The Cheese Dip That Will Make You Popular

Ingredients

1 8 oz. package cream cheese
2 cups grated cheddar cheese OR grated jalapeño jack
1 cup mayonnaise
1 small purple onion, diced or chopped green onions

Thinly sliced poblano peppers, roasted if desired

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a shallow baking dish (a 9″ square pan or round quiche pan will be perfect!)
2. Microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until the ingredients are melted enough to stir together.
3. Stir until combined.
4. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
5. Serve with tortilla chips, fresh heated tortillas, or Frito’s Scoops for dipping.

CINNAMON ROLL CAKE

Cake:

3 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. butter, melted

Topping:

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Mix everything together except for the butter. Slowly stir in the melted butter and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. For the topping, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Drop evenly over the batter and swirl with a knife. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar
enough milk to make a runny glaze about 6 or 7 tablespoons
1 tsp. vanilla

While warm drizzle the glaze over the cake.

jalapeño popper dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon New Mexico chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pound bacon, (cooked and crumbled) divided
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded pepperjack cheese, divided
1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapenos , well drained (or 2 fresh jalapenos, deveined, deseeded and diced)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Crackers, chips, or warm tortilla wedges

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, New Mexico chili powder, ground cumin, pepper, garlic powder. Stir with a spoon until well mixed. Add 3/4 of the bacon, 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, 1 cup pepperjack cheese, and drained jalapenos.

Spread into a 10" cast iron skillet (or (2) 5" skillets for the perfect party plate). Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.

Sprinkle with reserved bacon and parsley. Serve with crackers, chips, or warm tortilla wedges.

Zuccini cheese “bread”

Love cheese but hate carbs?
TOTAL TIME: 0:50
PREP: 0:15

INGREDIENTS

3 medium zucchini, or about 4 cups grated zucchini
2 large eggs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3 c. shredded mozzarella, divided
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
1/4 c. cornstarch
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp. Freshly Chopped Parsley
Marinara, for dipping

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425º and line a baking sheet with parchment. On a box grater or in a food processor, grate zucchini. Using cheesecloth or a dish towel, wring excess moisture out of zucchini.
Transfer zucchini to a large bowl with eggs, garlic, oregano, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and cornstarch and season with salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined.
Transfer “dough” to prepared baking sheet and pat into a crust. Bake until golden and dried out, 25 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozzarella, crushed red pepper flakes, and parsley and bake until cheese is melted, 8 to 10 minutes more.
Slice and serve with marinara.

Those cornbread thingies

1 cup flour

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Add water to mix (not too thick)

 Salt and baking powder or just an estimate since I just spoon them. I use Crisco shortening to cook them. The secret is to keep grease in the pan to give better flavor.  I spoon out tablespoon sizes. You can make a smaller batches, just make flour and corn meal the same amount and sugar half of the amount. Add salt and baking powder accordingly. Enjoy. 

Try frying these in bacon grease.  These are good served with chili or anywhere you would serve cornbread. 

Bacon cheddar beer scalloped potatoes

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground chile de arbol (can substitute cayenne pepper, to taste)
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup beer, Belgian style wheat beer (Blue Moon)
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth*
8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded
3/4 cup half & half
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
24 ounces bacon, cooked, drained and chopped
3 pounds red potatoes, sliced thin


Move rack to center of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk; allow flour to cook for 2-3 minutes to cook out the ‘floury’ taste. Add garlic, chile, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk to combine.
Slowly add beer, chicken half and half. Whisk until there are no lumps. Add cheese and whisk constantly until you have a smooth mixture. Add milk and Worcestershire. Reduce heat to low.
Butter a 3 quart casserole dish. Layer potatoes in casserole dish, topping each layer with about ½ cup of cheese sauce. Halfway through add half of chopped bacon on top of cheese layer. Continue layering cheese sauce and potatoes. Reserve the remaining bacon.
Bake for 70-90 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Top with remaining bacon for the last 10 minutes of cook time. Allow potatoes to rest for 20 minutes before serving to thicken up. Serve and enjoy!

