Garlic Cheese Frosting

 

I'm the girl who takes cupcake indulgence to a whole new level, savoring each bite with a meticulous equal balance of cake and frosting that's just perfection. But that's not where my culinary adventures end—I've got an unabashed passion for garlic bread that knows no bounds. If only I could dive into the buttery garlic spread with the same enthusiasm I reserve for my beloved cupcakes, life would be a true gastronomic delight. This is a low and slow baking process for very good reason.

This is TALLBlonde's exclusive recipe that offers that same balance of a 2 cheese frosting and bread delivery system.  You may not initially understand this theory, but every time I serve it to my guests they go wild and beg for more. Serves 8.

Brie en Croute

 

A little frozen puff pastry, a little sweet, a little imagination helped to make my NYE appetizer table very tasty.  Many recipes make one large wheel for parties to share with all your guests.  Mine are individual servings and you don't have a messy unappetizing platter on your party table that looks like zoo animals trampled through it. These cheesy puffs are crispy, creamy and sweet. Serves 12.

Tacos con Verduras Asadas

To dine out, or not to dine out, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of Covid-19 and indoor dining, or to take arms against a sea of the unvaccinated and host a meal for your favorite friends at home.

It is always my preference to host friends in my home and share a home cooked meal with pleasant drink drenched in raucous laughter. Sometimes the happy compromise is to meet friends at a local eatery that has a menu that can accommodate all palates.

Under the new normal, I will hesitate to meet a friend and sit indoors surrounded by who knows who, and who knows what and if they share with me their viral cooties.  I decided it is for me to up my culinary game and invest time and research towards a very respectable vegetarian meal.  

Recently I prepared a three-course lunch plus dessert for a dyed in the wool vegetarian friend that included Vietnamese Spring Rolls and Peanut Sauce (sans shrimp), Spinach and Cheese Quiche and these roasted veggie tacos with a bounty of complex but complimentary flavors. Recipe in three parts most of which may be prepared the day before, warmed through and quickly assembled.

Seafood Cocktail Sauce

I have the honor and humility to share with you that after trying this cocktail sauce friends have told me this is the best they have ever eaten. Traditionally served with cooked shrimp or crab. May also be added to a classic Thousand Island dressing to give it an extra zing.

The long list of ingredients may look daunting but the bold savory flavor of this cocktail sauce you can never go back to the others, they will taste like ketchup by comparison  We are a small family so this recipe is perfect for the two of us. I would highly recommend doubling it as it will also make the shopping more worth while for a big batch. After all, this lasts in my fridge for up to one month.

All of the ingredients should be very finely diced, No one likes a lumpy cocktail sauce so using a blender is perfectly fine for ease and time saving with one exception; *do not add the parsley to the blender as it will give an off color. Serves 6.

Pizza Crust & A Dash More

 

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay has posted his simple and perfect pizza crust recipe. Admittedly I can never resist a tweak so I always add A Dash More.

Using bread flour instead of all-purpose flour will give you a crispy crust and wonderfully filled with air bubbles and has a light chew without being gummy.  I added a link to my NoMato Red Sauce for those who are nightshade-intolerant (potato, tomato, eggplant, peppers, chilies) and craving a pizza but cannot abide the inflammation and indigestion.  NoMato Sauce is perfect for pizza or casseroles such as lasagne, although not recommended for a plate of standalone pasta as it does not adhere well. Happily, you cannot detect the lack of tomatoes.

Makes 2 10-inch pizza crusts.

Kofta & Salad - ISRAEL

Third in a three part series centering on typical food served in Israel. Everyone loves Kebabs (Kofta)  and here is TALL Blonde's version. I have previously tried recipes and felt the flavor components needed to be ramped up. That is my first contribution, the second contribution to this recipe is the option to consider using ground lamb instead of ground beef, some optional flavor suggestions and the elimination of the skewer so anyone can make these without the requirement of a grill. These patties make terrific sliders smothered with a little plain yogurt and diced green onions or spicy green harissa (recipe link below)

If you wish to try your hand at preparing a complete meal, check on my other recipes titled "Isreal Step One" and "Israel Step Two" for complimentary side dishes: Pita Bread, Tabbouleh, and Green Harissa.  I have included a recipe for refreshing Israeli Salad below.

