PvZ Skilletini

When I play my video games, I sometimes get struck by inspiration for a dish. Sometimes I make the dish, then get inspired what to name it after. But, it's like the chicken and the egg dilemma most times. Which inspired what and when?

But this dish actually did get inspired by the game first. Plants vs Zombies! It's an excellent game, full of strategy and fun but not too hard or mind-numbing. I hate to take the zombies side but...How can you stare at that lawn full of vegetables and not think they'd make a great meal! And there's meaty brains on the other side too!

I decided to try something new. Recipes in How-To-Video style! I won't have a video all the time but I'm aiming for twice a month. I'm also sharing some recipes with myself on my other blog. Feel free to visit! 










Another change to this blog that you may notice is in the ingredients cost. I'm breaking it down by measurements. For example 1 head of cabbage will cost you $1.00 but if you're only using 1 cup of shredded cabbage that will be more like $0.20.

PvZ Skilletini

2 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Journeyman

Mats:

• 1/2 lb Ground Brains (or beef if you're out)
• 1/4 Onion, minced
• 2 Mushrooms, minced
• 1 Tbl Butter
• 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 1 can Tomato Sauce
• 1/2 tsp Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1 Tbl Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 cup Cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 cup Peas
• 1/2 cup Whole Kernel Corn
• 1 Small Yellow Summer Squash, diced

Craft: Mix together ground beef, mushroom and onion. Form into small meatballs. Cook in a large pan over medium heat. When browned on all sides, remove from pan and set aside. Melt butter in the pan. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add peas, squash and corn. Cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomato sauce, oregano, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well then add cabbage and cook until cabbage is wilted. Add meatballs and cook a few minutes more. Serve hot.

Strategies: Be gentle when turning the meatballs! They have no binding breadcrumbs or eggs! You can certainly add some binding agent to it if you want but it's not necessary if you're gentle.

LFM: It's really a one-dish meal but if you're hankerin' for something more try some garlic bread!

Cost:

• Ground Beef | $2.00
  
• Onion | $0.30
  
• Mushrooms | $0.25
• Tomato Sauce | $0.33
• Cabbage | $0.20
  
• Peas | $0.25
• Whole Kernel Corn | $0.25
• Yellow Summer Squash | $0.50

Total Cost: $4.08
Cost Per Serving: $2.04

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

Fancy Pants Caesar Salad

You know that guy. The one who's always got the strategy and who's always trying to get people to follow the strategy and berates them for not following the strategy and blames other people for failure of said strategy? The guy who some dolt made raid leader and now that guy insists on different ranks for the elite and privileged raiders that he deems smart enough or dedicated enough to get first pick of loot. The guy who demands you have all the approved addons installed or you won't do it right. The guy who has to make a rule for everything so no one can exploit 'the system'. He doesn't trust anyone to behave honorably so he's got his guild laws and raid laws and a different punishment for every law to make sure you feel punished for breaking a law.

I have dubbed that guy Mr Fancy Pants. Because he's that guy who can't keep things simple and straight forward. I have also named a salad after him. I mean sure, you can have a perfectly workable Caesar salad for dinner. The salad part is probably the easiest, simplest part. You could even add some chicken and it'd still be a straightforward salad. But this salad is just going overboard. A plain ol' salad is just too simple. It's not fancy enough! You need more crunch, more juicy tomato, more creamy avocado! More, I tell you! More!

Fancy Pants Caesar Salad

2 Servings | Total Time: 8 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 1 Chicken Breast
• 1 bag Caesar Salad Kit (with croutons, cheese, bacon bits & dressing)
• 1 Celery Stalk
• 1 Carrot
• 1 Roma Tomato
• 1 Avocado

Craft: Place the chicken breast on a well oiled indoor appliance grill. Close the lid and let cook for 6 minutes. When done let rest for 1 minute then dice. Meanwhile, dice the celery and carrot. Chop the tomato and slice the avocado. Open your salad kit. Divide the lettuce into two large bowls, top with remaining ingredients and drizzle with dressing.

Strategies: You certainly don't have to have all the extra toppings but it adds a lot more healthiness, deliciousness, and umph to it!

LFM: Serve with any kind of fruit or rolls.

Cost:

• Chicken Breast | $1.00
  
• Caesar Salad Kit | $3.00
  
• Celery | $1.25
• Carrot | $1.25
• Roma Tomato | $0.50
  
• Avocado | $0.75

Total Cost: $7.75
Cost Per Serving: $3.88

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

1UP Quesadillas

I got the best Christmas present ever. I know everyone says that but I really did. I also have the best younger sister in the world for giving this present to me. A genuine, original, trusty-but-dusty, Nintendo. Yes, one of these:

I know you're probably thinking that isn't exactly the best Christmas present you've ever seen. But it is for me. So many memories of learning to play my first video games on this baby. Learning cuss words I wasn't supposed to know at 5 years old from my babysitter when she kept trying to shoot that laughing dog on Duck Hunt. Zelda was too expensive but my cousins had it so I got to play that sometimes too.

But most of my time was spent on Super Mario Brothers. My older sister figured out a trick to get infinite lives. I never could do it so I had to depend on collecting those handy green 1 UP mushrooms. So getting my hands on a Nintendo again had me thinking about mushrooms and their many delicious uses. Not to mention health benefits for a longer gaming life of your own!

