Queso

Queso

4 T butter

1 onion,diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, diced (opt)

1 t salt

1 t cumin

1 t smoked paprika

1 1/2 c heavy whipping cream

4 oz cream cheese

2 c Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 c pepper jack cheese, shredded

1. Melt butter in a large pot. Saute onion, garlic, & jalapeno until soft; stir in spices.

2. Whisk in cream and heat to simmering; stir in cheeses and cook, stirring frequently, until melted.

Taco Soup

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 taco seasoning packet

1 onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans Rotel, drained 

2 c beef broth

1/2 c heavy cream

1 block cream cheese

Lime juice, to taste

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, avocados, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, & jalapenos

1. In a large pot, cook beef, onion, pepper, & garlic with taco seasoning.

2. When beef is cooked, add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes.

OR

1. Place everything except cream & cream cheese in slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring those other ingredients in just before serving.

Baked Chicken Fajitas

Baked Chicken Fajitas

1 T chili powder

2 t paprika

1 t onion powder

1 t garlic powder

1/2 t cumin

1 t salt

1/8 t cayenne, opt

1 onion, cut in 1/4" strips

3 bell peppers, cut in 1/4" strips

1 lb chicken, cut in thin strips

juice of 3 limes, separated

tortillas

Optional toppings: sour cream, cilantro, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, guacamole

1. Preheat oven to 425* and line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Mix all spices in a gallon bag; add onions, peppers, and chicken.

3. Shake bag until everything is well coated; add juice of two limes and shake again.

{3a. Place bag in fridge to marinate for at least an hour}

4. Spread chicken and vegetables on baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Squeeze juice of half of the remaining lime over baking sheet and serve with tortillas.

Italian Sausage Soup

Italian Sausage Soup

1 T butter

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic

1 lb Italian sausage

2 zucchinis, diced

4 c chicken broth, separated

1 t basil

1 t oregano

1 bay leaf

1/4 t cayenne pepper

14 oz can Italian diced tomatoes

8 oz cream cheese

2 c fresh spinach, roughly chopped

Parmesan cheese

 

1. In a large pot, melt butter; coat onion and garlic in butter, then add sausage and zucchini.

2. Cook for about 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft and sausage is browned.

3. Stir in 3 cups broth and herbs, followed by tomatoes; bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.

4. Whisk remaining broth with cream cheese until smooth & add to soup.

5. Toss in spinach and allow to wilt before serving, topped with Parmesan cheese.

Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 medium jalapeno, finely chopped

juice from 2-3 limes (1/4 c)

3/4 t salt

7-8 Roma tomatoes

1 bunch cilantro

1. In a medium bowl, combine onion, jalapeno, juice, and salt. Let it sit while you chop the tomatoes and cilantro; stir them in. Let sit at least 15 minutes, or up to a few hours, before serving.

 

Overnight Stuffing

Overnight Stuffing

1 large French loaf or 2 small Artisan loaves (like rosemary, focaccia, chiabatta, etc), cubed & dried*

1/2 c butter

2 onions

5 ribs of celery

3 eggs

2-3 T parsley

1 t rubbed sage

1 t thyme

2 c chicken broth

1. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.

2. Melt butter in a large pot; add onion & celery and saute until soft.

3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk eggs.

4. Add herbs to the pot and stir until fragrant; stir in chicken broth. Temper the eggs by adding a little bit of the warm chicken broth to the bowl, then pour the egg/broth mixture into the pot.

5. Add bread cubes to the pot and toss until well-coated; pour into greased pan, cover with foil, and place in the refrigerator.

6. Leaving the foil on, place the pan in the cold oven; turn it on to 400* and set a timer for 30-35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

 

 

*You can dry the bread on a baking sheet, either overnight on the counter (covered with a towel) or in the oven at 300* for about 30-40 minutes.

