SHRIMP AND CHORIZO QUESADILLAS WITH SMOKY GUACAMOLE

This is one of my favorite Rachel Ray recipes from her 30 minute meals show and with the upcoming Super Bowl, I just had to share it with you. This is quick and easy to make and it packs incredible flavor outburst!!

Shrimp and Chorizo Quesadillas w/Smoky Guacamole (serves 4) 
Feel free to adjust ingredients to accommodate the size of your party

• 2 ripe Haas avocados
• 1 lime, juiced
• A couple pinches salt
• 1/4 cup sour cream, 3 rounded tablespoonfuls
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, available in cans on specialty food aisle in Mexican section
• 1/2 pound chorizo sausage, sliced thin on an angle
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
• 1 clove garlic, cracked away from skin and crushed
• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed, ask for easy-peels at fish counter
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 (12- inch) flour tortillas
• 1/2 pound, 2 cups, shredded pepper Jack cheese
• 
  
Cut avocados all the way around with a sharp knife. Scoop out the pit, then spoon avocado flesh away from skin into a food processor. Add the juice of 1 lime, a couple of pinches salt, sour cream and chipotles in adobo. Pulse guacamole until smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl.
Heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Brown chorizo 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from pan. Add oil, garlic, then shrimp. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and cook shrimp until pink, 2 or 3 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a cutting board and coarsely chop.
Add a drizzle of oil to the pan and a large tortilla. Cook tortilla 30 seconds, then turn. Cover 1/2 of the tortilla with a couple of handfuls of cheese. Arrange a layer of chorizo and shrimp over the cheese and fold tortilla over. Press down gently with a spatula and cook tortilla a minute or so on each side to melt cheese and crisp. Remove quesadilla to large cutting board and repeat with remaining ingredients. Cut each quesadilla into 5 wedges and transfer to plates with your spatula. Top wedges of quesadillas with liberal amounts of smoky guacamole.


Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray on FoodNetwork.com

SAVORY CHEESE, CRANBERRY AND HERB MINI MUFFINS

Savory Cheese, Cranberry & Herb Mini Muffins (makes 30-26)

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Generous pinch of cayenne
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup low-fat milk

Preheat oven to 400°F. 

In a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add green onions, thyme, oregano and sage. Cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside. 

In a mixing bowl, combine both flours with baking powder, salt and cayenne. Stir in the cranberries and cheese. Set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Add green onion mixture, including all of the oil, and whisk well.

Fold the flour mixture into the egg and milk mixture, mixing until just combined. Scoop batter into lightly greased mini-muffin tins. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before taking muffins out of the tin. Serve warm.

Courtesy of wholefoodsmarket.com

CHEESE-STUFFED JALAPEÑOS

Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños (makes 30)

8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 2-inch x 1/2-inch x 1/4-inch strips
15 jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup real bacon bits



Place a cheese strip in each pepper half; sprinkle with bread crumbs and bacon.


Grill peppers, covered, over medium-hot heat for 4-6 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Serve warm. 


Recipe courtesy of tasteofhome.com

ROYALE WITH CHEEEEEESE BABY!!

"Simply put, Royale is the epitome of a neighborhood bar. Whether you've been going there for years or it's your first visit, they'll always make you feel at home there. You can watch a game at the bar or enjoy the garden with your friends." This lower east side typical neighborhood hangout can provide all the essential things one needs for a great time, whether its Sunday brunch, quick munchies before the night out, the Sunday game, or Tuesday or Wednesday.....you get it!! Basically they have it all, the food, the ambiance and a full bar....what else can I say. Drop by and take a look at their very appealing and familiarly comforting menu that will not disappoint your bar chomping cravings. 

But, before you venture out into trying the entire menu, DO NOT leave without trying the most mouth-melting juicy cheeseburger you will ever sink your teeth into in Lower Manhattan  - The Royale w/Cheese.....I love this burger as much as I love New York!! I recommend the Onion Rings, French Fries and a very appropriately recommended Porkslap Ale; just because without them, your will not have that out of this world experience that has me dreaming of a one-way ticket from San Diego for just 1 bite! Believe you me.....its worth every single calorie and every hour on that plane! 

Just look at it, don't you just want to dive right into that perfectly cooked  layering of juicy goodness?

ROYALE WITH CHEESE (chedar)

ROYALE ONION RINGS

ROYAL HOUSE FRIES

So the final word is...get the burger, get the fries, the onion rings, wash it all down with the Porkslap Ale and leave amazed and satisfied...I sure did!!

I know you will agree with me on this one......have a bite & a sip and enjoy!!!

ROYALENYC.COM