Rebecca Louise's Asian Lettuce Wraps

Rebecca Louise's Asian Lettuce Wraps

~ 1lb Ground turkey

~ 1/4cup Mr. Yoshida's Original Gourmet Sauce

~ 1 Butter lettuce, washed and leaves pulled to use as cups

~ 1/2cup French's Onion, lightly toasted on the stove top or under the broiler

Brown turkey. Once browned add the Yoshida's sauce mix together. Then scoop spoonfuls into the lettuce cups and top with the Frenches onion topping.

♥

Barbecue Wonton Tacos

I had two chicken breast the other night and wondered of what to do with it.

I remembered my friend the other day ordering some wonton tacos from Applebee's and I wanted to be able to recreate that dish.

Here is what I came up with.

Barbecue Wonton Tacos

~ Two chicken breast cooked/chopped

or cooked shredded chicken (like the kind you get from the deli section of your grocer)

~ 1cup - 1.5cup Barbecue sauce (depending on the size of your chicken)

~ Salt/Pepper to taste

~ Cayenne pepper to taste (if you like a bit of spice)

~ Wonton Taco shells (see below directions)

~ Coleslaw

~ Chopped red onion

~ Chopped cilantro

In a sauce pan, Combine on a medium heat, the cooked chicken, Barbecue sauce, Salt/Pepper and cayenne. Since the chicken is pre-cooked we are just warming up the ingredients and combining the flavors. 

When chicken barbecue mixture is warmed (about 5-10mins) remove from heat and scoop spoonfuls into the wonton taco shells, then spoon the coleslaw on top of that, then sprinkle them with the red onion and cilantro. Enjoy!

How to make the Wonton Taco Shells

No where online could I find a tip for creating these!

I had the wonton wrappers I bought from a local Asian market but how was I going to recreate the shell that would hold all the stuff...

While I was browsing online I came across this idea which would have been my back-up plan. Ahi Tuna Tostadas by fellow blogger Closet Cooking takes a fried wonton wrapper that's flat and then tops it with yummy ingredients like Ahi Tuna! 

But I was going to attempt to  make them look like taco shells!

I took a wok filled about halfway with vegetable oil and brought to frying temperature. Then with some metal tongs held a one of the four corners and lowered the wrapper about halfway so that just half of the wrapper was frying. Then when that half was brown and ready I carefully flipped sides so now I would be holding the cooked side and the other corner would be cooked in the oil.

It seemed to work well and only had a couple of mishaps. 

I also attempted to bake some like ta few recipes I had seen online. But either my wonton wrappers were wrong or I did it wrong because they came out like uncooked spaghetti.

♥

Strawberry Field Strawberries Are Way Better Than Store Bought!

Thank you mommy Debbie for the delicious strawberries! 

I might just devour the whole box tonight!

If you don't have an excellent mother in law to drop them off for you... 

you better head to the Strawberry Field

From San Diego take I-5 North to Manchester Avenue exit

Head east onto Manchester and just after the gas station is the strawberry field.


♥

The Apron

Aprons in the home - from Wikipedia

The apron was traditionally viewed as an essential garment for anyone doing housework. Cheaper clothes and washing machines made aprons less common beginning in the mid 1960s in some countries such as the United States. However, the practice of wearing aprons remains strong in many places.

 Woman of the 1920's wearing a full-length house apron with criss-cross straps.

Today, the apron has enjoyed a minor renaissance in terms of both women and men now wearing them when performing household chores. For instance, an article in the Wall Street Journal claimed in 2005 that the apron is "enjoying a renaissance as a retro-chic fashion accessory" in the United States. However, it still is not as prevalent as it was prior to the 1960s.

Aprons are nowadays considered equally appropriate for both women and men by most people. However, prevailing social norms ensure that women frequently wear more delicate clothing, and may therefore be more likely to want the protection an apron offers. This can also be because the apron is the traditional clothing for cooking and washing dishes, things that such norms dictate to usually be done by women. Since an apron can be used to protect your body while cooking, many people think that aprons should be used for any cook in the world.

My collection of aprons... (so far)

My Jessie Steele Apron

Probably my most favorite. I hate to even wear it in case I mess it up. I originally found out about Jessie Steele when I was visiting a shop in Down Town Disney. I immediately fell in love! I mentioned to my mom how cute it was and surprise she ordered one for me. I love the French pattern on the front and the matching towel. I look forward to getting more of Jessie Steel's collection!

My 'Wanna-be' Curtis Stone Apron

This apron I found at Ikea. Its my 'wanna-be' Curtis Stone apron because it looks like the apron Curtis Stone wears while he's in the kitchen. One day I plan to pick up a real one from his site, but for now this will do.

This is my 'New' Summer Apron

Its so fancy! I picked it up at one of those discount stores for about $8.00. It has layers of frills to it in bright colors. It looks more like a dress then an apron.

In Love With Damask Apron

The damask pattern is my all time favorite. I had originally picked out this apron because I wanted something cute like my Jessie Steel apron but worried about destroying my Jessie Steel apron. So getting this one was supposed to help in my dilemma... but now I don't want to mess up this damask one... Good thing I have a bunch more to dirty up!

Two-Lumps of Sugar Apron

This apron I found at a store here in San Diego. I love it and its my everyday apron. Its a simple black and I love how the tie runs through it making a loop for around the neck. It has a large pocket in the front with two buttons where the pocket starts that say "Two Lumps Of Sugar". I wanted a matching towel so I sewed a loop out of ribbon onto a black and white towel and it hooks over one of the buttons.

