Archive for the ‘Dinner’ Category

A Fresh Start

Posted by Candace on Friday, August 19th, 2011

I’ll admit… I lost my love of cooking over the past year or so.  We sold our old house about 2 years ago with the beautiful kitchen and have been renting a super cute 40′s style house in our dream neighborhood.  The kitchen in the rental home is lovely and updated, but quite small.  I find myself not using certain pans because they are in the back of a cabinet, under 5 other pans.  I also have half of my kitchen stuff in the garage, which is not exactly the best place to store it.

We’ve been taking our time and looking for our dream house in this neighborhood… and we finally found it, two blocks away from our rental home.  We bought the house and we’re currently creating my dream kitchen in this home.  Needless to say, I am giddy with happiness!  I will have much more space than I’ve ever had before and I’m splurging on an Induction cooktop.  This is MY version of Christian Louboutin shoes.

Anyway, all this kitchen planning has given me a burst of cooking creativity and I’ve been cooking much more lately.  I made these quick chicken kabobs last night that I wanted to share!

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August 19th, 2011 by Candace / Filed under Chicken, Dinner, Healthy Eating / 8 Critiques

Holy Moly Guacamole-y

Posted by Candace on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

I’ve had guac on the brain since I visited a popular Mexican Restaurant in Ft Lauderdale that had flavorless (but beautifully prepared and displayed) guacamole. I tweeted about the restaurant and how disappointing it was and through the wonderful world of Twitter, I was contacted by the owner.  He was truly interested in what I had to say and actually sent me a nice gift certificate to give it another try.  Thank you Rocco from Rocco’s Taco’s!

So that brings us to my guacamole, which is somewhat famous.  I’ve made it for many parties, dinners and just because it’s Tuesday and avocados are ripe.  When I received a lovely four pack of hot sauce from Cholula, the first thing I thought about was Mexican night!  So I made some chipotle marinated chicken tacos with corn salad and yes… guacamole!  If you haven’t tried Cholula’s sauces, you are missing out.  Flavorful and freakin hot.  Good stuff and great on tacos!  I especially like the smokey flavor of the Chipotle sauce. 
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April 12th, 2011 by Candace / Filed under Dinner / 9 Critiques

Chipotle Skirt Steak

Posted by Candace on Friday, September 3rd, 2010

No, this is not a recipe for anything at Chipotle Mexican Grill, which happens to be one of my favorite places to eat lunch.  When I first discovered Chipotle Mexican Grill I was hooked.  We had a problem… the closest one was 15 miles away.  So, being my proactive self, I wrote them a very nice email asking them if they plan to open a location in East Broward where we live.  I actually received a response that one was in the works.  So we waited patiently.  Then lo and behold, a brand new building was constructed just down the street from our Photo Studio.  Who should move in, but a CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL!  We went on opening day and I had my picture taken next to an enormous burrito… yeah, I’m a little embarrassed that I did that and admitted it to all of you.

FYI – A Chipotle is a smoke-dried jalapeno and I buy them canned in adobo sauce.  It is really really good stuff, but can be hot as magma.  So if you don’t like spicy food, just use a little of the chipotle, but if you like it hot, then use more! { Read the rest }

September 3rd, 2010 by Candace / Filed under Beef, Dinner / 4 Critiques

Hot Tamale

Posted by Candace on Thursday, May 6th, 2010

I’ll always remember my first tamale, and the dicey looking man I bought it from. I was living in Houston when this questionable looking man shows up at the back door of the fine dining restaurant I worked at with a cooler of hot tamales. The entire kitchen staff (including the snooty executive chef) happily bought tamales from the tamale man. Now, call me weird, but I have a serious problem buying food from random people who pull up in a truck. You will never see me on the side of the road purchasing food.  I just don’t do that.  However, I love food and I was intrigued.  So I figured if the snooty Belgian Executive Chef bought one, it must be good, right?  So I was brave and bought one.  Luckily, I didn’t end up in the emergency room with food poisoning, instead I developed my love for the tamale.

I used a spicy pulled beef filling, but tamales are also delicious with chicken or even veggie filling.  Just make sure you have plenty of time, as the preparation is quite time consuming.
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May 6th, 2010 by Candace / Filed under Beef, Dinner / 3 Critiques

Happy Thanksgiving???

Posted by Candace on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

So I did something weird.  I roasted a turkey.  On a random day.  In April.  Weird, right?  I could tell that the husband and pups were quite confused by the strong smell o’ roasted turkey in the house.  Well… the organic turkey breasts were on sale after Easter and I happen to have this thing for sales.  I did try a different recipe from my usual Thanksgiving brine.  I did a salt rub and LOVED it!  I remember last season (or was it the season before?) where magazines boldly declared that brines were out and rubs were in.  I’ve never been one to go with trends, so I still brined my Thanksgiving turkey, like I do every year.  I didn’t want to risk trying something new when I have company coming.  But since this was random turkey roasting, all bets were off! { Read the rest }

April 27th, 2010 by Candace / Filed under Dinner / 4 Critiques
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