Guacamole~So Ez ~So Good Don't forget the Cilantro

Guacamole seems like quite an exotic thing when I was younger
But now that I am older and appreciate the flavor of each ingredient as well as it's origin
I have to have it & the more Cilantro the better for me at least.
It is so easy to make I do not understand why they sell an enveloped mix

Please try and tweak to your fave flavors
there are a couple substitutions here as we do like the SOur Cream version the best.

It's healthy for you eat it on everything in moderation as is with everything in life.

I hope you enjoy.

First get your ingredients together

Ingredients:
2 Avocados, ripe
Sour cream
Minced Garlic
Cilantro fresh is best
Lime Juice
salt
pepper
1 Jalapeno Minced (with seeds for spicier flavor remove and devein for milder)
Equiptment:
a bowl for mixing & a fork for mashing



You can see I'm using pantry items that a lot of folks
already have on hand

Directions:

Start by peeling your 2 Avocados, you end up using about 3 teaspoons of lime juice I simply
sprinkle on the avocados whilst I am peeling to prevent browning. Mash with a fork, it does not have to be super creamed it is better to me with small chucks on Avocado. But it is to your own taste if you want it creamy you can even blend it.





I then add 1 tablespoon of Garlic minced



2 Tablespoons of Sour Cream you can use Low fat or full fat (we've even used mayo, and greek yogurt)





Chop a bit of fresh cilantro
Curl fingers under to get a good mince and not cut your fingers







Find yourself aProfessional salt & Pepper shaker and stirring expert



And you're done



Thanks for taking a moment with my blog
You are appreciated
~v

Island Rice ~Version #1

Island Rice (Bog)

Ingredients:
1 can Coconut Milk, 13.5oz
1 can pineapple tidbits, 8oz, drained reserve juice
1 can Black Beans, 15oz, drained & rinsed
water
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. whole fennel seeds
1/2 red pepper, small diced
1 carrot, small diced
1/2 sweet white onion, small diced
1 cup whole kernel yellow corn
1 cup white rice
3/4 lb. meat, ground turkey/chicken/pork sausage
salt & pepper to taste
1 small/medium tomato, small diced

Directions:
1.) Prepare vegetables. Having everything ready makes this dish take no time.

2.)Cook Rice: (You are using a basic rice recipe just using a different cooking liquid, it does make a difference in a dish)
Measure out 1 cup white rice, set aside
Measure coconut milk you have to add water enough to make 2 cups.
Cook in small pot in medium/high heat until the coconut/water mix just boils. Add nutmeg & about 1 tsp salt.
Add rice and stir gently, bring back to a boil and cook for approximately 10 minutes. (You MUST watch the rice since you are using a milk mixture, Watch it or you will Scorch/Burn it).
Check after 10 minutes stir gently just to check the rice on the bottom is not sticking too much, a little resistance in expected.
turn the rice onto a low/medium heat and cook for about 5 more minutes covered, then turn off and let set until you are finished with the rest of the dish.

3.) In a larger frying type pan heat on almost high heat. Heating your oil(s). toss in a pinch of onion when it starts to sizzle, throw in the Peppers, Carrots, & Onions. Salt to facilitate the softening process, draw out the flavors and marry them in the oils. Add your Fennel Seeds
Get a good sautee going it take about 5 mins for small diced items. Add your meat in pinches to the top of your vegetables, Stir fry until the meat is just done.
Add Beans & Corn and stir. Turn down your heat to Medium. Add Pineapple and 2 Tbsp of the juice. Stir just to mix.
Add rice, it may look sticky on the top but it will be fine inside. Even add the few lightly brown pieces in the bottom.Gently, Fold the vegetables into the rice until just mixed, add tomatoes on top let set just 1 min more, remove from heat and serve.

I plan to experiment with this and a habanero pepper added to the rice cooking.
Serve with Sweet Potato Chips and hot sauce. This could be made Meatless as well to suit your diet.

Potato Pone

Although it's not the prettiest gal on the block
She sure is a sweet, tasty treat.

This recipe has variations from Africa, West India, Jamaica, Belize, & Europe
It is worth a research to taste them all.

This is our families' favorite Sweet Potato Pone recipe


Ingredients:
2 cans sweet potatoes (29 oz.)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of raisins



Directions:
Drain potatoes.
Put in mixer bowl and add butter, sugar, egg vanilla.
Gradually add flour. When mixed, stir in the raisins.
Put into a 9 X 13 greased baking dish.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees until the edges are light brown and is set.