guacamole with basil and shallots

I've been on a quest to find the best guacamole recipe since our trip to Mexico a month ago. For some reason, nothing I attempted had quite enough flavor. Little did I know, the answer was right under my nose (and in my pantry) all along - shallots! I love cooking with shallots. They have a taste somewhere in between onions and garlic and I find them to have a slight peppery note. The basil is also lends nice freshness to the guac. I also added some chopped tomatoes.

Though not a traditional guacamole, it definitely provides a welcome twist. My search is finally over!

Source: Bon Appétit via Epicurious.com

Guacamole with Basil and Shallots
Serves eight

Ingredients
6 medium avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, diced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil plus leaves for garnish
1/2 cup finely chopped shallots
Ciabatta bread slices, toasted
Assorted crudités (such as mini bell peppers, celery, fennel, sugar snap peas, and carrots)

Instructions
Place avocados in large bowl; add lemon juice. Using fork or potato masher, crush avocados coarsely. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped basil and shallots. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and chill.
Transfer guacamole to serving bowl. Garnish with basil leaves. Place on platter. Arrange toasts and crudités around bowl.

fake-out tortilla soup

I'm off work today, so you get a blog post! Plus, I've realized just how much we reference this blog when cooking - and that this recipe should really be transferred from this soup-stained piece of note paper that I scribbled it on.

This recipe came about in my attempts to convince Freddy that buying a 6-pack of Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup from Costco was a good idea (come on, it's $11 for 6 boxes at Costco - and $4 for ONE box at the grocery store).

It worked. Now, it's become one of our favorite go-to soups. We sometimes eat it on taco night or with tortilla crusted tilapia - also from Costco. This could also be a great vegetarian dish. Just leave out the chicken.

Source: Me.



Fake-Out Tortilla Soup
Serves Two

Ingredients:
2.5-3 cups Pacific Foods Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup
1/2 cup+ frozen corn (I like a combo of white and yellow)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Pinch cayenne pepper (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 cooked, shredded chicken breast

Garnish Ingredients
1 soft flour tortilla, cut into strips
Vegetable oil
Sour cream
Shredded cheese

Instructions
Combine all ingredients, heat until warmed through.

Meanwhile, fry tortilla strips in 1" of vegetable oil until golden. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. Lightly season with salt or season salt while still hot.

Garnish soup and serve.

beer knockwurst with onions

Freddy thought that this was amazing. He's actually making it again for dinner tonight. Serve with beer. Tadaa!

Beer Knockwurst with Onions
Serves two

Ingredients
2 knockwurst
1/2 bottle German beer
1/2-1 onion, sliced

Instructions
Simmer knockwurst and onions in beer until the onions are tender and the knockwurst is heated through.