The 5 minute (Philly Cheesesteak) Quesadilla

philly steak raw/frozen
onions
bell peppers
shredded mozz
12in flour tortilla (like for making wraps

taco seasoning
cumin
s/p
lime zest
salsa

In a pan i started cooking the steak down with a touch of oil and the onions and bell peppers...Then I threw in the seasoning and lime zest.  Right when it is almost ready toss in a little salsa.

On a flat grilling surface (bring to heat and melt a lil butter), put the tortilla on and spread cheese around (about a handful).  On one side spread the meat filling evenly (of course the meat is optional, a cheese quesadilla can be done in about a minute) and let the cheese melt for a minute.  Fold it over when it browns and has crispifiedd../Squish it down some and you are ready to eat.

You can cut it nice if you like....course this quesadilla would go very well with some sour cream, salsa, and some avocado.  Alone it still packs a punch for a quick little something-

Enjoy!

I LOVE MY BABY BACK BABY BACK RIBSSSS

THE MARINATING HAS BEGUN
4 days in advance

trim and clean the ribs

next I seasoned with

salt
black pepper
cayenne
paprika
cumin(I put more than usual)
olive oil infused with sage and mushrooms(only olive oil I had laying around)
bell peppers
onions
mushrooms (well....i mean if the olive is infused with mushrooms I felt like I had to throw some in..typically I would not)

So then I wrapped them up in plastic wrap with very little air.

and so the BBQ process begins...

2.5-3hrs at 225-250F in oven wrapped in tin foil

30hr basting w barbeque sauce on BBQ

Kebabs

Lemon-Thyme Chiken Kebabs

chicken pieces
lemon, thyme, s/p, olive oil
skewers

Skewer the chicken pieces, add lemon juice, olive oil, thyme n s/p
you can throw them in the oven for 20-30min til theyre golden or BBQ


Beef Kebabs
beef chuck
bell peppers squared
onion squared
mushrooms
tomatoes quartered
olive oil, thyme, s/p
skewers

Put the kebabs together and throw em in the oven for 30min at 400F or BBq...or a combination of the two.

Serve with some rice..

Cold "Deli Style" Pasta Salad

Tri-Color Rotini(didnt have any farfalle)

olive oil, balsamic, s p

tomatoes

olives (green and black)

yellow and red bell peppers

lefover spiral ham

pepperjack cheese

white onion

minced garlic

Ok start boiling pasta- while thats going on you can go ahead and chop up a cple tomatoes into slices or 1in cubes..chop the onion, pepper, pepperjack into 1/2in cubes.  I sliced the ham into 2in long narrow slices....(do however you like....cubes...). 

Once the pasta is ready(i took if off when they were still a little al dente, I don't like the pasta to fall apart in the salad).  Run it under some cold water until it is cooled, let it drain and then pour the pasta into a bowl.  You may throw in all the rest and add your dressing.  

My Irish-Italian Quiche

homemade quiche crust from scratch

potatoes, boiled and chopped into 1/2in cubes

prosciutto, chopped

swiss chopped

1/2 white onion chopped

3 eggs

1c milk

nutmeg

s/p

parsley chopped

Precook the quiche in the oven for 10min at 400.  Saute the onion and prosciutto til onions start to turn translucent and then let cool.  In a bowl on the side mix the milk and eggs with a whisk.  Add the spices and parsley.  then add the rest into the bowl(or put the filliing directly into the crust and pour the egg/milk over) and into the crust it goes.   

Bake the quiche for 30-35min or until starts to brown/golden.

'The Standard' Curry Chicken Salad

18oz grilled chicken chopped into 1/2in cubes..maybe a touch smaller

a handful of dried cranberries

1/2c red grapes

1/2-1c apple chopped into 1/2in cubes

1/2c~ mayo

1tbsp curry powder, s/p

1tbsp~ranch dressing

walnuts or sliced almonds or none..

Begin with your meat and then add the mayo and start making the sauce, then add the rest...it will be easier and the apple pieces won't get smashed.  I wouldn't put the nuts in if you are planning on putting this in sandwiches.  

The key to this chicken salad is the little bit of ranch to sweeten the curry.   

Don't use food coloring, thats lame.

here's a variation with dried cranberries and cubed cucumber from the garden

Yellow Curry Fish Stir Fry

1c peas, 1/2c carrots, 1c broccoli, 1/2c mushrooms, 1/2c green beans, 1-2 tomato,1/2 white onion sliced

12-18oz flounder and tilapia chopped into 1in squares

1/3c diced garlic, 1/4-1/3c ginger

1-2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tspcayenne, 1 tsp srirracha, 1/2 tsp mae ploy sweet chili sauce, s/p

1-2 tbsp olive oil, 1c veg stock

Start with oil in a deep pan, add curry powder garlic and ginger.  Then onion and the fish.   Let the fish cook for a minute and cover them til they yella'.  You can toss in the veg next and the stock...and seasoning..youll proll have to use more curry as well depending on how large a dish and how much you started with, of course.  Omit cayenne and srirracha for a blander dish more similar to some curries found in chinese restaurants in the states.  I used just a dab of sweet chilii sauce- its almost like duck sauce, you can use it as a dip for egg rolls,etc

Let dish simmer for 20-30min and serve over rice or something.

I wanted more of the sauce once I sat down....so maybe double down on the sauce :)

I confess- I used a frozen veggie bag and fresh veggies too...half n half--so all I chopped was garlic, ginger, onion, and the fish....I know still stinky on the hands but overall and very quick and easy dish I prepared midweek.