Mexican Inspired Dressing

I made this dressing for a taco-type salad the other day and fell in love. Its tangy with a kick and just perfect for a little Mexican flair to a meal. Didn’t get a picture, as it is not very photogenic. Also, in my opinion, the more lime you add to this the better. The salad I added this dressing to was a mix of red leaf lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, scallions and avocado. I also added some kidney beans (would’ve been better with black beans, but kidney was all I had) for some protein. Obviously chicken or steak would be great as well.

Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup plain greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons oil (I used olive oil)
½ teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Cilantro

Curried Butternut Squash and Potato Latkes with Apple Salsau

I don't know that I had ever had a latke before this endeavor. I am now a convert. What a fun snack! Minus having to shread and peal the potatoes and butternut squash, these are pretty easy and definitely yummy. The salsa that goes with it is very versatile as well. I think it would go well with fish or even as a salsa for chips!



Curried Butternut Squash and Potato Latkes with Apple Salsa
Cooking Light, December 2010

1 1/2 cups finely chopped Gala apples
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1 finely chopped seeded serrano chile
5 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided
5/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
3 cups shredded, peeled butternut squash (about 3/4 pound)
3 cups shredded peeled baking potato (3/4 pound)
1 cup grated onion
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
1/4 cup olive oil, divided



Combine apple and lime in a bowl; toss. Add onion, chile, 1 tablespoon cilantro, and 1/8 teaspoon salt; toss. Cover and chill.

Combine squash, potato and onion in a colander; drain 30 minutes, pressing occasionally with the back of a spoon until barely moist. Combine potato mixture, remaining 4 tablespoons cilantro, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, flour and next 5 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; toss well.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat. Spoon 1/4 cup potato mixture loosely into a dry measuring cup. Pour mixture into pan; flatten slightly. Repeat procedure 4 times to form 5 latkes. Saute 3 1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove latkes from pan; keep warm. Repeat procedure twice with remaining oil and potato mixture to yield 14 latkes total. Serve with salsa.

Boneless Buffalo Wings

I am suuuuuch a sucker for buffalo wings. There are several places here in New York that consider themselves to have "the best" wings and of course, I've had to try out most of them. It also doesn't help that co workers are always ordering them for lunch and I smell that spicy tang and immediately want to head out and find some wings of my own!

These are a great alternative to the usual fried and harshly breaded wings. The breading uses whole wheat flour and they are pan fried as well. These turned out nice and spicy and I instantly fell in love. I used a blue cheese dip that I made with greek yogurt and topped off the wings with several extra splashes of hot sauce! 



Boneless Buffalo Wings with Spicy Blue Cheese Dip
Eating Well

• 2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream


• 2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese


• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar


• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 3 tablespoons nonfat buttermilk


• 3 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot, divided


• 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, divided


• 2 pounds chicken tenders, (see Ingredient Note)


• 6 tablespoons whole-wheat flour


• 6 tablespoons cornmeal


• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper


• 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided

1. To prepare dip:Whisk sour cream, blue cheese, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.


2. To prepare wings: Whisk buttermilk, 2 tablespoons hot sauce and 2 tablespoons vinegar in a large bowl until combined. Add chicken; toss to coat. Transfer to the refrigerator and let marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.


3. Meanwhile, whisk flour and cornmeal in a shallow dish. Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a small bowl; set aside.


4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and roll in the flour mixture until evenly coated. (Discard remaining marinade and flour mixture.) Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon cayenne.


5. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken, placing each piece in a little oil. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a serving platter. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and chicken, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent burning. Transfer to the platter. Drizzle the chicken with the reserved hot sauce mixture. Serve with carrots, celery and Spicy Blue Cheese Dip.

Cheesecake Factory Balsamic Dressing

Several years ago, nevermind how long exactly, I went to The Cheesecake Factory every week. Saying I was addicted is puting it mildly. Good thing I was pretty active at this stage in my life!

Among other things, I was completely enamored with their Balsamic Salad Dressing. I used it throughout my meal, no matter what it was. I dipped bread into it, artichokes and even my finger. Some things haven't changed =D

So my wonderful Stepmom, LadyJayPee, decided it might be more economical if she tried to recreate the dressing at home. And what other way to do that than to add more sugar to her already standing balsamic dressing recipe? Doy!

This stuff is great, though. And tastes just like Cheesecake Factory's dressing. I dare you to make it and put it on everything you eat.



Cheesecake Factory Balsamic Dressing
From Eating, Etc.

1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
optional herbs

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until emulsified.