Jamaican Rice and Peas

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian option)
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 whole Scotch bonnet chile (can substitute a whole habanero)
• Lime (optional)

METHOD:

1 Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until they begin to brown on the edges.

2 Add the garlic and rice, stir well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often.

3 Add the grated ginger, salt, water, stock and coconut milk and stir well. Add the kidney beans and sprinkle the thyme over everything. Add the whole Scotch bonnet chile (or habanero); it will season the rice much like a bay leaf would. Bring to a simmer, then turn the heat to low and cover.

4 The rice should be done in about 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of rice you are using (some long grained rice takes longer to cook). Check after 15 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and cover for 10 minutes. To serve, fluff with a fork. Sprinkle with a little lime juice if you want. Discard the habanero (or eat it, if you dare!)

Serves 6-8.

Sunday ... October 3rd ... 2010

Began the day with a 3 mile run.

Sausage Cheese Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 pound bulk spicy pork sausage
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup quick-cooking grits
• 4 ounces shredded Gouda cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 3 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Cook the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until the sausage is crumbly and lightly browned. Drain off the grease and place the sausage in a bowl. Meanwhile, bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Stir in the grits, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook and stir constantly for 5 minutes until the grits are tender, or follow package directions.
3. Stir together the sausage, cheese, butter, hot pepper sauce, and eggs. Fold in the grits until combined, then spread into an ungreased, small casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown on top, 30 to 40 minutes.

Twice Baked Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
• 8 green onions, sliced, divided

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Orange Breakfast Muffins

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 2/3 cups self-rising flour
• 2 tablespoons ground almonds
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 egg

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Melt the butter and set aside. Combine the flour, ground almonds, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and orange zest in a large bowl. Measure the orange juice and milk into a pitcher and whisk in the egg and then the cooled, melted butter. Now pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing with a fork as you go. The batter will be lumpy but that’s as it should be: you want everything to be no more than barely combined. The whole point of muffin mixture is that it must never be overworked.
Spoon out the mixture equally into the muffin cups and cook for 20 minutes. Remove, in their paper baking cups, to a wire rack and let cool slightly (but not completely) before devouring.

Notes:

12-cup muffin pan lined with 12 paper baking cups

Morning Glory Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup apple butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly oil 18 muffin cups, or coat with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, apple butter, oil and vanilla.
3. In a large bowl, stir together flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in carrots, apples and raisins. Stir in apple butter mixture until just moistened. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling them about 3/4 full.
4. In a small bowl, combine walnuts and wheat germ; sprinkle over the muffin tops.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden and spring back when lightly pressed.

Key West Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions:

1. In a shallow container, blend soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, lime juice, and garlic. Place chicken breast halves into the mixture, and turn to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade, and grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear.