Category: RECIPES

FIESTA DROWNED EGG SOUP

This is one of those recipes that became COMPLETELY altered by the Corona virus pandemic because I had to work with what I had on hand.  And I am so glad!!!!  This turned out fantastic and NOTHING like the original. 

FIESTA DROWNED EGG SOUP serves 4
14.5 ounce can Hunt’s fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
1 small can chopped green chiles
10 ounce can Green Chile Enchilada Sauce
2 cups chicken broth
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
4 LARGE egg yolks
Bread bowls (optional)
Grated Cheddar Cheese (optional)
Chopped green onions (optional)

  • Combine fire roasted tomatoes, green chiles, chicken broth and enchilada sauce in slow cooker.
  • Using an immersion blender, blend until the bigger chunks are reduced to amanageable size.
  • Set slow cooker to low and cover for 4 hours.

 

  • At the 4 hour mark, generously season the chicken breasts with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Melt butter in cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  • Add chicken breasts and sear each side 4 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Shred chicken and add to slow cooker.
  • Gently drop egg yolks evenly into soup.
  • Cover and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Serve in bread bowls with shredded cheese and green onions.  I added a dollop of Daisy too 😀

ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES with MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES

ORANGE RICOTTA PANCAKES with MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES
MAPLE INFUSED ORANGE SLICES
4 navel oranges
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup real maple syrup

  • Zest oranges and set aside for the pancakes.
  • Peel oranges making sure to remove pith.
  • Slice each orange into 5-6 slices and place into a microwave safe bowl.
  • Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, sugar and syrup.
  • Pour over orange slices.
  • Microwave 15 seconds before serving.

PANCAKES
1 3/4 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2/3 cup flour
2 LARGE eggs
3-4 (1+1+…) tablespoons butter

  • Whisk together ricotta, sugar, zest, juice, flour and eggs until smooth.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Pour 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook 3 minutes until bubble form along the edge and
  • batter appears dry. Flip and cook another 3 minutes until golden.
  • Melt 1 additional tablespoon of butter as needed for each batch of pancakes.
  • Serve with butter and orange slices on top of each plate of pancakes.

INSTA-POT TEXAS BEANLESS RED CHILI

Between the weather and the isolation of the sheltering in place, we were craving some comfort food last week on a cold, rainy, windy day so I decided to make chili and cornbread. I went in search of a new beanless recipe and found this! Personally, I’m wimpier than they are and have made it MUCH milder, but we LOVED the results! I borrowed and altered, trading for what I had on hand from BUTTER-N-THYME who fantastically shared the recipe for their award winning Texas Red Chili. Any good Texan knows there are NO beans in chili! 😀
INSTA-POT AWARD WINNING TEXAS BEANLESS RED CHILI
serves 6 and only 45 minutes total time

2 poblano peppers, diced
2 1 Serrano Peppers, diced
1 Fresno chile
1 Habanero Pepper
2 Thai Chiles
1 large Jalapeno Pepper
1 Anaheim pepper, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 Guajillo or Mexico Dried Pepper
1 Dried Ancho Chile, crushed

The level of HEAT will be controlled by how you handle the fresh chile peppers. I ALWAYS remove the seeds AND the ribs most of the time. YOUR 3 HEAT Options are:

  • Low/Medium Heat – remove the seeds and the ribs
  • Medium – only remove the seeds
  • HOT – Only remove the stem from the chili pepper

CREATING YOUR BASE
1 tablespoon San Antonio Chili Powder
1 Large Vidalia Onion, chopped – reserve 1 tablespoon
6 cloves garlic, minced
2+ cups Beef stock
1.5 tablespoon Chipotle Chili Powder
1 tablespoon Ancho Chili Powder
1.5 tablespoon New Mexico Chili Powder
2 tablespoons Ancho chili powder
2 tablespoons smoked paprika

  • Using food processor pulse the garlic and onions several times until you have a finely diced mixture.
  • Add peppers, pulsing again to your desired consistency.
  • Add dried pepper, but cover with a dish towel to prevent any mess.
  • Reserve several tablespoons for garnish.

SEASONINGS
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon FRESH Ground black pepper
1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
Shaved Mexican chocolate – amount of your liking – OPTIONAL
6 ounces Shiner Bock beer – OPTIONAL

MEAT MIXTURE
1 pound cubed chunks of quality beef (I used chuck roast)
FRESH ground kosher salt
1/2 pound ground pork
2+ tablespoons of avocado oil

ASSEMBLY

  • Turn the Instant Pot Saute feature on.
  • Sprinkle kosher salt all over the beef and rub into meat.
  • Add 2 tablespoons avocado oil to insta-pot and allow to heat up.
  • Add beef chunks to insta-pot.
  • Sear the beef then remove from Instant Pot and reserve in a bowl.
  • Clean out the Instant Pot pot.
  • While still on saute, add the BASE to the pot and cook.
  • Add the seared beef and ground pork to the pot with the cooked BASE, stirring to coat.
  • Cook for around 5 minutes or you can see that the BASE has tightened up/thickened UP.
  • Add the dry seasonings, spices and chocolate if using.
  • Add the beef stock and beer if using.
  • Stir everything together and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Place the Instant Pot cover on. Make sure the plastic circle ring/gasket is installed on the cover.
  • Turn to exhaust value to sealing.
  • Press the Pressure Cook button and set the timer for 30 minutes. Make sure the Heat setting is set to “Normal” and the pressure setting is set to “High Pressure”.
  • After 30 minutes
 do a quick release until the small metal PIN drops the pressure has left the Instant Pot.
  • Garnish and Enjoy!

