RoobiFood

So it was breakfast time, and I was in one of those moods. I was looking for the delicious egg and vegetable combo of an omelet and yet I really wanted the comfort of a nice “dipping-style” (also known as sunny-side-up or over-easy) egg. What to do, I wasn’t hungry enough for both and that is when it hit me. Why not combine the two into one morning treat. Here’s how to make a dipping-yolk omelet, omelet aficionados will probably cry afoul but the end result is still scrumptious.

So here’s the mix. You’ll need 2 eggs, I prefer using eggs from Ameraucanas, but Rhode Island Reds produce a good yolk flavor as well. Some finely chopped vegetables/grated cheese(fine grate), roughly 3 Tbsp. And a Tbsp. Of butter, and of course Toast for dipping. I’m a fan of cheese and onion, but other mix-ins will do.

Here’s the process, separate out yolks from whites, being careful to reserve yolks intact. Place whites into a bowl, and add chopped mix-ins. Stir together (do not beat).

In a skillet melt butter over medium-low heat until it froths lightly. Add egg whites with vegetables and cheese. Then replace yolks in the center. Cook either sunny-side-up or over-easy and enjoy a great twist on two breakfast classics.

A Vanilla Latte, Mocha, Steamer or any other fancy coffee drink when purchased daily at a local coffee shop is sure to drain your funds and postpone retirement indefinitely. Well have no fear, I have compiled a few recipes for coffee drinks that can be made at home quickly and easily, just by starting the drip machine before hitting the shower in the morning.

When making coffee in a drip machine you can add flavor directly to the grounds in the filter before brewing for a subtle flavor boost. Here are a few suggestions for add-ins.

Ground Cinnamon

Lemon/Orange Zest

Dried Coconut (unsweetened)

Cloves

Mint

Faux Mocha AKA The Hillbilly Mocha

Mix 2-3 Tbsp Ovaltine/Nesquick into a cup of coffee

Add a splash of Vanilla Extract

Add Milk to your liking

Mix and enjoy.

Some people prefer Hershey’s Syrup in this recipe. This is fine, but I like the lower sugar content and added nutrients from Ovaltine and Nesquick powdered mixes.

Lazy Mary Vanilla Latte

Milk

Sugar

Vanilla Extract

Coffee

This is a nice flavor shot. Add a splash of Vanilla Extract and 1Tbsp of Sugar to a cup of coffee, stir and add milk to taste. This is an amazing fake-out for vanilla latte, and if you like a more succulent flavor use Half & Half instead of milk.

Dreamer Steamer

This is similar to the Vanilla Latte above, but sans the coffee. This recipe is designed for a 12oz mug, adjust sugar for smaller mugs.

Milk

Vanilla

Sugar

Fill a mug with milk. Pour into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tsp Vanilla Extract and 2 Tbsp sugar. Stir to dissolve. Heat and stir occasionally until a light foam or froth begins to form at the edges then pour into the mug and enjoy. Do NOT let the milk boil or scald, if this occurs there is no saving the treat and it will need to be thrown away.

An alternative is to place all ingredients into mug and microwave for 1-3 ½ minutes, until warmed through-out.

So keep that extra money you save on coffee house drinks and start building your nest-egg now. Plus, most people may find they enjoy using sugar to sweeten these drinks, rather than flavored high fructose corn syrup, which most coffee houses use.

Searches on Google are up for Gucci and Saks, and discount and bargain searches are down. Is the economy bouncing back? Should red-meat return to the daily dinner table in America? Well here’s a delicious recipe with hints from our southern neighbors that is sure to delight the family and will not break the bank. I would say this dish serves several people, but it’s so good it’s hard to avoid going back for seconds or thirds, so be prepared to be delighted by these easy cheesy enchiladas.

Here’s What You’ll Need:
6 Large Flour Tortillas (can be whole wheat)
1 can Re fried Beans
1 lb Ground Beef
3 Medium Onions
1 package Taco Seasoning
4 Tbsp Butter
2-3 Tbsp Flour
2 Cups Milk
3 1/2 cups Grated White Cheddar
Tabasco Sauces (to taste)

Cook 1 lb ground beef with one onion, chopped. Drain off fat, mix in taco seasoning and water and cook until water is gone.
Take tortilla and spread with refried beans-straight from the can is fine, sprinkle on meat mixture and grated cheese. Roll and place wrap into a buttered casserole dish. Repeat this process until dish is full with one layer of wraps.

