Hot and Spicy dishes, part 2

[Kathy Ellen]

HOT POTATO CHEESE SOUP


2 Tb Butter
4 Leeks, white part only, cleaned well and sliced
5 lg Russet potatoes, unpeeled, diced
1 qt Vegetable stock many Chopped ripe serranos (or cayennes but serrano flavor does especially well here)
Salt to taste
2 c Milk or soymilk
1/2 t Caraway seeds (optional but good)
2 Tb Fresh dill or 1 Tbsp. dried
Pepper to taste
1 c Grated Swiss cheese
1/4 c Grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tb Plain yogurt
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
In a large stock pot, melt butter and saute leeks for 3 minutes. Add potatoes, stock and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.

Add the milk, caraway seeds, dill and pepper. Let simmer another 15 to 20 minutes; the soup should become thick and the potatoes should begin to fall
apart. Stir in cheeses and allow them to melt, then stir in the yogurt and heat through, but do not boil. Adjust seasoning and serve hot, topped with parsley.

[AussiePam]

I've gained five pounds since I arrived a few minutes ago in this gourmet thread!!

G'day Kathy!!! I'm going to raid my cellar and bring out some perfect aussie wines to accompany this mega feast!!

Bon app!!!!

[observer1]

Originally Posted by Kathy Ellen

Thought I'd like to start this thread off with:

Penne Pasta Ala Vodka


Ingredients:

1 lb penne macaroni (make sure the penne has ridges to scoop up the sauce)
lots of extra virgin olive oil and hot chili sesame oil
3 cloves minced garlic
2/3 chopped, sweet vidalia onion
1 small can tomato paste
1 35 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 stick butter...yes, real butter
lots of vodka...ok... half cup at least
cup of heavy cream
fresh, grated asiago and parmesan cheese to your taste
all of your favorite spices: fresh basil, oregano, cilantro....
and touches of crushed red pepper. salt and pepper
__________________________________________________ _____

** In a large skillet saute butter,oils and onions for 8 minutes.

** Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes and any other dried
spices to the mix. Simmer for 25 minutes. Begin to boil pasta now and drain.

** Add vodka and heavy cream to sauce and mix.

** Add penne pasta, fresh spices of basil, oregano and cilantro and grated
chesses to the mix and blend.

***You can also add cooked, spicy shrimp and chicken to this mixture for a full
meal...freezes well

Oh my gosh Kathy, that sounds DELICIOUS!!! I HAVE TO try this!! Thanks so much for sharing!

[observer1]

Gotta try the shrimp fra diablo recipe too. These recipes sound like my kind of cookin'! I just don't have the alcohol. I don't normally drink vodka, 'cept in cosmos... & I drink white zinfandel.

Oh, and I LOVE hot & spicey! Lived in Biloxi, MS, when I was younger!

[qsducks]

I tried the shrimp dish and it was really good. Maybe I'll make some tonight.

[observer1]

Do you have any leftovers???

[Kathy Ellen]

Double Pepper- Infused Strawberries


Strawberries with Tex-Mex Tequila and Black Pepper

This is a shocking dessert if there ever was one, with the sharp flavors of the pepper tequila and black pepper strangely complementing the sweetness of the strawberries. Only a truly daring chilehead would serve this over chile-infused icecream.

6 cups halved strawberries

1/2 cup orange juice

1/4 cup chile-infused tequila (or soak crushed piquin chiles in tequila for a few hours and strain)

2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Mint sprigs for garnish

Combine the strawberries, orange juice, tequila, black pepper, and balsamic vinegar in a bowl and toss well. Cover and chill for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Spoon the mixture into 6 small glass bowls and garnish with the mint sprigs.

The piquin chili is extremely hot...check the following scale for a milder one:
http://www.batnet.com/~rwc-seed/pepp...ess.scale.html

[Kathy Ellen]

Old Bay Crab Cakes

INGREDIENTS
2 slices dried bread, crusts removed
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Parsley Flakes
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 pound fresh lump crabmeat

DIRECTIONS
Break bread into small pieces and moisten with milk. Add remaining ingredients and combine well.
Shape mixture into patties. Broil or fry until golden-brown on both sides.

[qsducks]

Kathy ellen, I make those crabcakes all the time. Sometimes at Giant supermarket they have a buy 1 get 1 free Phillips crab cans. I usually end up with about 14 cakes. Last summer I sauteed them on the grill

[Kathy Ellen]

Originally Posted by qsducks

Kathy ellen, I make those crabcakes all the time. Sometimes at Giant supermarket they have a buy 1 get 1 free Phillips crab cans. I usually end up with about 14 cakes. Last summer I sauteed them on the grill

Thanks Q, will make them this summer...sounds delish....