spices

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet: Letter R

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Ranch Pretzel Twists! You’re thinking snack-city. I know, right? Except this version of baked pretzels is made with one of the healthiest foods around: Chia Seeds! They’re a good source of vitamins and minerals in a balanced diet. With every bite you’ll practically be doing the “Happy Dance”.
RANCH PRETZEL TWISTS
Ingredients:

15-ounce bag of pretzel twists 

1 cup pure vegetable oil

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 

1 packet Ranch seasoning mix

1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions:

Preheat the oven to 275°. Empty pretzel twists into a gallon storage zipper bag. Mix thoroughly all the remaining ingredients except chia seeds. Pour over pretzels and close the bag. Toss the bag to evenly coat all pieces until the oil is absorbed. Empty contents onto a baking sheet coated with non-stick spray. Try to form a single layer. Lastly, sprinkle the chia seeds over the pretzels. Bake 10 minutes. Then turn pretzels over and bake an additional 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool before storing in sealed container. 

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!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Crunch Compulsion!

Eating My Way Through the Holidays! Special Edition: Crunch Compulsion! If you’ve always wanted to make toffee, but didn’t have the patience for standing at the stove waiting for the candy thermometer to reach its mark, think about an easy alternative. Crunch Compulsion has the rich buttery taste of toffee layered over a firm graham cracker base. With a finishing touch of pecans and walnuts, you can certainly see where the “crunch” comes in. 
CRUNCH COMPULSION 
Ingredients:

1 package graham crackers

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

1 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the graham crackers in a single layer, completely covering the bottom of the baking sheet. Sprinkle pecans and walnuts over crackers. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine butter, brown sugar, white sugar, cream of tartar, and cinnamon. Stir constantly until mixture boils. Do not burn. Reduce heat to medium and let mixture boil for 3 minutes without stirring. Carefully pour mixture over graham crackers, allowing liquid to cover all. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely. Break into pieces. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter U

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Uvetta Apple Chutney Grilled Cheese! When I was a kid, the word “chutney” meant something yucky with raisins and spices. That was before my taste buds matured and I acquired an exotic palate. Nowadays I appreciate the characteristics of fancy foods filled with specialized ingredients. By adding a spoonful of apple chutney to a grilled cheese sandwich, it transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary one. You should try it. 
UVETTA APPLE CHUTNEY GRILLED CHEESE
Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/4 cup sweet onion, finely chopped

1 candied ginger disc, chopped

2 teaspoons pineapple juice

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 

1 tablespoon cognac (optional)

2 tablespoons raisins

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/4 teaspoon turmeric 

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar 

1 tablespoon natural honey

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
Instructions:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil, sweet onions, and candied ginger. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat. Add pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, cognac, and raisins. Cook on low another 2 minutes. Stir in garlic powder, turmeric, cinnamon, cumin powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and honey. Mix well. Add chopped apples. Coat with sauce. Simmer 10-15 minutes until apples are soft and sauce is like syrup. Remove from heat. Serve as a condiment on your favorite grilled cheese sandwich. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter T

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Tasty Tomato Jam! Crank up your taste buds a bit with this savory sweet jam that is bursting with flavor. Spread it on toast or grilled cheese. Think of it as a condiment for meatloaf, fish, hamburgers, or grilled shrimp. Serve it on a charcuterie board with cured meats and gourmet cheeses. One of my favorite combos is Pear Camembert Flatbread.* It’s all the rage! Decide for yourself what the fuss is about. I did. And now tomato jam is a “must have” at my house. 
TASTY TOMATO JAM
Ingredients:

1 small red onion, finely diced

28-ounce can Roma tomatoes, cut-up with sauce 

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon candied ginger, minced

1/2 cup garlic red wine vinegar 

1/4 cup natural honey

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Pinch of ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

1 teaspoon Mexican tarragon, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave red onion on High setting for two minutes. Using a reduction pan over medium heat, combine diced onions and Roma tomatoes. Add olive oil, garlic powder, candied ginger, garlic red wine vinegar, natural honey, brown sugar, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, Mexican tarragon, red pepper flakes, and sea salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes have broken down and liquid is evaporated. This will take 60-75 minutes. Ladle the tomato jam into sterilized jars while hot. Store in the refrigerator. 
*For the recipe, click the following link. http://Snapshotsincursive.com/2016/11/15

