Pork Carnitas

Ingredients

• 4 pound boneless pork butt, fat trimmed and cut into 2 inch cubes
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 onion, peeled and halved
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 Tb fresh lime juice
• 2 C water
• 1 medium orange, juiced and keep the spent halves

Instructions

1. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat to 300 degrees. Combine all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven, (this is my favorite one!) including the spent orange halves and juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, uncovered. Once it simmers, cover pot and transfer it to the oven. Cook until the meat falls apart when prodded with a fork, about 2 hours.
2. Remove the pot from the oven and turn on the broiler. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and place it on a large foil-lined jelly roll pan. Remove and discard everything from the pot except for the cooking liquid. Place pot over high heat on the stove and boil until it thickens and syrupy, about 20 - 30 minutes. You should have about 1 C of liquid remaining when it is finished.
3. While the liquid is reducing, use two forks to pull each cube of pork into three equal sized pieces. Once the liquid has reduced, gently fold in the pieces of pork into the pot. Try not to break up the pork any further. Taste and add additional salt and pepper.
4. Spread the pork back onto the foil lined pan and evenly spread the meat around so there is a single layer of meat. Place the jelly roll pan on the lower middle rack of the oven and broil until the top of the meat is well browned and edges are slightly crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a wide metal spatula, flip the pieces of meat and broil the other side until well browned and edges are slightly crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately in a tortilla with all your favorite toppings.

The Best Chili On Earth(that's really what it's called!)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef, turkey or venison
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow or white onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped (optional, I used one and without the seeds)
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black ground pepper(I cut in half)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 46-oz. can tomato juice
• 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 15-oz. can tomato sauce
• 16-oz. can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 16-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• Shredded cheese and sour cream, for topping

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, cook ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Transfer the meat to a bowl. Drain excess grease from skillet, but do not clean.
2. Add the olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion, green pepper, garlic, parsley and jalapeño peppers (if using) and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and fragrant (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. Stir until combined.
3. If cooking the chili stovetop, add the cooked meat back to the skillet. If using a slow cooker, add meat-veggie mixture to the slow cooker. Add the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans and pinto beans to either the skillet or slow cooker, depending on which you are using. On stovetop, bring to a boil, dial back to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours. In slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. Serve warm with cheese and sour cream.

Recipe from pipandebby.com

Lasagna Roll Ups

The whole family gobbled these up. So yummy! I cut it in half and it filled a 9x13 pan.

• 20 whole Lasagna Noodles
•  Sauce:
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
• 1/2 pound Italian Sausage
• 28 ounces, weight Canned Diced Tomatoes
• 8 ounces, weight Tomato Paste
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Parsley
• 3 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Basil
•  Filling
• 30 ounces, weight Ricotta Cheese
• 2 whole Eggs
• 3/4 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon Parsley, Minced
• 1 Tablespoon Basil, Minced
• 1 pound Mozzarella, Grated

Preparation Instructions

Boil lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a sheet of foil.

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the ground beef and sausage and stir it around, cooking it until totally browned. Drain excess fat, then add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Make the filling by combining ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil. Stir to combine. 

To assemble, spoon a little sauce into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan OR smaller disposable foil loaf pans. Spread 2-3 tablespoons ricotta filling on each noodle, then roll them up. Lay them sideways in the pans (4 will fit in the loaf pans, or you can fill a 9 x 13 inch pan with the rollups.) Top with remaining sauce, plenty of grated mozzarella, and grated Parmesan.

If baking immediately, bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

If baking from a frozen state, bake, covered in foil, at 350 for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, or until lasagna is done.

Recipe from Pioneer Woman

Salisbury Steak with Gravy

This is a perfect comfort meal for a cold winter night!

2 - pounds ground beef

1 - package Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix or Store Brand

1/2 - cup cracker crumbs

1 - egg

2 - packets (0.75 oz) brown gravy mix

+ the required amount of water stated on the gravy packet.

