SIMPLY DELICIOUS SUNDAY ~ ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS LASAGNA

So do you know what the first step is in making Enchiladas Rancheras is?  To make a pot roast one day and pork carnitas the next of course.  I’ve made these enchiladas for years but always find the best flavor comes from using leftover pot roast & leftover pork carnitas in tandem along with fresh made tortillas and tomato sauce.  I’d like to say I made these tortillas, but I ran out of time with company coming and purchased  them from a local market who makes them fresh in the store.  I just love watching those girls work!
ENCHILADAS RANCHERAS
Shredded beef
4 large tomatoes,sliced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 large can can chopped green chiles
2 cups shredded cheese (I like a combo of jalapeno cheddar and Monterey jack)
tortillas
PURE
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray baking dish with PURE.
  • Roast tomatoes until crushable.
  • Add green chiles and garlic until well blended.
  • Stir in salt and pepper.
  • Puree’.
  • Split sauce in half.
  • Soak shredded meat for at least an hour in the sauce (though I prefer over night).
  • Spread your tortilla lightly with some of the tomato sauce.  
  • Fill with meat and sprinkle with cheese.
  • Roll up and place in baking dish.
  • When full, pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas.**
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Serve with GARDEN TOMATO SALSA and Fresh Guacamole.
**This time I was trying to feed a full house and was running out of refrigerator space so I tried something new and made 2 layers in the same pan and made a casserole out of it – worked like a dream.  We just called it Lasagna cut it into squares and everyone was happy.

NUTTY MUSHROOM CASHEW CHICKEN

NUTTY MUSHROOM CASHEW CHICKEN
4 chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1 ounce dehydrated Maitake mushrooms, re-hydrated and then chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons oil
2 cup hot chicken broth
2 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup cashews
cooked rice
  • Heat canola oil over medium high heat until JUST sizzling.
  • Saute’ green onions and mushrooms until tender. Using a slotted spoon remove onions and Maitake mushrooms to drain on paper towels.
  • Stir fry chicken in hot oil in frying pan or wok until chicken is lightly brown and tender, about 8 minutes. 
  • Remove chicken from oil and drain excess oil from the pan. 
  • Whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and  the  Worcestershire sauce. 
  • Blend well, then add chicken stock to the pan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened. 
  • Add lemon juice; add chicken pieces, onions and mushrooms and reheat. Do not boil
  • Taste to correct seasonings. 
  • Add cashews. 
  • Serve over hot rice.
He all but licked his plate!

Don’t forget to enter the new giveaway!

BOEUF FLAMANDE aka BEEF IN DARK BEER, well sort of

I found this recipe in the bottom of grams pile of magazine/book clippings to try one day.  It just screamed, “try me for the guys”.  BOEUF FLAMANDE translates into ‘Beef Stew in a rich sauce made with beer’. But I don’t like dark beer so I adjusted the recipe and it worked really well. The guys we’re asking when we’re doing the leftovers.  This will be perfect on a cold winter’s night!

BOEUF FLAMANDE
1/2 pound bacon, cut into 1/4″ cubes
3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into bite size pieces (I used brisket)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
3 tablespoons butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large Vidalia onions, cut into thin slices
2 large carrots, sliced
1/2 cup flour + dredging flour
1/2 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
3/4 cup Dr. Pepper (yep you read that right)
3 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons Better than Beef Bouillon
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
fresh parsley sprigs

  • Preheat oven 325 degrees.
  • Place the flour into a plastic bag.
  • Brown bacon pieces until crisp.  With a slotted spoon remove to drain.
  • Dredge beef pieces in the flour mixture.
  • Brown beef pieces in bacon fat*.  With a slotted spoon remove beef pieces to a colander to drain.
  • Add butter to saute pan. 
  • Saute’ carrots for several minutes.
  • Add the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
  • Stir in 1/2 cup flour, salt, pepper and thyme.
  • Whisk together the hot water, sugar and bouillon. 
  • Add Country Bob’s sauce, Worcestershire sauce, champagne vinegar and Dr. Pepper until well blended. 
  • Add to veggies.
  • Bring to a fast boil.
  • Lower heat to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Spray a casserole with PURE.
  • Add browned meat to the casserole.
  • Top with onions and carrots.
  • Pour sauce over top and blend well.
  • Bake for 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.
  • Serve over Parmesan Potatoes.

*May have to add a bit of butter or oil if not enough bacon grease.

