I was recently invited to participate in a great blogger recipe challenge for Karoun Dairies to help develop new recipes for some of their popular dairy products. I absolutely love their Mediterranean-style Labne Spread and Dip, which is is a centuries old Mediterranean style spreadable kefir cheese. It has a distinctive tangy flavor and is smoother and thicker than yogurt. and it has a lovely creamy texture with a slight tang that pairs perfectly with spicy dishes.
Since I’m now in San Antonio TX I am obviously obsessed with all things Tex-Mex and spicy food, so I decided to make these Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos for the contest. And I’m so glad I did!!
They’re made with juicy chicken thighs that are marinated in the labne, along with Nashville hot sauce and Nashville chicken seasoning for a few hours.
Then they are grilled to perfection, and drizzled with more hot sauce, fresh lime, shredded Mexican cheese, cilantro and a generous dollop of labne on top, all assembled in a warm, toasted, buttery tortilla that will melt in your mouth!
Spicy, creamy, crunchy, tangy and totally satisfying! These Nashville Chicken Tacos will tantalize your tastebuds and you'll never be the same, I promise!
Ingredients
3.5 lb boneless chicken thighs, fat trimmed, sliced into strips or bite sized pieces
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup Karoun Dairies Original Labne Sauce + Dip, plus extra for garnish
1 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cayenne
1½ tsp salt
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
vegetable oil
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese, for garnish
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Fresh limes
6 butter flour tortillas
Instructions
Add buttermilk, labne, and chicken to a large freezer bag.
Mix together the hot sauce and spices in a separate bowl, reserving extra for garnish.
Add the Nashville hot sauce to the chicken in the bag and toss well to coat the chicken.
Place in the fridge for a few hours to soak up the marinade and tenderize the chicken.
Remove the chicken pieces from the bag, shaking off excess marinade and transfer to a large clean plate.
Heat oil over medium to medium-high heat in a large skillet or grill pan; cook 8-12 minutes until chicken is nicely browned and cooked through. Set aside.
Prepare toppings by chopping the cilantro, slicing limes and getting the Mexican cheese ready.
Heat the tortillas in a sauté pan over medium heat until lightly browned and warmed through.
Make the tacos by topping the warmed tortillas with the spicy Nashville chicken, additional Nashville hot sauce, shredded cheese, a drizzle of fresh lime juice, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of labne topped with additional Nashville hot seasoning, if desired.
I recently was invited to participate in another fun #Blogger Recipe contest, this time held by Big Mountain Foods… they sent me a few of their tasty #vegan products to play with and use to create a new #recipe. I absolutely LOVE spicy Asian food and noodle dishes and had a craving for it, so I decided to create these Vegan Kung Pao Noodles for the contest and oh my GOODNESS. They are super delish you guys!
Hey, it’s a New Year, so why not try to lighten up a little with some healthier recipes that are meat-free and dairy-free but still have tons of flavor? There’s so many good things in this dish that you won’t even miss the meat, I promise.
Big Mountain Foods is an all women-owned company based out of Vancouver, BC. They offer a superb lineup of fresh, vegan, #plant-based products that are flavorful, #gluten-free and #non-GMO/#organic. I used their Lion’s Mane Mushroom Crumbles in this recipe which has a blend of organic lion’s mane, portobello and shiitake mushrooms along with a mixture of other healthy ingredients like carrots, pea protein, yellow split peas, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and coconut oil. They are absolutely delicious and a perfect substitution for ground beef, or ground chicken, with a great umami flavor and nice texture.
This recipe for Vegan Kung Pao Noodles is a fun twist on a traditional Asian favorite, Kung Pao. I made it with buckwheat soba noodles, sautéed Lion’s Mane mushroom crumbles, fresh ginger, shallots, red peppers, and water chestnuts tossed in a sweet and spicy Kung Pao sauce (soy sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar and coconut palm sugar and Asian chile garlic sauce) topped with sesame seeds, crunchy peanuts and crispy fried garlic. Oh, the flavors!!!
First, heat oil in a wok or large pan and sauté the shallots, ginger, water chestnuts and red bell peppers for a few minutes until soft.
Add the Lion’s Mane Mushroom Crumbles to the pan and cook a few minutes more until heated through.
Stir in the Kung Pao sauce and let it simmer on low heat for a few more minutes to infuse all the delicious flavors together. Add a little corn starch slurry to thicken the sauce even more.
Toss in the cooked soba noodles and stir to coat. Add in the sesame seeds, peanuts and crispy garlic; mix together into a big pot of sweet and spicy, crunchy goodness.
Serve immediately and enjoy with a glass of white wine (like a Sauvignon Blanc).
Feel free to substitute other pasta for the soba noodles: rice noodles, spaghetti or linguine noodles work great. You can also add an extra teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or drizzle Sriracha sauce on top to kick the heat up a notch…(I absolutely did!!)
If you want to experiment with some other veggies, try adding broccoli, carrots, snow peas, or sliced green onions to the stir fried noodles.
If you add more veggies, you may need to make a little extra sauce depending on how much you add, so the noodles don’t get too dry. Just play with it and get it to the consistency and flavor you like.