1 - cup sour cream

1 - small can mushroom stems, optional

egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes

Make hamburger patties using ground beef, bread or cracker crumbs, egg and soup mix. Fry or grill until patties are browned on both sides. 

While the hamburgers are cooking in a bowl mix together the dry gravy mix, water and sour cream. Mix to combine. Spray. a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick and lay cooked patties in the pan.

Cover the patties with the sour cream and gravy mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees covered for 30 - 40 minutes, turning patties halfway through. Serve with egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.

Chicken Mozzarella Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 pound Penne Or Rigatoni
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, Plus More For Drizzling
• 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Small Bite-sized Pieces
•  Salt And Pepper
• 1 whole Large Onion, Finely Diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 jar (25 Ounce) Good Quality Marinara Sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
• 1/2 cup Water
• 2 Tablespoons Minced Fresh Parsley
• 8 ounces, weight Fresh Mozzarella, Cut Into Medium Cubes
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Shavings
•  Extra Parmesan, For Serving
• 12 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces in a single layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Allow to cook without stirring for 2 minutes, or until golden. Stir chicken around to brown on all sides. Remove to a plate.

In the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the onions and garlic and stir immediately to start cooking. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden.

Reduce the heat to low and pour in the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and the water. Stir until the onions and garlic are mixed in, then add the chicken back into the pan. Add the parsley, stir to combine, then allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 7-8 minutes.

Make sure the sauce is bubbly and very hot, then gently stir in the mozzarella. Let it sit, undisturbed, for 2 to 3 minutes, until you can see that the mozzarella is very soft.

Drain the pasta and pour it onto a platter. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Immediately sprinkle on 1/4 cup Parmesan shavings (or grated Parmesan.) Pour on the sauce, sprinkle with extra Parmesan and the chiffonade of Basil, and serve immediately!

* NOTE: The mozzarella should be very soft but should still be in visible chunks rather than distributed throughout the sauce. It's better for the chunks to be on the firm side than the falling-apart side! You can always heat it a little more to get the cheese to the consistency you want.

Recipe Source: The Pioneer Woman

Creamy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded (3 cups)
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled*
• 1/4 cup butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (1 1/4 cups)
• 1 - 2 jalapenos, seeded for less heat if desired, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced slightly less than 1/2-inch thick (3 cups)
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• Green onions and seeded, finely chopped jalapenos (optional), for serving 

Directions

• In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add red bell pepper, onions, jalapenos and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. Stir in flour, and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly. While stirring, slowly add in chicken broth and whisk until well blended.
• Add potatoes, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture to a boil stirring frequently, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or just until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add in cooked chicken, corn and half and half and simmer, uncovered 10 - 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally. Serve warm topped bacon, green onions, and optional jalapeno peppers.
• Recipe Source: adapted by BHG with some changes from Cooking Classy

Not Your Mamas Meatloaf

This is an amazing meatloaf!

http://www.mommyskitchen.net/2009/07/not-my-mamas-meatloaf.html?m=1

Chicken Taco Pie

This was very good. I had 4 extra kids tonight so made 2. I used ground beef. Everyone loved it.

Ingredients

• 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 pound ground chicken or beef
• 1 envelope taco seasoning
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 small green pepper, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno slices
• Sour cream and additional salsa

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350°. Unroll crescent dough and separate into
• triangles. Press onto bottom of a greased 9-in. pie plate to form a
• crust, sealing seams well. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook chicken over medium heat 6-8
• minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. Stir
• in taco seasoning, green chilies, water and salsa; bring to a boil.
• • Spoon into crust; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes or until
  • cheese is melted.
  • Top with lettuce, peppers, tomato, green onion and pickled jalapeno.
  • Serve with sour cream and additional salsa. Yield: 6 servings

Chicken Black Bean Taco Bake

Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 20 min | Total time: 30 min

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped white onion
• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I used rotisserie)
• 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 5 corn tortillas, cut into eighths
• 1 cup mild salsa
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place olive oil into a 12 inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often until softened. Add chicken, beans, olives and cut up tortillas. Stir to combined.
2. Place salsa and cream into a medium bowl and add to skillet, stirring to combine. Stir in cumin, salt and pepper. Top with shredded cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melted.
3. Serve warm.

