Tar-tar Sauce

Tar-tar Sauce

1/2 cup green onion (chopped)
1/2 cup dill pickle (chopped)
1 cup mayonnaise
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Garlic powder (to taste)
*for the last 3 ingredients, you probably only need about a 1/8 tsp. of each...

Combine ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours and serve:-)

Picture source: http://cloudberryquark.blogspot.com/2007/08/tartar-sauce.html

(Non-Alcoholic) Drinks on Me: Orange + Lemon= Punch

Orange + Lemon= Punch

1 (12 oz.) can of orange juice
1 (12 oz.) can of lemonade (frozen)
1 (2 liter) ginger ale
1 lemon
1 orange
Ice

Mix orange juice and lemon juice according to package directions in a mixing bowl. Add in the ginger ale and ice to taste. Mix ingredients well. Slice lemon and orange and place on top of the punch. Serve.

Johnna's Pick of the Week-Travel Edition- CAL-FOR-NI-A

Food, Drinks, Dancing...Oh, My!!

Table 8

Chef Govind has it under control here. Classic California cuisine meets the urban feel of New York. The pompano lobster bisque will make you want to make another trip to the Western coast and try this all over again. Or if that wasn’t enough, lounge around the bar with the cheese and pulled short ribs. While lounging around this spot, you’ll see in LA where the East meets the West and have a full stomach while taking it all in.

*Honorable Mentions

The Gaffey Street Diner: They seek to serve a whole army with one plate. Just kiddingJ. But really, this place gives you your moneys worth. For under $10 bucks you can have the 3 largest pancakes on this side of the Port with a side of eggs, bacon and coffee if you like. Plan to be full. Very full.

Pinks: The Rosie O’ Donnell dog…dee-lish! On your road to Hollywood, I mean literally to Hollywood, stop and taste the best hot dogs in Los Angeles.

Fisherman’s Wharf: A seafood foodies dream. Cracked whole crabs for under $10, lobster cracked and steamed fresh for under $20 and clam chowder made fresh and served in bread bowls. A seafood dream comes true!

Date Night

So it's date night and you want to impress the one your with...Below you'll find the perfect date night recipe!

*These recipes are easy, easy, easy but will make the other person think you slaved over the stove all day:-)

First Date Hurry Curry
1 cup lobster meat
1 onion (sliced)
3 oz. butter
2 tbsp. curry powder
1 tbsp. flour
salt (to taste)
1 cup milk (or goat milk)
1 lemon (juiced)
1 cup rice

Over medium heat add the butter and fry the onion slices. Mix flour, curry and salt together and then add to the fried onions. Add milk and simmer for an hour over low heat. Add more milk if mixture gets dry. Add lobster meat and lemon juice. Simmer for a half-hour. Cook rice according to package directions. Top rice with curry mixture and set the table for your most fabulous date!

*Johnna's tip: Serve with flat bread (found at your local grocery store) and a good bottle of wine.



Soo..things didn't work out in the kitchen...DON'T WORRY...try this!

Rasika

Offering the same effect of the lobster curry except this is the home of professional cooks bringing Indian spices to downtown D.C. The tandoori chicken or the lobster moilee should keep the night going smoothly despite any mishaps in the kitchen.

© 2007 johnnaknowsgoodfood.com

Frenchy Onion Soup

Frenchy Onion Soup

1 packet onion soup mix (onion mushroom mix is good also!)
2 cans beef consume
2 cans beef broth
5 onions (medium) (sliced)
1 packet sliced swiss cheese
Slow cooker

In the slow cooker, combine soup mix, consume, broth and onions. Turn slow cooker on either High (4 hours cooking time) or Low (8 hours cooking time). After desired cooking time is over, do a slow stir with a soup spoon and then ladle soup into a soup bowl. Turn on the broiler. Top the soup bowl with 1 slice of swiss cheese and put under the broiler for 3-4 minutes (until top is golden brown). Serve it up!

*Johnna’s tip: Before topping soup with swiss cheese, add your favorite bread or seasoned cracker, then top with swiss cheese and put under the broiler…Délicieux!