This is a fun twist on a traditional Asian favorite, Kung Pao, with buckwheat soba noodles tossed with sautéed Lion's Mane mushroom crumbles, fresh ginger, shallots, red peppers, and water chestnuts in a spicy savory sauce topped with sesame seeds, peanuts and crispy fried garlic.
Ingredients
1 package buckwheat soba noodles (12 oz)
2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
1 tablespoon peanut or vegetable oil
1 package Big Mountain Foods Lion's Mane Mushroom Crumbles
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, julienned
1 shallot, minced
1 (5 oz) can water chestnuts, diced
1 small red pepper, sliced thin
1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons sesame oil
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
2 tablespoons Asian chili garlic sauce
1/3 cup cold water
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons crispy fried garlic
Instructions
Cook soba noodles in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes, until soft. Drain and toss with 1 teaspoon sesame oil; set aside.
Heat additional teaspoon of sesame oil and 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
Add ginger, shallot, water chestnuts and red pepper; sauté for about 2-3 minutes until soft. Stir in the Lion's Mane Mushroom Crumbles and cook for another 2-3 minutes, then lower heat to medium-low.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), sesame oil, apple cider (or rice) vinegar, coconut palm sugar, chili garlic sauce and pour into the skillet with the Mushroom veggie mixture, stir and toss to coat.
Whisk the corn starch and water together and pour into the wok/skillet and mix together well. Let mixture cook for an additional minute or so until the sauce thickens.
Toss in the peanuts, sesame seeds and fried garlic, stir together.
Serve hot immediately, top with additional peanuts and crispy garlic if desired, for garnish.
Notes
Feel free to substitute other pasta for the soba noodles: rice noodles, spaghetti or linguine noodles work great. Add extra tablespoon of chili paste to kick the heat up a notch. You can also add extra vegetables to the stir fried noodles but you may need to make extra sauce so the noodles don't get too dry if adding them.
Any way you make these Kung Pao noodles they are absolutely delish and a #healthy vegan dish to kick off the New Year with!
You can find all of Big Mountain’s products online and also in the fresh section of the grocery store, as well as specialty food stores (Sprouts, Whole Foods, etc.) And check out @bigmountainfoods social media pages and website for more info, a store locator and more great recipes!
Happy Friday friends! I can’t believe this Summer has flown by and we are almost going into Labor Day! Speaking of, I was thinking of some fun appetizers and things to make for the occasion and wanted to try making something with this Kalbi Korean BBQ sauce I received from Lucky Foods for their #Blogger #Recipe challenge.
Kalbi Sauce is a traditional Korean BBQ Marinade and staple in Korean cooking. It has a combination of sweet and savory flavors, with a little extra zingy kick of ginger and sweetness from pineapple juice. It’s often used to marinate short ribs but also good on steak and ground beef.
These Korean BBQ Beef Tostadas are so delicious..and easy to make too! They are the perfect mashup of Korean + BBQ + Taco flavors all in one bite. The homemade tostada shells are baked until crispy and golden brown and then topped with ground beef sautéed with Kalbi BBQ sauce, Gochujang chili paste, green onions and charred corn, then topped with lots of shredded Mexican blend cheese with more corn, green onions and crispy fried onions for extra crunch!
And because this sauce is so versatile and tastes great you can also use it with short ribs or steak, shredded or grilled chicken and pork… or try tofu, seitan or meatless chicken if you are #vegan/#vegetarian and play with the toppings! Any way you make them I guarantee they’ll be amazing…they’re like crunchy deconstructed Korean BBQ tacos with ALL THE FEELS 🙂
These Kalbi BBQ Beef Tostadas are the perfect mashup of Korean flavors!
The tostada shells are baked and ready in only 15 minutes and then topped with savory BBQ beef, green onions and charred corn with some crispy fried onions and Kimchi Gochujang for extra crunch and a kick of heat!
Ingredients
Olive oil cooking spray
8 corn tortillas
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 pound ground beef
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup cooked corn kernels (fresh or frozen, defrosted)
2 tablespoons Lucky Foods Gochujang Chili Paste
1/4 cup Lucky Foods Kalbi BBQ Sauce
1 cup shredded Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
Extra corn, for garnish
Extra green onions, for garnish
Crispy fried onions, for garnish
Kalbi BBQ sauce, for drizzling
Instructions
Make the tostadas:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray.
Lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray and place in a single layer on prepared baking sheets. Lightly season with salt.
Bake for 5 minutes, flip them over and bake for another 5 minutes until the tortillas are crispy and golden brown. Remove from oven, sprinkle with sea salt and let cool for a few minutes; set aside.
Make the Kalbi BBQ Beef:
Spray a large sauté pan with cooking spray and heat over medium high heat.
Add the ground beef and half the green onions; season with salt and pepper and cook for about 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Drain fat and return to the pan.
Stir in half the cooked corn kernels and cook for another minute.
Add the Gochujang chili paste and Kalbi BBQ sauce and stir together until heated through.
