- 2 1/2 c roasted pumpkin puree
- 1 14 3/4 ounce can low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 2 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 - 2 1/2 t curry powder (to taste)
- salt to taste
- fried jalapeno chips
- sour cream
- herbed croutons
Its what a blogger does when he isn't blogging
The inspiration for this recipe came from an old Gordon Ramsay show. Being in SE Texas I didn't have access to the variety of chili's he used but found a red jalapeno pepper to be the right substitution for the fresno chili. The jalapeno when red is sweeter and not as hot as the green ones that hadn't fully ripened.
Ditto my elation in finding fresh frozen mussel's at the local grocery store. Already shucked and only need a few minutes of simmering to cook through. Serve with a crusty baguette to sop up the broth and you are eating well. You can use fresh mussels if get them, just cook until all have opened (and discard those that don't open).
Another substitution you can use is if you can't find creme fraiche you can use equal amounts of sour cream.
Spiced Mussels
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Some days I just have to say...DAMN I'M GOOD and be done with it. By now you know I love the Gooey Butter Cake, but this guy just can't do vanilla. This is an amazing slice of happiness. Hit you in the face with lemon flavor but not so lemony as to be acidic.
Swapping out cake mixes for the bottom layer is easy enough. For the top layer, the gooey part it took a little of careful thought. I increased the powdered sugar part of this layer to counteract the extra bit of liquid in the form of lemon juice to amp up the flavor in this layer. Also adding to the flavor bomb is the generous use of lemon zest.
Lemon Gooey Butter Cake
What makes this Baja style. A few things, mainly its a close copy of the grilled Lobster I had in Puerto Nuevo, Mexico years ago. Its smoked pimenton (paprika) and ancho chili powder in a garlic butter basted with a squirt of lime juice before you flip them over. Say what...yes you briefly flip them over just to get a little grill line and finish them off before serving.
What's the aluminum foil log on the side? Thats another element of making it Baja style. My first exposure it was grilled over a bed of mesquite coals. To add that element to your gas grill take a sheet of foil, layer about a cup or so of mesquite chips, fold it up into a tight package and then puncture a few holes in it to let the smoke out. Place the packet over a burner kept on high to get it smoking. Et voila...mesquite smoke on a gas grill.
I'd be remiss in letting you think I broke the bank for 6 lobster tails to celebrate my daughter and her families visit for the 4th (and Hurricane Beryl). I have a source for wholesale priced seafood that can't be beat. It's Here Ya Geaux Live Crawfish and Seafood here in League City TX. They serve the bordering communities and will be expanding as they grow their clientele. Crawfish may be a specialty but they have other excellent seafood choices that are uber affordable. If you're in my area definitely check them out.
Baja Style Grilled Lobster
Man oh man has it been a busy few months. And nothing changes other than my daughter Kari and her family are coming for a visit. That means a little extra baking making treats they all adore. For Kari it's an old family treat we've been making since the 80's - Peanut Butter Buster Bars. As the name implies its got a whole jar of peanut butter in it and is topped with chocolate layer on top.
Here's a handy tips for you. USE YOUR MICROWAVE. Yes, it does more than just reheat leftovers and pop Popcorn. In this instance it makes perfectly tempered chocolate topping and makes for a pourable peanut butter when needed. I live by my MO for lots of cooking tasks.
Peanut butter matters. Use a commercially available creamy peanut butter. Don't use those natural varieties as the oil separates and will ruin your batch. I use JIF, but any major brand or store label will work.
There are probably dozens of variations on this recipe, and probably as many names. Our family version came from our neighbor in Las Vegas, Delores Smith. It is among the stupid easy treats you can whip up in a flash.
Peanut Butter Buster Bars
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