Frog Tales

Spinach & Artichoke Dip Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped  1 lb fresh spinach, coarsely chopped 1/2 tsp red chile flake salt and pepper to taste 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon Frank’s red hot sauce 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated 1/4 cup mozzarella, shredded Directions In a large dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and sauté garlic until lightly golden.  Add in artichokes, spinach and seasonings.  Stir and continue to cook until spinach is soft.  Drain mixture into a fine mesh strainer/colander and squish to get rid of excess moisture. Place dutch oven back on the stove over medium low heat and add cream cheese.  Allow the cream cheese to get gooey and melty :-) then add the spinach mixture back in, along with the sour cream, hot sauce and cheeses. Mix everything togeth...

For those of you who are suffering from "Island Withdrawal", here is a recipe that will let you close your eyes and hear the palm trees swaying and waves crashing onto the shore at The Boiled Frog :-) This salad has some leftover Bahn Mi Pork included Ingredients 1 very ripe mango 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce 2-3 small leaves of mint 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon chopped green onion 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 2 tablespoons vegetable (coconut) oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil ½ teaspoon sugar pinch of salt 1 tablespoon water Instructions Cut the mango down either side of the pit so that you have 2 pieces with mango flesh and a central piece containing the pit. Discard the piece with the pit and scoop the pulp out of the other 2 pieces. Place the mango pulp along with all other ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over a salad of napa cabbage, arugula, cucumber, ...

These sandwiches  are amazing and fresh and delicious!  And to quote Steve "This is the best sandwich that I have ever eaten!"  Base recipe from - http://heatherchristo.com/cooks/2013/09/08/bahn-mi-sandwich/ Bahn Mi with some extra pan juices for dipping 1 recipe Marinated Grilled Pork (Recipe Below) 1 soft French Baguette, cut into 4 portions or 4 mini baguettes 5 tablespoons siracha mustard mayo 1 recipe pickled Carrots 12 slices pickled jalapeño pepper slices Handful of fresh cilantro Marinated Grilled Pork 3 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon vegetable (or coconut) oil ½ teaspoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced into ½ inch thick medallions Fast Pickled Carrots 2 large Carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick sized piec...

Cake: 3 c. flour 1/4 tsp.salt 1 c. sugar 4 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 c. milk 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. butter, melted Topping: 1 c. butter, softened 1 c. brown sugar 2 Tbsp. flour 1 Tbsp. cinnamon Directions: Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes. Glaze: 2 c. powdered sugar 5 Tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla While warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

$5 Dollar Beach is a great beach on the windward side of our island, crazy as heck to get to but definitely worth the trip.  It's a great place to hang out with friends, swim, play in the sand and have a bbq.  Now, this is no ordinary bbq ... there are no buckets of greasy chicken and limp fries.  Once Chef Caroline and I start planning our menu, it can sometimes take on a life of it's own :-).  I can't wait for our Jamaican theme in 2 weeks.    A content beach puppy Menu:  Pizza Bread (V) Calabrese Pizza Dip (V) Italian Sausage Meat Sauce Dip Chicken Satays & Peanut Sauce Popadums & Dhal (V) Coconut Rice Thai Salad & Peanut Lime Dressing (V) Buffalo Chicken Wings Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (V) Bleu Cheese Dip (V) Pumpkin Spiced Donut Holes Here are some of the recipes ... I haven't perfected all of them and sadly some were just made up as I went and I didn't write them down.  Most of the Thai recipes are Caroline...

Rosemary Roasted Chicken & Vegetables Inspired by - http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-deen/butterflied-chicken-with-roasted-root-vegetables-and-pan-gravy-recipe/index.html Ingredients 1 chicken (3 1/2 to 4 pounds) 4 + 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 red potatoes, cut in 1/2" chunks 2 large carrot, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 large red onion, peeled and sliced into 1/2" rings 1 celery stalk, cut into 3" chunks 10 large mushrooms, quartered 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed 2 teaspoons smoked paprika Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chicken stock 1 tablespoon butter Rosemary sprigs Directions Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and remove the innards from the cavity. Pat dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour. Adjust the rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Use...

This post is long overdue - we did a Porktastic Feast on Father's Day for Steve. I don't think I modified the recipes much, so here are the links along with some pics from the day. Champagne with Mango Passionfruit Sorbet, topped with Beer Candied Bacon - http://tideandthyme.com/beer-candied-bacon/ Bacon Cheddar Beer Bread http://www.lemonsforlulu.com/2012/09/26/bacon-cheddar-beer-bread/ A super hero care package http://www.tipjunkie.com/holiday-crafts/fathers-day/fathers-day-craft/diy-fathers-day-gift-for-your-superhero/ Filled with all sorts of fun things Bacon Bowls filled with Bacon & Gouda Mashed Potatoes  http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2008/02/27/bacon-cups/ http://www.bhg.com/recipe/cheesy-mashed-potatoes-with-gouda-and-crispy-pancetta/?socsrc=bhgpin101812goudemashedpotatoes The plating - Smoked Spare Ribs with Bacon Cheddar Beer Bread, Bacon Cups filled with Bacon Gouda Mashed Potatoes ...