To serve:
Top the tostadas with the BBQ beef mixture, shredded cheese, additional corn, green onions and crispy fried onions. Drizzle with extra Kalbi Bbq sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
These are so delicious and the BBQ sauce actually goes with any protein so feel free to sub shredded chicken, or pork, or even tofu!
I was recently invited to participate in another great blogger recipe challenge– this time for Lucky Foods, a family-owned business and premiere Asian food brand. For the contest, I decided to make some Spicy Korean Chicken Lettuce Wraps made with two of their popular sauces – Gochujang chili paste and Kimchi Mayo.
These delicious spicy chicken lettuce wraps are full of flavor, light on carbs and the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, crunchy and creamy all in one bite! The gochujang chili paste gives it a nice kick of heat and the kimchi mayo rounds out the flavor with some creamy tangy goodness to top it all off.
Gochujang is a Korean chili pepper paste made from fermented red chili peppers and it has a nice spicy bite with a subtle sweetness and umami flavor from the fermented soybeans.. It’s great on noodles, in fried rice, as a marinade, or drizzling on soups, stews and salad bowls.
Their Kimchi mayo is also a delicious condiment made with spicy fermented kimchi (cabbage) and vegan mayonnaise.
First I sautéed some fresh garlic, sliced scallions and ginger over medium heat until softened, about 2 minutes. Then I increased the heat to medium high and added the diced chicken and zucchini and sprinkled with sesame seeds and some salt and pepper, sautéing for about 4 minutes until browned.
To make the spicy sauce, I whisked together the Gochujang chili paste, hot honey, soy sauce and rice vinegar, then added it into the pan with the chicken and zucchini. Then I tossed in the cooked cauliflower rice, honey roasted peanuts and sliced carrots and let the mixture cook for another 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickened and liquid was reduced.
To serve, I spooned the spicy chicken mixture inside the lettuce leaves, then garnished the wraps with more grated carrots, cilantro, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of spicy Kimchi Mayo with extra on the side.
You guys – this is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted! The balance of spicy / sweet / umami flavors along with the crunchy and creamy textures is absolutely DIVINE. And these sauces will go great with any protein you choose – try it with tofu or shrimp or beef. And it’s low carb, paleo and keto-friendly too!
These delicious spicy chicken lettuce wraps are full of flavor, light on the carbs and the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, crunchy and creamy all in one bite! The gochujang chili paste gives it a nice kick of heat and the kimchi mayo rounds out the flavor with some creamy tangy goodness to top it all off.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 scallions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moon wedges
1 pound chicken thighs, fat trimmed, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, plus additional for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 teaspoons Lucky Foods Gochujang chili paste
2 tablespoons hot honey
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 package frozen cauliflower rice, cooked
1 cup honey roasted or spicy peanuts
6 baby carrots, sliced
Butter lettuce leaves, for serving
Grated carrots, for garnish
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Lucky Foods Kimchi Mayo, for drizzling/dipping
Instructions
Heat vegetable and sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh garlic, sliced scallions and ginger and cook over medium heat until softened, about 2 minutes.
Increase the heat to medium high and add the chicken thighs and zucchini, sprinkle with sesame seeds and some salt and pepper, to taste, sautéing for about 5-6 minutes until chicken is browned and cooked through.
Whisk together the Gochujang chili paste, hot honey, soy sauce and rice vinegar to make a spicy sauce, then add it into the pan with the chicken and zucchini. Stir to coat with the sauce.
Add in the cooked cauliflower rice, peanuts and sliced carrots and stir; let mixture cook for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickened and liquid mostly evaporated.
To serve, scoop the spicy chicken mixture inside the lettuce leaves, then garnish the wraps with more grated carrots, cilantro, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of spicy Kimchi Mayo with extra on the side for dipping.
Notes
Feel free to substitute tofu, shrimp or beef for the chicken or use chicken breasts instead of thighs.
To get more info on Lucky Foods products, check out their website. Their product line ranges from traditional and gluten-free spring rolls to Asian fusion sauces and BBQ sauces, kimchi and Korean pancakes. All of their products are free from MSG, GMOs, and added colors and preservatives. Their products only feature wholesome produce and fresh, aromatic spices, which is something I absolutely love!
They have more great recipe ideas on their Instagram & Facebook pages, and you can buy their products online or find them locally at Whole Foods, Giant, Acme and Food Lion.
#luckyfoodsrecipechallenge #eatluckyfoods
Note: I received complimentary products to use and try out for this Blogger recipe challenge. All opinions, writing, recipes and photos are my own.
Summer is in full swing and there’s nothing I love better than some fresh seafood and grilling outside with friends and family. Living in St Pete, Florida, I am spoiled with all of the fresh seafood options here – and one of my favorites is Blackened Scallops, (and any blackened seafood really!). This inspired my recipe Blackened Scallops with Grilled Basil Butter Corn + Watermelon Jicama Salsa for the Sam’s Salsa Recipe Challenge… and it’s full of fresh, bright, tropical flavors and summertime goodness.
Sam’s Fresh Salsa started in the 70’s on a family farm in New Jersey, and is still going strong making delicious homemade salsas with only the freshest fruits, vegetables and ingredients.
Their salsas have no preservatives or artificial ingredients, and are free of additives too. And they taste just like homemade; the kind you would find in an authentic Mexican restaurant or made fresh at home. They also have several other delicious salsa flavors such as Cantina Medium Salsa and Salsa Verde, and a variety of fresh salsas ranging from Mild to Extra Hot.
I made the Basil Butter by creaming the two ingredients together with a little bit of fresh lime juice and creole seasoning and let it sit for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together, then I mixed in the butter with the shaved grilled corn, sautéed shallots, and green onions.
I blackened the sea scallops in a hot cast iron pan in some clarified butter for a few minutes on each side to get them nice and browned.
I plated the Blackened Scallops on top of the Grilled Basil Butter Corn and topped the dish with some lovely Watermelon Jicama Salsa and more green onions, fresh basil and a few pieces of chopped watermelon for garnish.
You guys..this dish is a FLAVOR BOMB!!! The spicy scallops over the savory, buttery corn with basil and shallots mixed with a hint of sweetness from the Watermelon Jicama salsa is absolutely SPECTACULAR!!!
Summer on a plate, really. And totally delightful.
To make the Grilled Basil Butter Corn, cream the butter (room temp) with fresh basil, lime juice and cayenne pepper/creole seasoning; cover and let sit for 30 mins to let the flavors meld together.
Preheat grill over medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Place the corn on the grill and cook with the cover on for about 20-25 minutes until the corn is charred and tender. You can also grill the corn in a grill pan on the stove or buy frozen pre-grilled corn kernels.
Meanwhile, heat some oil or butter in a cast iron pan over medium heat and sauté the shallots until soft and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Once corn is done, slice off the corn kernels with a large knife into a large mixing bowl. Toss the corn with the basil butter and sauteed shallots; season with salt and pepper to taste, set aside. Rinse the scallops and pat dry.
To cook the blackened scallops, raise the heat on the cast iron pan to high until it begins to smoke. Brush the scallops on both sides with butter/ghee or oil and season with sea salt. Dredge each side of the scallops in the blackening seasoning in a medium shallow bowl. Place them in the hot pan spice side down. (You may want to have your windows open and fan on because you’ll get some smoke while blackening.)
Cook for 1-2 minutes to get a nice browned crust, then flip scallops over and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. You can also finish the scallops in the oven for 4-5 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Serve scallops over the Grilled Basil Butter Corn and top with the Watermelon Jicama Salsa, green onions, fresh basil and diced watermelon for garnish.
Notes
This would also be delicious made with blackened shrimp or fish (like grouper!)
for another layer of flavor, serve the grilled basil butter corn and scallops over some mashed cauliflower or mashed potato puree.
The #Superbowl is only a couple days away and I’m so excited it’s in #Tampa this year! To celebrate game day, I decided to make these KetoNashville Hot Chicken Sliders and oh my gosh, they are deeeeelish.
On FIRE, actually! (no pun intended).
My recipe is inspired by the famous Nashville Chicken invented by Prince’s Hot Chickenin #Nashville, Tennessee. Their hot and spicy fried chicken is breaded with lots of cayenne pepper incorporated into the batter and is topped with a fiery-hot spiced oil served with two slices of white bread and kosher dill pickles. You can also get it as a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, which is served on a freshly baked bun with coleslaw, pickles, and either Kickin’ Ranch or Sweet Heat sauce. Their heat levels range from mild, to medium, to XXX hot! Hattie B’s also has an amazing Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich too except they use a Southern Comeback Sauce which is made with ketchup, mayo, chili sauce, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and spices.
My version is #keto-friendly and #lowcarb due to the fact that I decided to pan-sear the chicken with the spices and oil, instead of breading it and frying it (You could also grill the chicken as well). I used a handcrafted, small batch Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning by The Spice Lab, (which I found in Publix and they also sell online at Amazon). You can also make your own by mixing 6 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon paprika.
I also made these delicious homemadeKeto Slider Buns that are made with almond flour, mozzarella and cream cheese, a little salt and baking powder, topped with melted butter and baked to a crispy perfection. They are so good and buttery, they taste like biscuits! Which is perfect with some spicy chicken, of course.
The sliders are topped off with Buffalo mayonnaise, dill pickle slices, Buffalo sauce, and broccoli slaw mixed with Blue Cheese dressing and each one is only about 2 carbs total which is the best part! So here’s how I made these bad boys…
First, I sprinkled the chicken with the Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning on both sides,
added some buttermilk and hot sauce in a resealable large bag in the fridge to let marinate for a few hours . This lets all the flavors meld together and the buttermilk breaks down the proteins in the chicken to make it super juicy.
Then I made the keto buns by melting the mozzarella and cream cheese together with three eggs, almond flour and baking powder and salt, mixing it together into a dough.
I separated the dough into six balls, and then flattened them a little on a parchment-lined baking sheet and brushed them with some melted butter. Then I baked them for about 12 minutes until lightly browned, and let them cool on a wire rack before slicing.
