The Swedish Chef: Mexican Fiesta

Monday, November 4, 2013

Mexican Fiesta

The weather is outside is getting colder, but my mind is on spicy, warm and delicious food. So, this week, the Swedish Chef has decided to showcase some of my favorite Mexican dishes. I think they are delicious and hope that you will try them!

Baja Fish Tacos

Ingredients:
½ c. sour cream
½ c. mayonnaise
¼ c. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 pkg. (1½ oz.) taco seasoning mix - divided
1 lb. fresh cod (or other white fish fillets cut into 1 inch pieces)
2 T. canola oil
2 T. lemon juice
1 t. lemon zest
Soft flour tortillas (hard shells may also be used)

Toppings:
Shredded lettuce or cabbage
Chopped tomato
Lime juice
Fresh salsa

Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro and 2T taco seasoning mix in a small bowl.

Combine cod, oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and remaining taco seasoning mix in a medium bowl. Allow to marinate for several minutes. Pour into a large skillet on medium-high heat.

Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes or when fish flakes easily with a fork.

Fill taco shells with fish mixture and top with lettuce, cabbage, tomato, lime juice, sour cream mixture and salsa.

Guacamole

Ingredients:
1 ripe Hass avocado
2 T. red onion, finely minced
juice from ½ lime
½ t. cumin
salt and pepper
4 or 5 dashes hot sauce
2 T. tomato, finely diced
1 T. cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

Cut avocado in half and remove pit. Using a knife, cut each half into sections and scoop out with a spoon. Place into a bowl. Using a fork, mash (I like mine a little chunky) the avocado.

Add red onion, lime juice, cumin, hot sauce, tomato and cilantro. Mix thoroughly and cover with a piece of plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

This can be served with either the tacos or the botanas (or both).

Botanas

Ingredients:
tortilla chips
refried beans
Monterey Jack cheese
fresh minced jalapeño

Remove seeds from jalapeño and mince.

Layer a cookie sheet with tortilla chips. Place a teaspoon of refried beans on each chip. Sprinkle each chip with cheese and minced jalapeño. Bake in oven at 350º for approximately 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Can be served with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Contact The Swedish Chef

Questions? Comments? Submissions? Email me at swedishchefcooks@yahoo.com or call 814-779-5210. I'd love to hear from you!

In-home meals and catering: I can craft a meal, small gathering, or special occasion dinner to your liking. Let me do the work, while you sit back and enjoy!

Cooking lessons and demonstrations for up to 4 people (3 hour minimum): For just $25/hour plus the cost of food, I can show you how to prepare the food you love or the meals you never thought you could make. Let me show you just how easy and enjoyable it can be!

Pricing is for services provided in Warren County. For services that would require travel outside of Warren County, please contact me for specific rate information. Please allow two weeks for preparation and planning.

The Whole Story

Hi! My name is Randall Swanson, but I go by “Randy.” I am so excited to have you visit my website. I am 63 years old, a retired teacher, a father, and grandfather – and I have a passion for cooking. My father was a professional chef. My mother was a housewife, but an extremely great cook. I grew up having a home-cooked meal everyday.

I became interested in cooking as a young boy, watching my father or my mother preparing meals. I think this is what really influenced my love and appreciation for food. Although there were not many cooking programs on television, I remember, as a young boy, watching “The French Chef” with Julia Child. She spawned an interest for me in cooking. I began cooking at an early age, often helping my mother prepare the evening meal. This gave me the confidence to cook for other people. Over the years, I continued to watch as many cooking programs as I could. Many PBS chefs such as Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Jeff Smith were influences on me. Graham Kerr was also a major influence. I believe what I learned the most from the television chefs was technique, and it gave me the confidence to prepare various meals on my own.

I have appeared on WPSU-TV (State College, PA) several times giving cooking demonstrations in their “Alphabet” cooking series. Here in Warren, I have entered cooking competitions and have won the grand prize two years, and first prize in several categories. In 2008, one of my recipes was published in the Perkins Restaurant 50th anniversary cookbook. I have also done some small catering projects.

Although I prepare several Swedish recipes passed down from my father, my cuisine is very versatile. I love to modify and customize existing recipes, as well as creating my own versions of classic favorites. I hope that you will enjoy your visit to this website. I will be posting some of my favorite recipes and will try to show techniques through pictures. I would welcome your questions and comments. Let me know if you have made one of my dishes and what the results were. Once again, thank you for visiting and I hope you enjoy!

Tills nästa gang!