{crave} the ultimate theta burger

All I can say is Johnnies, in OKC. If you haven't been there it is a must. A childhood staple for me. The caesar burger, the old fashioned, and the famous THETA were among my favorites from their extensive menu. The Theta though, she is a beauty!

Of course I took a little liberty on my "mock" theta burger. These are bison!

I used colby - jack .... Johnnies had good ole american (shredded for extra melt effect)! Pickles, mayo and a sweet and smokey BBQ sauce. Nothn' better!

So here it is ... be prepared ... it is not for the light at heart and fair warning it will soon become a {crave} for you as well!

The "mock" Theta by ann west

A bun - soft and friendly

your burger grilled just for you with the cheese of your choice (cheddar or colby jack)

thin sliced onion

hickory smoked thick BBQ sauce of your choice

pickles (here for my recipe) or bubbies a great brand pickle!

mayo - on the top side of the bun

There you have it friends... pure bliss!

{crave} mango avocado salsa

Some times this is the way life goes.

Ok so I am getting ready for a small dinner for an old friend and his wife. I don't know them very well so I want to put on a good show (so to speak). I have my menu set (salmon, roasted potatoes, brocolini, fresh tomatoes and rustic tarts for dessert) great right. Well it was all great until my good friend and I went on our weekly run early in the am. About 2 miles in and a good mile and 1/2 from my house I see it.

I had to stop. Its in me ... I can't just past by ... there it was a cute, very frightened puppy under a car on the side of the road. SO we picked him up and carried him back to the house. Now what ... now my good friend Sue started calling, I started calling, I went back and knocked on doors all to no avail. The no kill animal shelters are full. Disheartened my daughter and I stop at the local coffee shop. The cute barista handed us our coffee while poochy pooch was sitting on our laps. I flippingly say - hey just found this dog - you want him?

she said yes! I would love him!

Again that is how life is. Of course I was thinking why did I have to see that puppy, Why do I feel the need to save that dog? Well I did see him, and I did feel like I had to do something and THIS TIME.... Then again I think what if I hadn't bought the cup of coffee... what if I had gone to a different coffee shop?

But is all worked out ... life funny!

So that is the long story of my day. The short story is that I needed an easy little munchy before my party and here it is. The blend of the sweet mango, with the spicy jalapeno is wonderful. The combo of corn and beans is a long-time favorite. And who doesn't love the avocado. A splash of this and a dash of that and you are done.

mango avocado salsa by ann west

2 ears grilled corn

1 cn black beans rinsed well

1 jalapeno chopped very fine

1 mango chopped

1 large handful of fresh cilantro chopped

juice of 1 lime

salt & pepper

cumin - 1 tsp or so

dash or 2 of cayenne pepper

1 avocado chopped - add this at the very end!

I just loved all of these colors together and the taste is so fresh. Sweet yet spicy. Enjoy!

{crave} chocolate chip pancakes

photo by amy twomey

I crave, my kids crave, we all crave chocolate chip pancakes. Of course I make them gluten free always, and the rest of the family would never know the difference thanks to Pamela's great pancake mix! I love banana pancakes too, but these always win.

chocolate chip pancakes by amy twomey

ingredients

Pamela's gluten free Pancake Mix

milk as needed, or cream

water as needed

1 egg

1/2 cup chocolate chip pancakes

4 T. Veg oil

butter

Make pancakes according to your family. We always make a ton!

{crave} meatloaf sandwiches

photo by amy twomey


There is nothing like a meatloaf sandwich. To think that I cringed as a kid when Mom served meatloaf! What was I thinking? I guess it was the idea of everything being all mixed up together and not having control over it. Maybe now that I make it, and know exactly what is in it...it is simply delicious. I crave meatloaf sandwiches...a lot.

meatloaf sandwhich by amy twomey

ingredients

2 pieces of toasted whole foods gluten free prairie bread(from the freezer section)....yum!
meatloaf, leftovers.
ketchup(must have on both sides of the bread)


Go on now, make yourself a sandwich. You might just start craving these too.

side note: I only use best quality meat for the meatloaf. I even have a meat grinder that you can add to my kitchen aid. Brilliant. See ann's equally good meatloaf sandwhich over at dollop.

{crave} day after turkey sammies

I just had to post on how we use our turkey day leftovers. My entire family has a little bit different way of preparing the left over sandwich but they are all good. So get those leftovers out ... I happen to think the sammies are rival the dinner the night before! enjoy leftovers - they are great!

Basics turkey sammies... by ann west and others

ann's fav...

left over thanksgiving turkey

cranberry orange relish

mayo

celery salt

pepper

lettuce

toasted whole wheat bread

claire's fav...

leftover thanksgiving turkey

cranberries

a little mayo

stuffing

mashes

buttermilk bread - toasted

celery salt

another good one...

turkey

swiss cheese on toasted bread.

mayo mixed with tabasco sauce

What is your fav turkey sammie?

ps try out this yummy cranberry chutney for day after turkey sandwiches that Shari made from rotten bananas. I was a fortunate recipient of - how fortunate I am!

{crave} mama's guacamole

photo by amy twomey

Guacamole is a huge part of our family life. We eat it at least three times a week. I always make it fresh and it is pretty much always the same recipe. My kids scream out to me while they are playing and hungry; "Mama! Can you make me some mama's guacamole please. We are hungry!" And so it was given the name "mama's guacamole". After years of experimenting this recipe is just right.

mama's guacamole by amy twomey

ingredients

4 avocados, ripe + must be Haas

1 diced clove of fresh garlic

half of a lime, squeeze over your hand to lessen chances of getting seeds in

salt and pepper to taste, we like ours salty

1 small red onion, diced

1/10 of a jalapeno pepper, diced or more if you want more of a kick

1 big handful of pecan-halves (I smash them in a zip lock bag)

Peel ripe avocados and place in a mixing bowl and smash with a potato smasher. Add the remaining ingredients.