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07 February 2010

6 Yummy Junk Food Recipes

From Denny: Here they are in all their glory! Junk food favorites! Actually, taken in smart portions you can enjoy them without calorie guilt. But hey! It's the Super Bowl AND Carnival season so what is Life without a little temporary excess? :) You can diet during Lent when you are supposed to give up your partying ways. That's what we do in Louisiana and it seems to work well.



I hiked on over to CBS to see what they were offering for the Super Bowl event and I think you will enjoy these recipes and video with author Katie Lee and host Harry Smith.



UPDATE: Underdogs GEAUX SAINTS win the Super Bowl 31 to 17!!!!!!!! Wow! Is New Orleans rocking in the French Quarter or what! This will be the first time that Marti Gras becomes a nine day celebration! :)



Recipes:



Chili-Cheese Dip

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Insanely Good Turkey Tacos

Heavyweight Hoagie

Breaded Pork Cutlet Satay

Shrimp Po Boy







Watch CBS News Videos Online





Chili-Cheese Dip



Yield:
serves 6 to 8 (about 3 1/2 cups)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes



From Katie: When I was in college we used to melt cheese and chili in the microwave on movie nights. I recreated my college junk food obsession with this chili-cheese dip that only takes a few more minutes than the microwave version. It's so good -- seriously, I need to step away from the tortilla chips.



INGREDIENTS:



1 pound ground sirloin beef

1 packet taco seasoning

1 (16 ounce) jar salsa

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes



METHOD:



In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown beef. Remove beef from skillet and drain on paper towels. Return to skillet and add taco seasoning and salsa. Bring to a simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drop the heat to very low. Stir in cheddar cheese and cream cheese and cook until just melted. Serve hot with tortilla chips.





Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas



Yield: 6 quesadillas (serves 6 to 8)

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes



From Katie: I love the spicy flavors of buffalo chicken wings, but I usually only have them when I'm dining out. Making wings at home can be messy, but by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken with these quesadillas, I get all the same flavors but none of the mess. I like to serve my quesadillas with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.



INGREDIENTS:



1 store-bought rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 4 cups)

3/4 cup buffalo sauce

2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese

12 flour tortillas (soft taco size)

Nonstick cooking spray

Blue cheese dressing (from Steakhouse Night)

Celery sticks



METHOD:



In a large bowl, combine chicken with sauce and stir until evenly coated. Add cheese and toss to combine.



Evenly divide chicken mixture on six tortillas and top with remaining six tortillas.



Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.



Cook quesadillas, one at a time, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, using a spatula to turn. Cut into quarters and serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks on the side.





Insanely Good Turkey Tacos



From Katie: My friend Steve made me these tacos, named for his father, Herbie, who taught him the recipe. They are, without a doubt, the best tacos I have ever eaten. His secret ingredient is cheap Italian salad dressing. Amazing. Have an extra napkin handy because, as Steve says, "If they're not dripping down your hands, you didn't do something right."



INGREDIENTS:



For taco meat:




2 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 cup cilantro, minced

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

2 pounds ground dark-meat turkey

2 tablespoons of garlic salt

1/4 cup of chili powder

1 7-ounce can of chopped green chilies (medium heat)

1/4 cup of hot taco sauce (plus more for serving)

1/4 cup of green taco sauce (plus more for serving)



For salad:



1 head of iceberg lettuce, shredded

1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cilantro, minced

2 ripe tomatoes, chopped

1 ripe avocado, diced

1/2 cup Italian-style vinaigrette dressing, such as Ken's



For shells:



24 white corn tortillas

1 cup canola oil



For garnish:



1/2 pound shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup sour cream



METHOD:



In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil, cilantro, and green onions. Add chilies and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in turkey, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat. As meat is browning, stir in garlic salt and chili powder. When turkey has cooked through, stir in the hot sauce and green sauce. Lower the heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally.



As meat simmers, toss all salad ingredients with dressing.



To make the shells: In a frying pan, heat oil over medium high heat.



Line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels. When the oil is hot, use tongs to place each tortilla gently in oil one at a time.



After only 5 seconds, in one motion, turn the tortilla over and fold it in half. Cook 20 seconds, flip and cook an additional 20 seconds.



Lift out of oil and drain on paper towels. *The shells will not be too crisp when they come out of the oil.



But, they become too crisp to stuff if cooked any longer.



Assemble tacos by spooning meat into shells, topping with cheese, salad, and sour cream.









Heavyweight Hoagie



Yield: serves 6 to 8

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Inactive Prep Time: 10 minutes to cool bread, 30 minutes to press sandwich

Cook Time: 7 minutes



From Katie: This is the mother of all hoagies. I use a whole loaf of ciabatta with turkey, ham, and salami, but try mixing it up with roast beef or mortadella. I wrap the sandwich in aluminum foil and put a heavy iron skillet on top for about 30 minutes so that it smashes and is easier to eat and the flavors really meld together. Serve it on a cutting board and people can just cut their own sandwich.



INGREDIENTS:



1 loaf ciabatta, halved lengthwise

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter

2 Tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1/2 pound deli turkey, thinly sliced

1/2 pound deli ham, thinly sliced

1/4 pound salami, thinly sliced

1/4 pound provolone, thinly sliced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup shredded iceberg

1/4 cup sliced hot banana peppers

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion



METHOD:



Preheat the broiler.



In a small sauté pan over low heat, melt the butter with the garlic.

Continue to cook over low heat until the garlic begins to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add parsley and cook another minute. Remove from heat and spread onto the inside of each side of the bread. Place under the broiler and toast until golden brown. Let cool.



Spread mayonnaise onto bread. Layer turkey, ham, salami and provolone onto bottom half of bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with iceberg, peppers, and onion. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and place a heavy-duty skillet (I use an iron skillet) on top. Let sit 30 minutes. Slice and serve.





Breaded Pork Cutlet Satay



Yield: serves 12 (about 28 skewers)

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes



INGREDIENTS:



1 pound boneless pork chops

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper



Special Equipment: skewers



METHOD:



Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.



Place each pork chop between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat tenderizer, gently pound each chop until it's about ¼ inch thick. Cut each chop into strips.



Thread pork pieces onto skewers, working the skewer in and out of the meat. Using a pastry brush, brush each piece of pork with egg. Mix bread crumbs, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge each pork skewer bread crumbs until evenly coated. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Place on prepared baking sheet and bake until cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.



Serve with barbecue sauce, if desired.





Shrimp Po Boy



INGREDIENTS:



2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled, de-veined and tails removed

1 3/4 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup hot sauce

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Peanut oil

3 soft hoagie rolls

Mayo

Shredded iceberg lettuce

Tomato slices

Lemon wedges



METHOD:



In a bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. In a shallow dish, combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper.



Heat a few inches of oil in a heavy bottom pot to 375 F.



Dredge shrimp in cornmeal mixture and fry about 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.



To assemble sandwiches, spread hoagie rolls with mayo, fill with shrimp, lettuce and tomato. Cut each hoagie in two or three sections. Serve with lemon wedges.





*** Be sure to check out more fun party recipes over at Comfort Food From Louisiana!





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