• Penne Pomodoro/Arrabiata

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Midwest Foodie.

    Ingredients:

    • 16 oz. penne pasta, cooked al dente
    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 8-10 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 tsp. dried oregano
    • 4 tsp. dried thyme
    • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper
    • 1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper, optional
    • 2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes 
    • 2 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped
    • 4 TBSP fresh basil, chopped
    • 2 TBSP granulated sugar, optional
    • Toppings: Burrata cheese, capers, basil, and/or parmesan cheese

    Directions:

    1. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat.
    2. Add garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
    3. Add crushed tomatoes, parsley, basil, and add sugar if desired.
    4. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
    5. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    6. Add cooked pasta to the pan.
    7. Toss to coat evenly.
    8. Garnish with fresh grated Parmesan, parsley, basil, capers, and burrata.

    Penne Pomodoro:

  • Ranchero Sauce

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Perfect for Huevos Rancheros. Add 1 c. of Ranchero sauce to 2 cans of black beans that are drained and rinsed and serve with fried eggs.

    Ingredients:

    • Olive oil
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 1 TBSP chili powder
    • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder
    • 2 tsp. cumin
    • 1/2 TBSP sugar
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
    • 1 c. water

    Directions:

    1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat then add the onions and garlic and cook until fragrant.
    2. Then add the chili powder through salt. Stir and allow spices to toast, about 2 minutes.
    3. Add the tomato sauce and water and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until desired thickness.

    Ranchero Sauce:

  • Chicken Burrito Bowls

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Ingredients:

    • 2 lbs. chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 TBSP Olive oil
    • 2 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. pepper
    • 2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. oregano
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • 3 tsp. cumin
    • 2 tsp. chipotle chili powder
    • 4 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1 10 oz. can Rotel or fire roasted tomatoes
    • 1 14 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 12 oz. can corn, drained
    • Serve over rice
    • Toppings: Monterey jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, chipotle, salsa, olives, and/or green onions

    Directions:

    1. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium high heat; then add the chicken and onion and cook for 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
    2. Once chicken is cooked add the salt through the smoked paprika; then add the tomatoes, beans, and corn, and cook until warm.
    3. Serve over rice with toppings of choice.

    Chicken Burrito Bowls:


  • Chili Mac

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Ingredients:

    • Olive oil
    • 2 lb. ground chicken or turkey
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 4-6 garlic cloves, chopped
    • 2 Taco seasoning packs (about 1/2 c.)
    • 1 Chili seasoning pack
    • 2 cans Rotel tomatoes
    • 2 cans red, pinto, black, or kidney beans
    • 4 8oz. cans of tomato sauce
    • 3 c. water
    • 1 lb. elbow macaroni
    • Toppings: cheddar cheese, chipotle, avocado, and/or sour cream

    Directions:

    1. Heat olive oil in skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat and then add ground meat, onion, and garlic.
    2. When the meat is cooked add seasoning through water. Bring to a simmer and cover and simmer for at least 2 hours.
    3. Prepare pasta according to package and add desired toppings.

    Chili Mac:

  • German Chocolate Cookie Bars

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Favorite Family Recipes.

    Crust:

    • 1 box devil’s food cake mix (not the kind with pudding added)
    • 1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 egg

    Filling:

    • 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (fat free works great too)
    • 1 tsp. vanilla
    • 1 egg
    • 1 c. pecans, chopped
    • 1 c. shredded coconut
    • 1 c. chocolate chips

    Directions:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan (I used non-stick cooking spray).
    3. In a medium bowl, mix together the cake mix, butter and egg, and press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
    4. The crust should not come up the sides.
    5. Bake for 7 minutes and remove from the oven. The crust will not look done.
    6. While the crust is baking, mix together the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, egg, pecans and coconut.
    7. Pour evenly over the warm crust.
    8. Sprinkle evenly with the chocolate chips.
    9. Bake for 24-30 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown.
    10. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares.

