Cilantro-Lime Rice

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Can’t believe I hadn’t shared this one yet! It seems like the things I make most frequently in my kitchen, I skip over on the blog. We love this rice, and I make it at least once a week. Great as a side for anything Mexican, or even as a light main course paired with some of Elly’s World Famous Black Beans.

I remember I used to be scared of cooking rice on the stove-top. Don’t tell anyone, but I always used to cook it in it in the microwave! *hangs head in shame* Some people swear by rinsing the grains of rice, but I opt for the saute method. Leaves me with perfectly cooked rice every time. I love the kick from the lime, and paired with the cilantro – it’s the perfect flavor combination!

Cilantro-Lime Rice

1 Tbsp butter or olive oil
1 cup long-grain white rice (basmati or jasmine)
2 cups water
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
salt, to taste

Heat butter in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add rice to pan and saute for 1 minute, add water, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove cover and fluff rice with fork. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Add in the lime juice, cilantro, and salt and toss lightly to combine.

Source: adapted from ChipotleFan

Cantaloupe Salsa

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I love salsas of all kinds. Traditional red salsa, corn salsas, fruit salsas – it would be hard to nail down just one favorite. Last week we had fish tacos, and I went to the store for a few last minute ingredients. The cashier alerted me to the fact that the fresh, local cantaloupes were on sale for $2 BOGO. How could I resist? A true buy one get one too, not that BOGOHO crap!  I’d planned to do my usual mango salsa, but remembered when Shawnda had made a cantaloupe salsa to pair with fish tacos, and thought that would be a fun twist instead.

I pretty much just took my recipe for pico de gallo, and subbed in cantaloupe for tomato. It was fresh and delicious, and perfect with the blackened fish. And of course it wonderful for munching on with tortilla chips too. I know this would be a hit at any potluck or BBQ, as it’s so unique and different. Taking advantage of the last of the summer’s bounty while I still can, I know I’ll be making this a few more times before all the good melons are gone!

Cantaloupe Salsa

2.5 cups cantaloupe, finely diced (about 1/2 large cantaloupe)
1 cup red onion, finely diced
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Combine cantaloupe, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Season to taste with salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Source: inspired by Confections of a Foodie Bride

Garlic-Parsley Fries

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I know, I know – I just shared a recipe for homemade french fries on Friday, but I couldn’t resist sharing this rendition with you guys. My first taste of this wonderful fry flavor fry at Gordon Biersch, a national brewery/restaurant chain. I was blown away by their sheer awesomeness, and immediately went home and tried to re-create them. Several attempts were made, but none of them turned out quite right.

I’d been using olive oil to create the garlic-parsley infusion, which just seemed to make them extra greasy. The next time I tried butter instead. Once I swapped that out, bingo! Right on the money. These fries are drop dead delicious, ya’ll. A pungent bite from the garlic, a hint of lemony-herby goodness from the parsley. Certainly a great side dish, but these stand alone as an appetizer as well. With football season only a few weeks away (can I get an Amen?), I’m going to be looking for fun new munchies to make for my guys during the game. These fries definitely fit the bill!

Garlic-Parsley Fries

1/2 gallon vegetable oil
8 medium Idaho potatoes, peeled
kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in chunks
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced

Pour the oil into a deep fryer or heavy saucepan to reach halfway up the sides and heat to 350 degrees F, use a deep-fry thermometer to determine this. While the oil is heating, peel the skin off the potatoes and cut them into uniform 1/4-inch sticks; feel free to use a knife, mandoline, or French fry cutter. Dry the potato sticks thoroughly to keep the hot oil from splattering.

Fry the potatoes in batches so the pot isn’t crowded and the oil temperature does not plummet. Cook the French fries for 3 minutes, until soft but not browned. Remove the fries with a long-handled metal strainer and drain on brown paper bags.

To make the parsley butter: combine the butter, parsley, and garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Swirl the pan around until the butter is completely melted.

Increase the oil temperature to 375 degrees F. Return the par-fried potatoes to the oil and cook a second time for 2 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Drain on fresh brown paper bags then place in a serving bowl. Salt the fries while they’re still hot and pour the parsley butter on top; toss gently to combine.

Source: adapted from Eat This Book by Tyler Florence

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

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Macaroni salad was always one of those things I bought pre-packaged at the deli (blech, I know!). The concept seemed simple enough; pasta, veggies, mayonnaise based sauce. But, somehow it always went horribly wrong – managing to be a clumpy gloopy mess, but also still dry. I had given up hope, until I came across a recipe from a source I can always trust.

In Hawaii, where macaroni salad is a staple when it comes to plate lunches, it’s been a long known secret that you intentionally overcook the pasta – to make it “fat”. It helps it to really soak up the sauce, and keep the pasta moist and delicious. It makes a large batch that is perfect to take to a cookout. Or, for a simple dinner at home with some grilled barbequed chicken. Leftovers were great too! With a little grilled tuna or chicken, and some diced fresh pineapple tossed it – made for an awesome lunch.

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups mayonaise
1 tablespoon brown sugar
salt and pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
1/2 cup cider vinegar
4 scallions, sliced thin
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
1 celery rib, chopped fine

To make dressing, whisk 1-1/2 cups milk, 1 cup mayonnaise, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a bowl.

Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in large pot. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and pasta and cook until very soft, about 15 minutes. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add vinegar and toss until absorbed. Transfer to a bowl. Cool pasta 10 minutes,then stir in dressing until pasta is well coated. Cool completely.

Add scallions, carrot, celery, remaining 1/2 cup milk and remaining 1/2 cup of mayonnaise to pasta mixture and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 2 days. Serve.

Source: Cook’s Country, June 2009