Where the heck have I been??

I just found out that I still had this blog and I owe my followers big time for not posting in almost two years. Charge it to my head and not my heart. I have some big things coming along for Highly Flavored. I am so proud of my business and I think is my season to do better for all involved in my success and or failures. I am still willing and available to provide recipes or answering any cooking questions you may have. I need your feedback as well on things that I could possibly try different in this blog. This is short and sweet but know I love you guys and have missed you but I am back now!

My my my...I've been a terrible host

Hey you guys it has been a while since I posted but know it was not intentional. I've just been living life and eating amazing food. If there are any specific recipes you would like to see, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you all. Have a great day folks.

It won't be long....I'm coming back

Watch out friends and family the blog will start back the first of the year. Look out for fresh new blogs to keep you food savy.

It's about that time everybody!

Hey everyone....I know you think I am such a horrible blogger...lol The last time I posted an article was June but please believe me when I say I have been busier these last few months than I ever thought I could be.  A conversation with an old class mate from high school is what prompted me to begin writing this blog tonight.  I was just talking to Marina Gutierrez on Facebook the other night about making soup when it reminded me of the recent season change.  I often forget that to be the case living down south on the east coast in the Charleston SC metro area. The weather is far warmer longer than most places so it is easy for me to experience brief memory lapses in regards to the changing of seasons.  The South seems to breathe a collective sigh of relief when fall rolls around. There’s a welcomed reprieve from steamy summer days. The onset of football season. And the delicious aromas of hearty, cool-weather food pouring out of the oven.  

Fall is here. When fall begins, we take out our warm clothes and begin to crave heartier foods that are comforting and warm. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and it's the perfect time for some delicious fall recipes. There's nothing like a little comfort food to warm the body and soul-- taking the bite out of the forthcoming cold weather.   This time of year ideas are endless in regards to fall or harvest time recipes. There is no better eating season than the fall or autumn as it is also customarily referred to.  Autumn means pumpkins and squash, hearty stews, pot roasts, apples, tailgating and holiday cooking.  

The idea of making a big pot of soup was welcomed with the dip in temperature we have experienced the last few nights this week. I decided on making Cheese-steak Soup. This recipe was initiated by one I found by Aaron McCargo Jr.'s Big Daddy's House on Food Network. It was absolutely delicious and I will share that recipe with you guys today. I tweaked it of course...any real cook knows that you feel the recipe out as you go along. It is never exactly the way the recipe card reads...lol. I always add a pinch of this or a dab of that to make the recipe my own and have often completely revamped or recreated the recipe to make it more suitable to my family's  taste.  


I hope that you guys are all well and know that you are always in my thoughts no matter how busy I may appear.   My schedule remains packed and over flowing but know with certainty that regardless of what is going on in my life, there is and will be a pot on the stove in my house preparing a meal for my family. I cook from my heart and the love is in every heaping spoon full.  I cook because it keeps me connected to my roots and my history so to speak. It reminds me of my elders and ancestors whom so many have gone on before me. Cooking for me is equivalent to nourishment, growth, joy and family. It is also very cathartic because it brings about a calm that I have not been able to recreate in many attempts at other things.  Many of the best memories in my life have been centered around cooking or the kitchen therefore it is one of my favorite things to do and places to be.

I plan to get back into the swing of things with my blog writing because many people have told me how informative and helpful this blog has been for them. I hope that you all enjoy this Cheese-steak soup recipe. It is not very difficult and can be adjusted as you see fit. Please contact me with any suggestions of ideas for specific recipes. As always in parting I wish you delicious eating....so come on guys...Let's Eat!  

CHEESE-STEAK SOUP:
Ingredients:

4 lbs     New York Steak Thin Sliced

2          Large Onions Sliced

2          Large Green Bell Peppers

½ cup    Butter

4 cups    Heavy Whipping Cream

2½ cups Water

2 cups    Monterrey Jack Cheese

4 cups    Swiss Cheese

2 Tbsp    Steak Seasoning

1 Tbsp    Seasoning Salt

2 Tbsp    Fresh Parsley, chopped

2 Tbsp    Corn Starch

Directions:

In a large sauce pan on medium high heat, melt butter, add steak, onions, bell peppers, and seasonings, sauté until meat is browned and onions and peppers are tender.

Add 2 cups water, reserving 1/2 cup for later.

Simmer for 20 minutes, reduce heat to medium-low, and add heavy cream. Simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

Add Monterrey Jack cheese and 3 cups Swiss cheese, reserving 1 cup for topping.

Simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Mix 1/2 cup water with cornstarch, stir into soup for thickening.

Top with Swiss cheese when served.

HELPFUL TIPS:

For thicker soup add more corn starch if you don't have corn starch, flour will work. This soup is great served in bread bowls.

Feeling a little spicy!