The Long Island Express (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

The Long Island Express

1 oz. vodka
1 oz. rum
1 oz. tequila
1 oz. gin
1 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp. sugar
4 oz. coke cola
Ice

In a tumbler, fill it halfway with ice. Pour the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, lemon juice and sugar into the tumbler and shake well. In a mixing glass filled halfway with ice, strain the ingredients in the tumbler with the coke cola, give a little stir and serve it up!

*Johnna's tip: Get a designated driver!

String Beans

String Beans

2 cups fresh green beans (ends cut off and washed) (or frozen green beans may be used)
1 potato
1 ham hock (turkey neck may be used)
Salt/pepper
1 tsp. Red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. garlic (minced)
1 tsp. onion powder

Bring a pot filled half-way with water to a boil. Add the ham hock and cook until you can stick a fork in it (seasons the water). Turn heat down to medium heat and add in string beans, potato, salt/pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic and onion powder. Cook until a fork can be stuck in the potato and string beans, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat and drain excess water from the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Smile and serve

*Johnna’s tip: Instead of using onion powder, slice 1 small onion and add to the pot with the string beans. This adds a nice flavor and treat for true onion lovers.

Sweet Like Me Iced Green Tea (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Sweet Like Me Iced Green Tea (Why green tea?? Because it's healthy!!)

1 gallon size pitcher
1 gallon of water
1 green tea bag
2 cups sugar (to taste, however)
Fresh mint (to taste)
2 lemons

In a large pot, heat the 1 gallon of water on the stove at high heat until it comes to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off heat and place the tea bag in the hot water. Let the tea bag sit in the pot until all of the water has turned into a light brown color. In the pitcher add the sugar and the fresh mint leaves. (*Johnna's tip: The amount of sugar and mint you add should be based on how sweet and minty you like your tea, I have a bit of a sweet tooth when it comes to tea, however...) Pour the water from the pot into the pitcher and stir the ingredients. Slice one of the lemons in half and squeeze the lemon juice into the pitcher, and discard the lemon. Slice the other lemon into 4 pieces and drop into the pitcher. Refrigerate for 6-8 hours and serve.

*Johnna's tip: Serve with a few spriggs of fresh mint and watch how people rave about your Sweet Like Me Iced Green Tea!

Late Night in the City

Hungry at 12 am, 2 am, or even 4 am?? Don't know where to go or order good food at this late hour?? Johnna Knows Good Food is on the case and discovered these tasty eateries for a late nite bite in the city

Finals (24 hours everyday)

Georgetown Cafe (D.C)

-Georgetowns cheapest excursion. Omelets, coffee and good company...try it;-)

Steak and Eggs (D.C)

-Small and off the beaten path, Johnna Knows Good Food is a big fan of Steak and Eggs. Perfect when you're in the mood for steak and eggs or just about any other breakfast food.

The Diner (D.C)

-What's your pleasure?? Burgers, breakfast, hot chocalate that makes your mouth water?? A must try while in the D.C area.

Tastee Diner (Bethesda, MD)

-Good ole fashioned diner food. As simple as that.

Bob and Edith's Diner (Arlington, VA)

-With 2 locations, 1 open 24 hours and the other til 1 am on weekdays, this is a staple in the northern Virginia diner experiences. Trying to eat late and sweet but feel good about that diet?? Wheat waffles never tasted so good.

24 Hours (Weekends)

Kramer Books & Afterwords Cafe (D.C.)

→Daily 1 am; Fri. & Sat. 24hr.

-Location, Location, Location. This place is located directly across the street from the Dupont metro stop. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served everyday until close...whatever fits your mood!

Broadway Diner (Rockville, MD)

→Mon.-Fri. 24hr.; Sat. & Sun. CLOSED

-Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes! The line is out the door on Sunday afternoons... Try at least one of their sweet delicacies on a late night food outing.

Annie's Paramount Steakhouse (D.C.)

→Mon.-Wed. 11:30 pm;Th. & Sun 1:30 am;Fri. & Sat. 24hr.

-Menu options the same as they were 30 years ago. Burgers and fries from a D.C classic.

Midterms (4 am or later-Weekends)

Five Guys (D.C)

→4 am weekends(Wisconsin); 12 am weekends(Chinatown)

-Burgers and Fries. D.C.'s own version of the West Coast's In and Out. These juicy burgers are worth one diet slip up.

