The other evening I made another Southern inspired dish with some California touches. I didn't use a recipe per sey, so what follows will be a list of what was included and a summary of what I did. As always with "inspired" cooking versus cooking from directions, adjust to taste!

BBQ Seitan Wraps

1 T olive oil
1 small red onion, sliced
3 small red, green and yellow peppers, cut into strips
1 pkg traditional flavored seitan, sliced into small strips
1 chipotle pepper
1/2 c or so of your favorite BBQ sauce
powdered garlic to taste
4-6 whole wheat tortillas

Add the oil to a medium sized heavy skillet and heat on medium. Add the onions, cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the peppers and the seitan. Cook until peppers are crisp/tender (which is about 3-5 more minutes). Add the BBQ sauce, chipotle and garlic powder and reduce heat to low. Simmer until BBQ sauce bubbles and is heated through. Add mixture to whole wheat tortillas and fold.


Okra and Corn Hash

2 T oil
1 small red onion, diced
1 lb okra, rinsed, ends cut off and sliced into small rounds
1/2 bag of frozen Trader Joes Roasted Corn (or roast your own)
kosher salt
fresh cracked black pepper to taste
hot chili powder to taste

Add the oil to a medium sized heavy skillet and heat on medium-high. Add the onions, cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the okra and the chili powder*, stir and cook until okra is bright green and crisp on the outside. About 5 minutes. Do not overcook or cover (it will get mushy and slimy). Add frozen corn, cook until hot, stirring often. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

* A good chili powder makes all the different. For years I have been using Chile Today Hot Tomale powdered spices for adding heating to my dishes. The smoky, hot flavors they offer are intense but not overwhelming. If you can find them, I recommend purchasing a few for your kitchen. They sure beat McCormick's chili powder, which I find a too tame and flavorless! Chile Today Hot Tomale has been acquired by Dave's Gourmet, but they still sell the original product:

SMOKED HABANERO POWDER