Squash Casserole

I'm going to share a super family secret recipe with you. You should feel special. I demand you feel special.



I am not sure of the exact origin of this recipe, but it's a special treat every year when we meet up with the family on vacation. Imagine 10 adults, 7 kids, and a big dish of squash casserole. Some of the kids like it, some don't. We are working on the ones that resist. Resistance is futile. I don't like mayo and I don't like casseroles, but I love this. Go figure.

It's a casserole that is mean to be served as a side dish. Pair it with any type of grilled meat. It's a perfect alternative to coleslaw or potato salad.

2.5-3 pounds yellow squash in medium chunks
1 yellow onion chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
-saute above until slightly mushy with salt and pepper and a little butter.

In a bowl mix:
3/4 cup mayo
1/2 cup milk
1 cup Cheddar cheese
2 eggs beaten
-add cooked mixture and blend.

Cook in oven for 30-40 minutes at 350.

Pi day-Crack Pie

In honor of Pi day my dear friend held a pie party. What a fabulous idea for a party. Every family that comes brings a pie, sweet or savory. The scene when we walked in was treacherous even to the non-dieter. Imagine a large dining room table covered with pies. Evil...... but in a good way.

Baking is my true passion I I love a chance to try something new. So when I read about Momofuku's $44 Crack pie a few months back, I stored it in my recipe binder, waiting for the right event. What better event than Pi day.

Is it worth $44? I'd say no, but perhaps $30 on a good day. Those New Yorkers always have money to burn on tasty treats, so I hear. I warn you, the recipe makes 2 pies. I froze the other. Need to diet for a week before eating another slice. It's a slice of heaven. Darn near crack, if I knew what that was like.

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-crackpierec11-2010feb11,0,5228045.story

Zepp's Coconut Lime rice

Props to my friend Zepp for her super tasty Coconut and Lime rice. She makes hers with brown rice, I tried it with short grain white, as that was what I had on hand. I'm sure either would yield a fantastic finished product. You might need to add more water if it seems too dry. We served it with the Thai Basil Chicken listed below.

Coconut Lime Rice
1 cup dry brown basmati rice
1 can light coconut milk
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 lime zest

-Combine rice, milk. water, and lime juice, bring to boil, cover, reduce heat to low and cook 35-45 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked. turn off heat, stir in lime zest, let sit 4-5 min. add additiomal juice if you think it needs it.

Thai Basil Chicken

Another adventure in chicken. What has my life been reduced to?



This recipe was remarkably simple but packed a real flavor punch. The One-Two of chiles and Thai basil. I reserved the chilis and basil out for the kids. My daughter loved it so much she asked for seconds. Always the mark of success. She ate hers with Mae Ploy sweet chile sauce and I added sriracha to mine. Served with coconut rice and steamed broccoli to round out the meal.

Ingredients
2-3 Tbs. peanut oil for stir-frying
10-12 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2-3 shallots, thinly sliced (or substitute with 1/2 cup sliced onion) – optional
1 lb. boneless chicken thighs, coarsely chopped, or cut into small bite-size pieces
12-20 Thai chillies (prik kee noo), cut into very thin rounds; or substitute 4-6 jalapeño cut into large slivers with seeds
2-3 tsp. black soy sauce (the semi-sweet kind)
2 Tbs. fish sauce (nam bplah)
1 cup fresh Thai sweet basil (bai horapa) leaves and flower buds
Dash of ground white pepper

Basil Chicken in Wok
-Prepare the ingredients as instructed. Leave the fresh basil leaves whole; the flower buds may also be used. The dried holy basil will soften when soaked in tap water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Pull off and discard the hard stems. Drain.
-Heat a wok until its surface is smoking hot. Swirl in the oil to coat the wok surface. Wait a few seconds for the oil to heat, then stir in the garlic, followed a few seconds later with the shallots or onion. Stir another 15 to 20 seconds before adding the chicken. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, or until most of the chicken has changed color on the outside and is no longer pink.
-Toss in the chillies. Sprinkle black soy sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for another 15 to 20 seconds. Season to taste with fish sauce, then stir in the fresh basil. Toss well. Stir-fry another 1/2 to 1 minute, or until the basil is wilted and the chicken cooked through. Sprinkle with white pepper.