Bistro Francais (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. & Sun. 3 am; Fri. & Sat. 4 am

-Mix it up a bit with this French eatery. Try some

Soupe à l’ Oignon (onion soup) or Oeufs Bénédict (eggs benedict with canadian bacon) at this late nite getaway to Paris in D.C.

Julia's Empenadas (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. 2:30 am; Fri. & Sat. 4am

-Quick and to the point. Chicken, Veggie, Fruity Empanada anyone??? Try the veggie, especially after partying at one of the hot spots near one of the 3 Julia's Empenadas locations.

Amsterdam Falafel Shop (D.C)

→Mon.-Wed. & Sun. 2:30 am; Th. 3 am; Fri. & Sat. 4 am

-Adams Morgan. Trying to avoid a hangover. Falafels made quick and easy. Enough said.

Quick Pita (D.C)

→Sun.-Th. 2:30 am; Fri. & Sat. 4:30 am

-Kebabs, spinach pie and falafels make Quick Pita a good pick for late nite eating in Georgetown.

Late Registration (2 am or later-Everyday!!)

The Childe Harold (D.C)

→Daily til 2 am

-All American favorites from the Wild Billy burger to the buffalo wings are the late nite stomachs answer.

Tryst (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. 2 am; Fri. & Sat. 3 am; Sun. 2 am

-Great place to study, read a good book, surf the web (free internet access) or to just have a quick bite and some tea with a friend.

Buffalo Billards (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. 2 am; Fri. 3 am; Sat. 3 am; Sun. 1 am

-Voted Johnna's Pick of the Week (December) for the best happy hour and now a Johnna Knows Good Food Top Five in the D.C. area for a great place to have the munchies while in Dupont.

Philadelphia CheeseSteak Factory (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. 2 am; Fri. & Sat. 4 am; Sun. 2 am

-Georgetown's tasty haven for All American late night food.

Old Glory Bar-B-Que (D.C)

→Mon.-Th. 2 am; Fri. & Sat. 3 am; Sun. 2 am

-Cravings for barbeque-anything should be fulfilled here. Ribs, sandwiches, burgers and more!

Orientation (11 pm-1 am closing time)

Zaytinya (D.C)

→Tue.-Th. 11:30 pm; Fri. & Sat. 12:30 am

-Yogurt fries, mezzes and greek cheeses that will make you think your sailing the Mediterranean Sea. Late nite fine cuisine at its best in the District.

Old Ebbitt Grill (D.C)

→Daily til 1 am

-The oldest saloon in D.C serving up steaks, mashed potatoes and more American favorites.

Bar Pilar (D.C)

→Daily til 1 am

-After a show at the Black Cat, your appetite should be ready for Bar Pilar's everchanging menu. Be prepared for anything from their garlic soup to mushroom risotto.

Meze (D.C)

→Sun.-Th. 1:30 am; Fri. & Sat. 2:30 a.m.

-In addition to the free belly dancing lessons on Sunday nights, Meze offers a vast array of dishes when looking for late nite Turkish cuisine in the District.

Stoney's Bar and Grill (D.C)

→1 am weekdays; 2 am weekends

-Traditional All American cuisine from a D.C. staple here since 1968.

Stuffed Up Peppers

Stuffed Up Peppers

½ package of lean ground beef/turkey meat and 1 tbsp. olive oil
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes (diced) (Italian seasoned tomatoes are good too!)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano (plus more for sprinkling)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups orzo (pasta that looks like rice: can be found at your local grocery store)
6 sweet bell peppers (red, yellow or orange)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and add meat. Cook meat until it’s browned and remove from heat; drain excess oil. Pour the tomatoes into a large bowl and add the cheese, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir to combine ingredients. In a pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 4-5 minutes (the orzo should be partially cooked). Add the orzo and meat to the bowl with the other vegetables. Stir the orzo, meat and vegetables together to combine. In a baking dish, add the chicken broth from the pot. Slice the tops off the peppers and remove all ribs and seeds. Cut a very thin slice from the base to help the peppers stand up. Place the peppers in the baking dish with the chicken broth. Spoon the orzo mixture into the peppers. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45-50 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the top of each pepper with cheese and continue baking until the cheese is golden, about 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve!