I am sure you all have thought I ran away...lol I have been very busy with my catering business as well as being a mom and wife and all that those roles entail. I will try to do better to get back to you guys more regularly. I have been trying to keep most of my menus cool and light with the summer break finally here but with my family it can't always be that way. I am in the mood for something spicy and savory so these two recipes fit that bill quite nicely. I hope  you guys give them a try. Please let me know if there are any recipes or ideas for recipes you would like to see and I will gladly oblige. I hope all is well with everyone and you know that you are never far from my thoughts. As I always say in parting, Let's Eat!

Spicy Shrimp with Green Onions

INGREDIENTS:
16 ounces shrimp, shelled & deveined
white pepper (to taste)
cayenne pepper (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
2 ounces canola or peanut oil
1 teaspoon flour
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon Chinese chili paste
1/2 cup chopped green onion

DIRECTIONS:
Season shrimp with salt and all three peppers. Sprinkle flour over shrimp.

Heat wok, add oil, heat again over high heat till very hot. Add shrimp and quickly stir-fry 2 or 3 minutes or till shrimp turn pink and are done. 

Stir in oyster sauce and chili paste mixture and cook about 1 minute more. Add green onions and serve immediately.

Garlic Noodles:

INGREDIENTS:
3 teaspoons minced garlic
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 pound fresh Chinese noodle or vermicelli
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 Japanese cucumber or English cucumber
2 teaspoons chopped cilantro
***Cantonese Stir Fry Sauce***
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon chicken base powder (no MSG)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons shaohsing wine or sherry
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta. Rinse and cool down. Set aside. Toss in red chile flakes and cilantro.

Wash cucumber. Slice diagonally into 1/4" thick slices. Slice into strips. Set aside.

Heat wok thoroughly, add oil, then minced garlic. Stir fry briefly. Do not burn garlic or it will take on an acrid smell and taste. (If this happens, throw it out and start over.)

Add sugar and vinegar.

Add noodle to wok, stirring and tossing to mix until noodle is heated through.

Place on plates and surround with cucumber strips. 

Shredded Chicken Tacos Anyone......

I have always wanted to make shredded chicken tacos.  I finally decided to make them.  I was a little uncertain on how to make them, but after a little trial and error, I came up with a surefire method.  I boiled the chicken in the spices, shredded the chicken, returned it to the sauce and reduced.  Overall, the chicken was some of the best I have ever eaten.  I am not sure if my method is the proper way to make shredded chicken taco meat, but it was simple and delicious.

Shredded Chicken Tacos:

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

6 tbs taco seasoning, see recipe below

4 cups water, plus 4 tbs for thickening

1 tbs corn starch

12 flour tortillas or taco shells

cheese

lettuce, shredded

tomato, diced

sour cream

guacamole (optional)

Taco Seasoning:

3 tbs paprika

2 tbs chili powder

1 tbs sugar

1 tbs garlic powder

3 tsp salt

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp chipotle pepper ground, optional

 Cooking the Chicken

Place the chicken in a deep skillet or Dutch oven.  Cover with the 4 cups of water and add 4 tbs of taco seasoning.   Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn down the heat to a simmer.  Cover and cook for 30 minutes.  Check the chicken to make sure it is fully cooked and tender.  Remove the chicken from the liquid and place on a plate to cool.  While the chicken is cooling, bring the liquid back up to a boil and let it reduce.  Don’t worry if you have a lot of liquid left.  It will reduce.  When the chicken is touchable, shred it with two forks, your fingers, or whatever utensils you have lying around.  Place the chicken back into the liquid.  In a small bowl or cup, add the 4 tbs water, 2 tbs of seasoning and 1 tbs of cornstarch.  Mix thoroughly and then add to the chicken.  Stir until thickened.  Remove from the heat and your taco meat is ready to go.

Who you rooting for? .......

Hey guys it’s that time of the year again. This is what a foodie like me loves. Entertaining and eating good things…Yes Sir! My twins who will be turning 16 next week have always been huge fans of the Super Bowl and I can honestly say I do  not think they even pay much attention to the game...lol  They spend most of the year before thinking of new recipes we can try for the next years good eats. They are pretty traditional: spinach dip, buffalo wing balls, bacon wrapped jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese, wings of all flavors, seven layer dip and mini slider burgers.  So are you any of you hosting a Super Bowl Party this year? If so, offer your football fans plenty of good food to munch on while cheering for their favorite team. Place every seat in the house in front of your biggest T.V., then kick back and take part in one of America's favorite spectator sports---football and enjoy the Big Game!

Football fans are the most satisfying snackers to cook for. They love anything that's savory, easy to eat, and delicious. You can make them even happier by setting up this easy appetizer buffet and then just standing back!  Junk food is required at a party like this one. By junk food, I mean those delicious, crunchy, fat-laden recipes that everyone loves and almost no one serves anymore. Watching great football games is a definite excuse to break any diet and enjoy yourself! And the guys probably don't care about a diet anyway.

