Cooking 101: Reheating Rice & Pasta

       When it comes to reheating leftovers, you often get the "It doesn't taste the same," or "I just throw out my leftovers." Well I pulled out my detective kit to figure out why rice and noodles don't taste the same when they're reheated. I found a simple solution so your dish tastes the same as when you first took it off the stove.

  Now, the problem I realized is that noodles and rice become extremely dry once they're reheated. In other words, all the moisture escapes, leaving a horrible uncooked taste.

 

   Reheating Rice & Pasta

- 1 tbs. of water
- 1 paper towel or napkin

Next time you have leftover rice or pasta, put it in a separate bowl that can go in the microwave. Take 1 tbs. of water and drizzle it over the top. Then, take a spoon and mix the rice or noodles with the water. I usually will eyeball how much water I use because you feel if there's enough moisture on it. I would say 1tbs. of water for every cup or so of noodles of pasta.

After that's all done put a paper towel on top to cover the bowl. The idea here is the paper towel will help keep the steam in, which keeps the moisture in. Reheat as desired and stir. Once it's warm enough, take the bowl out of the microwave and take a taste. It'll feel like your dish was made the same day and you'll say, " Why didn't I think of that?"

Delicous Dishes: Manny's Cocina "Seafood Cortez Pizza"

After growing up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, I decided that I know when I come across a solid piece of pizza. But, after moving to Wisconsin, I was on a mission to find some good pizza because the state has the best cheese around.

Yet, I did come across something the other day that was a nice break from my craving for deep dish pizza. I had the pleasure of visiting Manny's Cocina in Eau Claire, WI for a nice sit down dinner.

After skimming the menu, something stuck out at me from the very beginning and that was their seafood pizza. I do enjoy lobster, crab, tilapia and shrimp especially when dipped in butter. However, the "Seafood Cortez Pizza" took fish and pizza to a whole new level that I never thought my taste buds could experience.

It has the crunch a pizza needs, along with a variety of fishy flavors with an added chipotle cream sauce. Each ingredient had a purpose and every bite was simply delicious. The pizza was a bit on the expensive side for an appetizer, but because of all the seafood it is definitely worth it.

Seafood Cortez Pizza
Bay shrimp, crabmeat, salsa, pico de gallo, a special chiptole cream sauce, cheddar and jack cheese on a light crust.

The best part about this item is the restaurant also offers a nachos selection that is very similar. Manny's Cocina has two locations, one in Eau Claire, WI and one in Onalaska, WI.

Balsamic Chicken Veggie Wrap

My healthy food kick continues with a wrap that has all the fixings and flavor you'll need for a nice lunch or light dinner. The best part is you can throw this together with things leftover in your fridge on a weeknight after a long day of work.   

Balsamic Chicken Veggie Wrap Ingredients  

- 2 chicken breasts

- 4 tbs. olive oil

- 1 medium sized red pepper (sliced)

- 1 small sized onion (sliced)

- 2 tbs. basil

- 1/2 c. sliced mushrooms

- 2 1/2 tbs. balsamic vinegar

- 1 pkg. whole-grain tortilla wraps

- Dash of pepper                                                        
Servings: Makes 4 wraps 

    Start by heating 2 tbs. of oil in a small skillet. While its heating, chop the chicken up into small strips. Then, cook the chicken until done. Set the pan aside to let the chicken cool and grab another small skillet.

   Heat 2 tbs. of oil on medium in your new skillet. Then, put in your slices of red pepper and cook them for a few minutes. Once they're start getting soft, add the 1/2 c. of sliced mushrooms, slices of onion and 2 tbs. of basil and pepper.
  

After a few minutes, add 2 1/2 tbs. of balsamic vinegar and cook until it bubbles for a minute. This will allow the vegetables to soak up the balsamic vinegar and finish cooking.

Once the vinegar bubbles, take the vegetables off the hot stove and allow to cool. Then take a tortilla wrap and put the vegetables inside and lay your pieces of chicken down. Wrap it up tight and enjoy all the flavors. The best part of this wrap is you can eat it either hot or cold.

 

Fish Tacos w/ Mandarin Avocado salsa

Lately,  I've been a healthy food fix and I do love me some fish tacos. I normally fry them to get a nice flavor and added crunch, but that means added fat and calories. Yet, these have low fat and a lot of flavor. The best part is you can choose any fish you like. I chose salmon, but this would work well with tilapia, shrimp, or even pollock. 

The dish is simple and combines my special dill sauce, baked salmon and my mandarin avocado salsa. This works great for lunch or dinner because it's very light.

 

Fish Tacos w/ Lemon Dill Sauce Ingredients

- 4 filets of salmon

- 2 tbs of lemon

- 1/2 c. of mayonnaise

- 1/4 c. of crushed dill

- 1 tbs. of dijon mustard

- Salt and pepper to taste

- Tortillas

- Lettuce 

Servings: Makes 5 tacos depending on fish size

Start by preheating your oven at 375 degrees, and then putting your salmon in the oven on a cookie sheet, covered with tin foil. Let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until its flaky.

While your fish is cooking, start making your lemon dill sauce. Mix in a bowl 2 tbs. of lemon, 1/2c. of mayonnaise, 1/4 c. of crushed dill, 1 tbs. of dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Stir and add additional ingredients based on your preference. Place in fridge to keep it fresh until the salmon is ready.

 Mandarin Avocado Salsa Ingredients

  - 1  11 oz. can of mandarin oranges (chopped)

  - 1/2 a small onion (chopped)

  - 1 avocado

  - 2 tbs. of lime

Servings: Makes about 5 tacos or more

To make your salsa, smash one avocado in a bowl. Then, add your chopped mandarin oranges, 1/2 small chopped onion, 2 tbs. of lime and mix together well.

By this time your fish will be fully cooked and you can take them out of the oven. Then, you can start forming your fish taco.

Take one tortilla and warm it in the microwave for about 25 seconds. Then, take the Lemon Dill Sauce out of the fridge and spread it on the tortilla. Next, cut your filet in half and crumble salmon on top.

Finally take a spoonful or two of your salsa. Last but not least break apart a few lettuce leaves and sprinkle on top. This will give your fish tacos the perfect crunch on a summer day or any other day.

Then, just fold your fish taco how you want it. I like folding mine like burrito, because it keeps all the goodies inside and then I can cut it in half and look at how healthy and delicious the tacos look. Plus, if you cut it in half, it gives better presentation to the dish. Enjoy!