*Johnna’s tip: Want more cheesiness?? Add about a cup more to the recipe or use a different type of cheese such as parmesan or mozzarella.

Mango Rum Punch (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Mango Rum Punch

1/2 gallon mango nectar
1 quart passion fruit juice
1 quart pineapple juice
Rum (amount desired)

In a large punch bowl, combine all ingredients. Add ice. Garnish with fresh fruit. Serve in your best cocktail glasses!

Spicy Remoulade Sauce

Spicy Remoulade Sauce

1 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup chili sauce
2 tbsp. Creole mustard
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. hot sauce (to taste)
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 scallions (medium and chopped)
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
2 tbsp. green olives (chopped)
2 tbsp. celery (minced)
1 garlic clove (minced)
½ tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt (to taste)
½ tsp. pepper
1 tsp. capers (chopped)

In a bowl, mix up the mayonnaise, chili sauce, mustard, olive oil, hot sauce, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir in the scallions, parsley, olives, celery, capers, and garlic. Season to taste with the chili powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve it up with your favorite seafood dish: crab cakes, shrimp, fish, endless possibilities!

Calorie Friendly Strawberry Addiction (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Calorie Friendly Strawberry Addiction

1/3 cup dry milk
3/4 cup water
1/8 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup frozen strawberries
3 ice cubes
4 tsp. sugar

Pour ingredients into a blender and mix well. Drink and be healthy:-)

Johnna's Pick of the Week-Travel Edition- CAL-FOR-NI-A

Rest-tau-rante

The Stinking Rose

This place far from stinks. The aroma of garlic smacks you in the face as soon as you enter and what a pleasant smell it is!! The garlic French fries and the garlic Swiss fondue are good starts to be finished off with the must try forty clove garlic chicken or the garlic short ribs. The garlic ice cream puts an interesting spin on dessert too, so try it!! Garlic lovers should make this a stop on any tour through the Los Angeles area…

Johnna’s Knows Good Veggie Pizza

Johnna’s Knows Good Veggie Pizza

2- 6” pizza crusts
10 small mozzarella balls (halved)
1 jar pizza sauce
20 cherry tomatoes (halved)
½ bunch fresh basil (leaves only)

Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread the pizza sauce over the crusts and top with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese has melted and the crust is a golden brown color.

*Johnna’s tip: Have fun with this pizza. Add favorites such as mushrooms or fresh sautéed onions or whatever other veggies you like. Such a delightful treat!

Manhattan's Finest (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Manhattan's Finest

3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
2 1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey
1 dash Angostura bitters
1 maraschino cherry
1 twist orange peel

Combine the vermouth, bourbon whiskey, and bitters with 2 - 3 ice cubes in a mixing glass. Stir gently, you do not want to bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but do not drop it in. Now have a taste test by a fan of the Manhattan cocktail.

The Big, Easy Shrimp Scampi

The Big, Easy Shrimp Scampi

1 box fettuccine noodles
2 lbs. fresh large shrimp, peeled 1/4 cup onion (chopped) 4 garlic cloves (minced) 4 sprigs fresh parsley (chopped) 6-8 sliced white mushrooms 1/2 green pepper (chopped) 3/4 cup butter
1/4 cup dry white wine 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)

Cook fettuccine according to package directions. Sauté onion, garlic, parsley, mushrooms and green pepper in butter until tender. Reduce heat and add shrimp, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes. Remove shrimp to a bowl. Add other ingredients and simmer 2 more minutes. Then add saved shrimp. Spoon shrimp mixture over fettuccine and serve.

*Johnna’s tip: Top with your favorite cheese and toast or garlic bread

The Limelight (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

The Limelight

4 tbsp. reconstituted lime juice
1 cup water
2 tbsp. sugar
Ice

Mix all ingredients and pour over ice. Refresh yourself with limeade on a hot day!

