Camping Noodles?

In coordinating a menu with friends for camping I stumbled on this recipe. My friend was making short ribs (delicious I might add) so I decided to stay on the Asian end for an easy to take camping side dish. What follows is a quite good Asian Noodle Salad recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium red bell pepper

1 medium cucumber

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup chunky peanut butter

2 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

5 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)

2 tablespoons light brown sugar lightly packed

hot water

1 tablespoon table salt

1 pound fresh Asian noodles or 12 ounces dried spaghetti

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

4 scallions , sliced thin on diagonal

1 medium carrot , grated

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Core, seed, and cut into 1/4-inch slices 1 medium red bell pepper; peel, halve lengthwise, seed, and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch slices 1 medium cucumber. Toast sesame seeds in medium skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 tablespoon sesame seeds in small bowl.

2. In blender or food processor, puree remaining 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, hot sauce, and sugar until smooth, about 30 seconds. With machine running, add hot water 1 tablespoon at time until sauce has consistency of heavy cream, about 5 tablespoons; set blender jar or workbowl aside.

3. Bring 6 quarts water to boil in stockpot over high heat. Add salt and noodles to boiling water; boil noodles until tender, about 4 minutes for fresh and 10 minutes for dried. Drain, then rinse with cold running tap water until cool to touch; drain again. In large bowl, toss noodles with sesame oil until evenly coated.

4. Add bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, carrot, and sauce; toss to combine. Divide among individual bowls, sprinkle each bowl with portion of reserved sesame seeds and chopped fresh cilantro, and serve.

Best Dessert Ever? Maybe not but...

Had some friends over who were wheat/gluten intolerant so I sought out a recipe that would be friendly and really didn't want to do a chocolate dish. So I found this gem. One of the dietarily challenged kids made the declaration of "best dessert ever." I challenge that but it was quite good. So:

Mango Yogurt Mousse

Yield: Serves 4 1 envelope (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin 2 cups fresh mango purée (about 2 peeled and pitted mangoes) plus mango slices for garnish 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup plain yogurt 1 cup well-chilled heavy cream In a small saucepan sprinkle the gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water, let it soften for 1 minute, and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin is dissolved. In a blender blend together the mango purée, the sugar, and the vanilla, add the gelatin mixture, and blend the mixture well. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the yogurt. In a chilled bowl beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks, fold it into the mango mixture gently but thoroughly, and divide the mousse among 4 dessert glasses. Chill the mousses for at least 4 hours or overnight. Garnish the mousses with the mango slices.

Sloppy Joe's = Comfort Goodness

Favorite from youth redux! Loved sloppy joe's as a kid and really wanted to make them for my daughter. Part of me being me meant that Manwhich just wasn't going to cut it. Scratch made is where it's at and here it is. I have made them with turkey, beef or buffalo and the deliciousness is quite the same:

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup barbecue sauce

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

4 hamburger buns, split

Barbecue sauce, for topping

Heat oil in a large skillet with straight sides. Add the bell peppers and garlic. Saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the ground beef to the vegetables. Stir and cook about 8 minutes, until the meat is no longer pink and fully cooked.

Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire, and hot sauce into the skillet. Stir. Simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve on hamburger bun with extra sauce.