Yankee Mint Julep (.9, .9, .9)

I am sure this recipe will offend the mint julep purest out there. Get over it. The substitution of sparkling water for the traditional still water of the creek from which the mint came, is not unlike the automobile taking the place of horse and carriage. The secrets to a mint julep are presentation (silver straws and glasses), good bourbon, and fresh mint to tickle your nose.

Instead of a recipe, here is a video that even a yankee can follow.

Balsamic Wings for 20 (.7, .8, .85)

1/2 Cup Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Italian Seasoning

1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar

1 Cup Honey

100 Chicken Wings (wings plus legs)

2 Aluminum Roasting Pans

Kosher Salt

If the Wings and Drum Sticks are attached, bisect with a good knife. Arrange wings and legs in both pans to equalize the amounts. Sprinkle each with Italian Seasoning, Salt and olive oil mix with your hands. Wash your hands. Place each pan on the grill, away from direct heat. Cook at a low temperature (250) for about 1.5 hrs, or until the wings are cooked. While cooking combine vinegar and honey, heat to incorporate. When wings are done coat each one in vinegar mixture and grill on direct heat to crisp and get grill marks. Sprinkle liberally with kosher salt before serving.

World's Best Banana Bread (.9, .9, .9)

A unanimous decision among voters rendered this recipe the "World's Best"

Ingredients

• 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup canola oil
  
• 1 cup white sugar
  
• 1 TBSP packed brown sugar
  
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Method

No need for a mixer for this recipe. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon. mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla with mashed bananas. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add oil and mix. Add the flour last, mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50 min (cottage oven). Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

Fish tacos (.9, .9, .9)

So keep reading for a few more sentences. There is something about the term Fish Tacos that either excites you or turns you off. Probably if you have never had them you are wondering, hmmm that doesn't sound right. Turns out if you like fried fish, a bit a salad, guacamole, and spicy mayo, this is the quick dinner for you.

I first had them years ago on a business trip. It was a local specialty in Texas. (I don't buy the urban legend that they originated in California). Now days they are quite common on menus. Each time I see them and I trust the restaurant, I give them a whirl. They come in two basic styles, fried fish or grilled fish. Its tough to not like fried food, so I thought I would try the fried style first.

I thought I would make the tortilla shells, but after looking at the type I could buy, I decided to buy some small corn tortilla. I think next time I will make some small thin pizza shells and grill them for the tacos.

To this add the Chipotle Mayonnaise, fried fish, and guacamole. I guess you can make a taco out of whatever you like. Its all about having the freshest stuff available.

Chipotle Mayonnaise

In another life I used to never buy Mayo. Its easy to make and its easy to add stuff to make new flavors. Turns out you can add flavor to store bought mayo with little compromise.

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

2 chipotle peppers chopped fine, with sauce

salt/pepper to taste

Add it all, and keep refrigerated. So much better than plain old Mayo.

K8's Guacamole (.9, .9, .9)

I've never really cared too much for avocados, but I do like guacamole. Here is the best I've ever had, and its all fresh

2 avocados

2 tomatoes

1/2 lime

1/2 large sweet onion

taco/fajita seasoning pack

salt/pepper

Mash the meat of 2 avocados with a fork or potato masher. Core the tomatoes, and roughly chop the outer meat with skin. Chop 1/2 large yellow onion. Mix all and add a pinch of seasoning pack. Add the juice of 1/2 a lime, and salt/pepper to taste. The freshness of all the ingredients plus the coarseness of the chopping dictates the success.

Beer Battered Fish Fry (.85, .85, .9)

I needed finger sized portions of fish for fish tacos. This worked great. The batter was perfect. I am not sure why fried food gets a bad reputation. You ingest less oil than say salad dressing, and what's bad about a bit of flour and beer. Heck this is health food.

3 Tilapia Fillets

1 cup flour

1 can of beer

salt/pepper

Peanut Oil

Slice each Tilapia filet into 4 long slices, cut each slice in half. Add beer to flour and stir to incorporate. Stir in a dash of salt/pepper. Heat oil to 350. Put all the fish in the batter pull out a few battered slices and let drip over pan containing batter. Place carefully in hot oil. Remove when golden and place on towel covered plate. Continue until all fish is done. It will remain crispy for hours.

Margaritas (.9, .5, .7)

My therapist suggested to get over my previous cooking disaster, I should drink Margaritas. Prozac, in a liquid form. For four people:

2 cups tequila

1 cup triple sec

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

dash of sugar

Pour all ingredients in a mason jar, shake vigorously and place in fridge. When ready pour over shaved iced. Potent.