Whether you are throwing a Super Bowl party, or you are watching the game with your family, the snacks are almost as important as the game itself. For the big game, provide easy-to-eat foods that don't require anyone to look up from the television. Dips, chicken and finger foods make delicious snacks, especially when paired with a great football game.





 Chips and Dips

Spice it up a bit by having several platters with different dips in the center. Try trays with guacamole, cheese, salsa, chili-cheese, salsa, and bean dip. These classic snacks are easy to make and serve. Make a tasty Tex-Mex dip by layering re-fried beans, guacamole, salsa and cheese together. Serve the dip on a platter with tortilla chips. Try making a warm spinach artichoke dip with cheese, cayenne pepper and breadcrumbs that is baked until bubbling. Serve this dip in a bowl with crackers or toast. You could also make a trio of dips for potato chips. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, chopped scallions and powdered ranch dressing mix together for a creamy French onion dip. Combine sour cream, cottage cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and salsa to create a spicy cheese dip. End the trio of dips with a crab dip. Mix canned crab meat, cream cheese; green onions, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl, then serve.

Chicken

Chicken wings and drumsticks are easy to eat with your fingers. There are a wide variety of recipes available, and most would work well for the Super Bowl. For a traditional chicken wing snack, make Buffalo wings by marinating chicken wings in hot sauce then broiling them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve your hot wings on a platter with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. Make an Asian style chicken snack by placing chicken breast strips marinated in soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil on skewers. Broil the chicken skewers for 10 to 15 minutes and serve with a dipping sauce made from honey, soy sauce and chili oil. You could also make classic barbecue wings by broiling chicken wings and coating them with a barbecue sauce of your choice.

Quick Finger Foods

Other snacks that can be eaten with your fingers are a great way to round off your Super Bowl menu. Try baked potato skins loaded with melted cheese, sour cream and crispy bacon crumbles. Make quesadillas with melted cheese, shredded chicken and spicy jalapenos inside two crispy tortillas. Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with sour cream. Cut frozen puff pastry into strips and wrap chunks of Italian sausage inside. Bake the wraps in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the sausage is cooked through. Buy frozen cooked shrimp and thaw them in the fridge. Make a cocktail sauce by combining ketchup and horseradish and serve the shrimp with the sauce.

Super Bowl Sandwiches 

A Super Bowl sandwich is much more than a “finger sandwich.” You do not want to serve tiny sandwiches to a group of football fans. Try getting loaves of French bread split in half. Fill them with different meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, dressings, etc. Have some super sandwiches filled to the max and have some more “plain” style sandwiches for those who are a little bit pickier. You want to be sure to have something for everyone.

Flavored Popcorn 

 Have different flavored popcorn bowls available. There are many different flavors to choose from, such as: cheese, caramel, or butter. Popcorn can be purchased already popped, or you can choose to make it yourself and add in the powered cheese or toppings found at your local grocery store.

Cheese Balls 

 Cheese balls are delicious and can have a variety of flavors added. Try a few different recipes that can include chipped beef, ham, onions, green peppers, etc. Serve with a few different types of crackers.

Cocktail Franks in Sauce and Mini Meatballs 

 These pretty much speak for themselves. They are an excellent snack to fill up your guests without feeding them a full coarse meal.

Chili 

This is an excellent dish that is easy to make and most everyone will love. Serve up with some toppings, such as cheese, onions, soup crackers, etc.

Pizza Bites 

 Have all types of pizza bites. These are fun for kids and adults.

 Burgers and Hot dogs

Consider making up some hamburgers and hot dogs ahead of time to warm up and serve during half time. Throw in some baked beans and chips and you will have a meal that will get the guests through the next half of the game.

Sweet Treats

Sweets are fun to have, as well. Here are some Super Bowl sweets to include at your Super Bowl party: football cake, football cupcakes, football cookies, ice cream with all the toppings. You could also try this scrumptious Super Bowl sweet:

Butter Tortilla Shells 

A different recipe to try for tortilla chips is butter tortilla shells sprinkled with a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar. Cut them into wedges and bake in the oven until the edges are brown. An icing glazed dip is excellent for this scrumptious Super Bowl snack.

Drinks

Don’t forget the drinks. Beer is a popular drink for a Super Bowl party. Be sure to have punch, soda, tea, or lemonade for those who do not drink alcohol. Your Super Bowl party will be a success no matter what type of snack you choose. Just be sure to take into consideration the different preferences of your guests. Try to have a full range of flavors and types to choose from and everyone will be cheering at your Super Bowl party.

Well folks these are my suggestions and I hope you find something that your family and friends love and try not to overdo it too much this week. As always in parting I say “Let’s Eat”!