*If you do not have chicken broth, you can heat ½ cup water and ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon to substitute.

Ingredients

Rolls
1 package (8 count) refrigerated crescent rolls
4 oz. cream cheese, cold
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
¼ tsp. lemon extract
zest of ½ lemon

Glaze
1 c. powdered sugar
1½ Tbsp. lemon juice
zest of ½ lemon

Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, granulated sugar, lemon extract, and lemon zest.
Beat on medium-high speed until mixture comes together.
Unroll crescent roll dough into triangles; spoon cream cheese filling onto wider end of each triangle.
Gently roll the dough, starting with the wider end and tucking the corners, into crescent shapes.
Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased or parchment -lined baking sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.
Let rolls cool on a wire rack.
Once cool, prepare glaze by combining all ingredients until smooth.
Drizzle glaze evenly over rolls.

Cast Iron Skillet Apple Pie

Ingredients

4 lg Granny Smith apples
1-2 other apples depending on size (Gala, Fuji, Envy, or other)
1 refrigerated, ready-made pie crust (2 pieces)
1 stick of butter
1+ c of brown sugar (packed)
½ c sugar
2 tbs cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger
2 tbs flour
egg white & water mixture
a tiny mixture of cinnamon sugar (about 2 tsp)

Peel and cut apples and put them into an acid-water bath to keep them from turning brown. You can use lemon or lime in the water. I used pineapple juice and water. I also like to throw in a surprise apple or two to mix it up with the Granny Smiths. This time I used 1½ Envy apples.

(Get your pie crusts out of the box, so they can warm to room temperature while you prepare your apples.)



Into a jar put 1/2 to 2/3 cup of sugar. I got carried away and used more sugar than I usually do. Add the flour to the sugar. This keeps the pie from getting runny inside. Nobody likes runny insides!
The next part was hard for me because I tried to come up with exact measurements for the spices for you precise people. I usually just dump my spices in until it looks and smells right to me.
Now shake up the dry ingredients, but put the lid on first! I guess you could use a bowl and sp



Melt your butter over low-medium heat then add the brown sugar. I tend to add a little more than one cup. (Paula Deen would be proud.) Mix it together until it looks like chocolate gravy.



Lay your bottom crust on top of the gooey, delicious goodness. Now place your well drained apples on top of the crust. Don't dump them in because it will tear right through the dough. Remember it's floating on a sea of yummy, so it's a little delicate.



Pour the sugar mixture over the apples.



Cut a vent hole in the top crust and place it over the apples. I usually use a cookie cutter, but the only one I could find was a huge star, so I guess we're having patriotic pie tonight.
Tuck the top crust down along the edges. Sometimes I worry about how it looks, so I try to get my edges pretty.



Using an extremely soft brush, or in this case my fingers, wash the top crust with the egg white-water mixture. You will want to do this lightly. Don't let it pool in the crevices. Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top of the egg wash. This makes the crust glisten with a beautiful golden color.
Now wrap the edges with foil so they don't burn.

Bake at 350° for 35 minutes and remove foil.  Continue baking for 10-15 minutes depending on your oven, altitude.  Let the pie cool on a baking rack for at least 15 minutes.

Olive Garden Chicken Vino Bianco

1/2 pound dried linguine
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
4 (4 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 medium yellow onion, grated
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup white wine, (I used Chardonnay)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 scallions, chopped (divided)
2 Roma tomatoes, diced (divided)
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add linguine. Cook until al dente (tender but still with a bite to it), about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain pasta, set aside.

Meanwhile: in a pie plate or shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir with a fork to blend. Place the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, one at a time. Press the chicken into the mixture with tongs and flip the chicken over to coat the other side. Shake off the excess.

Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place all 4 chicken breasts in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, turning once between cooking, about 8-10 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Add butter, onion and garlic to the pan. Cook until onions are translucent, about 2 minutes. Add 1/4 cup remaining flour to pan and whisk to combine. Add cream, lemon juice, wine, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Whisk until mixture is smooth. Add up to 1 cup of pasta water to help create the sauce.

