Borscht

Borscht

8 cups beef broth
1 pound beef stew meat
1 large onion, chopped
4 large beets, peeled, thinly chopped
3 carrots, peeled, shredded
3 large potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2 in. cubes
2 cups thinly sliced cabbage
3/4 cup chopped fresh dill
3 Tbs red wine vinegar- balsamic works to
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream-  dollop garnish on top

Put all ingredients in but sour cream in a slow cooker on high for 4 hours.  Adjust seasoning, ladle into bowls and put a dollop of sour cream on top.  

Watermelon Pico de Gallo- from the Pioneer Woman

Watermelon Pico de Gallo

Prep Time:

 15 Minutes

 

Cook Time:

 

Difficulty:

 Easy

 

Servings:

 12

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 whole Small Seedless Watermelon, Diced
• 1/2 whole Red Onion, Diced
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 1 whole Yellow Bell Pepper, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 2 whole Jalapeños, Seeded And Finely Diced
• 1 whole Bunch Cilantro, Chopped
• 2 whole Juice Of 1 To 2 Limes
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Preparation Instructions

Throw all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together. Taste with a chip and adjust ingredients as needed.

Serve with chips or on top of grilled chicken or fish...or as a side salad!

The Best Oven-Baked Ribs- Mel's Kitchen Cafe

The Best Oven-Baked Ribs

YIELD: MAKES 2 SLABS RIBS

Note: when working with baby back ribs, the silver skin will need to be removed. Here is a great visual tutorial to help simplify the process (it’s not hard, I promise!). Also, take note that the ribs need to be refrigerated with the rub prior to cooking for 8 to 48 hours so plan ahead!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 whole slabs pork baby back ribs, silver skin removed
Dry Rub:
• 8 tablespoons light brown sugar, tightly packed
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt (Morton’s brand – other brands may vary in strength)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1-2 cups BBQ sauce (I love this homemade version)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix well. Place each slab of baby back ribs on a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil or a double layer of regular tin foil, shiny side down. Sprinkle each side of the ribs generously with the dry rub. Pat the dry rub into the meat. Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil and refrigerate the ribs for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight and up to 48 hours.
2. When ready to bake the ribs, preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
3. Place the ribs (still in the foil packets) on a foil lined baking sheet and bake the ribs in the oven for 2 1/2 hours-3 hours or until tender when picked up with tongs. The meat will come easily off of the bone!
4. Remove ribs from foil and place on another foil lined baking sheet. Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce and broil until charred and bubbly. Alternately, you can grill the ribs at this point, if you like, but sometimes they are falling off the bone and are so tender that it is a little difficult. Cut the ribs into individual portions (2-3 ribs per person). Serve with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.

Hummus- Allison

Hummus

1- 16 oz can Garbanzo beans
1/4 Cup bean liquid from can, reserved
1.5 Tbsp tahini
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 T lemon juice

Combine all the ingredients except for the bean liquid in a food processor. Let it run for a few minutes making it as smooth as it's going to get, and then slowly add the bean liquid

Roasted Vegetable and Black Bean Tacos- Allison

roasted vegetable and black bean tacos

Yield: 10 to 12 tacos

Prep Time: 30 min 

Cook Time: 55 min 

Ingredients:

1 medium yellow squash, chopped into small chunks (1 cup)
1 medium zucchini, chopped into small chunks (1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium red bell pepper, de-seeded, ribs removed and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 medium sweet potato or yam, peeled and chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
One (10-ounce) can original Ro-Tel (tomatoes + chiles)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
10 to 12 taco-sized corn tortillas
canola or vegetable oil
suggested add-ins: avocado, cotija or feta cheese, lettuce, sour cream)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick spray.

2. Add all of your vegetables to a large bowl and toss with the olive oil. Spread the veggies on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast 15 minutes, stir to re-distribute, roast another 15 minutes, stir again, and roast one more time for 15 minutes (45 minutes total). This step may be prepared ahead of schedule- just refrigerate your veggies until ready to make your tacos.

3. In a medium skillet, heat the black beans and Ro-Tel tomatoes over low heat. In a small bowl, combine the spices (cumin through pepper). Sprinkle the spices over the beans/Ro-Tel and stir to combine. Add the roasted veggies, stir to combine and continue to heat until the mixture is completely warm.

