The 2 Spoons

Quick yet Yummy, Steak Quesadillas

July 7, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Steak Quesadillas
Steak Quesadillas are a great way to use leftover steak, and who doesn’t love steak? I had a ribeye leftover, didn’t want tacos, so I thought what better way to use the steak than in quesadillas that even Allen loves! The steaks were grilled, they were cooked to a perfect medium rare. I just toss the bite size pieces of steak in at the last minute after all my other ingredients have cooked and just heat it through because I don’t want to re-cook my steak. That would make it tough, definitely what I don’t want in a quesadilla that is hard to eat with big or tough fillings. — Steak Quesadillas

Steak Quesadillas are a great way to use leftover steak, and who doesn’t love steak? I had a ribeye leftover, didn’t want tacos, so I thought quesadillas would be great and that even Allen loves them! The steaks were grilled, they were cooked to a perfect medium rare. I cut it into bite size pieces and just tossed the pieces of steak in at the last minute after all my other ingredients have cooked to heat through. I don’t want to re-cook my steak. That would make it tough, definitely what I don’t want in a quesadilla that is hard to eat with big or tough fillings.

Besides steak, I added mushrooms, onions, peppers, garlic, and Monterrey Jack Cheese! Oh, that cheese! Monterrey Jack is a great melting cheese. If you want to use a different cheese there are other good melting cheeses that would also work in this recipe. Here’s a link giving you a couple of ideas. https://saramoulton.com/2012/01/cheese-what-are-good-melting-cheeses/

Quick yet Yummy Steak Quesadillas

I have served these quesadillas for breakfast many times. All I do is scramble eggs soft and add to the top layer before you add your final later of cheese.

These are great as a meal, but can be used as an appetizer at a party or gathering.

I always serve this with Guacamole and Pico de Gallo. Both of these are available on my blog. Here’s those links: https://the2spoons.com/my-ever-so-easy-guacamole/. And the link to my Pico de Gallo is: https://the2spoons.com/fresh-and-simple-pico-de-gallo/

So, when you have leftover steak, don’t forget quesadillas as a possibility. Delicious! Enjoy the recipe!

Breakfast Quesadillas

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Course Appetizer, Breakfast, brunch, dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine Mexican, Texmex

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

1/2-3/4 Lb chorizo
6 Eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp Butter for scrambling the eggs
1 large potato or 2 medium diced
extra virgin olive oil
2 avocados sliced
salt and pepper
grated cheese of your choice (Monterrey Jack or Oaxaca melts well)
8 flour tortillas

Instructions

Heat a large skillet and add the chorizo, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain on paper towels.
Wipe out the skillet add a little olive oil to the bottom of the pan. I use non stick because it will take very little oil. Heat to medium high and add the diced potatoes. Add salt and pepper. Brown on both sides, then cover, reduce heat and cook until tender. Remove the lid, increase the heat and continue until they’re a little crisp. Drain on paper towels.
Slice your avocado and grate your cheese.
Start hearing your comal or griddle.
Pour the oil from the skillet and add your butter. Beat your eggs and add a little salt and pepper. Scramble your eggs to a soft scramble. Don’t overcook.
Place 4 tortillas on the griddle and allow them to puff up and start to brown. Remove them from the griddle with cooked side up. Place cheese on the bottom, then chorizo, potatoes, eggs, avocado, then more cheese.
prepare the remaining 4 tortillas as you did the first 4 and place them cooked side down on top of each layered tortilla.
Place back on the comal or griddle and brown each side turning back and forth. Cut into fourths and serve with guacamole, sour cream, your favorite salsa or pico de Gallo. Enjoy!

Keyword breakfast quesadilla, guacamole, mexican, pico de gallo, quesadillas, texmex, tortillas

Love this Fresh Tomato – Shrimp Creole with Louisiana White Rice

July 6, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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This Shrimp Creole is a little different than others because it doesn’t start with a roux and it is made with really ripe fresh tomatoes ripened on the vines. It’s a little spicy and sweet loaded with fresh herbs. I used San Marzano tomatoes because that’s what I had that was really ripe and I needed to use them, but you can pretty much use any tomato. I will say that San Marzano tomatoes are sweet which go perfectly with the sweet shrimp. A Brandywine tomato or other heirloom tomatoes would be excellent!