NOLAN RYAN MEATLOAF aka BASEBALL PITCHER RANCHER MEATLOAF

If you like baseball you’ve heard the name, but ANYONE from south Texas REALLY knows the name Nolan Ryan.  What you may NOT know is that his first passion was raising QUALITY beef and he has some of the best beef around!

NOLAN RYAN MEATLOAF with LAVA MUSTARD BBQ SAUCE

MEATLOAF
2 pounds ground sirloin, NOLAN RYAN beef where possible
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup FINE bread crumbs
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 SMALL red pepper, FINELY diced
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cups shredded Jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons Frank’s original hot sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large bowl use your hands to combine all the ingredients until well mixed.
  • Place mixture in a greased loaf pan.
  • Bake 45 minutes.
  • Increase oven to 425° and cook 10 minutes more.
  • Top with sauce and bake 5 minutes more.
  • Serve immediately.

LAVA MUSTARD BBQ SAUCE
¼ cup unsalted butter
½ yellow onion, finely chopped
¼ cup Kentucky bourbon
1 cup barbecue sauce of your choice (I  use Sweet Baby Rays)
½ cup apple cider vinegar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
1 tablespoon COLEMAN’S dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, but don’t allow the onion to turn brown.
  • Add the bourbon and cook off the alcohol, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the barbecue sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, honey, mustard and cayenne. 
  • Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring at regular intervals.

NOTE:  I have to leave out the mustard due to allergies and find the sauce is still awesome!

WEEKNIGHT MOZZA CHICKEN

WEEKNIGHT MOZZARELLA CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Line baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Pour Italian dressing into a ziploc bag.
  • Add oregano and red pepper flakes to ziploc bag.
  • Pound chicken to less than 1/2 inch thickness and add to bag.
  • Shake to coat chicken breast well.  Let marinade 2 hours in refrigerator.
  • Drain off dressing.
  • Place chicken on baking sheet and bake 15 minutes.
  • Remove chicken from oven and sprinkle with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper.
  • Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese until well coated.
  • Return to oven for 5minutes.
  • Serve immediately.

CINNAMON CRUMB STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE

Years and years ago I made the Bisquick box recipe of Cinnamon Crumb Streusel Coffee Cake and it was always a BIG hit. But as I progressed to scratch cooking it was apparent that my favorite coffeecake recipe had to be revamped! But, it had to remain moist, full of cinnamon flavor, buttery and with a bit of crunch to the top.

CINNAMON CRUMB STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE
CAKE
1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1 LARGE egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
3/4 cup WHOLE milk

  • Preheat the oven to 350.
  • Cream together the butter and sugar, scraping down the sides occasionally.
  • Add the vanilla and egg, mix in.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Add one half of flour mixture to the mixer, and when mostly combined, add the milk.
  • Once the milk is mostly incorporated, add the rest of the flour. This will be a fairly thick batter.

FILLING
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon QUALITY cinnamon
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup PACKED brown sugar

  • In a small bowl, using 2 forks or a pastry cutter combine everything until soft crumbs form.

TOPPING
5 tablespoon butter, softened
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup PACKED brown sugar
1 tablespoon QUALITY cinnamon

  • In a small bowl, using 2 forks or a pastry cutter combine everything until soft crumbs form.

ASSEMBLY

  • Grease a 9×9 baking pan.
  • “Pour” in ½ of cake batter, and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle the filling over top.
  • “Pour” in remaining cake batter, and with an offset spatula spread carefully across the top of the filling.
  • Sprinkle the topping over the top and press lightly so it adheres.
  • If you prefer your streusel to be more distributed, use a knife to create a bit of a swirl throughout the layers.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool slightly on wire rack before serving.

NOTE: My dad always would add a pat of butter to the top and let it melt for a few seconds in the microwave when eating it as a leftover 😀

LEMON BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

LEMON BLUEBERRY PANCAKES
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 1/4 cups WHOLE milk
3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons PURE vanilla
PURE maple syrup
1/2 cup small wild blueberries

  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice and milk. Let stand 5 minutes.
  • Whisk together the eggs, butter, vanilla and milk mixture until blended.
  • Stir milk mixture into the flour mixture JUST until blended.  Add additional milk 1 tablespoon at a time if batter is too thick.
  • Coat griddle with non-stick spray and heat over medium heat.
  • Spoon 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto griddle.
  • Cook 2-3 minutes until bubbles appear along the edges and batter dries on top.
  • Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  • Keep warm in low heat oven between batches.
  • Serve with syrup and berries.

