Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil

It's been nearly a year and a half since I made this wonderful Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil, and since I wanted to pin this to Pinterest to my "pickles and jam" board, which needed more home canned goods, I thought it would be a good idea to post it again.
For the recipe; click on to the original source: Sun Dried Tomatoes in Herbed Olive Oil
I have to admit, I did make a very nice dinner a week ago, which consisted of a light salad from my dear friend Angie, @ Angie's Recipes

photo, courtesy from Angie's Recipes

I actually made this salad, along with bake haddock with a gratin topping, and shared it with a friend of mine. She wanted us to celebrate Prince's life...which I thought was a little odd...but, why not? I took photos of the salad, which was really very nice, but I'm my worst "self critic" and deleted the photos! The only thing that was different; is the sweet potatoes were served on the side, and the baby spinach I purchased also was mixed with baby arugula, which was just perfect. Thank you Angie, for your amazing recipe, as for all the others, especially the most beautiful breads that Angie bakes.

Yesterday, my daughter Lora and I went to Costco to get a few items...you cannot go to Costco, for less than $100. even if you shoot for $50. minimum which some people can...but it's almost impossible! She stocked up on cookies, juices, and popcorn for the kids' parties at the end of the year parties, and I requested a box of their superb croissants which is so, so, good! You can have them for breakfast, fill them with whatever you like. For lunch, I sliced some cold rotisserie chicken breast which I purchased at my local Publix supermarket, and topped it with coleslaw that I fixed from a already shredded cabbage in a bag, and mixed my honey mustard dressing!....so, so, yummy...(not photo of that, either)

I will be sharing some of my "thrift finds" with you, from yesterday! Since Goodwill is so close to my daughter's neighborhood in West Palm Beach, every time I go to Lora's house I have to stop at Goodwill to see what they have. Apparently, Mikasa, and Studio Nova are connected, which I did not know until now. What really is nice, that companies like that, and others donate discontinued items to Goodwill which happens to be BRAND NEW...and it was my lucky day!

I just love, love this modern serving bowl with the platter...brand new, from Studio Nova!

  Just love the cheerful colorful polka dots, and the shape of the platter, and the bowl!

must have been my lucky day! $7.97 for the set!

I found this Tupperware set...don't even know if its a set, but these smaller pieces were inside of this "classic" Tupperware from the 70's, or 80's...brand new, as you can see. They don't make this high quality any longer.

Love the beautiful brick color, and the sturdy material. You just cannot find this any more...brand new...brand new!

I kid you not..this was the actual price of this most amazing Tupperware, that for some reason was brand new!

I love this crystal vase, bowl, or container...another brand new product!

Just look...from Pier 1 Imports...check out the price! I will be using this for my sea glass, collected from my beach, or place a nice large candle, or even for a vase...so many uses!

A beautiful stainless steel mixing bowl...just the right size, I need! Love this little bowl!

 

 Price of this bowl....$1.91...price is not shown up from from glare!

A crystal bud vase...there was no price on this vase...I asked how much, and I was told that it has to be $2.99...only, because its crystal, and because it has some beautiful design...which does not show up on the photo!

My most favorite...of favorites...Baby's Breath! Cost?....$3.99, and it will last you for a week, changing the water for a nice fresh one, each day, adding a little bit of whit vinegar each time to the water, along with ice cubes!

My favorite, of favorites...Baby's Breath!...love, love, Baby's Breath, just by itself!

Spicy Thai Squid (Calamari) Salad

When it comes to being sick, I'm the worst person that I know, and even; the worst "patient" that I know! My family can't stand to be around me, I'm so grouchy, irritable, and miserable! Yes, it's all true!...sad to say, but it is!
Last Sunday, the day of my previous post with my simple but yummy almond cookies, I had the craving for something spicy, light, and healthy. I could have easily ordered a take-out fresh squid salad and perhaps some Pad Thai pasta from our local Thai restaurant that has been around for years, but oh no! I had a better idea...I will make my own Squid Salad!

