Great American Taco Bar

Thanks for all your feedback helping to make a choice for this week's NFNS response! The most requested item was TACO, with ribs and coleslaw in a close second place. I loved Roommate's request for vegetarian, and in many ways it felt like a normal dinner question...

"What do you want for dinner tonight?"....and how it is for any mom...5 people, 5 different requests! That's when you know it's time for a potluck and you can pick and choose.

I got to thinking how good a bbq rib ragu would taste in a tortilla, topped with some tangy coleslaw, but then again, some southwest flavored vegetables all pocketed up in a wrap would taste fabulous as well! Time didn't allow for lobster salad, but one of these hot days, a cold taco with some gazpacho soup would be so refreshing. I think I'll save that idea for a later episode!

I mentioned the basic Memphis Rub recipe. I use smoked paprika and chipotle pepper instead of the cayenne. It's easy to add as little or much heat as you desire. The nice thing about the rib recipe is its simplicity. It's wonderful comfort food in the winter with mashed potatoes, or a great summertime treat with a salad and corn on the cob. It really is a good base for the carne filling of the tacos, and can be built on up from there.

The slaw is now my new favorite recipe. One of our Oscar Party friends brought his version to this year's party, and it's a family favorite. I like it that there's no mayo to spoil at a picnic outside in the heat!

There's been some discussion that tacos aren't really American fare...just a reminder that I'm following the challenges laid out by The Food Network...

Enjoy!

Southern Doesn't Always Mean Fried

So we're on week 4. I'm happy with some results of NFNS, and can't wait for the day that Penny goes home! Most of all, I'm so happy that Aarti's show has finally been moved to Saturday mornings!!! Yeah!!

This week's challenge - using a cracker, cookie, or cereal (by luck of the draw) in a recipe was a "no-duh" time for me. I grew up making Mom's baked crispy chicken with corn flakes...since the age of 9! I also have vivid memories of my great Auntie Sue (of whom my own mom was named after!) and her INCREDIBLE southern fried chicken. Literally, sitting at the table in Virginia with a spread like I never remember seeing anywhere else, and biting into that moist, flavorful chicken...I think part of heaven must involve food like hers!

So here I am, a transplant, thinking these two recipes should be able to be combined...

I think we have a winner! Pretty sure The Man About The House and Emma agree, since the two of them polished off half the chicken after taping this week's episode!!

The great thing about this technique is it can be used in a variety of ways -

* boneless breasts for chicken sandwiches
* tenderloin strips or nuggets for chicken fingers to put in a salad
* chicken "fried" steak
* veggie--sliced summer squash

One more thought: the past two weeks I've tried to stick directly to the theme of the show. This has meant a departure from the way I typically cook. I may use the upcoming episodes for inspiration, but not worry so much about replicating the exact challenge. I really want this to reflect me, not just the NFNS!

Enjoy Episode 4! btw, youtube was not finishing processing my higher quality compressed video. I tried about 5 times over the past two days to no avail! i've finally resorted to a poorer one, just to get it posted! Would love some tech advice if you have any!

So now everytime I attempt to upload, it has an issue in the processing of the uploaded video. Is this a You Tube issue or mine? I'll try and post the video, but for now, here's the recipe!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

update: Finally got it up and running!! Hope your Independence Holiday was great!!