Homemade Bratwurst

This was one of my sausage projects. I used a bratwurst seasoning package from LEM products.

What I made this weekend....

So to start, it was time for a fresh fruit salad.  It is so simple and tastes great, especially when topped with whipped cream. 

Just get a selection of your favorite fruits.  This one contained blueberries, strawberries, pineapples, mandarin oranges.   Once all the fruit is combined, use a packet of Kool-Aid Tropical Punch to cover the fruit.  Mix and adjust for taste.

Peppers to Powder

Not being able to purchase jalapeno powder in the local area, I decided to make my own.  I dehydrated some jalapeno peppers and cloves of garlic.  Once dehydrated, I ground them to a fine  powder.   Also, I bought some already dried arbol chili and made my own powder.   The freshly ground peppers add a nice heat to my bbq rubs.

Meat Loaf Gyros...

I love a good gyro and instead of driving 25 miles to get one, I found this recipe on the Taste of Home web site. I wasn't unable to find any ground lamb, so I had to grind my own.

Also, with the tzatziki sauce...I thought more was needed, I added a cup of sour cream, TBSP of vinegar and squeezed out the juice of the cucumber.

Ingredients
•1 egg, lightly beaten
•6 garlic cloves, minced
•3 tablespoons dried oregano
•1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
•1 teaspoon pepper
•1 pound ground lamb
•1 pound ground beef

In a large bowl, combine the egg, garlic, oregano, kosher salt and pepper. Crumble lamb and beef over mixture; mix well.

Pat into an ungreased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160°. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Tzatziki:
•1 cup (8 ounces) plain yogurt
•1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped (Juice squeezed)
•2 tablespoons lemon juice
•2 garlic cloves, minced
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/4 teaspoon pepper
(Added a cup of sour cream, TBSP of Vinegar)

In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

•Gyros:
•8 whole pita breads
•3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
•tomato
•onion, halved

•Brush pita breads with 1 tablespoon oil; heat on a lightly greased griddle for 1 minute on each side. Keep warm. Cut meat loaf into very thin slices. In a large skillet, fry meat loaf in remaining oil in batches until crisp.

•On each pita bread, layer the tomato, onion and meat loaf slices; top with some tzatziki sauce.

Stuffed Shrimp Beignets

I found this recipe in a cookbook and it sounded pretty good. Only one problem, the recipe called for crawfish. None to be found here, so I used shrimp.

Filling:
1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
1/2 Cup Chopped Celery
1/3 Cup Butter
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
Cajun Seasoning to Taste
1 Pound of Crawfish or Shrimp
1/4 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/4 Cup Shredded Swiss Cheese (I used Colby)
1 1/2 TBSP Green Onion
1 1/2 TBSP Parsley, Chopped

Sauté onion and celery in butter until tender. Add garlic, seasoning, and shrimp. Simmer 8-10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Set aside and let cool completely. Add cheese, green onions, and parsley. Prepare dough. Heat oil to 350.

Beignet Dough:
2 Cups Biscuit Mix
3/4 Cup Water
(If short on time, use 2 containers of 8 refrigerated biscuits.)

Mix together with a fork. Roll out dough and cut with a 4 inch circle cutter.
Place filling on one half of the dough.
Fold other half over filling and seal edges with fork dipped in flour.
Fry beignets until golden brown.

I topped the beignets with a jalapeño cream sauce.

Banana Nut Bread

This is a great recipe for banana nut bread. I skipped the topping for some unknown reason, but it was still delicious.
 
1 Package of Duncan Hones Yellow Cake Mix
4 eggs
1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 Cup Mashed Bananas, fully ripe (about 3 to 4)
1 Package of Instant Vanilla Pudding
1/2 TSP Cinnamon
1/2 TSP Nutmeg
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1/2 Cup Water

Topping:
3 TBSP Margarine
2 TBSP Milk or Cream(Or enough to obtain consistency for spreading)
2 1/2 Cup Confectionar's Sugar
1 1/2 TSP Vanilla

Combine yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, bananas, vanilla pudding, cinnamon, nutmeg and water. Mix at medium speed. Fold in pecans last. Pour into greased and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes.

Topping: Combine all ingredients, mix and spread on cake after baking is completed.

Tasso and Jalapeno Cornbread

I have been craving a spicy cornbread. Pretty easy to make.
Preheat Oven to 425
Brown Tasso and add oil to skillet
Place skillet in oven while preparing
Combine equal parts of self rising flour and cornmeal
Add Jalapenos and Juice
Add Corn and Tasso
Add one egg
Add milk until you get the right consistency.
Pour mixture into hot skillet.