Thursday, May 21, 2009

Indy 500


Yes, one of our listeners got to drive in the Indy 500--well, sort of! Dennis got to take his Smart Car around the track yesterday. He said it was a lot of fun, and there were 120 "Smarties" from Canada and several states.

The black one on the left is Dennis's car. He says he gets about 42 miles to the gallon, and the cars can reach 100 mph--but they couldn't go that fast on the Indy track!






This little blue one is so cute! It has a face!

Friday, May 1, 2009

More Great Mexican Food

Shrimp Quesadilla
*makes 6 appetizer size quesadillas, Courtesy of Rosa Mexicano http://www.rosamexicano.com/
• 3/4 lb raw, cleaned, shelled, shrimp, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• ½ small white onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 serrano or guajillo chiles, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt
• 1½ cups finely shredded queso Chihuahua, Muenster, or cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 6 Fresh Corn Tortillas or store bought 6-inch corn tortillas

Toss the shrimp, onion, garlic, and chiles together in a bowl until well mixed.

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Add the shrimp mixture all at once, season with salt, and cook stirring and tossing, until the shrimp begins to brown. Pour the mixture into a bowl and taste, if salt is needed add as needed.

Spread ¼ cup of the cheese over half of each tortilla, leave a small border along the edge. Top with 2 heaping tablespoons of the shrimp mixture. Fold the empty side over the filling and press firmly to close.

Cook the quesadillas in batches on the griddle, turning once, until light golden brown and crisp, about three minutes per side. This can also be done in an oven at 350 degrees F. Serve immediately and top with Pico de Gallo or your favorite salsa.
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Pico de Gallo
Courtesy of Rosa Mexicano, http://www.rosamexicano.com/

*makes about 2 cups

2 ripe medium tomatoes (about 12 ounces)
¼ cup finely chopped white onion, or to taste
12 large fresh cilantro sprigs, thick stems removed, remaining stems removed, remaining stems and leaves finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
1 medium jalapeño or small Serrano, finely chopped (about 1½ tablespoons), or to taste
Juice of 1 lime, or to taste
1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)

Core the tomatoes and cut them in half. Gentle squeeze out most of the seeds, and cut the tomatoes into ¼-inch (no longer) dice. Toss the diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeno together in a mixing bowl. Add the salt and lime juice, then stir in oil, if using. Let sit for a few minutes. The salsa can be made and kept at room temperature for up to 4 hours – no longer – before serving. Stir and taste again before serving.

Cinco de Mayo Recipes


Wow, did we have a fun Friday today with fabulous food from Rosa Mexicano. The guacamole with the mango and jicama was so tasty. As promised, here are the recipes so you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style!

Guacamole en Molcajete
Courtesy of Rosa Mexicano, http://www.rosamexicano.com/
Rosa’s New Mexican Table by Roberto Santibez

Makes 4 servings

For the chile paste:
1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion
1 firmly packed tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoons finely chopped jalapeňo, or more to taste
3 medium ripe but firm Hass avocados (about 8 ounces each)
3 tablespoons diced tomato
2 firmly packed tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped white onion
Salt if necessary

Tortilla Chips
Fresh Corn Tortillas

Make the chili paste: Grind the onion, cilantro, jalapeňo, and salt together in a molcajete until all the ingredients are very finely ground. Alternatively, use a fork to mash all the ingredients to paste in a wide hardwood bowl.
Cut each avocado in half, working the knife blade around the pit. Twist the halves to separate them and flick out the pit with the tip of the knife. Fold a kitchen towel in quarters and hold it in the palm of your “non-knife” hand. Rest an avocado half cut side up in you palm and make 3 or 4 evenly spaced lengthwise cuts through the avocado flesh down to the skin, without cutting through it. Make 4 crosswise cuts in the same way. Scoop the diced avocado flesh into the molcajete. Repeat with the remaining avocado halves.
Gently fold the avocado into the paste, keeping the avocado in as large pieces as possible. Add the tomato, cilantro, and onion and fold in gently. Check and add salt if necessary. Serve immediately, right from the molcajete (or bowl), with the chops and tortillas.

Note: Jalapeňos can vary tremendously in hotness, so taste the guacamole just after folding in the avocado and add more if you like.