Savory Caramelized Onion Cabbage Pancakes

I grew up with traditional pancakes just like almost everyone else who lives in America, not savory pancakes.  Pancakes were all that was really offered-at  Denny's, IHOP, McDonalds, and almost every other breakfast/brunch eatery place you can think of.  So naturally, pancakes became part of my collection of most cooked foods.  It was only until I grew up and watched numerous TV series of the Food Network that I discovered the art turning sweet into savory- I discovered the world of Savory Pancakes.  For once... something that tastes as good as it sounds.  They soon became one of my most favorite, most satisfying foods to cook.

Traditional pancakes are definitely delicious but there comes a point where enough is enough and the sugar becomes overwhelming.  If and and when the time comes, the savory version is the way to go.  Call it a fresh breath of air.  They're so versatile that they can be tweaked to fit into any kind of meal- breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.      

Some Ideas:
Breakfast: add in sausage, bell peppers, and cheese. Top off with Sour cream and hot sauce.
Lunch: Add your favorite cold cuts, tomato, and onions. Dip into ranch, sour cream, or my dipping sauce.
Dinner: Add Chives, Garlic, Chicken, and your favorite veggies. Serve with your favorite sauce.

Have fun with it!

2-3 servings; 15-25min
Ingredients:

ingredients can be found at IGA

Pancakes
3/4 cup flour ( I used pre-sifted)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white sugar
dash cayenne pepper (for heat)
1 egg for batter; 3 extra for topping (optional)
2/3 cup water
1/2 lb cabbage diced (~ 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium shredded carrot (a little under 1 cup)
1 small onion caramelized
3 salami deli slices chopped
oil for frying

Dipping Sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp white sugar
pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp grated ginger


Directions
1. Caramelize onions. Click HERE to learn how to cook them.
2. Prepare batter- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, salt, white sugar, cayenne pepper, egg, water. stir well but don't over mix. Adjust if necessary to make consistency similar to pancake batter (a little thick).
3.  Add in cabbage, carrot, and onions. Stir to incorporate.
4.  In a separate bowl, prepare dipping sauce. Mix vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, red pepper flakes, and ginger. Mix to dissolve sugar.
5. Heat a non stick pan on medium high heat.  Add ~1/2 tbsp oil for each pancake.  As soon as oil is hot, spoon in 1/3 cabbage mixture. You don't want to make too big of a pancake because doing so will trap in moisture, preventing pancake from browning.  Make sure you make an inner circle.  Flatten out pancake with spatula using tip (sweep across pancake while tapping down with tip).
6. Add you favorite meat on top of uncooked side. I used salami. it taste great fried.  (tip: if using something else, cook uncooked meats before placing on top)
7. Right after bottom side has browned, crack a raw egg on top of uncooked side and immediately flip with wide spatula.  Cook for another 3-4min or until other side has browned.  Pat down pancake with spatula to release any batter trapped inside.
8. Cut up and serve on top of rice with dipping sauce.
9. Enjoy!

 

Cheesy Hearty Herb Chicken Noodle Soup

MmMmMmm there's nothing that hits the spot more than cheesy hearty soup.

I constantly think about Mexican food, being that I grew up in a predominantly Mexican culture and was exposed to and ate many types of Mexican dishes.  The dish for inspiration in making this hearty soup was tortilla soup, a tomato based soup typically topped with tortilla chips and cheese.

My Mexican neighbors always cooked this soup, in hot and in cold weather... heck, they would still eat it even if they were in blazing hot weather, just to give you an idea of how much they loved it.

To my benefit, they were very giving (bless their hearts) and always shared their food with me and my family.  That fact that I've grown up with this soup is part of what makes me love it, but then again, if I were  introduced to it as an adult, I'm pretty sure I would love it just the same.

The potato and macaroni gave a little body to the soup and made for a nice mouth feel and the thyme infused within the soup so well and brought out the flavor of all of the other ingredients. A hint of spice, with a little sweetness and tang, this soup has everything going on.  It's like it's having it's own fiesta and I was invited.