    German Chocolate Cookie Bars:

  • Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Real House Moms.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 c. cooked chicken shredded or diced
    • 2 c. Monterey jack cheese
    • 1/3 c. sour cream
    • 2 4 oz. cans diced green chilis 
    • 15 oz. canned green chili enchilada sauce
    • 12 6-inch corn tortillas
    • 10.5 oz. cream of chicken soup
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Top with: Salsa, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, and/or jalapenos

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350F.
    2. In a large bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1/3 cup enchilada sauce, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and diced green chilis. Mix until everything is combined.
    3. Pour 1/4 cup enchilada sauce into the bottom of an 8-inch x 8-inch baking pan and spread it out until the bottom is covered. Use 3 tortillas to cover the bottom of the pan. I cut or tear them in half to fill gaps.
    4. Spread 1/3 of the chicken mixture over the tortillas. Cover chicken mixture with 1/3 cup enchilada sauce. Use 3 more tortillas to cover the first layer.
    5. Add another 1/3 of the chicken mixture and spread out over the tortillas. Add 1/3 cup of enchilada sauce and 1 cup shredded cheese over the chicken mixture. Using 3 more tortillas, cover the second layer.
    6. Add remaining chicken mixture and spread over tortillas. Add another 1/3 cup enchilada sauce over chicken mixture. Cover the third layer with remaining tortillas.
    7. Using remaining sauce, pour over the entire top of the casserole. Try to cover as much of the tortillas as possible to keep them from drying out while the casserole bakes. Spread the remaining cup of cheese over the top of the sauce.
    8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until cheese is melted and casserole nice and bubbly.
    9. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving for easy to serve portions.

    Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Casserole:

  • Instant Pot Mongolian Beef

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Ingredients:

    • 2 lbs. flank or sirloin steak, cut into 1/4 inch strips
    • Salt and pepper
    • Oil
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 c. soy sauce
    • 1 c. water
    • 2/3 c. brown sugar
    • 2 TBSP ginger, minced
    • 4 TBSP water
    • 4 TBSP cornstarch
    • Green onions, sliced

    Directions:

    1. Season beef with salt and pepper.
    2. Heat oil in a skillet, and when oil begins to sizzle, brown meat in batches until all meat is browned – do not crowd. Transfer meat to a plate when browned.
    3. In the Instant Pot, select saute and when it reaches HOT, add some oil; then add the garlic and sauté 1 minute. Add soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and ginger. Stir to combine.
    4. Add browned beef and any accumulated juices. Select High Pressure. Set timer for 12 minutes.
    5. When beep sounds turn pressure cooker off and use a quick pressure release. When valve drops carefully remove the lid.
    6. Combine the cornstarch and water, whisking until smooth. Add cornstarch mixture to the sauce in the pot stirring constantly. Select Simmer and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sauce thickens. Stir in green onions.

    Instant Pot Mongolian Beef:

  • Cashew Chicken

    February 21, 2022 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Half Baked Harvest.

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb. chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
    • 1 TBSP cornstarch
    • Black pepper, to taste
    • 1/4 c. honey
    • 1/2 c. soy sauce
    • 1 TBSP fish sauce
    • 1-2 TBSP chili paste (sambal oelek)
    • 2 TBSP ketchup
    • 2 TBSP oil
    • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 inch fresh ginger, grated
    • 2 red or orange bell peppers, thinly sliced
    • 1 c. fresh Thai or regular basil, roughly torn
    • Steamed white or brown rice
    • Handful of cashews

    Directions:

    1. In a medium bowl, toss together the chicken, cornstarch, and a pinch of black pepper.
    2. To make the sauce: Combine the honey, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili paste, and ketchup in a bowl.
    3. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken and brown all over, until it becomes crispy, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and peppers, cook another 2-3 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
    4. Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until the sauce coats the chicken, about 5 minutes.
    5. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil.
    6. Serve the chicken and sauce over bowls of rice. Top with cashews and additional basil.

    Cashew Chicken: