THANKSGIVING Goodness!!!!

So this past turkey day, I decided to try 2 different recipes with "Chef Mess" alterations.  I hope you enjoy them!

Let's do this in order of course of the meal. (stay tuned for the pie)

First up: SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
I had a general idea but I used a Martha Stewart Recipe  then tweaked it.

You need:
3-4 lbs peeled, diced sweet potatoes
1/2 Cup and some extra milk
4 tbsp butter
1/2 C or more brown sugar.
Bag of mini marshmallows


First, peel and dice your potatoes.  Please make sure you have a peeler in your home....I was at my parent's and they didn't, they both soon joined me in peeling and dicing.....my Daddy is a beast! (please disregard shower towel)

Pieces in a pot a cover with cold water just about an inch over the pots...... bring to a boil and then reduce heat....allow to cook for 20-30 min until soft.

When soft and easily pierced by a fork, drain and return to heat.  Cook until a film begins to form on the bottom of the pot 5-7 min.

When done, remove from heat.  Add butter stirring until melted.  Then add milk and beat until well combined and at your desired consistency.

Then add your brown sugar.  I like mine sweet, so I used a ton of brown sugar.  Again, beat until well mixed.

Then transfer the mixture to a buttered casserole dish.  Top with marshmallows and bake at 375 for 15-20 min until heated through and marshmallows turn golden brown.

These were damn good and a hit.......but not a bigger hit than dessert!!!!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BANANA CREAM PIE!

(LONG but WORTH IT)
Recipe adapted from Food Network 

1/2 box vanilla wafers
1 stick of butter (melted)
1 box jello instant chocolate pudding (and other necessary ingredients)
1/2 Cup creamy peanut butter
4 oz of softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 2/3 cup chilled heavy cream
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup Orange juice (to keep bananas from browning)
3 bananas.

So this recipe takes time, but totally worth it. It's amazing.  It called for peanut brittle, but I found it was useless.  They also wanted me to make my own chocolate pudding Bah humbug!

First, in a food processor grind  the vanilla wafers to smithereens!  Then add melted butter to cookie crumbs and press into  a deep dish pie plate.  Bake crust 20-25 min until golden at 350.  (Cool crust at least 30 min.)

When crust is cool and you are ready to go....make pudding, cut the 'nanas and dip them in the oj.  Make a layer of bananas directly on the crust.  Top with pudding and then top with more bananas.

Now for the peanut butter cream! I'm sorry I neglected to take more pics, but man.......OMG this pie is to die for!

Take the peanut butter and cream cheese and cream together.

Then blend in the confectioner's sugar.  In a separate bowl take 2/3 cup of cream and whip until soft peaks form.  Fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture.  Take the peanut butter cream and spread on top of  bananas and chocolate pudding.

Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours to allow layers to set.   Prior to serving, take 2 cups of heavy cream.  Whip until soft peaks form.  At this point add the almond extract (makes the cream) and the sugar. Resume whipping until the whipped cream becomes stiffer.  Top the pie and you are ready to go.

This pie was amazing.  I will make it again, forever! It was so delish!!!!! Ask my fam!!!

BBQ Pulled Chicken and Butterfinger Cupcakes

I'm getting slow at posting stuff.  These two items were made on different days.  Time has just been getting away from me.


 BBQ Pulled Chicken
1 Chicken breast
1 Cup bbq sauce
1/2 onion carmelized
2 Tbsp hot sauce (Franks --- I put that sh*t on everything).

First carmelize an onion over low heat using olive oil and salt

Add a chicken breast and cook through.

When chicken is cooked, break it apart and tear it into shreds.

Add onions, bbq sauce and hot sauce.  Heat till hot and bubbly.

Serve as you wish....I did on hamburger rolls......mmmmm mmmmm good!

Then I decided to make cupcakes using leftover/recently purchased by my new roomie Butterfingers

Butterfinger Cupcakes (NOTE NOTHING IS HOMEMADE BOXED MIX, CANNED ICING)****I was tired and didn't feel like cooking from scratch*****
Chocolate Cake mix (and all the necessary things to prepare it)
1 jar/can/container of vanilla icing
12 fun size butterfinger candy bars

Prepare cake batter as directed by the box. Chop/crush (which is what happens when you try to chop a Butterfinger) 10 Butterfingers.  Add to prepared batter.

Stir to incorporate.  Add to cupcake liners. Bake as directed.

Allow cupcakes to cool thoroughly.  While cooling crush two more Butterfinger bars.

When cupcakes are cool, ice as normal then top with crushed Butterfinger.

While delicious, the Butterfinger did not hold up in the cake batter.  You can taste the candy a little....next time I may use whole bars!

Curry and Fish, but not the same meal

Last night I made curried steak. I made soy sauce marinated fish.

CURRY and Steak
1 small steak (because it's just me) frozen and sliced thinish
Seasonings (I eye balled it but I figure around 11/2 tbsp each
ground coriander
Cumin
Fresh pepper ( about a teaspoon)
1-2 Tbsp of Chili powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
4 minced garlic gloves (2 tablespoons)
Onions
White Wine Vinegar
Tomato sauce

Every recipe I saw called for major amounts of spices, so I couldn't really figure it out.


First I took the pepper, coriander and cumin and toasted the spices over low heat for about 5 minutes.

Then I chopped piece of onion and threw it in my Magic Bullet. I also added garlic and the spice concoction. Add a little white wine vinegar to allow it to come together 2-3 tbsp. Add Chili powder and pepper flakes

add about 1/2 cup of tomato sauce to the concoction and blend well.

Take frozen steak and cut into slices (frozen allows for easier cutting.)

Throw steak in a pan with very little oil.  Add curry sauce and cook until hot and steak is cooked.

The chili powder controls the heat.  Alter it as desired.

Tonight I made weakfish that my daddy had caught and froze.

Soy Sauce Marinated Fish

Weakfish or other desired fish
Reduced fat soy sauce
Onion diced (to your liking)
2 pepperoncini peppers


Take fish and throw into a bowl.  Add soy sauce, I'd say I used about 1/4-1/3 cup. Onions, peppers. Cover and let marinate for 30 min (15 min per side if not covered)

Take some foil to make a baking pouch.  Pull long piece and fold in half.  Then fold the sides up so it resembles sort of a box.

Place fish and dump all marinade into the pouch and cover.  Bake at 350 for about 15-18 min or until fish is cooked and flaky.

Remove and enjoy!!!!

Yummy!

BTW just realized something is wrong with my camera.  I will fix it.

Happy Grub Tubbing!