Category: TEXMEX / CAJUN / CUBAN

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN COBBLER

This is one of those recipes that I cut out of a magazine and then never got around too, but also kept changing it LOL 😀 before I ever even made it.  When I finally got around to making it EVERYONE loved it!!!

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN COBBLER
TOPPING
1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup powdered Parmesan cheese
¼ cup FRESH grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons COLD butter, cut into small cubes
scant ½ cup heavy cream

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Line a cookie sheet with a sheet of foil and LIGHTLY spray with non-stick spray.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and powdered Parmesan cheese.
  • Cut in butter until coarse crumbs form.
  • Cut in grated Parmesan cheese until well distributed.
  • Crumble mixture into a layer on the foil.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes until light golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to 350°.
  • Spray 9×9 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

CASSEROLE
3 ounces Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
½ cup Daisy sour cream
10 ounce can green enchilada sauce
1 can cream of Campbell’s chicken herb soup *
1 LARGE bunch green onions, chopped small
8 ounces chopped green chiles, only slightly drained
3 cups chopped or shredded rotisseries chicken pieces
2 cups grated Mexican cheese combo (pepper jack and cheddar), divided 1 ½ + ½

  • Whisk together the cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Add in enchilada sauce, soup and green chiles blending until well incorporated.
  • Fold in onions and chicken pieces until well distributed.
  • Transfer baking dish.
  • Top with 1 ½ cups of the cheese.
  • Toss the other ½ cup of cheese with the cooled topping mixture and sprinkle on top of baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered 30-40 minutes until heated through and bubbling.

NOTE: Soup Substitute recipe can be found here.

MEXICAN SOFRITO

I wanted to use what I had on hand so made a Mexican version of my Beef Ragu.  Naming it was an entirely different story! 

I found tons of words to replace ragu like goulash, pot-au-feu, gumbo, suey, cassoulet, chowder… You get the idea, but I couldn’t find a word in Spanish.  Finding a word for word translation of RAGU was challenging. 

Turns out there isn’t a DIRECT word for translation so I read until I found an acceptable translation for this Mexican version of my Beef Ragu recipe. The word soffritto is still Italian, but I found the same word with a single f and single t (sofrito) used for Puerto Rican and Latin American recipes.  Close enough for me! 

A Ragu is meat based with a little sauce added.

MEXICAN SOFRITO ala SLOW COOKER
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
5-6 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin
4 slices bacon, chopped
2 ½ -3 pound chuck roast
1 tablespoon House Seasoning (see below)
28 ounces crushed tomatoes, with cumin and chili powder to taste
1 large can chopped green chiles
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 cup beef broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
Cotija cheese

  • Spray a large slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange the onions, garlic, green chiles and bacon pieces in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Generously season roast with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper on both sides.
  • Arrange roast on top of the onion mixture.
  • Sprinkle the carrots on top of the roast.
  • In a medium bowl, blend together the tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, red wine vinegar and cilantro.
  • Pour over the roast.
  • Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours until the beef is EXTREMELY tender and falls apart.
  • Skim any fat from the top.
  • Use 2 forks to shred the beef.
  • Stir beef into the sauce.
  • Adjust seasonings.
  • Re-cover and cook for another hour to allow the flavored to meld together.
  • Serve with corn tortillas and top with Cotija cheese sprinkles.

This is an adapted version of my Beef Ragu recipe.

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE

This is a great recipe that is a super easy casserole replacement for the time consuming task of stuffing tamale husks.

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Place a 10 inch cast iron pan on a baking sheet and place in oven to warm.

FILLING
3 cups chopped FRESH tomatoes
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced into a paste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon Wondra flour
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Pulse together 2 cups of the tomatoes, onions and garlic until ALMOST pureed.
  • Heat the avocado oil in a skillet.
  • Stir in the chili powder and flour.
  • Whisk in the broth and tomato puree mixture and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Cool.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of sauce.
  • Add in chicken and remaining tomatoes.

