Mexican Hot Chocolate

Well, fellow Southerners, The Polar Vortex is upon us. Or what the rest of the world knows simply as winter.

While my dentist tells me he “doesn’t believe in global warning and all that hippie crap,” he sure does believe that it’s “cold as a witch’s t*tty” right now, and I would have to agree. About the cold; Not about choosing to ignore science.

In honor of my dentist, here’s a drink that’s the liquid equivalent of a cavity. It’s hot, spicy, strong and chocolate, much like my girl Sophia from Orange Is The New Black. Let this keep you warm until she returns.

(Which will be “sometime in 2014.” Netflix, you are a flippity trick but I. LUV. U.)

Disclosure: The non-boozy version of this drink was originally published in Southern Living, but according to our bylaws, we cannot publish beverages that do not have an alcoholic option, thus the hooch.

3 cups milk
1 cinnamon stick
3 tbps unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 (3.5-oz.) chili chocolate bar, chopped
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 shot Kahlua or Bailey’s per mug
1 cup heavy cream (optional)
1 tbsp powdered sugar (optional)

1. Mix everything but booze and cream and cook over low heat until chocolate is melted.
2. Mix heavy cream and powdered sugar in a separate bowl and whip (ideally with a stick blender because it is so much easier and you don’t want to get The Carpal Tunnel).
3. Pour hot chocolate into glasses, add liquor and garnish with cream and a cinnamon stick.

Tom Yum Soup & Shrimp Stock

I was cleaning up the ole WordPress today and ran across this dusty draft in my backlog. How it is possible to forget such a yummy recipe – especially one that involves not one but two types of soup – is beyond me. Let’s remedy that, shall we?

templeofthai.com

This is 2-for-1 in that it is The Chef’s recipe for both Shrimp Stock and Tom Yum Soup. Usually, if you don’t have the time or patience to make your stock, you can buy it; but the ingredient list on this sucker makes me think you should go traditional or go home.

And I’d wager that the flavor will be well worth it. Tom Yum is spicy, brothy Asian goodness, and the longer it simmers and permeates your house, the better it will be when you finally slurp it down.

Shrimp Stock:
1 tablespoon of olive oil
shells from 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (shrimp reserved)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
stems of 1 lb shiitake shrooms
2 lemongrass stalks, rough chopped
3 inch piece of ginger, rough chopped
2 celery stalks, rough chopped
1 onion, rough chopped
2 tsp of tomato paste
1/2 cup rice wine (mirin)
enough water to cover

1. Add oil to stock pot. Add shrimp shells and cook them until pink.
2. Add the rice wine.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and enough water to cover.  Simmer for about 45 minutes. Strain.

Tom Yum Soup:
1 tbsp peanut oil
1.5 lbs shrimp
2 tsp sesame oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch piece of ginger, chopped*
2 lemongrass stalks, chopped*
3 Thai chilies*
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
2 celery stalks, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch slices
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp Thai fish sauce
1 lb mushrooms, sliced
8 cups shrimp stock
2 cups cilantro, no stems
1 lime, cut into quarters for garnish
cilantro for garnish

1. Heat large pot over medium heat. Add peanut oil. Then add garlic, chiles, ginger, lemongrass, onions, celery, sesame oil, and chili powder.  Saute, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add shrimp, mushrooms, and stock. Cook for about 15 minutes.
3. Add fish sauce and cilantro.
4. *Remove lemongrass, ginger, and Thai chilies.
5. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs. Add soy sauce if you need salt.

The Chef warns that you will definitely have leftover stock, so freeze it for next time, and your Tom will be Yum in no time.

Barrett’s Black Bean Cakes

The Chef sent me this recipe months ago, and it stalled out in my Inbox because black beans – or beans of any kind, really – often bore the crap out of me.

mensfitness.com

But the more I started looking at it, the more intrigued I became. The Mexican seasonings, the chorizo, and the suggestion that you serve it alongside quail – arguably the most adorable and delectable of tiny game birds – finally changed my mind.