4. In a small skillet, heat 1/2 inch or less of oil over medium-high. When you can flick a drop of water in the oil and get a sizzle, you're ready to fry your tortillas. Place one tortilla in the hot oil and use tongs to press it down so it cooks on both sides- you only need to cook it for about 20 to 30 seconds to soften it up. Remove the tortilla to a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining tortillas, placing paper towels in between each cooked tortilla to absorb the oil.

5. Assemble tacos: Place a scoop of the roasted veggie/black bean mixture into a tortilla and add desired fixings. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Leftovers are good for a couple of days!

Tips:

*To prepare this recipe as GLUTEN-FREE, just be sure to use brands of beans and tortillas that are GF.
*Chili powder may be substituted for smoked paprika, if necessary.
*If you don't wish to fry your tortillas, you can soften them by heating 3 at a time in damp paper towels in the microwave (they'll be more susceptible to tearing though). Or flour tortillas are a good choice too.

*Sub your favorite shredded cheese for the feta, if desired.

Source: RecipeGirl.com

Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

This is a yummy sauce.  We like it by itself over ravioli, or with some added grilled chicken or shrimp.  It reminds me of a yummy sauce you would get at a restaurant.

2 Tbsp. butter
1 garlic clove, minced (more if you want)
1 c. chicken stock or broth
1/2 c. sun dried tomatoes
2 cups whipping cream
3 tsp. cornstarch
8-12 oz. fresh or frozen ravioli/ or noodle of choice

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried
2 T. chopped fresh parsley (only if using dried basil)
salt & fresh ground pepper

Melt butter in med. saucepan over low heat. Add garlic and cook 30 secs. Add stock and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered over medium heat about 10 mins. or until tomatoes are tender. Remove tomatoes with slotted spoon. Cut into smaller pieces. Return tomatoes to saucepan. Add cream and bring to a boil, and add your corn starch stirring consistantly. While this is simmering cook ravioli according to directions. Drain well. Add basil and/or parsley to sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix with your pasta, and that's it.

Peruvian Style Roast Chicken with Green Sauce

When I was pregnant with my first born we drove from Ohio to D.C. so that we could go to the temple.  Sperry lived there,so we stayed with him and he took us to eat at this Peruvian restraunt.  I had a dish with potatoes- like fries, chicken, tomatoes and an amazing green sauce.  I dream about that green sauce.  It was so good!!! So I have been on the search for it.  This is NOT that green sauce, but it was really tasty.  I didn't use a roasting bird, just tenderloins and roasted them in the oven until they were done. I also roasted potatoes and cut tomatoes into wedges and served it all together with the green sauce on the side.  Loved it, but I am still searching. I also didn't add the olive oil to the sauce.  Just didn't need it in my book.  This recipe is adapted from www.onceuponachef.com, the picture is also from there.

For the Chicken

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup lime juice, from 2 limes
• 4 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons paprika

• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 4 pound whole chicken

For the Green Sauce

• 3 jalapeño chili peppers, seeded if desired (I use about half the seeds for a medium-hot sauce), and roughly chopped
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, from one lime
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

For the Chicken

1. Combine all of the ingredients except the chicken in a blender or mini food processor, and blend until smooth. Remove the giblets from the inside of the chicken and pat the outside of the chicken dry with paper towels; place in a bowl, breast side up with the legs facing you. Using the handle of a wooden spoon or your fingers, loosen the skin from the flesh over the breasts and legs, being careful not to tear the skin or push all the way through (you want the marinade to stay inside the bird). Spoon about 2/3 of the marinade evenly underneath the skin, and spread the remaining 1/3 evenly over the skin. Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.
2. Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position, and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Spray a rack (preferably a v-shape) with non-stick cooking spray and place the chicken on top. Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Roast for 20 minutes, until the skin is golden. Turn the heat down to 375 degrees, and continue to roast for about an hour and ten minutes more, or until the juices run clear when you cut between the leg and thigh. (Keep an eye on it -- if it's browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil.) Tent the chicken with foil and let rest for about 20 minutes. Tilt the chicken over the roasting pan to release the juices, then transfer to a cutting board. Carve the chicken and serve with green sauce.

