Date Night Recipes

 

Date Night Recipes

 

 

 

Jambalaya

 

 

This is a wonderful dinner for those cold nights.It is easy to make and I usually start with a box of Jambalaya mix and add a few other ingredients.Only takes about 30 minutes to be table ready.

I start the Jambalaya with the box mix because it is easier than trying to season to get it spicy so I let them do the hard work.I pour in the mix with a couple cups of water and let that start boiling.I will cut up the sausage into bit size pieces and put it into the mix.You can use any combination of sausage or sea food you would like.I will usually pick precooked sausage or cook it before I add it to the pot.I then add a can of diced tomatoes, green chilies, black beans and some diced peppers.If this sounds too spicy leave out the green chilies or if it needs more add some jalapenos.

When the Jambalaya comes to a boil you need to simmer it for about 15 minutes or until the rice is done.

 

Serve the Jambalaya with corn bread or crackers.

Enjoy

Mexican Layered Pizza

I started with a plain frozen pizza crust. You can make your own and bake them in the oven until golden brown if you would like. I put sauce on the crust, now I used some Vindaloo Simmer Sauce that had with peppers and garlic in it. I then poured some hot sauce or salsa on top. I seasoned well with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, cumin, garlic powder, onion power, paprika and some celery salt. I chopped a bunch of things to layer the pizza with first and will evenly divide them between the three layers.

I chopped black olives, cooked and sliced Peppered Jack Links sausage, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peppers and hot sweet peppers for the Mexican layered pizza. I also got ready black beans and green chilies from a can and cheese. When everything is ready I assembled the pizza.

Layer one is pizza crust, sauce, salsa, seasoning, black olives, black beans, green chilies, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peppers of any color, sausages and cheese on top of that. Any of these ingredients can be omitted or you can add any of your favorites.

Put another pizza crust on top and continue the process. Add all the ingredients above again and cheese.

Put another pizza crust on top and layer with all the items from above again.

Bake the Mexican layered Pizza on 370 Degrees for about 30 minutes or until crust is crispy, and everything hot and melted.

Take the Mexican Layered Pizza out of the oven and let cook. Carefully cut with a pizza cutter and enjoy. You can top with anything you like. We used sour cream and salsa.

Enjoy

 

Seasoned Beef Sandwich

This is a wonderful sandwich which is coupled with a the same ingredients as a Gyro sandwich except we used beef. We used a seasoned rub that made the beef taste amazing.

The rub is made from a combination of different spices. I used 3 TBS of Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, pepper, rosemary powder, celery salt, cumin and only 1 tsp of sriracha seasoning. I applied the rub liberally and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator overnight or if you don’t have time give it at least a few hours.

We grilled the seasoned beef until it was a little over rare done but you can cook it longer if you like. We let the beef rest for about 10 minutes after it came off the grill and cut it up running along the grain of the meat into strips.

I dressed the seasoned beef sandwich with cucumber sauce, cilantro, diced onions, feta cheese, and broccoli slaw.

Enjoy

Portobello Mushroom Burgers


This is a very easy recipe and the Portobello mushrooms were very juicy. Portobello Mushrooms can be a very low fat alternative for beef in this Hamburger.

 

I started by removing the stems and marinating the Portobello mushroom tops. I put some red wine vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning in a gallon zip lock bag. Any amount is fine but use more vinegar that oil and the juice of one lemon for two portobello mushroom tops. You can use any seasonings you like. I used garlic, onion powder, Salt, Pepper, pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, paprika, and some salt free seasoning. You can add or subtract any you like or dislike. These will marinate for about 20 minutes or more if you have the time.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees

I Sautéed diced red pepper and onions until they were cooked and then adding some red sauce and seasoning to a pan cooking until it was warm. I used garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, chopped cilantro and parsley.

I put the Portobello mushroom tops in a pan under side up. Poured the red sauce concoction into the top and baked in the oven for 30 minutes.

I shut the oven off and put a piece of Swiss cheese over the Portobello Mushroom Burgers and let it melt. When it was melted I put the bagel flat over the Portobello mushroom to heat it up.

Serve the Portobello Mushroom Burgers with Mayo, Lettuce, tomato and the condiments you love. This burger is very diet friendly and taste amazing.

Enjoy

Taco cups

Spray a muffin tin with non stick spray any kind will work.  Form in the muffin tin won ton wraps.  Fill with all taco ingredients you like.

 In my taco cups I use ground beef, black beans, black olives, tomatoes, and cheese on top but any of these can be substituted with your favorite taco ingredients.

