Mock Abalone-A family traditional Recipe

Do you know what Abalone is?? Let me tell you...:) it is the meat inside the shell that mother of pearl comes from. 

It looks like this...

after meat is removed

the meat 

the whole complete abalone

My husband Jason's grandparents (who lived near the ocean) would eat abalone occasionally but the price was and is still daunting! $70 to $105 a pound approx. A delicacy worth the price from what I understand although I have

 never had the privilege of eating it myself. 

(it may as well cost a million dollars at that price. I could afford it as easily LOL!)

Enter the invention of Mock Abalone...

Thank you Grandma Hill!

It is delish!

Do give it a try! 

You will love it and it tastes a lot like abalone with the price of good ol' chicken! YAY!

MOCK ABALONE

2 jars of clam juice

3lbs boneless skinless chicken (cut into strips or nuggets)

1 Cup masa herina

Oil for deep frying

Seasonings to your tastes and desires...We like to use seasoned salt, creole seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, old bay, black pepper, etc etc. Whatever suits your fancy.

Instructions

Soak the chicken pieces in the clam juice for as long as you can preferably over night. When you are ready to cook, put the masa herina and the seasonings in a gallon size zip lock bag. Drain the juice away from the chicken and add the chicken to the masa mix.  Shake to coat. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Meanwhile heat your oil to 375. Place a few pieces in the oil and cook for about 3.5 minutes or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees. Placed the cooked chicken on a plate or tray lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat the cooking until all the chicken is cooked. 

Enjoy!

Loves 

Emily

Pantry Bag Meals-A freezer Meal For those who don't have a freezer

I love a good freezer meal. I enjoy the peace of knowing that dinner is planned, prepared, and ready to go! What if one does not have a freezer or freezer space? No worries! There is a solution...

Pantry Bag Meals. 

This method only requires the space for the pre-cooked meat in the freezer and then when its time for dinner the rest of the ingredients are set a side ready to go. Just follow the simple instructions heat and eat. COOL!!  I have 12 recipes developed so far and 2 to share with you today. 

First is 

Taco Soup

Shopping list

1 lb hamburger or turkey burger

 1 onion, chopped

 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, 

 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans 

 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, 

 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

 1 29oz can peeled and diced tomatoes

 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers

 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

What to do

1. Precook the burger and onion drain and put in a freezer safe container and freeze.

2. Gather the canned goods and put in a bag or a different container of your choice

3. On the outside of the bag/container write or staple a printed sheet with these instructions....

Add 1 lb burger w onion from the freezer in a soup pot

Mix all the ingredients from the bag in with the burger, (do not drain the cans) add 2 cups of water. Heat through and eat!! 

(BTW we love to eat this soup with crushed tortilla chips and a little cheese sprinkled on the top)

The second is 

Hearty Bean Dip

(this recipe makes a great dip for chips or a filling for tortillas. Don't let the word Dip confuse you. It is hearty enough to make a meal. I promise.

Shopping list

1 lb burger

1 jar of your favorite salsa

1 large can of refried beans

1 lb cheese

Corn chips or tortillas or both :) 

PS the cheese, corn chips, and tortillas do not need to be purchased until you are ready to eat the recipe

1. Precook the burger, drain, and put in a freezer safe container and freeze.

2. Gather the canned goods and put in a bag or a different container of your choice

3. On the outside of the bag/container write or staple a printed sheet with these instructions....

Place 1 lb burger from the freezer in a pot, add salsa and beans and cheese from the fridge. Heat through. Serve with extra cheese sprinkled on top and corn chips or tortillas as a filling. 

These babies are going to waiting and ready for my family this coming holiday season! I've got 10 more recipes to get ready for my pantry and for you to see! Be watching!

ENJOY!

Loves,

Emily

Black Bean and Yam Enchiladas-A great recipe for meatless monday!

I found this recipe from the wonderful shrinking kitchen! She has super duper, healthy recipes and you should totally check her blog out! Click here!! we love Black Bean Enchiladas at our house! Especially the homemade enchilada sauce! Wonderful and no stuff I can't pronounce in it! Yay! Totally meatless too. Sweet! 

Here's the recipe!!

Black Bean and Yam Enchiladas

2 tablespoons olive oil
5 tablespoons chili powder
4 tablespoons flour
2 15 ounce cans of tomato sauce
3 cups lower sodium chicken broth 
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/ t2easpoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
3 cups of the enchilada sauce
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups yam, cooked and mashed
2 15 ounce can black beans, drained
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
18 small corn tortillas

To make the Enchilada Sauce
In a large sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add chili powder and flour whisking constantly to combine. Mixture will be a thick paste (roux).
Slowly add in a small amount of tomato sauce whisking until the roux has dissolved.  Once the roux is combined, add the rest of the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Whisk to combine.
Add in the rest of the spices, stir to combine.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and use in your enchilada recipe, or cool and divide into containers for storage.

For the Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the onions, saute until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Remove the onions from heat and throw in the beans and the yam. Mix well.
Measure out 3 cups of the enchilada sauce you just made. Set the rest aside - it freezes well. Save it for your next batch!
In a 9x13 baking dish, lay out six of the corn tortillas. You may need to tear one up - you just want to make sure you're covering the bottom of the dish.
Spoon some of the enchilada sauce onto the tortillas and spread around.
Dot 1/2 of the bean/yam mixture over the tortillas and sauce, then spread as evenly as possible.
Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese over the bean/yam mixture.
Repeat the layers EXCEPT the cheese.
To finish, do the final layer of tortillas, then pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the top.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly.
Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.
PS only 239 calories per serving!!

LOVES!!

Emily