I haven't done many recipes or foody ideas of late. Today I have a couple things to share. One is a chart and the other a recipe. summer will soon be upon us here in north American, and it will be getting hot. (It will - promise!!!) I know even with AC, I hate to heat up the oven when I don't have to. I no longer have an outdoor grill (just my G Foreman) - so I will probably use the air fryer more. Yep, I got it brand new a few years back at a yard sale (probably one of the last I went to) for $10. It is cumbersome and needs storing most of the time, but it is also handy to have. It does a good job. I am going to list a convenient chart on times for various items in the air fryer.
I have basically only used for fish and chicken so far - but it will be fun to experiment.
OK, I LOVE taco sauce!!!!! I use it on all Mexican type foods and sometimes on other things. I love the combination of flavors of refried beans, cheese and taco sauce. I have made my own for a long time (as well as enchilada sauce), but recently ran out and had to buy some. Ortega sauce is very similar in taste to the homemade.
This is easy and oh so tasty. The closest I have found to Ortega. I get my tomato paste at Aldi - as it is pretty cheap there - but it is a fairly inexpensive ingredients, no matter where you buy. I use store bought hot sauce - just a little bit. This is the recipe I have used for a long time.
It sure does taste good, and it makes enough to keep me well supplied, or to give as gifts!
Think a jar of taco sauce, homemade taco seasoning and maybe some homemade tortillas as a gift!!!!!
Enjoy
Last time I was at the store, I saw a new (to me) item. We have all seen pie crusts that you can buy. 2 rolls of crust in a package. Well, I saw mini crusts! There were still two rolls in the pack (same size box) - but there were 2 sheets on mini crusts - 7 on each sheet. So, 14 mini crusts for things like tarts - at your convenience! The price wasn't much different.
Pretty nifty!
Zucchini bread and muffins - we have all made it. It is always sweet! Well, I have come across a hearty/savory recipe. YUM. I think this will be great with any meal. Definitely going to be on my menu this year. It is almost zucchini time - so it is wonderful to have new recipes.
SAVORY ZUCCHINI BREAD
Again, click on pic to enlarge for better reading.
Hope you all enjoy these ideas. It is a beautiful day awakening here - so I will be busy with outdoor activities today. I hope you all have a great day and ENJOY the recipes!
Blessings to all.
Thanks for the great recipes! : )
ReplyDeleteGood to know on that taco sauce, what brand to buy. I like a good taco sauce too. I could have used some yesterday when I made a burrito for lunch.
Thanks again for taking the time to share.
Blessings!
You are more than welcome. Enjoy!
DeleteI am such a taco sauce fan - use it in so many ways!
My favorite taco sauce is La Victoria medium. I couldn't find it here for years and my aunt mailed me bottles. That and Knott's Berry Farm Boysenberry syrup. Now I'm craving tacos!! I could eat tacos every week and never tire of them.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I think I'm hearing thunder. I hope there's a good couple of inches of rain to go with it. It does look off and on dark outside. I should pay better attention to the weather but it seems like we've had the same 2 reports for the past month. High winds and red flag fire warnings and cool over the weekend. Now I don't hear anything. I'll let you know lol. That might explain why my knees are testy this morning.
I just realized new store ads are out today. I need several things. I hope I can catch them on sale.
I could eat tacos and Mexican food everyday! It is my favorite.
DeleteOh goodness, I hope you get rain. I know you need it. Praying for raindrops to fall on your head!!!!
We love our air fryers! Yes, we now have two here at home and we purchased one for the lake house since we really missed it when we were there. Yesterday I made ten bread crusts saved in the freezer into croutons and now have two quart jars in the pantry. It makes the best crispy croutons! We recently found that fried chicken reheats perfectly in the air fryer and was even better than the day it was made! Definitely try bacon! It is so crispy and good and no greasy stove top to clean up.
ReplyDeleteGood to know on the croutons! YES, chicken on day 2 is so much better in the air fryer - I agree. It gets such crunchy skin!
DeleteI will have to give bacon a try - it just seems like it would be messy! But then, I do oven - so you can't eliminate mess.
