Tamales

I purchased a pack of ready-made tamales at Target the other day. They were made with shredded beef and were really not too bad.  If they had been prepared with a little more cumin and a lot more hot red chili, they would have been perfect. These tasted more like tomato tamales.

Tortilla Soup Recipe

This is the easiest tortilla soup recipe in the world.

INGREDIENTS

1 can of cheap chicken broth – Springfield brand maybe – it works for me

Approximately half a teaspoon of pre-packaged red chili from Papa John’s

3 packets of ketchup from McDonald’s (or wherever)

1 packet of hot sauce from Taco Bell

A (thin) round slice of Asadero cheese cut into six (uneven) strips

Approximately three handfuls of large tortilla chips (Las Cruces brand or whatever, as long as they are somewhat oily)

(OPTIONAL) Half of a small, ripe, avocado, cut into smaller pieces (OPTIONAL)

Directions

Mix the broth, the chili, the ketchup, and the hot sauce in a pan and heat until it comes to a simmer. Put the rest of the stuff in and heat for about two minutes. This serves two, maybe one, depending on how hungry you are. Play with the proportions – these are to my taste.

Tortilla Soup

I promised I would post my own recipe for tortilla soup months ago. I am almost ready. I will do it this afternoon. I need to find my notes first. Please be a little more patient with me. I am somewhat busy selling a shopping center right now. After I post the recipe, I certainly hope you will like it. It is very, very easy to make. You'll see. Try it on your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your spouse, or a close relative. If they don't like it, they will gently let you know. 

Juarez Competitiva

Juarez Competitiva is a movement initiated by several Juarez businessmen aimed at changing the perception people around the world have of Ciudad Juarez - the most violent city in the world. It is structured in a way which imitates large-scale conferences, like the G-20. It will take place in October, 2011. You can help by accessing its page on Facebook and "liking" it. It is here. It would be nice to raise awareness so that all people around the world know about it and have a chance to help in any way they can. There will be a little something for everyone, even fine food. Concrete actions are worth a lot more than simply lamenting the situation.

Juarez Competitiva es un movimiento social a grande escala. Se llevara acabo en Octubre del 2011. Ustedes pueden levantar el perfil de este evento si simplemente van a Facebook y prensan el boton "like" que ahi se encuentra. Habra comida exquisita tambien. Claro que si. Mas vale ayudar un poquito que lamentar mucho. Aqui esta. Mil gracias.

Pineapples Plus

Good Morning!  Here again..."the health cop" with another easy recipe for you!!! Do it or I, "health on wheels", will issue you a citation for NOT drinking!!

Ingredients

10 ice cubes

1 (12 ounce) can crushed pineapple in juice (Or FRESH) (Hint: Fresh is better)
1 (14 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk (Or Fresh)  (Yeah, fresh does it again)

Directions
Put ice cubes in blender and blend on high until it is crushed.

Add pineapples with juice and coconut milk and blend until smooth.

Serve immediately

Nutritional info

Pineapples are tropical fruits, that contain a proteolytic enzyme bromelain, an anti-inflammatory, which helps in the digestion of protein. Pineapple can prevent blood clot formation because of its bromelain content. Pineapple reduces excess water buildup and helps to maintain a healthy water balance in the body. As a result, a certain percentage of your weight can decrease. Get this into your diet immediately!

VITAMINS: Vitamin C

Coconut Milk -

Coconuts are seen by some as a miracle food, helping protect and cure the body of internal and external ailments. Coconut milk has many uses, most of which build up the immune system and the body's defenses. You can find coconut milk in the ethnic foods section of a local grocery store

Nutrients

Coconut milk contains many vitamins, minerals and electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and chloride.

Clean socks

This is just another household hint. It may help you maintain sweet smelling socks - you know how annoying smelly socks can be, especially after you have used them a few months. It works for me. In any case, to get your socks smelling as fresh as possible, pour three tablespoons of  baking soda and three tablespoons of lime juice into the washtub, together with the detergent of your choice (of course.) I am assuming you are washing at least twenty pair at a time - if fewer, just use less baking soda and less juice. Is that clear enough?

Waldorf Astoria

Curried Waldorf Salad (Thanks to Alice Blanco)

The original Waldorf salad combined celery, apples and mayonnaise, with walnuts and raisins later added to the mix. This version uses less mayonnaise (you can substitute yogurt for some of the mayonnaise in the original), but it has the same sweet, savory and crunchy mixture of celery, apples, raisins and walnuts. Slice the apples and celery thin for a more elegant salad.

Ingredients:

For the Dressing:

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

3/4 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Salt to taste

For the Salad:

2 Fuji apples

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup lightly toasted walnut halves

1 cup thinly sliced celery, from the heart of the celery

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup celery leaves or flat-leaf parsley (or 2 tablespoons each), coarsely chopped

Directions:

1. Mix together: lemon juice, yogurt, mayonnaise, curry powder, cumin, and salt. Set aside.

2. Cut the apple into 12 wedges. Cut away the core of each wedge and slice into thin crosswise slices. Toss in a large bowl with 2 teaspoons lemon juice. Add the remaining ingredients and toss together.

3. Shortly before serving toss the salad with the dressing.

Serves 6 - will hold for a few hours in the refrigerator.