It wasn’t until I started working at as a cook that I realized that these peppers can be made at home, it just never dawned on me until then. The first recipe came out just ok, but I was excited to make them. After a few months I changed it a bit and still they weren’t great, but I was happy just to make them. Now after a few years I have this recipe and I Love result. If you rather have a crispy crunchy pepper this recipe might disappoint. The peppers are soft and melt in your mouth. Maybe a little later I will post another recipe that will include a crispy pepper.

Use any pepper you want from jalapeños, serranos, habanero, sweet banana peppers. Any fresh pepper will do. you can even season them any way you like. So many possibilities and of course they are very versatile.

This recipe will give you a different approach to pickling them. I will sauté them until the skin blisters, making them easier to peel. I will be peeling the skin off these peppers. peeling them is not necessary, it’s just a preference, also if removing the seeds is your thing, do it.

Let’s get started.

You will need:

1 lb. serrano peppers

1 small onion sliced

2 small carrots sliced

1 clove garlic sliced

1 cup vinegar

1 1/2 cups water

1 tbsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 cup oil

1-quart sized wide mouth mason jar

Use a large sauté pan to blister the peppers and sauté the onions and carrots. Turn your stove on to medium hi heat and heat up the pan, add the oil and place the peppers in gently. There will be some splattering almost immediately so be careful. This step should go quick, try not to let them burn, you just want them soft with a blistered skin. take the peppers out when done.

Add the carrots and let them cook for about 1 minute, then add the onions. Cook them together for 1 more minute and take off the heat. In a medium saucepan add water, vinegar and salt. Let it come up to a slow boil and remove from the heat.

Peel the serranos, it should be easy to do after they cool down. At this point you can remove the seeds and cut them in long strips, it just depends on you.

Once you have them peeled, in a quart sized jar with a wide mouth, layer the carrots, onions and peppers. Also add the oregano, garlic and black pepper. after laying all the ingredients add the liquid brine and close the jar with a lid.

Let cool down then transfer to the refrigerator for at least a day. These peppers are ready an hour after it cools but they are even better after a few days. Eat them as a side to any meal. They quickly become the main attraction. Experiment with different peppers, seasonings, herbs and how they are prepared. Change it to fit you.

This is just one of a few recipes that I have posted. I have no experience creating content but here I am doing what I love to do and sharing with others. I hope to get better as I go. Please enjoy.

The post The Best Pickled Peppers appeared first on joseoffthecuff.com.

Scones

2 cups All Purpose Flour

1/3 cup Brown Sugar or Light Brown Sugar

1 Tbsps. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter cut into small pieces

3/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 cup Pecans roughly chopped

Icing

1 cup Powdered Sugar

2-3 Tbsp. Heavy Whipping Cream

1-2 tbsp. Maple Extract

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Cut butter into small pieces, about 1/4 inch pieces. Keep butter cold by placing it in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 10 minutes

In large mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients and mix well with a whisk or fork. Add cold butter and coat each piece with the flour. Take a piece of butter and squeeze it as flat as possible. This will create layers within the dough to make it lighter and tender. Add the pecans, then add the heavy whipping cream. Mix gently until you have a ball of rough ball of dough. Knead it gently until there’s no dry flour and it holds it’s shape. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to rest the dough.

Take a small bowl and add powdered sugar, maple extract and heavy whipping cream. Mix together, check for consistency. If to firm add another tablespoon of whipping cream until you it has a slight running  consistency, if to runny add more powdered sugar. Place aside until you are ready for the scones.

On a flour surface take the dough and again, gently rollout the dough, flour just as needed. Roll out a 7 inch circle. Cut out 8 wedges and place on a greased cookie sheet or place parchment paper on cookie sheet first then arrange wedges on the paper.

At this point take a pastry bush and coat the tops of the dough with some heavy whipping cream, just to give them a nice sheen or you can skip this step. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, just until golden brown.

Take the scones out of the oven when ready, let them rest until they cool down enough so when you drizzle the icing, so it doesn’t just melt away. When they are cool enough drizzle the icing with a fork or spoon and let them rest for a few minutes or eat right away. They will have a slight crumble to them and taste amazing warm. Have them with some jelly, jam or honey if you like. They will keep in the refrigerator for a few days, if they last that long.

