Chimichurri Salsa

So, you know I am into food flavors and flavor combinations, the balance, the taste, the herbs, the freshness, the delight in tasting something and going, Oooooooom!  You should know that I love watching the cooking shows - mainly for new ideas, different techniques, other food cultures, etc., and how I came across Chimichurri.  While I imagine most cultures have some form of it, I sought an authentic preparation from Argentina, of course, with my own personal tweaks!

Mariby's Home-Made Chimichurri Salsa

Well, because, it just goes with almost everything, savory!  A finishing touch to any dish, I make a batch weekly to keep in the fridge for me and Grannie to boost the flavor of anything from prepared dishes of meats, pasta, vegetables to a sandwich spread. 

Chimichurri is an oil-based salsa, essentially made with Parsley, Oregano, Garlic, Red Hot Peppers, Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar, used most often as a marinade and/or finisher of grilled meats, poultry and fish.  Though, again, I find that it goes with just so many things.  I also found that, well, sometimes I just don't have fresh parsley, so, I use whatever fresh greens I have on hand and for me, that would be Kale.

Mariby's Recipe for Chimichurri Salsa

• 1 cup Parsley (finely chopped; but, I use also Kale, Basil or whatever Leafy Greens on hand)

• 6-8 Garlic Cloves (finely chopped; Grannie & I like a lot of garlic)

• 1 Small Red Chili Pepper (finely chopped; I don't prefer it too hot)

• 1 Jalapeno Pepper (finely chopped or whatever fresh hot peppers you have on hand)

• 1 cup Olive Oil

• 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar (alternatively, I use apple cider vinegar)

• 1+1/2 tsp Dried Oregano

• 1/2 tsp Salt (to taste)

• 1/4 tsp Pepper (to taste)

Note that I sometimes like to add finely chopped onions, some lemon pulp and a dash of honey, or whatever comes to mind to try and, that's it!  Just mix it all up in bowl; refrigerate and well, try it on just anything savory! 

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Mariby Corpening's

Chimichurri Salsa

The finisher for so many dishes!

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

#ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

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Ready-Made Holiday Spread

My New Year's Eve Birthday Party was indeed the best of all my birthdays!  I was so excited about the occasion (my very first birthday party in 56 years), I mean, my guests, the dance, the music, the DJ (JaythaRealist), the themed holiday decor (Elegant Bundles by Ericsson Brown), the ambiance, but nothing more than...my food! 

Mariby Corpening's New Year's Eve Birthday Bash

Not my usual breakfast spread, and I had to enlist the help of - forgive me for even thinking this, but, well, ready-made preparations.  I struggled with this, for how could I, me, Mariby, serve food that is not made by me - from scratch.  Though, for such a huge occasion (My Birthday AND New Year's Eve), I had to give in and acknowledge that I just can't do it all - just too many guests to wow, too much to do, not enough time, not enough energy; but, what I could do was make it quality and make it classy and, of course, as always, I make it my own.  For example, by adding my touches with the sauces I made from scratch.  My guests raved over my home-made (always in my fridge)  Chimichurri Sauce - just goes with so many things - as a marinade, as a finisher, as spread on a sandwich.  Grannie and I have some everyday!  I made a big bowl of it and placed it in the middle of my spread of chicken wingettes; but, you could dollop it over your broiled salmon, I even mixed some in with ready-made Quinoa Salad to bump up the flavor - that's what it is, a Flavor Booster! All said, no matter! #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

My guests could not stop talking about my home-made Chimichurri Sauce (that green stuff in the middle)

The key is to make the preparations easy on you (Salmon and Shrimp), make some things and buy some ready-made, but quality menu items.  Around the holidays, that's easy!  No time to make a cake, so a sheet cake from your favorite bakery or grocery, platters of food, pre-cooked & cut ham (with my own home-made glaze), ready-made meatballs (and I made the Swedish Meatball sauce), pre-mixed salads (and I added my own flavors), pre-cut cheeses (and I added a fresh fruits display), I ordered the wings from America's Best Wings (and added my Chimchurri as the finishing sauce).  Though, my guests didn't get to enjoy, I did make my own slider cheeseburgers, that never even made it to the table!  But that next day, oh, they were oom, oom good!  So, yes, it is possible to do it all and make it classy, tasty and memorable! 

Finally, I thank all my guests, who braved the chilling temperatures to celebrate with me and, I must thank those who helped me put this all together, including the DJ Jaytharealist, Elegant Bundles by Ericsson Brown, Joe Allison's Handyman Services, My Daughter with just all her youthful energy and strength, and especially My Awesome Moma - Grannie - My Super Shero!

Your Comments Are Welcomed!