With still getting so many tomatoes from my garden, this is another great dish using them. What’s better than vine ripened tomatoes?

This recipe starts with the Creole or Cajun holy trinity, or onions, celery and bell peppers, with an addition of lemongrass. You can get lemongrass in the produce market or in Asian markets and even comes in a dried powder form. If you’re not familiar with lemongrass, here’s a link to explain: https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-lemongrass-2216499

Love This Fresh Tomato Shrimp Creole with Louisiana White Rice

This recipe will feed 6 to 8 with the 5 pounds of shrimp, but you can easily adjust for your purposes.

I hope you try this recipe! It’s easy and delicious! If you love New Orleans food as much as I do here’s another recipe I think you’ll enjoy: https://the2spoons.com/delicious-louisiana-seafood-gumbo/. This Louisiana Seafood Gumbo is equally delicious!

Shrimp Creole

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Course Appetizer, dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine creole

Ingredients

5 lbs jumbo Louisiana or wild American shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt
fresh ground pepper
1 tbsp minced fresh lemongrass (substitute 1 tsp powdered or 1 tsp lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
3 mediuim onions, diced
10 garlic cloves thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 bell pepper, red, green or yellow seeded and diced
5 pounds overripe tomatoes or other tomatoes peeled and chopped (Brandywine or other heirloom would be good if you can find)
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
leaves from 2 branches fresh basil, torn
pinch of sugar
6-8 cups Louisiana White Rice

For the Louisiana White Rice (for 8 cups)

2 tbsp chicken fat, extra virgin olive oil, or butter
1 medium onion, minced
3 cups long grain white rice
6 cups chicken stock (homemade if possible, otherwise a good brand)
2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt

Instructions

Put the shrimp into a large bowl, season with salt and pepper, then mix in the lemongrass. Heat ¼ cup of the oil in a large deep skillet over moderate heat. Add the shrimp, stirring and tossing them with a spatula. Sauté until they turn pink, about 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside while you make the sauce. Into the same skillet with the oil and shrimp juices, put the remaining ¼ cup oil and the onions, garlic, celery, and bell peppers and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and when the sauce comes to a simmer add the bay leaf, allspice, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10 minutes .Add the shrimp back to the skillet along with the basil and mint. Cook for a minute or two. Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce tastes too tart, add a little sugar to balance the flavor. Remove the bay leaf. Serve over steamed Louisiana white rice.

For the Louisiana White Rice (for 8 cups)

Put the fat, oil, or butter and the onions into a medium saucepan and sweat the onions over moderate heat until they are translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour the rice into the pan and stir for 2 minutes. Then add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add the bay leaf and salt.
Cover the pan with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, fluff the rice with a fork, and serve.

Notes

You can fourth, half or just adjust this recipe to the amount you need. Same with the rice.

Keyword creole, louisiana, shrimp, shrimp creole

Wonderful Mushroom Stuffed Summer Squash

July 5, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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This recipe for Mushroom Stuffed Summer Squash is the perfect solution for all that summer squash you have in your garden or that’s available in the grocery store. I didn’t grow squash this year, but I’m telling you, when I do, I am always looking for recipes to use the abundance I have. There’s different varieties of summer squash and this recipe would work with any of them. Here’s a link with the different varieties: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/squash/different-summer-squashes-to-grow.htm

The other day I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with some squash a friend had given us. I remembered my stuffed mushrooms recipe and decided that filling tweaked a little would be the perfect stuffing for this squash and I was right! If you later want to try the stuffed mushrooms, here’s that link: https://the2spoons.com/youll-love-these-stuffed-mushrooms/

Wonderful Mushroom Stuffed Summer Squash

I actually served this the other day with my . I thought it’d make a nice side dish for my Sunday Pot Roast, but this would be a great side dish for almost any meal or even the main course!! With the mushrooms it would be a hearty meal on its own! Here’s the Sunday Pot Roast recipe if you don’t already have: https://the2spoons.com/the-best-instant-pot-sunday-pot-roast/.

