McDonalds Awesome Oatmeal

McDonalds is now offering hot oatmeal for breakfast. It is surprisingly good and I decided to put my own recipe on the blog. Enjoy Gandy

Start with Steel cut oats, Quaker makes these in a small blue cylinder type package. Boil 3 1/2 cups water then add 1 cup steel cut oats. Reduce your heat to low and stir every 5 minutes until done. (About 25 minutes) While cooking chop up 1 large Apple (skins on) into small 1/2 inch pieces. Once oatmeal is cooked, add apples, 1/2 cup craisins, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1/4 cup chopped nuts, (Walnuts or pecans work best) and 2 TBLS brown sugar. (Save a little of each fruit/nuts for topping.)
I like to put a TBLS of milk or half and half on top to mix in.
This is a hearty flavorful oatmeal that will have you turned off to instand oatmeal forever.

"The ROCCO" official Drink of awesome people

Yes I invented a drink. Pretty complicated recipe, but the advanced mix-master can make this if following the directions perfectly. ....Enjoy...Gandy

Take a large cup
Put Ice in the cup
Pour Diet Pepsi to the halfway mark
Pour Diet Dr. Pepper to the rim.
Let sit for at least 3 seconds to breathe properly.
Enjoy your "ROCCO"

When Life throws cans of soda and ice at you....Make a ROCCO!

Pork Verde Soup

Started with a basic stock and some pork chops and this is what popped into my mind....Enjoy

In a stock pot, chop up 6 medium potatoes, 3 carrots, and 1/4 stalk celery; boil in 2 quarts of water. Add salt and three RAW thick pork chops (or 4 thin ones) cut into 1 inch cubes. When veggies are cooked, add one large can of green enchilada sauce, one can corn drained, and one small can diced green chilies; stir. Add 2 cups of short pasta like Radiatori or Ditalini. Add 1 Tbsp ham base (in bouillon aisle) 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp granulated garlic and 1 tsp granulated onion; mix well. Cook until pasta is al dente. Serve with crumbled tortilla chips, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese. YUM!

Garlic Aioli Sauce (Garlic Mayo)

Trust me when I tell you that this recipe is a keeper. Simplistic in its ingredients, its versatility makes it so good on so many things. I like to use it on sandwiches, but it can be an awesome salad dressing as well.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp sea salt and 2 tsp lemon juice; mix well. Slowly drip in 1/2 cup olive oil, stirring constantly. The mixture will thicken as you stir. After stirring for about 2-3 minutes, add 1 tsp Italian seasoning and 1 tsp garlic salt. Mix well and refrigerate. Enjoy Gandy.

I made a sandwich on New Year's Eve that was out of this world. Here is the recipe: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice open some french bread; place on a baking sheet. Spread garlic aioli on both sides. Cover both sides with your favorite sliced cheese. (I prefer havarti or a smoked gouda.) Bake 4-6 minutes until cheese is melted. Heat sliced chicken breast and place on top of cheese (one side); pour some BBQ sauce on top of the chicken. Cover chicken breast with fresh spinach leaves and drizzle honey on top. Add more of the garlic aioli and finish off the sandwich. YUM!

New Years Fresh Salsa in 5 minutes

Here is a great idea for a quick party. I love any Mexican food and this was featured on KSL studio 5 last week. I made a couple of quick adjustments to make it even tastier. Enjoy Gandy

Take one can black beans with juice, one can mexi-corn (corn with Mexican twist), 2 medium sized tomatoes-diced, 1 bunch cilantro-chopped, 6 scallions (green onions) chopped, 1 medium red onion-diced, 2 avocados-diced, the juice of 2 limes and 1/4 cup rice vinegar. Mix well and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with chips or spread on a tostada shell and munch away. Very simple, fast, fresh and delicious.