Mr. margarita recipe no sour mix no simple syrup

 

Best margarita recipe - No Sour Mix No Simple Syrup

I love margaritas and have perfected the margarita without sour mix.  Whenever I went out to restaurants, I always found the margaritas too sweet.  Why add so much sugar, I always wondered?  So After a great long search and several not so delicious drinks, my friend sent this recipe to me one day. After trying them for the first time I found them to be amazing.  I am personally not a salt guy and find that it is just not worth it.  Use fresh lemon and limes and don't forget to blend.  It makes the taste really smooth.  As far as what tequila, I recommend a 100% Agave Tequila.  Buy whichever one is on sale. You can get a decent bottle for $15. Just make sure the label reads 100% pure agave.


Margarita without Sour Mix

1 cup juice from fresh squeezed limes (about 5 limes) *See update below
1/2 to 1 cup tequila
1/2 to 1 cup triple sec
1 lemon juiced

Blend (so it is smooth)

Serve over ice with a lime wedge with or without salt. 

So lately, I am the friend in the bunch that when invited to a party people ask to please make margaritas.  These margaritas take some time to squeeze and are a labor of love but are absolutely worth it. 


A quick note on orange liquor, Cooks Illustrated did a taste test with Triple Sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier the results? Triple Sec won! Turns out the big brands are not worth the money! Spend it on a nicer tequila.



UPDATE:  
*Try this recipe with fresh plump green limes. 

Agua De Fresa

Ingredients:

1. 2 small baskets (appx. 4 cups) of strawberries
2. 1/3 cup of sugar
3. 1 can (4oz) sweetened Condensed milk
4. 3 cups of milk
5. 6 cups of water
6. optional
7. 1/4 cup of additional sugar if not sweet enough
8. Ice

Instructions

1. Clean and remove stems off strawberries.
2. In a blender, add milk, condensed milk, strawberries, and sugar.
3. After well blended, strain strawberry milk mixture to remove seeds.
4. In a pitcher, add water and strawberry milk mixture and mix well.
5. Serve over ice and enjoy!

Easy 5-Ingredient Tomato & Basil Blender Soup

Easy 5-Ingredient Tomato & Basil Blender Soup

INGREDIENTS

·         8–10 tomatoes, halved

·         2 medium onions, quartered

·         4 cloves garlic

·         2 Tbsp olive oil

·         ⅓ cup sliced fresh basil

·         salt and pepper, to taste

---

INSTRUCTIONS

1.    Place halved tomatoes, quartered onions, and garlic cloves into a large bowl.

2.    Add oil and season well with salt and pepper. Stir well to coat.

3.    Pour the vegetables onto a baking tray and roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

4.    Remove tray from oven let cool for 5 minutes.

5.    Place roasted vegetables in a blender along with sliced basil and blend until smooth.

6.    Add salt and pepper as necessary.

7.    Heat soup on the stove, if necessary.

8.    Serve!

9.    Serving Size: 1 cup 

My version of Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich

My version of

Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich

Ingredients:
For the chicken marinade

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon EACH paprika garlic powder, black pepper, salt

For Breading

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup corn starch
• 1 tablespoon EACH paprika garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (for spicy)
• 1 teaspoon EACH salt & pepper

Spicy mayo

• ½ cup mayo
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika or Cajun or taco seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

TO ASSEMBLE

• 4 medium-sized brioche buns
• Mayonnaise
• Sliced pickles
• 3-4 cups canola oil for frying
•  

Instructions

To Marinate Chicken

1.          Pound chicken breasts in between two pieces of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Cut each chicken breast in half crosswise to make 2 small pieces of chicken about the same size as the bun (see video below). 

2.          In a large bowl, buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, salt & black pepper. Add the chicken to the mix and place in the fridge to marinate up to 24 hours or use right away. 

To Cook Chicken

1.          Heat oil in a large heavy-duty skillet or pot on medium temperature or until the temperature reaches 350F.

2.          In a medium shallow bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and spices. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of the buttermilk batter into the flour mixture and mix it through with a fork.

Working with 1 piece at a time, dredge chicken the flour mixture and press flour on the top chicken to form a thick crust. Transfer chicken to hot oil and fry for 3-5 minutes per side or until the outside is crispy and golden and the internal temperature reaches 165F. 

To Assemble

1.          Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large saucepan and toast buns face down until golden and crisp. Whisk all the ingredients for the mayo in a small bowl and spread a generous layer of mayo on each bun. Top with pickles and chicken. Enjoy hot! 

Caprese Salad

Compound butter

Compound butter:
1 shallot 4 cloves garlic 1 cup parsley leaves (stems removed) 2 tsp fresh thyme 1 tsp kosher salt 8 oz. unsalted butter (softened) 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil zest and juice of half a lemon place items in a food processor in the order listed and pulse until each ingredient is chopped before adding the next ingredient. THE BUTTER SHOULD BE SOFT BEFORE ADDING. once it is all mixed, then form it. place wax paper or plastic wrap on counter, and spoon the mixture out of the chopper, and onto the middle of your paper, or plastic wrap. Then begin to roll it into a shape of a sausage. refrigerate for 2 hours before using. store in refrigerator for up to 10 days, freeze for up to 6 months.

