What the Forks for Dinner? - Page 104 of 202 - Recipes and ideas so you never have to ask what the forks for dinner!

Un-Fried Fried Ice Cream Cups

Last week was Cinco de Mayo, I have always associated Fried Ice Cream with Mexican cuisine. Well, maybe, maybe not…….

Seems there are conflicting stories as to the origins of this delectable delight. According to Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fried_ice_cream
Some claim that fried ice cream was first served during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Though in 1894 a Philadelphia company was given credit for its invention describing : “A small, solid cake of the [ice] cream is enveloped in a thin sheet of pie crust and then dipped into boiling lard or butter to cook the outside to a crisp. A third claim, beginning in the 1960s asserts that fried ice cream was invented by Japanese tempura restaurants.

In the United States, fried ice cream has been associated with Asian cuisine, appearing in reviews of Chinese, Japanese, and Polynesian restaurants in the “Dining Out” section of the New York Times in the 1970s. It also came to be associated with Mexican cuisine, in large part due to national chain Chi-Chi’s adopting a fried ice cream made with tortillas and cinnamon as its “signature dessert” when it opened in the early 1980s.The Asian recipe usually uses tempura batter. Mexican versions use corn flakes, nuts, cookie crumbs, or tortillas for coating.

No matter where it came from it was a stellar idea. But what if you could have it un-fried????Food for thought.

Since my reference is with the Mexican variety and cinnamon being the predominate taste I set off to un-fry ice cream.

Now, I’ve seen several un-fried ice cream sheet style recipes, but I wanted to make an individual version that more closely resembled a traditional version.

Muffin tins were the perfect vessel for my idea. Individual, using paper liners would make it easy to serve.

I used a disposable tin muffin tin. They come with lids…..I love it!

These Un-Fried Fried Ice Cream Cups were really quite easy to make and can be made in advance. In my mind that make the perfect dessert.

In keeping with a cinnamon flavor palate I looked for a cereal with cinnamon…..Honey Bunches of Oats Sweet Cinnamon Bunches……perfect. Not only does it have the flakes, but it has these cinnamony sweet bunches that add and additional crunchiness to the ice cream.

Just a tablespoon of a mixture of the cereal crushed, brown sugar, and butter pressed into the bottom of a muffin tin.

Top with a scoop of ice cream. Now, its no secret that we love DQ so naturally I chose vanilla DQ as my ice cream, but your favorite ice cream will be perfect. Press more of the cereal mixture all around the scoop of ice cream.Sprinkle with turbinado sugar and cinnamon, and place back in the freezer to harden. Thats all there is too it!

To serve, remove each un-fried ice cream from its paper liner and place on a plate or in a small bowl. Place a nice dollop of whipped topping on the side and drizzle with caramel sauce and sprinkle with extra cinnamon.

Looking for a dessert that is make ahead on a can be in the freezer for unexpected dessert guests…….. Un-Fried Fried Ice Cream Cups are your go to dessert!!!

Hawaiian Tacos

Cinco de Mayo was Thursday ………. Hawaiian Tacos ………was our celebration!

Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.

History lesson complete………. I like to try different taco flavors and fillings. I must admit my first attempt at these tacos was not quite what I had my mind and heart set on. Plus, the pictures were …..well, horrible, not through any fault of the photographer.

I tried a Pinterest trick/hack that was half a success. The trick its self worked well. Its the one where you place tortilla shells over the grates in the oven, bake them and when they are done they are a stand up taco shell. That part worked, what didn’t work was taking pictures using that shell. You couldn’t see the filling inside……booo!

Originally I used skirt steak for the meat of the taco. While it was tasty, the meat was too tough. Onward plan B.

Place B was much simpler using ground beef. Also a more traditional taco filling. I browned the meat and added garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Easy enough.

I warmed the tortillas in a skillet, I used cast iron, but any small skillet will do. I find spraying the tortillas with cooking spray and using a small skillet to fry them is the easiest way. Plus you aren’t frying in oil.

I chose toppings in keeping with the ginger, garlic, soy sauce flavor of the ground beef. Pineapple, now I will say this about pineapple……when ever possible buy fresh and cut it yourself. The flavor is wonderful! And it was perfect for Hawaiian Tacos.

Cotija cheese, red onion, cilantro, and Sriracha sauce rounded out the toppings. I love Cotija cheese for tacos. Named after the town of Cotija in Michoacán, Mexico, it’s a salty, crumbly, dry cow’s milk cheese and is like a cross between feta and Parmesan.

I didn’t realize until I made my Hawaiian Taocs that is was Cino de Mayo, so it was an impromptu celebration with a Hawaiian twist.

Hawaiian Tacos are super easy to make and a great way to celebrate Cino de Mayo or Thursday???

Whatever day of the week Hawaiian Tacos are “Aloha nui loa”……translation……… very much love!

BB Pecan Brownies

The first Saturday in May is Derby Day! OMG that’s this coming Saturday………What better than Bacon Bourbon Pecan Brownies…….. BB Pecan Brownies to celebrate the winner.

The Kentucky Derby is a long standing tradition of roses, mint juleps, and hats. It’s also the first leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing.

So what about a dessert of the day. BB Pecan Brownies would be the perfect finish .

Super chocolatey, with a hint of bourbon…….Kentucky bourbon of course, these brownies are rich and decadent.

Topped with pecans, and crispy bacon…….well what can you say about bacon…….it makes everything better.

I topped a few of them with caramel sauce……just in case they were not decadent enough. You can use chocolate or just have them plain…….psst……..use the caramel…..wink, wink!

These brownies are the perfect finish line for your derby day party!!!