Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 19

Photo by Mark Thomas

We need not all like a person’s personality in order to recognize his courage, especially when the nation and world needs it most dearly.

“Abraham Lincoln did not go to Gettysburg having commissioned a poll to find out what would sell in Gettysburg. There were no people with percentages for him, cautioning him about this group or that group or what they found in exit polls a year earlier. When will we have the courage of Lincoln?”

— Robert Coles (1929 – )
American author, child psychologist, and Harvard University Professor Emeritus

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

— Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
German-born theoretical physicist; developed the theory of relativity

If you are of a certain age, you may well recall tuna casseroles topped with potato chips. For National Corn Chip Day, we suggest topping your dish with Fritos… regular or scoop-style, or any other chip made from corn meal, such as tortilla chips.

Or whip up a Super Simple Taco Pie with ground beef or shredded rotisserie chicken! Yummy comfort food on a cold winter’s day.

Super Simple Taco Pie
This is one scrumptious comfort food on a cold winter’s day!

1 lb lean ground beef
1 large (or 2-3 small) sweet onion, chopped
1 pkg dry taco seasoning mix
10 oz red enchilada or taco sauce (medium spiciness)
10-oz can Ro-Tel diced tomatoes & chilies, & juices
1 c corn (fresh or frozen)
15 oz can black beans, drained & rinsed
10 oz bag Fritos (scoop-style), divided
3 c shredded Monterey Jack or pepperjack cheese or Mexican combo
1 or 2 slim green onions (green parts only), thinly sliced
Garnishes & toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, chopped avocado, salsa, additional Fritos scoop chips, sliced black olives, hot sauce, crispy bacon bits, hot or mild banana pepper rings, pickled jalapeño rings, or finely diced sweet pepper

Brown beef in large skillet over med heat, along with the onions, stirring to crumble the beef. Stir in taco seasoning mix and sauce. Then add the Ro-Tel, corn, and beans. Bring to a simmer and let cook, stirring often for 4-5 minutes.

Meanwhile, spread 4 c Fritos in bottom of olive oil-sprayed 13×9” baking dish, turning open sides of scoops to face upwards. Sprinkle 1½ c cheese over the chips before spreading evenly with meat mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top, sprinkle with green onions, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, crumble 1 c of remaining Frito chips. Sprinkle them over the melted cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Serve with your choice of garnishes & toppings on the side. Makes 4-6 servings.

KISS Tips: Do not freeze this dish before or after baking as the chips will turn to mush. Serve on its own or with a green salad on the side. You can also replace the beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or browned ground turkey or chicken or other protein of your choosing. Make your own taco seasoning mix by combining 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp each: smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper (or cayenne, if you like it hot).

KISS Variation: Turn this into Super Simple Taco Dip by omitting the Fritos chips in the mixture and bake this as a dip, including as much or as little cheese as you prefer, and serving with the scoop-style Fritos on the side as dippers.

Photo by Jelleke Van Ooteghem

“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err.”

— Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Indian lawyer, spiritual & political leader, and nonviolent resistance advocate

Photo by Victoria Romulo

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”

– Irish proverb

Let me espouse my spouse on National Spouses Day (which falls on the 24-and 1/2 anniversary of our first date). Sir Ronald is the craziest, smartest, funniest, loveliest man I could ever have married. I am blessed (& burdened) by his “everythingest” to the max! The pic is from our honeymoon in 2001. Ahhh… so young. Okay. Okay. Middle-aged, but younger than we are now! Happy Spouses Day!

“It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.”

— Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945)
American engineer, professor, and physicist
Credited with building the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket

For Lobster Thermidor Day, I open my 2017 cookbook Lobacious Lobster. Among the “Decadently Super Simple Recipes” is KISS Lobster Thermidor (page 89), ideal for Lobster Thermidor Day!

KISS Lobster Thermidor
The first time I was served a Lobster Thermidor in a restaurant, I was wide-eyed and overwhelmed by the richness and unrelenting decadence. When I figured out how simply it could actually be made, I felt giddy. Naturally, I simply must let you enjoy this pleasure, as well.

6 whole lobsters (1 and ½ to 2 lb size), steamed & cut in half lengthwise
4 T melted butter
¼ c Dijon mustard
6 T butter
6 T flour
1 c milk
2 c heavy or whipping cream
1 c coarsely grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper, to suit your taste
2 T butter (not melted)

Remove the meat from the lobsters, cutting into large chunks & saving 4 of the half shells to use as your “dishes.” Brush the insides of the 4 shells you will use as dishes with 4 T melted butter, followed by the mustard. Set aside in baking pan with edges. Mound the lobster meat from the 6 lobsters into the 4 prepared “dishes.” In a saucepan, melt 6 T butter over low heat & stir in the flour. Remove from the heat and gradually add the milk, stirring until smooth. Return to the low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Stir in the cream, 1/3 of the cheese and salt & pepper to suit your taste. Pour the sauce over the 4 filled lobster halves. Sprinkle with remaining cheese & dot with remaining butter. Bake at 400°F for just 6-8 minutes. Serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

KISS Tips: This is also lovely with the addition of sautéed sliced mushrooms. If you find coral (eggs) in the lobsters, you can mix it in with the cream to add to the sauce near the end. If it is your preference, you could also save it for another use. We also suggest serving lemon wedges and sprigs of fresh parsley as garnishes on each lobster.

Photo by Daniel Mirlea

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
English author & philologist

Photo by Eugene Chrstiakov

“Calmness is the cradle of power.”

— Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819 – 1881)
American novelist & essayist