Fiesta Rice Bowls

This can be done in the slow cooker, or since I was late thinking about dinner, the pressure cooker!  I have one of those nifty and cool electric pressure cookers that I use several times a week now!  Very happy with my investment.

Start cooking your rice(yes, it goes this quick).

Add to the pressure cooker:
2 lbs. cubed cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar of your favorite salsa(I used 2 cups home canned)
Cook 10 minutes on 40 psi in your pressure cooker.  If you are using a slow cooker, I'd estimate about 2 hours on high.

When pressure has been released, add:
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small package frozen sweet yellow corn
1 8oz. pkg. lower fat cream cheese(do not use fat free)
Candied Jalapenos if you like, or any other additions such as olives, diced chilies, etc....
Bring pressure back up to 40psi and cook another 10 minutes.  Release pressure and stir well.  Keep on warm until ready to serve.

Serve over brown or white rice with toppings such as shredded cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, green onions, crushed chips, etc....

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

Mise en Place

(Unfortunately my camera died before I could take any more pics.  Email me or leave a comment if the directions aren't clear.)

I've never liked French Onion Soup, I've just never found one that didn't taste like canned beef broth.  So I decided to try THIS recipe. It's fall and I love my husband, and it's relatively healthy.  I followed the recipe pretty darn close, except, I used beef stock I had reserved in my freezer and some from our pot roast last night.  It's a lot of beef stock.  But well worth it.  I used non-alcoholic beer(2 bottles for tasty measure) so it has great flavor.


I tweaked the bread slightly.  First, toast the bread under the broiler for a few minutes on each side.  This helps prevent the bread from becoming instantly gummy.  Spread one side lightly with one clove of roasted garlic.  I made 2 bulbs of roasted garlic today and they spread like "buttah".  Ladel some soup into the bowl, then plop the toasted bread garlic side up on top of the Onion Soup.  Place a slice of Swiss Cheese or sprinkle generously with grated Gruyere.  It's okay to overlap.  Broil for 2-3 minutes, until cheese starts to bubble and brown.  Serve very carefully as bowl will be very hot.


This would be a FANTASTIC get together dish.  Just toast up the bread as above, on a cookie sheet with the garlic and cheese.  Leave on a side plate for people to top their soups as they dish it up.  (We had a funky schedule tonight with meetings and sports, so I did this for the kiddos that came home later, it worked)

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

(adapted from http://www.howsweeteats.com)

makes 8-10 servings

4 med. sweet onions, sliced thin

3 garlic cloves, pressed

1/4 cup of butter, sliced into pats

2 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup flour

2 bottles non-alcoholic beer(such as O'Doul's)

8 cups GOOD beef stock

1 Tbl. dried thyme

1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

1/2-1 teaspoon kosher salt

Sourdough or French bread(stale works best)

gruyere cheese, sliced or grated

Add onions, garlic, brown sugar, butter, salt and balsamic and mix until combined in a large slow-cooker. Cover and let cook on high for 60-90 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes, until onions are translucent and brown on the edges and just caramelized. Sift in flour and stir thoroughly, let sit for 5 minutes with lid on. Sprinkle in Thyme, fresh ground pepper, beer, and stir well.  Add in remaining beef stock, and cover.  Cook on high for 4 hours, then turn down to low and cook an additional 2-4 hours.  

Slice sourdough or French bread into 1" thick slices.  Arrange on non-stick cookie sheet and toast each side under broiler.  Leave door open slightly and watch closely so they don't burn.  Remove from oven and spread each slice with  one clove of roasted garlic.  Fill soup bowls almost to the top, cover with slice of bread and a handful of grated cheese or slice. Set under the broiler for 2-3 minutes(leave door open so you can watch carefully), or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Be careful when serving as bowls will be hot!  Sprinkle with fresh parsley or fresh thyme.  

Spicy Apricot BBQ Sauce

2 pounds apricots, pitted and halved

  1 14.5oz. can fire roasted tomatoes, do not drain

  1 sm. can tomato paste

  3 cups brown sugar

  1 ½   cup cider vinegar

  1 onion, chopped finely

  1 jalapeno, diced small, seeds removed based on heat pref.

