MINI CAJUN TOSTADAS!

Being that Mexican food is my absolute favorite thing to eat and I could literally eat it 6 nights a week, I went for the classic tostadas for the menu tonight ...but of course, I put my spin on it by adding that little touch of spice!

 

 DIRECTIONS:

1.)  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 
2.) Cut corn tortillas in half as they are easier to handle and eat rather than full size tostadas.

3.) Bring a pan of 1-2 inches of Canola Oil to a boil then drop in corn tortillas. Hold with tongs and bring out of oil in less than 1 minute. (If you leave in too long, they will brown).
 
4.) Set crunchy tortilla halves on a paper towel and blot access grease. 

 
5.) Heat a can of Refried beans (any brand will do) in a pot and smooth out to a creamy consistency. Don't forget to add salt and pepper!
 
6.) Once tortillas have set up and hardened, add a layer of beans, Mexican cheese, jalapeno slices and top with a generous handful of cajun spice. 
 
7.) Bake in the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheeses and add that extra bit of crunch. 

8.) Serve with your favorite salsa and enjoy!

-Andrea

*The Modern Susie Homemaker*

SMOOTHIES FOR DINNER?!

Tonight, I kept the dinner menu simple yet my tummy is completely satisfied! An iced smoothie was not only therapeutic for a sore throat but it's also chock-full of Vitamin C which will help speed along my husband's recovery! 

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/2 orange

1 cup of crushed ice

1 1/2 cups Fat Free All Natural Dannon Yogurt

1 cup Fat Free Milk

3 Teaspoons of Sugar

Directions

In a blender, add strawberries and 1/2 of orange and blend well. Then add the ice, milk and yogurt. Place the blender on medium speed and puree until smooth. Sweeten to your desired liking...I stop at 3 teaspoons of sugar! Set blender in freezer for 10-15 minutes to chill and then serve in frosty glasses garnished with frozen orange slices! Mmm....

Cheers to a guilt-free Bon Appetit!


-Andrea 
*The Modern Susie Homemaker*

HOT SOUP WARMS THE SOUL

 

I awoke this morning, to a sick husband so I decided nothing does a patient with a sore throat better than a hot bowl of soup!

I started out with a basic can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup which I made on the stove (This is ALWAYS a better option than nooking food in the microwave ladies!) Sure it may take a few extra minutes, but things truly do taste better plus you get the added benefit of the scent of whatever you may be cooking filling your home which is ALWAYS a plus. I love the smell of hot soup brewing on a cold winter's day! Of course I added my own touch to this old favorite, by adding in a dash of crushed black pepper, basil and fresh parmesean. 

To go along side of it, I cut up a deli hoagie roll into 4 slices. I brushed on a little olive oil and butter, used my handy dandy pepper mill and some fresh basil and each piece got a generous slab of jalepno cheddar from our local deli. Not only is this a nice alternative to saltine crackers but it is easier for a sick patient to swollow with a sore throat. Plus, it adds that extra touch of TLC every hubby needs to get feeling better! 

After just a bite, it was easy to tell my food critic gave this meal 2 thumbs up!


Next time you are feeling under the weather, take a few extra minutes and freshen up the ol' "soup and crackers" routine by adding a dab of this and a dash of that. It REALLY does make this meal more exciting and way better looking. And every good cook knows, presentation is half the battle!


Stay warm out there.


-Andrea
*The Modern Susie Homemaker*

My first "foodie" blog...

Hello readers!

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! As a HUGE Rachael Ray fan and a growing cooking enthusiast, I have been throwing the idea of starting a "foodie blog" around for a while now but when a friend encouraged me to write my own cookbook after reviewing pictures of my latest dish, well that's when I took that leap and created this blog. Besides, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to get started on this endeavor right?

I'm not a seasoned chef by any means, but instead a young housewife who LOVES trying out new recipes and getting creative in the kitchen. Rather I'm making breakfast, cooking a new recipe for my hard working hubby or whipping up a yummy treat with my new KITCHENAID Mixer--(thanks mom!!) I just love to cook. 

Although my specialties are pasta dishes, Mexican food of any kind and breakfast, I have decided to make 2011 the year that I expand my culinary horizons by creating new recipes and documenting my discoveries. Although I love to thumb thru the latest hot cookbooks on the market, my favorite way to cook is to make it up as I go. I'm a bit of a free spirit in the kitchen as I add a dab of this, and a dash of that...so here we go!

This morning I woke up with a hankering for a hearty breakfast but being that we've been out of town for the holidays, the cabinets and fridge were bare. We had eggs though, and some grated cheese so I made breakfast tostadas. Boy, did they hit the spot. The perfect blend of breakfast meets tangy Mexican--it was a party in my mouth! Try this recipe out for yourselves!

BREAKFAST TOSTADAS:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cook bacon on a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet (This will catch the grease/fat and keep bacon from curling up) Cook bacon to desired crispiness.

2.) Scramble 3-4 eggs in a pan, Make sure they stay light and fluffy and add in grated cheese, pepper and red pepper if you like that lil' extra kick!

3.) Fry corn tortillas in 1 inch of Canola Oil for that fresh crunchy tostada taste! (Takes less than 1 minute if the oil is piping hot)

4.) Pile eggs, bacon slices, and extra cheese on top of crunchy tostadas and put back in the oven to melt all the layers together. 

5.) Top with your favorite salsa and enjoy a Mexican fiesta breakfast!

Enjoy this breakfast...or dinner for that matter!

-Andrea

*The Modern Susie Homemaker*