First of all let me say CONGRATS TO OUR 57TH PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!
In celebration of his Inauguration we decided to try our hand at some Ben's Style Chili Half Smokes. Those native to the DC area know all about Ben's Chili Bowl and about the awesomely delicious super secret (recipe) Chili. So we the HollisDuo tried our luck. It may not have been Ben's but it too was pretty darn good!! Half Smokes were purchased a BK Millers in Clinton, Maryland. We got the Mangers brand which is said to be pretty similar (if not the same) as Ben's.
Our Ben's Style Chili
1lb Ground Beef 80/20 blend
3 tbsp Chili Powder
3 tbsp Corn Meal
2 tbsp Dried Onion
2 tsp Beef Bouillon
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Curry Powder
½ tsp Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
¼ tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
½ tsp paprika
16oz can tomato
paste
3 cups water
1 bay leaf
Pinch Creole Seasoning (Like Tony C’s)
Watch the video here on how we put it all together...sidenote the recipe here on the blog is the one we actually used.
Once again Love Starts in the Kitchen...stay tuned folks!
Well we are back in full effect its, Jan 2012. Our first video of the year was Three Bean Chili with a Cornbread Cake (YES...CORNBREAD CAKE). We put a bit of a surprise in the video, thank you to those who really watched the full thing to find out why we have been M.I.A for a while. I am thinking about a Deep Dish Pizza video so stay tuned. Let us know if there are some recipes you want us to make.
Three Bean Chili 1.5 LBS Ground Beef (sometimes I do half beef and sausage). 1 Can Kidney Beans 1 Can Pinto Beans 1 Can Black Beans 1 Can Tomatoes w/Green Chilies 1/2 Onion and 1/2 Green Pepper 2 Cloves of Garlic 1 Can Crushed Tomatoes (the larger can) Chili Packet OR you can make your own (1T Flour & Chili Powder, 1 t Seasoning Salt, 1/2 t of Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Basil, Chili Flakes, Sugar)...add more or less of either your seasoning packets or seasonings to taste.
Basically brown the ground beef, season a lil. Then add the veggies and saute with the beef. Next add in all of your can goods including the liquid and lastly your seasonings. Stir and let it cook for a few hours...the longer the better. You can even put in your slow cooker.
Cornbread Cake (I used half of this recipe in the video) 1 c. sugar 1 c. margarine 1 ½ c. flour 1 c. cornmeal 2 t. baking powder 2 t. salt 2 beaten eggs 1 ½ c. milk
Cream sugar and butter. Add rest of ingredients. Put in a greased 9x9 pan. Bake 350 for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Can be doubled or halved, but may bake longer or shorter.
Well its been a long time but we are back!!!! I am trying to incorporate more blogging versus the you tube videos because I think it would be a lot easier. Its really hard to fit a whole meal on a 10 minute video so we will see how this works. I would LOVE for you to send requests for me and the hubby to cook (well mainly me he is the sous chef LOL). But tonight is a date night in and I am going to do Veal Chops served over cheesy grits. Hopefully I can take pictures and show you the recipe step by step...STAY TUNED!!!!
Remember Love Starts in the Kitchen and that's where I am headed!!!!
Dessert None, we are trying to watch our figures, LOL.
As always I have planned out a few meals for the week trying to keep it easy and simple.
Sunday Feb 28th - Good ole Fashion Butter Beans and Neckbones. Monday March 1st - Smothered Liver over Rice and Greens Tuesday March 2nd- Homemade Seafood Chowder and Garlic Bread Wednesday March 3rd - Cajun Sausages and French Fries Not sure about Thursday and Friday, we will see.
I am excited about trying out something new tonight. We gave up drinking for Lent so we will probably just have water tonight.
As always, Love Starts in the Kitchen. TTYL Mrs. Hollis
As always, last night (Saturday) was a date night IN. After spending the day going thru emissions, oil changes and brakes...spending major $$$$$$$$, we decided on a simple meal for the evening. I know many of you are familiar with Linguine with Clam Sauce, well we put a spin on that and added diced Shrimp. Sorry there is no video but the recipe is below...
Clam and Shrimp Linguine For 2
Half Pack (16 ounce) package Linguine
Half onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams
Half pound pealed, deviened, tail remove shrimp (diced into 3s)
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste
Old Bay to Taste
Half Cup Dry White Wine
Half Cup of Chicken Stock
Fresh Thyme
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add linguini and return water to a boil. Let linguine cook until al dente; drain well.
In a large skillet, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil, sprinkle with a little salt, pepper and Old Bay to you taste. Saute just a little until the onions are translucent, DO NOT BROWN.
Separate the clams from the juice and add ONLY the juice into the pan, not the clams.