Chop 2 medium onions and soften with 4 Tbsp butter over medium-low heat. When soft, and not browned, add 2-3 Tbsp flour and stir to form a paste. Slowly add milk constantly stirring. Bring milk mixture, just to a simmer and add 2 cups shredded cheese. melt cheese and keep stirring until thickens a bit. Pour over wraps in casserole.

Drizzle Tabasco sauce over wraps, to taste, and then sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Cook at 350 for 20-30 minutes until top bubbles and browns slightly.

Serve and Enjoy.

It’s such a shame that the economy has yet to get off the government life support and back into a real playing field, and now more than ever people are tightening to purse strings and cutting off all oxygen to the fun and diversions parts of their lives. So you’ve been buying in bulk and serving lots of inexpensive foods like spaghetti, and then leftovers. You open the fridge and wonder staring at those noodles (of course there is no sauce left) and some random meat, was it pork roast, chicken drumsticks, or something else? And of course you think tetrazzini or casserole. Why not try stir-fry. Here’s a great recipe and you don’t need to dig out that wok you got on your wedding day that’s sat in the attic ever since to make it.

Here’s what you need:
2 Tbsp. Canola Oil
1 Medium Sweet Onion Chopped
5 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 Green Bell Pepper cut into thin strips
Large Bowl of cooked pasta (preferable a long noodle, like spaghetti)
Cut-up Cooked Meat (pork and chicken work well)
1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
2-3 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp Good Soy Sauce (I use Kimlan Brand)
Small Handful of Thai Basil
1 Egg

Looking at the recipe list most things are found in the typical American kitchen, with the exception maybe of the Thai Basil. It is unacceptable to prepare this recipe with regular basil, if you cannot find Thai Basil, usually available from Asian or World Markets, omit the Thai Basil. Also if using a very salty soy sauce, cut back to 2 Tbsp.

Ok, here is how to make Sly Thai Stir-Fry. First be sure to have all ingredients chopped and ready near the stove. The preparation is crucial to avoid burning of ingredients.

In a large frying pan over medium heat add canola oil, onion, and bell peppers and cook until onions are softened. Then add the garlic, cook just a moment and add in the noodles, meat, and the crushed red pepper flakes. Shake pan and add butter. Keep moving ingredients so they do not stick to pan and let butter coat. Add the soy sauce over dish and stir. Next crack an egg into pan and scramble into the noodles. Keep tossing ingredients. Once egg is cooked add Thai Basil, once the basil wilts remove the pan from the heat and plate to serve.

Some people find tomatoes a good addition to this dish. If you feel this way, please feel free to add fresh chunked (de-seeded) tomatoes along with the noodles and meat.

Your family will think it’s take-out and they’ll definitely begin looking forward to leftover night.

Enjoy.

Ok, so the economy has been continuing on its downward spiral into certain destruction and going out to eat now seems like a twice a year luxury many of us are living without. Yet, staying at home with a box of Mac-n-cheese or a can of spaghetti-Os just isn’t going to suffice for many food enthusiasts out there. So here’s a great recipe that can give one a nice feeling of a fancy Mediterranean dish that is easy on the pocket book as well as on the overworked and overstressed cook. It’s Polenta Italiano.
Polenta is a cornmeal based ingredient and available at most supermarkets. Just ask your local grocer and get pre-cooked polenta.

So here is what you need:
Drizzle of cooking oil (I use Canola or Olive)
2 Italian Sausages removed from casing
1 Medium onion chopped
One small handful fresh Oregano chopped
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
½ Cup grated Mozzarella Cheese

Add oil to frying pan, crumble sausages into pan and add onion. Cook until sausage is browned and cooked and onions are soft. At this point add the polenta and the can of diced tomatoes. Stir mixture, let cook a few minutes. Stir and cook a few more minutes. Repeat this 2-3 times until mixture is heated throughout. Add ¼ cup of cheese and oregano. Mix. Remove from heat and sprinkle top of dish with remaining cheese. Place under broiler (leave pan handle out of oven/broiler to prevent burning hands on a super-hot handle). Leave under the broiler until cheese melts and begins to bubble. Serve from pan and pair with a fresh mixed salad. Makes for a great quick, easy and fancy meal for the whole family or just two.