I made the broccoli slaw by mixing in about 1/2 cup of Marie’s creamy blue cheese dressing and letting it stay cool in the fridge while I made the chicken. You could also use ranch dressing here if you prefer, but I love the tangy, cooling blue cheese with the fiery hot sauce and spices on the chicken.
Next, I took the chicken out of the marinade and discarded that. Heated up some oil over medium-high in a large skillet and sprinkled more Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning on both sides of the chicken, cooking about 8 minutes per side.
Then I sliced the chicken into pieces, and added them back into the pan with some additional oil to coat the chicken with all the delicious spices and brown bits in the pan.
Once the chicken was done, i built the sliders by spreading some Buffalo mayo on the bottom bun, topping it with a few slices of the spicy chicken. Drizzled more Buffalo sauce on top of the chicken, then topped with sliced dill pickles, and blue cheese broccoli slaw.
And you have my friends, a total masterpiece, guilt-free! And perfect for game day on Sunday! Bet you can’t eat just one 😉
These Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders are totally delicious and served on Keto-friendly, low carb buns! Pan-seared spicy buttermilk chicken topped off with Buffalo mayonnaise, dill pickle slices, Buffalo sauce, and broccoli slaw mixed with Blue Cheese dressing. They are so delicious and each one is only about 2 carbs total which is the best part!
4 tablespoons Nashville Hot Chicken Seasoning, divided
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup light olive oil or canola oil, divided
Keto buns:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces cream cheese
3 large eggs
3 cups fine almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
Garnishes:
1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
1/4 cup Buffalo mayo
12 pickle slices
2 cups broccoli slaw
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
Instructions
Nashville Chicken:
Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with 2 tablespoons Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning. Combine the chicken, buttermilk, and hot sauce in a large resealable plastic bag or dish covered in plastic wrap. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours, up to overnight.
Heat half the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken breasts from the buttermilk marinade and discard.
Season the chicken with additional 2 tablespoons Nashville hot Chicken Seasoning and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 7 minutes per side.
Slice chicken breasts into pieces and add additional oil into the sauté pan. Toss together over medium heat for a few more minutes until chicken pieces are fully coated with the oil and spices. Remove from heat and set aside, covered in foil, until ready to build sliders.
Keto buns:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large microwave-safe bowl, add the mozzarella and cream cheese. Heat on high for 2 minutes until melted.
Add the eggs and stir to combine, then mix in the almond flour, baking powder and salt.
Form the dough into 6 balls, and slightly flatten on to the parchment paper.
Melt the butter and brush over the tops of the slider buns.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until buns are golden brown; let cool slightly before slicing in half.
Make the broccoli slaw by mixing the blue cheese dressing in with the slaw in a medium mixing bowl.
To assemble the sliders, spread the Buffalo mayo on the bottom buns. Top with a few pieces of the Nashville chicken, 2 pickles, drizzle with Buffalo sauce. Add 1/4 cup broccoli blue cheese slaw mixture and the top halves.
Serve immediately with additional hot sauce on the side, if desired.
Notes
I used Nashville Hot Chicken seasoning from The Spice Lab, which you can find on Amazon or at Publix, or feel free to make your own. You could also use ranch dressing on the broccoli slaw if you prefer, and grill the chicken breasts instead of pan-searing them for extra char and flavor.
Hey guys! So the #Superbowl 2021 is near and I am so excited that it’s going to be in #Tampa, Florida this year, because this is MY TOWN now, and I can’t wait for the festivities to begin! (GO BUCS!!!) I was recently invited to participate in the Twin Dragon Blogger Challenge, and I decided to make these Tampa-Style Cuban Egg Rolls to celebrate the occasion as well as my city, using their Twin Dragon Egg Roll Wrappers.
I love these egg roll wrappers, because they are basically an empty canvas for any appetizer and you can get creative and fill them with anything you like! Whether you fry them or bake them, they are super easy to work with and come out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.
I’m sure you have all heard of the famous Cuban sandwich right? Well these delicious crispy egg rolls are a spin-off on the Tampa-style sandwich and they taste just as amazing!
Over a century ago, Spanish-Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr. created a sandwich at his famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City in in Tampa, Florida called the ‘Mixto’. He wanted to honor the immigrants who first moved into the neighborhood, and a tribute to the city of Tampa. This famous sandwich has layers and layers of good things all baked into a crispy sandwich on Cuban bread: Ham for the Spaniards, Genoa salami for the Italians, Mojo roast pork for the Cubans, and Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard for the German and Jewish immigrants.
My Tampa-Style Cuban egg rolls are the absolute perfect appetizer – made with juicy roasted Mojo pork, ham, melted Swiss cheese, Genoa salami, dill pickles and a drizzle of mustard – all wrapped up in a crunchy baked egg roll. They’re served with a tangy dipping sauce I made with three types of mustard (yellow, Dijon and grainy), mayonnaise, a dash of hot sauce and chives…delicious little bites for the #Superbowl or any game day, party or gathering!
#Mojo is a classic #Cuban Garlic-Citrus marinade used in traditional Caribbean and Spanish cooking for added zest to chicken, shrimp, and pork. It’s made with (key) lime juice, orange juice, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin and olive oil; and is an essential ingredient for the classic Cuban sandwich and of course, my Egg Rolls! I used Nellie + Joe’s Key West Style Mojo Criollo which you can find at Publix grocery stores or buy online. You can also choose to make your own Mojo marinade – here is a great recipe online.