I hope you enjoy these scones. They have been my favorite for a few years and my go to when I bake. Always a hit at work, they get devoured there. The dough is a basic scone dough and you can add any flavoring and other things to it like dried cranberries , chocolate chips, other type of nuts, fresh berries. The dough is very versatile. Have fun making them for family and friends.

The post Pecan Scones appeared first on joseoffthecuff.com.

As I mentioned , I was surprised by the many shops that are located here. Now there is some walking involved, so make sure you’re up for it. There are wheel chair accessible parking spaces and ramps to get in and out of the shops, so there’s no reason you can’t see the everything here. Kids are also going to enjoy the toy shops, candy stores, ice cream parlor, doll hospital, there’s just so much to do.

Restaurants are in abundance, from BBQ, pizza, tacos, funnel cakes, burgers and on and on. You simply can’t go hungry here. Some of the eateries are in one spot so you do have to walk from on end to the other and everyone can stay together. There’s also a coffee shop at the West entrance, that in my opinion has one of the best lattes. If you love coffee this place has it, plus wine and tea. I will post a link of the directory of all the shops and services at the end of this review , so please visit the their site.

There is some history here that I found interesting. Seems this was a Railroad Hub back in the late 1800’s and it was a trading settlement before that. It had French, Spanish and German settlers that traded with the local Indians in the early 1800’s before Texas won it’s Independence from Mexico. Merchants came in to open up there shops and soon colonized the area. There was a Lumber Mill, Saloons, Banks, an Opera House, and a Hospital. Other stores and shops of course , it was a busy time before declining around the Great Depression and Prohibition, and some time before that the railroad workers, worked there way to Houston which started the decline more or less.

Around the 1960’s seems Old Town Spring came back with economic growth to the State and the city of Houston. It has become a favorite destination for visitors in the local area and around the world. It’s one of the top destinations in in Texas and with year round events it’s always drawing people in to experience Old Town Spring. There’s so much to do and enjoy here. I didn’t get to walk the entire area, and I’m hoping to when I come back soon. Maybe during the Holiday season and see what they do, it’s not enough to just look at pictures for me. Can’t wait for the spring festival and all other events that take place. Come By and visit, bring the family, hang out with friends and have a great time. I definitely think we need more places like this in every city.

Here’s a few other links about Old Town Spring that I just enjoyed reading.

https://oldtownspring.com/info/history/

https://oldtownspringshopping.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-Map-Address-Directory-4.pdf

https://www.tripsavvy.com/guide-to-old-town-spring-5076839

https://southwritlarge.com/articles/the-curse-of-old-town-spring/

The post Old Town Spring appeared first on joseoffthecuff.com.

Pico de Gallo is a staple in the Hispanic culture. Also called salsa fresca or salsa cruda. it is a condiment that takes center stage. It’s what we must have at the table along with tortillas and rice. It adds so much flavor to just about anything you put it on. It’s tangy, spicy, fresh and colorful. I’ve made tacos with just pico in them. Just that alone makes me happy, well just eating makes me happy.

This recipe is simple, you can change it any way you want, for this post I will keep it basic. I will however post an alternative recipe later, that changes it completely.  For here it is.

• 6 roma tomatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 2-3 jalapeños
• half bunch of cilantro
• juice of 1 lime
• 2 tbsp. granulated garlic or use 2 fresh cloves finely minced
• salt to taste

In a large bowl add tomatoes, onion chopped about 1/4 inch dice. Now whether you like the heat from the peppers chop them to 1/4 inch dice also, if you don’t seed the peppers and then chop and add them to the bowl. rough chop the cilantro and then add lime juice , garlic and salt. At this point just mix well with a large spoon and your done. It’s ready, place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Simple.

The post Pico de Gallo appeared first on joseoffthecuff.com.

This was a great experience for the family. Kids will enjoy the tractor ride, the haystack maze, playground and the food. Plenty of pumpkins of all types. Jack-o-lantern, pie pumpkins and heirloom. Come out and enjoy the day with family and friends. Entrance is on Lusk Lane, be careful it’s only a two lane road and there is some traffic. They take credit, debit, and of course cash. Staff is friendly, very helpful and taking Covid19 precautions. I went on a Sunday and was told that because of covid19 they were opening at 12:15 and not at 9:00 am, so call ahead for times. Again great place for the entire family. So let the pin drop and explore your local area or go on  a road trip and get to know the great places Texas has to offer.

The post A Pumpkin Patch In Flower Mound appeared first on joseoffthecuff.com.