Tag: Sauces

Garlic Balsamic Reduction Sauce

Balsamic Reduction Sauce

I have been attempting to perfect balsamic reduction sauce. I finally made one yesterday that I am quite pleased
with. My first attempt at making a balsamic reduction sauce resulted in a caramelized lump of goo. My second attempt was better, but not quite right. I decided that I needed a double boiler. So I ordered this one from Amazon and when it arrived I tried again. The double boiler and the brand of vinegar seem to be key to the success of the sauce. After a few tries, I am quite happy with yesterday’s result. On my first couple of attempts I used balsamic vinegar from Trader Joe’s. It was much too tart and I needed to add some brown sugar to it. Next I tried it with Bertolli balsamic vinegar. It was perfect with no added sugar. This sauce is excellent on vegetables, stir fry or meat. I will be making it again and again, trying different combinations of herbs and spices. Here is my recipe:

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Bertolli balsamic vinegar
  • 4 to 6 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced

Directions
Pour the vinegar and garlic in the top pan of a double boiler. Fill the lower pan of double boiler with water and bring to a boil. Gently simmer the vinegar and garlic for about 45 minutes or until reduced to 1 cup. Do not let the vinegar boil hard. Let cool and enjoy.

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Super Bowl Salsa


My daughter loves salsa and thinks that she has mastered the perfect salsa. She got the recipe from her Mexican friend, Monica and has been fine tuning it to her taste. Make it to go with those chips on Super Bowl Sunday. I know you will love it.

Ingredients

  • 20 or so tomatillos (the smaller the sweeter)
  • 2 to 3 jalapenos chiles or serrano peppers
  • 5 cloves fresh garlic
  • 1 sweet white onion
  • 1/2 bunch cilantro
  • 2 tbsp caldo de pollo (chicken bouillon)
  • large pinch of Mexican oregano

Directions
Put tomatillos, chiles, and garlic into boiling water, boil for 5 minutes until soft. Then put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate until flavors meld together. I like to refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.

Nani Tip
Mexican oregano and caldo de pollo can be found in the Mexican section of some grocery stores or at a Mexican market.

Easy Teriyaki Marinade

This is my favorite family recipe for a quick marinade. It is easy and the ingredients are ones that I always have on hand. I have used it for chicken, beef, pork and shrimp. I think I originally got it from the Betty Crocker Cookbook. It is great as a marinade for grilled meats.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil or salad oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons catsup
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed or 1 teaspoon garlic powder

      • Directions
      Mix all ingredients thoroughly

Whipped Cream Horseradish Sauce Served with Ham

Are you making a ham for the Holidays? Try this favorite recipe of mine for a special sauce to serve along with it. It is easy, special and good.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pint whipping cream, whipped stiff
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 ounces bottled horseradish

Directions
Beat whipping cream until stiff, add sugar. Stir in horseradish. Put in serving dish and chill. Serve on the side with ham.

Jim’s Favorite BBQ Sauce

Here is a quick and easy homemade BBQ sauce. This was always our family’s favorite recipe until we discovered Famous Dave’s sauce! I still like to make this one, too. It is easy, quick, and cheap.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder

Directions
Mix all together in saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve on ribs, chicken, pork, or anything that you like BBQ sauce on.

Sassy Green Salsa

This is a cherished favorite recipe that I received when a co-worker sweet talked a Mexican Restauranter into giving it to her. He made her swear to not tell his Mother! So their names shall remain anonymous. This is a simple recipe, but delicious.

Ingredients

  • 15 Tomatillos (aka green tomatoes), chopped fine
  • 3 Jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, chopped fine
  • 2 Tablespoons Cilantro leaves, chopped fine
  • 1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
  • 4 cloves fresh garlic, chopped fine

Directions
Mix all finely chopped ingredients together. And “NO lime juice” per our Mexican friend.

Easy Marinara Sauce

Marinara Sauce
Marinara Sauce
This is a super easy and delicious Marinara sauce and has become my favorite recipe for a tomato based sauce. You can add some ground beef to it to make a hearty meat sauce if you like.

Ingredients

  • 2- 14.5 oz cans of Italian tomatoes
  • 1- 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 6 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/3 cup finely diced onion
  • 1/2 cup red or white wine

Directions

  1. In a food processor or blender, place tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth.
  2. In a large skillet saute the chopped onion over a medium heat in the olive oil for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the blended tomato sauce and the wine.
  4. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve over your favorite pasta.