Monthly Archives: September 2015

Food Fave: Corn Dog Bites

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In an attempt to drag the summer out just a little longer, I tried making Jo Cooks’ corn dogs. They’re seriously out of this world. However, if you’re over the summer, don’t worry! They’re a great dish for football season too. (And you know how much we LOVE football…and food.) They’re super easy to make and will cost you less than buying the frozen ones at the store.

  • 6 hot dogs, cut in half
  • 12 lollipop sticks or wooden skewers (I was able to make them without the sticks, but feel to try them both ways)
  • Vegetable or canola oil for frying

For batter

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornmeal
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup to ¾ cup milk
  • salt and pepper to taste

In a large Dutch oven or sauce pan, pour the oil to a depth of 4 inches and heat to 350 degrees F. Slice each of the dogs in half and skewer on the sticks, (if you’re using the sticks, obviously).

In a bowl, combine all the batter ingredients and whisk. If you’re using sticks, I found it easier to pour the batter in a long glass. If not, a wide bowl will do. Dip each hot dog into the cornmeal batter to completely cover the hot dog. Carefully place the hot dogs into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 or 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. I fried about 2 or 3 at a time. Repeat with remaining hot dogs and batter. Serve with ketchup (Heinz, duh) and/or mustard.

mini-corn-dogs-5 damn delish

 

Happy Eating, XO.

Fall Corn Chowder

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By now you probably have more corn than you know what to do with. So rather than eating ANOTHER corn on the cob (seriously, my floss is running low…) put it into some chowder. This steamy dish is perfect for those cooler nights. And if you have leftovers, freeze it in some Tupperware for a middle-of-the-winter treat.

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 3 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 medium potato, cubed (add in 1 additional for a heartier meal)
  • 5 ears of corn (or 2 12oz cans)
  • 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 can evaporated milk
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 1 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp of pepper

Toss all of the ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Easiest. Recipe. Ever.

Corn Chowder - damndelish2

Happy Eating, XO.

Fancy Flatbread

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Since Jess is such a rockstar and makes her own pizza dough, I wont even tell you that I cheated and bought some pre-made garlic & herb pizza dough from Trader Joe’s. I know, shame on me. Don’t do it guys, the fresh stuff is EASY and so good. Steal her recipe and freeze it if you have leftovers.

Anyway, I love anything that pairs well with wine, I don’t know if you guys had picked up on that subtle piece of information through out our numerous appetizer posts. I was inspired by a farmers market in the Hamptons last month that had these plump, jammy fresh FIGS! I needed to buy a whole box of them and went to town with making this flatbread. I went on the same premise as we have on most of our salad recipes and wanted to hit all sorts of taste bud pleasers: salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy, etc. I shit you not, I knocked it out of the park. So grab your glass of Pinot Noir or chilled Rose and EAT up!

  • 3-4 oz. of goat cheese or shredded Manchego (My 1st attempt I did mozz and while delish, doesn’t pack the bite and sharpness this flatbread needs.)
  • 1 tbsp. of fig preserves OR balsamic glaze (emphasis on the OR. Again on the 1st attempt I did both and it was coyingly sweet especially if males plan on eating this.)
  • 6 oz. of thinly sliced Prosciutto (I am almost certain Pancetta would do the trick also but that’s a whole extra step of crisping that up, so just start tearing and placing on dough.)

Now, I could do thinly sliced red onion of 2 fistfuls of arugula on this just for that peppery crunch but my company wasn’t a fan of either so I left it off. But hey, it was still good, so what do I know? Anyway roll out the dough, smear the preserves or glaze, then nestle the globs of cheese with the crumpled up slices of prosciutto around the surface. Yes, crumpled is a technical culinary term, jerks!

Anyway, last but not least is the FRESH sliced figs, go nuts, as many or as little as you have. If you must have some guidance, try using 6-7 whole figs, sliced. I drizzled with a little bit of olive oil before placing in oven.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Happy Eating, XO.

Romesco Sauce

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Lately, I have altered my eating habits a ton and am doing smaller portions, more frequently in order to keep my metabolism working. Now, this isn’t a dietician or preachy post but I have been feeling a lot healthier and been dropping weight – so look into it as it might be something that suits your lifestyle.
Anyway I digress, because there is a point to my babble. TAPAS! Yes! That’s right, we have posted a few tapa recipes but this one is more about the delish Spanish sauce that is typically served with tapas. I know there is a place in Philly (shout out to Amada) that serves this with their ham croquettes. I’ve also had it with just a baguette, or on top of a tortilla (Spanish omelet). It’s so yummy and versatile and not heavy. It’s typically made in the Catalonia region of Spain (which for all of you that are geographically challenged, think Northern/Eastern Spain). So tasty, I had to recreate it for you all, see below and enjoy!
  • 1/4 cup marcona almonds, toasted
  • 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sherry vinegar (PS I didn’t have any so I subbed with red wine vinegar, same same).
  • 1 (15-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained, about 1 1/3 cups
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 slice white bread (about 1-inch thick), crusts removed, toasted and torn into pieces
  • 1 large clove garlic, grated (I did 2 because I’m a Vampire at heart)
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Puree in food processor, and EAT!! on anything and everything. Great with grilled veggies or meats. Now get outside and enjoy before its too cold!
Romesco Sauce - Damn Delish
Happy Eating, XO.

Enchiladas

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Listen, bikini season is over and there is a chill in the air…I say we have an ooey gooey decadent dinner! Some good old stick to your ribs (And maybe love handles) comfort food. These chicken and cheese enchiladas have even won over a non-Mexican food lover like myself! Hope you enjoy & remember to post pictures with the #damndelish tag!

  • 3 tbsp. butter (I know that’s a shit ton, I didn’t say this was diet friendly)
  • 8 oz. of sour cream (keeps getting better 😛)
  • 3 tbsp. flour
  • 2 cups of chicken broth
  • Hot sauce (I did a couple of splashes of the Chalula’s chili garlic)
  • Onion powder (optional, I’m just a seasoning whore)
  • Garlic powder (optional again, just going for robust flavor)
  • 1 bag of shredded Mexican cheese (think Colby jack, Monterey jack, etc.)
  • 1 shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1/2 – 1 cup of salsa – eyeball the salsa, its not apart of the original recipe and I just added it to the chicken & cheese mixture. (Note on what kind to use: preferably one that is low in water content and packed with onions & green chilies. I don’t want to brand plug anyone, but I think Rotell’s tomatoes & chilies, again not name dropping #jussayin’.)
  • Chopped black olives (I left these out, but some people commented on the original recipe that they added them. I might try it next time.)

Mix the shredded chicken, half the cheese, and the salsa and set aside. In the mean time start the roux of the butter and flour. Stir in the chicken broth to loosen the sauce up. IMPORTANT, let this cool before folding in the sour cream. IF you don’t, it will curdle the sour cream, essentially: sauce is ruined. Anyway while the sauce is cooling pre sour cream, you can assemble the enchiladas in you oven safe pan. Fill the tortillas with the mixture evenly, roll, and lay seam side down in a line.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes and then broil for 3 minutes, be careful not to burn. Note: Let it cool before serving.

Happy Eating, XO.