Cinco de Mayo – Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com Seeker of sunshine + exquisite food Sun, 03 Feb 2019 18:29:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.1 96532064 LIME CHURASCO TACOS http://floridagirlcooks.com/lime-churasco-tacos/ Mon, 04 May 2015 11:29:45 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=685 When you’ve got really bomb.com items on your Cinco de Mayo menu and you know something is missing…always go with steak. Medium, grilled, churrasco steak….marinated in lime juice for 12 or more hours…now do ...

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When you’ve got really bomb.com items on your Cinco de Mayo menu and you know something is missing…always go with steak. Medium, grilled, churrasco steak….marinated in lime juice for 12 or more hours…now do I have your attention? This lime churasco tacos recipe was my last minute menu creation for our Cinco de Mayo party to give the meat fillings for our tacos more variety. You want the steak to be tender and juicy so a good way to accomplish this is by firstly, butterflying the churrasco steak to make it thinner and secondly to leave it marinating in lime juice for 12 or more hours. Simple, unbelievable, and you’re making it…summer is near…stay hungry and stay grilling my friends!

Lime Churrasco Tacos

Ingredients

juice of 8 limes
sea salt
churrasco steak, butterflied and lightly piereced with a paring knife
warm corn tortillas
corn, tomato, avocado, mango, sour cream, lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, salt, fresh cracked black pepper for taco toppings

Prepare

1. Place churrasco on cutting board and butterfly so you get two flanks with an even thickness.
2. Pierce lightly all over both pieces with a paring knife. This will allow the meat to absorb extra lime juice while marinating.
3. Place both pieces into a gallon sized Ziploc bag along with 1 tbsp. coarse sea salt and lime juice. Shake vigorously and let marinate for twelve or more hours in the refrigerator.
4. Preheat grill, remove steaks from marinade/bag, and grill for about 4 minutes per side on high heat over direct flames or until medium.
5. Remove steaks from grill, place onto plate, and cut diagonally into small pieces.
6. Place on a warm corn tortilla and top with desired toppings and devour responsibly!

Lime Churasco Tacos
Serves 10
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Prep Time
12 hr 10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 hr 20 min
Prep Time
12 hr 10 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 hr 20 min
Ingredients
  1. juice of 8 limes
  2. sea salt
  3. churrasco steak, butterflied and lightly piereced with a paring knife
  4. warm corn tortillas
  5. corn, tomato, avocado, mango, sour cream, lime juice, hot sauce, cilantro, salt, fresh cracked black pepper for taco toppings
Instructions
  1. Place churrasco on cutting board and butterfly so you get two flanks with an even thickness.
  2. Pierce lightly all over both pieces with a paring knife. This will allow the meat to absorb extra lime juice while marinating.
  3. Place both pieces into a gallon sized Ziploc bag along with 1 tbsp. coarse sea salt and lime juice. Shake vigorously and let marinate for twelve or more hours in the refrigerator.
  4. Preheat grill, remove steaks from marinade/bag, and grill for about 4 minutes per side on high heat over direct flames or until medium.
  5. Remove steaks from grill, place onto plate, and cut diagonally into small pieces.
  6. Place on a warm corn tortilla and top with desired toppings and devour responsibly!
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/
lime churasco tacos, lime, beef, flank, taco tuesday, cinco de mayo, limes

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DUCK CARNITAS TACOS http://floridagirlcooks.com/duck-carnitas-tacos/ Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:22:35 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=632 Duck is my favorite poultry. If it wasn’t so hard on my pocket I’d make it a lot more often but for now I will indulge as often as I can and try to ...

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Duck is my favorite poultry. If it wasn’t so hard on my pocket I’d make it a lot more often but for now I will indulge as often as I can and try to savor ever last tasty morsel. With so many ways to make duck for someone who is as obsessed with duck as I am, there’s only satisfaction awaiting. Take hold because if you’re into eating duck…this recipe is for you and I can assure you it will become your number one favorite. You can find organic/real farm raised whole duck at Whole Foods for about $26. It’s a great buy considering how expensive duck is and also for it’s freshness. Also, a heads up…it is a very fatty bird compared to chicken…but that’s what makes it even juicier and more flavorful. Tacos + Duck Carnitas = LOVE ya’ll! Enjoy!

Duck Carnitas Tacos

Ingredients

Whole duck, rinsed and neck & gizzards removed
1½ tbsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 whole garlic heads, tops removed
1 large white onion, thinly sliced, plus one small, finely chopped
1 (4″) piece Mexican cinnamon, broken in half
1 medium orange, quartered
12 corn tortillas, warmed
¾ cup roughly chopped cilantro
Lime wedges
Salsa, such as tomatillo and pineapple or peach pico de gallo, for serving (optional)
Prepare

1. Heat oven to 350°. Combine duck, 1½ tbsp. salt, plus garlic, sliced onion, and cinnamon in a 6-qt. Dutch oven.

2. Squeeze the orange quarters over the duck and add the spent oranges to the pot; toss to combine and arrange duck skin side up.