First, cut a few slits in the pork, pour the marinade over the pork in a plastic baggie and seal up to let marinate for a few hours up to overnight in the fridge. Roast the pork in a dutch oven for about 35-45 minutes until the pork is at least 145 degrees F in the center. (Rule of thumb for pork loin is approximately 20 minutes per pound and this was a 2 pound boneless roast). Let the roast cool a few minutes, then slice into thin pieces.
Cut the other ingredients (ham, swiss, salami, pickles, yellow mustard) and get ready to make the egg rolls. This is the fun part!
Start a little egg roll making station like I did above and get movin’ on these delicious crispy bundles of goodness.
First, lay the egg wrapper on a baking sheet or tray and wet the edges all around with some water. Start layering the ingredients in the center bottom of the wrapper: ham, cheese, salami, pork, pickles and a top with a drizzle of mustard.
Roll up each egg roll wrapper from the pointy end at the bottom, fold in the sides and roll up to seal.
Place the egg rolls seam side down on a parchment (or foil-lined) baking sheet. Brush the egg rolls lightly and evenly with oil or melted butter. Bake for 10-12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10-12 minutes more, until they are crispy and golden brown.
Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce with the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, hot sauce, yellow mustard and grainy mustard. Throw a few chives in there too, and set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
Once the egg rolls are done, let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve them on a platter and garnish with more chives…serve the dipping sauce on the side.
Absolutely delicioso and totally addicting! And you’ll be able to celebrate the Superbowl in style, Tampa-style that is 🙂
Yield: Makes 8 egg rolls or 16 egg rolls (cut in half.)
Ingredients
Egg Rolls:
1 cup Cuban Mojo marinade (store-bought or homemade)
2 pounds boneless pork loin, thin sliced
Garlic salt, to taste
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
8 slices Black Forest ham, thin sliced
8 slices Swiss cheese, thin sliced
16 small slices Genoa Salami with peppercorns
16 dill pickle slices
Yellow mustard, for drizzling
8 Twin Dragon Egg roll wrappers
Melted butter or oil, for brushing
Spicy Mustard Sauce:
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon grainy old-style mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1-2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced
Instructions
Make Mojo Pork:
Cut small slits all over the pork roast with a knife and place the roast in a large resealable baggie. Pour the Mojo marinade over the top; season with garlic salt and pepper. Seal and let marinate in the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours, up to overnight. (See notes below*)
When ready to cook the roast, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the pork on a small rack or cut vegetables in a roasting pan or casserole dish and roast for about 40-45 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the middle registers 145 degrees F. (cooking time is approx. 20-25 minutes per pound so adjust accordingly depending on the size of your pork roast.)
Cool roast completely and cut into 8-12 thin slices, and store the leftover roast in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Make the egg rolls:
Turn the the oven heat up to 425 F. Cover a baking sheet with non-stick foil or parchment paper.
Cut the ham, salami, Mojo pork and cheese into medium-size slices, about 2”x3”” wide (small enough to fit diagonally inside the center of the egg roll wrappers with room around to fold..eyeball it.)
Layout the egg rolls flat on a work surface with a small cup of water nearby. Layer 2 slices each of ham, salami, pork, cheese and 2 pickle slices diagonally across the center of each wrapper, add a small drizzle of yellow mustard on top.
Moisten the edges with water and roll the egg roll wrapper from the bottom, folding in the sides and rolling wrapper tightly to secure the edges. Lay the rolls flap side down on the baking sheet.
Continue with the remaining egg roll wrappers.
Lightly brush the egg rolls with melted butter or oil, evenly on both sides.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, then flip and cook another 10-12 minutes more, until crispy and golden brown.
Make the dipping sauce:
Meanwhile, make the dipping sauce by mixing together the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, grainy mustard, hot sauce, and chives; cover and set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
Serve the egg rolls on a platter or tray with mustard-mayo dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with additional chives over the egg rolls, if desired.
Notes
You can double or triple this recipe for a larger crowd.
Mojo is a classic Cuban Garlic-Citrus marinade used in traditional Caribbean cooking for added zest to chicken, shrimp, and pork. It’s made with key lime juice, orange juice, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, cumin and olive oil; and is an essential ingredient for the classic Cuban sandwich. I used Nellie + Joe’s Key West Style Mojo Criollo which you can find at Publix grocery stores or online. If you choose to make your own marinade here is a recipe online.
Serve them with the tangy Mustard-Mayo Dipping Sauce..sooo good!
Cut the egg rolls in half if you want smaller pieces…
Oh, and you may want to double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd – beware…I could eat the entire tray myself these are so good!
If you want to make these yourself, you can find JSL Twin Dragon wrappers at Albertsons, Amazon, Instacart, Shaw’s, Von’s, Stater Bros, Lucky’s, Food Maxx, Fred Meyer, QFC, Target, Cub Foods, Rainbow Foods, Safeway, Associated Stores, Price Rite, Winco, Price Chopper, and Gelson’s.
