Becky's Picks: a George

Mine goes by George. Just George. And since we bought a new, updated George with removable grill plates, he shall now be known as ILOVEYOUGEORGE!

Oh, and he's not just good with meat. He's a master with summer squash rubbed in olive oil, fresh rosemary, coarse salt and fresh cracked black pepper.

My rating: 5/5 stars

P.S. Michael loves Georges too. We so "get" each other.

Print Page

Becky's Picks: Paradise Island French Toast

The latest Wickstrom obsession may be a result of watching too many episodes of this. And now I'm craving Paradise Island French Toast every. single. day.

Coconut crusted challah bread with pan-fried bananas, pecans, caramel, raspberry sauce and powdered sugar (drizzled with syrup)

Do yourself a favor -- visit a Silver Diner ASAP and order yourself a plate of heaven. Or buy the ingredients and whip up the miracle in your own kitchen. Then call and invite me for dinner.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

Print Page

Becky's Picks: Homemade Girl Scout Cookies

'Tis the season for Girl Scout Cookies and I'll be honest, I crave the fudgy mintiness of Thin Mints all year long. (Or somoas. If you're feeling suicidal, reading the calorie content on the box = instant cardiac arrest -- just sayin').

This year I found something even more wonderful than Girl Scout cookies.

HOMEMADE GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!
Chris (begrudgingly) helped me whip up Samoas and Tagalongs on Monday night. If you want to win friends and influence people, these recipes are your best bets.

My rating: 5/5 stars

Recipes here and here.

(Bookmark the Web site, it's a fantastic one-stop-shop for baking ideas, inspiration and recipes.)

Print Page

state secrets

The following information is SECRET! I can't believe I'm sharing. But then I love you and I know you'll love this, so, yes, I'm divulging.

Next time you visit my house and I whip up some deliciousness for you, no complaining about how you made the same meal last night. I expect the usual barrage of compliments and gushing. And shoes. Shoes would be good. Or diamonds?

Becky's (formerly) Secret Recipes
Enjoy (and don't blame me if you become addicted)!

Breakfast Souffle (yields 4 servings)
Butter, for ramekins
Coarse salt
1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli florets
6 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese or any cheese you like

Preheat oven to 350 degrees;. Butter four 8-ounce ramekins (or a 9-inch pie dish); set aside. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli; cook 1 minute. Drain well; transfer to a cutting board, and blot dry with paper towels. Chop coarsely.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and nutmeg. Stir in broccoli and cheese.

Ladle broccoli mixture into ramekins, dividing evenly. Place ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.



Cafe Rio Salads (yields 4 servings)
Cilantro Lime Rice
1 cup brown rice
2 Tbsp. chicken broth, + broth to replace water for cooking rice (use recommended amount on package)
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. dried minced onion
Pinch of salt

Add all ingredients to rice and cook according to package. When done, add the following:

1 cup fresh chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 cup green enchilada sauce

Black Beans (if you love black beans, double this recipe)
1 can black beans
1/3 cup tomato juice or V8
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin
2 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

Heat oil, cumin and garlic. Add all ingredients until warm through (I throw in the cilantro at the very last minute).

Pork
3 lb. Pork roast (butt or shoulder)
1 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. powdered ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. dried minced onions

Simmer all ingredients in a crock pot on low for 8 hours. One hour before serving, remove and shred roast; discard cooking juices. Replace shredded pork in crock pot and add the following ingredients:

1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup red enchilada sauce

Creamy Tomatillo Dressing
Place the following in a blender:
3 tomatillos, peeled and cut in quarters
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1 pkg. dry buttermilk ranch dressing
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 green onions, with ends
2 cloves crushed garlic
3 tsp. sugar
1 jalapeno, sliced thin and added to taste

Mix well, refrigerate for one hour.

Salad Assembly
Melt cheese on soft, burrito-sized flour tortillas (until melted, not crispy). Place tortilla in the bottom of a shallow bowl (click here to see my special Cafe Rio dishes). Pile rice, beans and pork into shell. Top with lettuce (I like mixed greens). Sprinkle with queso fresco and garnish with crispy tortilla strips, salsa, guacamole and a lime wedge. Drizzle with dressing (and reserve some dressing for dipping the tortilla shell when you're done with your salad).