When you are sick with a horrible flu that came back again...to smack you over the head with even a harder blow, and give you a humongous headache, and have every bone in your body aching, even the hair strands on the top of your head aching, the last thing you want to do is to defrost a 2 pound bag of frozen baby squid, clean them and cut them...cook them, and make yourself the most delicious squid salad you ever had in your life...well, THAT'S ALL WORTH IT!

Our local seafood markets are usually closed on Sunday, but knowing that our beloved favorite Publix supermarket carries everything, and has the best seafood department as well, I decided to shop for my squid salad ingredients...everything fresh! Unfortunately they only sell squid frozen in a 2 pound package, which was fine with me. Paying $14.99 for 2 lbs of Calamari, even if frozen, is still better than ordering a squid (calamari) salad which is barely enough for 2 and paying $13.99 for it and get aggravated because they put the dressing on it in advance and the salad gets wilted by swimming in the dressing...I do love the

Thai spicy dressing...although, not overpowering my salad! I already had some fresh veggies from Whole Foods, and the organic fresh ginger, so I was all set for my project...sick-and-all, just eagerly wanting to eat fresh spicy squid salad! All I needed, was a little creativity, which I still had the "spark"...and a beautiful salad was created...I felt a whole lot better after that, and since then!

Linking to: Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
                Thursday Favorite Thing Blog Hop @ Katherines Corner

Spicy Thai Squid (Calamari) Salad
my own creation

1 lb. cleaned squid
1 bunch of loosely packed fresh mint
1 bunch of loosely packed fresh cilantro
1 bunch scallion, cleaned, and sliced diagonal into
about 2 inch pieces
2 medium carrots cleaned, and shredded
about 5 thin slices of peeled, fresh sliced  ginger
1 lime cut into quarters
1 bag of ready cut, pre-washed mixed salad

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup Asian Fish Sauce
1/4 cup Thai Style Chili Sauce
juice of 1 lime
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

If you can't find 1 lb. squid, you will have to get the 2 lb. frozen package, and cut open, empty, and will have to defrost the entire thing in cold running water (don't worry, you will be using up the entire thing)

A bit of a job, but so well worth it. After squid has defrosted, clean the entire inside body, by pulling out the little plastic part that is inside, and dispose of it. Also, save the tentacles, try not to rip them...leaving it intact.
Slice the squid across, into little rings,drop them all in a medium pot of boiling water, bring to boil...do not boil for more than about 1 or 2 minutes, or it will get rubbery!

Strain in a colander with cold water, and clean the little white particles from them. Set aside, and continue with the salad.

Very important: you have to set up your "mi sen plaz"...all your ingredients in a row, just like this. Your grated carrots, your chopped cilantro, the sliced scallions, I added with some fresh chopped mint, your dressing, combining them with the fresh ginger slices, and of course your cut limes.

This is the Thai Style Chili Sauce I used, along with the Thai Seasoned Fish Sauce.

At this point, you can just enjoy your salad without the lettuce, just with the mentioned ingredients.

You can individually set up your own salad by using the ingredients, including the dressing, and stretch it even further with the healthy delicious salad.

By adding the lettuce a little more dressing to toss, you have a full meal...so satisfying, healthy and delicious.
Points value: 4









BTW- I spent about $36.00 which seemed expensive, but not, when this generously served 4. The leftovers were separately saved for appetizer to share with family, the next day! I still have plenty of vegetables leftover, and the sauces as well!
Incidentally, I have lost an additional pound...so now, I'm down 15 lbs. total since I started back in the first week of January of this year!

Great Pasta, and Fish...and a Bad Week!

Amazing fresh pasta with fava beans, and mixed vegetables, topped with goat cheese...courtesy of Chef Fabrizio,
 (my son-in-law)

Do you ever get one of those days when it starts out with a series of things going wrong, and the next day it's the same, and as you go through the week your realize that nothing is going right, only because of that one thing that is tugging at your "sleeves" and you know you have to take care of it. It started exactly one week ago.

Fabulous baked Mahi-Mahi with lemon-butter sauce and veggies...courtesy of Chef Fabrizio (my son-in-law)

My central air condition, which is only about 3 years old, just gave out and water was dripping...then gushing, thinking it's my water heater, or the neighbor's that busted. It was neither but my AC. I live in an older building on the beach where we are sharing "pipes"...now don't get me wrong...not the kind of pipes that is illegal...ha, ha...but the pipes that is connected to our water system.