  3 cloves garlic, minced

  1-2 Tbl. Kosher salt

  ½ tsp. ground black pepper

  Pinch of red pepper flakes

  2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

Place all ingredients in a slow cooker, cover, cook on high 4-5 hours.  Remove lid last hour until slightly reduced.  Use immersion blender to puree. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

Half and pit apricots, and quarter each half.

Spray slow-cooker with non-stick spray, add ingredients.

Stir well, cover, and cook on high 5-6 hours.  

It looked a little too soupy so I tilted the lid to vent for about 1 1/2 hours.  Don't lean over the slow-cooker or you'll get a vinegar steam bath. 

Use immersion blender to puree.  

Makes approx. 6 cups.  Remove lid to let reduce down if too thin and cook down some more, it was really thick though at this point, perfect!

Yummy over chicken, or anything.

Orange Roasted Pork

This is my favorite new way to cook pork and even chicken.  I'll assume beef would also be wonderful.

3-5 lb. Pork Roast(or other meat, boneless skinless chicken breast, etc...)
All Purpose Seasoning, such as Pappy's or Lawrys
1 Medium to Large Sweet Onion
2 cloves Garlic, Pressed or Finely Chopped
1 jar Orange Marmalade
1 cup Non-Alcoholic White Wine or Chicken Stock
2 Tbl. Hoisin Sauce
1 tsp. Kosher Salt(or to taste)
1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper
Sprinkle of Red Pepper Flakes

Rub roast or chicken pieces with all purpose seasoning.  Place meat in a 5qt. crock pot sprayed with non-stick spray.  Slice onions in have lengthwise, trim off ends, and slice into skinny half moons.  Top meat with onions.  In a medium mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients with a whisk.  Pour over onions and roast.  Cook on high one hour, reduce temperature to low and cook another 5-6 hours. 

I served this over Turmeric Rice. 

Cauliflower Leek Soup

2 leeks
1 sweet yellow onion, diced
1 large head cauliflower, diced
Vegetable or chicken stock
Seasonings:  Fresh grated black pepper, white pepper, bay leaf, ground mustard, nutmeg(all to taste)

Discard any leek leaves that look questionable.  Slice leek lengthwise down the middle and then into half moons.  Place in fine sieve strainer that fits inside another bowl.  Cover with water and soak.  Rinse several times to remove all sand.  Pour all ingredients into large crockpot.  Add enough stock just to cover veggies.  Cover and cook on high 4 hours, turn to low another 2-3 hours.  Remove bay leaf.  Using an immersion(stick) blender puree until smooth, it helps if you use a potato masher first to break up large pieces.  Optional toppings:  bacon pieces, Parmesan cheese, shredded chicken, pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of flavored olive oil, etc....

Ratatouille over Drunken Beef

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion(or Maui), diced

approx. 1 cup chicken, beef, or veggie stock

2 firm eggplants, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced(or 1/4 cup minced chopped from jar)

1 Tbl. dried oregano

fresh ground black pepper

1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes

2 packets Stevia(or any other sweetener, sugar)

2 med. zucchini, diced

2 yellow crookneck squash, diced

 

Prepare all veggies ahead of time

Spray large pot with non-stick spray, add diced onion and 1/4-1/2 cup broth.  Cover and simmer until onions are nearly translucent.

 Add eggplant, peppers, spices, garlic, and remaining broth.  Mix well, cover, and let simmer for approx. 10 minutes.  Stir often as eggplant begins to reduce in size.

Add stewed tomatoes and stevia and mix well.  Bring mixture to a boil and simmer about 15 min. 

Add zucchini and squash and mix well.  Cover, and let cook for 5 minutes.

 Mix well again, remove from heat and let sit 15 minutes.

Zucchini will also reduce in size, and should be slightly al dente.

(Use veggie broth and omit beef for vegetarian Ratatouille.)   Serve over couscous, quinoa, or rice for a starchy base.

Paleo would not use sweetener.  I used homemade beef stock

Drunken Beef
1-2 cups red wine(NOT cooking wine)
Any lean steak(such as London Broil) with all visible fat trimmed
5-6 sprigs Rosemary, fresh, cleaned
2 cloves pressed garlic
Seasonings:  Onion Powder, Black Pepper, Salt(optional)

Spread steak out on a large cutting board and season both sides, rubbing in spices and garlic.  Place in large crockpot and pour wine over, enough to cover the meat.  Turn on Low for 6-8 hours, until meat begins to fall apart when pressed with fork.  Remove from crockpot and rest 20 minutes.  Shred for serving.  Serve approx. 4-5 oz. beef on place and smother with Ratatouille.

Chili (I served this at Girls Camp Fundraiser)

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans black beans(do not drain)

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

1 can tomato soup

 2 Heaping Tbl. each Chili Powder & Cumin
2 Tbl. Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce

 1 Medium Onion, Diced

1 Jalapeno Pepper, finely diced, most of the seeds removed

1 Anaheim Pepper, finely diced, most of the seeds removed

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Tbl. Beef "Better Than Bouillion"

1 3 lb. lean Beef Roast, cooked and shredded

1 lb. chorizo, cooked and drained

Sriracha Sauce to Taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a large slowcooker, combine all ingredients EXCEPT meat.   Add enough water to the cans of beans to rinse all of the grainy fibery goodness out, about half to two thirds up the can.  Swirl around to loosen up all the residue and add "bean juice" to the crockpot.  Stir all the ingredients.  Cook on High 1 hour and turn down to Low for 5-6 hours, until onions are translucent and soft.  In a large non-stick pan, cook chorizo.  Pour into a fine sieve strainer and drain.  Go back and scrape the "bits" left in the pan, you can add a little water to help.  Pour the "bits" and drained chorizo into the chili mixture.  Add shredded beef and stir well.  Cook for one more hour.  The beef will soak up a lot of the liquid and it will thicken up.  Add Sriracha Sauce to taste if you'd like to add more heat.

**I slow-cooked the roast the day before in the crock-pot.  I use London Broil in the crock-pot A LOT, and this would also work well, any cheap cut will do, even pork.

Serve with Honey Corn Bread or Muffins.

Updated, my favorite version(10/10/15)

INGREDIENTS:

3  cans red kidney beans(do not drain)

2 cans fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

 1 Heaping Tbl. each Pasilla Chili Powder, California Chili Powder, & Cumin
1 Tbl. Worchestire Sauce

 1 Medium Onion, Diced

1 Tbl. Minced Dried Onion

1 Jalapeno Pepper, finely diced, most of the seeds removed

3 Cloves Garlic, Minced

1 Tbl. Beef "Better Than Bouillion" 

1 tsp. ManSmith's Dry Fire Seasoning 

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

Combine above ingredients in crockpot and cook on high one hour, then turn down to low and cook another 5-6 hours.

Add the ingredients below and more water if needed and cook on low for another hour.

2 cups cooked and shredded Beef Roast

2 cups cooked ground beef(drain the oil)

1 cup finely diced cooked bacon

1 Tbl. Cocoa Powder(good quality)

Crockpot Turkey Breast Dinner & Mashed Potatoes

This was SO easy. I purchased a seasoned turkey breast, ribs removed but leg attached. Looked like half a turkey.

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray(don't use a liner, because you'll mash the potatoes in the crockpot). Layer one large finely chopped onion, and 2 lbs. cleaned baby red potatoes, and 3 cloves crushed garlic. Season with black and white pepper(to taste) and stir in one can of fat free cream of chicken soup. Top with 4 sprigs of rosemary. Top with turkey breast. Cook on Low 7-9 hours. You can also do this with boneless skinless chicken breasts, turkey loins, etc....

