Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Masala Fries

 

Masala Fries are a new favorite in our family thanks to Kenz! The platter above Kenz made for the Super Bowl. It was a terrific addition to the huge spread we put out. They are also quite versatile in that you can use an air fryer or just a regular oven! Enjoy these yummy snacks with you next movie night!

Ingredients

Frozen shoestring fries - use half a bag. .
1 Tablespoon garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
2 + Tablespoons ketchup (you can always add more if too dry or spicy)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Process

1. Cook fries according to the directions on the bag.
2. About 2 to 3 minutes before the fries are done, excluding the garlic, mix all the remaining ingredients together in a bowl.
3. in a small skillet over medium-low heat, warm a little oil and then fry the garlic for a few minutes.
4. When fried and slightly translucent, add the spice paste to the pan and stir to combine, and heat for a minute or som. 
5. Mix the cooked fries into the pan, mix to cover, and then serve. 
Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Air Fried Artichoke Hearts

 


Trader Joe's has some amazing foods but one of our favorite staples in our freezer are their frozen artichoke hearts. They were the inspiration for this recipe well over a year ago, but it has taken that long to get this recipe down pat! We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. They have become a regular part of our "empty nest dinners".


Ingredients

1 package Trader Joe's artichoke hearts
Flour, seasoned with salt and pepper 
2 eggs and equivalent amount of olive oil, beaten together
2 cups plain Panko
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

For the dipping sauce:
1 cup mayo
Juice of one lemon
Aleppo pepper flakes

Directions

  1. Thaw artichoke hearts. Dry them as much as possible. Put them between layers of paper towels and place a cutting board on top to press them. 
  2. Drop all the artichokes in the flour, mix to coat, and shaking them off each one as you add them to the egg mixture. 
  3. Mix them in the egg mixture to coat shaking off again as you remove them. 
  4. Mix the bread crumbs and Panko in a bowl. 
  5. All at once, coat all the  hearts in the Panko mixture
  6.  Mix the dipping sauce ingredients together. Adjust the lemon and Aleppo to taste. 
  7. Serve and enjoy!
Note: for lighter breading, use lesser amounts of bread crumbs.For crispier breading use seasoned bread crumbs that includes Romano cheese.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Home Made Fruit and Nut Crisps

 These delightful crackers are amazing with good aged cheddar!

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey, warmed
1/2 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
then add one (or mix and match fruit and nuts) of the options below:
Option 1 : 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Option 2: 1 cup dried cherries and 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
Options 3: 1 cup dried apricots and 1/2 cup hazelnuts

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Grease 2 8" x 4" loaf pans. (you can also use a smaller size pan)
3. In a large bowl, stir together the flours, baking soda, and salt. 
4. Add the buttermilk brown sugar, and honey, stirring until combined. 
5. Add the seeds, rosemary, and desired add on options and stir until blended.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown in color and springy to the touch. 
7. Remove from the pans and cool on a wire rack. 
8. The bread is easiest to slice when it has cooled completely. Transfer cooled loaves to a freezer-safe container and freeze solid, several hours or over night. If you're planning to freeze the loaves for longer than a day, they can be stored up to 3 months, wrap them in foil before freezing. 
9. When ready to bake into crisps, preheat the over to 300 degrees F.  
10. Using a serrated knife, slice the loaves as thin as possible - 1/8 " if possible - and place the slices in a single payer on a parchment paper covered sheet. 
11. Bake for about 15 minutes, flip them over, and bake for another 15 minutes, until crisp and golden brown. The edges should be curled slightly. Don't fret if they are still soft in the center, they will crisp as they cool. 
12. Store in an airtight container or serve immediately. 

Yield = about 8 dozen crackers.