Guac and Roll

I once worked in a Mexican restaurant that had guacamole on the menu that was prepared at the table by the servers. So now I know how to make guacamole. This is must-have for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!




Guacamole
Printable recipe

• 1 avocado
• 1 Tbsp diced tomato
• 1 Tbsp diced onion
• 1/4 tsp chopped cilantro
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• 1-2 tsp finely chopped jalapeno
• Pinch salt
• Pinch pepper

Directions:
1) Cut avocado in half length-wise.

2) Using a sharp, heavy knife, whack the pit so the knife sticks in it. Twist knife to remove pit.

2) Use a medium spoon to scoop the avocado out of the skin.

3) Mash avocado with a fork to desired level of smoothness.

4) Add in tomatos, lime juice, jalapeño, cilantro, salt and pepper.

5) Serve with tortilla chips and margaritas!

We All Scream for Mocha Brownie Batter Ice Cream

I found this recipe for ice cream which does not require an ice cream maker and was excited to make it. Add some crumbled brownie bits to make it even better!

Mocha Brownie Batter Ice Cream
Printable recipe

• 1 14oz can condensed milk
• 2 c heavy cream, divided
• 1 c brownie mix
• 1 Tbsp instant coffee

Directions:
1) Combine 1 c heavy cream, condensed milk, brownie mix, and coffee in a medium bowl.

2) Whisk together until well mixed. Coffee does not need to be fully dissolved.

3) Set mixture aside.
4) Using a whisk attachment on a mixer, whip remaining cream on high for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

5) Add chocolate mixture slowly while whisking until all of the chocolate is incorporated.

Optional: Stir in crumbled brownie pieces.
6) Pour into a freezer safe airtight container.

7) Freeze for at least 6-8 hours before serving.

Irish Cream

There are a lot of ingredients to this so I'm including a recipe card, but something that only requires a blender to make qualifies as a Tasty Treat!

Homemade Irish Cream
Printable recipe

• 1 ⅔ c Irish whiskey
• 1 c heavy cream
• 14 oz can condensed milk
• 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp almost extract
• 1 tsp instant coffee

1) Combine ingredients in a blender.

2) Blend on high for 20-30 seconds.

3) Store in an air tight container and shake before serving. 

Mini Stromboli

Here's a fun and easy appetizer good for any party!

Mini Pepperoni Stromboli
Printable recipe


Ingredients:

• 1 can jumbo buttermilk biscuits
• 1 c Italian cheese
• 1 bag sliced pepperoni (3-6 slices per biscuit)
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 jar pizza sauce

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350º and spray baking pan with cooking spray.
2) Open can of biscuits and flatten to about 1/8" thick.

3) Put a line of cheese down the center of each biscuit.

 4) Add a line of 3-6 slices of pepperoni and top with more cheese.

 5) Fold in half, squeezing the edges shut, and poke air holes in the top with a fork.

 6) Line up stromboli in the baking pan and bake for 19-20 minutes.

 7) Serve while still hot with pizza sauce for dipping.

Traditional Wonton Soup

I made wonton soup before but it was definitely American-trying-to-be-Chinese tasting. Translation: not good. I managed to find something from an actual Chinese person (novel concept) who worked in her family's Chinese restaurant. And so much better than anything made with unnecessary ingredients and a sh*t ton of ginger. This one is also made with chicken rather than pork but feel free to substitute and see which you like better.

Adapted from Hsiao-Ching Chou's recipe, here is her video of how to fold the wontons efficiently.

Wonton Soup

Printable recipe

Ingredients:

• 10 cups chicken stock
• 1/8 to 1/4 c soy sauce
• 1/4 c white wine
• 1 c shredded cabbage
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
• 
  
• 1/2 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon  finely chopped fresh scallion
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame (or vegetable) oil
• 
  
• 1 egg, beaten
• About 30 wonton wrappers, thawed if frozen

Directions:

1) Bring chicken stock, salt, wine, soy sauce, scallions and cabbage to a simmer in a large saucepan and set pan over medium-high heat.

2) Combine pork, ginger, soy sauce, and oil in a small bowl. Mix until well combined.

3) Arrange several wonton wrappers on a flat surface, keeping remaining wonton wrappers covered with a damp towel.

4) Place about a teaspoon of the chicken filling on the corner of a wonton wrapper and roll it up a third of the way.

5) The fold up another third of the way.
6) Use a bit of beaten egg on one side and pull corners together pressing together where the egg is to seal.

6) Cook the wontons in boiling water about 5 minutes, until wontons are tender and translucent and floating.

8) Strain wontons and transfer to broth simmering for a few minutes. *Keep wontons separate until serving if not serving right away.

Buffalos Have Wings?

There are no words for this recipe. I got it from a coworker who posted it on fb so thanks to him because it is amazing.

Buffalo Chicken Baked Ziti
Printable recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 16oz bottle ranch dressing
• 1c Buffalo wing sauce
• 1 box penne pasta
• 2c of shredded cheddar cheese
• 1c mozzarella or additional cheddar cheese
• 2 cans 10-12oz canned chicken
• 16 oz cream cheese

Directions:
1) Fill a large pot with water and cook pasta according to directions on box.

 2) Once cooked to preferred amount of doneness, drain and set aside.

 3) Combine chicken and hot sauce in a large pot and heat until slightly bubbling.

 4) Add cream cheese.

 5) Stir until melted and evenly distributed, then turn off burner and add the 2 cups of cheddar cheese.

 6) Transfer pasta to a large bowl and stir in ranch dressing.

 7) Once evenly coated, add the buffalo chicken mixture.

 8) Stir until evenly combined.

 9) Transfer to a large baking pan or casserole dish.

10) Sprinkle additional cup of shredded cheese over pasta and if not serving right away, cover and refrigerate.

11) When preparing to serve, set oven to 300º and bake for about 15 minutes then set oven to broil for an additional 3-5 minutes.

*12) If making right away, just set oven to broil and then broil your pasta for 3-5 minutes until the cheese has browned slightly.