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Brady’s Basic BBQ Rub

June 5, 2010 by newinthekitchen

This basic rub is great for any type of meat: pork, beef, chicken, and even salmon.  As with all dry-rubs, if you rub the meat and let it marinate for 2-4 hours, the flavors will be very rich and wonderful. While we lived in San Diego, our good friend Josh and Brady experimented with a lot of new rubs and marinades during our regular barbecues.  Here is a popular one.  You can add or subtract amounts of each spice depending on your own preference.  This rub is also great for pork and chicken.

Combine the following ingredients and then whisk together.  Then rub tri-tip with the mixture.

¼ cup coarse salt (kosher or sea)
¼ cup (packed) dark brown sugar
¼ cup paprika
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
½ to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on desired “heat”)
½ teaspoon celery seeds

Directions:
1. Season meat with dry rub and allow to set for 2-4 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Grill the tri-tip (or your choice of meat).

Note: Always let steak sit for several minutes covered with foil after taking it off heat/grill so that the juices are absorbed back into the meat instead of leaking all over your cutting board/counter/floor!! Any meat juices that do escape can be poured over the meat for a great flavor.

Posted in Meats & Fish, Sauces & Marinades | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Pineapple Sherbet Sunrise

June 1, 2010 by newinthekitchen

This is a wonderfully refreshing summer dessert!  My mother-in-law, Wendy, taught me how to make it and since then we have used this recipe many times.  Yum!

Ingredients:
1 box of orange Jell-O
1 small can of pineapple chunks, drained
Orange Sherbet

Directions:
1. Prepare Jell-o following box directions.

2. Stir drained pineapple chunks into the Jell-O just before putting it into the refrigerator to set.

3. Once you are ready to serve, scoop some sherbet into the bottom of a fun martini glass, and then scoop some of the Jell-O mixture on top of that.

Enjoy!

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Grilled Veggie Pasta

May 31, 2010 by newinthekitchen

This is one of my dad’s wonderful original recipes!  This recipe is easy and delicious. Always remember to pick out the freshest veggies at the store when choosing what to put in this dish.  If you can pick them directly from you own garden, that’s even better.

Use any vegetables you like, but consider the following:
All colors of bell peppers
Anaheim chilies
Japanese eggplant
Zucchini squash
Tomatoes
Bermuda onion
Mushrooms

Directions:
1. Grill the vegetables on your bbq or on a stovetop griddle pan.

2. When done, cut them up into bite size pieces.

3. Cook up some bow tie pasta, (about ¼ lb. /person) al dente.

4. In a sauce pan, heat up about 1 cup (for 4 people) of good quality olive oil. Add in 4 finely chopped garlic cloves.

5. Mix the vegetables with the pasta and add the garlic infused olive oil and add salt and chili flakes to taste.  Be careful with the chili flakes if you are adding any bbqed chili peppers to the dish.

6. Add grated Parmesan cheese to taste.

Serve, and enjoy the praise of your friends and loved ones as they call you a genius at cooking.  ~ Len (my dad)

Posted in Healthy Options, Main Courses | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Grown-Up S’Mores

May 23, 2010 by newinthekitchen

It’s getting to be camping, campfire, and s’more season! Yay!! Here is a wonderful spin on s’more. Oh my goodness, these are so good! This is a recipe based off of an article I read in Sunset Magazine and it is amazingly good! This recipe will make one S’More. Also check out the other “grown-up” S’More combinations at the bottom of the recipe (taken from Sunset Magazine article)!!

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon peanut butter (preferably at room temperature, for easy spreading)
2 graham crakers
2 squares of a chocolate bar
1 skewer-toasted marshmallow

Directions:
1. Spread peanut butter onto one of the graham crackers.

2. Slide marshmallow off skewer onto peanut butter.

3. Top with chocolate and remaining wafer and squish down gently.

More S’Mores for grown-ups:
- Thin peanut-butter cookies with Nutella, sliced banana, and marshmallow.

- Thin peanut-butter cookies with bittersweet chocolate, caramel sauce, and marshmallow.

- Graham crackers with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, sliced banana, and marshmallow.

- Gingersnaps with a caramel-filled chocolate square and marshmallow.

- Graham crackers with plain dark chocolate, marshmallow, and strawberry slices.

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Throw a Cinco de Mayo Party!

