September 29, 2010

Pork Enchiladas with Green Sauce

These enchiladas are really easy and delicious. My sister in law shared this with me and now it's one of our favorites.

1 large can green chili enchilada sauce
1 small can green chili enchilada sauce
1 pork roast
1 package spanish rice (the great value brand in the green bag is really good)
2 cans of beans (either black or pinto, I've always used black)
Tortillas
Shredded cheese

Cook pork roast in crock pot for 8 hours on low until it shreds easily. I pour the small can of green chili enchilada sauce in with it. Prepare spanish rice and set aside. Open cans of beans, drain and set aside. When the pork is done, shred with fork. It should shred really easy. Pour a little enchilada sauce in 9x13 baking dish. Take tortilla and fill with pork, rice, beans and cheese. Roll up and stick in baking dish. Pour can of green chili enchilada sauce over the top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Serve topped with sour cream.

Hot Cheesy Artichoke Dip

12 oz. artichokes-drained and chopped
8 oz. cream cheese-softened
1 cup mayo
1 cup shredded pepperjack cheese
1/2 cup freshely grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. garlic salt or one clove fresh garlic, minced finely

Combine all ingredients in an oven-proof dish and microwave on high 1-2 minutes until everything is well mixed. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Pizza Crust for Calzones

1 package quick rise yeast
1 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
1 spoon full sugar
2 1/2-3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 TBS. oil

Mix yeast with water water and sugar. Pour into mixing bowl. Add salt. Mix and slowly add flour and oil. Depending on the temperature of your house etc you may not need a full 3 cups of flour. You don't want dry dough but not too moist. Roll on flour surface and shape into a circle. Place on baking sheet. On half of the circle add pizza sauce, cheese and toppings of your choice. Fold dough over toppings and press shut. Bake at 375 degree for 15-20 minutes. Cut and serve.

CANDACE: I tried this recipe out and it was easy peezy and delicious. I was able to put "kid" toppings on 1/2 of the crust and my kind of toppings on the other.

Chili

I haven't always been a big fan of chili but then I tasted this! It's so easy and has the perfect amount of flavor. This makes a big batch of chili. If I'm only feeding my family (there is 5 of us but young kids who don't eat much) I 1/2 the recipe

2 lbs. ground beef
1 small onion-chopped
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes
2 (14.5 oz.) cans chili beans WITH sauce
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies-drained
1 (2 oz.) jar diced pimentos (drained) use half the jar
2 garlic buds-minced
1 TBS. chili powder
1 cup ketchup

Brown beef with onion until brown. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 2 hours.

Sugar Cookies and Frosting

Fun one for Halloween!
I will preface this post by saying I grew up on these sugar cookies so I think they are the best. However, my mom's top secret ingredient to making these taste so delicious is her Mexican Vanilla!

4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening

Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Cut shortening into flour mixture with pastry cutter. Make sure you cut the shortening really well or the dough won't work)

In separate bowl mix:
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk

Mix wet ingredients into flour mixture and put into a plastic bag. Chill in fridge for 1 hour. Roll and cut. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes or just until turning color.

FROSTING
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk (maybe more, maybe less)
dash of salt
little vanilla

Beat until creamy

Zucchini Bread & Icing

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup veggie oil
3 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Grease 2 loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Makes 2 loaves.

ICING
3 cups powdered sugar
1 cube butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. almond extract

Drizzle over warm bread.

I know there are a lot of zucchini bread recipes out there but this is one of the best ones I've tasted. Thanks to my friend Cassie!

Fresh Peaches and Cream Pie

This recipe was shared by one of my friends. It's DELICIOUS!!!!

1/4 pint whipping cream
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
9" graham cracker pie shell

1/4 pint whipping cream whipped until firm with1/4 cup powdered sugar
5 oz cream cheese, whipped with 1/4 cup powdered sugar
fold together, and put in baked and cooled 9" pie shell

peach glaze:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup mashed peaches
Stir and bring to boil; cool, Put peach glaze into pie that is filled with the whipped cream & creamed cheese. Slice 2-3 large peaches on top of peach glaze.

Shredded Beef Tacos with Coleslaw Topping

1 chuck roast (2-3 lbs.)
1 can black beans DO NOT DRAIN
1 16 oz. jar MEDIUM salsa

Pour beans and salsa over roast and cook in crockpot for at least 8 hours.
Remove roast and shred. Add 1 cup rice to crock pot, return roast to crockpot and cook for additional hour.

COLESLAW TOPPING
1 pkg. dry Italian dressing (prepare as pkg. directs EXPECT use lime juice instead of vinegar)
3 tomatoes-diced
3 avacados-diced
3 green onions-chopped
¼ bunch cilantro-chopped
1/2 -1 bag coleslaw

Mix and serve over top of taco meat!

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

It's starting to be soup weather!

3 cups chicken broth
2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup flour
3 cups half and half (I substitute and use milk)
1 small jar cheese whiz*
1 cup grated american cheese
1 large head fresh broccoli (cooked)

Mix broth, carrots and chopped onions-simmer until tender (30-45 minutes). Melt butter in separate pan over medium heat. Slowly stir in flour, making smooth, thick paste. Slowly add half & half (or milk). Add broth mixture and simmer on low heat. Then add cheeses' and broccoli. DON'T boil once cheese is melted.
* The cheese whiz will make the soup very creamy and rich. My hubby can't have anything too cheesy and creamy so I usually omit the cheese whiz and just add an extra cup of grated cheese.

Pistachio Salad

1 carton of cool whip
1 box of pistachio pudding
1 bag mini marshmallows
1-2 cans pineapple tidbits
crushed pecans (optional)

Mix together and chill in refrigerator before serving.

September 15, 2010

Tequila- Lime Chicken

Ingredients:
  • 3 Whole Limes, Juiced
  • 5 cloves Garlic, Peeled
  • 1 Whole Jalapeno, sliced
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 cup Cilantro
  • 1/2 cup Tequila (optional)
  • 5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4 Whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated
  • Pico De Gallo
  • Refried Pinto or Black Beans
  • Mexican Rice
  • Sour Cream
  • Avocado Slices
  • Flour Tortillas
Preparation Instructions:

Combine lime juice, garlic cloves, sliced jalapeno, salt, cilantro, and tequila (optional) in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined. Turn on the blender/food processor and drizzle in the olive oil until it's all combined.

Slightly flatten chicken breasts with a mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet. Place in a plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and marinate for several hours or (preferably ) overnight.

When ready to cook, remove chicken from bag and place on the grill. Cook until completely done. Toward the end of cooking, top chicken breasts with grated Monterey Jack and allow to melt. (You can also top chicken with cheese and melt under the broiler.)

Serve topped with pico de gallo or salsa, alongside refried black beans, mexican rice, sour cream, avocado slices, flour tortillas.

Enjoy! This is absolutely delicious.