Add cooked pasta, half of scallions and half of tomatoes, stir to combine. Return chicken to skillet and allow it to warm. Sprinkle remaining scallions and tomatoes on top of skillet.

NUTELLA MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons self-rising flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING (IF DESIRED)
½ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug.
Whisk well with a fork until smooth.
Microwave on high for 1½– 3 minutes. (Time depends on microwave.)
Add heavy cream to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and whip on medium-high speed until almost stiff.
Add sugar and beat until heavy cream forms stiff peaks.
Top Mug Cakes with whipped cream and a little chocolate sauce, if desired.


3-Ingredient ‘Ice Cream’ Mug Cake

1/2 cup full-fat ice cream (I used chocolate-chocolate chip)
1/4 cup cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions:
Melt ice cream in microwave for 20 seconds. Whisk until smooth. Add flour and baking powder, and whisk again until smooth and flour is no longer visible.
Microwave for 2 minutes, checking after 1 minute. The cake will puff up and then begin to settle. It is ready when the puffed-up portion no longer looks wet and shiny.
Remove from microwave and let sit for 2-3 minutes to cool slightly (cake will deflate as it cools). Sift with confectioners’ sugar if desired. Serve immediately.


Strawberry Mug Pies serves 4

2 pounds of fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 thawed puff pastry sheet, cut into 4 circles/squares to sit on the mugs
1 egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a baking dish, combine strawberries, sugar, flour, salt and mix to combine. Either divide the mixture into 4 mugs or ramekins, or keep it in the baking dish. Place cut puff pastry either over top of the mug or ramekin, or on a baking sheet, and brush with beaten egg. Place the mugs on a baking sheet and place in the oven (or just place the baking dish and sheet with pastry in the oven). Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking once in between to stir strawberries and see how the pastry is coming along. When pastry is golden and puffed, remove and let cool to the touch (about 5 minutes) then serve (or spoon the strawberries into the mug and top with pastry.

Crispy chicken costoletta

Crispy Chicken Costoletta

• 4 chicken breasts, cut horizontally, and pounded to about 1/4 inch thick or 4 chicken cutlets
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, whisked with 2 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Lemon Sauce

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Juice from 2 lemons (1/4 cup)
• 1 ounce (1/8 cup) chicken stock or broth or water if you don't have stock readily available 
• kosher salt
• fresh ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200°F.

Zest two lemons. Bake zest for about 5 minutes until dry. On one paper plate combine flour, pepper and salt. In shallow bowl combine eggs and water, whisk together. On another paper plate combine dry lemon zest, bread crumbs and cheese.

Place pounded chicken in the flour, coating well, followed by the egg mixture and the bread crumbs. Heat 2 tbs olive oil and 1 tbs butter in a large frying pan over medium high heat. Place chicken in pan and cook on each side about 5 minutes until middle is no longer pink. You will need to work in batches, adding more oil and butter as needed. Keep chicken warm in oven at 250°F.

For the lemon sauce:.

Over medium heat in a same pan you used for chicken heat olive oil, add minced garlic and sauté about 3 minutes. Add whipping cream and boil until reduced by one-third.

Add Dijon, lemon juice, chicken stock and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter until melted. Serve chicken with lemon sauce and mashed garlic potatoes.

Hash Brown Chicken Casserole

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen hash brown potatoes, Southern Style
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1/2 cup summer sweet corn, canned
• 2 C sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3 cups cooked, shredded roasted chicken
• 2 cups bread crumbs

Heat over to 400 degrees. Place potatoes in 9 by 13 pan. In a large bowl, mix well the remaining ingredients, except bread crumbs. Pour over potatoes. Sprinkle crumbs on top. Bake for 1 hour or until top is golden brown. Serves 12.

