Best Brownie Mix

I make mostly everything from scratch.  However, when it comes to brownies...there is nothing more amazing than the Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Mix.  I have not found a homemade recipe that comes close to this good!  So the next time you want an easy desert...buy this mix!

Bad Sushi Experience..Beware!

I am going to do something I don't normally do...talk about a recent bad sushi experience.  I think everyone should know what a bad sushi roll tastes like and not just try to drown the taste out with extra soy sauce. The restaurant (which will remain nameless, they may have just had an off day) I went to today was probably one of the worst spicy tuna rolls I've ever had.  I KNOW what a good spicy tuna roll tastes like.  I've been eating sushi since I was 12(I'm now 27).  Only sushi roll I have ever gotten is a spicy tuna roll.  This sushi I had today was just awful.  The rice was warm and gooey and the fish just didn't taste right.  I nearly gagged when I tried to eat it.  My point in telling this is if you aren't an experienced sushi eater, you will know what a bad roll vs a good roll tastes like. 

A good Spicy Tuna sushi roll:

1) Is cold!  A spicy tuna roll should be cold/cool temperature wise.  It shouldn't be hot/warm.  Nothing is nastier than eating a spicy tuna roll and it's warm. (which is the experience I had today)

2) You should look forward to your next bite...
     I know this sounds pretty basic, but with sushi it's even more true.  If it's bad fish, you can usually taste it  on your first bite...don't make yourself eat it...spit it out!

3) NO TEMPURA in a spicy tuna roll!  I went to a sushi place once and they had tempura mixed in with the tuna mixture.  It was crunchy and gross.  Always make sure they don't put this in there..I always ask to be sure.  Of course if you like this sort of thing...it's totally up to you.


~My favorite sushi restaurants I have tried so far..I'm sure I'll try many, many more places!~


LITTLE KATANA SUSHI BAR in the Dallas Galleria - the most fabulous sushi I have ever had.  Before you start thinking because it's in a mall it's gross..think again!  It's seriously amazing. 

BLUE FISH SUSHI, Dallas, TX - So yummy!

RA SUSHI BAR, Houston, TX - Expensive but EXCELLENT!

NORWEGIAN CRUISE SHIP "Pride of America" (East Meets West Restaurant) - Our cruise we went on in Hawaii this summer.  They had AMAZING sushi on this ship!

SUSHIKO, Shreveport, LA

SUSHI GEN, Shreveport, LA

Classic Awesome Chili

I made this last night for dinner and WOW....was it awesome.   I have made chili from scratch before, but got it perfect last night. I don't like beans, so I didn't add any, you of course could add a can of kidney beans if you want to.  I hope you will make this soon...weather is finally cooling down and it's the perfect time of year for a nice, warm and tasty bowl of chili!!

You Will Need...

~1 1/2 pounds ground chuck chili meat (season with salt, pepper to taste)

 ~2 cans  of chunky (mild) Rotel , undrained

~1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
~1 8 oz can tomato sauce
~1 small onion chopped

~1 green bell pepper, chopped
~1 stalk celery chopped

~1 clove garlic, minced

~1 1/2 Tablespoons Chili Powder

~1 Tablespoon Cumin
~1 TBL sugar (to cut down acidity of the tomatoes)

~1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
~1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

**You can add more or less of seasonings.  I like mine a medium spice level**

~Toppings - Fritos, grated cheddar, sour cream

(side note- you can buy the frozen pre-chopped bags of onion, bell pepper & celery...I use about 2 cups of the frozen veggies)

~Start off by browning meat in 2 Tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat.  This will take around 10-12 minutes.  Drain grease and add onions, bell pepper and garlic.  Saute for about 5 minutes.  Next, add Rotel (with juices), tomato sauce and water (if needed). Stir and bring to a boil.  Add spices and cook on low-medium, stirring often, for 30 minutes so flavors can blend well.

                                                                      Spices go in!

(side note:  if it is too thick just add some more water in and let it boil down)
Finally...time to eat!  Top with fritos, grated cheddar and sour cream....

                                                                          Delish!!

Crawfish Fettuccine

If you don't have access to crawfish or if it's not that time of year (crawfish season is in the spring..biggest crawfish tails are typically available during Lent/Easter),  this is also very good with chicken. If you use crawfish during season, make sure you get LOUISIANA crawfish tails. I just think crawfish should come from Louisiana, not China...
This is an Emeril recipe. So delish!

2 TBL butter
1-2 lbs crawfish tails
2 TBL minced garlic
1 TBL minced shallots
1 TBL Worcestershire sauce
1 TBL Crystal hot sauce
2 cups heavy cream
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 lb cooked fettuccine

In large pan melt butter. Sauté crawfish tails in butter for 2 minutes. (If you use chicken, cut in pieces and brown in separate pan, then throw them in the sauce.) Season with Tonys. Add shallots and garlic. Continue cooking for 1 minute. Stir in Worch sauce, crystal hot sauce and cream. Bring liquid to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 8 minutes or until sauce thickens. In mixing bowl toss pasta with crawfish sauce. Season with salt and pepper fold in grated cheese and green onions. Garnish with grated cheese and some chopped chives.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/crawfish-fettuccini-recipe/index.html

Sugar Rush

One of the best things about Shreveport, LA is the Red River Revel.  It's a local food/music/art festival that happens every year the first week in October.  Each year, I indulge in a funnel cake.  This year, I thought I'd "kick it up a notch" to a Chocolate Funnel Cake!  Yes, my calorie intake for a week.  Hey, I'm young...I can still do it!!!

Easy Meatloaf

Last night's dinner!

You Will Need...

~1 1/2 lbs ground meat
~1 cup Italian bread crumbs
~1 egg slightly beaten
~1 small onion finely chopped
~1/2 cup tomato sauce
~1 tsp garlic powder
~1 tsp Tony's


Mix all together and form into a loaf.  Top with Emeril's marinara sauce (about 1 cup)  Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until thermometer says 160 degrees when inserted into thickest part of meatloaf.

Awesome BBQ Sauce!

I have been trying to master BBQ sauce for a while.  I've gotten close to perfect before..but tonight I was experimenting again and ROCKED it!  

You Will Need...

~1 1/2 cups Ketchup
~1 clove minced garlic
~2 Tablespoons Worcheshire sauce
~2 TBL Apple Cider Vinegar
~2 TBL maple syrup
~2 TBL brown sugar
~1/2 tsp regular sugar
~1/4 tsp lemon juice
~1/2 tsp Jack Daniel's Whiskey
~1/4 tsp pepper
~a few dashes of liquid smoke

Bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Make sure you stir often.