Get Noticed on Motor City Munchies

For anyone who wants to share recipes, restaurants, or ideas feel free to email me at Matthew.Halip@gmail.com

Monday, April 11, 2011

Delicious Easter Menu

While everyone enjoy's the holiday's, they can also be a huge pain for those who decide to make a homemade meal. The same questions arise with each one, often spoiling the actual day itself. What should I make? How long will it take? How hard is it?

Here is a menu that anyone can make. And most importantly, help you enjoy the time with the family.


INGREDIENTS: Whole Baked Sweet Potatoes
(Cook time: 45 minutes)
  • 4 Medium Sweet Potatoes, even sized
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Butter
  • Salt and Paprika, or Cinnamon Sugar

DIRECTIONS: Whole Baked Sweet Potatoes
  1. Scrum sweet potatoes; brush each with vegetable oil.
  2. Arrange potatoes on over rack and bake at 450 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes, until tender.
  3. Remove at once and prick with a form to let steam out.
  4. Cut a 1 1/2 inch cross in the center of each potato.
  5. Hold each potato with a pot holder and press upward until filling bursts through the top.
  6. Top with butter and sprinkle with salt and paprika or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.

INGREDIENTS: Sweet and Sour Carrots
(Cook Time: 22 minutes)
  • 1 pound Carrots, sliced
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper, cut in 1-inch squares
  • 1 can (8 ounce) Pineapple Tidbits in juice
  • 1/3 cup of Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Vinegar
  • 2 teaspoon Soy Sauce

DIRECTIONS: Sweet and Sour Carrots
  1. Cook carrots in a covered sauce pan in lightly salted water for 15 minutes, until just tender.
  2. Add green pepper; cook 3 minutes longer. Drain well.
  3. Drain pineapple juice in a measuring cup and add enough water to make 1/3 cup.
  4. In a small saucepan combine salt, cornstarch, and sugar; stir in pineapple liquid, vinegar, and soy sauce.
  5. Cook, stirring consistently, until thickened and bubbly.
  6. Stir into hot vegetables; add pineapple.
  7. Heat through.

INGREDIENTS: Herbed Leg of Lamb
  • 1 Leg of Lamb, about 5 pounds
  • 4 Cloves of Garlic, crushed
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Leaf Oregano, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 cup Dry Red Wine
  • 1/4 cup Sliced Green Onions
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 2 tablespoon Flour
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: Herbed Leg of Lamb
  1. Cut slits in meat at 2-inch intervals.
  2. Combine crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and oregano; press into the slits of meat.
  3. Place lamb on rack;l fat-side up, in oven roasting pan.
  4. Mix red wine, green onions, and lemon juice; reserve 1 cup of mixture for gravy.
  5. Brush lamb with a little of the wine mixture, roast at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes per pound, or until the thermometer reads 175 degrees for medium.
  6. Lift roast to a warm platter and make gravy.
  1. Pour juices into a measuring cup; skim off juices.
  2. Add water to juices to make 1 cup.
  3. Measure 2 tablespoons of the fat into the roasting pan over medium-low heat.
  4. Stir in the flour scrapping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Add meat juices and reserved red wine mixture.
  6. Cook, stirring consistently, until hot and bubbly.
  7. Cook for 1 minute then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve gravy with leg of lamb.

INGREDIENTS: Strawberry Shortcake
(Cook Time: 20 minutes)
  • 3 pints Fresh Strawberries
  • 1/2 cup White Sugar
  • 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 2 tablespoons White Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/3 cup Shortening
  • 1 Egg
  • 2/3 cup of Milk
  • 2 cups Heavy Whipped Cream

DIRECTIONS: Strawberry Shortcake
  1. Slice the strawberries and toss them 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside.
  2. Preheat over to 425 degrees. Grease and flour one 8-inch round cake pan.
  3. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar, and the salt.
  4. With a pastry blend cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  5. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and the milk. Stir until just combined.
  6. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan or on wire rack.
  7. Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers.
  8. Place half the strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer.
  9. Top with the remaining strawberries and cover with the whipped cream.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Wine's of Croatia Blog


My friends over at Wines of Croatia also have a great blog they just shared with me. Check them out: www.winesofcroatia.wordpress.com
Zivjeli!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Wines of Croatia


For all you fellow Croats and wine lovers out there, Croatian wines have been making a splash over the past few years, winning fifty-three awards at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2010. Check out their official website:

http://www.WinesofCroatia.com/

A list of the winners:

http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9989/1/Fifty-three-Croatian-wines-awarded-at-the-Decanter-World-Wine-Awards-2010.html



Thursday, April 7, 2011

"The Pit: Whole Hog. Pit Cooked."


Ed Mitchell? Check.
Top flight barbecue? A given.

If your ever in Raleigh, North Carolina I highly suggest you make your way over to Ed Mitchell's "The Pit," on West Davie Street. The famous barbecue spot bypassed all of my expectations, introducing my taste buds to the true definition of southern barbecue.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Pork Kabobs with Grilled Vegetables

There isn't anything better then grilling with a group of friends. These pork kabobs with grilled vegetables are quick, easy, and delicious. Combine with your favorite flavor of Rice-A-Roni and you've got yourself a perfect summertime meal.


INGREDIENTS:
  • Pork Tips (amount varies on preference)
  • 2 Red Onion
  • 2 Bell Peppers (any color will do)
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • Wooden Skewers
  • Box of Rice-A-Roni

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Start grill. You want the grill to be hot enough the blister the vegetables, but not burn.
  2. Season the pork tips with a simple dash of salt and pepper. You can marinate the pork in your favorite marinade if you prefer.
  3. Put the vegetables and pork tips on separate skewers and set aside until grill is hot.
  4. Start the Rice-A-Roni. Follow the directions on the box.
  5. Once grill is hot, put the pork tips on. Wait a couple minutes to put the vegetables on, they won't take as long to cook.
  6. Grill pork tips and vegetables to your liking.
  7. Take off the grill and plate with Rice-A-Roni.
  8. Enjoy!