The AC guy came out and fixed the problem, only to last 2 days. I waited for another 2 days for him to return the call...as you see, we live in South Florida, and here independent workers run on their own schedule. When they say they will be out in an hour, you should know it will be 2 hours...maybe 3 or all day, depending where they might get stuck on another job. Well, in the meantime it's still in the upper eighty degrees here, and at night the upper seventy degrees. No sign of fall here, till about November. I could not wait for this guy to come back to fix the problem, so my son called his AC guy to come and check the problem...by that time it was towards the end of the week. He promptly came out and drained the excess water, but by that time I have used up all my towels...even the good ones to mop up all the water from the floor.

Problem fixed...oh, but NO!...still the same dripping water existed coming through my ceiling pipes in my closet where the water heater and the AC unit is. Mind you, I had to cancel all my appointments that entire week, to deal with all this...not over yet! By Friday, I had no other choice but to call my condo association and tell them perhaps it's an outside problem. Sure enough they sent their AC man, and they checked the outside pipes, drained it...and DONE!...3 AC service people...$100. service charge to each of the first 2; (son paid for the second.)
The 3rd service man didn't charge for the service call, since it's an outside problem...but the inside problem was my responsibility...No air condition for 1 whole week...so appreciating the breeze in the early morning, and evening...but no fun stuck inside not wanting to cook or bake in that heat. So grateful for at least I got to eat two truly amazing meals made by Fabrizio!

Also had a beautiful dinner at my son's. He is the "grill guy!" ...such a nice grilled fish...this time a grouper (didn't take photo, darn!) ...so all in all, I still have my loving family, regardless of all these aggravating issues that have a way of working themselves out!

I picked up rotisserie chicken from my favorite local Publix supermarket that was at least 2 dinners, and 1 lunch for me...also picked up fresh sushi from the same market that they make fresh every single day! So it wasn't so bad. Spent some quality time by myself... and sat around enjoying the breeze on the beach this weekend...have not cooked even 1 meal. I feel so bad for not having anything to post of what I made! didn't make!

Strawberry Ice Box Cake

 I rarely try recipes from cooking magazines these days because I have so many selections from cookboos that I own, also from previous old recipe collections of mine, the Internet, and even better, recipes from my foodie friends' blogs which I could be trying out every single day. I also have the newest issues of Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, and Food and Wine, but for now, those are just reading materials for now until I can catch up with all the others.

For the tutorial video, with the proper round wafers...click: Strawberry Ice Box Cake
I'm linking the Strawberry Ice Box Cake to: 
 Hearth and Soul Hop #60 @Zesty South Indian Kitchen

So what's wrong with this dessert?...the wafer cookies!...the directions!

I bought the August, 2011 issue of Woman's Day, at the checkout isle, from my local Publix supermarket, and I was so thrilled with all the light summer recipes, as in my previous post with the Watermelon Feta salad. I still want to try a few more recipes in this issue, but I have to resolve this wafer, and directions problem first. I was looking for a good quality of chocolate wafer cookies...the ones I remember, from 20 or 30 years ago, that were such high quality for ice-box cakes. No Luck!

I had no other choice than to buy a much less quality wafers, that turned out to be a dry, tasteless, soggy tasting mess, that totally ruined my yummy, tasty, and healthy frozen delight!

I will post the recipe, as it is in the magazine, and you be the judge as to what went wrong, besides the tasteless wafer cookies. We enjoyed the frozen delight...minus the wafers. I will make this again, now that I googled the wafers, and found out that I can actually buy Nabisco wafer cookies online! While I was googling, just check this awesome recipe out on this site with Oreo Fridge Cake

This also is a must try for me!

Pudin de Arroz Torta=Rice Pudding Cake, and Awards!