Chicken parmigiana casserole

• 4 chicken breasts, butterflied
• 1.5 cup panko bread crumb
• 1 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated
• 1 cup mozzarella
• 3 tablespoons parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 bunch basil fresh chopped
• 2.5 cups marinara sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

In an 8x8 baking dish, spread marinara sauce evenly on the bottom, then layer mozzarella and basil evenly on top. Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper to taste, then place evenly into pan over mozzarella. Really. Put the chicken edge to edge. In a bowl mix panko, parmesan, parsley, and oregano. Sprinkle evenly over chicken then bake at 375 °F for 1 hour. Cut into squares with a very sharp knife to serve.  enjoy.

Pumpkin sheet cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup milk
1/2 cup pureed plain pumpkin (canned plain pumpkin)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
8 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
5 1/2 cups powdered sugar


Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13 x 18 jelly roll pan with butter or spray with Baker's Joy.
In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, pumpkin and sugar. Whisk in eggs and vanilla extract. Then whisk in flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt.
Pour batter into prepared jelly roll pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Frosting: in a large bowl cream butter and cream cheese until smooth. Beat in milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon on low speed until combined.
Then whisk in powered sugar - beating on high until frosting is smooth. Spread frosting on top of cake.
Refrigerate cake until ready to serve, and let cake rest on counter for 10 minutes before serving to let it warm up just a little.

Slow cooker Chicken tortilla soup

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup 
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• tomato, optional topping
• avocado, optional topping
• sour cream, optional topping
• crushed tortilla chips, optional topping.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place chicken into slow cooker.
3. In a bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, salsa, corn, black beans, water, cumin, and cilantro. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or high for 2-3 hours).
4. Remove chicken and shred using two forks.
5. Put chicken back into slow cooker, add cheese, and let cook for 15 more minutes.
6. Serve with your favorite fajita toppings.

Mexican lasagna

1 pound lean ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small yellow onion, grated or finely chopped
2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon New Mexico chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corner
1 (4 oz) can fire roasted diced green chiles
1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
12 8” large flour tortillas
12 ounces Mexican cheese blend (or 8 ounces Pepperjack and 4 ounces Colby Jack cheese)
6 oz can sliced olives, drained
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet, over medium high heat. Add beef, onion, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper to skillet. Brown beef for about 5-7 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans and corn. Stir to combine. Allow to cook while you begin preparing the baking pan.

Smooth about 1/3 of the enchilada sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan. Lay tortillas on the bottom of the pan, slightly overlapping until pan is covered (about 4 tortillas).

Spoon half of the beef mixture over top of the tortillas, spread evenly. Layer tortillas on top of beef mixture. Smooth about 1/3 of the enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese on top. Scatter the green chiles over the cheese. Add the remaining beef mixture. Spread evenly. Layer tortillas on top of beef mixture. Spoon remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of tortillas. Garnish top with olives and scallions.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and lasagna is warmed through. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cilantro.

Brussels sprouts and bacon au gratin

• 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved
• 8 oz. bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup half and half
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
• Salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Toss brussel sprouts in olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place them in a large glass baking dish and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until semi-softened.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper flakes (if using), then stir in the cheese.
4. Remove brussel sprouts from oven and add 3/4 bacon to the baking dish. Pour cheese mixture over the top and stir everything together, then top with remaining bacon.
5. Reduce oven temperature to 350F° return baking dish to oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and just set.
6. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before serving

Chimichurri Chicken or Steak Avocado Salad

Grilled Chimichurri Avocado Salad is another meal in a salad! Using authentic chimichurri as a dressing that doubles as a marinade keeps all of the incredible flavours of chimichurri in the bowl. Serves 4

Ingredients

• One batch homemade or store bought Chimichurri
• 4 servings boneless, skinless chicken thighs, breasts, beef skirt steak, lean pork
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 5 cups Romaine lettuce leaves, washed and dried
• 3 ripe tomatoes , sliced
• ½ a red onion, sliced thin
• 2 avocados, sliced
• Black beans, fresh or frozen corn, sliced olives, crumbled tortilla chips
• Sour cream and Fresh cilantro leaves, to garnish

Instructions

Make a batch of Chimichurri in a small bowl or jug if not using pre-made. Pour 4 tablespoons of chimichurri out into a shallow dish to coat the meat, and allow to marinade for 20 minutes (if time allows). Refrigerate the reserved untouched marinade to use as a dressing.