April 29, 2010 by newinthekitchen

Have this party on or around May 5th, or really at any time during the year when you feel like margaritas, Mariachi, and enchiladas!
The Food: As your guests arrive put out fresh salsas or guacamole (see Dips section) with tortilla chips.  For dinner, offer enchiladas (see Main Courses section) or tacos (see Meats & Fish section).  Accompany either entrée with Kitchen Sink Rice (see Veggies & Side Dishes section) and beans of your choice.
The Drinks: Mexican beers, Slushy Maggies (see Cocktails section), and Beer Margaritas (see Beer & Wine section).
The Décor: Bright colors, sombrero hats (try using upside down sombrero hats to hold tortilla chips or silverware!), cactus, etc.  Be sure to set the mood by playing tunes from a Mariachi Band, or other appropriate music.
The Fun:  Buy a traditional piñata and fill it with adult prizes, such as neat bottle openers, matches, tea light candles, gourmet chocolates, gift cards, etc.  Hang the piñata and have everyone take a swing.  Remember to spin them around before they try!  You could also have a salsa dancing instructional DVD playing in the background for whoever is interested.
Have this party on or around May 5th, or really at any time during the year when you feel like margaritas, Mariachi, and enchiladas!
The Food: As your guests arrive put out fresh salsa or guacamole with tortilla chips.  For dinner, offer enchiladas or tacos.  Accompany either entrée with Kitchen Sink Rice (see Veggies & Side Dishes section) and beans of your choice.
The Drinks: Mexican beers, Slushy Maggies, and Beer Margaritas.
The Décor: Bright colors, sombrero hats (try using upside down sombrero hats to hold tortilla chips or silverware!), cactus, etc.  Be sure to set the mood by playing tunes from a Mariachi Band, or other appropriate music.
The Fun: Buy a traditional piñata and fill it with adult prizes, such as neat bottle openers, matches, tea light candles, gourmet chocolates, gift cards, etc.  Hang the piñata and have everyone take a swing.  Remember to spin them around before they try!  You could also have a salsa dancing instructional DVD playing in the background for whoever is interested.

Posted in Entertaining | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Throw a Green Party!

April 24, 2010 by newinthekitchen

It is important to be conscious of the environment and to raise awareness amongst friends and family to be more environmentally friendly.  This party is packed with great ways to make your next get-together truly green.  Encourage your guests to walk, ride their bike, or carpool to the party!
The Food: Serve any of your favorite foods, making sure to buy and use only sustainable ingredients.
The Drinks: Do not use disposable cups; serve options like punch (see Cocktails section) to avoid excess garbage.  If guests choose to drink beer, recycle cans and bottles.
The Décor: Go with the green theme all the way: decorate with green items and set out clearly marked, decorative recycling bins.
The Fun:  Have each guest bring one usable item that they no longer need for a gift-exchange; instruct them to wrap it like a gift.  You could also have each guest bring one garbage bag full of old, but usable clothing or other items that you will take to donate to your local homeless shelter.  Recycle, reduce, reuse!
5110727In honor of day 2 of “Global Youth Service Day” I thought it would be appropriate to come up with a “green” party.  Afterall, we can do our part to recycle and be environmentally aware and still have fun! :-) It is extremely important to be conscious of the environment and to raise awareness amongst friends and family.  Even encouraging one person to recycle can make a difference.  This party is packed with great ways to make your next get-together truly green.  Encourage your guests to walk, ride their bike, or carpool to the party!
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The Food: Serve any of your favorite foods, making sure to buy and use only sustainable ingredients.
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The Drinks: Do not use disposable cups; serve options like punch in a punch bowl to avoid excess garbage.  If guests choose to drink beer, recycle cans and bottles.
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The Décor: Go with the green theme all the way: decorate with green items and set out clearly marked, decorative recycling bins.
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The Fun: Have each guest bring one usable item that they no longer need for a gift-exchange; instruct them to wrap it like a gift.  You could also have each guest bring one garbage bag full of old, but usable clothing or other items that you will take to donate to your local homeless shelter.
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Recycle, reduce, reuse!
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Party Tip: Use local and/or organic ingredients where possible.  Also remember to concentrate your cooking on what vegetables are in season and what meats and/or fish are the freshest and hormone free.  This will ensure a delicious and appropriate meal for this or any party.

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Global Youth Service Day (April 23-25, 2010)

April 23, 2010 by newinthekitchen

Today marks day 1 of the Global Youth Service Day project. I’m really excited about it!  Although I am not involved I do think that it is important for people of all ages to volunteer and give back to their communities.  Here are some great websites for finding volunteer opportunities in your town:

- VolunteerSBC! – A site run in my hometown by United Way.

- Volunteer Match – This is a more national version of the site above.

- Idealist - A wonderful site for all types of service (volunteer opportunities, partnerships, Board positions, etc).

- California Volunteers – A cool site that acts as an information point for volunteer matching networks in California.

Get active and make a difference!

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Throw a Spice Swap Party!