For more great recipes and products by Twin Dragon, please visit them online at:
Hey all, happy New Year! I was recently invited to participate inJSL Foods Twin Dragon Asian Wrapper Recipe Challenge and I came up with a fun recipe for these Crunchy Baked Taco Wonton Cups using their Twin Dragon Wonton Wrappers. They make a great idea for a holiday appetizer or for game day…or any special event that includes finger foods for a crowd!
They’re basically bite-sized mini tacos in a crunchy wonton baked to perfection, filled with taco beef, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, cilantro, onions, and garlic; topped with melted Mexican-blend cheese, sour cream, salsa and cilantro…and they are soooo good and so easy to make!
These Wonton wrappers are really easy to work with and they come precut in a package which is great. They can be boiled, steamed or fried, or easily baked like I did, by spraying some oil on top and in the bottom of the muffin pan so they get golden brown and crunchy.
First brown your ground beef with some onions, garlic, and taco seasoning until the flavors meld together and the meat is cooked through. Then add the corn, cilantro, chopped tomatoes with chiles, and mix together. If you like a little extra heat you could add some extra jalapeños here!
Spray your muffin pan with some cooking spray and place one wonton in each cup. Fill with a tablespoon of the meat mixture and top with a tablespoon of the shredded cheese. Repeat with another wonton on top and another layer of taco mixture and cheese.
Spray or brush the tops of the wontons with a little more oil and bake for about 10-12 minutes at 375 until they are crispy golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve on a platter with some salsa and sour cream and garnish with cilantro or green onions.
So fun and absolutely delish! Feel free to play with the toppings that you like – jalapeños, green onions, hot sauce, avocado or guacamole would be amazing.
Any way you make them you can bet they’ll be the hit of the party!
These Crunchy Baked Wonton Taco Cups are basically bite-sized mini tacos in a crunchy wonton baked to perfection, filled with taco beef, corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, cilantro, onions, and garlic; topped with melted Mexican-blend cheese, sour cream, salsa and cilantro...and they are soooo good and so easy to make!
Ingredients
24 Twin Dragon Wonton Wrappers
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro, plus extra for garnish
1 packet taco seasoning
2/3 cup water
1/2 cup cooked corn
1/2 cup diced tomatoes with chilies
1 cup shredded Mexican Blend cheese
1/2 cup sour cream, for garnish
1/2 cup salsa , for garnish
Jalapeños, for garnish
Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.
Heat a large saute pan with oil and cook ground beef and onions until no longer pink.
Add garlic and cilantro and cook for an additional minute.
Add taco seasoning and water and reduce heat to medium; cook for an additional 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
Stir in the corn and diced tomatoes with chilies, cook for 5 minutes more.
Line each cup of prepared muffin pan with one wonton wrapper.
Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of taco meat mixture and 1 tablespoon of cheese into each wrapper.
Repeat layering with another wonton (pressing down a little bit) and add more taco meat and cheese into the pan.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the wontons are golden brown and crispy and the cheese is melted.
Top the Baked Wonton Cups with salsa, sour cream, more cilantro and green onions and jalapeños if desired.
Notes
Feel free to experiment with fillings and toppings and most of all enjoy!
Double or triple the recipe for a larger crowd.
I can think of a million different ways to make these Crunchy Baked Wonton Cups – try chicken or shrimp or pork with some different sauces and toppings!
Have fun experimenting with them and if you make my recipe please leave a comment below on how they turned out!
Follow JSL Foods on Social Media for more fun recipe ideas! You can find the Wonton Wrappers online or in these stores: Walmart, Albertson’s, QFC, and Giant Food Stores, Shaw’s, Von’s, Stater Bros, Fred Meyer, Safeway, Associated Stores, Shop N Shop, Winco, and Price Chopper.
Hi Everyone! So the New Year #2021 is rapidly approaching (thank God!!) and I decided to celebrate a little with these Spicy Crab Cakes w/ Creole Mayo and some bubbly! They are absolutely delicious and the perfect appetizer duo for the holidays or any special occasion!
I made them with fresh lump crabmeat, crispy applewood smoked bacon, corn, red Chile peppers, parsley, scallions, egg, panko breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, lemon juice and a dash of Tony Chacere’s Creole Seasoning and hot sauce, and served with a side of spicy Creole Mayo for dipping. Talk about a flavor bomb in your mouth…#YUM!
The recipe makes 8 small crab cakes but feel free to make four larger patties if you want to make burgers out of them. Or make 16 really small crab cakes if you want to make them bite-sized with fancy toothpicks on platter!
I brushed them with some oil and baked in the oven for about 30 minutes, but you can also pan-fry them if you prefer. For a larger crowd, I recommend doubling or tripling the recipe because these will be a huge hit and gone before you know it!
They would also be great served on top of some Confetti rice or Cajun/Creole pasta..or try them in some lettuce leaves or on top of a salad for a lighter fare if you’re watching your carbs. I know I will be after the holidays are over. Enjoy and indulge for now – and Happy New Year! #2021 couldn’t come any sooner 🙂
These delicious crab cakes are the perfect appetizer for the holidays or any special occasion! Made with fresh lump crab, crispy applewood smoked bacon, corn, red chile peppers, parsley and a hit of Creole seasoning and hot sauce served with a Creole Mayo for dipping.
