Foodie Friday Pause...cocktail time

Hi All-
Work has been crazy, and I didn't have time to get a recipe together for today. Hopefully I'll get one up at some point this weekend. In the meantime, here is a great cocktail recipe that the a bartender at PF Chang's in Walnut Creek came up with. My mom loved it and asked them how to make it. This cocktail is a sure to be a hit at your next party!

Key Lime Martini:
Vanilla Vodka
Pineapple Juice
Rose's Lime Juice
Ice

In a shaker with ice, combined 4 oz.* vanilla vodka with 6-8 oz. of pineapple juice
Add a couple dashes of lime juice and shake for about 30 seconds.
Strain into martini glasses and enjoy.
You can even pretend that you are in the FL Keys!!

*You can change the vodka to juice ratio to your taste. I don't really ever measure any thing, so the above ounces is a total guess.

Potato Leek Soup

I bought myself an early birthday present, and emulsion blender (AKA a hand held blender.) It is so great, and I've had so much fun making smoothies, soups and milkshakes with out having to bring out the big blender! So, with that being said, I figured I'd spread the love with my version of Potato Leek Soup!

Potato Leek Soup

1 medium yellow onion
3 leeks (white and light green parts)
1 tbsp garlic
2 medium baking potatoes peeled and cut in half then in small slices
1 box of low sodium chicken stalk (I think it's about 36 oz.)
1/4-1/2 cup of half and half
2 bay leaves
Salt and Pepper to taste
olive oil

• In a large pot over med-high heat saute the onions and leeks in olive oil until soft
• Add garlic and cook for another couple minutes
• Add potatoes
• Add bay leaves
• Add chicken stock and bring to a boil
• Once the potatoes are cooked through (fork tender) take out the bay leaves and take the pot off of the heat
• Use your emulsion blender (or regular blender) to make the soup the consistency you desire
• Add half and half and simmer for about 10 minutes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Serve with chopped chives or green onion on top

Pair with a salad and garlic bread, and you've got dinner!

Tamale Enchilada Corn Bread Casserole

Alright, so this dish has had many names, and I still haven't decided the most fitting name for it. You can call it what ever you want, I call it Yummy! One of my old co-workers gave me the idea, and I turned it into my own. It feeds about 8 people, so it's great on a get together night.

Enchilada Corn Bread Casserole
*pre heat oven to 350*
About 1 lb. ground turkey or low-fat ground beef
1 green pepper (diced)
1 yellow onion (diced)
1 14 oz. canned corn (no salt added) drained and rinsed
1 14oz. can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 can (10-12 oz) of red enchilada sauce
1 14 oz. can of diced stewed tomatoes (any kind. I like the one with jalapenos)
6 oz. of chopped olives (green, black or combo chopped or sliced)

Topper: One box of Jiffy Corn Bread mix. Use directions on the back, just like you were making muffins. You can make my jalapeno corn bread mix for this too (see earlier post.)

• In a pan, saute pepper and onion
• Add the ground meat and brown
• Once the meat is cooked add the rest of the ingredients bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes
• Pour mixture into a casserole dish coated with cooking spray
• Evenly pour the corn bread mix over the top
• Cook for 30-40 minutes (depending on your oven)
• At the end of baking sprinkle the dish with shredded cheese (I like a Mexican Mix) Place back in the oven to melt the cheese.

Serve with sour cream and salsa!
This dish is great left over.

Southwest Turkey Burgers & Oven Pom Frites

Get ready for bbq season with this great alternative to regular hamburgers. I love this recipe. It is my version of a recipe I saw on 30 Minute Meals. You can also cook these on the stove top in a pan or on an inside grill!

Southwest Turkey Burgers
1-1.25 pounds of ground turkey
half of a red bell pepper diced
1/4 cup of red onion diced
if you like a little heat add diced jalapeno to taste (fresh or from a jar)
1 egg white
salt & pepper to taste
dash of chili powered and cumin
4 slices pepper jack cheese
4 wheat hamburger buns

Combined all ingredients and make into four patties
Cook until completely cooked through (about 7 minutes per side)
Add the pepper jack cheese during the last minute of cooking

Chipotle Lime Mayo
about 1/4 cup of mayo (I use Smart Balance)
a couple dashes of chipotle hot sauce (Tabasco makes a great one)
a dash of lime juice (fresh or from the lime shaped plastic tube!)
**I make the mayo ahead of time and let the flavors combined in the fridge

Oven Pom Frites (aka Fries)
Pre Heat the Oven to 425
1-2 baking potato(s) (about a pound)
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. Montreal Steak Seasoning
salt

Quarter the potato then cut slices about 1/8 of an inch tick (or whatever you prefer)
In a large bowl
Mix cut potatoes, olive oil, salt, garlic and steak seasoning
toss well and spread out on a baking sheet
cook for about 20-30 minutes flipping the fries over as needed

Make a green salad on the side and you're good to go!

PS Sorry I missed foodie Friday last week!