Pinned the air fryer cheat sheet! Sure beats the old Fry Daddy machines. As I get older, the less I can tolerate deep fried foods.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a super day! Get out and enjoy it. We are headed to pick up RX and some other things. Lots of outdoor work when we get back.
They are pretty darn nice no greasy guck. Yeah, the Fry Daddy was a messy ordeal and food was greasy.
DeleteI just came in for a bite - been out there all day!
I love the Taco Bell hot sauce:)
ReplyDeleteTaco Bell does have good sauce - I can't do hot-hot - but I like it.
DeleteI bought an airfryer in December and it gets used quite frequently. I've used it mainly for meat, (chicken, pork, hamburgers, meat balls, and sausages). The burgers were okay, but I'd prefer them on the grill. BUT sausages in the air fryer are amazing. No spatter! It's all contained within the fryer and makes for an easy clean-up.
ReplyDeleteI meant to try asparagus in it last week, but had the oven so ended up baking it. Other than french fries I've not done any veg in the fryer.
A favor to ask of you, if you can please send that weather my way. :p We're currently in the midst of a blizzard. Some areas of the province will see a lot of snow, and I'm hopeful we'll only get 10-20 cms. (4-8 inches). I was watching the birds at the feeder this morning, and they are picking the seed out of the snow that has fallen since I filled it.
I think burgers would be better on a grill as well. Never tried them in the sir fryer - but got to love that grill taste.
DeleteDang - I sure wish I could send the weather your way!!! It is gorgeous here today!
I sure hope you can an upturn in the weather soon!!!!!!
Thanks for the zucchini recipe. I always like to try recipes that are recommended, and I know I have a bag of frozen grated zucchini left from last summer. That will go well with my pumpkin enchilada soup.
ReplyDeleteLouise
Mmmmm yes it would! I get tired of all the sweet recipes for making breads - loved finding a savory one.
DeleteEnjoy!
Thank you, Cheryl. I'll have to look into an air fryer, although (at the moment) am not sure where to store it. Hmmm. I do use a crock pot a lot throughout the year and in summer it's nicer than firing up the oven. We went w/o a grill for several years because of a small yard with lots of wood in CA. So glad to have one again! It's my "go to" for meals on the hottest days.
ReplyDeleteAZ shoppers might want to go to Basha's if you have one nearby. The sales prices this week are much better there, especially Fri., Sat., and Sun., when b/s chicken breasts are $1.99 ib., Honeycrisp apples are 99 cents lb., and Idaho potatoes are $2 per 5 lb. bag. They also have Smithfield spiral hams at 99 cents lb. (all week), Hunts tomato paste 4/$5, seedless watermelon 3 lbs./99 cents, seedless grapes $1.27 lb., green onions, radishes and cilantro 2/$1, bell peppers, cucumbers and various squash 99 cents lb., and $5 off $15 of various items, including mayo and ice cream (mix or match). Our gasoline here has jumped 40 cents per gallon in 2 weeks. Now that I'm very well stocked, Safeway's ad doesn't have much that appeals to me this week. I guess I'm getting a lot pickier about prices. LOL! Thank you, Cheryl, for all the advice about stocking up.
Our weather has been sunny and windy. Mild. Hubs and I both have tanned in just a few weeks since the last snow. Once the "yard" is leveled better, I can think about planting whatever we're going to plant. Still waiting on that estimate. BIL said he'll help build and take care of raised beds if we want them.
My foot surgery is going to have to wait. Again. My mom turned 90 on the 7th, and my Sis called to let me know after a doctor visit with a cognitive test that scored only 23, mom might have had a stroke and is being referred to a neurologist in Little Rock. So, if we're going to have to make a trip to AR, I can't be one footed for such a long road trip, and I don't fly anymore. I've lived with it this long. Maybe I can get the surgery done during the fall or winter months?
Have a blessed Wednesday, everyone! --Elise
P.S. With my insistence, BIL got his bookkeeping and taxes done on time. Boo-Ya!!!
Glad you have a grill again. Mine just fell apart - and just for me there is no need to replace.
DeleteThose are great prices. I think I will stay away from the grocery this week. Need nothing either.
