grilled zucchini with a orange garlic marinade to compliment the salad.

The prep was fun and at the same time a little different and challenging with limited supplies.  Counter space was definitely at a minimum as well but indeed we did prevail.

Chicken Marinade

Ingredients

  • 5 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 4-5 Cilantro sprigs
  • 2 Tbsp. Hoisin Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tsp. Ginger
  • 1 Clove garlic
  • 3 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper

Method

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and let sit for 1-2 hours before grilling.
  2. Preheat grill over medium heat.
  3. Place chicken and let sear on one side ( about 6 minutes )
  4. Flip and continue cooking on other side until cook through
  5. Remove from heat and cover with foil to let the juices move back to the center of the meat.
  6. ENJOY!

Mango Pear Salsa


Ingredients

  • 2 Mangoes
  • 2 Pears
  • 1/4 Cup cilantro ( chopped )
  • 1 shallot ( finely chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp.  Hot sauce
  • Juice of two limes
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive oil

Method

  1. Peel and chop both the mangoes and the pears
  2. Place in a large mixing bowl and add all other ingredients.
  3. Let flavors come together for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
  4. Place on top of bbq chicken.
  5. ENJOY!

2 Way Potatoes


Ingredients

  • 3 Sweet Potatoes
  • 3 PEI Russet Potatoes
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Drizzle of Olive oil
  • 1 Clove Garlic
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. Butter
  • 2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

Method

  1. Peel potatoes and microwave potatoes for 9 minutes
  2. Cut into medallions and place in two separate bowls
  3. For the russet potatoes combine rosemary, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and mix to coat.
  4. Grill over medium heat to achieve char marks and until they are fork tender with a nice crust.
  5. For the sweet potatoes, toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and grill over medium heat.
  6. In another bowl, melt butter and brown sugar in the microwave and brush on the sweet potatoes as you grill each side.
  7. Cook until a crust is formed and they are tender on the inside.
  8. ENJOY!

Orange Avocado Salad

For the orange avocado salad, you can refer to the full recipe.  The flavors in here are amazing and really a nice fresh flavor for the chicken and the starchy potatoes.

Zesty Tip: When preparing for a dinner party – take the time and organize the menu, ingredients and the prep time.  This will allow you to enjoy the company as opposed to sweating in the kitchen.

I am aboard the plane to Alabama and then driving over to Tupelo.  I hope you have a super Monday.  Stay tuned for a simple grilled quesadillas that impressed the pickiest of eaters.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

]]> http://zestycook.com/deliciously-grilled/feed/ 4 5 Simple Steps to Fantastic Fruit Pies http://zestycook.com/5-simple-steps-to-fantastic-fruit-pies/ http://zestycook.com/5-simple-steps-to-fantastic-fruit-pies/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:00:43 +0000 zesty http://zestycook.com/?p=296 Growing up with a mother and grandmomther who loved to bake – it was evident I was going to have the same passion when it comes to pastries and a sweet tooth. Below I put together some simple tips to take to your kitchen the next time you decide to throw some flour on the [...]]]>



Growing up with a mother and grandmomther who loved to bake – it was evident I was going to have the same passion when it comes to pastries and a sweet tooth.

Below I put together some simple tips to take to your kitchen the next time you decide to throw some flour on the counter top to ensure a delicious fruit pie.

Keep in mind I just added a few of my favorite flavorings – so feel free to switch it up and try your own twists.

Pie Chart for Double-Crust Fruit Pies

Type Of Pie Prepared Fruit Granulated Sugar All Purpose Flour Flavorings
Blueberry 4 Cups ( 1 L) 2/3 Cup (150 ml) 3 tbsp (45 ml) 1 tsp (5 ml) grated lemon rind
Peach 5 cups ( 1.25 L) peeled and sliced 3/4 cup ( 175 ml) 4 tbsp (60 ml) 2 tbsp ( 25ml) chopped candied ginger
Plum 5 Cups (1.25L) quartered if large halved if small 1 Cup (250 ml) 4 tbsp (60 ml) 1/2 tsp (2 ml) cinnamon
Raspberry 4 Cups (1 L) 1 Cup (250 ml) 3 tbsp (45 ml) None Needed
Cherry 4 Cups (1 L) Pitted 1 Cup (250 ml) 3 tbsp (45 ml) 1/2 tsp (2 ml) almond extract

5 Steps to Perfect Pies

1. Line 9 inch (23 cm) pie plate with pastry.

2. In a large bowl, combine prepared fruit, sugar, flour, 1 tbsp lemon juice and flavoring

3. Fill pastry shell with fruit mixture; dot filling with 1tbsp of butter

4. Moisten edges of bottom crust. Cover with top crust. Trim and flute edges. Cut steam vents. Brush top with milk or cream; sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar.

5. Bake in 425 degree (220 C) oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 45-60 minutes longer or until fruit is tender, filling in thickened nd crust golden.

You can also freeze well-wrapped unbaked pies or up to 4 months, with the following changes: increase the amount of flour in each pie by 1 tbsp and don’t cut steam vents until just before baking. Bake still-frozen pies in 450 degree oven for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 375 degrees for up to 60 minutes longer or until filling in thickened and crust in golden brown.

If you don’t have time to bake pies now, you can freeze fruit without sugar in the quantities needed for pies (see pie chart), then thaw just enough to separate; make pies following the 5 steps to Perfect Fruit Pies, increasing flour by 1 tbsp, then baking for up to 60 minutes. If fruit has been frozen with sugar, subtract the amount of sugar in the fruit from the amount of sugar you add to the pie.

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

]]> http://zestycook.com/5-simple-steps-to-fantastic-fruit-pies/feed/ 10