Southeast Texas Recipes and Food

Food and Recipes of Southeast Texas

Food lovers of Southeast Texas take note of the beginning roots of setexasrecipes.com  The Chef Scott Borel experience has grown over the years and I'm proud to say that the respect that is bestowed onto me in respect to my culinary skills is humbling.  As a Foodie of Southeast Texas, I take pride in the cooking culture of our area that includes Beaumont, Houston, Galveston and all of the surrounding areas in Texas.  Now that I have reached this level of cooking respect, the question remains, what should I do next!

Disneys three cheese Lobster Macaroni with Crawfish

Disney's 3 Cheese Lobster Macaroni

Disney's Lobster Mac N Cheese

 

 

 

Disney's Three Cheese Macaroni is a real treat!  Featuring rich and creamy Gruyere cheese and of course Lobster tail, this Macaroni dish is fantastic.  Several Disney spots offer various Lobster Mac N Cheese dishes such as Disney's Animal Kingdom but this Lobster Macaroni & Cheese recipe is more similar to the version served on Disney's Cruise Line. We added Crawfish to enhance the flavor and to save a little money as well :-)   So, we'll call this recipe Lobster & Crawfish Mac N Cheese Disney style!

 

This recipe is also featured on www.wdwdisinfo.com.  This is a fantastic resource for Disney Planning, News and more!  Also, www.dvcpointsforrent.com - number one source for DVC Point Rentals!

 

Cooking with Healthy and Flavorful Herbs

Learn Herbs - Healthy, Flavorful Cooking!

 

 

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CLICK HERE FOR  MORE INFO AND TO GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THIS AMAZING BOOK!

 

You don't know which herbs are safe and which to avoid. You're unclear about how to grow your own herbs or whether you should buy them from an herbalist. (And how can you tell if the herbs for sale are of high quality anyway?) You worry that drying and storing herbs is too complicated.

 

 

There's so much to discuss when it comes to herbs, it can be easy to get totally overwhelmed. And easier still to give up on herbs altogether. But that would mean missing out on one of Nature's miracles that can help with everything from your digestion to heart health to mood & emotional well-being to smoother, brighter skin.

 

 

 

 

Empanadas

Empanadas

This is my version of the beef filled pastry that's become a Latin favorite.  You can fill the flaky crust with your own concoction of meats mixtures or seafood.  This version is a fusion of Latin and Spanish seasonings.  

New Orleans Mac & Cheese with Cajun Shrimp Scampi

New Orleans Macaroni & Cheese with Cajun Shrimp Scampi 

New Orleans Mac N Cheese

My New Orleans Macaroni and Cheese with savory Cajun Shrimp Scampi is loaded with  flavors inspired by a few country's.  Primarily this dish is a fusion of deep Louisiana and Italy.  Two of my fav's!  The New Orleans Mac N Cheese is creamy, cheesy and rich and the Cajun Shrimp Scampi is a savory concoction that actually mixes well with the Mac N Cheese.

Greek Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Greek chicken with bowtie pasta


This is a low calorie delight that is sure to please any appetite.  featuring olive oil, rosemary oregano and sweet bell peppers this will keep your waist then in your belly full.

Ingredients

2 or 3 chicken thighs

Marinade

1/8 cup olive oil

1/4 cup canola

1/8 cup water

1tbl spn Rosemary

1 tbl spn Oregano

Dash cayenne

dash garlic powder

dash salt

2 cups bowtie pasta

Your favorite bell peppers Julianned or diced

1/4 white onion

Serrano pepper diced (optional)

1/2 cup Feta cheese

Small amount of goat cheese (optional).

For the marinade pour all ingredients in a bowl and stir together very well. Preferably put it in a bullet for a small food processor to chop up the rosemary. add salt and pepper to the chicken then pour half of the marinade over the chicken and let it set in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 and cook the chicken for about 30 minutes or until it's done -165 temp. Chop or slice chicken in 1 inch cubes or thin slices.

Meanwhile saute the peppers and onion. Set aside. Cook the pasta.

Drain the pasta, return the pasta to the pot.  Add the chicken, peppers, onions, and stir. Add the remainder of the greek marinade. 

Add the cheeses and stir.

Serve & enjoy!

Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce Chicken and Sausage

Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce Chicken and Sausage

 

Chicken and Sausage Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce

 

This flavorful Italian pasta dish will solve any type of hunger and craving you may have. This version of Penne Pasta uses a baked brined chicken, both chicken breast & thighs, as well as rich and flavorful Andouille sausage.  The rich Vodka sauce has a unique twist because I used a Serrano pepper to add some life to it.  ARIBA! 

Greek Chicken and Pasta

Greek Rosemary Chicken and Pasta

This Greek Chicken Pasta is a healthy, flavorful dish inspired by the Olympian Restaurant on Galveston Island.  Featuring Rosemary, Olive Oil, Thyme and more fragrant seasonings, this dinner will please the taste buds and it's an easy week night dinner.

Enjoy my Greek Rosemary Chicken and  Pasta!

Queso Stuffed Pablano Peppers

Queso Stuffed Pablano Peppers

Inspiration for my stuffed Pablano Peppers came from a fishing trip I took to Mexico in May.  This cheesy, meaty, flavorful dish will satisfy all areas of the taste buds.  The Pablano's provide a just above mild heat while the flavorful cheeses sooth the taste buds while bringing a smile to your face.

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

I love Au Gratin Potatoes and this recipe gets a lot of attention at my house and it's very flexible. You can substitute your favorite cheeses to give it different flavors.

Here's what you need:

2 tbl spns butter

2 tbl spns flour

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup of milk (or you can do 2 cups of either)

1 cup Gruyere Cheese (grated) Substitute 1 cup Smoked Cheddar (Grated)

1 cup Italian cheese of your choice (I used mix Italian blend)

2 tbl spn Basil 

2 tbl spn Oregano

2 tbl spn Garlic Powder

1 tbl spn Red Pepper Flakes

Salt and Pepper to taste

About 7 or so medium Golden potatoes.

Here's how you make Au Gratin Potatoes:

An older picture that I have but these are red potatoes.

I like to par-boil the potatoes for about 4 or 5 minutes to ease the cooking time in the oven.  But that's just me.

After you Par-Boil the potatoes, let them cool on a towel and drain.  Once cooled, slice very thin and line a deep dish (oven proof) pan or glass casserole dish with the potatoes, layer after layer using all of the potatoes.  Salt and pepper each layer as you go.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400.

The Cheese Sauce:

Don't panic but you have to make a roux here.  In a skillet on medium heat, melt the 2 tbl spns of butter completely, then add the 2 tbl spns of flour and stir continuously for about 5 minutes.  It should be the consistency of melted ice cream.  

Add 1 cup of milk (or the cream) then stir for 1 minute.  Add the other cup of milk and stir.  Continue to stir for about 3 minutes then start adding all of the seasonings.  Continue stirring. VERY IMPORTANT - TASTE THE MIXTURE BEFORE GOING FORWARD.  Adjust accordingly.  

After stirring for about 5 minutes and if you are satisfied with the flavor, add 1/2 of each of the cheeses (save the other half for later).

Stir the cheese until completely melted and taste the mixture again and adjust accordingly.

Pour the cheese sauce mixture over the potatoes evenly as possible.  Top the potatoes with the remaining cheeses.

Cover with foil and place into the oven.

Bake for 40 minutes and remove from the oven.  Remove the foil and sprinkle Paprika over the top of the Au Gratin Potatoes.

Place back into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes uncovered.  The potatoes should be golden brown and fully cooked.  It will be bubbly so be careful when removing.  Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!

Calzone

Calzones

Calzone

Calzone with Scotty B's Italian Blonde sauce, chicken and Basil and an Italian Sausage Calzone with Spicy Marinara.  Cooking instructions for homemade Calzone and Pizza Dough.

Steak and Shrimp Scampi Date Night

DATE NIGHT
Steak and Shrimp Scampi

Ribeye Steak with Shrimp Scampi

Rib-Eye Steak & Shrimp Scampi

Are you looking for the perfect place to eat for date night?  Consider staying home!  You can create the perfect date night menu from your own kitchen.  Rib-eye steak with Shrimp Scampi and a side of Grilled Smoked Cheddar Basil Potatoes will be the center piece of a wonderful evening at home with the special person in your life.

Cajun Boudain Burgers

Grilled Cajun Boudain Burgers
Smothered with Smoked Applewood Cheddar

Cajun Boudain Burger

Served with Grilled Potatoes with Cajun Dressing

If you're in the concession and food truck business you are always looking to separate yourself from the competition.  You need a difference maker.  This Cajun Boudain Burger with Smoked 

Applewood Cheddar certainly does the trick.  

Crawfish Pie Pistolettes

Crawfish Pistolettes

Crawfish Pies

Crawfish Pistolettes /Crawfish Pies

These tasty Crawfish Pistolettes are the perfect Cajun snack.  Pistolettes are mini Crawfish Pies that you can find on just about any carnival mid-way or flea market strip.  Filled with the spicy, rich flavor of Crawfish and Shimp Etouffe, wrapped in a flaky pie crust - ummmm! When we had our concession trailer - The Java Hut & Paradise Grill, we had the pleasure of sampling many versions of this Cajun Food Truck classic and this is Scotty B's interpretation.

Cuban Pulled Pork Tacos with Orange Mojo Sauce

Cuban Pulled Pork Tacos with Orange Mojo Sauce

FOOD TRUCK SERIES

Cuban Pulled Pork Tacos with Orange Mojo Sause

The Cuban pulled pork Taco's are full of rich flavor.  It starts with a light, fresh, flavorful marinade that brings out the delightful flavor of the pork. This Bobby Flay inspired dish is a great party pleaser.  When we visited Austin in November, we visited an outdoor mall called the Domain.  The food court was a large area with artificial turf, picnic area's, a stage with a live band and of course food trucks.  We zeroed in on a Cuban kitchen food truck that offered a variety of Cuban inspired dishes.  This is my interpretation of a few of the Cuban dishes we sampled combined with the Bobby Flay Cuban pulled pork Tacos.  Enjoy!

Saltgrass Queso Fresco

Salt Grass Queso Fresco

S&M Kettle Cheese Dip

This is my interpretation of the Saltgrass Queso Fresco.  It's more of an inspiration because I've taken some liberty's with it. I use white American cheese, Cilantro etc.,  but I also add a western flavors to dovetail with our Smoke House offerings.  We call it S&M Kettle Cheese Dip!

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Sweet and Sour Honey Mustard Galze

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

with Sweet and Sour Honey Mustard Glaze!

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Sweet and Sour Honey Mustard Glaze

When you live in Texas, the ability to cook meat is simply in your DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid).  Its a skill and ability that we are born with and this Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with a delicious Sweet and Sour Honey Mustard Glaze will change your life!

Baked Spaghetti in Bolognese Sauce with Brisket Meatballs

Baked Spaghetti in Bolognese Sauce with Brisket Meatballs

Spaghetti in Bolognese Sauce with Smoke Brisket Meatballs.

This is my interpretation of the traditional Bolognese meat sauce.  This variation is rich with flavor and very meaty, so it can actually stand on it own.  But I'm going to take this dish to another level with Smoked Brisket Meatballs, baked in the spirit of a spaghetti pie, with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.  

Con Queso Augratin Potatoes

Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes

Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes

This is a rich variation of the traditional Potatoes Au Gratin.  I'm sure there are tons of recipes for this kid friendly version of the old classic but this inspiration came to me in church this morning.  Not sure why, but it did.  Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes are sure to be a hit with the kid's!

Baked Jambalaya with Creole Peppercorn Sauce

Baked Jambalaya with Creole Peppercorn Sauce

This meaty rice dish is a Cajun staple in the South.  It combines rich buttery flavors with taste bud tingling spice.  The addition of a light roux makes this version of Jambalaya special and just a little different.  The creamy Creole Peppercorn Sauce is a mind blowing finish that takes it up several notches!  

This is an event so set aside some time for this Jambalaya.  Perfect for watching pre-game shows or a cold rainy day.

Here's what you need for Scotty B's Baked Jambalaya with Creole Peppercorn Sauce:  As with all of my recipes, add and subtract to fit your tastes.