My turkey came with a pop up "done" insert, so after it popped, I let it still continue to cook for a while longer, it just comes out fork tender. Remove the turkey breast and allow to "set" for 15-20 minutes before slicing. Pour out most of the juices and remove sprigs of rosemary. Use a non-stick masher to make smashed potatoes, adding in liquid as needed. Serve with steamed veggies or salad. EASIEST turkey dinner ever! You can also use the reserved liquid to make a gravy, but I didn't even feel the need, it was SO flavorful and moist. But great stock for another meal. :)

Crockpot Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

1 large butternut squash, peeled and diced into 1" pieces
2 Tbl. olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 large or 2 small apples, peeled and diced(any kind, gala or fuji best)
1 qt. vegetable stock
1 rounded tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. each: black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, and cumin
pinch of red pepper flakes or more to taste
1 cup plain almond milk(or milk/cream)

Preheat oven to 425'. Spread diced butternut squash on large cookie sheet lined with non-stick foil. Drizzle olive oil over squash to coat, mix with hands if needed. Bake for 15-20 minutes, just until some pieces are starting to golden up around the edges and pieces are all sizzling. While baking add the diced onion and apple to crockpot. When squash is done add to crockpot. Sprinkle seasonings over the vegetable mixture. Pour vegetable stock over crockpot ingredients and just give it a gentle stir. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours. Just before ready to serve, blend mix with an immersion blender(stick/handheld blender). Pour in almond milk and mix well. Serve in a mug or bowl. Top with toasted coconut, croutons, grated parmesan cheese, and toasted pine nuts on the side and soft garlic breadsticks or rolls.

Copycat Cafe Rio From Someone Who Has Never Eaten There

My recipe for the pork differs a little from some available on the internet because I have tried it before and found there to be WAY too much liquid even though I cooked up twice as much meat with it. So, I've adjusted the liquid. Also the bean recipe is different because I found the beans to be a little bland and decided to flavor it up a bit, so it's not the Cafe Rio copycat, but it's slightly sweet and goes perfect with the pork and rice.

Café Rio Sweet Pork

4 lbs pork roast or tri-tip
1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes in puree***
3 tsp pressed garlic
2 cups brown sugar
1 round Tbl. Cumin
3 C Dr. Pepper
4 Tbsp molasses
1/2 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Lg. pinch red pepper flakes

Place pork in crock-pot. Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl, and then pour over meat. Cook on high for 4 hours then switch to low for 4-6 more hours.

When done, remove meat from crock pot, reserving liquid. Shred meat with a forks in extra large bowl. Add 1-2 cups liquid into bowl with meat and mix. Allow to set a little to absorb sauce

***I found this recipe had entirely too much liquid in it.  I substituted 1 small can tomato paste, the Dr. Pepper provides A LOT of liquid, plus what the meat puts out itself.  You could even cut back on the Dr. Pepper to 1 1/2 -2 cups. 
Lime Rice
I prepared this in a rice cooker, if you cook on the stove, you will need a little additional liquid.

1/2 stick butter
2 1/2 C (uncooked) rice
3 1/2 C chicken broth
3/4 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Zest and Juice 2 limes
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp cumin or a few drops of sriracha sauce

Rinse rice in colander until water runs clear and then put into bowl of rice cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Set rice cooker on "white rice" setting. This takes approx. 30 minutes.


Creamy Cilantro Dressing

1 16 oz jar of green tomatillo based salsa or enchilada sauce
1 pkg buttermilk ranch dressing (dry)
1/2 C sour cream
1/2 C mayonnaise
1/2 C buttermilk(or milk mixed with 2 tsp. lime juice and "curdled")
1 C fresh cilantro
2 cloves pressed garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 C sugar
A few drops of Sriracha
Blend all ingredients together in blender until smooth and creamy.


Black Beans

2 cloves pressed garlic
1 15 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
1 22 oz. can Bush's Steakhouse Beans

Bring all ingredients in saucepan to a boil, cover and let simmer about 5 minutes. Mash with potato masher until desired consistency. Serve on tortillas with shredded pork and rice.

2 Too Good Vegetarian Taco Soup

Do NOT drain!

2 28 oz. cans Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans
2 15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
2 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
2 mix packets of taco seasoning
1 can of vegetarian refried beans
1 onion finely diced

I snuck some Sneaky Chef vegetable puree in mine. Mix all ingredients in a large crockpot, cover, cook on high 3 hours, switch to low for the last 2-4. You can also add corn in the last hour, play with it. I did not add any extra salt at all. Top with chopped cilantro, sour cream and cheese with tortilla chips or warm tortillas on the side.

