onions

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter K

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Front-Runner Favs: Kooky Cucumber Salad! Does anyone really count the number of daily servings of vegetables recommended for a healthy diet? I know I don’t. And I suspect I’m not in the minority. What I do pay attention to is how appealing food looks on the plate. It’s one of the reasons I have a Spiralizer among my kitchen utensils. Besides, it takes minimal effort to make ordinary foods look this good. The fact that I’m maintaining a low fat, low carb, and low calorie intake just gives me all the more reason to splurge on something sweet later on. Call me crazy, or call me “kooky”.
KOOKY CUCUMBER SALAD
Ingredients:

1 large cucumber, halved

1 tomato, chopped

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons garlic red wine vinegar 

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped for garnish
Instructions:

Spiralize half the cucumber with the apple core attachment, for wider strips. Spiralize the remaining cucumber half with the noodle attachment, for spaghetti-like spirals. Arrange cucumbers in a serving bowl. Top with chopped tomatoes and red onion slices. Add Kalamata olives. Whisk together olive oil and garlic red wine vinegar. Drizzle over salad. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh oregano. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter X

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Xavier Grilled Steak! Just when you thought a juicy New York Strip steak couldn’t get any better, here you go. Grilled to taste, smothered in gooey Swiss cheese and crowned with fresh asparagus spears is a meal-in-one guaranteed to make anyone feel like royalty. For those who love onions, take it one step further. Sprinkle crispy French-fried onions over all before serving. Looks good, doesn’t it? Try not to stare. 
XAVIER GRILLED STEAK
Ingredients: 

2 New York Strip steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick

2 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

10 asparagus spears, ends trimmed

4 slices Swiss cheese 

1/4 cup French-fried onions
Instructions:

Rub both sides of the New York Strip steak with olive oil. Season to taste with sea salt and cracked pepper. Place in a shallow dish. Marinate steak for 45 minutes in the refrigerator, turning once. Remove from refrigerator to allow meat to come to room temperature, approximately 15 minutes. Preheat outdoor grill. Cook steaks over medium heat 4-5 minutes until slightly charred. Turn the steaks over and grill 3 minutes longer for medium-rare, 5 minutes longer for medium, or 8 minutes longer for medium-well. Meanwhile to steam asparagus spears, bring water to a boil. Reduce to simmer. Place asparagus spears into the steamer basket. Cover and steam approximately 3-5 minutes until asparagus turns bright green, but is still tender. Remove from steamer. When steaks are cooked to perfection, place them on a platter to rest so the juices are absorbed. (This is the secret to juicy steak.) While the meat is resting, place two slices of Swiss cheese on each. Divide asparagus spears between them. Tent with foil. Let rest 5-7 minutes. Top with crispy French-fried onions before serving. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter R

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Roma Tomato Marinara! Now here is a sauce that is as versatile as your food cravings. I like to make up a jar to keep on hand in the refrigerator. You never know when you’ll want it. Roma tomatoes have a texture that leaves your mouth yearning for yet another spoonful. Slather it on flatbread and add cheese for a late-night snack. Or use it as a base in a skillet lasagna. The balance of thick tomatoes, rich olive oil, and hint of basil make it my favorite for dunking buttery breadsticks. For kid-pleasing families as well as empty nesters, say “Yes” to homemade marinara. 
ROMA TOMATO MARINARA 
Ingredients:

1 sweet onion, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil 

28-ounce can Italian tomatoes, whole and peeled in basil sauce

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder*

1/4 teaspoon oregano 

1/4 teaspoon marjoram 

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/4 teaspoon Herbs de Provence 

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper 

1 teaspoon agave nectar 

1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions: 

In an iron skillet over medium heat, warm two tablespoons olive oil. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft, approximately 5 minutes. Add Italian tomatoes. Gently, using the back of a wooden spoon, press the tomatoes to crush. Sprinkle with garlic powder, oregano, marjoram, basil, Herbes de Provence, sea salt, cracked black pepper, agave nectar, and one teaspoon olive oil. Stir to blend. Bring to a boil; reduce to simmer. Cook for 20 minutes on Simmer or until sauce becomes thicker. Spoon over pasta, chicken, meatballs, or bread. Top with cheese of choice. 
*Four minced garlic cloves may be substituted for garlic powder. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Q

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Foodstuff Redefined: Quesadilla Egg Scramble! Whether you stack it or fold it, everyone loves a quesadilla. I mean, just say the word, “cay-sah-dee-ya”. It rolls off the tongue naturally as images of gooey melted cheese swim through your mind. Just the thought of a golden brown crispy tortilla dribbled with spicy salsa is enough to make a foodie salivate. Throw in your morning’s scrambled eggs along with slivers of last night’s pork roast and you have a reason to hit the floor running. Quesadilla!
QUESADILLA EGG SCRAMBLE 
Ingredients: 

1/2 cup shredded pork

3 eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons light cream

1 tablespoon butter

2 corn tortillas

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup salsa

Green onion for garnish
Instructions:

Heat shredded pork and set aside. Whisk together eggs and light cream. In a small skillet, heat butter over low heat. Do not scorch. Add egg mixture. Scramble to cook eggs until soft and creamy. Set aside. To assemble quesadilla, place one corn tortilla on a plate. Top with cooked eggs, shredded pork, and cheese. Cover with the second tortilla. Brush the bottom of an iron skillet with olive oil. Carefully transfer the quesadilla to the skillet. Cook on medium heat for one minute until crispy. Brush the top with olive oil. Using a large spatula, flip the tortilla and brown for an additional minute. Remove from heat. Cut quesadilla into wedges. Serve with salsa and green onions. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Z