JEZEBEL SAUCE

I found this recipe in an old cookbook and it sounded ODD and I have NO idea where the name came from, but just awesome enough to try.  It made just a couple changes, but it really makes an awesome appetizer.  The recipe apparently has a convoluted history of unknown origin… Billie’s friend Nancy too the recipe to a garden club Christmas Party.  She had gotten the recipe from her brother-in-law’s niece…

JEZEBEL SAUCE
18 ounce jar SMUCKER’S pineapple preserves
18 ounce jar SMUCKER’S apple butter or jelly
3.75 ounce jar Inglehoffer (German) horseradish
1 tablespoon Coleman’s dry mustard
1 teaspoon FRESH ground pepper
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 box wheat thins

  • In a medium size bowl stir together the pineapple preserves, apple butter or jelly, mustard, horseradish and pepper.
  • Chill at least 2 hours.
  • Place cream cheese on a platter and pour sauce over top.
  • Serve with crackers.

POTATO SALAD with RED ONION VINAIGRETTE

POTATO SALAD with RED ONION VINAIGRETTE
2 pounds baby yellow potatoes
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper
1/2 medium red onion , FINELY chopped
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons avocado oil
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup FRESH chopped Italian Parsley

  • Place potatoes in medium pot and cover with cold water.
  • Bring to a boil, add 2 teaspoons sea salt, reduce heat and simmer 12-15 minutes until tender.
  • Toss onion with vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Drain potatoes and run under cool water to cool.
  • Halve potatoes.
  • Whisk oil into vinegar mixture.
  • Add potatoes and toss to coat.
  • Fold in peas and Parsley.

BRAISED RED CABBAGE

BRAISED RED CABBAGE
2 slices bacon, diced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 shallot halved and sliced thin
1 small head red cabbage, cored and sliced 1/2 inch thick
3/4 cup Marsala wine
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 1/2 tablespoons PACKED brown sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
3 tablespoons FRESH minced Parsley

  • Brown bacon pieces and drain.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in Saute pan over medium heat.
  • Add onion and cook 5 or so minutes until golden.
  • Stir in cabbage pieces, wine, orange juice concentrate, vinegars, brown sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Stir in apple and simmer uncovered until cabbage is tender and liquid is syrupy, 10 minutes more.
  • Remove from heat, stir in Parsley, bacon pieces and remaining butter.
  • Season to taste and serve immediately.

BLACK BEAN, BEEF & POTATO ENCHILADAS

BLACK BEAN, BEEF & POTATO ENCHILADAS
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 pound chuck roast
2 1/4 cups enchilada sauce (see recipe below)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can original ROTEL tomatoes, drained well
1 large russet potato, baked
8 flour tortillas
1 cup salsa
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
FRESH ground salt and pepper to taste
Chopped black olives and onions, optional

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 13×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Season chuck roast on all sides.
  • Heat avocado oil in dutch oven.
  • Sear chuck roast on all sides
  • Add onions to pan, top with 1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, cover and bake 2 hours until meat is easily shredable. Shred meat into sauce.
  • Add black beans and rotel tomatoes to the meat mixture.
  • Wash and dry potato. Bake potato until tender along side the dutch oven.
  • Cool potato enough to e able to handle it. Peel off skin and coarsely chop.
  • Ladle 3/4 cup of enchilada sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Divide potato among the tortillas and top with a sprinkle of cheese.
  • Add about a 1/2 cup of the meat mixture.
  • Fold sides over the filling and roll up placing seam side down in baking dish. Repeat.
  • Top tortillas with remaining meat and sauce, brushing to cover the tops.
  • Bake covered for 20-25 minutes.
  • Uncover and top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake 5-10 minutes more until cheese is melted.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro and Serve.

NOTE: You can easily replace the potato with rice of choice for a change.

HOMEMADE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

During this isolation time, I’m returning to more and more scratch cooking – even more than I normally do 😀 I wanted to make some of my homemade COWBOY BROWNIES, but they called for sweetened condensed milk and I didn’t have any and was NOT going out to get any so decided to dig out the recipe to make my own.

HOMEMADE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK – Makes 1 1/4 cups.
This Homemade version of sweetened Condensed Milk recipe makes a super delicious, made from scratch version of sweetened condensed milk for baking. It also makes a GREAT coffee mate or protein drink additive 😀

2 cups WHOLE milk
3/4 cup sugar, honey, or maple syrup (depending on the flavor you’re looking for)
4 tablespoons salted butter, cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract

  • Whisk together milk and sugar, honey or syrup in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Whisking often, bring to a low simmer and whisking often, simmer until milk has reduced by half, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Once reduced, remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
  • Allow to cool COMPLETELY!
  • Store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.