Infinite possibilities with the can can man

Ewww! A can of tuna for dinner but this  gem of a can gives you five dinners during the work week. My uncle, a cook at heart, showed me the usefulness of these little cans of tuna. He said, I'm going to show you how to make a delicious dinner out of a can of tuna. I said to myself, no way, but he proceeded to

cut up some onions and tomato sauteed them in oil, added the tuna (drain water) to the onions and tomato, sprinkled some salt and pepper, added a tip of water then covered the pot. While preparing the tuna, he steamed fluffy rice and dinner was done. I was amazed at this, and the food tasted delicious. As a quick work night meal, this dish is my saving grace. I have added some variations.I prefer to buy chunk light tuna in water; this seems to work best for me.

Tuna sauteed with anchovies, canned whole tomatoes, red onions served over pasta or rice original recipe

Tuna sauteed with olive oil, capers, green onions, fresh tomatoes served over rice

Grilled tuna melt with cheddar cheese

Tuna with sun-dried tomatoes, onions, Mrs. Dash, paprika, capers served over pasta

The classic: tuna salad sandwich

ENJOY!

Spring Fling with Pineapple Upside Down Cake

The warmer weather brings forth the sweet and juicy fruits that we love so much. Pineapples, being one of them, was a feast to my eyes at Whole Foods with the beautiful display of pineapples they feautured. Being Jamaican, I always reminisce about eating juicy pineapples as a kid. My memories and the beautiful display sparked my cooking enthusiasm. I first thought I would make pineapple juice with pears and mangoes but instead went with pineapple upside down cake that I have never eaten before, and I have always wanted to try it. I go to my trusted friend in cookbooks,  Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything and a recipe for pineapple upside down cake is right before my eyes. The recipe was really easy to follow and I was scared about scrambling the eggs with the melted butter but a tip (via foodnetwork) is to temper the ingredients so this won't happen. I combined the dry with wet ingredients, placed the pineapple in the buttered and sugared cast iron pan then gingerly layered the cake mixture on top of the pineapples. I excitedly put the cake in the oven and waited impatiently for an hour for it to finish. It looked beautifully brown when done but when transferring to the plate, the cast iron was so heavy, a piece of the cake came off. I recovered the cake and then thought to myself scars give us character even in the food world.

What is your favorite summer or spring fruit?

Build a better man(or sandwich)

Is there a perfect man out there for us single ladies. Maybe, one would answer, but while enjoying life and searching for Mr. Right, making a delicious sandwich is a great alternative to the sometimes futile search for love. This sandwich starts with lovingly frying an egg and then sauteeing some cooked chorizo sausage. Then cut two slices of your favorite artisan bread. Place the egg on top with the chorizo sausage and two slices of avocado to cool the spice of the chorizo. Have you built a better man? Certainly not, but the perfect sandwich for yourself, yes!

Chorizo sausage love

I absolutely love Niman ranch chorizo sausage, and yams are so good no matter what time of year.
I was thinking of this dinner for a couple of days before I made it.  Today was the day, I came home and started cooking. The funny thing is, the sound of the knife slicing through the yam and the sizzling of the chorizo calmed me down. For a no fuss dessert, some chocolate chips to take advantage of being single and cooking.

Delicious and quick: grilled chicken and cheese sandwich

After work hunger means a mad rush  to the kitchen and a quick gameplan of what to eat for dinner. My grill pan is the saving grace for this night. I seasoned  some chicken breasts with salt, pepper, worshtershire sauce, paprika and Mrs. Dash. Olive oil to prevent sticking on the grill pan is a must. I left this in the refrigerator overnight so my after work hunger would not lead to a cereal quick fix. I grill the chicken and add cheese for extra flavor. Brussel sprouts sauteed in rendered bacon fat as a side experimentation tastes delicious. Now the inevitable clean up awaits.

A little something sweet

Sunday night and my sweet tooth is taking control.  I haven't been grocery shopping this weekend so I have to get resourceful and use what's in my refrigerator.  I have chocolate chips and day old bread. Bread pudding comes to tame my love affair with sweet. I search the dessert section of How to Cook Everything and a recipe is at hand. Thirty minutes later and my chocolate bread pudding tastes good but needs a little more sugar. I ate the whole thing and I have  satisfied my sweet tooth.