Hope you try this!! Remember, it makes a great no meat meal! It shines and does not have to be a side dish!

Mushroom Stuffed Summer Squash

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6

Ingredients

10-12 Button or Baby Bella mushrooms, thickly sliced or chopped
2 Tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the tops of the mushrooms
1/2 Cup Finely chopped green onions
1/2 Cup Finely chopped red bell peppers
1/2 Cup Coarse bread crumbs ( I used Panko)
1/2 Cup Parmigiana -reggiano cheese or other Parmesan cheese
1/4 Cup Finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
4 Tbsp Unsalted butter
1/2 Cup Chicken stock
1/4 Cup Dry white wine, optional
4-6 summwr squash, can be yellow or zucchini, par boiled with the inside scraped out after par boiling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Par boil the squash in boiling water a couple of minutes. Remove from the water, drain and when cool enough to handle, cut in half and scrape the inside of the squash into a bowl. Including the stems, thinly slice or chop the mushrooms.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the green onions and cook until wilted, about one minute. Stir in the red peppers and chopped or sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring until tender and they begin to slightly brown and carmalize. Remove and cool, then add to the scraper put squash and combine.
Toss the bread crumbs and grated cheese, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, add to the sautéed vegetables until thoroughly blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity of each squash that has been halved with the filling.
Using 2 tablespoons of the butter, grease a 12 X 18 inch low sided baking pan. Add the stock, wine, if using, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley to the pan. If you like drizzle the top of the squash with olive oil. Bake until the squash are cooked through and the bread crumbs are golden brown, about 10-15 minutes.
Serve on a warmed platter. Pour the pan juices into a small pan and bring to a boil on top of the stove. Boil until lightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Spoon the juices over the squash.

Keyword easy side dish, mushroom stuffed summer squash, side dish, summer squash

Sunday Pot Roast — Mushroom Stuffed Summer Squash

Super Southern Fried Okra with Creamy Buttermilk Dip

July 5, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Do ya’ll like Fried Okra? Yes I said ya’ll! I guess posting this Southern recipe really brings out the “South” in me! LOL! I saw this recipe in one of Emeril’s cookbooks and I’ve made it many times!

I love the foods of the South I grew up eating. I love this okra! It’s crispy and the buttermilk dressing is so yummy and it can be used for so many other fried things or even for a crudité platter! Salad Dressing? Yes, it’d be great! Oh, and it’d be a great dip for potato chips!

I like to just spit the okra down the middle for presentation purposes, but I think most are more familiar with the sliced in about a 1/2 inch thick round. So, either way works, whatever is your particular preference.

I have a few different ways I fry okra. For one, you can just toss in some seasoned flour and fry. Another way I cook fried okra is to have a batter station set up with flour, beaten eggs, then seasoned cornmeal. I coat each piece in flour, then the beaten eggs and then seasoned cornmeal. It’s really good, very similar to this, but this recipe has fewer steps and is really easy.

Super Southern Fried Okra with Creamy Buttermilk Dip

Before I start the recipe let’s talk ingredients, specifically the buttermilk. I have made this buttermilk dressing with a low-fat readily available brand, but it just seemed so thin, resulting in a watery consistency. I want thicker buttermilk for this dip. I mean, it’s a dip! You don’t want a thin coating from a watery dip, you want a dollop of dip!

With all that said, use whole buttermilk, not low-fat. I only use whole milk even if it’s not buttermilk. It’s like using the real thing, like butter. The real thing is healthier in the long run because it is more natural, it doesn’t have a lot of “stuff” to change its character. My philosophy is always “everything in moderation”. And, honestly, how can the “real” stuff as it is intended to be, be bad for you? I don’t want to lead you wrong so here’s a link that will give you certain health benefits of both. https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/whole-vs-lowfat-buttermilk-1947.html.

I just love Fried Okra. I guess I just love okra! I love okra as in Okra and Tomatoes. I love okra fried with potatoes and onions. Oh, and in Gumbo. Absolutely one of my favorite uses for okra! So, the other day my have to have meat hubby was gone so I made Macaroni and tomatoes from my garden and I made this along with it. Here’s that link because you need that recipe too! https://the2spoons.com/macaroni-with-fresh-tomatoes/.

Super Southern Fried Okra with Creamy Buttermilk Dip

Here’s the super easy recipe! Hope you try this!

Southern Fried Okra

Print Recipe

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servngs

Ingredients

For the Okra

vegetable oil for frying
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
2 tbsp Louisiana hot sauce or your favorite
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tsp. cayenne pepper (omit if you don't like the heat or reduce the amount)
2 tsp garlic powder or granulated garlic
1 tbsp salt plus more for seasoning
1 tsp black pepper
2 lbs okra, either sliced into 1/2 inch thick rounds or sliced down the middle like I did)

For the Buttermilk Dip

3/4 cup buttermilk, not low fat
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp green onion tops
salt to taste

Instructions

For the Okra

Heat the oil in a deep-fryer to 360°F or in a heavy iron dutch oven, or similar.
In a small bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce to combine. In a second bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, cayenne, granulated garlic, the 1 tablespoon salt, and the black pepper.
Working in batches, dredge the okra first in the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then in the flour mixture. Shake to remove any extra breading. Repeat until all of the okra is breaded.
Fry the okra, in batches, in the hot oil, turning it as necessary, until lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer the fried okra to paper towels to drain, and season lightly with salt. Repeat with the remaining okra.
Serve the okra hot, with the Creamy Buttermilk Dip on the side for dipping.

For the Buttermilk Dip

Combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, cayenne, garlic, and chives in a small bowl, and stir to mix well. Add salt to taste. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 1 day in advance).

Keyword appetizer, easy side dish, fried okra, okra, side dish, southern food, southern fried okra

Southern Fried Okra
Macaroni and Tomatoes

Granny’s Essential Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

July 2, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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Southern Fried Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken you cook yourself is the best! My mother was an only child and we spent a lot of time with her mother, my grandmother or Granny as we called her. We’d go for the weekend to stay with her and almost every Saturday night before we went to bed Granny and Mom would make sure the kitchen was spotless and then they would cut chickens up and put them in salted water and into the refrigerator to brine overnight for Sunday lunch. — Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken you cook yourself is the best! My mother was an only child and we spent a lot of time with her mother, my grandmother or Granny as we called her. We’d go for the weekend to stay with her and almost every Saturday night before we went to bed Granny and Mom would make sure the kitchen was spotless and then they would cut chickens up and put them in salted water and into the refrigerator to brine overnight for Sunday lunch.

The next day the house smelled amazing of fried chicken! I remember a table full of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cream gravy, maybe some fresh Blackeyed peas, corn on the cob, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, all the delicious foods you may find on a Southern table.

Granny’s Essential Southern Fried Chicken

I buy a whole chicken and cut it up myself. Not only is this less expensive but I’m getting all the pieces from the same chicken. I also don’t want a too big chicken but about a 3 to 3 1/2 pound chicken. Then I cut it up, legs and thighs first, then the wings and then remove the breast. I fry every part of the chicken which includes the back which by the way has some delicious meat on them. If you don’t know how to cut up a chicken, here’s a short video of instructions: https://www.youtube.com/embed/GEwRmG2HEuM?autoplay=1&FORM=VIRE6&PC=EMMX06.

I like to buy a natural chicken like the H-E-B Natural Chickens I buy from my local Store. Whole Foods, Costco, Central Market, Sams Club, other groceries will offer a natural chicken.

