Food - grace grits and gardening

Lemon Basil Mayonnaise

June 1, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I love to cook, and I especially love simple recipes. Isn’t life too busy to wrestle with complicated dishes?

Usually, if a recipe has more than a few simple ingredients, I move on to something else (unless it happens to be Thanksgiving Day).

Although I don’t slather on the mayonnaise regularly, if I am cooking for a neighborhood party or a special family bar-b-que, this is my go-to recipe for dressing up sandwiches, burgers or tortilla roll-ups.

Lemon Basil Mayonnaise

1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise (use the real stuff…)
1/4 cup fresh Basil
1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 tablespoon chopped garlic

I doubled this recipe to serve with five dozen pulled pork sliders…but you can whip up a few tablespoons at a time as needed, adjusting the measurements to taste.

Combine in a food process or blender. That’s it!

into the blender or food processor

looks like a dip, doesn’t it?

Lemon basil mayo is amazing on pulled pork, roast beef, turkey or portabella mushroom sandwiches…

I think I could sell this stuff!

Happy Eating!

talya

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Spicy Ginger Black-Eyed Peas

May 10, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

As promised on my Grace Grits Facebook page here is the recipe for quite possibly THE best black-eyed peas ever. Spicy Ginger Black-Eyed Peas!

And I’ve eaten a bunch of peas.

Ingredients

2 cups dried peas

1 Tablespoon coconut oil

1/2 cup chopped green onions

2 cloves garlic

1 diced orange bell pepper (or yellow or red)

1 diced jalapeño pepper (less if you don’t like hot)

1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger

fresh ground pepper to taste

sea salt (optional)

Soak the peas overnight. Drain. Cover in fresh water (about 6 cups) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer approximately 2 hours until soft.

When the peas are almost done, melt coconut oil in a skillet. Add onions and cook until softened. Add peppers, ginger, garlic and pepper. Continue cooking 3-4 minutes.

Drain peas. Toss peas with onion pepper mix. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired.

Pour into a serving dish.

Serves 2-4.

Happy Eating!

talya

Papaya-Cilantro Smoothie

May 9, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

In Texas, we love our cilantro. In everything.

This smoothie is lactose-free, gluten-free and vitamin-loaded! The hint of cilantro provides a refreshing clean taste.

Papaya-Cilantro Smoothie

1 cup frozen cubed papaya
1/2 cup frozen banana
1/2 cubed watermelon (I used fresh)
1/2 cup fat free Lactaid milk (more if too thick)
handful of cilantro (approximately 2 Tablespoons)
1 teaspoon zip code honey

Blend.

That’s it!

Health benefits of cilantro (known as coriander in Asia):

Rich in antioxidant polyphenolic flavonoids and essential volatile oils;
High in dietary fiber which helps reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol levels;
Rich in several vital vitamins including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, beta carotene, vitamins A, K and C; and,
Good source of minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and magnesium.

Zip code honey:

Local honey from your zip code will aid in seasonal allergy relief. Honey is a natural immunity builder used to remedy ailments such as cuts and burns, hangovers, sore throats, and sleeplessness.

I buy local North Texas honey from Bee True Products. Search the Local Harvest website for sustainably grown produce in your area, including honey.

Delicious. The honey and the smoothie.

talya

Grace Grits & Gardening