April 14, 2010 by newinthekitchen

Use spices that you have never experimented with before by hosting a Spice Party! Have each guest (or couple) bring six small bags or jars with about 2-3 tablespoons of a spice in each. Instruct them to bring a spice that they have never used as well as a recipe that uses that spice.  Tell them that they can easily find recipes online that have their specific spice in it. Each couple is then able to go home and experiment with the new spice and the recipe which was brought to accompany it. For your part, as the host, you will use the spice and recipe that you provide to the guests as the meal for the party…giving guests a great chance to sample their first recipe and spice!!
The Food: Check out the Glossary of Herbs and Spices section to discover what spice you would like to use for your contribution to the party.  You may then choose to search online for a recipe that calls for that spice.
The Drinks: Red and white wines are very appropriate.  Always offer water, juice, and soda for designated drivers.
The Décor: Decorate depending on the type of dish you are making; for example, if the spice you decided to use is generally used in Indian dishes, decorate with bright colors, candles, and other Indian accents, or if you chose to make a French dish with your spice, decorate with mini Eiffel Towers, posters of France, etc.
The Fun:  This spice swap party is an excellent setting for a murder mystery game or “Clue” (both widely available at game stores or large discount stores), as people are already likely sitting around in a circle chatting about the spices and new recipes!
Use spices that you have never experimented with before by hosting a Spice Party! Have each guest (or couple) bring six small bags or jars with about 2-3 tablespoons of a spice in each. Instruct them to bring a spice that they have never used as well as a recipe that uses that spice. Tell them that they can easily find recipes online that have their specific spice in it. Each couple is then able to go home and experiment with the new spice and the recipe which was brought to accompany it. For your part, as the host, you will use the spice and recipe that you provide to the guests as the meal for the party…giving guests a great chance to sample their first recipe and spice!!
The Food: Check out the Glossary of Herbs and Spices to discover what spice you would like to use for your contribution to the party.  You may then choose to search online for a recipe that calls for that spice.  Make sure to let your guests know that they can check out New in the Kitchen for help too! :-)
The Drinks: Red and white wines are very appropriate.  Always offer water, juice, and soda for designated drivers.
The Décor: Decorate depending on the type of dish you are making; for example, if the spice you decided to use is generally used in Indian dishes, decorate with bright colors, candles, and other Indian accents, or if you chose to make a French dish with your spice, decorate with mini Eiffel Towers, posters of France, etc.
The Fun: This spice swap party is an excellent setting for a murder mystery game or “Clue” (both widely available at game stores or large discount stores), as people are already likely sitting around in a circle chatting about the spices and new recipes!

Posted in Entertaining | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

BBQ Salmon

April 2, 2010 by newinthekitchen

My dad used to teach cooking classes a lot at the local Adult Education campuses.  He taught this recipe often and one time I went and visited the class and got a great, free dinner out of it! Awesome! This salmon is fresh and tasty!  My dad’s recipe suggested adding lemon-dill butter to the top of each piece of fish for extra flavor. Here is my dad’s recipe:

  1. Fish is easiest to cook on a grill if you use fillets and you use a domed BBQ (like a Webber or Webber Gas Grill). Heat the BBQ to medium heat.
  2. Drizzle olive oil lightly over the fillet
  3. Add thin slices of lemon to the surface of the fish. Add fresh cracked pepper and sprigs of fresh dill, to taste.
  4. Place the filet on the grill and cover the BBQ so that you can simultaneously grill and bake the fish.  By cooking this way, you will not need to turn the fish over to cook it on the other side, which of course solves the biggest problem of cooking fish on a grill.
  5. Use large tongs to gently pull the fish apart to check if it is cooked to your taste.
  6. Remove the fish from the grill in large pieces with tongs by pulling the fish away from the skin. Serve and enjoy.

Posted in Meats & Fish | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Cyber Tuesday! – 3/30/2010 – Cool Kitchen Gadgets!

March 30, 2010 by newinthekitchen

Wow, I’ve been a bad blogger lately. You know I’ve been busy when I don’t even post a Friday Cocktail! Yikes!! Sorry about that peeps. Things are crazy right now. I’ve got our garage sale coming up, I’ve had a lingering migraine headache for several days, we had plans all weekend, I have a major event coming up at work (not to mention we are approaching summer, the busiest time of the year!!), etc. AAAH! :-) Anyway, here I am although probably only momentarily. I can’t wait until our garage sale is done and I don’t have to be thinking about what to give away, what to keep, what to sell, and what to trash anymore! Phew!

So I have seen a couple of REALLY COOL kitchen gadgets lately that I just had to share with you. I love seeing what is the latest and greatest in cooking gear. It’s some sort of weird obsession for me I guess. Ha!

1. Olivator – Ok, so I broke down and bought this gadget awhile back. It is so cool! I also bought a cherry/olive pitter because this handy tool does not pit your olives, it just stuffs them. If you love olives as much as I do and can imagine the endless possibilities of stuffed (delicious) olives…this is the kitchen tool for you!!!

2. Corn Stripper – Brilliant! I have definitely had my share of experiences cutting the kernels off of corn and them going all over the kitchen. Yuck!! This little gadget would completely solve that annoying issue. It’s going on my gadget wishlist! :-)

3. Apple Corer and Peeler – Ok, so this tool is really old school, but seeing it reminded me of how handy it is! There is nothing wrong with relying on the oldies-but-goodies that have come to be such reliable tools in the kitchen. An apple corer and peeler can make an apple pie extremely simple to make! That’s a good thing…maybe.

4. Muffin Top Pan – Another BRILLIANT invention! Everyone knows that the top of a muffin or cupcake is the best part! Now you don’t even have to bother making the bottom half of the muffin!! Amazing. :-)

5. Herb Chopper – My mom got me this for Christmas last year and I LOVE IT! Makes chopping a whole bunch of herbs a total breeze. I meant it.

Posted in Cyber Tuesdays!, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

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