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Simple Sensations: Zesty Fish Tacos. The first time my California friend ordered Fish Tacos, I was like, “Whaaaaaaat??” After all, being a Midwestern girl, fish was caught to be dredged in beer-batter or lemon-peppered, deep fried, and eaten with a side of French fries. Not exactly good for the heart, but tasty. Well, my taste buds have matured over the years and now I tend to cook a little healthier without sacrificing great flavor…..which brings me to the Recipe of the Day.
ZESTY FISH TACOS 
Ingredients:
2 Tilapia fillets

1 egg

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal 

2 tablespoons Panko seasoned bread crumbs

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper 

2 tortillas, flour or corn

1 cup shredded broccoli-carrot blend

1/4 cup salsa

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1 green onion, snipped
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°. Mix egg and lime juice in a shallow dish. On a sheet of waxed paper, use a fork to blend flour, cornmeal, Panko crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin powder. Dip fish fillet in egg mixture to cover. Then coat with crumb topping. (This can be done more than once for an extra crispy crust.) Place breaded fillets on a greased baking dish. Bake for 8 minutes. Flip over bake 4 minutes longer. If you prefer a crispier crust, broil 4 minutes longer. Watch carefully. Fill each tortilla with fish, broccoli-carrot blend, salsa, and Greek yogurt. Garnish with green onion snips. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter J

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Sunshine Eats: Jumping Chicken Noodle Bowl! I love it when I can go to the kitchen and use ingredients I already have on hand. The “make ahead” Vietnamese Dipping Sauce* (nuoc cham) is a multi-purpose staple that livens up Asian cuisine nicely. By making supper a noodle bowl with prepackaged veggies and spicy chicken, the blend of flavors quickly satisfy hunger pangs while providing comfort at the same time. 
JUMPING CHICKEN NOODLE BOWL 
Ingredients: 

8 ounces boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup soybean sauce

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 bunch broccoli florets, cooked and drained

1 cup blend of shredded cabbage and carrots

1 green onion, chopped

1/3 cup cashew pieces

1 cup Vietnamese Dipping Sauce*
Instructions:

Heat a skillet over medium temperature. Add olive oil and chicken strips, single layer. Cook 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Reduce heat to low. Add soybean sauce and red pepper flakes. Cook 10 minutes longer until meat is tender and liquid is absorbed. Arrange chicken strips, rice noodles, broccoli florets, and cabbage-carrot blend in a shallow bowl. Top with chopped green onions and cashew pieces. Cover with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce*, to taste. Serve immediately. 
*Make your own Vietnamese Dipping Sauce by clicking on the following link. 

https://snapshotsincursive.com/2017/04/17

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Q

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Something to Savor: Quartered Chicken with Oranges! If you are fortunate enough to be the recipient of a Fruit-of-the-Month Club, you will not only have premium fresh fruit delivered to your door, but tucked inside the box is a recipe card with serving suggestions. Thanks go out to the families of Brandi and Jennifer! Today’s special features the Cara Cara Orange, which is a sweet seedless variety with interesting undertones of cherry and blackberry. The delightful taste is less acidic than ordinary oranges. And the pinkish-red flesh reminded me of its distant cousin, the blood orange. My compliments to Harry & David.* 
QUARTERED CHICKEN WITH ORANGES
Ingredients:

2 sections of quartered chicken, leg and thigh portion

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper

2 Cara Cara oranges, quartered 

1/2 onion, chopped in chunks

2 cloves garlic, chopped 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

1 tablespoon rosemary leaves

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence 

2 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Salt and pepper the chicken on both sides. Place chicken in an iron skillet. Surround it with oranges, onion, and garlic. Rub the chicken well with olive oil. Sprinkle with rosemary leaves and Herbes de Provence. Tuck two sprigs of thyme in between chicken. Bake one hour until golden and internal temperature is 165°. 
*I receive no recompense for featuring Harry & David Fruit-of-the-Month. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter Y

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Yankee Potato Salad! The new red potatoes at the market right now make the best-tasting side dish for all your casual meals. Wash them thoroughly so you can leave the skins on.  
YANKEE POTATO SALAD
Ingredients:

10 new red potatoes, small 

2 green onions 

3 ounces of hickory-smoked bacon bits

1 tablespoon fresh dill

1 cup real mayonnaise 
Instructions:

Quarter the red potatoes and put into a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes. Drain. In a large bowl, add cooled potatoes, bacon bits, cut-up green onions. Mix in mayonnaise to blend well. (For a moist salad, add more.) Finally, gently fold in the fresh cut dill. Refrigerate 1-2 hours for best flavor. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter P

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Panchovillas! Olé! Who Doesn’t Love Mexican Food? I’ve collected the best recipes from my friends’ kitchens where family secrets are passed down from generation to generation; where added spices become second nature. And measurements are made by instinct and taste preference. Proving that point, here’s a tasty meal thrown together from leftover pork roast.
PANCHOVILLAS
Ingredients:

1 pound pork roast, shredded

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 teaspoon chili powder 

1 teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 

1 garlic clove

1/4 cup chopped jalapeños 

1/4 cup diced tomatoes 

2 cups tomato sauce 

2 cups refried beans

2 tablespoons butter, melted 

6-8 flour tortillas 

2 cups cheddar cheese 
Directions:

Simmer first ten ingredients, smashing a portion of the beans to keep the consistency thick. Add more tomato sauce if necessary. Brush the tortillas lightly with melted butter. Fill with pork and bean mixture. At this point I fold them into a burrito-style portion, seam side down. Place in a 9×13 casserole dish. Cover tortillas with extra topping and cheddar cheese. Bake at 350° until the cheese is melted, usually about 30 minutes. Top with sour cream and black olives to garnish. Serve with mixed greens salad, guacamole, and crispy chips. Add salsa for more spice. And don’t forget the Classic Margarita!