Missing Mo Sunday Night Dinner....

Sunday=Day of Rest: Slow-coookers, make aheads, and paper plates! I LOVE afternoon church because I get to sleep in. I put the pork in the slow-cooker before I even take my shower for our first meeting at 1:00. Then when I get home, just throw it all together and pull the make-aheads out of the fridge. The most difficult part of this dinner was getting the oil up to the right temp, which I can't say it actually ever did. We rarely cook with anything other than olive oil, and I think the last time I deep fried something I was trying to impress my now husband making a tempura dish before we got married probably 19 years ago(which was so good!). There's a restaurant in San Luis Obispo, CA, Mo's that is our go to place for BBQ. Mo(L.K.) passed away a few years ago, but his menu items and the good times there will live on forever. I have no idea if I even came close to any of his recipes, but I could taste some Mo "touches" in these recipes. Enjoy!!!!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
2-3 lb. lean pork loin roast
cajun spices
chili flavored olive oil
Coat all sides of pork loin with spices and place in small slow cooker. Drizzle chili flavored olive oil over pork. Cook on low 6 hours.

Caramelized Onion, Jalapeno, & Honey BBQ Sauce
1 Tbl. Olive Oil
1 sweet onion, finely chopped
2 large jalapenos, finely chopped, leave some seeds for heat
sugar
1/2 cup non-alcoholic white wine(or Tequila)
1/2 cup honey
2 cups favorite bottled bbq sauce
2 Tbl. good Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
1/2 sea salt
2 Tbl. butter

Sautee onions and jalapenos in olive oil in 2 qt. saucepot until translucent and slightly caramelized, sprinkle some sugar on the onion/jalapeno mixture to caramelize faster. Add wine and bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until mixture is reduced by half. Add BBQ sauce, honey, balsamic vinegar and spices, simmer for 20 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree sauce in pan. Remove from heat, add butter, and let cool.



Add about a cup of bbq sauce to the pulled pork and mix. Fill sourdough rolls with pork mixture and drizzle additional bbq sauce on top before adding cole slaw mixtures.

Cole Slaw
2/3 cup Best Foods Mayonnaise
6 Tbls. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbl. sugar
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. sea salt
1 Tbl. Caraway Seeds
1/2 head each green cabbage and purple cabbage, finely sliced
Combine first 5 ingredients in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Add caraway seeds and cabbage, mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.

"Mo-jos"
There's no recipe, just slice scrubbed, cleaned, and dried potatoes on a mandolin. Deep fry in canola oil at a temperature around 350'(use a candy thermometer) until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon put on brown bag on cookie sheet to soak up extra grease and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.

Baked Beans

2 cans Bush's Baked Beans(28oz. each)
2 green bell peppers, diced
1 package 50% less fat Hormel Real Bacon Bits
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbl. Worcestire Sauce
1 Tbl. yellow mustard
1 sweet or purple onion, diced
a few drops of hot sauce, such as Spiracha Sauce

Mix all ingredients together in a small crockpot and cook on high 4 hours, low, 6. Tip lid to allow steam to come out if too soupy the last hour on high.

Crockpot Meatloaf Dinner

This was a huge hit with the family tonight. Yay! And thank goodness for Slow Cooker Bags for easy and fast clean up! I love Reynolds.

First I took a bag each of baby red and yellow potatoes, cut into bit size pieces and put in the bottom of the crockpot(in bag). Sprinkle with spices such as salt, fresh ground pepper, parsley flakes, onion powder, etc.... and sprinkle with olive oil. Mix it well. Then you place the meat"loaf" on top of it.

For meatloaf:
3 lbs.(we like leftovers) extra lean ground beef
2 cups Italian bread crumbs
1 cup of oatmeal(uncooked)
2 eggs
1 cup of ketsup
2-3 Tbls. spicy brown mustard
1 envelope onion soup mix
salt, pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients and shape into a loaf and place on top of potatoes. Drizzle ketsup over the top of the loaf, cover, and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Serve with a veggie, our kids favorite with THIS dish is corn.