An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cheli – Z – Magic
  • Travel
  • Goodwill Hunting
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • 10 Years
  • Author Archives: NativeNM

    • Avocado Club Egg Rolls

      Posted at 8:31 am by NativeNM, on February 15, 2013
      Avocado-Egg-Rolls-22

      If you’ve ever had the Avocado Club Egg Rolls at California Pizza Kitchen then I don’t need to tell you how yummy they are.  We don’t go often but when we do we always order some of these tasty egg rolls to share.  I came across a copycat recipe some years ago, don’t remember where I got it, but it seemed to have all the right ingredients.   When I mentioned making egg rolls my guys all asked for the avocado egg rolls so I decided to give it a try.  I was amazed at how closely they tasted to the egg rolls they serve at CPK.  They were a big hit and I’m sure it won’t be long before they start requesting them again.  Egg Rolls can seem like a challenge, but they are really easy to make.  Once you get into a rhythm it’s easy!

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Recipes, Side Dishes | 6 Comments | Tagged Avocado Club Eggrolls, Chipotle Ranch Dipping Sauce
    • Banana Bread Pudding

      Posted at 8:35 am by NativeNM, on February 12, 2013
      Banana-Bread-Pudding-17

      In honor of Fat Tuesday I’m celebrating with a big serving of warm banana bread pudding.  I had a loaf of brioche bread that has been sitting around for a few days and some bananas that were starting to turn.  The two seemed destined to come together to make a warm melt in your mouth dessert.  Although, if you’re counting calories, this isn’t the dessert for you.  It’s rich with cream and eggs and caramelized bananas in a buttery rum syrup.  All things in moderation, right!

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Dessert, Recipes | 2 Comments | Tagged Banana Bread Pudding, Caramelized Bananas
    • Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette

      Posted at 8:50 am by NativeNM, on February 8, 2013
      Warm-Spinach-Salad-3

      I’m always trying to find ways to get some fresh greens into our diet.  Fresh spinach is one thing that we all seem to enjoy and so to dress it up I roasted some onion and red bell pepper and made a warm balsamic vinaigrette.  Adding the warm vegetables and dressing tends to wilt the spinach just a touch and makes this salad really delicious.  And for my bacon lovers I added a little sprinkle of bacon bits to top it off.

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Recipes, Side Dishes | 4 Comments | Tagged Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette
    • Lemon Cupcakes

      Posted at 8:34 am by NativeNM, on February 5, 2013
      Lemon-Cupcakes-10

      Recently I made a variety of cupcakes for Joe to share at work.  One of the choices was this citrusy lemon cupcake which was my personal favorite.  I just love the fresh citrus of lemon that shines through this tiny cake.   The cupcake was very moist and the lemon cream cheese frosting tasted like a smooth lemon cream.  I mixed a little sugar and lemon zest together to make a pretty crystallized topping.   I found this recipe on a beautiful blog post by “My Baking Addiction” but scaled it down to make an even dozen cupcakes.

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Cakes, Cupcakes and Muffins, Recipes | 7 Comments | Tagged Crystallized Lemon Topping, Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting, Lemon Cupcakes
    • 15 Favorites for Super Bowl Sunday

      Posted at 8:44 am by NativeNM, on February 1, 2013
      Verde Wings with Cilantro Dipping Sauce
      Pretzel Sliders with Cheese Sauce
      Molcajete Green Chile Salsa
      Artisan Pizza
      Chile Piquin Salsa
      Ultimate Steak Nachos
      Fresh Guacamole
      Salsa Verde
      Green Chile Quesadillas
      Fire Roasted Fiesta Salsa
      Barbecue Chicken Pizza
      Jan’s Salsa
      Spicy Chipotle Wings
      Stuffed Jalapenos
      Red Hot Wings and Oven Fries

      Superbowl is coming up and a very exciting time for those who like to get together and celebrate the game.  I must admit I’m not a big fan of football but I do enjoy watching the Superbowl.  I usually root for the underdog and enjoy the must see commercials plus the halftime show.  But aside from the entertainment I love the game day food that everyone indulges in.  Here’s 15 of my favorites for some great game day eats.  Wings are always a favorite but I love a salsa bar any day of the week.  So tell me, what will you be serving up this Superbowl Sunday?

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Recipes | 4 Comments | Tagged 15 Favorites for Super Bowl Sunday
    • Cheddar Cheese Soup with Pretzel Croutons

      Posted at 8:47 am by NativeNM, on January 29, 2013
      Cheddar-Cheese-Soup-11

      I love pretzel bread and every time I pick up a loaf I think of those big soft pretzels with cheese dip.   After giving it some thought, I decided to make a Cheddar Cheese Soup and toss some toasted pretzel bread croutons on top.    They were so delicious, a little crunchy on the outside and that soft pretzel like taste on the inside.  I was craving a cheese soup with a little southwest flare so I added some roasted Poblano chiles and Fresno red peppers.  A creamy Queso like soup!  

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Recipes, Red or Green, Soups, Stews and Chili | 2 Comments | Tagged Cheddar Cheese Soup, Pretzel Croutons
    • Chipotle Carnitas Burritos

      Posted at 8:37 am by NativeNM, on January 25, 2013
      Chipotle-Burrito-10

      Chipotle Mexican Grill makes the biggest and most flavor filled burritos around.  They are a company that embraces buying local from farmers that grow organic produce and raise animals in a humane way free from all the hormones that factory farms use.  I appreciate that but what keeps me going back is how good their food is.  They assemble their burritos in front of you with every topping in sight.  Choosing what you put in that burrito is half the fun. While I may not be able to duplicate the Chipotle burrito exactly, I think my version is pretty darn good.  I took a day to make all my fillers and toppings, enough to make 16 large burritos.  We ate our fill, then wrapped the rest in aluminum foil to freeze.

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Entree, Recipes, Red or Green, Salsa, Guacamole and Dips | 2 Comments | Tagged Black Beans, Chile de Arbol Salsa, Chipotle Carnitas Burritos, Cilantro Lime Rice, Corn Salsa, Guacamole, Salsa Verde
    • Chile de Arbol Salsa in a Molcajete

      Posted at 8:33 am by NativeNM, on January 22, 2013
      Chile-de-Arbol-Salsa-8

      As I sit here writing this I’m finishing off the last little bit of my Chile de Arbol salsa.  I made this salsa as part of an upcoming recipe for Chipotle Burritos.  But as it turned out this salsa became an addicting side salsa with chips.  I love the flavor of arbol chiles which gives the salsa an after burn that keeps you coming back for more.  I love making this in a molcajete because with each ingredient you see a new layer of flavor emerging along with an earthy aroma in the background.

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Recipes, Red or Green, Salsa, Guacamole and Dips | 2 Comments | Tagged Chile de Arbol Salsa in a Molcajete
    • Spicy Chipotle Wings for Hockeytown’s Red Wings

      Posted at 8:55 am by NativeNM, on January 18, 2013
      Chipotle-Wings-10

      Hockey is back!!  After a long collective bargaining dispute between the NHL owners and players they have finally resolved their differences and on Saturday night my Detroit Red Wings will be back on the ice.  Half a season was lost due to the dispute while fans were left out in the cold.  Joe introduced me to hockey when we moved to Michigan in 1990 and I was immediately hooked.  We were only in Michigan for 3 years but I’ve followed my beloved Red Wings throughout the years and celebrate the beginning of each season with a big platter of wings.  They have become my traditional send off to my favorite team, “The Detroit Red Wings”!  This year I’m going spicy with a Chipotle sauce with a tangy dipping sauce.  I made a basting sauce from the homemade Chipotle Tabasco sauce which was thick and spicy.  So enjoy the wings and watch some hockey!

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Entree, Recipes, Red or Green | 2 Comments | Tagged Chipotle Wing Sauce, Chipotle Wing Seasoning, Spicy Chipotle Wings, Tangy Chipotle Dipping Sauce
    • Chipotle Tabasco Sauce from Scratch

      Posted at 8:30 am by NativeNM, on January 15, 2013
      Chipotle-Tabasco-Sauce-14

      My family, especially Joe and Josh splash a little Tabasco on everything.  My pantry is full of Tabasco’s original sauce, green pepper sauce and chipotle sauce.  It feels like I’m replacing bottles every other week so I decided to try my hand at making some sauce from scratch and see if it would pass the taste test of my most critical judges.  I looked at the ingredients listed on the Chipotle Tabasco sauce bottle and started there.  The amounts were up to me to decipher and as I kept measuring and tasting I finally came up with a pretty good match.  It’s a little thicker and slightly less vinegary as the original but it’s hard to tell the difference when tasting them side by side.

      Continue reading →

      Share this:

      • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
      • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
      • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
      • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
      • Print (Opens in new window) Print
      • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
      • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
      Like Loading...
      Posted in Condiments and Sauces, Recipes, Red or Green | 25 Comments | Tagged Chipotle Hot Sauce, Chipotle Hot Sauce from Scratch, Chipotle Hot Sauce Recipe, Chipotle Tabasco Sauce, Chipotle Tabasco Sauce from Scratch
    ← Older posts
    Newer posts →
    • June 2026
      S M T W T F S
       123456
      78910111213
      14151617181920
      21222324252627
      282930  
      « May    
    • Previous Posts

    • Recipe Categories

    • Search

    • Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    • Follow me on:

      • Pinterest
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
    • Things I Like

      • Penzey’s Spices
      • Tasteful Olive
      • New Mexico Photographs by Bill Tondreau
      • A Melancholy Moose
      • A Melancholy Moose on Etsy
      • The Woks of Life
      • Proud Italian Cook
      • Muy Bueno
      • La Bella Vita Cucina
      • Back Road Journal
      • Memories of My Mother
      • Hatch Green Chile
    • An Inspired Cook

Blog at WordPress.com.

An Inspired Cook
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • An Inspired Cook
    • Join 380 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • An Inspired Cook
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar

Loading Comments...

    %d