So my first reaction to the e-mail was “Wow they let me in again?” I’ve been a little bit vocal on the comment sections with things that I may or may not agree with.
(Everyone knows it’s so out of character for me to disagree with anyone and voice my opinion about it … right?) So being asked to compete this week was a bit of a surprise. The secret ingredients this week were goat cheese and chipotle. Two very good foods but ones I’ve never used together. These battles are a lot of fun for me and they really let me think and be creative. The thought processes for this battle was a little different because I could not for the life of me figure out something that sounded good together. Goat cheese is very popular in European cuisine and chipotle peppers are definitely “Hencho en Mexico”. How was I going to combine the two was my big question. I honestly did not come up with anything until Sunday morning when it was cold, rainy, and windy and it was just the weather for comfort food. I decided then to make Macaroni & Cheese. However it was Labor Day and I do need to grill something on Labor Day and I thought that the goat cheese & chipotle would make a great stuffing for some rib-eye-rolls. Vote Here
(My spell check on Firefox doesn’t recognize Chipotle as a word and continues to try and replace it with “Chippendale” … while that might earn me extra credit with both female judges this battle I’ll stick to just food this time around) My adventures started with a trip to Bed Bath & Beyond for a mortar and pestle because it was closest and of course they didn’t have any. So today I went to Kitchen Kaboodle (I love this store) and they were having a Labor Day sale and I was able to get my mortar and pestle for 10% off (Awesome!) I also got my new apron, napkins, plates, tongs, burger press, spices, etc., etc., etc. on sale too! (Spent way too much!) I walked out with what I came for at least. If you are in the Portland Area I highly recommend them.
Recipe: Chipotle Macaroni & Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 8oz Macaroni
- 1Tablespoon Butter
- 6oz Evaporated Milk
- 4oz Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
- 4oz Goat Cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ Teaspoon Chipotle Pepper (ground)
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
Prep: Grate the Monterey Jack, cut the goat cheese into small pieces, beat your egg, grind up your chipotle pepper, and measure out your milk, butter, & pasta.- Follow the directions for boiling your pasta but pull it off about 30 seconds before it’s supposed to be done. Drain and put back into the pan.
- On a medium-low heat add your milk and spices to the pasta until incorporated.
- Add the jack cheese first in 3 batches making sure the cheese is melted completely before adding more cheese. Add the goat cheese in one batch and keep stirring until nice and smooth.
- Serve!
Cooking time (duration): 15
Number of servings (yield): 4
Meal type: dinner
Recipe: Rib-eye Rolls with Chipotle Goat Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 Rib-eye thin cut with bone in
- 2 – 3 Prawns
- 1 Scallion (green onion)
- 1 TBS Goat Cheese
- 1 pinch Chipotle Pepper (ground)
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Cut the bone off the steak (you just saved yourself $1 - $2 a pound), Cut the green onion roots and tops off, grind your chipotle, clean your prawns, measure out your goat cheese, & pre-heat your grill and a large frying pan. 1 Mix your Cheese and your Chipotle together for a easily spreadable mix.
- Using a tenderizer pound out your rib-eye until it is really thin. Then toss it in your frying pan and sear one side. Pull it out of the pan and put it on a cutting board with the seared side up.
- Toss your prawns in the same pan as the steam and cook them until done. Then put them on the rib-eye about 1/3 of the way down away from you (see picture). Put the scallions lengthwise and then spread your cheese mixture on the rib-eye in the front 1/3. Make a nice layer it’s good stuff.
- Put the rib-eyes on a hot grill that you have prepped ( see my BBQ guide if questions ) and turn them every minute or so to get a nice evenly cooked steak.
- Pull off the grill and let sit for about 5 min and let the meat rest.
- Serve!
Cooking time (duration): 15
Number of servings (yield): 1
Meal type: dinner
These turned out great … my 20mo. Old daughter ate up the Mac n Cheese ( See Pictures) The Mac n Cheese was VERY good and I think I will not be buying boxed again. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment!