Carne Guisada

Carne Guisada

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 to 2 lbs. beef stew meat

1 tomato

1/2 onion

2 cloves garlic

1 beef or chicken Knorr bouillon cube

1/2 tsp to 1 tsp ground cumin (to your taste)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 Tbsp. flour

2 to 2 1/2 cups water

Chop onion, tomato and mince garlic set aside

1 teaspoon of oil in pan

Brown meat and season with salt and pepper

Add garlic, tomato and onion

Add cumin and cook until onion Is translucent and tomato soft and beginning to break down

Add 2 T. flour and cook for about 1 minute

Add the water and mix well to avoid lumps

Add bullion

Bring to a rapid boil and cove with lid, simmer for 1 ½ hours

Remove lid and continue cooking until desired thickness about 10 to 15 minutes

CARROT CAKE

MIX:

4 EGGS

1 ½ CUP OIL

2 CUPS SUGAR

3 CUPS SHREDDED CARROTS

MIX:

2 CUPS FLOUR

2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA

2 TEASPOONS CINNAMON

1 TEASPOON SALT

ADD TO WET MIXTURE

POUR CAKE BATTER INTO A GREASED AND FLOURED CAKE PAN.

FROSTING   **(MAKE WHEN CAKE IS COOL)

8 OUNCES CREAM CHEESE

¼ CUP MARGARINE

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA

1 BOX POWDERED SUGAR (4 ½ ounces)

HEAT TO 240 DEGREES (SOFTBALL STAGE)

BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 55 MINUTES

Watergate Salad

Watergate Salad
aka Green Fluff

2 pkg. (4-serving size each) Jell-O Pistachio Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling

2 cans. (20 oz each) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

2 cups Jet-Puffed Miniature Marshmallows

1 cup chopped pecans

3 cups (8 oz tub) thawed Cool Whip whipped topping

Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple, marshmallows and pecans in large bowl until well blended.

Gently stir in whipped topping.

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is best) or until ready to serve.

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings

(Dumpling batter)

2 ¼ Cup Bisquick

2/3 Cup milk

4 T. Butter

½ Cup diced onion

3 carrots

½ Cup celery

8 Cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon rosemary

1 teaspoon sage

4 Cups shredded/cubed chicken

1 Cup frozen sweet peas

1 Cup Milk (or ½ C milk ½ C half and half or ½ C cream)

1 teaspoon salt

Prep up dumpling batter and set aside.

Add butter to pot and the mirepoix cook gently until the onion is translucent. 

Add the broth, rosemary, sage cover and cook over medium until carrots are al dente.
Add Chicken.

Bring to a boil and whisk in milk/cream/or half and half.

Taste and season (add salt).

Drop in dumplings and sprinkle with 1 T. dried parsley

Cover and cook for 15 minutes.

Remove the lid and cook for 10 to 15 minutes more.

The dumplings will be fully cooked and fluffy inside.

Green Chile Chicken Stew

Green Chile Chicken Stew

PREP TIME20 minutes

COOK TIME20 minutes

TOTAL TIME40 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large Russet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup (8 ounces) diced fire-roasted Hatch green chiles*
• 1 large chicken breast
• 1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
• fresh cilantro, for serving
• fresh lime wedges, optional, for serving

Instructions

In a small 3-quart soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Add the onion to the pot, and cook while stirring occasionally until softened and starting to turn golden brown on the edges, about 5 minutes.

Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Add the chicken broth, salt, pepper, chopped potatoes, and green chiles to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Add the chicken breast (whole), cover and let cook until it's done, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken to a cutting board, and use two forks to shred the meat. Add it back to the pot.

Stir in the frozen corn and let everything cook on a gentle simmer for about 5 more minutes.

Divide between two soup bowls, and serve garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

Notes

*The chiles should already be cleaned, peeled and diced here.  If you're not using fresh chiles, use two 4-ounce cans of fire-roasted diced green chiles.

Easy Apple Tarte Tatin

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

4 pounds apples, peeled cored and halved (small Fuji or Gala)

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a wide skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add in the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract and salt and whisk to combine. Add the apples to the caramel mixture and gently stir together, coating the apples in the caramel. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are slightly tender, 5 to 8 minutes depending on the size of your apples. Note: If the mixture begins to get too thick, add some water to loosen it up.
3. Transfer the apples to a 10-inch nonstick ovenproof skillet and arrange them cut-side up, making sure to evenly cover the bottom of the skillet. Drizzle half the caramel sauce over the apples, then return the caramel to the heat and cook until thick and glossy, another 5 minutes. Set aside.
4. Roughly measure and cut the puff pastry sheet to approximately the size of the top of the skillet. Place the puff pastry on top of the apples and gently tuck the sides in ever so slightly. Cut the remaining scraps of puff pastry and evenly spread across the top (this will give the tarte tatin some volume).
5. Bake until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, invert a plate on top and quickly (but carefully) flip onto the plate. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream and the remaining caramel sauce.

Apple Cider-Glazed Salmon

• Level: Easy
• Total: 25 min
• Active: 25 min
• Yield: 4 servings

• Ingredients

  2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  1 tablespoon canola oil

  Four 4- to 6-ounce salmon fillets, skin removed, at room temperature

  Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

  1 cup apple cider

  2 teaspoons minced shallots

  2 tablespoons honey

  1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

  1/4 cup creme fraiche

  Apple cider vinegar, as needed

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

  2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

  2 tablespoons chopped chives

  1/2 small jalapeño, thinly sliced

• Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack.
  2. In a medium saute pan, heat the butter and canola oil over medium heat. Season the salmon with salt and pepper on both sides and cook on one side until light golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets, then add the apple cider and shallots and raise the heat to medium high to bring the liquid to a simmer. Cook the fish another 2 minutes, then gently remove the fillets to the rack and transfer to the oven. Bake 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare.
  3. Meanwhile, continue simmering the pan sauce over medium-low heat, whisking often, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the honey and mustard and continue to simmer until slightly reduced, 2 to 4 minutes more. Whisk in the creme fraiche and simmer, whisking often, until the sauce is thick and glossy and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes more. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding apple cider vinegar as desired.
  4. Transfer the salmon to serving plates and spoon the sauce over the fish. Garnish with the tarragon, mint, chives and jalapeños.