So if you want to have a fiesta of your own, all you have to do is make this soup.  Toss in some tortilla chips and/or make a grilled cheese sandwich for more fun and action. hahaa. As always, enjoy!

4-5 servings; 23-30 min
Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1lb chicken thighs cubed 1/2''
3 cloves garlic minced finely
1/4'' ginger minced finely or grated
1tsp salt
1tsp cajun seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp black pepper
1tsp dried parsley
6 cups water or chicken stock ( I used water)
5 sprigs fresh thyme tied with rope (IGA or MNIB)
1 small carrot shredded
1 small potato cubed 1/4''
1 cup frozen corn
1 1/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
3/4 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp butter

Topping: sharp cheddar cheese and lime juice

Directions
1. Heat small pot over medium high heat. Add oil. Add chicken thighs in a single layer. don't stir. let cook for 2 min. until one side browns.
2. add garlic, ginger, and spices. stir for another 2 min.
3. Add water, herbs, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and corn. Stir and bring up to boil.
4. Add macaroni and bring heat back down to medium low heat.
5. occasionally stir to prevent macaroni sticking to pot. cook until macaroni is just cooked. ~25-20min
6. add butter and sugar. stir to dissolve. bring up to boil for another min or so. Turn heat off. scoop out bundle of herbs and dispose of it.
7. Serve in a big bowl and top with a splash of lime juice and shredded cheddar cheese. Butter toast, rolls, or cheese sandwiches pair well with this dish. Enjoy.

White Wine Tomato Chicken

I just love cooking with white wine.  It pairs well with chicken and makes the best sauce.  This dish is simply spiced yet is delightful to eat.  The grilled bits from the chicken add a lot of body and the white wine tomato reduction evens everything out just nicely.  There's also a hint of spice from the cayenne and black pepper in the background and a good crunch from the bodi beans...balance, just how I like it.

2 servings; 10-15min
Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1/2lb chicken thighs cubed 1/2'' (foodfair)
• salt (~1/2tsp), pepper (~1/8tsp), cayenne (generous dash) for dusting chicken 
• 3 cloves garlic minced finely
• 10 strings bodi beans chopped 1''(Foodfair or MNIB) or green bell pepper sliced
• 1 large tomato diced
• 1 small onion diced
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves or 1tsp dried herbs of your chosing (optional)
• 1 tbsp butter

Directions
1. Evenly dust chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (cayenne pepper is hot. test it out first). place chicken juices aside.
2. heat fry pan medium high heat. add oil. wait until oil is heated then add onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent. occasionally stir.
3. push onion to one side of pan.  add chicken in an even layer with gaps in between on empty side.  don't stir until one side browns.  when pink on chicken is almost gone mix together with onions.
4. add bodi beans and chicken juices and cook for another 2-3 min.
5. push everything to one side of pan. add tomato on empty side. adjust heat to high. cook until tomatoes have turned into mush.
6.  add white wine to tomato side and stir to combine. Cook for another 1-2 min on high heat.
7. add butter and fresh basil to tomato side and boil for another min.
8. stir everything together and cook for another min on high heat.
9. serve on top of white rice or with pasta. if serving with pasta, cook noodles al dente then combine in pan (directly from boiling pot) with white wine chicken. cook until sauce starts sticking to noodles (~3min). top with cheddar cheese.

Top Ramen Chow Mein

Top Ramen noodles resemble the noodles used in Chow Mein, or soy sauce noodles, the notorious noodles that you usually find right next to fried rice at Chinese Restaurants.  Chow Mein has been chosen to be part of the dream team of commonly ordered hits along with Orange Chicken and Mongolian Beef.  Why?  The reason why they're so darn popular and tasty is because they're fried (just like top ramen noodles) and anything that's fried is tasty.

Eat them raw or if you want to cook them, all you'll really need is 3 minutes. They're also dirt cheap so you can have a great meal without spending too much time and money.

