Elotes

This is great on a grill or anytime.

I've used light mayo but you can use regular mayo if desired.

8 ears shucked corn
1/4 - 1/2 c. light mayo
2  - 4 T. olive or canola oil

2 - 3 T. butter
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon each: salt, pepper,  chili powder, dried parsley
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
8 c. water

Zest of lime

Shuck corn if needed.

Zest lime.

Put water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add corn, half of the salt.

Boil corn for a 3 - 5 minutes.

While corn is boiling, combine mayo, lime zest, the rest of the salt, pepper, parsley, and chili powder in a bowl. 

Mix with a clean fork.

Place in refrigerator until ready to use.

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, lower heat to medium.

Brush corn with oil and place on the grill to grill for a few minutes on each side or until done.

Remove mayo from refrigerator.

With a clean pastry brush, spread butter and mayo on 1 side of corn.

Sprinkle cheese over corn.

Serves 8.

Mr. Arnie™

This is a great beverage on a hot day.

I've use decaf tea bags, but you can use regular tea bags if desired.

You can also use premade iced tea instead if you're pressed for time.

8 cups cold water
 3 large tea bags
4 cups fresh or prepared lemonade
Ice

Turn the kitchen faucet on to cold and let run for 1 minute.

Fill kettle with cold water, place kettle on stove.

Turn stove burner and to high and bring water to a boil.

When water begins to boil turn off stove, place tea bags into tea kettle.

Steep tea for a few minutes to desired strength.

Remove tea bags from tea kettle and let tea cool.

If using premade tea, skip previous steps.

Fill a pitcher with ice. Pour cooled tea in the pitcher over ice.

Add lemonade to tea and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Serves 6.

Bacon Fries

Bacon makes everyguthing taste better

16 - 24 oz. frozen or homemade french fries
2 - 3 T.  olive oil
1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper, granulated garlic
Non stick cooking spray
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1  - 1  1/2 c. each:  lite shredded cheddar or colby cheese, crumbled cooked bacon

Preheat oven to 450' F.

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

In a cup combine oil, salt, pepper and spices. Mix well.

Combine fries and oil mixture in a mixing bowl, toss to coat.

Arrange french fries on baking sheet, put fries in oven and bake for 30 min. or until golden brown.

Halfway through cooking, remove fries from oven and flip fries over if possible to cook on other side. 

While fries are cooking, heat skillet to medium high heat. Lower heat to medium heat add bacon. 

Cook on 1 side for a few minutes. Cook on other side for a few minutes more to desired doneness. Drain excess fat from bacon on a paper towel lined plate.

Remove fries from oven and place on a plate.

Sprinkle cheese over the fries and place in the microwave. 

Microwave on high for 1 - 2 minutes or until cheese melts. 

Crumble bacon over cheese fries.

Serves 4.

Fish Tostadas

This is perfect for summer or anytime.

I've used a grill pan, but this is also great on the outdoor grill as well.

1 lb fish fillets approx
1 lime: juice and zest
1/8 - 1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper (to taste)
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
4 - 6 T olive oil
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 - 2 cloves fresh garlic crushed
 1/4 tsp fresh parsley or cilantro
 8  - 12 corn tortillas
3/4 - 1  c each: shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, diced onions
1/3 - 1/2 c sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 can pinto beans

Combine: some of the oil, herbs, salt, pepper, fish, lime juice, sauce. 

Toss to coat fish on both sides. Marinate for 15 - 20 minutes in refrigerator.

Heat saute pan to medium high heat lower heat to medium.

Add some of the oil. 

Fry 1 of the tortilla on 1 side for 1 - 2 min. Turn over tortilla and fry for 1- 2 min more or until crisp. 

Repeat process with remaining tortillas.

 Add more oil if needed. 

Open up can of beans and drain liquid. 

Pour beans into bowl. 

Add some of the oil, heat on microwave for 1 to 3 min or until warm.

 Remove beans from microwave, set aside. 

Heat grill pan to medium high heat. 

Lower heat to medium, and add fish. 

Cook on one side for 5 - 8 min. 

Turn fish over and cook on remainder side for 5 - 8 min. or until done.

Let fish rest for a few minutes before slicing. 

To serve: Cut fish into pieces.

Spoon some beans, some fish onto tortillas. 

Top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy.

Serves 4 - 6.

Keep Cool Cucumber Water™

This is refreshing for a spa day or anytime.

I've used regular water, but you can use sparkling water or even club soda.

I also used a lime.

If you don't have a lime you can use a lemon instead.

1/2 cucumber sliced
Juice of 1/2 lime (optional)
Ice
1 quart water
1/4 tsp. sliced fresh ginger (optional)

Rinse and cut cucumber into thin slices.

Set aside 4 cucumber slices for garnish.

Slice ginger.

Rinse and cut lime in half, set aside.

In the bottom of pitcher place ice.

Add desired cucumber and ginger slices, to pitcher and pour water over cucumbers.

Squeeze lime juice in pitcher and place into fridge until ready to serve.

To serve:  In the bottom of 4 clean glasses place ice.

Pour cucumber water through small sieve into glasses.

Cut a small slit into reserved cucumber slices and place on rim of glasses for garnish.

Serves 4