By the way...I don't recommend collecting green mushrooms to use in this dish. Bella mushrooms will do just fine. These are perfect to have when you want a quesadilla but you're kinda tired of the same ol' same ol' mexican flavors. This is stuffed full of carmalized onions, mushrooms, tangy swiss cheese and the most perfect steak sauce ever created. Your mouth will be watering before they've even finished cooking. I promise!


1UP Quesadillas
4 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 8 Corn Tortillas
• 10 tsp Butter, unsalted
• 1 small Onion, diced
• 1 cup Baby Bella Mushrooms, diced
• 1 Tbl A1 Steak Sauce
• 4 Slices Swiss Cheese

Craft: Melt 2 tsp of butter in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until carmalized. Add mushrooms and cook until soft. Remove from heat, add A1 sauce and toss to combine. Butter one side of each tortilla. Place, butter side down in a pan over medium-low heat. Add ¼ of the mushroom filling and ¼ of the cheese. Place another tortilla on top, butter side up. Cover and let cook 1-2 minutes until browned on bottom then flip and cook uncovered 1-2 min more. Repeat for remaining tortillas.

Strategies: You can replace the swiss with cheddar if desired. Also, speed things up using a food processor to dice your mushrooms and onions.

LFM: Serve with a green garden salad and apples!

Cost:

• Corn Tortillas | $1.00
• Onion | $1.00
• Baby Bella Mushrooms | $1.75
• Sliced Swiss Cheese | $2.25

Total Cost: $6.00
Cost Per Serving: $1.50

Category: Raid Night, Troll Fuel

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Taris Flatbread Pizza

Taris used to be a planet full of cities. Apparently they got on the Empire's bad side and got themselves infested with a plague of Rakghouls. And bombarded to ruins and rubble. The Republic just the left the place alone for a good long while but now it's time to go try and re-inhabit the place. Why? I have no clue. Unfortunately the rakghouls are running wild and so is the plant life. It makes for epic scenery but it's bad for civilization. I couldn't tell you what to do about the rakghouls but I do have some ideas for the plants! Just hang with me for a moment of reflecting ranting.

Did you notice how Taris just goes on and on and on and on! I've never encountered so many quest hubs before Taris and not after Taris either! Don't get me wrong. I like questing. Love it even. But Taris doesn't change much from hub to hub. It's the same thing over and over. Fight the rakghouls, over and over. It just wears on a person! For those of you who are on Taris right now, my sympathies. But take heart, there is an end to the madness.....eventually. And at the end you'll find the bonus quest chain. And then it'll end too. And you'll never have to go back! ....except maybe once or twice for class quests. I'm doing a terrible job of reassuring you aren't I? Moving on!

The abundance of plant life on Taris had me craving some cheese covered veggies. And what better excuse to get it than to put it on a pizza! Pizza is one of those classic foods that crosses over the stereotyping lines. Pizza is a favorite of nerds and jocks alike. No one can resist the call of pizza. The gooey cheese. The crispy crust. The hot, cooked-to-perfection toppings. I've showed you before how to make quick Poor Man's Pizza. But here's another version that takes just a tad longer but keeps truer form to the classic pizza. Except for maybe the toppings because everyone needs variety. And honestly, where are you going to find pepperoni on a force-forsaken planet like Taris?


Taris Flatbread Pizza

8 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 8 Flour Tortillas
• 4 Tbl Pesto
• 1 cup Spinach
• 1 can Great Northern White Beans, rinsed
• 2 Roma Tomato, finely diced
• 1 Red Onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, finely diced
• 1 cup Broccoli Florets
• 8 Mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 Zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Mozzerella Cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Feta Cheese
• 8 Tbl Parmesan Cheese

Craft: Preheat oven to 450° F. Place the tortillas on two greased baking sheets. Spread pesto on each tortilla then layer veggies/beans and top with cheese. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until tortillas are brown and crunchy and cheese is melted.

Strategies: You can slice it pizza style like the picture above or you can fold it in half  and eat it taco style! And if you lack pesto, tomato sauce works just fine.

LFM: This is an all in one meal but I recommend any kind of fruit for dessert!

Cost:

• Flour Tortillas | $1.25
• Spinach | $2.00
• Great Northern White Beans | $0.50
• Roma Tomato | $0.75
• Red Onion | $0.75
• Red Bell Pepper | $1.50
• Broccoli Florets | $1.00
• Mushrooms | $1.00
• Zucchini | $1.00
• Mozzerella Cheese | $2.00
• Feta Cheese | $2.50

Total Cost: $14.25
Cost Per Serving: $1.79

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Kira Carsen's Chickpea Paddys

SWTOR Knight Spoiler Warning! Proceed directly to recipe and skip the story if you're not level 35 yet and don't want the storyline spoiled for you!

When you first acquire a companion you think, how neat, how handy! Go, my minion and do my bidding and get my slicing up to 400 in the first week and make me lots of credits! But as you get higher level, your companions start to become more involved in your storyline. You find out things about them that you never even suspected. LIKE YOUR PADAWAN IS A FREAKIN' SITH!

Kira Carsen was born sith and ran away. She was caught trying to steal from a Jedi Master who sensed the force in her and decided to train her. Later she becomes your padawan. She was amsuing to me. Snarky but insightful. Always has something to say in battle like "Eat lightsaber, jerk!" Her attitude and take on life actually reminds me of the very few people I know who are vegans. So I thought to myself, what if Kira was a vegetarian and I never knew! What would she eat?

This is my take on a Kira Carsen-esque vegetarian recipe. So in a roundabout way I decided to name these chickpea paddys after my pattywan! (hyuck, hyuck) I didn't intend for it to be vegetarian when I started to make them up but they just turned out that way. This is one of those recipes where I went through my fridge, grabbed random things that needed to be used or sounded good, threw them in the food processor and fried them. They were really delish, especially with ranch dressing for sauce.

Kira Carsen's Chickpea Paddys

4 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 1 can Chickpeas
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 1/2 Lemon, peeled, seeded
• 1/4 Onion
• 4 Mushrooms
• 1 cup Spinach
• 1/4 tsp Oregano
• 1/4 tsp Thyme
• 1/4 tsp Basil
• 1/4 tsp Cumin
• 3 Eggs
• 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs
• 2 Tbl Butter
• 2 Tbl Ranch Dressing
• Kitchen Weapon Proficiency: Food Processor

Craft: Add all ingredients except egg, butter, breadcrumbs and ranch to a food processor and pulse until well minced. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add egg and breadcrumbs then mix well. Melt 1 Tbl of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Form patties from the mixture and gently fry until golden brown on each side. Repeat, using more butter to grease the pan as needed. Serve with Ranch Dressing for sauce.

Strategies: Keep a close eye on these so they don't burn and turn them carefully so they don't fall apart.

LFM: Serve with dipping veggies like celery, carrots, tomatoes and bell peppers and extra ranch dressing.

Cost:

• Chickpeas | $0.50
  
• Mushrooms | $1.00
  
• Spinach | $2.00
• Eggs | $1.50

Total Cost: $5.00
Cost Per Serving: $1.25

Category: Troll Fuel, Raid Night

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Entre a la Maokai

Vayne stepped into the concealing shadows of the brush. She trusted her summoner's directions, indicating an enemy champion was coming down this lane. In the distance, she could see the enemy's tall sentry tower, it's crystals glowing dangerously. Behind her, a similar tower was erected but this one's power directed against her foes, not herself.

Suddenly a tree moved. Vayne's eyes widened. What manner of champion did she face who could move the very trees of the Fields of Justice? Then her eyes narrowed. It did not matter. She was a hunter of the night, rarely faced with a challenge she could not overcome in this arena. The tree moved again. Two purple, glowing, eyes appeared in the trunk. They shifted around, searching. She felt a surge of power come from her summoner. The mighty being who controlled the games and chosen her as it's champion.

Understanding flooded her and she felt impressed to attack. The tree wasn't something a champion controlled. It was a champion! Unable to give it further thought as her summoner urged her forward, she tumbled from the brush, aiming her wristbow and pelting the tree with silver tipped bolts. It roared and tossed a small sapling at her. She tumbled away, the creature landing with a squeak. It was disoriented for a moment then with a swift look around it began to chase her.

Alarmed, she moved away swiftly but it gave chase. The tree and the sapling lumbered after her as she retreated towards the friendly sentry tower. As she drew close, a powerful beam shot from the tower's crystals and vaporized the sapling. The tree stopped just outside the tower's range and tossed another sapling at her. It was vaporized as the first but not before searing Vayne's leg with a burning pain.

Feeling a surge of power from her summoner, Vayne felt emboldened. She ignored her wound and tumbled forward, drawing the large, dragon-headed crossbow from her back. She fired a powerful, large bolt into the tree. It howled in pain. She fired again, faster as she was fed more power. The second bolt crushed exactly where the first had struck. The creature turned to flee, knowing somehow that her third bolt was always the most deadly. She gave chase, the air seeming to propel her forward with speed. This was what she lived for. The chase!

Her third bolt hit the mark, splintering the great tree straight down the trunk. She fired again and again. The tree howled and raged, flailing his limbs and tossing branches and saplings. She dodge them all, swift and deadly in the final hour of the hunt. Soon, the tree was reduced to splinters in the field. The announcer's hard but feminine voice boomed across the field.

"Maokai has been slain."

Little did Vayne know but that her summoner was already thinking up ways to cook up a fitting tribute to her enemy of the field.

Entre a la Maokai

4 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Journeyman

Mats:

• 1 cup Lentils, dry
• 2 cups+ Vegetable Broth
• 1 head Cabbage, shredded
• 12oz Smoked Ham, sliced
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Craft: Cook the lentils according to package instructions using broth instead of water. Drain and set aside. In a large pan over medium heat, brown the ham. Add cabbage and toss until cabbage just begins to wilt and become transparent. Add lentils. Season to taste. Serve hot.

Strategies: You can add or take away any veggies you'd like. If they're hard vegetables, nuke them in the microwave for a few minutes before adding them to the pan with the cabbage so they're sure to be cooked through. If you don't have any ham, any kind of meat will do.

LFM: Any sort of rolls are good but sourdough is especially delish! Also try serving this with a bit of pork gravy!

Cost:

• Lentils | $0.35
• Vegetable Broth | $1.00
  
• Cabbage | $1.35
  
• Smoked Ham | $2.00

Total Cost: $3.70
Cost Per Serving: $0.93

Category: Raid Night

Not "The Oatmeal Option"

This meal is in honor of Elisa from ecwrites.com. On 11/18/2011 she will be releasing her first book, "The Golden Sky." It is her journal from a time in her life full of trials and the loss of her son. Here is the quote from the back cover of her book. You can also order her book and read other writings of hers at the link below.





    
"The "death home" gave my son a really nice funeral, the kind I'd never wished to attend.  When they tried closing his casket, I nearly fell on my face, not wanting them to shut the lid on my baby.

        We lost it after that, totally cemented in our grief.  Cade got into drugs, joined a rock and roll band, and even grew out his damn hair.  At the time, I was sick of "the oatmeal option" (the only food we had), so I kicked Cade out of the house, and started modeling and working as a diesel mechanic.  That was how I met Earl, an old man and unlikely best friend; the "big sag," a middle aged woman who still flashed folks; my neighbor, the stripper next door, and "The Cowboy," a man who fell in love with me. 

        It was slow at first, but Cade reverted back to the man I'd busked with years before.  It wasn't until I killed a rogue skunk, and my daughter nearly choked on a fry, that I gave my husband another chance.  But could our marriage recover from the death of our son?" -EC Stilson

Not "The Oatmeal Option"
4 Servings | Total Time: 30 Minutes | Apprentice
Mats:

• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp veggi oil
• 1 lb sirloin tips, thinly sliced (Stir-Fry Beef)
• 3 tbl veggi oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• 1 cup uncooked rice 

Craft: Cook rice according to package directions.  While rice is cooking, in a large mixing bowl, combine garlic, pepper, cornstarch, 1 tsp vegetable oil. Add beef, mix well. In a wok, heat 2 tbl oil over high heat for 1 minute then add beef; cook and stir for about 2 minutes or until beef begins to brown. Transfer beef to a bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tbl oil in wok. Add onion; cook and stir until tender. Mix in green beans and broth. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, or until bean are tender-crisp. Stir in soy sauce and beef. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Serve over hot rice.

Strategies: You can substitute the rice for ramen noodles if cooking rice makes you nervous.

Cost:

• Meat | $4.50
• Green Beans | $0.59
• Rice | $1.00

Total Cost: $6.09
Cost Per Serving: $1.52

Categories: Raid Night, Critical Hits

El's Extreme Tacos

Whenever there's a great game released it creates a ripple effect across the internet. People blog about it, make videos about it, create websites around it, and make guides for it. Some of these fan sites are generalized and others are specialized. El's Extreme Anglin' is a fan site dedicated completely to only one aspect of World of Warcraft. Fishing.

There's not a single question you could ask about fishing in WoW that El's doesn't have the answer to. They've got everything. Guides for leveling fishing. Where to find fish. The best places to farm achievements. How to get your pets and titles. Even a list of every food buff you can get from cooking fish! These awesome fish tacos are a tribute to such a great fan site that's always been there over the years and is still going strong!

El's Extreme Tacos

4 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 16 Taco Shells
• 2 Tilapia Fillets
• 1 Tbl Canola Oil
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1 pkt Taco Seasoning Mix
• 1 Tbl Cilantro
• 1 Tbl Lime Juice
• 2 cups Lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese

Craft: Cut tilapia into 1" pieces. Heat oil in a skillet. Season tilapia with 1/2 of the taco seasoning packet. Fry tilapia until cooked through and no longer translucent, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together sour cream, cilantro, lime juice and the rest of the seasoning packet. Stuff tacos with fish, cheese, lettuce and sour cream mix.

Strategies: Get more bang for the buck by adding finely diced tomatoes, onions, celery and bell peppers to your tacos. Pre-made taco shells are great when you're pinched for time but home fried taco shells are excellent for more flavor.

LFM: Serve with rice or a tropical fruit salad.

Cost:

• Taco Shells | $1.00
• Tilapia Fillets | $2.00
• Sour Cream | $1.00
• Taco Seasoning Mix | $0.50
• Lettuce | $0.50
• Cheddar Cheese | $2.00

Total Cost: $7.00
Cost Per Serving: $1.75

Category: Raid Night

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Naaru Bean Balls

The Naaru are crystalline beings of the Holy Light. They are not only great champions of the light but their natures are literally light in nature. But like all things, Light cannot exist without the Dark. Sometimes, a wounded Naaru can be drained of their power and become darkened. Darkened Naaru becomes servants of the Void. It is extremely rare for a Naaru to fall into a darkened state and it is a tragic event for all the Naaru as a race. Even more rare is it for a Naaru to be redeemed from a darkened state.

It is this yin yang nature of the Naaru that inspired this dish. Black Bean Croquettes are a fairly common dish for people who love black beans but I wanted to expand my horizons so I created Butter Bean Croquettes as well as light and dark sauces for them. You won't know which one you like more, I promise!

Naaru Bean Balls

4 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Artisan

Mats:

• 1 can Black Beans
• 1 can Butter Beans
• 1/2 can White Whole Kernel Corn
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Medium Salsa
• 2 Tbl Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 pkg dry Ranch Dip
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1 Slices of Pepper Jack Cheese
• 3/4 cup Barbecue Sauce
• 1/4 cup Steak Sauce
• 1 Tbl Honey
• 1 Tbl Bacon Bits

Craft: Preheat oven to 425° F. Grease a baking sheet. Drain and rinse black beans. Mash black beans with a fork in a bowl. Mix in salsa, 1/4 cup at a time until moist but still firm. Form mixture into 1" balls, using breadcrumbs to firm them up if needed. Drain and rinse the butter beans. Mash butter beans in a separate bowl with a fork. Drain corn and add to the butter beans. Form mixture into 1" balls, using breadcrumbs to firm them up if needed. Place the bean balls on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan mix ranch dip, sour cream and pepper jack cheese. Turn the heat to medium low and stir constantly until cheese is melted. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix barbecue sauce, steak sauce, honey and bacon bits. When bean balls are done serve them with dark sauce over the white balls and the white sauce over the dark balls. Or vice verse if desired. Two bean balls per serving.

Strategies: You can make extra bean balls and sauce then freeze them for later meals. To reheat them, bake at 425° F for 10-15 minutes. Reheat sauces in a covered bowl in the microwave for 2 minutes.

LFM: Coleslaw and fruit cocktail.

Cost:

• Black Beans | $0.50
  
• Butter Beans | $0.50
• White Whole Kernel Corn | $0.50
• Medium Salsa | $2.00
• Dry Ranch Dip | $1.00
• Sour Cream | $1.00
• Pepper Jack Cheese | $1.50

Total Cost: $7.00
Cost Per Serving: $1.75

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Whiptail Saute

 For a time, Whiptail had it's hay-day. It grew, you picked it and within moments it was back again, for you to pick, again. And so on and on it went. Many, many farmers spent many many hours farming these ever present nodes in Uldum.

You would initially think that such a flood of the herb would have driven the costs for it on the AH to drop dramatically. Curiously though, it didn't. So where was all of this Whiptail being sold?

It wasn't.

Okay then, where was it being hoarded?

It wasn't.

The fact is, it was being milled. I mean, why not? Inks are, after all, far more profitable than mere herbs. But when you leave an inscriptionist to mill so many herbs non-stop, he will eventually have a large pile of excreted herbs that no longer have the ink in them, but may be a waste to simply throw away. So a few clever cooks gathered the piles of pulped Whiptail and brought it to their fires and seasonings to see what they could come up with.

 Sorry about the picture quality!

Whiptail Saute
6 Servings | Total Time: 15 Minutes | Apprentice

Mats:

• 1/8 cup water
• 1 bunch pulped Whiptail, or fresh spinach, rinsed and stemmed
• 1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 pinch salt
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice

Craft: Bring the water to a boil in a skillet over medium heat. Add spinach all at once, and reduce heat slightly. Cover, and let cook for about 3 minutes, or until spinach is not quite tender. Stir in the cream cheese and lemon juice, and season with salt. Cook, stirring, until the cream cheese is melted and well blended. Serve immediately.

Strategies: Try other seasonings like garlic or onion powder to change up the flavor a little.

LFM: This dip is wonderful with bread, crackers or chips!

Cost:

• Spinach | $1.89
• Cream Cheese | $1.19

Total Cost: $3.08
Cost Per Serving: $0.51

Categories: Expansions, Raid Night, Snackage

Twice Baked Oronok's Tubers

Oronok Torn-Heart is a little known NPC out in the lonely peaks of Shadowmoon in Outlands. The adventurers who bother to head out that way these days are usually just trying to get their achievements done or are just bored out of their minds and looking for something to do. Course that might be the same thing to some people. ~_^

I'm telling you though, when you just plow through quests without reading them more than you need to you miss great storylines like this one. Oronok is one of the few orcs left in Outland who threw off the yolk of demon bondage and now fights the Burning Legion. You assist him and his sons in helping to settle the elements of the land.

But when you first meet him, he doesn't want to help. Why? He's got a farm to salvage and protect. So the first quest that Oronok sends you on is to take one of his boars and go rootin' for tubers. These lovely tubers, like any good potatoes, have many uses. You can boil 'em, mash 'em, or stick 'em in a stew. In this case, Oronok likes to bake them. And depending on the spices they'll give you Agility, Spellpower, Spirit, or Strength! So next time you find yourself in Shadowmoon Valley, go grab a bite to eat and follow the interesting tale of Oronok and his sons.

Baked Oronok's Tubers

2 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Journeyman

Mats:

• 2 Large Baking Potatoes
• 2 Eggs
• 2 Green Onions
• 1/2 Kielbasa Sausage
• 1 Stalk of Celery
• 1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese

Craft: Stabbity each potato with a fork then microwave for 3 minutes each. Slice each in half and scoop out of the center and set aside. Spray entire potato halves with cooking spray then place on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425° F. Dice onion and celery. Finely dice the kielbasa then brown in a skillet over medium high heat. Add eggs, onion, and celery to the skillet and cook until eggs are done. Spoon the eggs into the potato halves. Bake for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mash potatoes, adding a little water and salt and pepper. Divide into two portions and roll into ball. Flatten the balls and pan fry for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are crispy brown. When potatoes are done, sprinkle with cheese and bake another 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Strategies: If you've got extra veggies lying around it doesn't hurt to dice them up and add them to the mix. This recipe is great for getting rid of leftovers.

LFM: Bananas, Strawberries and/or Pineapple chunks.

Cost:

• Large Baking Potatoes | $1.50
  
• Eggs | $1.25
• Green Onions | $1.25
• Kielbasa Sausage | $2.00
• Cheddar Cheese | $2.00

Total Cost: $8.00
Cost Per Serving: $4.00

Category: Rez Plz, Raid Night

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Kaja Nacho Casserole

It's a little known fact that the makers of Kaja Cola have delved into realms outside the beverage industry. I mean, there's only so much you can do with a drink. They've got Kaja Cola, Kaja Cola Zero-One, the Kaja Cola Six Pack, and the limited edition Banana Kaja Cola. Yes, it was time to branch out. Branch out into food!

Now, let's not confuse foods and beverages. In WoW there is a big difference. Food gives you health back. Drinks will give you mana back. The Kaja Cola Company ruled the drink industry in Kezan and they decided they wanted a part of the food industry too. Not only could their mana addicts get great ideas from their drinks but they could also rope in the likes of rogues and warriors with their food! If only they could find the right recipe...

Kaja Nacho Casserole

4 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Journeyman

Mats:

• 1lb Ground Beef or Turkey
• 1 bag Tortilla Chips
• 1 packet Taco Seasoning
• 1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
• 1 can Olives, sliced
• 4 oz Cream Cheese
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 1/4 cup Cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tbl Lime Juice
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese
  

Craft: Preheat oven to 350° F. Add ground beef to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ½ packet of taco seasoning. Cook for 4-6 minutes or until beef is browned. Add tomatoes, undrained and olives, drained. Add Cream Cheese and stir until melted. Remove from heat. In a separate bowl, stir together rest of the taco seasoning, sour cream, cilantro and lime juice. In a casserole dish, layer chips, meat, sour cream, and cheese. Top with cheese. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes

Strategies: This is also really good if you replace the canned tomatoes with fresh tomatoes and a can of green chilies. You can also reduce the sodium by making your own taco seasoning with cumin, paprika, onion powder and chili powder.

LFM: A crisp green salad.

Cost:

• Ground Turkey | $1.50
• Tortilla Chips | $2.00
• Taco Seasoning | $1.00
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies | $1.00
• Olives | $0.50
• Cream Cheese | $1.25
• Sour Cream | $1.00
• Cheddar Cheese | $2.00

Total Cost: $10.25
Cost Per Serving: $2.57

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Talandra's Rose Flatbread

I have been an herbalist at heart for as long as I can remember.  I have always found herbs fascinating.  When I was twelve I started my own herb garden growing things like mint and lavender, parsley and basil.  So naturally when I started playing WoW I had my first professions practically handed to me on a silver platter with my freaking name on it.  Herbalism and the accompanying Alchemy.  I loved creating potions and elixirs from the various herbs found around the map in game.  However I was not terribly found of having to find the herbs.  Wouldn't it be so much easier to just grow an herb garden like IRL?  Or even go down to the grocery store and buy them dried in a bottle on a shelf?  Alas, this may not be an option available in game, but it is one for your kitchen IRL.  Today I present you with one of my favorite appetizers, Talandra's Rose Flatbread.

Talandra's Rose Flatbread
4 Servings | Total Time: 5 Minutes | Apprentice

Mats:

• 1 10-ounce fully baked thin pizza crust (such as Boboli)
• 1 Tbl Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary
• 1/4 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Pepper

Craft: While barbecue is heating to medium or oven is heating to 400° brush 1 side of pizza crust round with oil, then sprinkle each with 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Place on grill or in oven, seasoned side down. Brush top with oil, then sprinkle with remaining rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Cook until just golden, about 2 minutes per side on the grill or 6 minutes in the oven. Cut pizzas into wedges and serve.

Strategies: You can make this with your own home made pizza dough and adding a little sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.  Also try changing out the herb to basil or oregano or a combination of your favorites.

Cost:

• Pizza Crust | $5.00

Total Cost: $5.00
Cost Per Serving: $1.25 
*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your price may vary.

Categories: Troll Fuel, Snackage, Expansions, Raid Night, Critical Hits

Warlord Gorchuk's Chicken Salad

Flying over Silithus today to go put out some bonfires had me reminiscing. I recalled what Silithus looked like Pre-AQ Patch. I remembered wandering around and being impressed with the changes (and killed by new mobs) after the AQ Patch. I remember gathering (oh the grinding!) all those blasted supplies so we could finally open the gates to the new raid instances. Not that my guild was raiding anything but MC and ZG back then but that's not the point! The epicness (and never-want-to-do-again-edness) of it all was a great moment in memory.

Since I started on that train of thought you KNOW I had to go to youtube and start watching all the WoW Machinimas from my favorite makers. Namely Oxhorn, Nyhm, and Crainius. But today I was mainly watching Oxhorn. So this is for you Ox and that gold farmin' Gorchuk too!

Warlord Gorchuk's Chicken Salad

4 Servings | Total Time: 10 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 12 oz bag Broccoli Slaw Mix
• 1 cup Chicken, cooked, diced
• 1 can Water Chestnuts, diced
• 1 cup Snow Peas
• 1 can Mandarin Oranges
• 2 Green Onions
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 2 Tbl Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1/2 Tbl Soy Sauce
• 1/2 Tbl Seasame Oil
• 2 tsp Sugar or 4 Sweetener Packets

Craft: Drain the water chestnuts and oranges. Chop the snow peas and green onions. In a large bowl, toss together the broccoli slaw, chicken, chestnuts, snow peas, oranges and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, seasame oil and sugar. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss.

Strategies: If you don't have any chicken, this salad is just fine without it. Or try some pork!

LFM: Croissants!

Cost:

• Broccoli Slaw Mix | $1.75
• Water Chestnuts, diced | $1.00
• Snow Peas | $2.50
• Mandarin Oranges | $0.50
• Green Onions | $1.00

Total Cost: $6.75
Cost Per Serving: $1.69

Category: Raid Night, Troll Fuel

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Freya's Fried Rice

Freya, Keeper of Ulduar and the Protector of Sholazar Basin. Like the other watchers and keepers in Ulduar, she was charged with making sure Yogg-Saron did not escape from his imprisonment. But again, like all the others in Ulduar, she eventually became corrupted by the maddening influence of the Old God.

Before that time when she was his puppet, however, she was dedicated to her Conservatory within Ulduar's great halls. Here she groomed the landscape and encouraged the vigorous growth of lush plants. With plants in such abundance it's not surprising she found a scrumptious combination of foods to keep her titan's body fit and fueled. I imagine it was pretty popular with the other Keepers too!

Freya's Fried Rice

4 Servings | Total Time: 25 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 2 cup Long Grain White Rice, uncooked
• 4 cups Beef Broth
• 2 Eggs
• 4 Green Onions
• 8 slices of Bacon
• Soy Sauce
  

Craft: Combine rice and beef broth in a pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile scramble eggs in a large tall-sided skillet. When done, remove from skillet and set aside. Cook bacon in skillet. When done remove from skillet and set aside, leaving grease in pan. Chop green onions and sauté for 1 minute in skillet. When the rice is done, add to the skillet and stir, gently scraping up any browned bits. Crumble bacon and add to the rice. Add eggs and desired amount of soy sauce. Stir until combined and heated through.

Strategies: This is a great recipe to use any leftover meats or veggies that you have. You can also easily do a meatless fried rice by using mushrooms instead of bacon and vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

LFM: Spinach Salad and jello for dessert!

Cost:

• Long Grain White Rice | $0.50
• Beef Broth | $1.25
• Green Onions | $1.00
• Bacon | $2.50

Total Cost: $5.25
Cost Per Serving: $1.32

Category: Raid Night

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Wartime Mealtime

World War II is a popular setting for gaming battlefields.  Many first and third person shooters, strategy and tactics games, and even naval and flight simulator games have used this war as it's basis for creation.  These games (like any good game,)  take focus, dedication and a precious many hours to fulfill successfully.  When we take a break to refuel our bellies we not only want something tasty and nourishing, but also a meal that will keep us in character so we can stay at the top of our game.  Stepping back from a game after devoting hours of precious concentration can be detrimental to our game play if we snap out of it too much.  This sandwich is simple and simply appropriate for any WWII gaming buff.  It will keep you in the zone with a tasty reminder of the rations most of the people lived on during these trying times.  SPAM.

Wartime Mealtime
2 Servings | Cook Time: 10 Minutes | Apprentice

Mats:

• 1 tblsp butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 slice fully cooked luncheon meat (e.g. Spam)
• 2 egg, beaten
• 4 slices bread (or bun of your choice)
• 2 slices American cheese (optional)
• 2 slices tomato (optional)

Craft: Melt butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the onion in butter until soft. Chop up the slice of luncheon meat or mash with a fork, and add it to the skillet. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until browned. Pour the egg into the skillet so that it covers all of the meat and onion. Cook until firm, then flip to brown the other side. Place the egg and meat onto one slice of the bread and top with cheese and tomato if desired. Place the other piece of bread on top. Bread can also be toasted first. 


Strategies:  Any sandwich toppings or omelet toppings can be served on this creation.  And remember, don't salt the eggs because the Spam will be plenty salty.  This meal is easily cooked for multiple people, just double, triple, quadruple, etc. the ingredients and cook it all at once.


Cost:

• Spam | $3.50

Total Cost: $3.50
Cost Per Serving: $1.75
*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Category: Raid Night, Rez Plz, LFG, Troll Fuel 

Think G(r)eek Salad

One of my most favorite gamer-type-gear websites is ThinkGeek.com. So it's not surprising that I happened to come up with this particular name for this recipe as I sat down for lunch. Especially because it's a greek style salad. It's topped with delicious feta, olives and an olive oil based dressing. I also threw in some radishes and cucumbers for good measure. Salad is one of those great things that's easy to eat at the computer since you only need a fork, it doesn't get your hands messy, it's actually something healthy for you, and you can mix up different ingredients all you want to have a different salad every time!

I know you're thinking that salad isn't exactly gamer food. And I say BAH! It is for THIS gamer! I'll still be gaming when I'm 90 and beating my great-grandchildren because I decide to have some salad every once in a while in between pizza and cheetos. ~_^

Think G(r)eek Salad

4 Servings | Total Time: 5 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 10 Romaine Leaves
• 8 Radishes
• 1 Cucumber
• 2 stalks Celery
• 1 cup Grape/Cherry Tomatoes
• 1 can Whole Black Olives, drained
• 1 cup Feta Cheese
• Olive Oil-based Salad Dressing
  

Craft: Chop the romaine. Peel and dice the cucumber. Dice the celery and radishes. Combine all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and drizzle with dressing.

Strategies: Italian or Ranch dressing works perfectly fine for this salad too.

LFM: This salad goes well with any meal but if you're having it by itself just have some bread!

Cost:

• Romaine Leaves | $1.50
• Radishes | $1.00
• Cucumber | $1.00
• Celery | $1.00
• Grape Tomatoes | $2.00
• Whole Black Olives | $1.50
• Feta Cheese | $2.00

Total Cost: $10.00
Cost Per Serving: $2.50

Category: Raid Night, Expansions

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Dorrito Ranch Chicken

Ahh Dorritos. A simple triangle of crunchy corn chip covered in powdered cheese and addictive flavorings. No other chip screams gamer like these do with the possible exception of Cheetos (which is really the same thing, just a different chip underneath the flavor). It's cheese! Powdery cheese! Cheese is an essential staple in a gamer's diet. And at least 75% of the cheese consumed must be in a powdered form, come in blocks that you don't have to refrigerate (Velveeta!) or can be shot directly into the mouth from a can. In other words, be as unhealthy but convenient as possible.

We'll just work with the cheese powdered chips for this recipe. But we're also going to add some contrasting, delicious flavors, make it into more than a snack AND still stay within a college kid's budget. You'll be amazed at how well the seasonings flavor the chicken, how crunchy the coating stays, how moist and juicy the chicken is. And so tender! You don't even need a knife! Perfect one-handed food for gaming nights.

