Cooker’s Pot

You’ll Need:

1 fluid ounce premium tequila
3/4 fluid ounce brandy-based orange liqueur (Grand Marnier?)
3/4 fluid ounce cointreau
3/4 fluid ounce simple syrup
1 fluid ounce raspberry flavored liqueur
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup sweet and sour mix

Procedure:

Salt the rims of 2 large margarita glasses. To do so, pour salt onto a small plate, moisten the rims of the glasses on a damp towel and press them into the salt. In a cocktail mixer 3/4 full of ice, combine tequila, Grand Marnier, cointreau, simple syrup, raspberry liqueur and lime juice. Pour in sweet and sour until ice is covered. Shake vigorously and strain into glass.

You’ll Need:

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs
1 (15 ounce) can cream-style corn
1/2 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers, drained
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Blend in cream corn, chiles, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Add flour mixture to corn mixture; stir until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, until a toothpick inserted into center of the pan comes out clean.

You’ll Need:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cocktail sauce
1 cup mild salsa
3/4 cup diced green onion
3/4 cup diced red bell pepper
3/4 cup diced green bell pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Procedure:

In a blender or food processor, thoroughly mix cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of a medium serving dish. In individual layers, top the mixture with cocktail sauce, mild salsa, diced green onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, shredded Cheddar cheese and shredded lettuce. Arrange cucumber slices around the edge of the serving dish. Chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving.

You’ll Need:

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
1 tablespoon chili powder, divided
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 large tomato, cut into chunks
10 drops hot pepper sauce

Procedure:

Season chicken with 1/2 tablespoon chile powder, salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and saute seasoned chicken for 3 to 4 minutes, or until no longer pink. Remove from skillet with a slotted spoon and keep warm. In same skillet, stir fry bell pepper and onion until soft. Add jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, remaining 1/2 tablespoon chile powder and hot pepper sauce. Cook, stirring, for an additional 3 to 5 minutes; add chicken and stir fry for 2 minutes more.

You’ll Need:

4 (6 ounce) grouper fillets
1/3 cup tequila
1/2 cup orange liqueur
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
4 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 pinch white sugar
salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
ground black pepper to taste

Procedure:

Place fish in a shallow baking dish. In a bowl, stir together the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, and olive oil. Pour mixture over fillets, and rub into fish. Cover, and refrigerate for 1/2 hour, turning the fillets once. Preheat the grill for high heat. In a medium bowl, toss together the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and sugar. Season to taste with salt. Set salsa aside. Remove fillets from marinade, and pat dry. Brush the fillets with oil, and sprinkle with ground black pepper. In a small saucepan, boil remaining marinade for several minutes. Remove from heat, and strain out garlic cloves. Set aside to cool. Grill fish for 4 minutes per side, or until fish is easily flaked with a fork. Transfer fillets to a serving dish. Transfer the fish to a serving plate. Spoon salsa over the fish, and drizzle with the cooked marinade to serve.

You’ll Need:

5 tablespoons achiote (annatto) seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
8 whole allspice berries
1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
3 habanero peppers, seeded
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup white vinegar
8 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons salt
5 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon premium tequila

Procedure:

With a spice grinder, grind the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, peppercorns, allspice berries, and cloves to a fine powder. In a blender or food processor, mix the ground spices, habanero peppers, orange juice, vinegar, garlic, and salt. Blend until smooth. Mix in the lemon juice and tequila.

You’ll Need:

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Procedure:

In a bowl, toss together the tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, cilantro, adobo sauce, tarragon, and vinegar. Season to taste with salt, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

You’ll Need:

2 pounds pepperjack cheese
2 cups half-and-half cream
1 large tomato, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
3 cups spinach, rinsed and chopped

Procedure:

Over a double boiler slowly melt the pepperjack cheese. When the cheese is melted whisk in half and half until smooth and creamy. Stir in tomato, onion, red bell pepper and chopped spinach. Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve warm with tortilla chips or bread.

You’ll Need:

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 pound pork sausage
1 onion, chopped
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup cornmeal
6 (14 ounce) cans beef broth
1 (8 ounce) jar salsa
1 onion, chopped
2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup white rice

Procedure:

Mix together beef broth, salsa, 1 onion, tomatoes, dried basil, oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. (If you use condensed beef broth (e.g., Campbell’s), eliminate the salt in the meatballs and use 5 cans (10.5 ounces each) broth plus one quart water.) Bring to a boil and simmer 20 minutes. Combine ground chuck, sausage, 1 onion, egg, salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, milk, fresh basil, and cornmeal, and mix well. Form into tiny, bite-size meatballs. Add meatballs and rice to broth. Simmer, covered, very slowly for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

You’ll Need:

1 pound lean ground beef
2 cubes beef bouillon cube
4 cups water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, minced
1 slice bread, crumbled
1 egg
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cumin seed
3 carrots, sliced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1/2 medium head cabbage
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

Mix the ground beef, garlic, onion, bread crumbs, egg and 2 teaspoons water. Shape into tiny balls. Heat the water and dissolve the bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil and drop the meatballs in and cook for 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin powder, cumin seed, dried oregano, carrots, green pepper celery and tomatoes with juice. Cut the half head of cabbage into two wedges and add them into the broth. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm with corn tortillas and salsa.