TOP CRUST
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 LARGE egg
1 can SHOEPEG corn, drained
1 small can green chiles, drained
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
2 cups shredded cheese (combination of cheddar and jack)

  • Combine the cornmeal, 1/2 cup flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
  • Whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter and egg.
  • Fold in dry ingredients to the wet ingredients JUST until combined.
  • Gently fold in corn and green chiles.

ASSEMBLY

  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven.
  • Add the butter to the cast iron pan.
  • Carefully pour the batter into the pan and bake 20 minutes.
  • Poke holes in cornbread.
  • Spread reserved sauce over the cornbread.
  • Top with chicken mixture.
  • Sprinkle cheese over chicken mixture.
  • Return baking sheet to oven and bake 10 minutes until cheese melts.

 

CHILI TAMALE PIE

CHILI TAMALE PIE
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 small red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed well
2 1/2 cups mild enchilada sauce
1 can shoepeg corn, drained
12 corn tortillas
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar and Jack)
1 Jalapeno pepper, optional

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray 2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Start browning ground beef in large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add onions, garlic, chili powder and salt cooking 5 minutes or so, stirring often.
  • Add beans and half of the sauce, bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes.
  • Add corn and return to simmer 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Spread half of the remaining sauce in the baking dish.
  • Top with 4 tortillas, overlapping as needed.
  • Top with half the cheese followed by half the filling mixture.
  • Add 4 more tortillas.
  • Repeat layering with 1/2 cup cheese and remaining filling.
  • Top with last 4 tortillas, remaining sauce, remaining cheese and jalapenos if using.
  • Grease one side of a sheet of foil and place greased side on top of baking dish.
  • Bake 20 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake 5 more minutes.

FUSION BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS MEXICAN-ITALIAN

FUSION BREAKFAST ENCHILADAS MEXICAN-ITALIAN adapted from NORMAL COOKING
These are wonderfully flavorful – Italian on the inside and Mexican on the outside – fusion at its best!

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3 green onions, halved and sliced thin
2 ounces sun dried tomatoes
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
6  LARGE eggs
1 tablespoon WONDRA flour
2 cups half-and-half
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper
4 slices bacon, diced and cooked crisp
Salsa, for serving
Sour cream, for serving

  • Spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a skillet over medium high heat, brown sausage and then drain fat.
  • In a large bowl, stir together browned sausage, green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, Mozzarella cheese and half of the bacon pieces.
  • Place 1/8 of the mixture down the center of a tortilla.
  • Roll up and place seem side down in baking dish. Repeat until all tortillas are filled.
  • In another large bowl beat eggs, flour and salt.
  • Mix in half-and-half.
  • Pour over the tortillas in the pan. You can cover the dish overnight and place in the fridge OR bake immediately.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°.
  • Uncover dish and sprinkle remaining cheese over tortillas.
  • Sprinkle the rest of the bacon bits over cheese.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  • Uncover dish and bake 10 minutes longer or until set and cheese is melted.

CHICKEN FLAUTA RING

CHICKEN FLAUTA RING
2 cups chicken, cooked, shredded **
1 small red onion, chopped small
1 large ripe tomato, chopped
2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese, divided
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
18 flour tortillas fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
guacamole and avocado slices, for garnish
sour cream, for garnish
salsa, for garnish

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, onion, tomato, 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, 1/2 cup  cheddar cheese, the lime juice, and taco seasoning, mixing thoroughly.
  • Preheat the oven to 400˚.
  • Spray baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place one of the tortillas on a cutting board.
  • Scoop 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the bottom edge of the tortilla.
  • Roll up the tortilla tightly and cut in half crosswise.
  • Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and filling.
  • Arrange the flautas in a circle on the baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle with half of the remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Place a second layer of flautas on top of the first so they are overlapping.
  • Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
  • Place the rest of the flautas on top for a third layer.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
  • Place a spoonful of guacamole and sour cream in the center.  Top with tomatoes and sprinkle with green onions and salsa.
  • Serve immediately and Enjoy!

NOTES:

  • **ROTISSERIE chicken works great!
  • I use my pizza pan wrapped in foil to get them really crisp!

