05 May

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May 2, 2018

Avocado Truffles

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Avocado Truffles

May 2: National Chocolate Truffle Day and National Avocado Day

What a coincidence that today is National Chocolate Truffle Day AND National Avocado Day—because we combined these two ingredients to make avocado truffles. As chocoholics, we love to indulge in candy but it is not always that healthy. However, when we saw this 3-ingredient recipe in Health magazine, we knew we had to try these truffles. Dark chocolate is high in anti-oxidants and naturally low in sugar. Avocado has several vitamins and minerals and good monounsaturated fat that helps lower cholesterol levels. Celebrate two food holidays today with a guilt-free dessert and make avocado truffles.

Recipe

(Adapted from Health magazine – April 2017 edition)

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces 70% dark chocolate, chopped (we used one bar of Ghirardelli)
  • 1 small avocado (3 tablespoons mashed or pureed)
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

In a large bowl, melt the chopped chocolate according to the package directions (we melted our chocolate in the microwave for over a minute at half power). Stir until smooth. While it is cooling slightly, cut a small avocado and discard the skin and seed. Mash until smooth.

Stir in 3 tablespoons of mashed avocado into the melted chocolate. Add a pinch of sea salt. Stir until smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it for about 25 minutes or until thickened. Before taking it out from the refrigerator, sprinkle cocoa powder into a small bowl. Use a small scoop to make one-inch balls from the thickened chocolate ganache, shaping and rounding out each truffle in your hands. Roll it around in the cocoa powder to coat. Place in chocolate candy cups. Chill in an airtight container until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Search our blog for more chocolate and avocado recipes.
  • February is also National Avocado Month.
  • Try mixing in a few drops of peppermint extract to the ganache. Or roll it in toasted coconut flakes, crushed nuts, a little ground cinnamon, etc. Below is a sample of original avocado truffles and others covered in unsweetened coconut flakes, chocolate jimmies and matcha green tea powder.

 

 

May 1, 2018

Strawberry Salad with Balsamic-Yogurt Dressing

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Strawberry Salad with

Balsamic-Yogurt Dressing

May: National Strawberry Month

We have attended both the Poteet and Pasadena strawberry festivals—the only two of their kind in Texas. Poteet (outside of San Antonio) holds theirs in April while Pasadena’s (in the Houston area) event is this month. We enjoy experiencing the energy in the carnival-like atmosphere, seeing cute strawberry mascots and royalty (scholarship winners) wearing red walking around the festival grounds and tasting everything made with strawberries (shortcakes, ice cream, jams and jellies, drink mixes and more)!

It is also getting warmer (hot!) in Texas so we like to cool down with something light featuring this month’s fruit: strawberry salad with balsamic-yogurt dressing. Strawberries are abundant now at our local grocery stores and we buy them in bulk there, if not at the festivals. For National Strawberry Month, mix some fruit with vegetables and make a strawberry salad with balsamic-yogurt dressing.

Recipe

For the balsamic-yogurt dressing

  • ½ cup olive oil, extra virgin
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • ¼ tablespoons plain yogurt

Directions

In a bowl, combine the olive oil with the balsamic vinegar. Stir in the minced garlic. Add the maple syrup or honey.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the yogurt. Mix until the salad dressing is creamy.

For the strawberry salad

  • 2 cups mixed greens (spinach, kale, chard, etc.)
  • 2 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 3-4 strawberries, sliced
  • toasted almonds (to sprinkle)

Directions

In a salad bowl, place the mixed greens. Sprinkle feta cheese and bacon. Arrange the sliced strawberries on top. Pour about 3+ tablespoons the salad dressing. Sprinkle the toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

 

Notes

  • This is a colorful and complementary salad. The greens are balanced by the red strawberries (like on the color wheel) and the bitterness of the vegetables is tempered by the sweetness of the fruit.
  • Search our blog for more strawberry recipes.

 

 

May 28, 2017

Slow Cooker Brisket

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Slow Cooker Brisket

May 28: National Brisket Day

We have eaten our fair share of beef brisket as Texas residents. Whether barbecued, braised, baked, smoked or slow cooked, brisket is delicious shredded as a sandwich or taco filling or sliced and served with BBQ sauce, potatoes and sweet baked beans.

Brisket is a primal cut from the portion of beef breast or lower chest and can be a little tough and stringy. So the meat must be cooked slowly with some liquid to keep it moist and tender.

For a Tex-Mex touch, we slow cooked our brisket with beer/cerveza for a tender and tasty meat filling in soft or crispy tacos. Leftovers could be eaten with BBQ sauce between burger buns for a hearty sandwich. Whether for tacos or sandwiches, try this slow cooker brisket recipe for National Brisket Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Muy Bueno Cookbook)

Ingredients

  • 2-4 pounds beef brisket
  • 2 ounces liquid smoke (recommended 2 ounces per pound of brisket)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 12 ounces beer
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Line the crockpot container with slow cooker bags for easier cleanup. Place the beef brisket in the container, fat side up. Pour in the liquid smoke. Add the bay leaves.

Pour in the beer. Cover the crockpot with a lid and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 6-8 hours. Remove the brisket from the crockpot and transfer to a cutting board. Shred the brisket, discarding the fat, and place in a bowl. Salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This slow cooker brisket is similar to our kalua pig (Hawaiian pulled pork) recipe.
  • Learn more about beef brisket from the Better Homes & Gardens website.
  • Smokin’ hot! We once attended Rodeo Houston’s World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest as guests of Highlander’s company’s associate sponsors. There were lots of tents/booths and barbecuing activities going on at the grounds of NRG Stadium. Coincidentally, the tent/booth to which we were invited won the contest in the best brisket division! However, unlike our brisket, they did not use a crockpot–just the Texas-sized grills!
 

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