Queso

The old standby of Velveeta and a can of Rotel tomatoes is hard to beat, but I wanted a something with a little more flavor. American cheese has developed a following on the net as the primary ingredient for queso. Here is one version.

1 1/2 lbs of white american cheese

2 cups of cream

2 tbsp ground chile

Molcajete salsa (optional)

Slowly heat cheese and cream, stirring frequently. When cheese is completely melted, stir in chile powder.

This has good flavor, but no heat. Add desired  amount of Molcajete to get the heat you want.

Fried Green Tomatoes

My Dad brought me some green tomatoes out of his garden yesterday.....you know what I did with them....

This is how my Mother told me to cook these.....Thanks Mom.

Slice.
Lightly salt.
Dip in buttermilk.
Dredge in cornmeal
Fry in 350 degree oil

The tart nature of the green tomatoes played well with the sweet and savory Pork Medallions with Blackberry Glaze.

Pork Medallions with Blackberry Glaze

Ingredients

Pork Tenderloins
Thin cut bacon
Cream cheese
Jalapenos
Toothpicks
Matt's Marinade

Trim the pork tenderloins. Slice about 3/4 inch thick, then slice almost all the way through each of these slices, basically bivalving each piece of pork, but leaving enough uncut so that you can stuff each piece of meat.
Spread a small amt of cream cheese into each "pocket".

 Trim the jalapenos, removing membranes and seed. Stuff one piece of pepper into each pocket.

Wrap with bacon and secure with toothpick.

Grill until bacon is cooked and you have good color. On Big Green Egg at about 400, it was 30 minutes.

You can let them rest. Preperation to this point may be done ahead of time.

Prior to serving, brush with Blackberry Jelly and reheat for 20  min. in 400 degree oven.

Squash Gratin

Summer squash are available now.  A simple au gratin is easy and  hard to beat.

Saute 2-3 lbs of squash and one sliced onion in butter or oil.

Mix in 4 oz grated Gruyere 

4 oz grated Cheddar

2 oz grated Parmesan

Place in gratin dish and drizzle 1/4 cup of cream over the top

Bake at 400 until brown on top.

I added some Panko near the end of cooking. I dont think it added anything to the dish.

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Marinade

Saute one chopped onion in one stick of butter.

Add:
1 cup lemon juice (Realemon works fine)
1 cup Zesty Italian dressing (Kraft)
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tsp salt

Bring to boil and simmer 10 minutes.
Allow to cool.
It is strong, so no overnight marinade with this. It will have a substantial effect after only 15 minutes on chicken, beef and pork.