The Chef also mentioned this is one of his favorite recipes from the CIA Cookbook, and whether that means “Central Intelligence Agency” or “Culinary Institute of America” to you, it’s pretty badass either way.

1 lb dried black beans
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup chorizo sausage
2/3 cup yellow onion, diced medium
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, and minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cornmeal

1. Soak bean overnight in enough cold water to cover them by 3 inches.
2. Drain beans, place in a pot, and add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until beans are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain.
3. Cook the chorizo over medium heat in a saute pan until the fat is rendered and the chorizo is slightly crispy.  Add onions, garlic and jalapeno, and saute until golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Add the cumin and chili powder and saute until fragrant. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.
5. Combine beans, chorizo mixture, egg, cilantro, lime juice and salt.  Mix well, mashing some of the beans to help keep the cake together.
6. Form the mixture into 16 cakes, about 2 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Dust the cakes lightly with cornmeal.
7. Preheat nonstick skillet to medium heat. Cook the cakes until heat through, about 4 to 6 minutes.  The Chef says you’re gonna have to work in batches here, so be prepared to move quickly.

Serve these immediately (because these suckers are best hot), preferably with grilled quail and Coffee BBQ Sauce.

Veggie Beef Soup

kitchendaily.com

The first official day of fall has come and gone, and that means it’s legitimately time for soup again! And I no longer have to put up with judgmental looks when I ask what the soup of the day while sitting on a patio in July.

As it is now October, I’ve clearly already made chili (cheese dogs) in celebration of the season, but this week I decided to turn my attention to things more healthy.

This recipe is similar to Mama Dunny’s oft-praised Veggie Beef Soup, and it is certainly not lacking in the ingredient department. Luckily most of these ingredients can be bought already prepped, so you get to stand and stir and taste and season without having to chop ’til your fingers fall off.

And believe it or not, the addition of Zing Zang here is not just a reflection of my inability to wait until Saturday morning to make myself a bloody. It actually adds great flavor and seasoning. Give it a slurp and see what I mean.

thecheapgourmet.com

2 boxes beef broth
1 beef brisket (2.5 lbs or so), cut into 8 pieces
1 large can tomato sauce
2 cups Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix
1 onion
1 package mushrooms, sliced
2 carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 potato, chopped (or parsnip if you’re feeling experimental)
2 cups cabbage, chopped (crunchy goodness)
1 bag frozen peas, carrots, corn, and lima & green beans
1 can diced tomatoes + juice (any non-Rotel variety)
1.5 cups mini farfalle pasta
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
hot sauce & Tony’s & Cavender’s to taste (natch)

1. Place brisket in large dutch oven. Cover with beef broth, tomato sauce, and Zing Zang. Add spices.
2. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer. Cook on low for at least 3 hours (the longer and lower the better, but you just have to cook it until the brisket starts to pull apart).
3. Once the brisket is tender, remove it from the broth and let cool. Pull apart.
4. Turn the broth up to a boil and add the veggies. [Start with carrots and potatoes (which will take longer) and work your way down to things that cook quickly like mushrooms. ] Turn down to a simmer.
5. Add beef and uncooked pasta. Simmer until pasta is cooked through. Add more broth if necessary.*
6. TASTE and SEASON. This is a big ole mess ‘o soup (because why would make any other amount?), and that will require a LOT of seasoning. My measurements are always estimates, so use your own judgment. Nothing is more disappointing than bland broth.
7. Serve with Saltines. Because some things Grandma did you cannot argue with.

*Do not be afraid to add more broth (and subsequently more seasoning) as you go along. All these veggies will suck up that moisture, and the broth is so delish that you’ll want more of it.

