Sunday, October 23, 2011

Ranch Chili

This recipe just won 3 awards at our Church chili cook off...

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth

1 (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can pinto beans

1 (15 oz) can black beans

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans

1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans

1 (29 oz) large can white hominy

1 (1.25 oz) pkg mild chili seasoning mix

1 (1 oz) package ranch dressing mix

Directions:

1. Set crock pot to high and add broth, chopped tomatoes, seasoning packets, and pepper.

2. Drain and rinse the beans and hominy. Add to the crock pot.

3. Brown the beef, chopped onion, and garlic over medium heat. Add to the crock pot. Turn the crock pot down to low for 8 hours or continue cooking on high for 4-5 hours. Check for seasonings (or extra beef broth/tomatoes) and add as necessary half way through.

Spice it up with green Tabasco, vinegar from jarred jalapeƱos, shredded cheese, sour cream, and/or Fritos.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Golden Mushroom Pork and Apples (crockpot)

This is very simple.   I love crock pot meals. Makes dinner time much easier.

2 cans condensed golden mushroom soup
½ c. water
1 Tbsp. brown sugar (packed)
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
8 boneless pork chops, 3/4 inch thick (about 2 lbs.)
4 large Granny Smith apples, sliced
2 large onions, sliced


Mix soup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire and thyme in large slow cooker.  Add pork, apples and onions. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours (or high for 4-5 hours). Cut down recipe if using small crock pot.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Grilled Sausage Pizza-Healthy

My family loves these grilled pizzas. If you follow the recipe, it makes for a healthy meal. I got this from a family member.


1 ¼ c. all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp. yeast
1 tsp. salt
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 lb. red and yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
½ lb. turkey sausage, cooked and thinly sliced
(I some times use ground sausage instead)
1 c. grated part-skim mozzarella
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. red pepper flakes
Sliced red, yellow, and orange peppers

Mix flour, yeast and salt in a bowl. Gradually add ½ c. warm (110° F) water until a soft dough forms. Divide dough into 4 portions. Using hands, roll dough into balls, coat with cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to rise 30 to 45 minutes. When ready to cook, place each ball of dough on a piece of wax paper and flatten into a 4-inch circle. Coat grill with cooking spray and heat on high. Gently lift dough onto grill and cook until dough puffs and underside stiffens (about 30 seconds); flip and reduce heat to low. Mix topping ingredients, then divide among crusts; cover grill. Grill until cheese melts, 5 to 6 minutes more. Slice and serve.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Lemon Lovers Asparagus

Courtesy of eatingwell.com - a yummy way to eat vegetables.

2 bunches asparagus, tough ends trimmed
2 lemons, thinly sliced
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
4 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

Preheat oven to 450. Toss all ingredients on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast, shaking the pan occasionally to toss, until the asparagus is tender-crisp, 13 to 15 minutes.