By Request

I am not sure if I have included this recipe on this blog, but it is considered a favorite around here; so I would be remiss not to share it with you. 

How, you ask, does a recipe rise to the level of being prepared more than once?  I am not sure - but most of our favorites have some sort of heat and are usually inspired by Mexican flavors.  But, it is not about what makes a favorite so special.  It is more about recognizing them when they come along!  Drew is usually my gauge for this. 

So, imagine my pleasure that one of our favorites is also incredibly easy to prepare.  It is great for those nights when you just don't want to cook or you don't want something heavy.  We were at the grocery store the other day getting some items for the week, when Drew announced he was in the mood for Mexican Tuna Salad with a specific type of Doritos chip!  I think this is the first time Drew has actually requested dinner (he is really good natured about the food thing and usually eats what is placed in front of him without complaint)!  So, plans changed and we headed home to get started on dinner.

Ten minutes later we had this lovely meal:

Mexican Tuna Salad
2 containers of tuna in water (prefer albacore)
2-3 Tbsp. red onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. Serrano pepper, finely chopped (seeded, if necessary)
2 Tbsp.  cilantro, snipped
2-3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
Pepper to taste

Drain the tuna (if necessary, not necessary if you have pouches) and put in a medium size bowl.  Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.  Chill for a few minutes if you can.  Serve with a half avocado per person, with crackers, as a sandwich, or with Doritos (Drew recommends the ones in the purple bag). 

It doesn't get much easier than this!  The above measurements are best guesses, so feel free to adjust them to taste. 

Easy dinner, happy couple!

Cinco Salsa

After a long day of shopping for and working out with our new fitness equipment device, we were not so hungry for a big dinner.  So in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I threw together a few of my favorite ingredients for a salsa before the produce went bad and made some plates of nachos for us.  Oh, and Drew made some sort of adult beverage to go with dinner - and who said he wasn't festive?
Simple dinners are the best, in my opinion.  There is nothing like great fresh ingredients working together to bring about the most flavorful and enjoyable meals.  What is your go to "easy" dinner that makes all your tastebuds smile?

Sublime Sandwiches

We have been taking it easy around here in the way of meals.  I am not sure why.  There is a part of me that thinks you would not be interested to hear about the most recent kitchen adventure, but still I want to tell it for one simple reason...Turkey sublime.

We ventured out to Super Target the other day with a coupon and a short list of grocery items we needed.  When we got to the deli counter to order the ham needed for a previously reviewed recipe, we noticed a turkey they have seasonally.  It is cranberry orange roasted turkey.  Drew and I are averse to cranberry (for the most part) and Drew does not prefer citrusy foods.  Nonetheless, we asked the friendly and helpful deli man about the turkey and he gave us a sample of said deliciousness.  As you may have already figured out: it. was. wonderful.  We were really surprised (this is the second surprise food-like for Drew in the past week) and delighted.   We immediately ordered a half pound for Drew's sandwiches for lunch.

A couple of nights ago, I was feeling a little less than motivated to get in the kitchen and truly cook, so I suggested to Drew we have sandwiches with the turkey.  He (in the way of Elf) said, "YES!"  It was wonderful.  I added white cheddar and onion to mine and needed nothing else.  Drew had half turkey and cheddar (with mustard) and half salami and provolone (with mustard).  We threw some chips with it and viola: a wonderful, easy dinner - very fall too. 

So, I say to you, dear reader, run out to Super Target and purchase some of this Turkey because it is only available until the end of November.   *This is not a paid promotion of Super Target*

Risotto

Yesterday was a lazy day for the record books.  As such, I was sort of proud of myself for dragging myself from the self-imposed title of "keeper of the couch" to make dinner.  My ambition knew many bounds, however, and so you are not reading about last night's dinner until this morning. 
I do have much to say about last night's meal from PC Season's Best (past season): Sun-Dried Tomato and Suasage Risotto.  First, this is officially the first time I have either eaten or prepared risotto (so I have nothing to base my review upon).  Second, this being the inaugural risotto, I would have liked for the instructions to have been more clear.  I know what you are thinking.  "Risotto takes lots of time over the stove and is delicate in nature" (at least, so I have heard).  Well, food snobs of the world, this one was done in the covered baker in the microwave (and goodbye all foodie readers, forever).  The problem was that the instructions did not say to cover the baker.  I know this sounds like a no brainer, given the name of the baker, but it, I assure you, is not (there are some recipes that do not require the use of the cover).   Thus, the cooking time was extended by quite a lot of minutes until I took matters into my own hands and covered the baker.  Very quickly after that I had risotto of the consistency you see on tv and was pleased to finish the dish and serve it to my husband. 
The result: very good, surprisingly so.  I was kind of expecting Drew not to like it, but he did.  He was not a fan of the tomatoes, but he did say that if it had stewed tomatoes, it might be better (love the feedback from him!).  It was truly a comfort food dish and a great one for early fall.  I think I would try some modifications in the future, but I might be spoiled on making risotto in the microwave and likely will not do it the "proper way" for some time.  Thanks PC for a great dish, a little more clear on the instructions next time, ok? 
Remember how I said my ambition knew many bounds.  Another of those was picture taking.  Sorry, readers, you will just have to imagine what it looked like.  After all, I had a couch to hold down.

Friday is right for laziness

I feel like such a lazy bum.  It could be due to the fact I am trying very hard this week to begin new routines and new routines can be tiresome. Today, I did not do a whole lot of anything, but I knew dinner would be easy.  Every once in a while, it is good to not have to work for dinner.  Tonight was one of those nights.  I know I have piqued your interest.  We had carnitas with all the fixings. Yesterday, I went to a Mexican grocer (local) and bought dinner for tonight.  You might be wondering what would possess me to do this strange act.  Pssst...I have a secret...I am a mystery shopper.  Don't tell anyone, its top secret.  
Here is my official review:  If purchasing dinner from this store in the future, I would only buy the carnitas.  We were not fans of the beans and rice.  Their salsa is a little off (could have been the tomatoes).  The carnitas were good and flavorful, if a bit dry.  That said, I must also mention that better carnitas are to be had in this desert.  Oh, and pass on their dessert items.  I make an infinitely better (if I do say so myself) cheesecake and the chocolate cake was just "ehhh."    It sounds like I am not happy with tonight's dinner.  If that is the case, please understand I am thankful for having an easy FREE dinner and thankful in general.  Life is good...
As a side note, Drew just put on Big Joe Turner's Shake, Rattle, and Roll. I view this as a message from my husband to get in the kitchen and cook...soon!  Back tomorrow with actual cooking.