PORK CHOPS AND SCALLOPED POTATOES

Don’t forget to enter our CSN STORES sponsored BIRTHDAY BASH GIVEAWAY here.

This is a tried and true recipe good for winter or summer because of the crock pot.  Recently we were asked out for my aunt’s birthday party.  At the last minute I was asked to prepare it at home instead.  What could I say but yes?  It is June in Texas though and I am miserable as my uncle believes he is freezing if you lower the thermostat below 80 degrees so I reallllllllllllllllllly didn’t want to turn on the oven, but needed a “Sunday” dinner meal for company.  That is what is so nice about this recipe – it looks like you slaved in the kitchen all day, but really I plugged it in and went to an air conditioned museum for a few hours.  But, shhhhhhhh don’t tell on me.  These are so yummy and they turn out super tender – you’ll be able to cut them with a fork.

4 extra thick pork chops
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper
3 large russet potatoes
1 can cream of asparagus soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 ounces Land of Lakes block cheese*, cut into chunks

  • Melt butter in a large skillet.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper generously on both sides of chops.
  • Brown chops on both sides.
  • While chops are browning, wash the potatoes and slice into 1/4 inch.
  • Whisk together the soup, sour cream and milk.
  • Spray crock pot with PURE.
  • Layer potatoes slices, soup sauce and cheese chunks 2 or 3 times.
  • Lay pork chops on top.
  • Cook on low 4 hours.

*Velveeta works, but not nearly as well.

Try this Italian Green Bean & Tomato salad with this!

Garlic Dill Pickles & Birthday BASH giveaway!

Hubby loves pickles!  I mean he reallllllllllllllllllllllly loooooooooooooooves pickles.  Unfortunately I am deathly allergic to mustard and just don’t make them enough for him because of my allergy.  But, the other day we ran across some awesome pickling cucumbers at the local farmers market produce and he begged (realllllly) and promised all sorts of fun stuff  (I’m blushing) so I gave in and made my super secret Garlic Dill Pickles for him.  Now I’m going to share them with you.

GARLIC DILL PICKLES
2 pounds cucumber pickles, washed
2 cups white vinegar
4 cups water
1/4 cup pickling salt
2 tablespoons fresh dill*
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 large cloves garlic, minced 
1 large Vidalia onion, whole

  • Chill the cucumbers in a bowl of ice water for 30 minutes or more.
  • In a medium non-reactive pan heat the water, vinegar and salt over a medium high heat until the salt is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  • Cut cucumbers to desired size.
  • Place cucumbers in large jar.
  • Stir garlic, dill and mustard seed into vinegar mix.
  • Pour cooled mixture over pickles.
  • Place whole onion on top to weight pickles to keep them submerged.
  • Set in a cool place for 3-4 days at room temperature and then move to refrigerator for crisp pickles.

*you can use dehydrated, but I prefer not to when at all possible – fresh gives such a better flavor!


CSN stores is helping us celebrate our birthday by giving YOU the present!

We were recently made aware of a wonderful online shopping experience  and it’s available right from your desk top. Whether you are looking for a sofa, TV stands, dining room furniture or cookware they have it all.
Seriously, you really need to go check out these sites
www.racksandstands.com
www.allmodern.com
www.diningroomsdirect.com
www.cookware.com
www.moremailboxes.com

Maybe you need a new spice rack like this one? How can you get it for free? By joining in on this giveaway of course!

The winner receives a $60 gift certificate to use
as they wish on any of the CSN.stores websites.

Kamenstein 16 Jar Acadia Wood Spice Rack

THE RULES
  • Answer one questionWhat is your favorite kitchen appliance color?
  • You can earn an extra entry by blogging about this contest. Come back and leave a 2nd entry with the link.
  • You can earn another entry by becoming a follower of OUR KRAZY KITCHEN. Come back and leave a comment.
  • You can earn another entry by signing up to be a guest host.  Your guest host piece would need to be completed and in place before the deadline.  We would then schedule it into our time slots available over the next 2 months.
  • No entries after 11:30 pm Pacific Time Sunday, 6/27.
  • Winner will be selected at random and announced Wednesday, June 30th.
  • Good luck!

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Disclosure: I did not receive any type of compensation for this post. CSN stores is sponsoring this giveaway and will handle prize fulfillment. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced to post them.