Add butter, chicken stock, and wine. Simmer the mixture for 15 minutes, until the sauce has reduced 1/3 and has thickened.
Add Clams and Shrimp and let simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
Spoon the clam sauce over the linguine and serve.
Garnish with Fresh Thyme and Cheese
Please note we like a lot of sauce but there was some left over. Next time I may have a little cream.
I am working on a menu for next week, let me think about it and post a little later... Remember, Love Starts In the Kitchen
Who says breakfast has to be served in the morning.Today, we kind of ate leftover dinner for lunch, so I figured why not have breakfast for dinner. Mama Bean made us, Curry Goat, Rice, Ham, Yams, Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, Roast and Greens for our Valentines Day Extravaganza. Who needs Ruth's Chris on a special occasion when you have family who can throw down like that.Needless to say, after all that food we are gonna keep it simple tonight…sorry, no ribs
Menu: BLT & P and Fried Potatoes, it cant get any simpler than that.
Of course these are 2 very simple dishes, but you would be surprised at the amount of non cookers out there so we thought we would share.
BLT & P (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomatoes and Pepper)
Serving 4
1 Pack Bacon (your favorite or what’s on sale)
Lettuce (We usually use Romaine, but Iceberg will do)
Large Tomato Sliced (Roma are probably NOT a good choice, but whatever you have on hand)
8 Slices of Bread
Mayonnaise (Helmans all the way in the Hollis Household, but do what you like)
Fresh Pepper
1)Lay bacon straight in skillet or griddle and fry to your liking, not too too hard. DRAIN
2)Toast Bread and spread mayo
3)Add the bacon, lettuce and tomatoes and PEPPER.
DONE
Missy's Fried Potatoes
4-6 Potatoes (Peeled and Cut in Rounds)
1 Small Onion (Peeled and Sliced in Rounds)
2 Tbsp Oil
½ Cup Water
Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder and whatever else you like…
1)Heat oil in a cast iron pan or non stick skillet.
2)Place and spread potatoes in heated pan, top with onions and season.
3)Fry potatoes until they begin to turn brown (about 5 min) then flip and brown the other side (maybe another 5 min).
4)After both sides are brown add water, reduce heat and cover for about 10 mins.
SERVE!!!!
Check out the full video on http://www.youtube.com/user/HollisDuo. We are still learning the tricks of the trade but once I learn how to upload the videos to the blog I will make sure to post.
Stay tuned for Salsa Chicken and Insanity tomm: (I will try)!
This is Lady Hollis and I would like to welcome you to our blog. At the request of some of our youtube chanel viewers, we started this blog to post more in depth instructions on some of our cooking videos and to basically write whatever about whatever, LOL. Clearly you would think foodies like ourselves would be whipping up some sexy romantic meal for today however, its almost 12noon and we are still lounging in bed:) Of course I am awake and who know who is snoring loudly and sleep. We spent the whole day yesterday with our good friends and spent the night partying for Gabby's 21+7 birthday, LOL. So needless to say it was hard to get up and get moving today. We had a great time, in fact my body is hurting from dropping it like its hawt with my hubby. Luckily my mama in law is making us dinner, so our kitchen can stay clean for today...hooray!!! Anywho, with the snow storm over, we will be having some pretty easy weeknight meals this week. I am pretty sure we are all feeling the recession, thus I tend to plan out at least 4 nights worth of meals that can double for Sterling and I for lunch. So dont bind me to this menu cause things can always happen, but here is what I am thinking for week...
Monday, Feb 15th - Presidents Day
RIBS, POTATO SALAD AND GREENS
I think we will do something special since we are both off from work. This recipe will surely take time but... this will be our splurge meal.
Tuesday, Feb 16th
SALSA CHICKEN OVER RICE
We work out on Tuesdays and this meal is quick and will simmer on the stove while we are working out. Yes, we may eat but we do indeed work out!!!
Wednesday, Feb 17th
SHRIMP AND ANGEL HAIR PASTA
This will be a quick simple meal after a hard days work. Will probably do a side salad, or asparagus as a veggie. Of course the adults will probably have a glass of wine.
Thursday, Feb 18th
FRENCH DIP HOAGIES AND FRIES
This is another work out day and also my day to work from home. I will probably have the beef slow cook since I am home. We will see...
Friday, Feb 19
NO COOKING, KITCHEN CLOSED
Fridays are usually our date nights out. We hit a happy hour and load up on low price appetizers and drinks and we are good for the night.
Sat, Feb 20th
Date night IN. Not sure yet, we will see.
Of course we will TRY to do videos for most of these meals but with the hustle and bustle of work, kids, workouts...we will see.
Thats it for now, maybe I will wake him up for some good ole oddles of noodle LOL. That would be the pppperrffeect Valentines Day Brunch.
