Azoresgal~Life on an Island

This is a simple recipe to make your own fajita seasoning mix. I just like the fact that I know what it is I am cooking with, and it is also much cheaper then the store-bought packets ! I usually triple the amounts, just makes for a larger batch. If you find 1 Tablespoon of the mix, is not enough, by all means use more ! 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon white sugar 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl or add directly to a little jar or storage container. Give it a good shake, and store. To Use :  Mix 1 TABLESPOON  with 1/4 cup oil or olive oil  and juice of 1 lime. Add thin strips of beef or chicken or shrimp and let marinate for at least an hour in the refrigerator.

Sorry, more zucchini ! On the bright side, it is a lovely recipe. Great for brunch, or dinner or a snack ! The original recipe asks for bisquick, which I cannot find anywhere on the island, so I use this substitute instead. This recipe is easily adaptable, other spices, more cheese, perhaps even some leftover shredded chicken or ham. It is great warm, and cold with a salad on the side, I hope you give it a try. Zucchini Pie 4 eggs, beaten 3 cups shredded zucchini 1 cup Bisquick/ homemade version 1 cup of shredded hard cheese or more 1 small/medium onion, chopped fine  Salt and pepper – a bit of each  1/4 cup butter, melted or oil (if it's still dry, add another 1/4 cup) Put it all in a big bowl and mix until all dry ingredients are wet. Pour into the casserole dish or pie dish and bake for about 45 minutes at 180// 350 degrees.

Bisquick is packaged baking mix that can be used for many recipes, from making biscuits to waffles, pancakes, casseroles, toppings etc.  Here on the island, it is not something that I can buy, I have never found it in the grocery stores. So below is a recipe for a 1 cup measure, it can be used in any recipe that calls for 1 cup of Bisquick. 1 cup Flour 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon Salt 1 Tablespoon oil or butter or Shortening Combine all ingredients in a food processor and substitute in any recipe calling for 1 Cup of bisuick/baking mix.

Nacho Cheese Sauce....seriously your not in the kitchen yet ?? This is so yummy, easy, inexpensive and much healthier than anyhing you buy in a jar. After you make this a couple of times, trust me you will , you can adjust the flavors to your liking, add some cumin, or diced jalapenos etc. Make it as hot or as mild as you like ! 1 cup grated  cheddar cheese ( try and use block cheese, it will melt better) 1 tablespoon corn starch 1 can evaporated milk 2 teaspoons hot sauce ( Franks,tabasco,piripiri) or more.. Toss cheese and cornstarch, in a bowl, mix well. Add to a medium saucepan, with  1 cup evaporated milk and hot sauce. Cook over low heat, stirring with whisk until melted, bubbly, and thickened (about 5 minutes). Mixture will look thin and grainy at first, but keep stirring , it will thicken and come together after heating. Thin to desired consistency by adding more evaporated milk. Serve with tortilla chips. *** you can mess around with this by adding,

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." Lewis Grizzard So excited to finally, have ripe tomatoes in our garden. I always wish they grew as quickly as the lettuce, or the zucchini. I suppose mother nature, knows what she is doing, and why it takes so long for them to be ripe. You cannot rush perfection ! I love, love a simple tomato sandwich, if you have never had one, you are missing out ! They taste like summer ! Just plain, white bread, some mayonnaise, salt, and pepper...Heaven !