CREOLE PORK CHOPS

This is another “antique” recipe find. I loved the title, but it fails to actually deliver the flavor in today’s spice packed world of cooking. This was a good alternative for flavor in the early 20th century I’m sure, but bland by today’s standards! I have manipulated the recipe significantly to add MORE flavor.

GOOD LUCK MARGARINE was originally a Newfoundland company and through different mergers and acquisitions eventually became a Canadian company. There were several of these waxed cardboard recipes in the file I recently purchased, but this is the first I tried and had to change to add the necessary flavor.

CREOLE PORK CHOPS ala GOOD LUCK MARGARINE 😀 (sort of) serves 4

4 loin or shoulder chops, bone in
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to season
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup long grain rice
4 thick slices tomato
1 small onion halved, and sliced
4 rings green pepper OR equal amount of sliced mini peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 – 8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on preference)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups boiling salted water

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Generously sprinkle chops with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Dredge in flour.
  • Melt butter in skillet.
  • Add chops and sear on both sides.
  • Cook rice in boiling salted water for 5 minutes. Do not drain.
  • Place pork chops in a single layer on the bottom of a deep casserole.
  • Place a slice of tomato and peppers on top of each chop.
  • Scatter onions over top.
  • Whisk tomato sauce with the cornstarch, basil, paprika, white pepper, cumin and cayenne, to taste.
  • Stir in garlic.
  • Replace the removed water with the tomato sauce mixture, stirring to blend.
  • Pour rice and tomato sauce water mixture over chops.
  • Cover and bake for one hour or until rice and chops are both tender.

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN

CHIPOTLE ORANGE CHICKEN serves 4-6

1 chicken cut into pieces or 6-8 pieces of your favorite cut
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons Chipotle pepper
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped cilantro
2 oranges
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil.
  • In a large bowl toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper and cumin. Reserve remaining seasonings.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the grated zest and the juice from the oranges with the tomato paste, vinegar, sugar, chipotle pepper and the reserved seasonings from your dredge.
  • Pour tomato mixture over chicken and toss to coat.
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on the baking dish.
  • Bake 45-50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
  • Brush with remaining sauce every 15 minutes.
  • Transfer to platter and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

BRAISED TOMATILLO PORK

BRAISED TOMATILLO PORK serves 6-8

3-4 pound bone-in pork shoulder roast
1 tablespoon FRESHLY toasted coriander seeds
1 tablespoons FRESHLY toasted cumin seeds
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon avocado oil
10-15 tomatillos, husks removed and chopped
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 orange, peeled and cut into small segments
1 cup white wine
6 cups chicken broth

  • Crush coriander and cumin seeds in a mortar and pestle until aromatic. Set aside.
  • Generously season pork roast with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Heat oil in an ovenproof dutch oven over medium high heat.
  • Brown pork roast on all sides. Remove roast and set aside.
  • Add tomatillo and onion pieces to pan, sautéing until tender and tomatillos are slightly charred.
  • Add garlic and crushed coriander and cumin seeds. Cook 1 more minute until fragrant.
  • Add wine, stirring to combine. Scrape bits from bottom of the pan.
  • Stir in chicken broth and return roast to pan.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Remove from heat, cover and bake 3-3 1/2 hours until pork is tender.
  • Shred pork into sauce.
  • Serve over creamy masked potatoes, polenta or with tortillas, avocado salsa and sour cream.

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO sans OKRA

I am NOT a fan of Okra. In fact, I absolutely HATE, HATE, HATE OKRA!!!!!!! So, this version of gumbo has NO okra in it!! The thickening is done with a toasted flour roux instead.  Gumbo is usually served with dirty rice in many places, but hubby really likes it over a creamy mashed potato.

This is a labor intensive recipe with chopping so many times I prep the day before. While I’m chopping, I toast the flour so it has plenty of time to cool. If storing overnight, be sure to store the flour in an airtight container.

