An Inspired Cook

An Inspired Cook
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cheli – Z – Magic
  • Travel
  • Goodwill Hunting
  • Kitchen Remodel
  • 10 Years
    • Rustic Heirloom Margherita Pizza on the Grill

      Posted at 1:14 pm by NativeNM, on August 25, 2017

      Over the years I have experimented with many ways to make pizzas from scratch. Whether it’s the ingredients in the dough or the way it is cooked there are always subtle differences in the taste and texture.  These days I cook pizza at a high temp which really makes my kitchen hot so the next best option is the outdoor grill.  This pizza I call rustic simply because of the way it looks.  It’s not the prettiest pizza by far but it was so good there wasn’t a slice left on the table.  I picked up some heirloom tomatoes and roasted them in the oven with some salt, pepper and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  And I tried a new cheese, Burrata cheese, which is similar to fresh mozzarella but it has a creamy center.  You can’t slice it, you have to spread it and I wondered if I might have made a mistake using it.  But it turned out better than I had expected especially in how it tasted.  I thought it would be too thin and run over the edges of the dough but those fears were unfounded.  The texture remains creamy but resembles the flavors of fresh mozzarella.  One more note, I added fresh basil to one pizza after it came off the grill and the other I layered on the pizza to wilt on the grill. My own preference was that the fresh basil tasted better, just something about the fresh basil taste made it for me.  So whenever your pizza cravings come calling in the summer, be sure to try one on the grill.  You will absolutely love it!!

      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 Pizza and Calzones, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Burrata Cheese, Grilled Heirloom Margherita Pizza, Heirloom Tomato Pizza, Rustic Heirloom Margherita Pizza on the Grill
    • Steak Wrapped Sweet Peppers with a Cream Cheese Filling

      Posted at 9:31 am by NativeNM, on August 15, 2017

      Have you ever wondered what to do with those sweet mini peppers that come in assorted colors of red, yellow and orange.  They may be small but they pack a lot of flavor, especially when roasted and stuffed full of Monterey Jack and cream cheese. Wrap a thin strip of steak around the stuffed pepper and grill it until the cheeses melt and ooze out like a molten cheese lava.  Oh, they are so good!!  Some might think they should be served as an appetizer but Joe and I decided they were the main event with a leafy green salad on the 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 Entree, Recipes, Side Dishes | 0 Comments | Tagged Cream Cheese and Monterey Jack Filling, Steak Wrapped Sweet Peppers with a Cream Cheese Filling, Sweet Mini Peppers, Thin Steak Wrapped Peppers
    • Cherry Fried Pies with a Lemon Glaze

      Posted at 10:09 am by NativeNM, on August 4, 2017

      After 6 years, An Inspired Cook is getting a new look.  There are now more recipe categories with a photo of each recipe to make it easier to find that perfect recipe and visualize how it might look.  I hope you all will come along with me for the next chapter.  Here’s one of my favorites . . . fried pies.  I have to admit they are my guilty pleasure, there I said it!  Honestly I love all pies but I am especially fond of fruit pies. Sweet fried pies which are sometimes referred to as hand pies are filled with any number of fruits and sometimes even cream fillings like chocolate or lemon.  For these cherry pies I opted to used frozen cherries over fresh. Frozen cherries break down when cooked and emit the juice that’s needed to make a glossy pie filling that tastes so good in a fried pie.  Then there’s the lemon glaze, the oh so yummy icing on the cake . . . um I mean pie!!

      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, Pies and Cobblers, Recipes | 0 Comments | Tagged Cherry Fried Pies, Cherry Hand Pies, Cherry Pie Filling, Dough for Fried Pies, Frozen Cherries, Lemon Glaze
    • Cocoa Coffee Braised Beef Tacos with Mango Salsa

      Posted at 11:44 am by NativeNM, on July 21, 2017

      This is another “Food Paradise” favorite that I found on the Travel Channel.  It comes from the Taco Guild Gastropub in Phoenix, AZ, ranked No. 2 on their countown.  One of their signature tacos uses a rub that coats big chunks of beef with cocoa powder, espresso powder, Ancho chiles, plus a few more flavorful ingredients.  Once the beef is saturated with the rub it goes straight onto a hot grill to sear.  The beef is turned over each side to sear until it is a bit charred and dark in color.  Next place the beef in a roasting pan and pour brewed coffee over it.  Cover it with aluminum foil where it goes into a 300 degree oven for 5 – 6 hours.  It is so tender and so flavorful when it comes out of the oven and virtually falls apart at the slightest touch.  Taco Guild serves their tacos with a mango salsa topped with cotija cheese.  I have to say they were spot on as the mango salsa added just the right amount of sweetness to balance the cocoa and coffee flavors.  There was a lot of shredded beef to go around.  I don’t know exactly how many tacos we ate but for several days we were in taco heaven.
      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, Tacos, Taquitos and Flautas | 9 Comments | Tagged Cocoa Ancho Chile Rub, Cocoa Coffee Braised Beef Tacos, Cocoa Coffee Rub, Coffee Braised Beef, Cotija Cheese, Mango Jicama Salsa, Mango Salsa
    • Dark Chocolate Brownies with Sea Salt

      Posted at 10:45 am by NativeNM, on July 14, 2017

       

      I cannot in any way take credit for these brownies.  They were created, taste tested and approved from Bakes in Slippers and they are the most delectable brownies I’ve ever made.  One of my favorite things about this recipe is that all the ingredients go together in one pot on top of the stove which makes for very little clean up.  Best of all is the moist chewy texture and dark chocolaty taste.  A sprinkle of sea salt on top just enhances the flavor.  Calling all chocolate lovers, you will not want to miss out on these!
      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 Chocolate Chip Brownies with Sea Salt, Chocolate Chips, Dark Chocolate Brownies with Sea Salt, Soft and Chewy Brownies
    • Steak and Elotes Chimichanga