If meat is not for you use black beans and re-fried beans. It usually depends on what I have in the house.  These can be made with leftover so just be creative.  I love cheese so I will use more cheese that anything else but if dairy is not for you just use the ingredients you like.

You will bake on 350 for about 20 minutes until won ton is crispy.   The taco cups will bake at different times depending on your oven so just keep an eye on it until you have made a batch.

Let cool and top with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream and salsa.  My salsa recipe is on the blog too, just search salsa.  Refrigerate any left overs for lunch the next day.

Enjoy

Easy Enchilada Bake

First you will need to figure out what kind of meat will be in your Enchiladas.  Whatever you have on hand will work and if you have no meat items just make the vegetarian kind.  Either way they will be fantastic.   So, first order of business is cooking the meat product if it is not already cooked.  You can use ground beef, chicken, shredded beef, or seafood.  This is a great time to use leftover meat from another dish or canned chicken will work too.

Cook meat according to package directions and you can add anything you want to the meat while it is cooking (peppers, onions, seasoning, or any vegetable you like).    Set aside when it is fully cooked. 

You will need a baking dish and how big is up to you.  (9x9 will work for 1-3 people and a 9x12 for up to 8 people)  These are all just a suggestion if you like leftovers just go with big baking dish.

Get out all your ingredients out that you will be using. 

Examples of layering ingredients are below:

Cheese, black olives, onions, black beans, refried beans, peppers, corn, tortilla, tomatoes, green chilies,  jalapenos, cheese sauce if you like, red or green sauce of your choice( I use enchilada and verde sauce), and whatever other items you would put on your tacos.

1.        Put some sauce in the bottom of a pan to just cover the bottom then a layer of tortillas (1-3 will work depending on the size baking dish you use).

2.       Layer meat over the tortillas and any of the ingredients you pick but only use half this layer.   Add sauce and cheese.

3.       Then start over with another layer of tortillas along with the second half of the ingredients you selected. 

4.       The last Enchilada layer is just tortillas with sauce and chees over the top.  

Bake in oven for about 40 minutes on 350 or 375 depending on your oven, until it has been bubbling for about 20 minutes.  Everything is cooked in it so it just needs to be heated through.

Take out and let sit for about 10 minutes before you serve so the liquid can evaporate off. 

Enjoy

Super Spicy Bloody Mary

This is a great recipe and takes only a few items.  You can make as spicy as you want and either add vodka or not. 

I start mine with a short glass but you can use a tall one if you like.

The items you will need for sure are tomato juice of any kind and celery salt.  Two must haves of a good Bloody Mary, everything else is optional.

If you want salt on the rim of your glass.  Get the rim wet and dunk into course salt.  I skipped that step because I am trying to watch my salt intake.

Put in a few ice cubes and put in tomato juice to about 1/3 of the glass.  I use a super spicy mix of tomato juice.  You don’t have to use expensive Bloody Mary Mixes.  You can use any kind you have on hand. 

I then put a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce, tabasco sauce and hot sauce.   More if you like super spicy Bloody Mary or omit if you don’t.

Now for those of us over 21 you can add a shot or pour of any flavor vodka that might go with tomato.  (Bacon flavored vodka works well)

I put a few sprinkles of celery salt then add more tomato juice and another layer of spicy stuff if you want.

Stir and add olives, cheese sticks, beef sticks, pickles or celery.  Then a dash of celery salt on top of the ice.

 I will add olive juice too if I have olives on hand. 

You don’t have to wait till you have all ingredients to make this Super Spicy Bloody Mary drink just use what you have in the refrigerator. 

Enjoy

Tuna Fish Cakes

I started with two cans of tuna in a large bowl but it is fine to just half the recipe for just one.

I diced up very small celery, yellow pepper, onion, and one whole jalapeno (about 1/2 cup total). Add this to the tuna and stir. Next add 2 eggs, sriracha sauce to taste (leave it out if you don't like hot and spicy), finely shredded cheese (whatever amount you want), whatever seasoning you like and then bread crumbs or some other crumble mixture. (crackers, pretzels, bread crumbs, or crumbled potato chips) I used seasoned stuffing that I finely ground in the food processor. Use enough to make the patties stick together. They will be kind of crumbly but squeeze them together good. 

Heat a pan with a little oil or nonstick spray. Drop in when the pan is hot and cook on that side a few minutes. You can make then whatever size you want, small for an appetizer or large for dinner. Try not to play with them too much because they will fall apart. Flip very carefully and cook on the other side a few minutes. Shut off stove and sprinkle with cheese and let melt. I used mozzarella but you can use whatever you like or have on hand.

When the cheese is melted they are ready to eat.  Very quick meal with a very inexpensive high protein product.

Enjoy