Category: Condiments and Sauces

Apricot Stovetop Butter

apricot-butterThis is the recipe we created in 2012. CLICK HERE for our recipe that we created in 2013.
This same process can be used for making Apple Butter

We made apricot butter, but you can make apple butter, pear butter, or whatever spread you want using the same recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup fruit pulp
  • 1/2 cup + 1 TBL sugar
  • 1/4 cup water or fruit juice
  • Optional – Fruit Fresh or Spices
  • Zest and juice from one lemon
    EITHER
  • 1 teaspoon Fruit Fresh, or
  • 1/2 tsp each cinnamon, cloves, and/or Ginger

STEP BY STEP

canning-jar-topMultiply or decrease other items based on how much fruit pulp you have.
Do not try to process more than 8 cups of fruit pulp

  1. Mix pulp, sugar, and water and heat over low heat until mixture starts to simmer
  2. Raise temperature on stove, and bring mixture to boil stirring frequently
  3. Continue gentle boiling until mixture thickens – stirring constantly
    Note: this took us about 45 minutes. Unfortunately this can take as long as 60 minutes.
  4. Mix in Fruit Fresh or spices plus the lemon

CANNING YOUR APRICOT BUTTER / APPLE BUTTER

  1. Sterilize your jars, canning funnel and ladle in the hot water
  2. Remove a jar and place near the pots. Drop a lid into the water.
  3. Ladle your jars full just to where it touches the bottom of your canning funnel – about 1/2 inch from the top
  4. Wipe the rim clean.
  5. Remove the lid from the hot water bath and cover the jar of butter. Tighten very firmly, but do not bear down.
  6. Repeat until all jars are filled.
  7. Place jars in hot water bath, completely covering the top of the jar.
  8. Bring the temperature of water to over 190°. Simmer at 190° or higher for 20 minutes. DO NOT bring up to a full boil.
  9. Remove and wait for the happy little PING.
  10. Butter can be stored in a cool dark place for about a year.

Just for pretty, after the cans cool you can remove the ring, put a piece of nice fabric over the top and put the ring back on.

 

Injera – Ethiopian Flatbread

Actual Injera is made with teff, which is a flour common to Ethiopia.  Read more about why teff is so amazing at the bottom of this page.  This is Grandpa’s American adaptation of injera, the bread used as a utensil in Ethiopian dining.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 C spelt – Ideally use teff, next try half whole wheat and half AP flour
    DO THIS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING
  • 1-1/2 cup water
  • a pinch of yeast
  • two pinches of sugar
  • a GLASS mixing bowl
    DO THIS IN THE LATE AFTERNOON OR EVENING
  • 1 tsp peanut oil – optional canola oil
  • a pinch of salt
  • a VERY nonstick pan

STEP BY STEP

  1. Put the flour in the bottom of a mixing bowl with sugar and dry yeast
  2. Mix or sift together
  3. Slowly add the water, stirring to avoid lumps.
  4. Put the batter aside for 4-10 hours to ferment.
    You will see your injera batter will start to bubble and acquire the slight tanginess for which it’s known.
  5. Fold in the salt and the oil.
  6. Heat a nonstick pan or lightly oiled cast-iron skillet until a water drop dances on the surface – about 350º
    Make sure the surface of the pan is smooth, otherwise, your injera might fall apart when you try to remove it.
  7. Coat the pan with a thin layer of batter. Injera should be thicker than a crêpe, but not as thick as a traditional pancake. It will rise slightly when it heats.
    Cooking Injera
  8. Cook until holes appear on the surface of the bread. DO NOT FLIP.
  9. Once the surface is dry, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool.
  10. Traditionally, fold twice with the cooked surface on the outside
  11. Serve as the “utensil” for duro wat or any other kind of Ethiopian Main Dish.

MORE ABOUT TEFF

  1. Injera is made with teff, a tiny, round grain that flourishes in the highlands of Ethiopia.
  2. While teff is very nutritious, it contains practically no gluten. This makes teff ill-suited for making raised bread, however injera still takes advantage of the special properties of yeast. A short period of fermentation gives it an airy, bubbly texture, and also a slightly sour taste.
  3. Teff is extremely high in fiber, iron, and calcium.
  4. Teff is the smallest grain in the world. It takes about 150 teff seeds to equal the weight of a kernel of wheat!
  5. Many Ethiopians in America use square-shaped, electric, nonstick pans. These heat evenly and make it easy to remove the injera once it is cooked.
  6. Injera is not only a kind of bread—it’s also an eating utensil.
  7. In Ethiopia and Eritrea, this spongy, sour flatbread is used to scoop up meat and vegetable stews.
  8. Injera frequently lines the tray on which the stews are served, soaking up their juices as the meal progresses. When this edible tablecloth is eaten, the meal is officially over.
  9. Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants have modified their recipes after moving to the United States or Europe, depending on what grains are available to them.
  10. The injera you find in many East African restaurants in the United States includes both teff and wheat flours. Most injera made in Ethiopia and Eritrea, on the other hand, is made solely with teff.
  11. Tip:  Depending on where you live, teff flour can be difficult to come by. Try a well-stocked health food store.
  12. If you have teff grain instead of flour, first grind it in a clean coffee grinder, or with a mortar and pestle.
  13. If you’ve ever cooked pancakes, making injera might seem familiar. In both cases, tiny bubbles form on top as the batter cooks. Keeping an eye on these bubbles is a great way to see how close the pancake or injera is to being ready without peeking underneath.
  14. These bubbles come from the carbon-dioxide produced by the leavener—usually baking powder or soda in the case of pancakes, “wild” yeast in the case of injera. Neither batter contains much gluten.
  15. Because of the gluten, most pancake recipes tell you not to mix the batter too much: If you do, gluten will develop, making them too chewy. Teff, the grain used to make injera, contains very little gluten to begin with. In both cases, the result is the same: With no gummy substance to “blow up,” most of the carbon-dioxide from the leaveners rapidly escapes into the air, leaving the little popped bubbles that contribute to the distinctive textures of these breads.

Hollandaise Sauce – COLLECTION

Grandpa’s Hollandaise

HERE IS MY RECIPE

Grandpa’s Hollandaise

Create your own double boiler

  1. Put 1 C distilled water into a soup pan and bring up to boil.
  2. Reduce water in soup pan to active simmer and place a large metal mixing bowl onto the soup pan, creating a double boiler
  3. – WARNING: Don’t heat the Hollandaise too quickly or let temperature of liquid rise above 175 degrees or eggs may congeal. It may also separate and once that happens there is no recovery. Your sauce will still taste the same, it will just not be as creamy looking. 160 degrees is ideal.

Alternate:  to a double boiler

A double boiler helps guarantee success, but you can do this in a mixing bowl right on the stove top.  Put in three yolks and three tabs of COL butter.  Put on and take off of the heat – never letting it get really hot.  When ribbons start to appear, take it off the heat and whisk in a splash of lemon.

Hollandaise – Recipes and Notes

Knorr Hollandaise Sauce Powder

Knorr Hollandaise Sauce


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Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict


–

Salmon Benedict 

Salmon Benedict


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The Five Mother Sauces 

The Five Mother Sauces

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Sauce Maltaise

This is a French Hollandaise.  Reduce orange juice with peppercorns until almost dry.  Mix in with Hollandaise instead of lemon juice.
–

Other Sauces 

Other Recipes for Making Hollandaise

Basic Hollandaise 

Basic Hollandaise


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While this is technically a good recipe (more technically accurate than mine) I still prefer my recipe, but here it is for your reference.

Blender Hollandaise 

Blender Hollandaise


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Here is an alternate recipe that does not require cooking. You are forewarned about the whole raw egg stuff.

Pumpkin Hollandaise


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The information below this section is from a third party. It is part of Grandpa's Personal Recipe box. Feel free to browse, but know that this information is from someone else.

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A YouTube video from a Third Party, but a nice recipe. Also includes Oysters and Pumpkin Cheesecake.

Microwave Hollandaise

Microwave Hollandaise


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This is actually a pretty good recipe.  It is easier than a double boiler, but actually takes about as much time as real Hollandaise.

Avocado Hollandaise

Avocado Hollandaise – VEGAN


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This is not exactly a Hollandaise, but it makes a creamy VEGAN sauce for putting over cooked vegetables.

Tomato Cream Hollandaise

Tomato Cream Hollandaise – VEGAN


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This is another VEGAN creamy sauce recipe – This has not yet been fully debugged.

 

Mustard Hollandaise

    • Using a Double Boiler
    • 3 egg yolks – whisk together
    • Cook slowly, so they don’t scramble
    • Color will lighten
    • Add scant Cream of Tartar
    • Look for “a ribbon”
    • Slowly add clarified butter – whisking constantly
    • Add lemon juice
    • Dijon mustard and whole grain mustard
    • Salt and pepper
    • Put sausage, ham, or spinach on an English muffin
    • Top with a poached egg
    • Top with Hollandaise sauce
    • Top with a bit of diced greens for color

 

 

Vanilla – Make your own!!

Which Ones to Buy?

  • Indonesian or Tahitian – Decent, but a little bland
  • Mexican – Cheap producers may use Tonka Beans, which taste like vanilla, but contain carcinogens
  • Madagascar – Deeper flavor and more vanillin in the bean (crystals) on the surface

Alternatives

  • Imitation Vanilla Extract – Completly a shot in the dark.  May have been made from wood pulp – very inexpensive – marginally OK for baked things like brownies, where it is just a flavor enhancer, and not subjected to very high heat.
  • Imitation Vanilla Flavoring :: Contains who knows what ?!? – AVOID
  • Natural vanilla flavoring contains no alcohol – doesn’t evaporate
  • Pure Vanilla Extract – legally allowed to contain corn sweeteners and coloring :: 35% alcohol :: 13-14 beans per gallon
  • Best Vanilla Extract will contain vanilla bean and alcohol and water with no other additives
  • Double Strength Vanilla :: 35% alcohol :: 25-30 beans per gallon (premium quality)
  •  

Make your Own

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 Vanilla Beans
  • 2 CU Dark Rum (as high a proof as you can find)
    An alternate would be a nice high-quality vodka or tequila

STEP BY STEP

  1. Crack the beans before soaking
  2. Soak the vanilla beans in the alcohol.
  3. Cap and shake every few days for six months
  4. Keep in a cool dark place during that time
  5. Strain and put in bottle for storage

VARIATIONS

  • Try 6 vanilla beans
  • Try letting things marinate for only 1 month
  • Try crushing the beans before soaking

… or just buy a quality pure vanilla extract

Cilantro Sauce

Gila Farm Cooperative CSA Delivery Newsletter April 3rd 2012
Pick up produce Tuesdays at 5227 N. 7th St. between 4:00 and 5:30pm
Week three of ten week CSA Spring Season.

Grandpa’s Cilantro Sauce

Cilantro Sauce is a great way to preserve your CSA cilantro for up to two months in the refrigerator.
Use this on your sandwich or with your scrambled eggs. It’s also great to add to salsa.

INGREDIENTS

For each 1 CUP of chopped cilantro add the following:

  • 2 TBL olive oil
  • 1 TBL white vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • zest and juice from 1 lime or 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp Tabasco (optional)

STEP BY STEP

  1. Take an entire bunch of cilantro (see note) and chop it as small as possible. A food processor helps a lot.
  2. How much cilantro you have, dictates how much of the other ingredients you need.
  3. Mix well and put in container. Store in refrigerator.

Note: The bottle shown is a cleaned and recycled Heinz 57 Chili Sauce bottle. The wide mouth makes it easy to fill, and it acts as a great dispenser too.

Roasted Tomato Chlipotle Salsa

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 roma tomatoes
  • 3 tomatillos
  • 1 large sweet onion – thinly sliced
  • 2 chipotle peppers
  • 3 jalapeno peppers – seeds and vein removed
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • 1/4 CU lime juice
  • 1 TBL EVOO
  • Salt & pepper to taste

STEP BY STEP

  1. Toss whole tomatoes in EVOO
  2. Halve tomatoes and put on baking sheet CUT side down
  3. Thinly slice onion, toss in EVOO, and scatter around tomatoes
  4. Scant salt over top
  5. Broil 15-20 minutes or until charred and blistered
    ALT: Bake 35 minutes at 350º
  6. Remove tomato skins as much as possible
  7. Put into food processor with all other ingredients
  8. Pulse/chop lightly till chopped, but still chunky

Butterscotch Sauce

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cu light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cu light corn syrup
  • 4 tbl water
  • 6 TBL butter (cold)
  • 1/4 cu sweetened condensed milk

STEP BY STEP

  1. Heat first three ingredients stirring constantly
  2. Add 6 tabs butter, turn off heat as soon as butter melts
  3. Add ¼ cu sweetened condensed milk.
  4. Cool slightly before serving

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • This is an easy recipe, but it should not be for junior chefs, because there is the possibility for SEVERE burns from the hot mixture.
  • Extreme spill precautions should be observed during the preparation of this recipe.
  • If a burn DOES occur, hold the afflicted part under cold TAP water for five whole minutes.  See your doctor the next day.

Cocos Asian Sesame Dressing

Coco’s has brought back the dressing with a very important caveat. Please see comments below for more information.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 CU Sunflower or canola oil
  • 1/4 CU minced onion
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes
  • 1/4 CU Rice vinegar
  • 2 TBL Balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 CU Soy sauce
  • 1/4 CU orange juice
  • 2 TBL Sesame oil
  • 1/4 CU Corn syrup (Karo)
  • 1 TBL Molasses
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger
  • 1 TBL Almonds (pulverized)
  • 1 tsp white pepper

STEP BY STEP

  1. Put canola oil in small pan
  2. Add chili flakes and minced onion when oil is still cool
  3. Heat slowly to 250 degrees, and cook for 10 minutes
  4. Remove from heat and set aside to cool somewhat.
  5. In second pot pour vinegars, soy, and orange juice
  6. Drizzle in sesame oil slowly while whisking
  7. Slowly (and carefully) pour hot oil through a METAL strainer into second pot containing vinegars, soy, etc
  8. Carefully discard solids remaining in strainer
  9. Add remaining ingredients and whisk until all is combined
  10. Add corn syrup and bring up to 250-270 degrees.
  11. Cool before putting into a pourable bottle

GRANDPA’S NOTE

We moved to Spain from Phoenix in 2008, and stayed for two years. One of the things that I brought with me was three bottles of Coco’s Asian Sesame Dressing. As I was down to my last bottle, I’ve prepared this Copy Cat recipe that I’d like feedback on, and any improvements offered would be appreciated.

UPDATE FROM GRANDPA

May 2016 – I’ve been following this chain with interest. It seems that Coco’s Asian Dressing has many fans. For awhile, I was able to find the bottled dressing here in Phoenix, but that too has disappeared. I’ve contacted the Coco’s Marketing Department with these two questions: (1) Is the dressing EVER going to be available again, and (2) is the Asian Chicken Salad being removed from the menu altogether. Hopefully they will do me the courtesy of returning my message. I will pass that information on to all of you.

Meanwhile, I’ve done a bit of research on my own.  It seems that Catalina Restaurant Group, as of April 2015, is under new ownership.   San Antonio-based Food Management Partners (FMP) acquired the Catalina Restaurant Group, parent of the family-dining concepts Coco’s and Carrows, last month, and expressed optimism about both brands.  FMP promised the same quality food as we have enjoyed for years.  Within a month after acquisition they started eliminating positions and closing about 70 restaurants doing business under the name Cocos and Carrows.  They promise that shedding the under-performing stores will allow them to strengthen the remaining profitable locations.

In May 2016 the Corporate office in Irvine California was also closed.  Other locations have extended their hours from 11 pm until 2 am.  It seems that in the remaining locations the prices are going up, and the menus are becoming a bit more of the upper crust rather than a neighborhood restaurant.  I’ve called several restaurants and they have informed me that the bottles are not for sale, and never will be, but all of them have said that the Asian Chicken Salad will remain as a menu item.

It sounds as if this delectable item is on its way out.  At this point, please use this blog to improving my copy cat recipe (above) and letting us know if ever you find a location that is selling the bottled dressing.  Maybe between all of us, we can clear out their warehouse.

Please eMail comments to me directly at RobtAndr@gMail.com as the G.D. hackers have forced me to disable comments. – Thanks for your passionate replies.

By request: here are photos of the front and back of the bottle, nutritional information, and the ingredients sticker.  Click a photo for an enlargement.  It is very important to make sure that the oil is fully emulsified*, or the dressing will separate.

 

 

* To emulsify an oil into a liquid requires constant whisking of the liquid as the oil is VERY SLOWLY drizzled into the liquid.

Comments sent to RobtAndr@gMail.com

April 13, 2020

I worked at Coco’s before they closed my store. The managers do not know who makes the Asian dressing. It comes in gallon containers from a restaurant supply prepackaged with Coco’s name on it. I do know that they purchased some of the dressings from Ken’s Steakhouse, because when we ran out we got it from them. Have you tried that brand? Also the bottles they packaged it in for resale are identical to Kraft bottles.  Even though CoCo’s does not sell the bottle of dressing any longer, they will sell you a to-go container of it.  

The ingredient that is unusual in the dressing is the paprika. Ken’s Pan Asian Dressing has paprika which the kraft version doesn’t contain.

CoCo’s was owned by a Japanese company  Zensho Co., Ltd.,  (Wiki Info to the left, corporate link HERE.) before the new owners Food Management Partners came in and closed the stores.   It is now owned by Shari’s Cafe & Pies  (Wiki Info to the left, corporate link HERE.)

Diane Mathison

Diane,
 
This is the first that I’ve heard about Ken’s steakhouse dressing. Great tip! I’m tried the ranch dressing, and did not like it, but I never tried their sesame ginger mixture.  I will make sure to add your info to the recipe page. Unfortunately, we can’t get out to get any of it, but will be able to soon. Stay safe.
 
Robert “grandpa” Andrews
 
June 2022
The search goes on.  Here is a follow-up contribution from Diane Mathison.  She sent a letter a couple of years ago.  Here is her take on making a small amount of the dressing.  Tweak it based on your preferences.
 
I have been working on recreating this dressing. It only makes enough for one salad, so its is not too expensive to experiment. I think I have it 99% there. Waiting for this last batch to cool .  
Asian Dressing
2 TBL Hoisin Sauce
½ TBL oil
¼ TBL vinegar
¼ TBL sesame oil
½ tsp Corn Syrup
¼ tsp Garlic
½ tsp Paprika
Sesame seeds
Bring to a boil
Let cool before putting on your salad.
 
 
 
 
 
Send commens to RobtAndr@gMail.com
 
31 thoughts on “Cocos Asian Sesame Dressing” that came through before comments were closed.

  1. I am going to have to try your recipe. But I really think Coco’s should sell it online. I love the stuff!

  2. I love the coco’s dressing as well. My daughter and I actually went to buy some last night and the waitress said that they didn’t buy it anymore. I was so sad! She said they stopped selling it because people were only buying the dressing and not the salad. So I checked the website for a copycat dressing and found this one. so my questions to the wonderful person who made up this dressing how was this dressing compared to coco’s dressing. I’m a seasoned cook so it sounds like it would work but how was it for you. similar and a little off? I would love to try it but just wondering what your thoughts of your own recipe were.

    1. It is a “fair” substitute. Not exact, but good. There is something that is missing, but I’ve not put my finger on it. This is definitely worth a try though.

    2. Geiselle, I guess the outcry was heard by Corporate. They are now selling the dressing again. I buy the dressing, but when I go to Coco’s I still get this salad. It hasn’t slowed down my purchase one bit. Grandpa

      1. Robert,
        I just returned from a trip to Phoenix. I attempted to buy some last week but was told they no longer are selling it. His words “we haven’t sold that in ages”. So please, where did you find it?
        Thank you in advance.

  3. I just saw your recipe. I will give a try. This salad dressing is loved by both my husband and sister. I went to buy some at Coco’s the other day, they told me they no longer sold it. Thank you Mary G.

    1. The same thing happened to me. Why would they no longer sell a product that many people obviously love? Raise the price: Maybe, but stop selling it. Com’on Coco’s are you in it just for the money or to make people deliciously happy as well.

  5. Three Cheers to Coco’s for listening to their consumers. Buying the dressing from Coco’s didn’t reduce the number of times that I went to the restaurant, but it allowed me to enjoy (and think of) Coco’s every time I used their dressing. Lisa… This is GREAT news.
    Grandpa.

  6. The dressing is back at Coco´s. I use to buy the same at Restaurant Depot as Oriental Dressing with the brands “Our Family Recipe” by the gallon, but there’s not anymore. Does anybody know something similar?
    Best Regards

    1. The Coco’s dressing is under $4 a bottle, so for the little amount that I use, that works great for me. Don’t know about Our Family Recipe though. Did a quick Google search and came up blank.

  7. That recipe looks TOO complicated, with elements that would make it VERY expensive. I will look for another brand that is similar.

    • This recipe was needed once upon a time. Coco’s has seen the error of their ways though and is once again selling their sesame dressing at less than it costs for us to make it. I LOVE this dressing though and used it a lot, so it was worth the extra money for me to make it myself. Thanks for your feedback.

  8. I just went to my local Coco’s in Los Angeles and was told they are not selling their dressing. Buuuummmmmmeeerrrr!!!!!!!

  9. I too have just tried at 5-6 Coco’s in the San Diego area to buy the Asian dressing and am told they are no longer making it. The restaurant can’t even get more of it for their in-store salads. I take that to mean it won’t even be on the menu. I agree with an earlier comment that if you’ve got a product that sells and people love it, for Heaven’s sake keep it available to consumers. (Marketing 101.) Whether they sell it on the salad or in a bottle, wouldn’t they still make money? And wouldn’t people eat there when they go in to buy the dressing? I would. Raise the price if you need to if people truly want it and it’s the only source Coco’s could really profit. Coco’s, if you read this, PLEASE BRING IT BACK!

  10. I invited a friend over on Saturday for lunch and I offered to make my version of Coco’s Asian Chicken salad – and have since been told the dressing isn’t available. Apparently, the company that made it went out of business so Coco’s found another supplier but they are still working on refining the recipe. I will have to try your recipe since I opened my mouth before I knew if I had any dressing! Wish me luck (don’t know what pulverized almonds are or where to find them).

  11. Is there any update…. Is the dressing available in bottles. or not…At one time last year, the store clerk (manager?) said they would sell it if I brought in a bottle for them to fill… don’t know if this is still in effect or not.

    • Jim, I was at Coco’s two weeks ago. The Oriental Chicken Salad was back on the menu. The dressing TASTED similar, but the sesame oil was not completely emulsified and overall it was a bit of a disappointment. I know that there IS a replacement currently, but it is not as good as the original. To answer your question: Refilling a bottle would probably be on a store-by-store basis. Please let us know what you find.

  12. I love Coco’s Asian Chicken dressing and was sad that I could not buy the bottles anymore. But I have found a substitute, Togo’s Asian chicken salad Dressing is very close (it has been so long, but it got that same kick). I would love someone to try it and tell me their thoughts.

    • Sherry, I am moving your comment to the top of the page. It is funny, but on my site, I have about 1600 of my recipes – and the Coco’s Asian Dressing has generated twenty times more comments and traffic than any other recipe. Why in the world did they stop producing such a great product? I’ll try Togo’s and let you know what I think – and will encourage others to give feedback as well. Robert (Grandpa) Andrews

  13. This message sent January 26 to Coco’s HQ: I am a regular customer here in Phoenix, and I loved the Asian Chicken Salad. I am a chef – and there is a lamentation heard across the world. NO DRESSING ?!?  Please bring back the dressing. There is no contender. Robert “Grandpa” Andrews – http://www.GrandpaCooks.com

  14. Important Update: The dressing has been discontinued. The restaurant has a replacement (that is not very good.) A comment from Sherry Leger suggests a substitute and asks our feedback. This warrants its own page. PLEASE CLICK HERE to read about Togo’s Asian Chicken Salad Dressing.

  15. I heard from Coco’s Corporate. Here is their reply:

    Dear Robert:

    We received your message about the Coco’s Spicy Asian Dressing return and yes, the dressing is back in the restaurants. So you can frequent your closest Coco’s to get Coco’s Asian Salad and this month’s promotion we feature the Thai Chicken Salad with noodles and lettuce that you may also like. We don’t currently sell it retail but you can ask the restaurant for a 16 oz to-go container and they can sell you that until we sell it retail. Thank you for your interest in this great product.

    Susan Sullivan
    Operations Assistant
    Food Management Partners
    Email ssullivan@foodmps.com

  16. A note to Susan Sullivan,

    FYI…
    I got the Asian Chicken Salad at Cocos at 2026 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85006. The dressing had separated. I’ve never had that happen before. Ever. And I’ve ordered it at least a dozen times. If you are using a different manufacturer, they need to address this issue.
    I’ve only ordered it once since the change but I wanted to let you know.
    PS:
    Thanks for bringing it back.

    Susan’s Reply:

    Thank you for that information, I heard about it like in November but it was fixed so let me follow up on that right away and thank you for letting me know – as you know we want this product to be perfect since it’s such a signature of Coco’s.

  17. If someone still has a bottle of the dressing from Coco’s, could you please list the ingredients as stated on the bottle?

    • Julie, I still have a bottle. I will post a photo above the comments. When they were going to stop carrying it, I bought ten bottles of the stuff. I am down to my last bottle. 🙁 PLEASE COCO’S – BRING THIS ITEM BACK !!!!

  18. Thanks so much for posting a picture of the ingredients. I didn’t realize there was so much “junk” in it, but it’s still the best, and I’m disappointed I can’t buy it anywhere. I haven’t tried your recipe yet, but I will soon, and I’ll let you know what I think. I will also try Sherry’s suggestion of Togo’s Asian dressing, and I’ll let you know what I think of that one, also. Thanks again.

 

Shopping List Salsa

ADD MY VIDEO BACK IN LATER

This is perfect when you want about a quart of salsa.
Just buy the ingredients, process, and you are done!
The video above is Grandpa showing you just how easy this recipe is.

INGREDIENTS: Shopping List:

  • 2 Tomatoes
  • 1 Green chili pepper
  • 1 Jalapano pepper(optional)
  • 1 Serano chili pepper (optional)
  • 1 Sweet onion
  • 1 Orange bellpPepper
  • 1 Bunch cilantro
  • 2 Green onions
  • 3 Garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp salt

STEP BY STEP

  1. Remove skin from tomatoes (Optional) See below
  2. Pulse onion and garlic until chopped – about 5 x
  3. Add bell pepper pulse 3 x
  4. Add jalapeno and serrano peppers pulse 3 x
  5. Cut tomato into large pieces and ** process until blended but chunky
  6. Cut all other ingredients into pieces and *** pulse until chunky (not too small though)
  7. Add salt to taste
  8. Pour into mixing bowl, mix and store in refrigerator

NOTES

  • To remove skin from tomatoes, bring pot of water to boiling. Put a small X on the top of the tomato.  Put tomatoes in boiling water for about 60 seconds. Remove and put into cold water for another 60 seconds. The skin should easily peel off.
  • Process – means blender or food processor. If you have neither chop the heck out of it with a knife. Goodwill though, has blenders for just a couple of dollars.
  • Pulse – means run your processor in short bursts until the ingredients are “chopped” into small pieces.

Sofrito

Sofrito is a base for anything that uses tomatoes or tomato sauce. It just adds an extra dimension to your recipe.  It’s GREAT in any kind of marinara.

INGREDIENTS

  • Grandpa’s Thunder Powder – to taste
    MIRPOIX/TRINITY and FLAVOR VEGGIES
  • 1 onion (chopped fine)
  • 1 large Carrot
  • 1 stalk Celery
  • 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • Optional red and green bell pepper
  • Cremini mushrooms – caramelized first – 15 minutes
  • Dry shitake – soak in boiling water, then strain – reserve liquid – destem
  • 1/2 C veggie or chicken stock
  • 1/2 C shitake strain (or 1/2 C more stock)
    ACID BASE
  • 1/2 C nice dark red wine
  • 1 TBL tomato paste
  • 2 TBL crushed tomatoes
    SACHET
  • Rosemary, sage, oregano

STEP BY STEP

  1. Saute onion, carrot, and celery in EVOO
  2. Simmer on low for about 8 minutes
  3. Optional at this point, add red and/or green bell pepper
  4. Add tomato paste and garlic and cook for another 3 minutes
  5. Add stock, wine and mushroom liquid
  6. Simmer until reduced and liquid begins to disappear
  7. Add San Marzano whole – mashed
  8. Use as you would Mirpoix or Trinity as part of another recipe

EXTRA INFO

  • Sofrito freezes very well
  • If you freeze it in an ice cube tray, you can break out the cubes and use them to flavor your spaghetti sauce bit by bit.
  • Optional to add above where you add the garlic
    • Red bell peppers
    • Green peppers
    • Cilantro
    • Ajicitodulces

 

Chili Tomato Sauce

Chili Tomato Sauce is good on sandwiches and pizza. On pasta, it can be a bit overwhelming, but if you are looking for that rush of endorphins; OK, yes… even pasta.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 large red bell pepper
  • 1-3 fresh habañero peppers, depending on how hot you like it.
  • 1 small onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup of red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 oz. tomato sauce

STEP BY STEP

  1. Roughly chop the bell and habanero peppers, onion and garlic.  Remove seeds.
  2. Combine all of the ingredients except the tomato sauce in a pan, bring to a boil, and simmer, covered, for 8 minutes.
  3. Puree the mixture in a blender. DO NOT put lid on blender, or it will literally explode.  Use a paper towel over the top
  4. Add the tomato sauce to complete.
  5. If you don’t want any heat, just eliminate the habaneros, and you will have a good flavorful chili sauce.
  6. Or if you prefer it just a little spicy, use jalapeños instead.  Seeds removed.

Tips: Guacamole – COLLECTION

Grandpa’s Guacamole

Grandpa’s Guac

Other Guacamole Recipes

Quick Guacamole

Quick Guacamole

Avocado – Tips and Tricks

Tips: Avocado

Canyon Ranch Copy Cat Guacamole

Canyon Ranch Guacamole – Copy Cat

Chipotle’s House Spicy Guacamole – Copy Cat

Chipotle’s House Spicy Guacamole – Copy Cat

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

Avocado Salsa

Avocado Mousse

Avocado Salsa

Take Guacamole (above) and blend with a bit of tomato water and heavy cream

 

Chunky and Creamy Guac

  1. Use a fresh avocado, remove from skin and mash in a bowl
  2. Add 1 TBL lime juice immediately
  3. Minced red onion, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, Choloula (to taste), 2 jalapenos (seeds and veins removed)
  4. Mix well
  5. Put into a bowl and then cover TIGHTLY with plastic.  Press onto the guac
  6. Serve with fresh chips

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo translates as “Beak of the Rooster.” It is a sharp tangy staple and a great side to any Mexican recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 medium red onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 4 serrano or jalapeño chilies, seeded and finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons tomato juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

STEP BY STEP

  1. Mix all ingredients in large bowl.
  2. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use, but let marinate at least an hour.

VARIATIONS

  • Serrano and jalapeno chilies are available in most supermarkets. Store up to a week in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
  • You may also find the dark green shiny poblano. This chili is milder, but must be roasted and peeled before using.

FROM SCANNED NOTES:

RECIPE
Pico de Gallo
4 medium tomatoes, diced
11/2 cups canned, diced tomatoes
1/2 cup diced red onion
3 tablespoons chopped scallions
1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1 tablespoon diced jalapeno pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
11/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Place all ingredients in a food processor and mix briefly.
~
Makes 3 cups salsa, each 2-tablespoon serving containing approximately:
1 O calories
2 gm. carbohydrate
Trace fat
O mg. cholesterol
Trace protein
122 mg. sodium
Trace fiber
3/99

Thai Sweet Chili Sauce: VIDEO

Holland America Cooking Class

Dungeness Crab Cakes with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

Marinated Cucumbers

This page has been repeated three times, for each of the above recipes.

This is a 45 minute video of a cooking class given aboard the Holland America MS Rotterdam on our way back from Spain.

  • 1/2 ounce fresh minced ginger
  • 1/4 ounce garlic minced
  • 1/2 ounce white wine vinegar
  • 2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 12 ounce Sake
  • 4 ounce heavy cream
  • 12 ounce butter
  • 2 ounce Thai sweet chili sauce
  • salt and white pepper to taste
  • Add everything except the cream and reduce to a light syrup
  • add cream and simmer

Grandpa’s Thunder Powder

Thunder Powder is good for Dry Rub BBQ, topping on a soup or eggs or rice, even on buttered toast to give it an extra zing.  Anything that might benefit from an extra nuance of flavor is a good candidate for Thunder Powder.

A spicy-hot delicious seasoning that is like a thunderstorm…
…always good, but never exactly the same!

INGREDIENTS

ADD THESE BASE INGREDIENTS to make just under 1 cup of Thunder Powder.
…in more or less these quantities!
This is not an exact recipe, so just use what you have available and what appeals to you.

  • 2 TBL Brown Sugar
  • 4 TBL Paprika
  • 2 TBL Garlic powder
  • 2 TBL Onion powder
  • 2 TBL Cayenne pepper
  • 2 TBL Salt
  • 1 TBL Cumin
  • 1 TBL Celery salt
  • 1 TBL ground oregano
  • 1 TBL Dry mustard
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp White Pepper
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Ground Bay Leaf (Not Old Bay Seasoning)
  • 1 tsp Ground Clove
  • 1 tsp Ground Chipotle – Smokey jalapeño

STEP BY STEP

  1. Mix above and store.
  2. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of the above ingredients.
  3. This is a general flavor mixture, and a few missing ingredients are not going to spoil the mix.
  4. Mix in a large bowl and spoon into storage containers or shaker.
  5. Makes about 1 Cup of Thunder Powder

LABEL
 

Grandpa’s Thunder Powder
A spicy, hot, delicious powder that is like a thunderstorm…
… always good, but never the same.

Probably contains chili powder, garlic, onion, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper.
May contain adana, sumac, paprika, clove, bay, crushed red pepper, cumin,
celery salt, turmeric, curry powder, white pepper, and chipotle powder

Simple Spice Mix

  • 2 TBL Cumin
  • 2TBL Ancho chili powder – alt red chili
  • 1 TBL garlic powder
  • 1 TBL onion poder
  • 1 TBL celery salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground clove
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