The FReeper Canteen Presents:Gourmet Cookin’ on A Shoestring!

Serving the best troops & veterans on the planet! | Canteen Crew

[mylife]

Well, that there is the funny thing about gourmet cooking on a budget.

It takes time, Problem is, time is money.
But the blessing is that much of it can be done unsupervised, while you do other things.

Stock cooks low and slow without much oversight.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Fried Catfish Tacos with Chipotle Slaw

Ingredients:

2 (6 to 8-ounce size) catfish filets
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Creole mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon seasoning - like Old Bay or Essence
6 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
2 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 pound shredded white cabbage
1/4 pound shredded red cabbage
1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped green onions
8 crispy corn tortillas

Using a sharp knife, cut the catfish filets into 1-inch thick strips on the diagonal.

Place fish in a medium mixing bowl along with the milk, Creole mustard, hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and cayenne pepper and stir to thoroughly combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the Chipotle Slaw by combining the chipotle pepper, mayonnaise, honey and lime juice in a large mixing bowl.

Stir well, then add the shredded cabbage, red onions, green onions and stir to thoroughly combine.

Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and refrigerate until ready to assemble the tacos.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet or a deep fryer until a thermometer registers 350 degrees F.

In a shallow plate or bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, and seasoning. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour mixture until well coated on all sides. When the oil is hot, gently place the fish in the hot oil and deep fry until the fish is golden-brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fish to a paper-lined plate to drain. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Using tongs, quickly dip the corn tortillas in the hot oil until they begin to sizzle.

Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly, then serve, with the catfish and slaw divided among the hot taco shells.

From CDKitchen

[luvie]

Good ideas! Especially the one concerning the peaches. It’s hard to eat them fast enough so freezing is a good way to get to enjoy them longer.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Budget cooking doesn’t have to be boring!!
Try this!

Greek Chicken Pasta Recipe
From Taste of Home:

* 2 cups uncooked penne pasta
* 1/4 cup butter, cubed
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 3 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
* 1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated quartered artichoke hearts, drained
* 1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
* 1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
* 1/3 cup sliced pitted Greek olives
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Directions

* Cook pasta according to package directions.
* Meanwhile, in a large ovenproof skillet, melt butter. Add onion; saute until tender. Stir in flour until blended; gradually add broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the chicken, artichoke hearts, cheese, tomatoes and olives.
* Drain pasta; stir into the pan. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 5 servings.

[mylife]

OMG! That would be awesome!

I almost ordered fish tacos last night, but they were $11 and I knew they wouldnt meet my standards.

The slaw is a major key factor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOPf1PUpxY

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Thanks!
I DO love peaches, I just CANNOT bite into the fuzz.
UGH
Like biting a dead cold mouse..
LOL

[BIGLOOK]

Doc's moniker was off to the end of the ping list and unseen but I ought to have known you'd remember. My apologies for the blunder.

There was a tale that Hitler's great fear was that his Wehrmacht would have to face off with the Marines...and as Doc mentioned, the loss at Belleau Wood gave him reason to fear them....and name them.

[mylife]

I would not use Corn Tortillas.

They would over power the fish

[luvie]

EEEEK! I had never thought of it before! Now I won’t be able to! LOL! Pa-tooooey!

I LOVE peaches....and I have some Ginger Peach tea that smells and tastes just like fresh peaches. Nice way to enjoy this wonderful essence even during the winter! :)...and I have!

[MS.BEHAVIN]

I agree..
But I think it’s a good recipe over all..
and I thought you might like it.

[mylife]

Like biting a dead cold Fuzzy peachy mouse!

I hate the fuzz too.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

*shudder*
It must be a texture thing..
Yark!
“Fuzzy peachy mouse”
LMAO

[mylife]

I usually only use corn tortillas on Beef.

Beef holds up to it.

Sheep and lamb too

[MS.BEHAVIN]

LOL
Sorry about that..
It just gives me the heebie jeebies!

[AZamericonnie]

My apologies for the blunder.

Oh good gads no...not a blunder. It's kinda hard to remember sometimes so your heads up is very much appreciated!

So it was Hitler that named the Marines "Devil Dogs" or "Dogs from Hell"? That was the source of the moniker?

[MS.BEHAVIN]

YEESH!
I just let Jake out to do his thing for a few minutes..
It’s brutally cold!

Tonight: Bitterly cold. Mostly clear and windy. Wind chills may approach -15F. Low -1F. NW winds at 20 to 30 mph, diminishing to 10 to 20 mph.

[mylife]

We made nectarines for snackin.

Ya gotta peel peaches!

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Peaches, hugs.

[TASMANIANRED]

Evening Connie, Hugs.

[MS.BEHAVIN]

Here’s a wonderful budget friendly dish from A Taste Of Home:

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon:

* 14 bacon strips, diced
* 1 can (15 ounces) Hunt’s® Tomato Sauce
* 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
* 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
* 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

* In a large skillet, cook bacon; drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, sugar, garlic powder and pepper to drippings; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir in macaroni; heat through, stirring occasionally. Combine cheese and remaining parsley; sprinkle over casserole.
* Microwave Directions: In a 2-qt. microwave-safe baking dish, heat bacon on high for 2-1/2 minutes; discard fat. Microwave on high 2-3 minutes more or until bacon is crisp. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings; stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, sugar, garlic powder and pepper.
* Cover and cook on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in macaroni; cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Combine cheese and remaining parsley; sprinkle over casserole. Yield: 8 servings.