Empanadas!

I have mentioned my short attention span as it relates to cooking, right? By that I mean I get bored doing the same thing over and over, even if the "same" thing is really quite different from week to week. I guess I just don't like to be tied down. So that means this week I am cooking neither soup nor salad. I made some empanadas for dinner last night and they turned out so nicely that I thought they would be an excellent idea for this week's TMKitchen offering.

I will be making a few different types and all of them will include cheese or I can exclude it (which would make some of them technically vegan - and by that I mean only that they will contain no dairy and no meat).

Spicy potato (which went over quite well at the Rock n Roll Craft Show this year)
Black bean picadillo
Shrimp
Steak

Expect chilies, salsa, and the usual Latin flavors in each empanada (and yeah, I'm being a little vague because I don't quite know yet - but I promise they will all be delicious!).

In addition, I think a Mayan-style chocolate empanada is also a good idea.

To reheat, just wrap them in foil (but don't mix the savory and sweet in one foil packet!) and put in a 350F oven for about 10-15 minutes. Of course they would also work in a toaster oven or [very carefully] in a microwave. You can also freeze them for later!

Here's what you need to know:

$2/each (minimum of four, no maximum!) - Mix and match any of the varieties but be specific about whether you want cheese (melty white cheese and/or queso fresco depending on flavor).

I'm taking orders until at least noon on Sunday. The sooner you let me know, the better, please! Email me at cattmkitchen@gmail.com or clp772@gmail.com!

Asian Brown Rice and Tofu Salad/Mini-Madeleines

An overwhelming majority of respondents have voiced a preference for salad over soup this week, so that's what it shall be!

The salad will start with a base of nutty brown rice and a variety of vegetables including bean sprouts, peas, carrots, green onions, and whatever else might look good at the market. I will saute the tofu with ginger, garlic, and a bit of soy sauce so all the flavor gets absorbed by the tofu. For the dressing, there will be hints of sesame, sweet orange, ginger and garlic to bring all the flavors together.

Rather than a bread this week, I'm thinking a little dessert might be in order. And since I just acquired a mini-madeleine pan, mini-madeleines it shall be! Chocolate dipped if you so desire, plain if you don't! FYI, madeleines are a buttery French cake-like cookie (See photo below.) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_(cake) )

Salad
1 quart/$8     2 quarts/$15     3 quarts/$22     4 quarts/$28

Cookies
$5/doz (I can mix and match plain and choco dipped!)

Please get your orders to me by 10am Sunday! Thank you!

Since Sunday is Easter, I will save all delivery/pickups for Monday (or later, if necessary). When you order, please let me know when you would be able to pick up or be home for delivery. Thanks! Email me at clp772@gmail.com or cattmkitchen@gmail.com.

Thanks!