3. Place additional whole garlic inside of the duck. Cook, covered, until duck is very tender, about 2½–3 hours.

4. Let duck cool in the pot, then transfer to a cutting board.

5. Shred meat into large chunks, discarding skin and bones.

6. Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup; chill until fat solidifies on the surface. Reserve ¼ cup fat; save remaining fat for another use.

7. Heat reserved duck fat in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat.

8. Cook duck, stirring occasionally, until slightly crispy, 3–5 minutes.

9. Season with salt; pile into warm tortillas and garnish with chopped onion, cilantro, sour cream and lime wedges. Serve with salsa, if you like.

Duck Carnitas Tacos
Serves 12
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
3 hr 5 min
Total Time
3 hr 20 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
3 hr 5 min
Total Time
3 hr 20 min
Ingredients
  1. Whole duck, rinsed and neck & gizzards removed
  2. 1½ tbsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
  3. 2 whole garlic heads, tops removed
  4. 1 large white onion, thinly sliced, plus one small, finely chopped
  5. 1 (4") piece Mexican cinnamon, broken in half
  6. 1 medium orange, quartered
  7. 12 corn tortillas, warmed
  8. ¾ cup roughly chopped cilantro
  9. Lime wedges
  10. Salsa, such as tomatillo and pineapple or peach pico de gallo, for serving (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350°. Combine duck, 1½ tbsp. salt, plus garlic, sliced onion, and cinnamon in a 6-qt. Dutch oven.
  2. Squeeze the orange quarters over the duck and add the spent oranges to the pot; toss to combine and arrange duck skin side up.
  3. Place additional whole garlic inside of the duck. Cook, covered, until duck is very tender, about 2½–3 hours.
  4. Let duck cool in the pot, then transfer to a cutting board.
  5. Shred meat into large chunks, discarding skin and bones.
  6. Strain pan drippings through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup; chill until fat solidifies on the surface. Reserve ¼ cup fat; save remaining fat for another use.
  7. Heat reserved duck fat in a 12” skillet over medium-high heat.
  8. Cook duck, stirring occasionally, until slightly crispy, 3–5 minutes.
  9. Season with salt; pile into warm tortillas and garnish with chopped onion, cilantro, sour cream and lime wedges. Serve with salsa, if you like.
Adapted from Saveur
Adapted from Saveur
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/

duck cartnitas tacos, tacos, Taco Tuesday, dinner, duck, poultry

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MEXICAN FLAG PALETAS http://floridagirlcooks.com/mexican-flag-paletas/ Wed, 29 Apr 2015 12:22:10 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=628 The days of Pinterest are ever prevalent in our meal-making nowadays and with confidence I attest that this is a good thing. My cooking and repertoire have been pretty diverse for some time now ...

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The days of Pinterest are ever prevalent in our meal-making nowadays and with confidence I attest that this is a good thing. My cooking and repertoire have been pretty diverse for some time now but Pinterest has helped take it up a notch by pushing some of my great recipes a little further. I would love to tell you this is some complexly amazing dish, but only the later is true….which is a good thing. I have adapted the recipe to make it sweeter and simpler. Sometimes simple wins the prize and in the world of fresh and organic paletas, Spanish for popsicles, this takes first place for me. Deliciously and colorfully made for any occasion whether Mexican or not and for any age these Mexican flag paletas are sure to win the hearts of your guests for a sweet ending.

mexican flag paletas, cinco de mayo, Mexican, paletas, popsicles, fruit paletas, fresh fruit, healthy, kid approved

Mexican Flag Paletas

Ingredients

GREEN LAYER
juice of 8 limes
4 tsp sugar, to taste
three drops of green food coloring

WHITE LAYER
1 cup coconut milk
2 tsp sugar to taste

RED LAYER
4 tsp sugar
about 10 large strawberries

Prepare

1. To make the green layer, place the lime juice in a glass measuring cup. Place 1 cup of water and 4 tsp sugar in a small saucepan and heat until water is warm and sugar has dissolved. This make a simple syrup base. Place food coloring in and stir until even in color.
2. Pour the lime juice about 1/3 of the way up into each of 10 popsicle molds. Freeze the molds until the layer is almost frozen solid.
3. Mix the coconut milk and sugar and pour in another 1/3 of the way into each popsicle mold, while inserting the popsicles sticks and securing with the lid/popsicle stick holder. Allow to freeze for up to 6 hours.
4. Make a simple syrup again with 1 cup of water and 4 tbsp. sugar in the saucepan and pour into a blender or food processor. Remove stems from strawberries, place in blender/processor, and blend until smooth.
5. Fill the remaining spaces of the popsicle molds with the strawberry mix and allow to freeze for about 6 more hours.
6. When ready to eat, unmold the pops by filling your sink with hot tap water and immersing the mold up to, but not over, the top lip for about 15 seconds. Remove the popsicles and eat immediately, or wrap in waxed paper and place in freezer baggies to store for later.