I also use a ladle as well as a slotted spoon to serve so everyone can have as much or as little gravy as they like. 😀

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO sans OKRA

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 each red, orange and yellow mini pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon FRESHLY minced thyme
3-4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 bay leaves
4 cups chicken broth
4 slices bacon, cut into thin strips
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat and cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 pound Andouille sausage, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon vinegar
Prepared rice or mashed potatoes
Frank’s original hot sauce

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Place flour in an oven safe skillet and bake, stirring frequently, 40-55 minutes until the color of cinnamon and has a nutty fragrance.
  • Transfer flour to a bowl and allow to cool.
  • Heat oil in dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers.
  • Add bacon and cook until bacon is rendered and beginning to crisp up.
  • Add onions, bell peppers and celery, cooking 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until softened.
  • Stir in thyme, garlic, paprika, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper, stirring until fragrant.
  • Stir in 2 cups of broth.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
  • Whisk together the melted butter with the remaining broth.
  • Slowly and gradually whisk the flour into the broth mixture until a smooth batter like paste is formed.
  • Increase heat to medium high.
  • SLOWLY whisk the paste into gumbo making sure each addition is COMPLETELY incorporated before adding more.
  • Stir in chicken pieces.
  • Simmer uncovered 25 minutes.
  • Discard bay leaves if using.
  • Stir sausage pieces and green onions into gumbo and slowly simmer 5 minutes to heat through.
  • Remove pot from heat and stir in vinegar.
  • Adjust seasonings.
  • Serve over rice with hot sauce.

NOTES:

  • When toasting the flour, obtaining the “cinnamon” color is key to the flavor.
  • I like to use cheesecloth seasoning bags for the bay leaves to make them easier to fish out at the end.  Bay leaves can also be eliminated with a thyme and oregano combination.  For each bay leaf substitute 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.
  • Most recipes call for green pepper, but green pepper and I are NOT on speaking terms so I substitute mini peppers, one in each color, orange, red and yellow.

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE ala Slow Cooker

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup WHOLE milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
1 cup sour cream
1 can original ROTEL tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained WELL
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe below)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag FRITOS
1 small tomato, chopped
1 SMALL bunch green onions, sliced thin

  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Whisk together the white sauce and sour cream until smooth.
  • Add in taco seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Stir in Rotel tomatoes, black beans and 1 cup of the cheese.
  • Spread mixture into slow cooker insert.
  • Top with chicken pieces in a single layer if possible.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours* until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  • Mix chicken back in.
  • Top with Fritos and remaining cheese.
  • Cover a few minutes JUST until cheese melts.
  • Top with chopped tomato and green onions.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTES:

  • Time varies based on chicken breast sizes.
  • I accidentally bought re-fried black beans this time actually liked it too.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 teaspoons of onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup water

  • Mix all the dry ingredients together and use with your taco meat.
  • Pour the water in the pan and cook just like you would for tacos.
  • The amount above is the same amount that is in one packet of taco seasoning mix at the store.

CAJUN HONEY BUTTER OR LEMON PEPPER SALMON & SHRIMP

CAJUN HONEY BUTTER OR LEMON PEPPER SALMON & SHRIMP
Sweet and savory pan-seared salmon topped with sautéed shrimp in cajun butter sauce. Salmon New Orleans is an unforgettable meal.

4-6 ounce salmon fillets
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled, de-veined
8 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons honey

LEMON PEPPER & SEA SALT seasoning
FRESH ground sea salt
LEMON pepper
Sweet Hungarian Paprika

OR

CAJUN seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon onion salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
heaping ½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • In a small bowl whisk together all Cajun OR Lemon Pepper seasoning ingredients and set aside.
  • Season the salmon with fresh ground salt and pepper to taste.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add honey and whisk to combine (mixture should be bubbly).
  • Add salmon fillets to pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until salmon is cooked through, flaky, and browned.
  • Transfer salmon pieces to a platter and cover to keep warm.
  • Add remaining butter to the pan over medium-high heat. Once butter is melted, stir in cajun seasoning.
  • Add shrimp to pan and saute’ until opaque, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Serve salmon topped with shrimp pieces.
  • Drizzle any extra pan sauce over the top and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
  • Serve immediately.