      Posted at 10:13 am by NativeNM, on July 7, 2017

      Josh taped an episode of Food Paradise on The Travel Channel that showcased their top picks for Mexican food. He wasn’t kidding when he said they featured some of the most delectable dishes. This is the first of two that I just had to make.  A restaurant in Chicago “Carbon Live Fire Mexican” shared their Stelote burrito made primarily with steak and elotes aka Mexican Street Corn.  I have watched that episode more times than I can count and have finally gotten around to making this mouthwatering burrito.  Only I pan fried it so technically it’s a chimichanga.  Either way you will love it!  I grilled the corn along with the steak so they would have those fire roasted flavors. I removed the corn from the cob and added the dressing from my own “Mexican Street Corn” recipe. The steak seemed plain so I added some chimichurri sauce to the mix and wow did that enhance the flavors.  Some folks serve rice and beans . . . me . . I just need my guac and salsa to complete this meal!
      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 | 0 Comments | Tagged Chimichurri Sauce, Cilantro Chimichurri, Mexican Street Corn, Skirt Steak, Steak and Elotes Burrito, Steak and Elotes Chimichanga, Stelote Burrito
    • Foil Wrapped Veggies and Steak with Citrus Garlic Herb Butter

      Posted at 10:15 am by NativeNM, on June 30, 2017

      Summer is finally here, yay!  I love this time of year when I can go outside and grill.  The grill is set up under the shade of my favorite tree and although it can get hot it’s not all that bad. There’s such a satisfaction about cooking outdoors with the heat and aroma filling the air, Everything always tastes so good and the clean-up is easy.  I love grilled veggies and make them often during the season.  Usually I cook them on a grill pan and meticulously stand over it turning them and grilling in batches.  This time I tried wrapping the veggies in aluminum foil where they steamed to perfection.  When I opened up the foil packet the veggies were fork tender with bits of char on the bottom.  I ladled everything onto a platter and melted some herb butter over top so that every veggie and every bite of steak was slathered with the flavors of buttery herbs, citrus and roasted garlic.

      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 | 2 Comments | Tagged Citrus Garlic Herb Butter, Foil Packet Veggies, Herb Butter, Roasted Garlic Butter, Steak and Veggies Foil Packet with Citrus Garlic Herb Butter
    • Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes

      Posted at 9:57 am by NativeNM, on June 23, 2017

      These twice baked breakfast potatoes are inspired by all those “Tasty” and “Delish” videos that my friends have been sharing on facebook.   The videos last approximately 30 seconds and the end results are simply WOW.  Recently I was inspired by the Idaho Sunrise video.  I sometimes wonder why I didn’t think of that!  So easy to make and appealing as well.  I made some minor adjustments, deciding on a twice baked potato instead of discarding the center.  Then I loaded the filling adding some butter, cheese and green chile.  For a bit of texture I broiled the outer skin to make a crunchy boat.  The baked egg on top sprinkled with bacon and chives makes a most scrumptious breakfast, don’t you think.

      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 Breakfast, Recipes, Red or Green | 0 Comments | Tagged Cheddar Cheese, Green Chile, Idaho Sunrise, Potato Boats, Twice Baked Breakfast Potatoes
    • Barbacoa Flautas

      Posted at 12:20 pm by NativeNM, on May 19, 2017

      If these flautas look familiar it’s because they are very similar to my Barbacoa Taquitos.  The difference between flautas and taquitos are the type of tortillas.  Flautas are made with flour tortillas where as taquitos are made with corn tortillas.  Corn tortillas are my first love but sometimes I make flautas to please my hubby.  The thing about making flautas is cooking the tortilla to that perfect crispness.  If overcooked they will be overly crunchy and taste like a cracker.  And the filling should be somewhat dry so that the tortilla won’t become soggy.  I went back to an old favorite, a seasoned slow cooked chuck roast flavored with Frontera’s Barbacoa sauce.  Chile de Arbol salsa and Molcajete Guacamole are the perfect condiments to dip your flautas in. Enjoy!

      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 Dutch Oven and Cast Iron, Recipes, Red or Green, Tacos, Taquitos and Flautas | 4 Comments | Tagged Barbacoa Flautas, Chile de Arbol Salsa, Flautas, Frontera's Barbacoa Slow Cook Sauce, Guacamole, Oaxaca Cheese
    • Guacamole in a Molcajete

      Posted at 8:51 am by NativeNM, on May 5, 2017

      What goes with almost any Mexican dish . . . Guacamole of course!  It’s a favorite for dipping, as well as topping burritos, enchiladas and nachos.  And since I’m celebrating Cinco de Mayo, I thought I’d show you how I make guacamole in a molcajete.  Molcajetes are used to crush and grind spices as well as preparing salsas and guacamole.  In Mexico they are made from porous basalt volcanic rock, typically round in shape with a bowl in the center supported by 3 legs.  The tool used to grind is called tejelote and made from the same material. A molcajete brings out the most amazing aroma by grinding the ingredients into the volcanic stone.  There is an earthiness that heightens your senses of smell and taste. By grinding each ingredient you create a layer of flavors that will come together in the most amazing way.  Every time I make guacamole in a molcajete I think it’s the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted. . . and then I make it again!  Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

      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, Salsa, Guacamole and Dips, Side Dishes | 1 Comment | Tagged Avocado, Guacamole, Guacamole in a Molcajete, Mexican Molcajete, Molcajete, Tejelote
    ← Older posts
    Newer posts →
    • July 2026
      S M T W T F S
       1234
      567891011
      12131415161718
      19202122232425
      262728293031  
      « 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