Breakfast Potatoes

This is a super simple breakfast potato recipe.  I don’t really have measurements because this is all by taste and what I have in the fridge or pantry. It takes no time at all, incredibly easy and is the perfect hangover cure.  I highly recommend topping with an egg over easy and using lots of hot sauce.  – ts

5-6 small potatoes (any potatoes will do)
1 small red bell pepper chopped
½ large yellow onion chopped
seasoning (whatever you have on hand) options:

• fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
• dried oregano (make sure to squish dried oregano between your fingers to release the seasonings before using)
• cumin
• chili powder

1-2 scallions chopped green and white parts
2 cloves garlic minced
olive oil
salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste

1. Boil water, and then boil potatoes for about 8-10 minutes or until tender
2. Drain and let cool while you chop the bell pepper, onions, and garlic
3. Heat pan with olive oil, and then add garlic.  Let cook about 45 seconds or 1 minute, until fragrant.  Add peppers and onions and sauté for a few minutes.  Season the veggies with salt and pepper.
4. While peppers and onions cook, slice potatoes up to about ½ inch slices.  Add potatoes to pan along with all seasonings.  Cook for about 20 minutes.  Top with fresh scallions. Serve hot with hot sauce and fried egg over easy.

Mexican Corn ~ Cinco de Mayo 2K11: Part Dos

You had me at “chili powder and mayo.”

Claire has been talking up this recipe for some time now, and I have to say that Dr. Rhodes definitely earned her 9th degree or whatever with this suggestion.

We made this last night in honor of MexiMix 2K11, and even though we charred the corn a touch more than we might have desired, The Chef and Joe and I all got down on this in a very serious way. The richness of the cheese + the heat from the cayenne made this flat-out delectable. Muy Bueno.

4 ears fresh corn, shucked
mayo
chili powder
cayenne pepper
salt
parmesan cheese

1. Rub corn with a little bit of olive oil and wrap in foil.
2. Grill for 20 minutes or until tender. (You can also roast it as in yesterday’s recipe.)
3. Remove from foil and slather with mayo (sexy, no?) while still warm.
4. Sprinkle with chili powder, cayenne, salt and cheese to taste. Chow.

I went typically crazy with the cayenne last night, but I think that actually works to this recipe’s advantage, so don’t be skeered to get En Fuego.

I know. Overkill with the quasi-correct Spanish. Noted.

Shredded Chicken Tacos- Cinco de Mayo 2K11

NummyNumNum could obviously not survive without RipleyPickles and The Chef.  I cannot remember the last time I posted something, and most likely my posts were not missed.  I am back though!  In great news about my life that everyone should care about, Chef John and I are leaving NYC and heading back down to my favorite city in the states New Orleans.  Soon we are going to get real Cajun up in here.  My new goal in life is to get John Besh to do a celeb posting on our blog. Trust me I will make this happen. 
Today’s recipe is in honor of the upcoming best festival CINCO DE MAYO!  Clearly nummy LOVES all Mexican feasts regardless of a holiday, and I thought I would post a great shredded chicken taco recipe that is real simple and does not take all day to cook.   – ts

1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs
1 large white onion, peeled and quartered
5 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
2 bay leaves
Cumin
chili powder
1-2 chipotle pepper in sauce chopped (optional)
cilantro for garnish chopped
Salt and pepper to taste.

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and add water or stock to cover. Be generous with all seasonings.  You could even throw in a package of taco seasoning in the mix if you prefer.
2. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil, and skim any foam that comes to the surface. Partially cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until meat is very tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from liquid and cool.  Leave liquid in pan.
3. Shred meat with fingers. Add back to pan with liquid mix chicken with liquid to soak up more sauce.   Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.  Sprinkle with cilantro.

Black Bean Soup with Chipotle Cream

I already have 3 problems with this post: 1) I hate beans; 2) It’s officially 71 degrees outside and therefore way too conventionally “warm” to post a soup recipe; and 3) Every idiot I’ve run across recently cannot pronounce the word “Chipotle.” Let’s take these one by one, shall we?

First of all, I think beans are kind of pointless. Refry them and cover them in cheese and maybe we can talk, but for the most-part, I’ll pass.

That is, AHEM, until I had this soup. The Chef brought this home from work for me months ago, and I don’t know if it was my intense love of getting anything for free or the Chipotle Cream on top, but it was GREAT. As for my second point, I have pointed out that soup knows no season on several occasions, so you can take it down the street to another blog if you don’t like it.

And finally, the word is pronounced “Chi-poht-lay.” Yeah, I’m looking at you, Paula Deen, I love your wacky behind more than anyone, but “Chi-POLT-ay” just “ain’t rite,” to use your vernacular. You’re on the Food Network for goodness’ sakes. Get it together girl.