Mexican Flag Paletas
Serves 12
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Prep Time
12 hr
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 hr 10 min
Prep Time
12 hr
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 hr 10 min
Ingredients
  1. GREEN LAYER
  2. juice of 8 limes
  3. 4 tsp sugar, to taste
  4. three drops of green food coloring
  5. WHITE LAYER
  6. 1 cup coconut milk
  7. 2 tsp sugar to taste
  8. RED LAYER
  9. 4 tsp sugar
  10. about 10 large strawberries
Instructions
  1. To make the green layer, place the lime juice in a glass measuring cup. Place 1 cup of water and 4 tsp sugar in a small saucepan and heat until water is warm and sugar has dissolved. This make a simple syrup base. Place food coloring in and stir until even in color.
  2. Pour the lime juice about 1/3 of the way up into each of 10 popsicle molds. Freeze the molds until the layer is almost frozen solid.
  3. Mix the coconut milk and sugar and pour in another 1/3 of the way into each popsicle mold, while inserting the popsicles sticks and securing with the lid/popsicle stick holder. Allow to freeze for up to 6 hours.
  4. Make a simple syrup again with 1 cup of water and 4 tbsp. sugar in the saucepan and pour into a blender or food processor. Remove stems from strawberries, place in blender/processor, and blend until smooth.
  5. Fill the remaining spaces of the popsicle molds with the strawberry mix and allow to freeze for about 6 more hours.
  6. When ready to eat, unmold the pops by filling your sink with hot tap water and immersing the mold up to, but not over, the top lip for about 15 seconds. Remove the popsicles and eat immediately, or wrap in waxed paper and place in freezer baggies to store for later.
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/

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MEXICAN WEDDING COOKIES http://floridagirlcooks.com/mexican-wedding-cookies/ Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:23:13 +0000 http://floridagirlcooks.com/?p=669 This is another one of those recipes that has been long await to make in my que. When I first started teaching I was introduced to the fact that every Thursday before our Thanksgiving ...

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This is another one of those recipes that has been long await to make in my que. When I first started teaching I was introduced to the fact that every Thursday before our Thanksgiving and Christmas break we would have a huge potluck in the teachers’ work room. There’d be an array of appetizers and desserts all spread out on the two counters behind the copy machines and you’d smell all of the wondrous food all through the library. From that first year our media specialist Pat has always brought it Mexican Wedding Cookies. I told her how amazing they were and she has always brought some on the side for me every year since.

My sister-in-law’s mom Reina makes these for the Holidays as well and calls them Snowballs. They have different names it seems depending on the region or who is making them. Also, chose to make these with pecans because my husband is not a fan of walnuts.

I was always intimidated by trying to make these because they looked complex and were so perfect. After reading over the recipe and realizing the fact that I had every ingredient in my kitchen already, I gave it a go! You don’t have to wait for Christmas to make and enjoy these Mexican wedding cookies! 🙂

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Ingredients

2/3 cup (65 grams) toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)
1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup (30 grams) confectioners’ (powdered or icing) sugar
1 teaspoon (2 grams) pure vanilla extract
2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1 cup (110 grams) powdered (icing or confectioners) sugar, sifted

Prepare

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.
2. Toast Nuts: Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes, or until lightly brown and fragrant. Cool.
3. Once the nuts have cooled completely place them, along with 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of the flour from the recipe, into your food processor, fitted with a metal blade, and process until they are finely ground (but not a paste). Set aside.
4. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
5. Beat in the vanilla extract.
6. Add the remaining flour and salt and beat until combined.
7. Stir in the nuts.
8. Cover and refrigerate the dough for about one hour or until firm.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
10. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
11. Form the chilled dough into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls and place them 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets.
12. Bake for about 12 – 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown.
13. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes.
14. Meanwhile, line another baking pan or tray with parchment or wax paper.
15. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of the confectioners’ sugar on the bottom of the pan and then place the slightly cooled cookies on top of the sugar.
16. Place the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar in a fine strainer or sieve and then sprinkle the tops of the cookies (or you can just roll the cookies in the sugar).
17. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Mexican Wedding Cookies
Serves 10
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Print
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 2/3 cup (65 grams) toasted nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts)
  2. 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
  3. 1/4 cup (30 grams) confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar
  4. 1 teaspoon (2 grams) pure vanilla extract
  5. 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
  6. 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
  1. 1 cup (110 grams) powdered (icing or confectioners) sugar, sifted
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.
  2. Toast Nuts: Place nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes, or until lightly brown and fragrant. Cool.
  3. Once the nuts have cooled completely place them, along with 2 tablespoons (25 grams) of the flour from the recipe, into your food processor, fitted with a metal blade, and process until they are finely ground (but not a paste). Set aside.
  4. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  5. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  6. Add the remaining flour and salt and beat until combined.
  7. Stir in the nuts.
  8. Cover and refrigerate the dough for about one hour or until firm.
  9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  10. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  11. Form the chilled dough into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls and place them 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  12. Bake for about 12 - 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies start to brown.
  13. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes.
  14. Meanwhile, line another baking pan or tray with parchment or wax paper.
  15. Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar on the bottom of the pan and then place the slightly cooled cookies on top of the sugar.
  16. Place the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar in a fine strainer or sieve and then sprinkle the tops of the cookies (or you can just roll the cookies in the sugar).
  17. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Florida Girl Cooks http://floridagirlcooks.com/
mexican wedding cookies, cookies, dessert, Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, Christmas, Mexican dessert

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