Minnie Mouse Hostess Apron

I just love Disneyland and just last year they came out with really neat kitchen ware items for their shops. This is the Minnie Mouse apron I picked up on my last visit. There is also a matching Mickey Mouse one I plan to get too.

English Breakfast Apron

This one reminds me of England! Found this one at The UK Corner Shop. Just look at the pic... Need I say more!

Well there it is, my ever growing collection of aprons.

Please let me know if you have seen a cute, rad, must have that I could add to the group.

♥

Fabric So Yummy You Want To Eat It!

Yesterday while browsing the fabric at yardage town, I came across a fabric that I decided to use on re-covering a chair...

Who else has a bacon and eggs chair?!

♥

This Month's Edible Thing...

Love these ladies!
This month's edible thing is...

Ununcouth Gourmands is based out of Los Angeles and highly believes in food, fun, and friendship. Carina and Josie have put together an awesome website/blog all about (my favorite thing) Food! I love the style of the site and their logos are so well done. It even includes personal style like the ten gourmandments, UG Table of Elements, and UG Pyramid.

Keep up the great work ladies!

♥

Yummmm, Pancakes!

Check out this website!

Jim's Pancakes

Jim's Pancakes - "My name is Jim and I like to make pancakes for my Daughter, Allison. She seems to like them, but, being 3 I don’t think she really cares too much.

My dad used to make me really fun shaped pancakes like “The Moon,” “Lightbulb,” “Balloon,” and “Just eat the damn thing before it gets cold” so I guess I can credit his genius.

Hope you enjoy the pancakes. Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know how I’m doing.

I want to make some of these awesome pancakes and I can't wait to try them out myself!
Just need to get a good sized griddle, I think!

♥

I Got Into A Fight...

... With a side dish!

Friday 11:00PM -

Its late.

Gotta prep a side dish.

So tired I over cooked the potatoes.

Strained them.

And like an idiot added the other stuff, I suppose hopeful that it would be fine.

My 'Cheesy Potato Mash-up' (as my bestie calls it) turned into 'Cheesy potato mash' and looked all mush-i-fied!

Like a little kid threw it in the fridge and stomped of to bed.

Somehow I fell asleep mad at potatoes and disappointed at myself because I just wanted it perfect.

Saturday 8:00AM -

A new day.

Wake up.

Say out loud "I refuse to loose to a silly potato!"

Head to the kitchen, dressed and apron on.

New Paula Dean Knife in hand, wash potatoes ready to be chopped!

Chop potatoes.

Boil Potatoes.

Set timer 20min.

Strain potatoes.

Remove still good (but I'm not satisfied mush from previous mess up), from the fridge.

Mix the two together (carefully without mushing the second batch)

Season, Inspect, Taste!

WE ARE GOOD!

Muah, Ha ha ha ha (Evil Laugh)

... And I win!

Look who didn't loose to a potato!

The End

Oh the recipe...

"Cheesy Potato Mash-Up"
... Ill have to get back to you on that... Going to get the portions down right.




♥

What Does Barbecue Mean To You?

What Does Barbecue Mean To You?

Planet Barbecue by Steven Raichlen takes a look at barbecue from around the world.

Tonight Matt and I attended the book signing here in San Diego.

I had a wonderful time and enjoyed Steven Raichlen's lecture about his book and why he was driven to write it. I loved how he spoke about the beginning of his book and how barbecuing came about and has changed from century to century, and is different from country and country. 

To celebrate this book we cooked up three out of the hundreds of recipes. And so far they all came out amazing... so we can't wait to cook up lots more.

1st - Piri-Piri Chicken Wings In The Style Of Nando's

I'm not sure how to get to this Nando's place, But I want to go! These wings grilled on the barbecue were amazing! They were cooked perfect (Thanks Matt!) and fell right off the bone. The marinade was a perfect amount of spice and it helped that we marinaded them over night! This recipe calls for a South African Piri-Piri sauce which after some googling we found Deli SA* here in San Diego which carried it. Piri-Piri is a type of chili pepper and the recipe includes other tips if the sauce is not available near you. That's not all... this dish also calls for a sauce to baste it with when it is finished cooking. Yum! We couldn't even keep them on the platter long enough... They came out so delicious and flavorful. Can't wait to make them again!

2nd - Hanger Steak With Marchand De Vin Sauce

Oh La La - Loved This! The recipe from comes from Paris from when Steven Raichlen was at school there. We were able to find a perfect cut of hanger steak from our local meat market. A hanger steak is a cut of beef steak which is said to "hang" from the diaphragm of the steer. With this recipe you just salt and pepper the steak and throw it on the grill for a bit... The secret is in the sauce! It was simply amazing! It uses shallots, mushrooms and BACON! Also, it calls for a Burgundy wine and parsley which I cut from my herb garden. It says in the recipe "If this book was about classic French cuisine, you'd strain the sauce. I prefer it with the bits of bacon, shallots, and mushroom, so I don't bother." And I couldn't agree more. I paired this with some mashed potatoes and left over corn on the cob. You should definitely try this recipe.

3rd - Jose Andees Grilled Bread With Chocolate

Wait what? Yes I said it... Grilled bread with chocolate... Awesome!

Chocolate sandwiched between two slices of grilled bread brushed with olive oil. Be sure the grill is set to medium-high and is cleaned off well. I accidentally bought a light sourdough ciabbatta but it was still amazing! I paired this with a vanilla ice cream but the chocolate sandwich was great all alone too.

'Planet Barbecue' can be found on his website store link here

* Piri-Piri sauce can be found in San Diego at

Deli Sa

8360 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #112

San Diego, CA, 92111

858-694-0212

♥