Granny’s Essential Southern Fried Chicken

I like to serve this with different sides. Probably the most favorite for most is mashed potatoes. Here’s my mashed potatoes recipe also: https://the2spoons.com/mashed-potatoes/

Granny’s Essential Southern Fried Chicken

Print Recipe

Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

1 3 – 3 1/2 lb chicken, cut into pieces
2 cups All purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
a little more salt and pepper to lightly season your flour
3 eggs, beaten
canola or vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Beat three eggs completely in a medium bowl. I like to use a hand held blender because I like the eggs a little frothy.
In another bowl add your flour and lightly salt and pepper, add the baking soda and whisk together.
Pat your chicken pieces dry and season the entire chicken with the 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. I let it sit for a minute or so so it will adhere to your chicken.
Place each peace of chicken in the eggs, then the flour covering completely and shaking off the excess. Place on a sheet pan and continue until all pieces are battered.
Add oil to a heavy skillet to between 325-350. Add chicken in batches making sure not to crowd. I like to maintain a heat between 325 and 350 otherwise your chicken will be brown and raw in the middle.
When the first side browns, turn and allow the other side to completely brown. Then I turn a few more times from side to side to make sure the inside is fine. If you have some large pieces you can place a lid on to help cook the middle, then remove and crisp before removal. I always check each piece with a thermometer because nothing’s worse than a raw chicken. You want the internal temperature to be 165 degrees! Keep chicken in a warm oven while cooking other batches. I also like to drain on a rack placed over a sheet pan. Sometimes draining on a paper towel will cause the chicken to be soggy! Enjoy!

Keyword chicken, fried chicken, southern food, southern fried chicken

Garlic Mashed Potatoes — Southern Fried Chicken

Always a Favorite – My Southern Pimiento Cheese

July 2, 2019 by Becky Spoon

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What better way to enjoy a tomato you grew than Southern Pimiento Cheese? I woke up craving this pimiento Cheese. I’d guess you’d say I had this for brunch because I hadn’t had breakfast and it was a little early for lunch!

Mom always had Pimiento Cheese when we were growing up. She used to spread it on a piece of bread and stick it under the broiler! Delicious! I honestly can’t say I’ve ever bought prepared Pimiento Cheese Spread. There was a drug store where I grew up that had the best Pimiento Cheese Sandwiches ever! Always on toasted bread, with lettuce and tomatoes!!

I have plans for this pimiento cheese other than this amazing sandwich I made on soft fresh wheat bread layered with those tomato slices I picked from my garden! I’m thinking a grilled burger with this would be delicious! Pimiento Cheese deviled eggs? A stuffed tomato? Here’s 13 ways from Southern Living website: https://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/pimiento-cheese-recipes

Always a Favorite – My Southern Pimiento Cheese

I’ve used Hellman’s and Miracle Whip in this recipe! I really prefer Miracle Whip because it adds a little sweetness that mayonnaise does not add. Sometimes I add cayenne pepper for a little kick. This time I used Sharp Cheddar but you could use a mild or medium cheddar. My Southern recipe always has grated Velveeta Cheese. Don’t forget the pimientos! There’s many different brands of them but it seems these are available at most grocery stores. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dromedary-Diced-Pimientos-4-Oz/10318559

A perfect addition to this sandwich would be my Homemade Tomato Soup. Here’s the link: https://the2spoons.com/tomato-soup/. You’ll love this soup!

Always a Favorite – My Southern Pimiento Cheese

Here’s the recipe! Hope you love it as much as I do!

Southern Pimiento Cheese

Print Recipe

Course Lunch, Snack

Cuisine American

Ingredients

2 1/2 Cups Velveeta cheese, grated
1 1/2 Cups Sharp Cheddar, grated I used sharp, but you can use mild or medium
4 Oz Pimiento (small jar)
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Black pepper
1/2 Cup Miracle whip

Instructions

Before you grate the velveeta cheese, place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes because it will help grate it easier.
Grate the cheeses into a large bowl. Toss a little before adding the Miracle Whip.
Combine the Miracle Whip with the salt and pepper. Add to your grated cheese and thoroughly combine.

Keyword pimento, pimentocheese, sandwiches, southern pimiento cheese