Z is for Zucchini

IT is finally here the last day of the blogging challenge. So what better Z food than zucchini...ok to be honest it is the only one I can think of. But that is ok because I love zucchini! This recipe is quick and easy and oh so yummy.



Fried Zucchini:
4 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Zucchini sliced with peel on
Flour
Panko Bread Crumbs
grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Mix together first 8 ingredients until it is the consistency of a pancake batter.Adding more buttermilk or flour as needed

Dredge sliced zucchini in dry flour. Dip flour coated slices in batter then coat with panko bread crumbs.

Deep-fry in 360-F cooking oil till golden brown.
When both sides are golden brown, remove slices from oil and set on paper towels or grid to drain.
Sprinkle the tops with cheese. Serve hot with favorite marinara sauce to dip in to.

U is for....Um, Uh, Ugh

Ok so um hmmm...I have not a single clue as to any foods that begin with U. I mean there are the cheat ones like Upside Down Cake. But actual ingredient....yup I'm stumped. So looks like today is another cheat day. Today's theme will be Ugly.

We've all done it before. Experimented and made a dish that was so ugly you were afraid to touch but when you took a bite it was surprisingly delicious. The following recipe is heart burn inducing but so yummy. I don't remember where I first saw this recipe so I'm so sorry that I cannot give credit to where I found it since it was a number of years ago. I can guarantee this is not pretty to look at but it is so yummy.

Photo Courtesy of stevendepolo

Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
6 hot dogs sliced
6 hot dog buns torn into pieces
1 large can of chili
1 large onion chopped (can be omitted)
Mustard
Relish
Bacon, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded cheese
hot sauce


Preheat oven 350. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish. Arrange torn up bun on the bottom of the dish evenly. Layer hot dog pieces over bun. Spread chili on top of hot dogs. lightly cover with mustard and relish and sprinkle onions over the top. Lightly splash hot sauce across top. Top with cheese and bacon. bake for 30 minutes.


Alterations: you can make this healthier but using whole wheat hot dog buns, turkey hot dogs, turkey bacon, vegetarian chili, low fat cheese, add more veggies etc.

Book Review: Cheese and Beer by Janet Fletcher

I received an ebook copy from netgalley. Let me say I've never made it a secret...my love of cheese that is. This book had me drooling in a very Homeresque way. "MMMM cheese and beer".

The book is exactly about what you would think. Cheese and beer. It goes on to describe different types of cheeses and beers and how to pair them together. Talk about a yummy culinary experience.

I thoroughly loved this book. Full of pictures and full descriptions it will be fun the next time I host and event. I plan on trying to do some of the pairings and see what people think. I've always wanted to go on a cheese and beer tasting tour and this will let me do it at home. I'm honestly considering get the hardback version for myself to display. Munch on! I give this 4 and half out of 5 stars!

Q is for Quick

Ok so I hadn't prepared for today's post. Like many other American's I've been spending the day paying attention to what is happening in boston. So I didn't pick a food today. EEK! So instead of a food that starts with Q I'm going to give you a Quick and easy recipe.




Quick Cheesy Hamburger Pasta

1 box elbow macaroni cooked aldente and drained
2 lbs ground beef browned and drained
1 large onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups favorite melty cheese
salt and pepper to taste


Light saute the onion for a few minutes then add garlic. Cook for one more minute. In a large oven safe baking dish combine pasta, hamburger, onion,garlic, tomatoes. Top with cheese and place in oven for about 15 minutes. Cheese should be melty and starting to brown.


alternatives: you can jalepeno to make it spicy, crispy bacon, or favorite veggies to make healthier

Confession time.....Guilty Pleasures

So I figured to help people get to know a little bit more about me I'll make some embarressing confessions. Today's edition of embarressing confessions has to do with guilty pleasures. You know those things you can't get enough of when you should know better.

Courtesy of Simon Cocks from Flickr

1. Ghost hunting shows- These shows are like crack to me. I can't get enough of them. Yes there is a part of me that is skeptical. But oh that other wicked part of me that loves to be scared and so desperately wants to believe in ghosts takes over. I love them all....Ghost Hunters, Haunted Collector, Stranded, Ghost Lab, Ghost Mine, Scariest Places...and all the other ones I've forgotten off the top of my head. I so want to go on a ghost hunt myself but I'll be honest I'm such a scaredy cat I would need someone with me the entire time.

courtesy of wordridden from flickr

2. Cheese- Probably my favorite food of all. One of my biggest dreams is to go on a cheese tasting tour. I want to try them all. I love so many from a good sharp cheddar, a musky blue cheese, goat cheese in a simple pear salad, smoked gouda on my sandwich, all the way too (I can't believe I'm admitting it on here) ez cheese. Yes ez cheese that stuff that you squeeze out of a can. I just love cheese.

Courtesy http://www.brisbaneishome.com/

3. Books- yes books are a guilty pleasure. I not only love to read them. I love to collect them. I love to list the ones I want to read. I love searching out far and wide for new books. I hold onto them as though the world is about to end and I alone will start the library for those that survive...ok a bit melodramatic there. But the point is that I honestly have an addiction to them. I feel lost if I don't at least have one at hand. Whether it be on ereader or a standard paperback. This coming from a very slow reader. Can you imagine if I was a fast reader?

H is for Ham

Today's food and recipe is purely one for my son. My 5 year old loves ham! He could eat it all day long.

I'm so not posting the nutrition facts on ham because lets face it...not the healthiest of foods. But part of a well balanced diet it is a good choice for a protein.



The following recipe is one I make often for my son. I omit the pickles from the sandwich for the rest of the family members and sometimes will add olives for both son and them.

Courtesy of goodiesfirst from flickr

Ham and Cheese Paninis

1/3 lb of thinly sliced deli ham (favorite flavor will do)
1/4 lb of either sliced american or sliced cheddar cheese
4-6 mini pretzel rolls (can substitute with other type of roll)
Bread and Butter Pickles
Pickled Peppers
Butter


Lightly butter surface of panini press (can also use forman grill). Place meat and cheese along with a couple of slices of the pickles/peppers. Place inside of press and close press down tight. Cook for 3-5 minutes till cheese is gooey and bun is slightly toasty. Serve with a few pickles on the side.