*Johnna’s tip: Add some honey (about 1-2 tbsp.)…it’ll twist things up a bit;-)

No-Takeout Fried Rice

No-Takeout Fried Rice

2 eggs
1 tbsp. butter
1 onion (chopped)
3 tbsp. oil
½ cup green peas
½ cup corn
1 carrot (grated and peeled)
1 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp. fish sauce
2 tbsp. soy sauce (More can be added depending on how dark you want your rice and/or how much sodium you want in this dish.)
4 cups cold cooked rice

Scramble the eggs and put aside. In a frying pan, sauté onion in oil until it is transparent. Add in the vegetables and stir for about 3-4 minutes. Add in sugar, fish sauce and soy sauce and mix well. Add rice and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently or until all food is hot. Chop up the scrambled eggs and add them to the mixture. Serve it up in some fun Chinese take out boxes! (Can be found at your local Target)

Rumy Punch (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Rumy Punch

1 12 oz. can frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, undiluted
1-1/2 cups rum
Juice of 1 lemon
8 cups of ice (crushed)

Combine half of the first three ingredients in container of an electric blender; process until smooth. Gradually, add half ice and process until mixture reaches desired consistency. Repeat with remaining inconsistency. Repeat with ingredients. Serve up in your favorite glasses!

Is this Velvet?? Cream Cheesy Cupcakes

Is this Velvet?? Cream Cheesy Cupcakes

2 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 ½ cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk (should be at room temperature)
2 eggs (should be room temperature and lightly beaten)
2 tbsp. red food coloring
1 tsp. white distilled vinegar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

3-8 oz. cream cheese (should be at room temperature)
2 sticks of butter (softened)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners sugar (sifted)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin pans with paper muffin cups. Sift together the flour, baking soda, sugar, salt and cocoa powder in a bowl. In another bowl, beat together oil, eggs, buttermilk, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients to liquid ingredients and mix together until combined and smooth. Divide batter evenly in muffin cups and place in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick can be stuck in the center of the cupcake and it comes out clean. Let cool completely before adding frosting.

For the frosting: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until smooth. Add in the sugar and on a low speed, beat until totally mixed in. Increase the speed mixing the ingredients until light and fluffy.

Top cupcakes with frosting and serve up this delightful sweet treat!

Slow Motion Hot Chocolate (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks of Me:

Slow Motion Hot Chocolate

Slow cooker
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp, salt
1/3 cup sugar
3 cups milk (divided)
¾ tsp. vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
1 square or 1 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1 square or 1 oz. white chocolate
Whip cream

Combine sugar, cocoa, salt and ½ cup of the milk in a bowl and beat until smooth; pour in the slow cooker. Add in the remaining 2 ½ cups milk and vanilla, cover and cook Low for 2 hours. Add in the cream, cover and cook Low for 10 minutes. Stir in the bittersweet chocolate and white chocolate until melted. Serve up the hot chocolate with a little whip cream and warm up those cold winter nights!

Johnna's Pick of the Week-Travel Edition- CAL-FOR-NI-A

Happy, Happy Hour

Sevilla

Sevilla the restaurant can actually take you back through the southern Spanish city of Sevilla. Tapas, Paella and Flamenco! Yes, they have flamenco shows on Saturdays, so this should really take you back to Sevilla, Spain. When in the Southern California area, Sevilla’s happy, happy hour is worth a try if you’re in the mood for tapas (which are half off all signature tapas) or sangrias (which are a nice $6 bucks during happy hour).

Fried, Green Okra

Fried, Green Okra

1 pound okra (Washed and drained)
½ tsp. salt
Pepper (to taste)
1½ cups buttermilk
2 cups self-rising cornmeal
Vegetable oil

Remove the tips and ends of the okra and cut into about ½“ slices. Sprinkle salt and pepper on okra and add to buttermilk, stirring until okra is covered. Let it stand for 15-20 minutes and drain okra. Dip okra in cornmeal. In a hot skillet filled with the vegetable oil, fry the okra until it is golden brown and drain the okra on a paper towel. Serve up as an appetizer or side dish and enjoy!

Russian Roulette (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Russian Roulette

2 oz. Vodka (the better quality of the Vodka, the better the drink)
1 oz. coffee liqueur (ex. Kahlua)
1 oz. light cream
ice

Pour vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in a glass and fill the remainder of the glass with cream OR pour vodka, liqueur and cream in a tumbler with ice, shake and pour in the serving glass. Enjoy!!

