Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

FotoNut — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 04:20:34 +0000

Made these last night and they were great. Such a unique flavor and I'm anxious to taste the ones I reserved as leftovers to see how the flavor blends over time and if better or worse. It's sure hard to mix the meat (pork) by hand and you never understand just how difficult it is to get these spices evenly spread until you can see the texture clearly as it changes. One batch and a kilo of molido cerdo I started with. Changed the onion to 1/2 cup of chopped fresh onion and 1/2 cup of bell peppers, substituting fresh garlic and adding 1/2 teaspoon of Texas Fiesta fajita seasoning. It made about 30 golf ball sized meatballs (that's about all the patience I have to separate out at one sitting.) The fennel seeds indeed give it the needed pop and I used a hand held blender to powder the seeds and seasoning when something like a spice grinder would have worked much better to get it ground. Cooked 4 sides of each on Medium in skillet, for about a 20% reduction in size and firmness with caramelized onions showing all around indicating it was done.

Buen Provecho!

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

FotoNut — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 20:56:50 +0000

Thanks Jake! Just received a pound of fennel seeds from Amazon LOL. Only $2 more than a small jar. Let me know if you are low.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

jakewills — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 17:30:24 +0000

The basil here is the type referred to as "Thai Basil" in the US (obv it is common all over the world). I find it works for everything I want basil for.

If your heart is set on sweet basil, you'll have to find a specialty place. Maybe the saturday eco-tianguis market. Or try Fruiteria Torres on calle Mangos -- they have some specialty and imported produce items in refrigerators for hotel and restaurant buyers. You might have to ask for it.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

jakewills — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 17:25:25 +0000

That looks like a solid meatball recipe, although I prefer pork or a mix of pork and something else. You can get all those spices in stores in or around the mercado, but for things like fennel seed that are less commonly used here, I like CasAgranel on Paseo Palmar (they are on fb and google maps).

For sausage, I prefer classic southern, simple italian recipes... pork/fat and just salt, pepper, a little garlic, and fennel seed. The main difference is the texture due to a coarser grind and the right kind/ratio of pork fat ground into it at the right temperature. I'm sure that is possible with an amenable carneceria, but I have not invested the time in that relationship yet. Quizás mañana.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

FotoNut — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:50:23 +0000

I finally found Basil at one lady's stand in the market. Still looking for a "kind" mind other then herba buena for spring rolls.

I tried to "buy local" but Amazon MX ended up being the only solution for the electronics.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

FotoNut — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:43:08 +0000

Thanks, Great Idea! Do you know if they sell fennel seeds here or should I pick up on Amazon? I wonder what is the missing ingredient then if it is not very close to the real thing? I bought some meatballs from a highly revered Italian restaurant downtown and I am not sure they were even meat.

And as long as I've been in Mexico it's still hard to shift one's paradigm. Don't know why I didn't think of making it myself as I do everything else. I went looking just now and what do you think about this recipe ....

2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed (we use whole, but you can crush the ½ teaspoon of whole seeds or use ground fennel if you'd like)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon minced garlic (we use fresh if not making a big batch)
1 teaspoon minced onions (we use fresh if not making a big batch)
2 pounds ground beef (or turkey, chicken or pork)

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings. Add the seasonings to 2 pounds of ground beef. Brown or cook as desired in a large skillet.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
The seasoning mix itself can be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container in the pantry.

Notes
*If you’d like, you can use all dried seasonings and make up a big batch of seasoning to store in your pantry. Be sure not to use fresh onion and garlic if you do this. Use all dried seasonings (same amounts).

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

jakewills — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 15:35:04 +0000

Closest thing to Italian sausage you will find in Zihua is Salsicha Argentino. No Italian spices but the texture and meat-fat mix is similar. Unfortunately most of it is packaged and precooked in grocery stores and Sam's, but you might find a carnicería who will make it fresh.

I buy ground pork from carnicerías and mix with salt, garlic powder, and fennel seed to make a quick Italian sausage for pasta and pizza. Not quite the same but scratches the itch.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

Talley Ho — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 19:18:12 +0000

Las Adelitas across from Jungle Pizza does a great burrito Tony with eggs, potatoes and chorizo. All of her dishes with chorizo are great.

Daniels does a great burrito con chorizo that we had for breakfast today. OUtstanding!

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

Ironwood — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 18:02:27 +0000

On the "sausage" issue: we like chorizo. Google translates "chorizo" as "sausage". OK. But we've run into menus that say "chorizo" and it turns out to be salchicha.....hot dog....obviously a poor substitute.
Paty's has a delicious chorizo y queso omelet. Any suggestions for other restaurants with good chorizo, either in a taco, burrito or enchilada-type dish?

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

Helene — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 16:20:21 +0000

Thank you for the suggestion for Italian sausage. And also I find Mexican basil way to strong.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

FotoNut — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 02:56:00 +0000

Thanks for your replies, I will investigate in the upcoming week.

Anyone have a HD Firestick remote to a broken Firestick they want to get rid of?

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt (reply)

Talley Ho — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:37:51 +0000

Loads of fresh basil around, walk the streets behind the mercado, it's sold in big bunches usually with flowers stuck in the bunch. Watch for big green bouquets like flowers are done, and look closely.

Specialty batteries, go to Mitron.

We substitute the green chorizo often available at Soriana for Italian sausage.

Good luck.

ISO Basil, Italian Sausage, Firestick, BL5c batt

FotoNut — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:37:48 +0000

Looking for fresh basil, they don't have at market or Sat organic

Looking for fresh spearmint, they don't have at market or Sat organic

Looking for fresh Italian sausage, they don't have at market or Sat organic

Looking for a replacement Firestick HD remote, new or used

Looking for a speciality lithium battery a BL 5C