Oh I am sorry to hear that about mom and you. I hope things turn out well for her. It is so scary. Mom used to have TIA' a lot. Sis has had a couple as well. You just never know.
I think I would want to recover in the fall/winter myself. Hope you get to take the tri - let us know.
YAY - one success for BIL
I spoke a little too soon on gasoline prices. A quick trip to Home Depot revealed another 10 cent increase just since the weekend. If I get any groceries this week, it will be at Basha's on Friday. We've got plenty at the moment and might be able to make it until next Wed. when sale prices might be better.
DeleteYes, I'm thinking winter might be the best time to recover from foot surgery, since we get snowed in anyway. LOL! And I agree wholeheartedly about air travel. NOT for me anymore. --Elise
Price of gas has been increasing here as well. Grrr - spring vacation and summer vacation coming up. They do it every time. Also many places are changing blends from winter to summer blends.
DeleteI am staying out of the stores this week. Nothing is pressing - ads aren't that great.
Except for gas, those are good prices. I got busy and haven't looked at Dillons or Aldi yet.
ReplyDeleteFoot surgery, ugh. My SIL just had bunion surgery and I swear they took off a third of her foot. I never saw such a giant bunion! Long drive to Arkansas, but I agree with you about flying. Gone are the peaceful flights.
I would NEVER fly again! I only did twice and it was neat. Now there is no desire. Car stalls - you pull over. Plane stalls - well say good-bye!
DeleteI saw a recipe the other day for making grilled cheese sandwiches in a air fryer Wish I had saved it so I could read it more carefully.
ReplyDeleteI would assume that the cooking times of the air fryer is for thawed foods except the one labeled Frozen Foods. I wish the would have added some to tell me how much additional time I would add if it's frozen. (Probably tell me to thaw if first. :) )
I have found that many bags of frozen items give air fryer times. I have noticed that on meats - I would think many veggies would add/or start adding that as well. It is becoming the THE thing - so hopefully more will provide info.
DeleteI would play with it a little if frozen - start with 5 min. and then go from there, adding time.
Grilled cheese - that is interesting. There are so many uses.
Neal your pictures are always so pretty! You and Rosie sure both got the photo gene!
DeleteWould the mini crusts be the right size for fried/hand pies?
ReplyDeleteI do believe that they looked like it. I didn't buy any - but they were tart size - so I would think 1 or 2 would work for that.
DeleteIt's going to be a warm and stormy day in the northern part of Indiana but Spring has finally sprung and I'm so grateful for that. I saved the air fryer chart to my computer so I can refer to it later when we use our air fryer. Very handy to have! I had never thought to make my own taco sauce. I will have to try it. Darcy
ReplyDeleteIt is going to be a warm one here today - but our storms don't hit until later tonight, here in central IN. Yes, all is growing and lovely!
DeleteThe sauce is very tasty and easy to make.
Love the recipe for taco sauce. Ortega original is my absolute favorite! Wondering if you could substitute tomato sauce for the paste and water? Or is there something in the paste that is essential for the flavor and/or consistency? Here, paste is twice (at least!) the cost of sauce, and I often make my own sauce when canning tomatoes. Thoughts? Anyone?
ReplyDeleteWell, I would think sauce would work in place of paste and water. After all both are just tomato. I get paste for pretty darn cheap at Aldi. I would think that would work fine. I may try that myself next time. Thanks.
DeleteYum, I too love the flavor of refried beans, taco sauce, and cheese. I made that for dinner last night. Thanks for the recipe. We have an air fryer too and it makes great egg rolls.
ReplyDeleteI just think there is something that is the BEST about the flavors of those 3 items together. It all started years ago - when Taco Bell first came around!!!!!!
DeleteGood to know on the egg rolls! Thanks
Also, in taco sauce recipe, re: the 1/2 tsp of onion and 1/2 tsp of garlic -- is it powder or chopped/grated?
ReplyDeletePowdered is what I use!
DeleteI might be in your spam folder. Love that you found a sauce for right now.
ReplyDeleteI will check - that happens too much!!!!!
DeleteOMG, right? It's crazy. Even after I commented back, Blogger still puts folks into spam. Arg!
Delete