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
1 t salt
5 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1" pieces
1 lb bag sliced carrots
1- 10.75 oz can tomato soup
1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
3 c beef broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T beefy onion soup mix
1 t parsley
1 t Italian seasoning
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c frozen peas

1. In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion and salt until beef is cooked through. Drain and place in slow cooker.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients (except peas); cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Stir in peas one hour before serving.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite-sized pieces
4 T butter, divided
salt and pepper, to taste

1 onion, diced
5 slices bacon, chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and sliced
1/2 c mayonnaise
8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 c Cheddar cheese
1 c Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400*.
2. Spread 3 tablespoons butter on the bottom of an 8x8 pan and sprinkle with chicken; season with salt and pepper and bake for 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, saute onion in remaining butter until softened; add bacon and jalapenos, and cook until bacon is browned; set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise and cheeses; stir in jalapeno mixture.
5. Combine jalapeno mixture with chicken and bake for another 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Wild Rice Soup - Pressure Cooker

Wild Rice Soup
5 carrots, chopped
5 ribs celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c uncooked wild rice (do not use blended rice)
8 oz fresh mushrooms
4 c chicken broth
1 t salt
1 t sage
1/2 t thyme
1/2 t rosemary
6 T butter
1/2 c flour
1 1/2 c milk

1. Put everything from the carrots to the rosemary in the pressure cooker and cook on manual for 45 minutes; release the steam.
2. Melt the butter in a small pot; whisk in the flour. Let the roux cook for a few minutes; whisk in the milk a little at a time.
3. Stir milk mixture into soup and serve hot.

Cauliflower Chowder

Cauliflower Chowder
1 T butter
1/2 c diced onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
4 carrots, diced
1 head cauliflower, chopped
1 1/2 c chicken broth
1/2 t oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
1 c water
8 oz cream cheese, softened
olive oil, opt
bacon, chopped, opt

1. In a large pot, heat butter, onions, and garlic; saute until onions are soft.
2. Add carrots, cauliflower, chicken broth, oregano, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil and reduce to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, until cauliflower is soft.
3. Using an immersion blender, blend soup to desired consistency. Stir in water and cream cheese.
4. Simmer for 5-10 minutes; top with olive oil and bacon.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup
1 lb bacon, roughly chopped and slightly frozen
1 yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
3/4 c diced celery
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 medium red potatoes, diced
1/4 c flour
2 c chicken broth
salt and pepper, to taste
4 c heavy whipping cream
green onions, Cheddar cheese, sour cream (opt)

1. In a large pot over medium heat, fry bacon until crispy; remove bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain.
2. In bacon fat, cook onions, carrots, and celery until onions are clear; add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Whisk in flour and stir constantly over low heat until the flour is cooked and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, and half of the bacon.
4. Over medium-high heat, simmer for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. At this point, you could mash some (or all) of the potatoes. Add cream and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Serve in a bread bowl topped with remaining bacon, and other toppings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
1 1/2 lb chicken breast
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1- 15 oz can diced tomatoes
2 c chicken broth
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
1 t oregano
1/2 t paprika
salt and pepper, to taste
1- 13.5 oz can coconut milk, opt
2 T cilantro, chopped
1 avocado, pitted and sliced

1. Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker; add onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic.
2. Pour in tomatoes and broth; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Shred chicken before serving. Stir in coconut milk. Garnish with cilantro and avocado.

Beef Lombardi

Beef Lombardi
1 T olive oil
1 lb 93/7 ground beef
1 onion, diced
salt and pepper
3 T tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, minced
3- 10 oz cans Rotel, drained
1 1/4 c sour cream
1 T cornstarch
12 oz wide egg noodles
4 oz cream cheese, softened
4 green onions, minced
2 c Cheddar cheese

1. In a large pan, heat oil over medium-high heat; add beef, onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook until beef is browned.
2. Stir in tomato paste and garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and cook until mixture starts to thicken. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and cornstarch.
4. Bring water and a tablespoon of salt to boil in a large pot and cook noodles until al dente; reserve 2 cups of noodle liquid and drain the rest.
5. In the empty pot, whisk cream cheese and reserved liquid; stir in noodles, sour cream mixture, green onions, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
6. Spread noodle mixture evenly in 9x13 pan, spread meat mixture evenly over noodles, and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for about 30 minutes, until cheese is browned and edges are bubbly. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Italian Meatballs

Italian Meatballs
2 lb ground beef
1 lb ground turkey
2 eggs
2 T olive oil
1 t salt
1 t oregano
1 t basil
2 t rosemary
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, finely diced
29 oz tomato sauce

1. In a large bowl, combine beef, turkey, eggs, olive oil, salt, oregano, basil, and rosemary; gently mix until just combined.

