K.C.C.O. Grilled Baked Potato™

This is a great recipe the last days of summer, tailgating or anytime.

I've used a broiler, but this also perfect outside on the grill.

I've also used real bacon and sour cream,  but you can vegan bacon or bacon bits, Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream instead.

4 medium to large potatoes

3 T. fresh chives
1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper
1/2 c. each: sour cream, Chopped onions, shredded cheese
1/4 c. each: butter, crumbled bacon
2 cloves Chopped and crushed garlic

Rinse potatoes, cut bad parts from potatoes if needed.

Peel, rinse, chop onions and garlic.

Rinse and chop chives.

Pierce potatoes down the middle, and 3 times across with a paring knife. Don't go all the way through. You want to keep the potatoes together. This will hold the rest of ingredients in.

Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate and cook for 4 - 5 minutes.

Cook bacon to desired crispness. Remove bacon from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Remove potatoes from microwave.

Add desired fixings, omit sour cream.

Wrap potatoes with aluminum foil and place on a cooking sheet. Place under the broiler or on the grill.

Broil or grill for 20 - 40 minutes or until done.

Be careful unwrapping the potatoes, the foil may be hot.

To serve:  Transfer to plate. Top with sour cream if desired.

Serves 4.

Easy Huevos Rancheros™

This is an easy recipe for breakfast or anytime. 

8 each: corn tortillas, eggs

1/8 - 1/4 tsp each: salt, pepper

1 c. prepared salsa

1 can drained, black or pinto beans

2 - 5 T. oil (adjust amount needed)

1 clove garlic crushed, chopped

2 - 3 T. butter

Peel, crush and chop garlic. 

Place beans, garlic in a microwave safe bowl. Toss with some of the oil, salt, pepper. Cook for 1 - 2 min.

Preheat sauté pan to medium high heat. Lower heat, add some of the oil. Fry tortillas on 1 side for 1 - 3 min. Turn tortilla over and fry on other side for 1 - 3 min. more or until crisp. Repeat process with remaining tortillas. Transfer to a plate.

Remove bowl with the beans from microwave. Cover bowl with a small plate to keep warm.

Add butter to pan. Crack 2 eggs into pan. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Cook for 1 - 2 min until desired doneness. Repeat process with remaining eggs. Add more butter if needed. 

To serve: Place 2 tortillas on a plate. Top each tortilla with an egg. Spoon some of the beans on the plate. Spoon some of the salsa over eggs. 

Serves 4. 

Opening Ceremony Onion Rings™

This is a great snack to eat while watching the Olympics.

1 - 1/4 c. flour
1/8  - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper
Pinch each: red pepper flakes, paprika, parsley, chili powder
1 large onion
Non stick cooking spray
2 eggs beaten


Preheat oven to 425 F'.

Peel, rinse, pat dry onion with a paper towel. Cut onion into rings.

Crack two eggs into bowl, beat well. 

Put flour into bowl. Add herbs and spices.

Dredge onion rings in eggs and then flour.

Place onion rings on baking sheet and place in oven. Bake for 20 - 30 min. Halfway through cooking, flip ring. Cook until golden brown.

Serves 4.

Very Cherry Granita™

This is perfect for a hot summer day or anytime. 

2- 3 c. pitted sweet cherries

1 tsp. sugar or your favorite sweetener (optional) adjust amount needed 

4 - 6 c. water

Rinse, pit cherries and cut in half.

In a saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Mix well to dissolve sugar.  Add cherries. 

Boil for a few minutes. Reduce heat and set simmer for 15 - 30 min, stirring occasionally. Turn off stove, cover pan and let cool for 15 - 45 min.

Strain cherries and water through a sieve into a baking pan. 

Run a clean fork through cherry water. Cover with plastic wrap and place into freezer. Repeat process every 45 min until cherry water turns into a slush 3 - 8 hrs. 

Serves 4 - 6. 

City Slicker Smores™

Summer is the time for camping, grilling, get togethers and bonfires.

S'mores play a highlight of these events. Even if you don't have access to a bonfire or grill, you can still enjoy this summertime treat.

Enjoy!

1 chocolate candy bar, regular or dark
4 large marshmallows
1 pack graham crackers


Break graham crackers in half. 

Break chocolate bar into pieces.

On a microwave safe plate, place 1 graham cracker. Place 1 marshmallow on cracker. 

Microwave on high for 5 - 10 seconds approx. Remove from microwave.

Top with chocolate and another graham cracker.  Repeat process with remaining marshmallows.

Serves 4 - 6.

Backyard Barbecue Bean Salad™

Summer is a perfect time for outdoor barbecues and get togethers. 

This recipe is perfect for a party or anytime.

1 can each: cannelloni beans, northern beans

1 c. chopped onions

1/4 c. olive oil

1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar

1/8 - 1/4 tsp. each: salt, pepper

1 clove crushed and chopped garlic

Open and drain cans of beans, place into bowl. 

Peel, rinse, chop onions, add to beans.

Peel, rinse, crush and chop garlic.

In a cup: combine: oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic. Mix well with a fork. 

Pour mixture over beans and toss to coat.

Place beans in refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.  

Serves 6 - 8.

Shrimp 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 - 1 1/2 lb shrimp 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 T. tequila (optional)
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, shrimp, lime juice, sauce. Toss to coat shrimp. Marinate for 15 - 20 minutes in refrigerator.

Heat saute pan to medium high heat lover heat to medium and add some of the oil. Fry 1 of the tortilla on 1 side for 1 - 3 min. Turn over tortilla and fry for 1- 3 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 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 shrimp. Cook shrimp on one side for 3 min or until it turns pink. Turn shrimp over and cook on remainder side for 3 minutes or until done.

To serve:  spoon some beans onto tortilla. Spoon some shrimp onto tortillas. Top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy.

Serves 4 - 6.