Top Ramen comes with a packet of soup base powder and I never use it because the long list of ingredients contained in it (most of which I cannot understand) scares me.  All I know is that there's many versions of MSG in it and that's enough reason for me not to use it.  I make my own base for a piece of mind, minimizing as much unhealthy ingredients as I can in my diet.

I normally prepare these noodles with a lot of soup and eggs, but at the time, I was feeling like Chinese Food, so I prepared it Chow Mein style with a soy sauce base.

You can apply the same cooking method described below but instead throw in your own favorite ingredients!  The noodles are such a nice canvas to work with and the possibilities are endless.


1 serving; 10-15min
Ingredients: 

• 1tbsp oil
• 1/2 lb chicken thighs cubed 1/2''
• 10 strings Bodi Beans chopped 1'' pieces
• 2 cloves garlic minced (~1tsp)
• 1/4'' ginger slice grated or minced finely (~1tsp)
• salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper for dusting chicken
• 1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (or lime juice)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 1/2 cup water or chicken stock (or more if you want soup)
• 2 bunches of top ramen noodles (without powder)
• 1 stalk chives or green onion (optional)

Directions
1. in a bowl, mix rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and water (or chicken stock).
2. dust chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (warning- cayenne is hot)
3.  In a pan, heat up oil. medium high heat. when hot, add chicken in an even layer with gaps in between. Don't stir. Wait until one side browns.
4. Once pink on top of chicken is almost gone, add ginger, garlic. Stir Fry for ~ 2 min.
5. Add bodi beans. Stir fry for another 2 min.
6. Heat a pot with water and boil noodles on high heat for ~1-2min or until they just become loose. You will finish cooking them in chicken mixture.
7. add soy sauce mixture into chicken.  cook ~1min.  Add noodles from pot directly to pan without draining. It's okay if a little water gets in. Toss ingredients together with two forks or tongs for another min.

*you can make scramble eggs and add them into the mix. just delicious. Enjoy!

Spiceland Mall Stores, Hours & Information

Food Court
*Chop Stix- Chinese Cuisine
-Hours: M-F 11am-7pm; Fr 11a-6pm; Su closed
-Phone: (473) 444-7849; Cell (868) 788-8516

*Grill Master- Local Food (Visa and Master Card accepted)
-Hours: M-Th 8am-9pm; Fr & Sa 8am-10pm
-Phone: (473) 439- 3377
-Items sold: grilled and fried dinner, roti, wraps, salads, french fries
 Website

*Native Foods and Fruits- Smoothies
-Hours: M-Sa 9am-6:45pm; Su closed
-Phone: (473) 232-3663
-Items Sold: sometimes they carry Jamaican patties, soups, and fruit bowls

Other Stores
*Adonis Men's Wear- clothing store for men. Suits, shoes, hats, shirts, accessories
-Hours: M-Th 10am-7pm
-Phone: (473) 439 1212
-Brands: Dockers, Rockport, Guess, Clarks, Reebok, Van Heusen, Levis, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Columbia, Adidas, Oxygen

*Bryden and Minors- Stationary and office supplies
-Hours: M-F 9am-6pm; Sa 10am-7pm
-Phone: (473) 439-0870
-Items Sold: art and craft supplies, photo albums and frames, writing instruments and accessories, paper, school supplies, printing cartridges, labels, business forms, writing pads and notebooks, binders and presentation folders

*Creative Do-It Best- Retail and Distribution, building and construction, real estate and property management, air conditioning and roofing
-Hours: M-Sa 9am-7pm; Su 9am-1pm
-Phone: (473) 444-5487
-Items sold: sports items, cooking supplies, cups and plates, blenders, lighting products, tools, electric fans, electrical, bath supplies, gardening supplies

*Klassic Connection-ladies clothing
-Hours: M-Sa 10am-7pm; Su closed
-Phone: (473) 439-9326; St. George's (473) 435-7392
-Items Sold: skinny jeans, dress tops, casual tops, dress pants, summer dresses, accessories, handbags, wallets

*Lisa's- Jewelry Store
-Hours: M-Sa 10am-7pm; Su closed
-Phone: (473) 439- 4404
Website