Chicken and Onions in White Wine Cream Sauce

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small white onion, sliced and split into rings
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons dried parsley
3/4 cup whipping cream

In a shallow bowl sift together the flour, salt and pepper. Coat chicken with flour mixture and pat firm caking the flour into all the crevices. In a large skillet heat together the butter and olive oil. Saute’ the onion rings until browned and beginning to caramelize. Add the chicken and cook until brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken and onions and set aside. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes until heated through. Add the parsley and whipping cream, cooking over low heat until sauce thickens. Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes. Top with the onions.
Now for the really fun news.  OUR KrAzY kitchen turns one year old in just 3 weeks on June 27th.  We would love for you to join us as we throw ourselves a birthday bash.  Right here on Simply Delicious Sunday we will have a link for you to add your favorite recipe for birthday cake or whatever.  The KrAzIeR the better.  Be sure to join us and celebrate!

BALSAMIC BERRY SAUCE

It’s shortcake season and I thought I would change it up a bit with this awesome BALSAMIC BERRY SAUCE.  I hope you like it.

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup fresh blackberries, pureed large
8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained slightly
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the berries, pineapple, sugar, and balsamic vinegar.
  • Cook until the strawberries are heated through and darkened to a deep purple.
  • Spoon berries over shortcake or ice cream and serve.

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CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN with APRICOT MAPLE PINEAPPLE GLAZE

Do you like those rotisserie chicken from the market? I do, but on average they are only 2-3 pounds and cost anywhere from $5-$8 or even more. My local grocer ran a unadvertised special the other day and I got this 5.86 pound beauty for 97 cents a pound.

I love my cast iron skillet too! There is nothing better for even cooking heat! I like to roast my chicken in there so the sides are always radiating an even heat to whole chicken.

CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN
1 5-6 pound roasting chicken
4 tablespoons butter, softened
salt & pepper
1/2 onion, wedged small
1 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
  • Wash chicken and dry.
  • Spread butter along the inside of the cast iron pan and all over the chicken.
  • Generously salt and pepper the chicken.
  • Place onions along side the chicken.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the preserves and syrup. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature.
  • Roast at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
  • With a pastry brush spread preserve mixture all over the chicken every 10-15 minutes until skin is crisp and chicken is cooked through. This should be from 30-45 minutes based on the actual weight of your chicken.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY ~ STRAWBERRY PIZZA & STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE ~ SAME BASIC RECIPE 2 WAYS

STRAWBERRY PIZZA
1 package Pillsbury pie dough (or homemade if you have time)

2 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar + 3-4 tablespoons

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pound strawberries, cleaned and sliced
whipped cream

  • In a medium mixing bowl sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of sugar over sliced strawberries and toss. Set aside.
  • Cut out 4 – 5 inch rounds.
  • Bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • Cool.
  • In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
  • Bake cream cheese mixture 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Spread over “pizza” rounds.
  • Top with spoonfuls of strawberries.
  • Add whipped cream and top with CARAMEL SAUCE and MOCHA HOT FUDGE SAUCE.

RUSTIC STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE
1 package Pillsbury pie dough (or homemade if you have time)

2 eggs
8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar + 3-4 tablespoons

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 pound strawberries, cleaned and sliced
whipped cream

  • In a medium mixing bowl sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of sugar over sliced strawberries and toss. Set aside.
  • Fit crust into pie plate, prick bottom in a couple places with fork tines and bake 5 minutes at 400 degrees.
  • In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, eggs, 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
  • Pour into pie plate and bake cream cheese mixture 15 minutes until slightly thickened. You will need to lay a piece of foil over top for part of the time to prevent crust from burning.
  • Spread over “pizza” rounds.
  • Top with spoonfuls of strawberries.
  • Add whipped cream and top with CARAMEL SAUCE and MOCHA HOT FUDGE SAUCE.

CADILLACS ~ PARMESAN ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES, DINER STYLE

As I get older I have noticed that there are fewer and fewer mom and pop style diners. I find this very sad. Some of the best soups, salads and sandwiches I have ever had were diner style. With all the chain restaurants these days they do okay, but they also do formulaic recipes with as few ingredients as they can get away with to make it palatable, at least in my opinion. This recipe I made from memory of a fantastic sandwich I had in a roadside diner somewhere in Texas many years ago.