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter M

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Mole Sesame Chicken! One of my longtime friends introduced me to this dish after spending some time in the Dominican Republic. The unique mole sauce contains chili pepper, aromatic spices, and dark Mexican chocolate making it a savory sauce over turkey or chicken. It creates a fabulous meal when you have leftover meat. Simply add plain or Spanish rice along with soft flour tortillas for the perfect pairings. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty finish. 
MOLE SESAME CHICKEN
Ingredients:

8.25 ounce jar Doña Maria Mole*

28 ounces chicken broth 

1-2 pound rotisserie chicken

1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Shred rotisserie chicken, removing skin and bones. Transfer chicken to a large bowl. Empty contents of mole paste into a blender. Add half the chicken broth. Blend until smooth. Add remaining broth. Repeat. Pour mole sauce over chicken. Stir to incorporate. Transfer to a covered casserole dish. Bake for 30 minutes. Sauce will thicken. Serve with sticky rice or Spanish rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds. 
*I receive no recompense for recommending Doña Maria Mole, Mexican Condiment. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter H

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Hamburger Strudel! Dress up a classic meatloaf recipe with this super simple crust to create an elegant wrap for a main course. No, it’s not Beef Wellington, but it’s a tasty alternative at a fraction of the cost. I highly recommend an all-natural organic lean beef for fabulous results. It’s dinner-party worthy!
HAMBURGER STRUDEL 
Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1 onion, chopped

1/4 pound mushrooms, sliced

2 pounds ground beef

1 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

1/2 teaspoon oregano 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 

3 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 cup parsley 

1 tube 8-count crescent rolls

1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Pinch of parsley

1 cup sour cream

2 green onions, snipped
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a baking pan with nonstick oil. In a large skillet, sauté onions and mushrooms in butter. Add ground beef. Cook until crumbly and brown. Drain excess liquid. In a large bowl, combine meat mixture, sea salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Let cool slightly before folding in beaten eggs. Add cheddar cheese and parsley. Form into a loaf pan and freeze for one hour. Carefully remove chilled loaf from pan. Unroll tube of crescent rolls. Pinch seams to seal. Wrap dough around meatloaf; seal. Transfer to the prepared baking pan. Brush with butter; sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and pinch of parsley. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cut into 1″ slices. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and green onion snips. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter E

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: English Pot Roast! Simplify the evening meal. Let the crockpot do the cooking. By adding wine and herbs to the natural meat juices, the slow cooker locks in moisture which tenderizes the roast. Throw everything together, cover, and do something else. Without realizing it, you may find yourself imagining all sorts of ways to serve up the tantalizing leftovers. Utilize the pan drippings for a made-from-scratch gravy or savory soup stock. No matter how you serve it up, the results are Win, Win!
ENGLISH POT ROAST
Ingredients:

2 1/2 pound boneless English beef roast

1 cup dry red wine

10 ounce can beef consommé, undiluted 

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon seasoned salt 

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence 
Instructions:

Place the beef roast in the bottom of a slow cooker. Mix red wine, beef consommé, and balsamic vinegar to blend. Pour over the English roast. Sprinkle seasonings evenly over roast. Cover and turn on low heat setting. Cook 8 hours until fork tender. Serve with potatoes and vegetables for a well-balanced meal. 

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter U

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Timeless Classics: Upcountry Apple Crumble! Take a trip to the local apple orchard. It’s overflowing with bushels of newly-picked produce in several varieties. Red Delicious. Jonagold. Gala. Cortland. And the abundance of ready-made market items puts visitors to the test: nutty caramel apples, chunky applesauce, icy cider slushes, Dutch apple pies, and gooey apple turnovers. Don’t let Autumn slip away without bringing the crisp textures, bakery goodness, spicy aromas, and locally grown produce back home into your favorite dishes. 
UPCOUNTRY APPLE CRUMBLE 
Ingredients:

2-3 large apples

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup oatmeal 

1/2 cup butter, chilled, cut into small chunks 

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly butter a 10″ round baking dish. Peel, core, and thinly slice apples. (A Spiralizer does a perfect job.) Combine apples with lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar. Mix well. Arrange mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. To make the crumble topping, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, oatmeal, and butter in a food processor. Pulse mix until crumbly and butter is the size of peas. Spoon topping over apples, spreading to the edges. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Bake 40 minutes or until the top is brown and the apples are bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream.