8B • FEB. 9, 2024
GOOD FOOD
bransonglobe.com
Tahini Cookies Gone Rogue Vegan & Gluten-Free
BY CHEF JEFF WOODWARD, THE ROGUE CHEF
Servings: 15 cookies Total Time: 25 mins
Ingredients: • ¾ C smooth tahini • ½ C maple syrup • ½ tsp Amaretto • 2 C almond flour • ½ tsp cinnamon • ¼ tsp ground cardamom • ¼ tsp ground ginger • ½ tsp baking powder • ½ tsp sea salt • ½ C pomegranate arils Instructions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F
2. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 3. Whisk together, in a large bowl, the tahini, maple syrup, and Amaretto until smooth. 4. Add the almond flour and sprinkle the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, baking powder, and salt evenly over the mixture. 5. Mix until well combined.
6. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the dough. 7. Place scooped dough on the baking sheet and press down to flatten slightly. 8. Press 8-10 pomegranate arils into the top of each cookie. 9. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
10. Serve warm or put in an airtight container and store in the freezer GO ROGUE by adding dark chocolate chips or dipping ½ the cookie in melted dark chocolate. Want Chef Jeff to make this tasty treat or any other delicious meal? Contact him at www.TheRogueChefBranson.com .
Super Bowl Sunday means a variety of tasty treats, according to readers
BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer This Sunday, many will be hosting Super Bowl parties, and providing delicious snacks for friends and families to enjoy while watching the big game. The most popular food to be served on Super Bowl Sunday is chicken wings. According to the National Chicken Council, Americans will consume more than 100 million pounds of chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday. We asked our readers what they were planning for Super
Bowl Sunday snacks. While many are serving up the national favorite of chicken wings, we found a lot of variety in this year’s Super Bowl scrumptiousness. Leigh said, “I’m making a charcuterie board. I checked them out on a site, and it’s time!’” Said Satirah, “Little smokies wrapped in bacon, covered with brown sugar and just a slight dusting of cayenne, along with crescent rolls filled with a mixture of sausage, cream cheese, parmesan and a little
garlic. Also, Buffalo chicken dip with club crackers. Paula is serving up “cold cut sliders on Hawaiian buns, buffalo chicken dip, Cincinnati-style chili dip, chips and French onion dip, salsa and chips, then whatever else sounds good.” Karin’s party will feature jalapeno popper dip, wings and tacos. Wings are also on the menu at Debra’s Super Bowl Party. Said Suzane, “Rotel, of course!” Katie noted, “Cheese balls, wings, little smokies
with BBQ sauce, chips, and of course, sausage Rotel dip with tortilla chips.” Sliders are at the top of the list for Elaine. For Kim, it is “loaded nachos with real melted cheese, not that good stadium cheese, and chicken wings.” Lori noted, “It’s just going to be me, so I’m just gonna wing it. I should know something by Saturday. Maybe pizza, egg rolls?” Heather shared, “pizza rolls, seven layer dip and chips, and Little Smokies.
Can’t wait!” “Normally I have popcorn,” said Cliff. “But, the wife has me on Keto, so pork rinds with hot sauce.” Swedish meatballs are on the menu at Bridget’s party. Michael noted, “I’m going to be doing some smoked queso and smoked cream cheese, along with smoked shotgun shells.” At Tiffanie’s party, guests will enjoy “Rotel dip, jalapeno popper roll ups, Buffalo chicken dip, snack crackers and pizza dip.” Said Susan, “Cranberry
cocktail meatballs, hot spinach and artichoke dip and little smokies.” Jeanie is serving “Super Bowl subs (roast beef and provolone sandwiches), pizza and pull-apart monkey bread.” Deepak suggested, “Let The Rogue Chef Branson make a Super Bowl celebration for you and your family and kingdom.” And, what is The Rogue Chef serving up this year? According to him, “Chicken wings, crab cakes and shrimp bites!”
hamburgers and other casual American food. Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine and Bar is located at 1412 West 76 Country Boulevard. Visit them on Facebook, at
Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine and Bar, where they post specials and new menu items. The Facebook page for the food truck is Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine—Food Truck.
• REFLECTIONS
for would be upheld. During Dad’s final days in hospice, several facility staff told me they would really miss his prayers. It was a Christian facility and caregivers often prayed with residents, but apparently, after they prayed with Dad, he would thank them and then ask how he could pray for them—and did so, right then and there. One young man in particular appreciated Dad praying with him about next career steps. Sometimes I get discouraged—and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one—as I look at the U.S. political situation, struggling friends, or even just a succession of cloudy days. That’s when I am thankful for Dad’s obedient example and encouraging voices like Dr. Denison, telling me I’m still on assignment.
Jalapenos: New restaurant on Branson’s 76 Strip BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer Branson is home to a new restaurant featuring delicious Mexican food. Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine and Bar is located on Branson’s 76 Country Boulevard, in the former Rowdy’s Cheesesteaks and Shakes location. The restaurant is a family business, owned by Julio Ochoa, along with two family members—his mother and his aunt.
The restaurant was opened just after Christmas on December 29. “This is a full service restaurant,” said Ochoa. “We also have a bar, so we serve margaritas, cocktails, beer—imported and domestic. Our menu includes both 100% Mexican food and some Tex-Mex. We try to offer what people ask for. We’re open for lunch and dinner. We open at 11 and close at 9 p.m., seven days
BURGERS & PIZZA 11863 HWY. 86, BLUE EYE WED. - SAT. 11 AM - 8 PM (417) 779-8000
a week. On Sundays we’ve got 10% off for locals, also.” The new restaurant is not Ochoa’s first food service venue. His family also owns a food truck, located on Branson’s Highway 248. Said Ochoa, “The food truck opened three years ago as things closed down for the pandemic. As soon as things closed down, we
opened it. We offer pretty similar items as the restaurant, but a smaller menu and affordable prices.” The food truck, Jalapenos, is open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The family also owns a second food truck, Tasty Tracks, in the same location—Branson’s Food Truck Park—featuring
Visit Jalapenos Mexican Cuisine and Bar at 1412 W. 76 Country Blvd. (Photo via Facebook)
Ask For Your Local Discount!
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104 N. Commercial St., Branson 417-544-1367
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week, with requests from my own family, my nephews, and other relatives and friends. As he watched the news, sometimes with other veterans in the dining room, he prayed that the values they had fought