Heat the oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and grill meat on each side until done to your liking. Alternately, meat can be cooked outdoors over a flame on the BBQ. Once meat is cooked, set aside and allow to rest while you prepare the rest of the salad ingredients.

Slice meat into strips and assemble salad with leaves, tomatoes, onion and avocado slices, Drizzle with remaining chimichurri dressing and serve with any or all other ingredients as garnishes.

Chimichurri

Authentic Chimichurri from Uruguay & Argentina is the best accompaniment to any barbecued or grilled meats! Also used to serve as a dressing on salads!


Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley (can sub. part or all for cilantro)
3-4 cloves garlic , finely chopped or minced
2 small red chilies , or 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon finely chopped chili)
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 level tablespoon coarse salt
pepper , to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavours into the oil before using.
Chimichurri can be prepared earlier than needed, and refrigerated for 24 hours, if needed.
Use to baste meats (chicken or steaks) while grilling or barbecuing. We don't use it as a marinade, but choose to baste our meats with chimichurri instead. However, you can use it as a marinade if you wish. Also, add a couple of tablespoons over your steak to serve.

Beef bone broth

Ingredients:
4 pounds beef bones with marrow
4 carrots, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium onions, peel on, sliced in half lengthwise and quartered
4 garlic cloves, peel on and smashed 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme 5-6 sprigs parsley
1⁄4 cup ACV
18-20 cups cold water


Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a 10 quart capacity crock-pot.
   
2. Add in water.
   
3. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce and simmer gently, skimming the fat that rises to the surface occasionally.
   
4. Simmer for 24-48 hours.
   
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
   
6. Discard solids and strain remainder in a bowl through a colander. Let stock cool to room temperature, cover and chill.
   
7. Use within a week or freeze up to 3 months. 
   

Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps

Add some Mexican flair into what’s normally an Asian dish. Soft butter lettuce (or romaine) cradles taco-seasoned chicken, juicy tomatoes and corn, crisp red peppers, and cheese. The wraps are topped with bright cilantro and seasoned tortilla chips. There’s so much flavor and texture in every bite. You can customize the wraps by incorporating ingredients like black beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or your favorite taco fixings. They’re ready in 10 minutes and a crowd favorite.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces (can use ground chicken or beef)
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 head butter lettuce
1 medium tomato, diced, or halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced small
1 cup frozen corn
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican mix
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely minced
1 cup seasoned tortilla chips, crushed (I crush Doritos in my palm)
1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed, optional
1 medium avocado, peeled and diced
salsa, for garnshing
sour cream, for garnishing

DIRECTIONS:

To a large skillet, add the olive oil, chicken, and cook over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, flipping and stirring intermittently so all sides cook evenly. After the chicken has cooked through, evenly sprinkle with taco seasoning and stir to coat. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken breasts and sizes of pieces. Allow chicken to rest in pan off the heat while you prep the remaining ingredients.

Peel off the leaves of the butter lettuce from the core and stack them on a plate.
Use 2 leaves of butter lettuce per wrap.  (Leaves are doubled up so the wraps are sturdier) and add about 3 tablespoons chicken. Top with your choice of the remaining ingredients and enjoy. 

Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound ground chicken (ground turkey, beef, or pork can be used.)
1 medium/large sweet Vidalia or yellow onion, diced small
1/3 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Asian chili garlic sauce, or to taste (sriracha may be substituted) 

3 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
1 teaspoon ground ginger or 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger, or to taste 

one 8-ounce can water chestnut, drained and diced small
2 to 3 green onions, sliced into thin rounds
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
butter lettuce leaves, for serving 

Pine nuts to garnish generously


Directions:

To a large skillet, add the oils, meat, and cook over medium-high heat until meat is cooked through; stir intermittently to crumble while cooking.

Add the onion, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, stir to combine, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until onion is soft and translucent and most of the liquid has been absorbed; stir intermittently.

