In the still of the night... - The Gay Gourmet!

Apologies all around that your fearless Gay Gourmet!™ has been missing in action over the past week! When I found out Uncle Sam wants to suck the lint out of my already empty pockets I had to bump up the work/prostitution hours to pay him on time!

Note: If you're thinking about becoming an NYC Artist or have a kid that wants to come to NY to do theatre, save all your pennies and then some for tax season or convince them to go to med school!!

Anywho, as I've been working like a mad man I've been pondering and thinking about this blog a lot...and you're gonna see a lot of changes, hopefully, over the next month so bear with me and feel free to let me know what you like and don't!!

ONWARD AND UPWARD!!

So over the past week of being overly busy with every last aspect of my working life I had very little time to cook and truth be told the last thing I wanted to do was come home to cook. BUT WHAT'S A BOY (who has to keep up appearances since he is single & taking applications) TO DO IF HE WANTS TO STAY SKINNY & HOT?!?! cook! Cook!! COOK HONEY!!!

One of my healthy & easy go to meals is Turkey Burgers with Baked Sweet Potato Fries! Watch and learn!

And awaaaaay we gooo!!





Grab two nice sized Sweet potatoes & preheat oven to 375





Julienne them into fry like shapes!





on an aluminum lined baking sheet lay them flat in one layer. Drizzle and toss lightly with olive oil.




Salt & Pepper (for added kick try cinnamon or red pepper flakes too!)
Throw in the oven for about 35 to 40 mins till crispy!

Told you it was easy...NEXT!!!



Grab about a pound and a half of ground turkey (99% lean is what I like)





grab and chop a nice handful of cilantro (I'm a little bewildered by the fact that some don't like cilantro & if this is you, you can substitute parsley and/or rosemary & sage)





Next throw in a nice heaping tablespoon of pureed garlic (it can also be grated or chopped, 5 or 6 cloves will do)





Salt & pepper





Knead, massage and hand mix (Get Down & dirty folks!! Don't you get any ideas...gross)





Grab about a small palm-full and form into patty..







heat grill pan over medium heat& lightly grease using some nonstick spray (Smart Balance now makes one! Get your Omega 3's in a spray can!) or a tsp of EVOO!

drop patty or patties in pan for about 6 to 8 mins and then flip!






top with some sharp cheddar tomato & my Pineapple Guac and you are ready to go!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

* 2 Medium/large Sweet Potatoes
* 1 TBS Olive Oil
* Salt & Pepper (Cinnamon or Red Pepper Flakes if you choose!)

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Wash & Julienne Sweet potatoes
3. On a baking sheet lay fries in a single layer and lightly toss in Olive Oil
4. Salt & pepper (Feel Free to throw on a little cinnamon or red pepper flakes for some extra spice)
5. Bake for 35 to 40 mins till crisp!


Sassy & Simple Turkey Burgers

* 1.5 lbs 99% lean Ground Turkey
* 1/2 cup chopped Cilantro (or parsley, or rosemary & sage)
* 1 TBS Chopped garlic
* Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (optional)
* Pineapple Guac(optional)
* Salt & Pepper

1. Combine cilantro, garlic & salt & pepper with ground turkey.
2. Incorporate with hands and form patties
3. Heat grill pan or skillet over medium heat& lightly grease using some nonstick spray (Smart Balance now makes one! Get your Omega 3's in a spray can!) or a tsp of EVOO!
4. cook for 6 to 8 mins each side
5. top with cheese, guac and serve with fries!

Gourmet Soup du Jour for a Blizzardy Night!

I think I have perfected what is a delicious Autumn/Winter Soup to warm the soul & heart!

It's my Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & carrot soup! Yes PointsPlus® Weight Watchers you too can eat your big hearts out without feeling guilty but enjoying all the pleasure! (Don't You get any ideas!)

Run to your local hottie grocer and get;

2/3 can of Pumpkin
2 small to med Carrots - peeled and cubed
2 Sweet potato - peeled & cubed
2 stalks Celery - wash 'em well and cube them
1 Parsnip - peeled and cubed
1 Sweet yellow onion - cube it up
1 small Fennel bulb - cut & reserve fronds for garnish..chop it up!
1TBS of Olive Oil

1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 a fresh grated Nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
5 whole Star anise
1/4 cup Maple syrup
1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper
Sea Salt & pepper to taste.. I used about a TBS of both
4.5 cups Vegetable or Chicken stock plus 1 cup to thin as needed


In a stock pot or heavy bottomed deep pot preheat oil over medium heat. Add cubed parsnips, carrot, celery, onion and cook till onion is clear/veggies start getting soft.

Add sweet potato, spices & stir it up

Add pumpkin then stock and bring to a boil. Once it's boiling lower heat and cover. Cook till potatoes are soft about 30 mins or so.

Once potatoes are soft remove all 5 whole star anise seeds.

If using an immersion blender carefully blend once you add pumpkin.
If using a regular blender/food processor carefully ladle out in batches and blend. (I suggest using a blender as it comes out creamier and we know how I like it creamy!) add veg stock as needed to thin it out a bit.

Once all blended and back in the pot add maple syrup, salt & pepper and stir

This soup is one of my favorites and it's really great the day of but once it has sat for a day is even more brilliant! Quick and easy (don’t you get any ideas) and delicioso!

For you freaks out there who like a little decadence (Weight Watchers close your eyes) I like to add about a half cup of creme fraiche and it adds a delicious richness!

I like to serve it with

Grilled Blue Cheese croutons:

Crusty Whole Wheat Sourdough or your favorite bread White or Even Arnold's Sandwich Thins even work for you WW's!

Blue cheese/laughing cow make a blue cheese triangle that’s low points & probably just as delicious as the real thing Weight Watchers!!
Butter/Pam

Heat grill pan or nonstick pan over medium high heat.

Pam® the bottom of the pan if using Pam®. If not using Pam® leave pan ungreased for the moment.

Assemble blue cheese sandwiches by spreading generous amounts of blue cheese between two slices of bread.

Once assembled butter top of sandwich and lay it butter side down on the pan.

Place heavy plate or use spatula to press the sandwich down.

Let grill for 3-5 mins till bottom side is nice an brown..if using butter as you flip the sandwich place a small pat down in pan underneath sandwich as you flip.

Cook for another 2 mins.

Place on a cutting board and let cook for a couple mins.

Once cooled cut off crusts and cut into cute triangles to place in soup as a garnish with pieces of the fennel fronds!! Uh-mazing!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet™

©Michael Muñoz 2011