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I am a simple country girl who loves life and lives it to the fullest. I cook for one of the greatest families ever. Cooking is my passion and I consider it as well to be my gift.

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

HALIBUT TACOS

A friend recently shared his prime catch of halibut with us and were we ever so glad that he did. 
Halibut is a beautiful white meat fish with a delicious mild flavor. They can weigh as high as 600 pounds and one fillet can be as large as your front door. When purchasing halibut look for smaller cuts of the fish which have the best taste.
To prepare the tacos I fried the fish in a pan of oil after I had coated the fillets in a bowl of flour seasoned with salt and pepper. I then took a fork and flaked the halibut in to bite-sized pieces. Next, I sprayed a baking sheet with cooking spray and then placed 6 small flour tortillas over the pan, slightly overlapping them. Then I took a bottle of 'Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce' and squeezed a fine stream of it over all of the tortillas. The flaked fish got sprinkled over next and then dollops of 'Desert Pepper Trading Company' brand all natural corn, black bean and red pepper salsa (medium strength). My homemade tartar sauce went on next, followed by shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and shredded cheddar cheese.
I set the oven to broil then slid the sheet of tortillas underneath it and, watching it carefully, I proceeded to let them broil for about 5 minutes until the cheese was melted and the edges of the tortillas had browned. Our friends and neighbors helped us to polish them off in record time. All I really did was open up my refrigerator and just went by my best proverb~USE WHAT YOU GOT! Be sure and try this recipe, my husband told me he thought it was one of the best things that I had ever cooked to eat. Myself and my friends tended to agree with him. 
"I never met a Halibut Taco or any other taco that I did not like!"~Adele Forbes

Monday, May 14, 2012

GOOD TIME GRILLING

GOOD TIME GRILLING
By: Adele Forbes


AGAVE MARGARITAS
GRILLED HALIBUT with LEMON CAPER SAUCE
GRILLED CORN SALAD with LIME-N-HONEY DRESSING
ROCK SALT BAKED POTATOES
SPICY CHEESE LOAF
GUILT-FREE STRAWBERRY PIE


Summertime has come once again to our beautiful North Carolina mountains, and with it comes my favorite form of cooking~outdoor grilling. Carolina blue sky weather, wholesome food, and good friends are all you need to make it a day to remember. As soon as your guests begin to arrive, greet them with a refreshing margarita, upbeat music playing in the background, and the good times will surely roll over the occasion.


AGAVE MARGARITA


1/2 cup white tequila such as Patron or Blanco
1/4 cup agave syrup
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
kosher salt
lime slices


Place tequila, agave syrup and lime juice in a cocktail shaker over crushed ice and then shake it up baby! Pour into two lime and salt rimmed margarita glasses. Garnish with lime slices to serve.
Serves 2 


GRILLED HALIBUT with LEMON CAPER SAUCE


1 lb. fresh or frozen halibut fillets~1/2-inch thick
fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup capers
1/4 cup melted butter
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste


Place halibut fillets over a medium hot grill. Grill 3 to 4 minutes per side until done. Heat the lemon juice, capers and butter in a small pan until butter is melted. Season fillets with the salt and pepper, pour the sauce over fillets to serve. 


GRILLED CORN SALAD with LIME-N-HONEY DRESSING


2 ears fresh sweet corn
1 pint grape tomatoes (yellow ones if you can find them)
1 ripe avocado, peeled and cut in chunks
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro


Remove about three layers of the husks from the corn, leaving a thin layer of husks on the corn. Grill, turning as each side begins to turn brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool for a little while, then remove the husks. When cool, cut the corn off the cob, being sure to scrape the 'milk' from the cob as well. Add the tomatoes, avocado and cilantro, stir the mixture gently so as not to mash the avocado. Add the HONEY LIME DRESSING: 3 tablespoons fruity extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, juice of 1 lime, 1 clove minced garlic, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper. Allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow flavors to mingle and marry. You'll be glad you did.


ROCK SALT BAKED POTATOES


Brush melted butter (not margarine) all over washed baking potatoes. Place on a baking sheet and dust with ground rock salt with salt facing up. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until nicely done. Serve with your favorite toppings~cheese, sour cream, bacon, green onions, ect.


SPICY CHEESE LOAF


2 1/3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup warm (not hot) water
2 teaspoons dry yeast


Place ingredients in bread machine according to manufacturers directions. (I always put my wet ingredients in first and then the flour and the remaining ingredients.) 


GUILT-FREE STRAWBERRY PIE


1 small package sugar-free Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding
2 cups water
1 small package sugar-free Strawberry Jell-O
4 cups sliced strawberries
Fat-Free Cool Whip


In saucepan, stir together pudding mix and water, heat to boil. Remove from heat and immediately add the Jell-O. Stir until dissolved, set pan aside and allow to come to room temperature. Place sliced strawberries in the bottom of a deep dish pie plate. Pour cooled mixture over the strawberries. Refrigerate until well chilled. Top with Fat-Free Cool Whip to serve. Serves 8


"Grilling means good times, good friends, and hopefully, great food."~Bobby Flay