Dorrito Ranch Chicken

2 Servings | Total Time: 20 min | Journeyman

Mats:

• 2 Bags (snack size) Nacho Cheese Dorritos
• 1 pkt Ranch Dressing Dip Mix
• 1 Egg
• 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Craft: Preheat oven to 375° F. Pound chicken breasts to 1/4" thickness. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg with a little bit of water. Empty the contents of the ranch dressing dip mix into another shallow bowl. Crush dorritos in a bag with a rolling pin or heavy can or use a food processor. Place the dorritos in another shallow bowl. Coat each chicken piece in the ranch dip mix, then egg, then dorritos. Place on a greased baking sheet and cook for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.

Strategies:Try the opposites of this recipe. Use Ranch flavored Dorritos and a powdered cheese sauce packet (from a mac & cheese box) instead! Serve this version with pasta coated in Velveeta with veggies.

LFM: Serve with pasta, ranch dressing and veggies.

Cost:

• Nacho Cheese Dorritos | $1.00
• Ranch Dressing Dip Mix | $1.00
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts | $2.00
  

Total Cost: $4.00
Cost Per Serving: $2.00

Category: Raid Night, Critical Hits

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Inside Out Hot Pocket Soup

In continuing my series on re-making gamer food I started thinking about something even more classic than pizza. Hot Pockets! Hot pockets are ideal for gaming. You can eat it one handed with no utensils required. They heat up fast. They're relatively un-messy. And you can pretend you're eating a serving of vegetables if you go for the broccoli & cheese one instead of the usual pepperoni.

Well I've got a hot pocket that will turn your mind inside out! I've taken all the ingredients of a classic pepperoni hot pocket and made it into a soup. Yup, there's everything there. Pepperoni, sauce, cheese and even the 'crust' making an appearance as dumplings! This soup is delicious but make sure to watch the sodium. The pepperoni can make it very salty very quickly.

Inside Out Hot Pocket Soup

4 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 2 cans Low Sodium Tomato Soup
• 1 Tbl Tomato Paste
• 1 Tbl Basil
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 pkg Pepperoni Slices
• 1 pkg Biscuits
• 1 cup Cheddar Cheese

Craft: Pour soup into a large pot over medium heat. Add two soup cans full of water and stir to combine. Add basil and oregano. Dice the pepperoni slices and add to the pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer. Open biscuits and separate them. Cut four of them up into 1" pieces and drop them one at a time into the soup. Bake the rest of the biscuits according to package instructions. Simmer soup for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until biscuit pieces are no longer doughy. Garnish with cheese.

Strategies: This soup can be very, very salty so be sure to get low sodium soup and don't add any salt!

LFM: A green garden salad.

Cost:

• Low Sodium Tomato Soup | $1.00
  
• Pepperoni Slices | $3.00
• Biscuits | $1.50
• Cheddar Cheese | $2.00

Total Cost: $7.50
Cost Per Serving: $1.88

Category: Apprentice, Raid Night

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.

Dodongo BBQ Links

Recently I've found myself a bit bored of playing World of Warcraft. I mean, come on, I've been playing it for well over six years now and I've never taken a break from it. I still log in to dabble and raid but it's just not holding my interest like it used to. This leaves me with a serious lack of something time-consuming to play.

I don't particularly want to buy any new games but I have a ton of old games I haven't touched in forever. Feeling a bit nostalgic, I started digging through my old games. I uncovered treasures like Mario 64, Age of Empires II and ye olde King's Quest I. And then I saw it. There in the bottom of my Nintendo 64 basket. It glistened gold, even under the dust. I carefully brushed it off and decided this was my next time sink. Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Probably the single most complicated Zelda game ever. It was so involving that it was easy to ignore simple trivial things like food. But I do have a husband who likes food and, like any sane person (note: not me when there's a game involved) wants to eat regularly. So I tore myself away from the game, spent the quickest 15 minutes you ever saw in the kitchen and then ran back to fight more giant, two-legged, tail-tender, fire-breathing lizards for shiny purple rupees. Have you figured out where the inspiration for the name came from? Yes? I KNEW you were a Zelda nerd too. Just admit it, it's okay. You're among friends.

Dodongo BBQ Links

2 Servings | Total Time: 15 min | Apprentice

Mats:

• 4 Hot Dogs
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1/2 Onion
• 1 can Peas
• 1 Tbl Butter
• 1 can Tomato Sauce
• 1 Tbl Brown Sugar
• 1 Tbl Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tsp Vinegar
• 1 tsp Mustard

Craft: Chop hot dogs and bell pepper into bite sized pieces. Roughly chop onion. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Cook until onion is transparent. Drain peas and then add to the skillet. Add all other ingredients except hot dogs. Stir until well combined then add hot dogs. Cook on low heat for 3-5 minutes or until hot dogs are heated through.

Strategies: This is a great way to use leftover veggies. Just chop them up and add them!

LFM: You can use sausage or kielbasa instead of hot dogs.

Cost:

• Hot Dogs | $1.00
• Green Bell Pepper | $1.25
• Red Bell Pepper | $1.50
• Onion | $0.75
• Peas | $0.50
• Tomato Sauce | $1.00

Total Cost: $6.00
Cost Per Serving: $3.00

Category: Raid Night, Troll Fuel

*This meal contains staple items such as spices that you may or may not have in your pantry so your cost may vary.