Quick and Eazy Homemade Pancakes

Quick and Eazy Homemade Pancakes

2 cups flour
2 cups milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt

In a bowl, beat eggs and put aside. In another bowl blend flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. Add the butter, milk and eggs to the dry ingredients and stir until well blended (no lumps). Spray a non-stick frying pan with pan spray or light oil and heat until there is a sizzle from a drop of water. Spoon about 1 ½ to 2 tbsp. of pancake mixture into the pan (depending how large you want your pancakes) and cook until bubbles rise in each pancake. Flip and cook until golden brown on each side. Serve them up fresh and hot!

*Johnna’s tip: Serve with fresh strawberries or blueberries and some maple syrup…what a wonderful meal to wake up to!

The Strawberry Milkshake (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks of Me:

The Strawberry Milkshake

8 oz. strawberries
2 tbsp. sugar
4 oz. vanilla ice cream
½ pint milk

Puree strawberries with sugar (a sieve may be used for this). Add in the ice cream and milk until smooth. Serve it up in your favorite old fashioned milkshake glasses!

*Johnna’s tip: Take the ice cream out of the refrigerator about 10-15 minutes before making this shake to allow the ice cream to soften a bit before being processed.

Cha, Cha, Cha, Fresh, Fresh, Fresh Salsa!

Cha, Cha, Cha, Fresh, Fresh, Fresh Salsa!

4 green onions (sliced thinly)
1 purple onion (chopped)
3 medium tomatoes (diced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
2 serrano peppers (chopped)
1 hot chili pepper (chopped)
1 jalapeno pepper (seeds and veins removed and finely chopped)
1 tsp. dried red pepper
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro (chopped)
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 green chilies (chopped)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
Chili powder (to taste)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

*Johnna’s tip: Make this a delightful appetizer by topping with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh guacamole on the side.

Johnna Knows a Good Appletini (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Johnna Knows a Good Appletini

4 parts Vodka
2 parts Apple Pucker
1 part Butterscotch Schnapps

Pour ingredients in a tumbler with ice, shake and serve up the Appletini in your favorite martini glasses.

*Johnna's tip: Stemless martini glasses. Get some. They're great!

Lamb Soup

Lamb Soup

1/2 cup canned chicken broth
1 onion (chopped)
1 tsp. garlic clove (minced)
14 1/2 oz. canned diced tomatoes (undrained)
15 oz. canned chickpeas
2 tsp. ginger root (fresh and grated)
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. table salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Put lamb in the slow cooker and add the other ingredients minus the lemon juice. Stir to make sure all ingredients are mixed. Cover and cook for 7-8 hours on Low. Add the lemon juice and allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Ladle into your favorite soup or bread bowls and enjoy!

Yaay for Mimosa’s…Virgin that is! (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks of Me:

Yaay for Mimosa’s…Virgin that is!

¼ cup sparkling cider
¼ cup orange juice
½ lemon (squeezed)

Fill a wine or champagne glass with cider, orange juice and lemon juice. Give it a small stir and serve it up!

*Johnna’s tip: This should served chilled. To ensure that it is chilled make sure all ingredients are cold at the time of mixture.

Johnna's Pick of the Week-Travel Edition- CAL-FOR-NI-A

Sweet Tooth

Spago

LA’s elite, must see’s, seen to be seen, blah, blah, blah…well they all frequent this spot and you can see why: the open kitchen, good food and good conversation. What comes to mind is an up-upscale, smaller Maggiano’s (without the massive portions) or the Cheesecake Factory (without the massive portions). Amongst the many great facets of this restaurant is this small jewel they have hidden in the dessert menu: sticky toffee pudding date cake. This is some good cake. No really. Try it.