For the Green Sauce

1. Combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil in a blender or food processor and blend into a smooth sauce. With the motor running, open lid and slowly drizzle in olive oil. It will seem very runny at this point but, don't worry, it will thicken up as it sits. Transfer the sauce to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pepperoncini Pork Roast

Slow cookers are such huge time savers, but a lot of people never get past making the same old chili and soups in them. This pork roast gets a zingy kick from pepperoncini peppers (find them jarred near the olives at your supermarket) and dry English mustard. It’s sophisticated enough for a dinner party, and no one will ever know you made it in a crock pot!

Pepperoncini Pork Roast

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 6-8 hours on low

Serves 8

2 ½ pounds boneless pork roast

1 cup minced pepperoncini peppers

1 cup pepperoncini juice

1 tsp, black pepper

½ tsp. sea salt

¼ tsp. dried oregano

¼ tsp. dried basil

1/8 tsp. dried rosemary

1/8 tsp. dry mustard, such as Colemans (I usually rub the whole roast with regular old mustard)

3 cups chopped broccoli, spinach, or asparagus

Place all the ingredients except the vegetables in a slow cooker.  Simmer on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.  (You can just slice this up but I usually shred it and then stir it all together with the peppers etc. then serve it more like pulled pork with rice) Serve with the steamed broccoli, spinach, or asparagus. 

Turkey or Buffalo Chili

Lean ground turkey or buffalo sub-in for the typical beef in this slow-cooker recipe, but you’d never know it. This recipe is a total cinch: brown the meat, throw everything into your slow cooker in the morning, and by dinner you’re good to go! You could also put it together in the evening, then when you get up, portion it out and store extra portions in the freezer.

Turkey or Buffalo Chili

Serves 6 (a single portion is 1.5 cups)

Prep time: 25 minutes. Cook time: 5 to 8 hours, depending on slow-cooker setting

Ingredients

•               1 to 1½ pounds lean ground turkey or buffalo meat

•               ½ cup diced red onion, or more if desired

•               2 Tbls. fresh parsley or cilantro

•               1 heaping Tbls. chili powder

•               1 Tbls. minced garlic

•               ½ tsp. crushed red chili flakes

•               15-ounce can white beans

•               15-ounce can kidney beans (no sugar added)

•               15-ounce can black beans

•               15-ounce can pinto beans

•               15-ounce can lentils or adzuki beans

•               4 cups chopped zucchini

•               28-oz can crushed tomatoes

•               1 heaping tsp. sea salt

Brown the turkey or buffalo meat in a skillet and drain.

Turn a slow cooker to high setting. Add the meat, onion, parsley, chili powder, garlic, and red  pepper flakes to the pot. Stir, cover and set aside.

Open and partially drain all 5 cans of beans; I leave a little liquid in to make my chili a little juicier. Add the beans, zucchini, and tomators to the cooker. Stir well.  Keep the cooker set on high for 4 to 5 hours or adjust heat to low and simmer for 6 to 8 hours.

Stir and taste occasionally, adjusting seasonings as needed. Add the salt just before serving to best preserve its nutrients.

ACHOO! chili

ACHOO! chili

How about getting some immunity-boosting help from your dinner? Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, plus zinc can help fight off your next cold — and can help soothe its symptoms if you do catch a bug. The red peppers, chili powder, carrots, sunflower seeds and parsley in this recipe provide the vitamin power. Grass-fed beef and mushrooms pack the zinc. The allicin in garlic is a potent antioxidant, but it works best when garlic is raw, so stir it in at the end.

1 1/2 pounds grass-fed lean ground beef
1 medium red or yellow onion, diced
1 Tbls. dried parsley
2 Tbls. chili powder
2 cups chopped carrots
2 large red peppers, chopped
2 cups sliced white or cremini mushrooms
1 32-oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 – 2 cup water or vegetable broth (or more if desired)
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbls. minced fresh garlic
Fresh parsley
1 cup sunflower seeds
Cayenne pepper sauce (optional)

In a large soup pot, saute the onions and carrots in 2 tablespoons of water until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 7 minutes more. Stir in the red pepper, parsley, chili powder and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms begin to give up their water. Add the crushed tomatoes and water, adjusting water to the consistency you like. Simmer for 10 minutes or until the peppers soften. Add the salt and stir in the raw garlic. Serve, topping with chopped fresh parsley, sunflower seeds, and a few shakes of cayenne pepper sauce, if desired.