*Mitchell's Health and Wellness Pharmacy
-Hours:
-Phone:
-Items Sold: prescription medicines, herbal medicines, bodybuilding supplements, sexual enhancers, blood sugar and pressure testing, herbal cleansers, diabetic aids, health foods

*Real Value IGA Supermarket
-Hours: M-Th 8am-9pm; Fr & Sa 8am-10pm; Su 10am-7pm
-Phone: (473) 439 2121
-Items sold: frozen and fresh foods, deli counter, ready made foods, wines, household needs
Website

*Shoe Connection
-Hours: M-Sa 10am- 6:45pm; Su closed
-Phone: (473) 444-5633
-Items Sold: belts, accessories, shoes, handbags for ladies and men

Simply Delicious Marinated Pork Chop Stir Fry

There's not too many fresh cuts of meat to choose from at IGA in Grenada.  I was a bit scared at first, not finding those that I'm used to cooking with, but after a little experimenting, the situation turned out to be fun.  The fun came out of the newness and excitement of a new cut of unexplored meat, learning with what is pairs well with, and discovering the secret to getting it tender.

So here's two fail proof ways to cooking pork loin center cut chops, as with any other tough cuts of meat:  Marinate or dredge them in flour and fry.  You can't go wrong.  My first time cooking them, I did neither and ended up with something close to rubber, almost losing my teeth. 

I marinated 1lb of meat and made them into multiple meals.  You can choose to cook them all at once if you'd like. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

~3-4 servings; one day for marinating, 5-10min to cook
Ingredients:
1lb Pork Loin Center Cut Chops (IGA)
1/4 cup Lime Juice (from a Ripe lime, yellow in color-sweeter)
2 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp finely minced ginger or 1tsp grated ginger (save juice)
3 cloves garlic finely minced
salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper for dusting meat
1tsp- 1tbsp oil depending on how many veggies you add in.

Veggie Fix ins of your choice. I used:
2 stalks chives chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 small carrot sliced
1 small onion

Directions: 
1.  Lightly dust meat with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper on both sides. Pat down spices with hands or backside of a spoon into meat.
2. In a tupperware, add lime juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.  Mix well.
3.  Add Chops.  Coat thoroughly using hands or spoon and later compress meat as much as you can into liquids.
4.  Store in fridge for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight (this is the most flavorful route).
5.  Before cooking, thaw out meat to room temp.  drain from juice (reserve for later). Slice into thin slices.
6.  heat a non stick pan high heat. add oil to coat pan. add meat in a single layer with gaps in between. This helps moisture escape, allowing for meat to brown.
7. don't stir until meat is 3/4 cooked. you will see the pink on the meat slowly turn an opaque color. stir fry for 1 more min. on high heat until juices have caramelized. Move to a bowl.
8. Without washing pan, add a drizzle of oil. stir fry veggies for desired consistency (I like mine crunchy so I only stir fry for 2 min on high heat).  Add in marinade and boil for three min. on high heat.
9.  Best served over white rice.
10. Enjoy!

A Side of Plantains

I amazed at how cheap plantains are here in Grenada.  They make the best dessert but also the best savory side dish since they have the right starch content, consistency, and sweetness (unlike a banana that's too mushy to cook with).  Here's an easy, quick, cheap, and delicious side that would go great with almost any entree (try pairing with bacon and chicken dishes, along with black beans). 


Ingredients:
1tbs oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 tsp cajun seasoning
2 small ripe plantains sliced (~1lb)
1 small onion cubed 1/2''
1/2 large red bell pepper cubed 1''
a big splash of lime juice
1/2 cup frozen okra for okra lovers (optional)

Directions
1. Heat non stick pan under medium high heat.  Add oil.
2. wait until oil is very hot. add onions and stir fry until translucent.
3.  add bell peppers. cook to desired consistency.
2. Add plantains and seasonings. toss to coat then lay in an even layer. cook until both sides of plantains have browned.  Turn off heat and add lime juice. Toss to coat and transfer to a bowl.