2. In a large pot, over medium-high heat, heat 2-3 tablespoons oil. Drop golf ball-sized meatballs in the pot, brown on all sides, and remove to a plate. Repeat with remaining meat mixture.

3.When all meatballs are cooked and removed to the plate, add garlic and onion to the now-empty pot; cook until onions are clear.
4. Add tomato sauce and meatballs to pot and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Serve over spaghetti [squash].

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Meatballs
1- 12 oz bottle chili sauce
juice of 1 lemon
1 c grape jelly
2 lb ground beef (or 1 lb beef and 1 lb turkey)
1 egg
1 onion, finely diced
1/2 t salt

1. In a small bowl, combine chili sauce, lemon juice, and jelly; pour enough in slow cooker to coat the bottom and set the rest aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine beef, egg, onion, and salt; roll into 2" balls.
3. In a large pan, sear meatballs; layer meatballs and sauce in slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring a few times. Serve over rice.

Baked Beans

Baked Beans

1 lb bacon, chopped

1 large sweet onion, finely chopped

4- 15 oz cans pork and beans

1/2 c molasses

1/4 c brown sugar

1-2 T mustard

1. Preheat oven to 350*.

2. In a large pan, fry bacon until crispy; spoon bacon on to paper towel to drain. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving a little bit in the pan.

3. Place onion in reserved bacon grease and saute until softened. Stir in beans, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and bacon.

4. Pour beans into a 9x13 pan and bake for about 45 minutes.

 

 

Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti Sauce
3-4 T olive oil
1 onion, diced
6-8 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t red pepper flakes
1 T basil
2 t oregano
1- 12 oz can tomato paste
1- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
3- 14.5 oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes
2 t sugar
salt and pepper to taste

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, and oregano; saute for about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste and stir for 2-3 minutes; stir in tomatoes with juice and simmer, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper before serving.

Tomato Pie

Tomato Pie
6-7 Roma tomatoes
1/2 red onion, diced
1- 9" pie shell, prebaked
1/4 c fresh chopped basil
1 c Mozzarella cheese
1 c Cheddar cheese
3/4 c mayonnaise
1 t Frank's RedHot sauce, or more, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Cut tomatoes in half horizontally, deseed and remove excess juice, and then roughly chop. Lightly salt the tomatoes and set them in a colander over a bowl to drain for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Place onions in the bottom of the pie shell. With a clean cloth, squeeze as much remaining juice out of the tomatoes as you can before layering them on the onions; sprinkle basil over tomatoes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, mayonnaise, hot sauce, and a pinch each of salt and pepper; spread over basil.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until lightly browned.

One Pot Southwest Pasta

One Pot Southwest Pasta
1 lb rotini
2 c frozen corn
1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 sm red onion, sliced
1- 10 oz can Rotel
4 t chili powder
1 1/2 t cumin
1 1/2 t garlic powder
1 t red pepper flakes
1 t salt
2 t olive oil
4 c chicken broth
1- 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 c Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
sour cream (opt)
avocados (opt)

1. In a large pot, combine pasta, vegetables, Rotel, spices, olive oil, and chicken broth; cover and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Remove from heat, and add beans and cheese; let rest for 5 minutes before serving with sour cream and/or avocados.

Peas & Carrots

Peas & Carrots
3 carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1/2" chunks
1 t salt, separated
1/2 t pepper
4 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/2 c water
5 T butter, cut into 5 pieces
2 T minced onion

1. In a small bowl, toss carrots in 1/2 t salt and set aside.
2. In a food processor, process 1 cup peas, water, and 1/2 t salt until smooth; set aside.
3. In a medium pan over medium heat, melt 1 T butter; add onion and the carrots with any liquid. Cover and cook until carrots are just softened, about 7 minutes.
4. Add remaining 3 cups peas and cook, stirring occasionally, until peas are heated through.
5. Stir in pea puree and 1/2 t pepper, bring to a simmer, and cook until sauce starts to thicken.
6. Take off heat and stir in remaining butter until melted.