Mango Chutney (or Peach)

Truth be told I developed this recipe to reverse engineer my most favorite brand of prepared Mango Chutney and very difficult to source.  This recipe is an amalgam of different flavor profiles to make the best Mango Chutney to throw into any dish at the last moment without much additional preparation.  This is terrific on any pan seared or poached white fish,or as a glaze on roasted lamb or your favorite pork ribs.  Even drizzled on a basic cheese pizza can bring sheer joy and delight to your taste buds with this sweet and acidic exotic elixir. I am truly proud to bring you this TALLBlonde Mango Chutney recipe.  Get a clean quart-sized jar ready as you will only need to make this recipe once a year. While this may seem laborious on its surface I would like to think it is so good you will make an effort to make it twice a year to replenish your well used and well enjoyed supply. When you consider $8 for an 8 oz. jar this is so worth making.

Shirley Temple's Crab Cakes

Last night I was watching a 1-hour documentary from NBC News Bay Area series "Revelations". It is an ongoing beautifully scripted series on the various histories of California's Bay Area successful industries, celebrities, geography, tragedies, and historical news events.  Sports to earthquakes to wine and much more are covered.  As a real Homer, born and raised here I have watched every episode in the series even on topics of little interest to me such as surfing and every time I watch I learn something wonderful.

The most recent airing told the story of how the Bay Area contributed to the space race and the formation of NASA Ames Research facility.  BUT- as I Iove to cook a tiny little story appeared about Shirley Temple-Black's well guarded recipe for wonderful crab cakes, and here we go with Ms. Temple-Black's recipe in her own hand:

Fish Tacos

2 Breaded Tilapia fillets (frozen was used here)

4 Corn tortillas

4 Tbl. finely diced red onion

4 Tbl. finely diced red bell pepper

4 Tbl. fresh cilantro leaves

4 slices fresh lime

1/4 cup Ranch dressing

Olive oil

Makes 4 tacos.

French Mayonnaise

Homemade mayonnaise is fabulous as a summer condiment on cold poached fish or ham, even vegetables. This is a French classic for artichoke leaves or asparagus spears.  This mayo is not only cream but has a nice mildly acidic zing.

Cheese Treat

We used to call these "Cheese Treats" from a Mexican restaurant located in downtown San Jose next to Woolworth's on 2nd Street. Two flour tortillas with tomato salsa and a gooey melty cheese fried on a hot cooktop. Pictured with buffalo chicken added.

Crispy, Toasty, Chewy, Hot, Spicy, Melty, MM-mm Goodness.

Buffalo Wing-Less

Adapted recipe from 'Playa Betty's' in New York City.  I had no idea I was eating cauli and not chicki.

Home Smoked Salmon

Everything tastes better when you cook it yourself !!

If you love smoked salmon and

A.) you don't own a smoker

B.) you want to save $$ making it yourself

C.) you have great taste for good food

then you have arrived at the right place, TALLblondescookbook is all you will ever need. Especially when cooking something lovely for your friends.

Green Olive Rosemary Grissini

TALL Blonde has been engaged in binge watching British reality cooking series "Great British Baking Show" and was inspired to try baking Grissini, which is Italian for bread sticks as they are credited with their invention.  As a child the ones available in restaurants were too dry, flavorless and generally gaggy.  This recipe is anything but those of the past.  Tasty, salty, fragrant and rustic is the description that should inspire you to try my recipe. Makes 24.

Meatballs a la TLLBLND

I have made these little beef and pork gems at gome successfully for many years without giving them much thought.  Mainly because they are simple to make, require few ingredients and do not contain garlic or onions to disturb your "inner" happiness. Some of you gentle folk know what I am talking about (wink wink). My Brother-in-law shared with me that he wanted to begin cooking with his 7 year old son Nick as a new activity they can share together and eat more healthy. After a recent family lunch where I served these tasty spherical delights he asked for my recipe. So here it is for you to try and have the freedom to make changes and additions to create your own family recipe.

Cowboy Candy

Candied jalapenos may be served over cream cheese and crackers. Even better, how about a dollop over vanilla ice cream...absolutely!

Olive Tapenade

Will make you pucker...and that's a good thing.

Smoked Salmon Dip