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Mariby Corpening's

Ready-Made Holiday Spread

including My Guests & All the Trimmings

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

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Blueberry Biscuits

Oh, I know you've had Bojangles' Boberry Biscuits?  My first time, I was in North Carolina, playing The Fun Auntie, so I had a car full of my nieces and nephews and somebody yelled out, ... and some of those biscuits too!  We ordered a dozen, so we had to pull over and wait, which means, we got them hot out of the oven and man-o-man!  We all sat in the car smacking on those blueberry biscuits.  So, good, we drove back the next day and specifically asked that they be hot out of the oven - and again, right there in the car in the parking lot, we indulged in the oom, oom goodness!  A beautiful memory being with maybe only 4 or 5 of my now, 30+ nieces and nephews, me, ReRe, Auntie! #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

This recipe is dedicated to All of My Nieces & Nephews (30+), whom, though distant, inspired me to make these!

Anyway, I vowed that day that I would make them myself, of course from scratch with fresh blueberries and I like a citrus icing and man-o-man!  So, what I did was use My Buttermilk Biscuit recipe and the only difference is the cooking time.  For these biscuits, you want them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, so twice as long 30-40 minutes depending on your oven's temperature(425 F) and the size of your biscuits.

Recipe for My Blueberry Biscuits

To make the biscuits, we start with My Recipe Mariby Corpening's Infamous Buttermilk Biscuits. 

From there, only a few additions, to include:

• Folding in 2 cups of blueberries

• Baking twice as long - 30-40 minutes - until the outside is crispy brown

• Making a quick Citrus Icing, I like to add a tablespoon of either orange or lemon juice

  • 2 cups of Powered Sugar

  • 4 Tbls Butter (melted)

  • 2 Tbls of Milk

  • 1 to 2 Tbls of Lemon (or Orange) Juice

  • 1 tsp Vanilla

  • Pinch of Salt (optional)

COMMENTS WELCOMED!

I prefer them served HOT out of the oven and light drizzle of citrus icing!

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Mariby Corpening's

Blueberry Biscuits

With Fresh Blueberries & Citrus Icing

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

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Some of Mariby's Favorites

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Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Lasagna is something I make only once a year, most often a request from my daughter.  But for this occasion, it's for one of my sisters, who just had a baby (over 30 nieces & nephews, me, ReRe).  Just too many of us to buy gifts, but what I will do is cook something special for you.  So, my sister, requested My Roasted Vegetable Lasagna and Apple Pie.  #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

Each time I make Lasagna, we dive into it so fast, I forget to take the picture! This time, well, I had to take a picture of only a slice, because we were already in it!

Family Favorite Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Oh and my sister's family are vegetarians, so no meat.  Oh man, I used to love sausage and ground beef in my lasagna; though now, unbelievably, I enjoy the vegetables more than the meat lasagna.  I can appreciate that it doesn't feel so heavy in my belly!  So, anyway, I try to keep it fresh and easy and here's what I do:

Easy Steps

• Turn on your oven to 450 degrees

• Prepare a sheet pan with foil (for easy clean up)

• Prepare your tomato sauce in medium pot. I take a can of crushed sauce, small can of tomato paste and a can of fire roasted tomatoes, pour them in a pot, season and on medium heat, cook for about 30-45 minutes

• Cut in nice size chunks your fresh vegetables (tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic, etc.) to include any of your favorites

• Sprinkle with olive oil, a little salt, some black pepper and I like rosemary, too

• Place on the low rack in the oven and bake for 30 minutes

• When the vegetables and sauce are done, begin to build your layers

• In a deep square pan, ladle a little sauce, flat Lasagna pasta, vegetables, flat pasta, cheeses (Sharp, Jack & Mozzerella) and repeat a second time, ending with, of course, cheese on top

• I love some fresh basil and Parmesan Cheese, too

• Place your pan on a larger sheet pan with foil to catch the drippings

• Bake for one hour

• Garlic bread and a green salad!

Your Comments Are Welcomed!

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Mariby Corpening's

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

I promise you won't miss the meat!

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

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“Things That Make You Go, Oooooooom!”

— From A Family Fued TV Game Show

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Strawberry Shortcake

With stuff just hanging out in my refrigerator, you know, of course, I've always got, well, my infamous buttermilk biscuits (scratch-made and warm from the oven) and strawberry preserves (which I make a few times a month) and, while I'll admit that someone actually bought me some vanilla ice cream, man-o-man, it just tastes delicious!  Fresh, not too sweet, not fake!  [You know what I mean?] #ThingsThatMakeYouGoOom

Fresh & Easy Strawberry Shortcake

Fresh & Easy because it's makings are always around; so, it's my go to, especially when I have unexpected guests.  It's a plate of sweet love with even some fresh summer strawberries to garnish.  If you've had my biscuits and preserves before, this will blow you away!  Oh, just wait until you experience my Strawberry Shortcake.  Just one of those things that makes you go,  Oooooooom! 

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED (below)!

Mariby Corpening's

Easy Strawberry Shortcake

With warmed biscuits & Home-Made Strawberry Preserves

Descriptions, Recipes & Images by Mariby CorpeningTM

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“Things That Make You Go, Oooooooom!”

— From A Family Fued TV Game Show