Black Bean Soup:
4 cups of dry black beans
2 yellow onions, diced
1 poblano pepper. diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
6 quarts of water
salt and black pepper to taste

1. Rinse black beans in cold water.
2. In a large pot, cook onions and peppers in olive oil until they become soft. Add the chili powder and cumin and stir until the onions are well coated.
3. Add the beans and water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for about an hour and a half. (While this is cooking, make the Chipotle Cream.)
4. Puree beans in their liquid until smooth. Thin down with additional water, if necessary.
5. Season to taste and top each bowl of soup with Chipotle Cream.

Chipotle Cream:
4 Chipotles in Adobo sauce
1/2 cup of sour cream
1/3 cup of mayo
juice of one lime
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp of cilantro

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or processor and puree until smooth. (I like to refrigerate this for the cold-hot dynamic you get when you top the soup with it, but it’s your prerogative lady, so do what you will.)

Fried Green Tomato Salad with Sweet Chili Dressing

Though spring is taking way too long to get here, we thought we’d tee up this spicy/sweet Southern treat for you so that you’ll be ready when the unparalleled Ripley tomatoes finally appear at your local farmers market. This is a great spin on classic FGT, and any self-respecting Southern lady simply must know how to fry one.

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On a related note, I would be remiss if I did not include a quote from the movie of the same name that Dunny so expertly worked into an e-mail the other day: “If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” Ouiser Boudreaux (and for that matter Sara Dunigan), you are a woman after my own heart.

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Fried Green Tomatoes

3 green tomatoes

1/2 cup AP flour, seasoned with salt and pepper

1/4 milk

2 beaten eggs

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/3 vegetable oil

1 tsp pf salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

large pinch of chili powder

mixed greens for salad
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1. Cut unpeeled tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices. Season both side with salt, pepper and chili powder and let sit while you prepare dressing.
2. Make dressing and prep the the breading bowls. You will need 3 bowls with the following:
   1. seasoned flour
   2. milk and eggs mixed and
   3. panko
3. Heat a large skillet with oil over medium high heat.
4. Dip tomato slices in flour, then egg/milk mixture, then panko.
5. Fry slices in skillet 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Dress and serve on top of salad greens.

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Sweet Chili Dressing

2 tbl bottled sweet chili sauce (The Chef likes Mae Ploy)

2 tbl ketchup

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp sesame oil

2 tbl sugar

2 tbl water

2 tbl lime juice

2 tsp chopped cilantro leaves
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1. Mix all ingredients together and dress those ‘maters.

Beer Chili

In a rare wave of optimism, I actually thought it was not going to be cold enough again this spring for us to post this, but once again, Mother Nature has decided to play dirty. Luckily this recipe includes two of my most favorite things, so I’ve decided to look at this as a positive.

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I believe this is another recipe The Chef stole from JR’s private stash, and judging by the comments we’ve received on his Brandy Mustard Filets, you should probably just go ahead and make this now.

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On a related note, watch yo’self when you ignite the brandy in that filet recipe. One Covington resident (who shall remain nameless) almost burned down his house with that step. And I think we’d all agree that Covington law enforcement and emergency services probably have their hands full as it is.

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2 lbs ground beef

1 large onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 poblano pepper, diced

2 -3 Red Stripe beers

2 packages chili seasoning

2 cans of rotel, 1 hot and 1 mild

1 30 oz can stewed tomatoes

3 bay leaves

1 can of kidney beans

1 tablespoon of sugar

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1. In a Dutch oven, brown beef and drain.
2. Return to heat and add onions and peppers. Cook about 15 mintues on medium heat.
3. Add tomatoes, beer, chili seasoning, rotel, and bay leaves.
4. Simmer for several hours.  (The longer you simmer, the better it will be.)
5. Rinse and drain kidney beans. Add right before seving.
6. Serve with Mexican Crema, cheddar cheese, and chopped green onions. Oh, and the rest of that Red Stripe. Just for good measure.