For a larger crowd, double or triple the recipe because these will be a huge hit and gone before you know it!
Ingredients
CRAB CAKES
1 lb. lump crabmeat
1/3 c. Panko bread crumbs
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 green onions, finely sliced
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 teaspoon Tony Chacere’s Creole seasoning
Dash of hot sauce
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 c. corn
2 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1/2 red chile pepper, chopped (or sub bell pepper for less heat)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced, plus extra for garnish
1 tbsp. vegetable or olive oil
......
CREOLE MAYO
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tbsp hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon Tony Chacere’s Creole seasoning
Instructions
MAKE CRAB CAKES
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, stir together crabmeat, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, egg, green onions, and lemon juice. Add Creole Seasoning, hot sauce and black pepper. Stir in corn, Chiles, bacon and parsley. Mix well with hands or a fork until mixture is combined.
Form into 8 patties and place on nonstick greased baking sheet. Brush oil on top of the crab cakes.
Bake until golden brown about 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Alternatively you can pan fry them for 3-5 minutes per side in a skillet over medium high heat.
Garnish with more fresh parsley or green onions; serve with side of Creole Mayo.
MAKE CREOLE MAYO
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, hot sauce and Creole seasoning. Adjust amounts to your liking (less or more spicy).
Serve sauce with Crab cakes on top or on the side.
This is a super easy and delicious Low Carb Cheesy Beef Enchilada Bake made with mega layers of spicy taco seasoned beef, zucchini, garlic, onions, low-carb tortillas, enchilada sauce and gobs of gooey cheddar cheese, topped with sliced jalapeños and green onions. And it’s #low-carb, #sugar-free and #keto so enjoy without the guilt!
First cook your zucchini and garlic in some olive oil and set aside.
Next brown the ground beef, onions and jalapeños, drain any access grease, then return to the sauté pan along with the taco seasoning and some water and let simmer for about 10 minutes over low heat to let the flavors meld together.
Then it’s time to build the casserole. Spread 1/4 of the enchilada sauce (I LOVE Harry + David brand..it comes packaged in a glass bottle so no tinny taste! And it’s made with vine-ripened fresh tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, chili pepper, garlic, cumin, and New Mexico chiles) on the bottom of a large rectangular baking dish, and top with 1/3 of the tortillas.
Next add 1/2 of the cooked zucchini and garlic mixture over the top.
Top with the cooked taco beef, onions, and jalapeños.
Add 3/4 cup of the cheese on top of the meat, and pour 1/2 the enchilada sauce over the cheese.
Repeat the process with the 1/3 tortillas, the rest of the zucchini and garlic mixture, taco beef mixture,
3/4 cup of cheese and 1/2 cup of sauce.
Add the final 1/3 tortillas on top of the casserole and pour the rest of the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese; cover with foil.
Pop this bad boy in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes until cheese is melty and gooey. Garnish with sliced jalapeños and sliced green onions. Let cool for about 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve immediately.
You can also add corn, black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, cilantro, sour cream or whatever other veggies and toppings you desire.
Any way you serve it you’re gonna love it! Enjoy 🙂
This is a super easy and delicious cheesy beef enchilada casserole with mega layers of ground beef, zucchini, garlic, onions, low carb tortillas, enchilada sauce and gobs of gooey cheddar cheese, topped with sliced jalapeños and green onions. And it's low carb, sugar free and keto so enjoy without the guilt!
Ingredients
8 medium low-carb tortillas, cut in half
cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 small zucchini, cut into half moons
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground beef
1/2 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh jalapeños, minced
1 packet of taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups red enchilada sauce
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 jalapeno, sliced, for garnish
1 green onion, sliced thin, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.
Heat one tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. Add the zucchini and garlic and cook for about 5-6 minutes until soft. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add additional tablespoon of olive oil in the pan and add the ground beef and onions. Cook for 6-8 minutes until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain the grease and return cooked beef and onions to the pan.
Add the taco seasoning and water, and stir together, cooking on low heat for about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Spread 1/4 cup enchilada sauce over the bottom of the greased baking dish.
Layer 1/3 tortillas over the sauce.
Add 1/2 of the zucchini and garlic mixture over the top. Add 1/2 the meat mixture, then top with 3/4 cup of shredded cheese.
Pour 1/2 cup enchilada sauce over the cheese.
Repeat the process with 1/3 of the tortillas, the rest of the zucchini, the rest of the meat mixture and 3/4 cup of cheese. Top with 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce.
Add the final 1/3 tortillas on top of the casserole; pour the remaining sauce over the top and and sprinkle on the rest of the cheese.
Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
Sprinkle jalapeños and green onions over the top. Let casserole cool for 5-10 minutes.
Slice and serve hot.
Notes
You can also add corn, black beans, pinto beans, tomatoes, cilantro or whatever other veggies and toppings you desire!