PARMESAN ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES
8 ounces thinly sliced roast beef (close to shaved)
1 firm tomato
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
4 ounce can mild green chiles,
VERY well drained*
4 slices thick quality sourdough bread

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

mayonnaise

  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat in a small skillet.
  • Saute’ onions until JUST tender.
  • Add green chiles and Worcestershire sauce. Drain well if there is any excess oil.
  • Toss roast beef with onion mixture until heated through and well blended.
  • Grill the tomatoes until cooked through.
  • Butter 2 bread slices. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over butter and immediately press down gently so cheese nestles into the butter. This will form a crispier crust.
  • Press bread buttered side down on hot grill.
  • Add grilled tomatoes.
  • Top with shredded cheese.
  • Top with roast beef mixture.
  • Spread mayonnaise on top slices of bread and top sandwiches.
  • Spread butter on top side of bread and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, pressing firmly again to imbed Parmesan cheese.
  • Flip sandwiches and grill until golden.
*I accidentally picked up jalapenos this last time.
NOTE to self. ALSO good, but way HOT!!!

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SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS

On the weekends when we are going to be home all day, I LOVE the smell of something scrumptious cooking and this recipe is one of my favorites. The great thing about this recipe though is that it’s great for working moms during the week too.

SLOW COOKED MEAT BALLS
1 1/2 pounds ground beef*
4 slices stale sourdough bread made into crumbs
1 JUMBO egg, beaten
1 medium Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 can cream of golden mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil

  • With your hands mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion and half the seasonings.
  • Form into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
  • Spray the bottom of the slow cooker lightly with PURE.
  • Gently lay the meatballs in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Mix together the soup, broth and tomatoes.
  • Pour over meatballs.
  • Cover and cook 7-9 hours on low.
*I like to make my own ground beef when brisket is on sale. It makes for a richer tasting beef flavor! Thank you Tyler Florence!

AND DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO ENTER:


I was recently made aware that there is a wonderful online shopping experience available right from your desk top. Whether you are looking for TV stands, dining room furniture or cookware, they have it all.
Remember all these wish list posts I did about all the wonderful quality kitchen dreams and wishes I have? Well, all the items I’m dreaming about to complete my dream kitchen are available from these sites from CSN stores and so are yours!


Maybe you need a new spice rack like this one? How can you get it for free? By joining in on this giveaway of course! The winner receives a $60 gift certificate for them to use as they wish on any of the CSN.stores websites.

Kamenstein 16 Jar Acadia Wood Spice Rack

Want to enter? Head on over to 3 Sides of Crazy for YOUR chance!
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STRAWBERRY KIWI HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE

This is even better when you take the time to make fresh whipped cream or homemade vanilla ice cream to go with it.

GLAZE
2 baskets fresh strawberries, sliced
2 kiwis, chopped
1 cup pureed strawberries*
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons KARO light corn syrup
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup water

*I use the less than pretty berries for the puree.

Mix together sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch and water in a 2 quart sauce pan, cover and bring to a slow boil.

When you reach a boil remove the lid. Add the 1 cup pureed strawberries and boil a few minutes more and then chill 10 minutes.

After chilled pour over sliced berries and toss gently.

BUTTERMILK SHORTCAKE
2 cups flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
dash of salt
4 tablespoons sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter, softened, but not melted
¾ cup buttermilk**

Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the milk and butter and mix well into a soft dough. DO NOT over knead – it will become tough.

Grease an 8 inch pie pan really well. Gently arrange dough into an even mound and pre-cut into your serving portions before baking.

Bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick done and golden brown.

Slice each shortcake open, bot with a thin layer of honey, arrange on plate and top with a scoop of strawberry kiwi glaze and vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

**As a substitute, Buttermilk can be made by adding 2 tablespoons of vinegar to regular milk.

AND MY REVIEW FOR LE CRUSET:

I was recently made aware that there is a wonderful online shopping experience available right from your desk top. Whether you are looking for tv stands, dining room furniture or cookware, they have it all.


Remember all these wish list posts I did about all the wonderful quality kitchen dreams and wishes I have? Well, all the items I’m dreaming about to complete my dream kitchen are available from these sites from CSN stores.

CSN stores sent me this awesome LeCruset Baker to review. I have dreamed of owning one for sooooooo long. I decided in order to review it properly I had to makes lots of great recipes like THE ULTIMATE COMFORT MAC & CHEESE, POT ROAST & ROASTED VEGGIES and RITZY CARROT & BROCCOLI CASSEROLE.


My conclusion: VERY FAVORABLE! Everything cooked up beautifully and the clean up was so easy! This is a beautiful quality piece of cookware. I can’t wait to buy more pieces from CSN stores – their shipping and customer service are well above the norm.