Absolutely Smothered Chicken

Absolutely Smothered Chicken

1 ready-cut chicken pieces (about 4 lbs.)
1 tsp. seasoning or regular salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 chopped onions
2 chopped celery ribs
1/2 chopped bell pepper
1/2 tsp. crushed dried rosemary
1 qt. of chicken broth

Salt and pepper the chicken pieces and roll in the flour.Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and brownon both sides. Remove chicken and set aside after browning.Pour off the oil from the skillet reserving about 4 tbsp.Reduce heat and add the onions, celery, bell pepper and rosemary.Cook until tender and transparent (approx. 5-6 min.)Sprinkle about 4 tbsp. of flour over the mix and stir.Slowly stir in the chicken broth and bring to simmer.Add the browned chicken to the broth, reduce heat and cover.Simmer until the chicken is cooked through (approx. 40-45 min.).
Remove the chicken to a serving dish. If the gravy is notthick enough, cook over high heat until thickened to your desired preference.Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Pour over thechicken. Serve!

Sangria's on Me (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Sangria’s on Me

2 bottles red wine or dry white wine 1 cup Grand Marnier Juice of 2 lemons 1 lemon (sliced) 1 orange (sliced)
1 qt. seltzer water
Ice
*pre-packaged frozen fruit

Combine all ingredients in large pitcher with ice or chill overnight. Serve over ice. Garnish with frosty (nearly frozen) fruits and long slivers of the fresh orange peel.

*Johnna’s tip: Use pre-packaged frozen fruits (can be found in your local grocery store) to garnish, it’s easier and just as tastier as fresh fruit.

Easy Cold Spinach Dip

Easy Cold Spinach Dip

1 16 oz. container sour cream
1 envelope Vegetable Soup Mix
1 package frozen chopped spinach dip

Heat spinach according to package directions. Allow to cool completely. In a bowl, mix together soup mix, sour cream and spinach. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours. Serve it up as an appetizer or snack on this good treat with some lime tortilla chips!!

Shirley Temples a Virgin (Non-Alcoholic)

Shirley Temples a Virgin

6 oz. lemon lime soda
6 oz. watermelon juice
2 tsp. confectioners sugar (feel free to add more if needed)
ice (desired amount)
1 cherry

Combine ingredients in a tumbler/mixer. Strain and pour mixture over ice into glass. Drop cherry in the glass and sip on this watermelon Shirley Temple.

Just How You Like "Em BBQ Wings

Just How You Like "Em BBQ Wings

3 pounds chicken wings
3 tbsp. brown sugar
2 drops Worchestshire sauce
4 cups ketchup
1 onion (chopped)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the small piece of the chicken wing off. Mix the ketchup, onion, brown sugar and sauce together. Dip the wings in the sauce. In a baking dish, align the wings about an inch apart and bake for 1 1/2 hours. If there is extra sauce, pour remainder in the baking dish or over the chicken half way through the baking time. Serve with your favorite veggie or carb choice!

*Johnna's tip: After you have cleaned the chicken and before you have dipped it in the sauce, season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder and cajun seasoning (just a sprinkle of each) for a little more flavor. Add some red pepper flakes to spice things up.

Strawberry Delight (Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

Strawberry Delight

1 bottle of Malibu rum
1 bottle of strawberry daiquiri mix
1 carton of pineapple orange banana juice
crushed ice

Chop ice in a blender. Fill 1/3 of the blender with each ingredient and blend until mixed well. Serve.

Shrimp Cacciatore

Shrimp Cacciatore

12 oz. angel hair spagetti
shrimp (desired amount) (peeled and deveined)
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 cup chicken broth
28 oz. can diced tomatoes (in juice)

Cook spagetti according to package directions. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. In a pan/skillet, heat oil. Slightly brown shrimp and brown onions, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, oregano and broth. Bring to a boil. Add tomatoes and simmer until shrimp is done and sauce thickens; about 7-8 minutes. Spoon sauce mixture over pasta and serve!

*Johnna's tip: Taste the sauce before spooning over the pasta, you may want to add a little more salt and pepper. Also, add some crushed red pepper to sizzle things up a bit.

The Innocent Mai-Tai (Non-Alcoholic)

Drinks on Me:

The Innocent Mai-Tai

6 oz. orange juice
6 oz. pineapple juice
grenadine (dash)
orgeat syrup (dash)
sweet & sour mix (dash)

Pour ingredients over ice and serve it up!

*Johnna's tip: Shake the ingredients together before pouring in serving glass over ice.