Makes 6 Servings

From Picky Palate

Salsa Verde Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked chopped chicken breast
• 2 cups cooked wild rice, I found precooked wild rice at Target
• 32 ounces chicken or vegetable broth
• 12 ounces salsa verde, mild
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bag tortilla chips, optional
• 1 avocado sliced or chopped for garnish if desired

Directions

1. Heat medium dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped chicken, wild rice, broth, salsa verde, cilantro, cumin, lime juice, salt and pepper to the pot. Stir and cook for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer until ready to serve.
2. To serve, place crushed tortilla chips into bottom of bowls, top with hot soup then top with avocado slices. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 Servings

Beef Taco Pie

I found this recipe in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. So glad I decided to try it.

Kale and Quinoa Minestrone

This is just plain delicious and very good for you too!

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion, diced (2 cups) 
• 3 medium carrots, diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 stalks celery, diced (1 cup)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups diced, fresh zucchini (from about 2 small)
• 2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch segments
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (32 oz) carton unsalted or low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 3 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• 3/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup dry quinoa
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can chick peas, drained and rinsed (aka garbanzo beans)
• 2 (heaping) cups chopped fresh kale, thick ribs removed
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Shredded parmesan cheese, for garnish (omit or use vegan parmesan if making vegan)

Directions

• In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, carrots and celery and saute about 5 minutes, until softened. Add in zucchini, green beans, red bell pepper and saute 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
• Add in vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, water, parsley, rosemary, thyme, granulated sugar, season with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and allow soup to gently boil, uncovered for about 20 minutes.
• Add in dry quinoa then cover and cook 15 - 20 minutes longer.
• Add cannellini beans, chick peas, kale and lemon juice and cook, uncovered, until kale has wilted, about 5 minutes. Serve warm garnished with parmesan cheese.
• From Cooking Classy

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 1 dozen, or about 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
• 12 small corn tortillas*
• 1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil, divided 
• 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp salsa verde
• 3 oz cream cheese, diced into 1-inch pieces
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Once hot add one corn tortilla at a time and cook 10 - 15 seconds per side (until tortillas become more pliable), then immediately transfer to a plate and cover with a skillet lid (to seal in moisture. Be sure it's a lid that will basically seal on bottom, as in there shouldn't be any space between the plate and the lid. This should prevent tortillas from cracking). Repeat with remaining tortillas and set aside.
• In a large non-stick heat 1/2 Tbsp of the canola oil over medium-high heat. Once hot add onions and saute until soft and slightly golden, about 3 - 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Remove skillet from heat, then add salsa verde and diced cream cheese. Reduce heat to medium-low, and return skillet to heat. Cook stirring constantly until cream cheese has melted. Add in chili powder, paprika, cumin, lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and stir in shredded chicken, cilantro and monterey jack cheese (you can add in another 1 - 2 Tbsp if of the salsa verde if you think it needs it, you want it to be creamy but not too wet or it will keep the taquitos from getting perfectly crisp).
• Spread about a scant 1/4 cup (about 3 Tbsp) of the chicken mixture in a row, closer to one side of the tortilla (about 1-inch from edge), then snuggly roll tortilla to opposite side. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining tortillas and chicken mixture, spacing tortillas at least 1-inch apart on baking sheet for even toasting.
• Brush tops and sides of rolled tortillas lightly with remaining 1 Tbsp canola oil. Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden brown and taquitos are crisp, about 18 - 20 minutes. Serve warm with dipping of choice (i.e. sour cream, salsa verde, guacamole, tomato salsa, hot sauce).
• *I wouldn't recommend using the corn tortillas they've recently come out with that are now "softer and improved." Some brands still stick with the regular kind (they are more firm and not as pliable) and I tested out both for these and the regular version worked out better and didn't break at all whereas the newer kind did.
• From Cooking Classy