Onion Rings

 Here's our favorite onion ring recipe. 

It reminds us of our most favorite onion rings from 

Micheal's Restaurant back in the day.

Onion Rings
adapted from Sara Moulton

2  onions 
2 c buttermilk 
1 c flourSalt 
Pepper 
Chili powder 
Oil for frying

Slice  onions into 1/4-inch rings. Place in large bowl and cover with buttermilk. 
Season flour with salt, pepper, and chili powder. 
Dredge onion rings in seasoned flour. Dip again in buttermilk, then again in seasoned four.
Fry in batches, in 350 degree oil for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, giving them a flip.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with more salt. 
Let oil come back to temperature before frying next batch.

Rice Pudding

I haven't made rice pudding in years....I guess I forgot about it. 

But, I had a craving the other day and this totally satisfied it!

It was even preferred over Dairy Queen ;)

Rice Pudding

1 c rice or brown rice*

1 c cream

1 c milk

1-15 oz can coconut milk

1 tsp salt

1/4 c sugar

2 t vanilla

cinnamon

Combine all ingredients except the vanilla and cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil

lower to a simmer and stir occasionally until liquid is mostly absorbed (about 20 min)

remove from heat and stir in vanilla

garnish with cinnamon

tastes great warm or cold!

*cooking time will be longer with brown rice

Cold Pea Pods

 these are par-cooked pea pods that are seasoned with 

sesame seed oil and salt and pepper. 

that's it! 

very tasty. 

perfect for summertime!

 first you boil the pea pods until just tender...5-10 min. 

then shock them in ice water to stop the cooking.

 next, dry them on a towel and toss them with 2 tsp sesame oil and some salt and pepper.

yum!

Bloomin' Onion Bread

This is a tasty and fun appetizer or side dish to any meal. Can't go wrong with buttery, cheesy, onion bread!

Bloomin' Onion Bread
from The Girl Who Ate Everything

1 unsliced loaf sourdough bread

12-16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup finely diced green onion

2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the bread lengthwise and widthwise without cutting through the bottom crust. This can be a little tricky going the second way but the bread is very forgiving.

Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Insert cheese slices between cuts. Combine butter, onion, and poppy seeds. Drizzle over bread. Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Unwrap the bread and bake 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.

French Fries

Here's an easy recipe. It just takes a little time. But worth it!

French Fries

potatoes
oil
salt


cut potatoes into desired shape.
soak 1/2 hour in cold water.
heat oil in sauce pan to 325 degrees. oil should be 1" - 1 1/2" deep.
dry potatoes and place into oil for 5-7 minutes. don't overcrowd. can be done in batches.
remove to paper towel-lined tray.
Once all potatoes are fried, heat oil to 350 degrees.
re-fry fries for an additional 2 minutes until golden brown.
remove to paper towel-lined tray and season with salt.
Enjoy!

Mango Salsa

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!
In honor of my Spanish heritage (my Norwegian grandpa's name was Carlos), I thought I would post this yummy mango salsa recipe that I found over here at Good Things Catered. She has a lovely food blog that I enjoy perusing.

Mango Salsa
adapted from Good Things Catered

2 large ripened mangoes, peeled and flesh cut into 1/2 inch dice
1 small jalapeno, seeded and diced extra fine
1/2 medium red onion, diced fine
1 tomato diced
juice of 1 lime
1/4 c cilantro, chopped
sea salt

Spring Salad

I've got Spring Fever! I've been using my indoor grill pan a lot lately because I miss grilling. I miss 75 degrees. I miss flip-flops. I miss kids playing in the water. Anyway, to trick me into thinking it actually was Spring I made hot dogs on the indoor grill and this Spring Salad. The dressing on this is really good! It would be great on a lettuce salad as well.

Spring Salad
1 box pasta (bowties, shells, anything fun)
3/4 c chopped carrots
3/4 c chopped radishes
1 cucumber, chopped
1/4 c green pepper, chopped
3/4 c red pepper, chopped
1/2 c celery, chopped
1/4 c yellow onion, chopped

Cook noodles, drain, and rinse in cold water.
Add chopped veggies.
Add dressing.

dressing:
3/4 c sugar
1 c oil
1/2 c vinegar
1 t salt
1/2 t celery seed
1 t dry mustard

Mix in blender. Add to salad. Chill.