Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

I scored an unseasoned beef satay in the Bargain Bin at Safeway, and made this for lunch yesterday:

Beef Satay

I sprinkled the satay with smoked paprika, Johnny's Garlic Spread, and EVOO
Broiled 5 mins. per side = medium rare.

Peanut Sauce

Creamy Peanut Butter
Light Coconut Milk (Trader Joe's - .99!)
Red pepper flakes
EVOO
Lime juice

Whisk together well.

I also modified a wonderful salad from The Essential Pepin

Persian cucumber - tiny dice
Campari tomato - seeded and chopped*
Sweet white onion - tiny dice
Cider Vinegar
Garlic Tobasco sauce
EVOO
Pepper
Sea Salt
Several fresh mint leaves torn into small pieces
LOTS of dried dill

Mix and chill. VERY refreshing!!

I am SO glad you are following me on my "Gaustatory Voyage"!!

Have FUN today in spite of the RAIN.

Love,

MM

Enchilada Dip

Sounds Yumola to me:

8 oz. softened cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
1 can refried black beans*
1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles*
1 can chopped black olives*
1/2 package of dry enchilada mix
Any kind of hot sauce you want, and quantity desired
8 oz. shredded Mexican 4 cheese blend, or Southwestern*

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, beans, enchilada mix, olives, Rotel, and hot sauce together well. Spread mixture into 2 (8 in) pie pans or a large oblong pan, and cover with cheese. Bake 15-20 mins. til bubbly at 350. Serve with Frito Scoops*. Serves 8-12. This can be made ahead and frozen uncooked, but allow 10 more mins. in the oven.

Have FUN in the SUN today!!

Love,

MM

*Denotes my additions

Ham-Pineapple Loaf

This one is for YOU, Curt!! I have never seen ground ham, but you need 32 oz. for this recipe (this is another from the Out of this World cookbook - maybe it is a Southern thing). You could take a ham steak to the meat dept., and ask them to put it through the grinder.

4 cups ground ham
1 20 oz. can of sliced pineapple (in its own juice)
1/2 scant cup brown sugar
1 t. horseradish mustard (or yellow, if you prefer)
1/4 t. ground ginger
1 t. cider vinegar
2 eggs
3/4 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 T. catsup
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 300. Mix the bread crumbs, milk, ham, eggs, and catsup. Make 6-8 patties (the diameter of the pineapple rings). In a loaf pan, start with one pattie (on end), and alternate with pineapple slices - ending with a ham pattie. Bake for 30 mins. Make a spicy glaze with the brown sugar, mustard, ginger, and vinegar. Spread over ham loaf, and bake 1 hour longer, basting every 15 or 20 mins.

Here is a new feature to What's Cooking Today - the Editor's note: I added the ginger and horseradish mustard :).

Enjoy the beauty of this day, and get outside to have FUN!!

Love,

MM

Braised Cabbage

This is a simple but DELISH one for those lovers of cabbage out there (including me!):

A half a head of green cabbage cut into thin pieces
Butter (I use 2-3 T. depending on amt. of cabbage - you want it to completely cover the pan)
LOTS of freshly ground pepper
Sea salt

Melt butter over med. heat. Add cabbage, pepper and salt. Cover, and let cook for a few minutes to start softening the cabbage. Remove cover, and stir frequently til lightly browned on the edges. Add more butter if needed. ENJOY. I made this yesterday aft., and am still waggin' my tail over it!!

Happy Friday, and have FUN today.

Love,

MM

Revisited Chicken Divan

Here's a great comfort one:

A small head of broccoli cut into flowerettes (about 10 oz.)
2 cups rotisserie chicken cut into small pieces
Can of low sodium cream of chicken soup (condensed and undiluted)
Can of low sodium roasted garlic cream of mushroom soup (condensed and undiluted)
1 cup light mayo
1 t. lemon juice
1/2 t. curry powder
1/3 cup slivered and toasted almonds
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms slightly sauteed
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (or parmesan)
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 T. butter melted
1/4 cup sherry

Arrange broccoli in a lightly greased 2 qt. casserole or baking dish. Top with chicken, mushrooms, and slivered almonds. Combine soups, mayo, lemon juice, sherry, and curry powder. Stir well and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over all. Bake at 350 for 25-30 mins. or until bubbly. YUMOLA!! OBTW, you could substitue turkey or ham for the chicken.

Try to find some sunshine today.

Love,

MM

Chilled Green Bean Salad

1 16 oz. can French style green beans, drained (or fresh - blanched, or frozen - lightly steamed)
1 small sweet white onion finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup (or more depending on your liking) fire-roasted red pepper strips
1 small can sliced mushrooms, drained and rinsed
1/2 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup Canola oil
1/3 cup red wine, cider vinegar, or white balsamic (Trader Joe's)
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
5-6 dashes of hot sauce (optional)
Freshly ground pepper
1 t. fresh thyme (lemon is best) chopped

Combine liquids and seasonings; pour over veggies. Chill at least 2-3 hours or overnight.

I am going to make this for the next predicted sunny day to enjoy outside at my table in back amongst the TALL trees.

Have FUN despite the return of RAIN.

Love,

MM

Roasted Beets in Rosemary Vinegar

This one is for YOU, Peggy Perry:

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 T. chopped fresh rosemary
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 t. Herbs de Provence
3 medium fresh beets peeled and sliced into rounds

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients, then add beets. Marinate at least 20 mins. Preheat oven to 325. Lay foil on a baking sheet, then arrange beets in a single layer. Bake for about 25 mins. til fork tender. Check when you start to smell them.

Have FUN today!!

Love,

MM