Add the garlic, ginger, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Add the water chestnuts, green onions, salt and pepper to taste, and cook for about 2 minutes, or until tender. Taste filling and make any necessary flavor adjustments, i.e. more soy sauce, hoisin, pepper, etc.

Spoon about 1/4 cup of the mixture into each lettuce leaf to serve. Garnish generously with pine nuts. Eat "taco style" using lettuce leaf as the shell. Enjoy! The filling will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Make ahead breakfast enchiladas

Prep time

20 minutes

Cook time

45 minutes

Total time

1 hour 5 minutes

This Make-Ahead Breakfast Enchiladas recipe is a super easy and delicious casserole that can be made the night before and baked the next day!

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 cups deli ham, chopped small
• 1/2 cup each diced green onions, diced green chilis
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 10 (7-8 inch) flour tortillas
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon flour
• salsa, sour cream, and extra green onions or cilantro for serving

Directions

1. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Mix together the ham, green onions and 2 cups of the cheese in a medium bowl. Scoop 1/3 cup of the cheese mixture onto each tortilla; roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish.
3. Whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, salt, and flour. Pour liquid over tortillas. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, preheat oven to 350º F. Bake, covered, for 35 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over enchiladas. Bake for 10 more minutes or until tops are golden brown and the egg mixture is set.
5. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and additional green onions or cilantro.

Notes

Half-n-half is equal parts heavy cream and milk.

The purpose of letting this dish sit overnight is so the tortillas and filling can absorb the egg mixture. Plus, it's easy. 

You can use any breakfast meat, not just ham. You can also substitute all or part of the cheese for jack or pepper jack. 

Cowboy cornbread trifle

INGREDIENTS
1 box cornbread mix, prepared per package instructions
2 medium jalapeños, seeded and minced
½ medium yellow onion
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 pound thick sliced bacon, cooked and chopped into bits
1 ½ cup mayonnaise
1 cup ranch dressing
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes, juices drained
2 (16 oz) cans beans (pinto, kidney, or black), drained and rinsed
2 (16 oz) cans sweet corn, drained and rinsed
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 small bunch green onions, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
Cut prepared cornbread into 1-inch chunks. Set aside.
Toss tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, beans, jalapeños, and corn together in a bowl to make a salsa.
Combine mayonnaise and ranch dressing, add salt and pepper, to taste.
Build trifle: add 1 layer of chopped cornbread, followed by a layer of salsa; add shredded cheese, followed by a layer of mayonnaise mixture, and a layer of diced bacon.
Repeat until layers reach top of serving bowl. Garnish top with green onions and any remaining cheese and bacon. Refrigerate before serving.

Mexican breakfast casserole

Ingredients

• 2 14.5-ounce cans whole mild green chiles or fresh green chiles roasted and skinned
• 1 lb monterey jack or pepper jack cheese whole brick, cut into finger sized long strips
• 1 lb cheddar colby cheese shredded 
• 5 - 8 large eggs, depending on size of crowd to serve
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon powdered dry mustard 
• Cooking Spray 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a large rectangular glass baking dish (9×13) with cooking spray.

2. Open and drain each can of chiles. Stuff each chili with finger sized pieces of monetary jack cheese and arrange in the bottom of the baking dish.

3. Sprinkle 1 1⁄2 cups of shredded cheddar colby jack over chili’s.

4. In a separate medium sized bowl combine eggs, flour, milk, salt and dry powdered mustard and whisk until most of the clumps are gone (some may remain).

5. Pour egg mixture over chiles.

6. Bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Add remaining cheese to the top of the casserole and return to 350 degree oven for an additional 5 minutes or until firm.

7. Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes
You can order Hatch Green Chiles and other varieties from ChileMonster.com. Canned chiles will give you anywhere from 8-12.  If you can't find whole green chilies, you can use the chopped green chilies, four small cans. Drain them well and put them on a paper towel lined plate to draw out excess moisture. Instead of cutting jack cheese in fingers, cut into cubes and toss with chilis. Use this for bottom layer of casserole.

CHICKEN BACON RANCH LAYER SALAD

INGREDIENTS

1 recipe Avocado Lime Ranch dressing
9 cups roughly chopped green leaf or romaine lettuce, divided
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 large poblano or green bell pepper seeded and diced
1 {12 oz} frozen corn, steamed and cooled
6 medium tomatoes, 5 chopped and 1 sliced into wedges for garnish
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 cup roasted chicken, roughly chopped
3 green onion, thinly sliced
2 large hard boiled eggs, cut into wedges


INSTRUCTIONS

In a large trifle or glass bowl layer in this order: ⅓ lettuce, ½ red pepper, ½ poblano pepper, ⅓ corn, ½ tomatoes, ½ red onion, 1 cup cheese, ⅓ bacon and ½ chicken. Drizzle with ½ cup prepared dressing.

Repeat, ⅓ lettuce, ½ red pepper, ½ poblano pepper, ⅓ corn, ½ tomatoes, ½ red onion, 1 cup cheese, ⅓ bacon and ½ chicken. Drizzle with ½ cup prepared dressing.
Top with the final ⅓ lettuce, ⅓ corn, ½ cup shredded cheese, ⅓ bacon and sliced green onion. Drizzle with 1/.2 cup dressing drizzling around the edge. Arrange egg and tomato wedges on top to garnish.
Chill for 4 hours, Serve with additional dressing on the side.

Avocado lime ranch dressing

Ingredients you’ll need:

1/4 cup sweet onion, diced

1 Serrano pepper, seeded and rough chopped

3 medium clove garlic, peeled

3 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, rough chopped

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and pitted

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp Mexican oregano

1 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp dark chili powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

Place the onion, Serrano pepper, garlic cloves, lime juice and cilantro into a blender.  Pulse until chopped.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Pulse until smooth.  Add more buttermilk, if desired to thin.  Store chilled for several hours before serving.  May make up to 3 days in advance, shake well before serving.  Serve as a dressing, condiment or a dip.  Yield: approximately 3 1/2 cups. 

Amish Pineapple Cream Cheese Squares

Preheat oven to 350.

Put all together in one bowl, in order given:
1-20 oz can crushed pineapple
2 eggs
2 c sugar
1 t vanilla
2 c flour
2 t baking powder
dash salt
Mix and put into greased sheet cake pan (jelly roll or GFS half sheet pan). Bake 20 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE!. When cooled, top with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick butter or margarine
1/2 tsp vanilla
dash salt
Cream together. Then add: 2c powdered sugar
Mix well. Spread onto cooled cake and garnish with chopped nuts.

Slow Cooker "Campfire" Potato

Ingredients

5 medium potatoes, sliced
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
½ tsp. oregano
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 small white onion, sliced
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese
4-quart or larger slow cooker

In a large bowl, mix together the butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic.
Add the potatoes, the cheeses, and onion to the bowl with the butter mixture. Mix until the potatoes are coated.

Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray.

Add the potatoes mixture. Smooth out into an even layer. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours without opening the lid during cooking. 

Best Ever Southern Peach Cobbler

SERVES 12 | ACTIVE TIME 30 Min | TOTAL TIME 1 Hour

8 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced into thin wedges 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons cornstarch

For Cobbler Topping:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 1/2 cup boiling water

FOR SPRINKLING:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Preheat oven to 400°F(if you are using a dark or glass pan - 425°F if you are using a light color pan).

In a large bowl, combine peaches, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly, and pour into a 2 quart baking dish. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare cobbler topping: in a large bowl, combine flour, sugars, baking powder, and salt.

Blend in butter with your fingertips, or a pastry blender, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in water until just combined.

Remove peaches from oven, and drop spoonfuls of topping over them.

Sprinkle entire cobbler with the sugar. Set your baking dish on a baking sheet (this cobbler can drip into the oven otherwise). Bake until topping is golden, about 30 minutes.

Top with ice cream if desired. Serve and enjoy.