We live in a large Hispanic community here, in West Palm Beach Florida. We have all kinds of Hispanic cultures right here in our local area...in fact, it's advisable to speak the Spanish language, because every store you go into, especially our local Publix supermarket, you feel like you are in "little Havana"...seriously! In that particular supermarket, they have the most variety of Hispanic items, also as you check out you can just order a fabulous cup of "cafe con leche" for a lot less than in any coffee places you go to, along with the Cuban pastries with guava, and all the other amazing sweets can be found in their bakery section. As far as for the Pudin de Arroz Torta...the Rice Pudding Cake, that's my creation, derived right from the authentic Cuban Rice Pudding.

I learned how to make the authentic Cuban rice pudding from my younger sister's former Cuban m-in-law from Miami, that should have opened up a little "rice pudding"  stand, because her pudding is out of this world. They have this little secret of boiling the rice with large strips of lemon and/or lime strips, cinnamon sticks, and for more flavor, anise seeds. Also a must, is the sweetened condensed milk, and more cinnamon sprinkled on the top. The raisins are optional.

My recipe is versatile, as a cake, and I promise you so moist, and delicious, whether you choose to eat it warm, or cold, which I prefer. It is smooth, and melt in your mouth yummy! You don't really have to get fancy serving this heavenly cake because it is so, very rich. I actually made this cake for my daughter Lora, to have some nutrition since she needs to eat soft foods, and not necessary puddings. So why not a pudding cake?...just use more rice to the recipe, and less milk. No flour is needed in the recipe, but for sure, you need eggs. Four, to be exact. Again...I was preparing to guest post for Lora, but after all, she has more cakes, and sweets in her house, that she and Teresa are packing up for their friends, and neighbors to take home. As for me...I can only have a small piece, and even the rare desserts that I make, goes directly over to them. Surprisingly enough, I have a "skinny" family...LOL...go figure!

Hungarian Lecsó (lecho)

The other day, I found a "treasure" in my local supermarket, Publix, which I'm proud to announce. A gorgeous bag of local sweet mini peppers, in assorted colors. When I opened the bag, the fresh, and sweet aroma just permeated throughout my little kitchen. I have been waiting for these amazing little sweet, and crunchy, colorful peppers, that when I picked up the bag from the special stand, a little old lady asked me..."are they real?...I didn't want to be mean,  and say..."no, they're plastic"...she really meant well, and I wasn't about to make a "snarky remark!"

Such a huge bag of these gorgeous peppers can be made different ways. My second choice: Roasted peppers...and why not? They are ever so delicious, and with these tiny peppers, you almost don't even have to remove the skins, after roasting them. Just drizzle vegetable oil on the peppers on a aluminum foil lined bake pan, and add pieces of garlic, or chopped garlic, salt and pepper, and fresh rosemary, and bake at 425 degrees for about 45 minutes. Leave the little peppers whole, when you roast them. It's even more delicious when you open them after they're done. It is not hot, or spicy, just sweet, and pleasant yummy flavor.

I still had the second portion of the bag of new red potatoes, so I pre-boiled them, first, cutting them in half, and boil them till almost done, and sauteed them in extra virgin olive oil, and butter, and added fresh chopped parsley, freshly grated sea salt, and fresh ground black pepper, and made an amazing vegetarian meal out of the lecso, potatoes, and nice crusty bread, to dip into the rich tomato/paprika sauce. "Out of this World"...amazing, and healthy dish!

Hungarian Lecsó (lecho)
my own recipe

About 2 lbs. of sweet assorted, or hot peppers
1 large onion sliced, or chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 large can of a 28 oz. diced tomatoes
or you can use about 4 fresh chopped tomatoes
4 Tablespoon vegetable oil
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 cup of water

In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic over medium high heat, till onion gets a golden color. Pull skillet away from the heat, and add the salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir, to combine, add the water, and add the mini peppers, cut into half, removing the seeds, or with the larger peppers, cut into strips, and also removing the seeds. Stir to incorporate, and saute for a few minutes, then add the tomatoes, and cook slow, over medium heat until peppers get slightly softened, and tomatoes get to a thick consistency. Serve them as a side dish, or appetizer, or save some to add to scrambled eggs, which is a super delicious breakfast treat. Serves 4-6

This is the bag of the sweet peppers.They are from a local Florida produce farm. They are so incredible, and delicious. So full of natural vitamin C.