Spicy Tamales

 

Spicy Tamales Ingredients

2 pounds of pork

4 pounds of chicken

1 bag of instant corn Masa flour

2 cups of water (divided)

1 onion (chopped)

4 cloves of garlic (diced)

2 habanero peppers (diced)

2 jalapeño peppers (diced)

1 table spoon of paprika

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

1 tablespoon of spice mix

1 can of Embasa Chipotle peppers

1 bag of corn husks

2 tablespoons of salt

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare the masa according to the bag, mixing the flour with 1/4 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of salt. Form the dough into balls. Soak the corn husks in water for 30 minutes, use a bowl as a weight to submerge them underwater. I cooked the meat in my crockpot for 6 hours so it was nice and tender and shredded easy. Add the garlic, onion, peppers and spices to the meat for flavoring. Strain the juice from the meat and set aside. Pour the cooled juice into the masa and mix together. Spread the masa onto the husk then add the meat and roll together. Steam the tamales for 20 minutes until the masa is firm. These are best within five days of making or freeze for up to 3 months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irish Stew

Carrot, potato, Irish Brisket, Cabbage, beer, Spices

Creole Shrimp Gumbo

Probably south Louisiana’s most famous dish, there are almost as many recipes for gumbo as there are cooks in south Louisiana. It is often made with leftovers or whatever is on hand in the kitchen: chicken, susage, duck, shrimp, or a combination of seafoods. The powder or okra as a thickener or it may be used as broth. File is made from ground sassafras leaves. It was used by the Choctaw Indians who lived in Louisiana. File is never put into the gumbo until the last minute of cooking. Boiling the gumbo after the file has been added will cause the gumbo to get stringy. For a casual party, make a big stockpot of gumbo, a big green salad, some crusty garlic bread, a pecan pie and be prepared for  a wonderful evening filled with fun and compliments

Creole Shrimp Gumbo

1 1/2 of shrimp

1 package of chicken, skinless boneless breast

3 quarts of water

1 cup of celery, cut into chunks

1 cup green onions, diced reserve some for garnish

1 cup of bell peppers

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper to taste

4 Tablespoons of flour

4 Tablespoons of olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons of butter

1/4 chopped parsley

1 lb of fresh sliced okra (may use frozen)

1/4 teaspoon  cayenne pepper , or to taste

1/4  teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1 pound crabmeat

1 Tablespoon file powder, (optional)

4 cups of freshly made fluffy white rice

Black Eye Pea Soup

1 bag of Black eye peas

1 Sweet potato, chopped

1 onion, chopped

Cilantro, chopped

5 strips of Bacon, cooked and chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

corn kernals

carrots

cilantro

6 cups of water

Seasoning

Cornish Game Hen Bean Soup

1 package of beans, rinsed

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

dried whole red peppers

1 bay leaf

Chicken stock cube

Spices: sea salt, peppercorn, turmeric, curry, onion powder, fennel

6 cups of water

Cook on high for 4-6 hours

Remove the bones before eating.

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian Wedding Soup

1 lb ground turkey

5 slices of whole wheat double toasted sliced

Form Turkey into balls. Bake in the oven.

5 1/2 cups of water

3 cubes of turkey broth

1 cup white wine

2 grated carrots

2 chopped onion

1 cup orzo

1 cup of chopped spinach or fresh kale

a handfull of peppercorns ground

a handfull of salt

1/2 cup of parm. or feta cheese

Shred the carrot and put into the crockpot. Stir in orzo, salt, pepper, water, wine and chicken broth cubes. Bake the turkey meatballs. Flip the meat balls. Wash and chop the kale and stir into the pot. Add in the meatballs and stir in some parm. cheese.

Chicken Pho Soup

CHICKEN PHO SOUP

2 Chicken breast cooked and cut up

1 pack of pho noodles

1 Portobello mushroom

1 sliced jalapeno

1 bunch green onion scallion chopped (save diced green ends for garnish)

1 liter of chicken stock

1 cup of water

Bring all to a boil and simmer 20 minutes. Garnish with sprout.

Spicy Chili Beans

 

Spicy Chili Beans

2 cups of  dried Pinto Beans

4 cups of water

1 Table spoon of olive oil

1 Table spoon Red cayenne Pepper

1 Table spoon garlic powder

1 Table spoon curry powder

1 Table spoon salt

1 Table spoon fennel seed

1 Table spoon cumin

1 Table spoon Marsala

10 small dried red pepper

10 small cherry dried red pepper

1 lbs ground turkey

4 sliced jalapeno

1 bunch of green scallion onion diced

1 can la costena pickled jalapeno and carrots

1 package of taco seasoning

1 small can of green salsa verde

1 small can embasa smoked chipolte pepper

Toppings: Slice of cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream served with garlic toast.

Put the rinsed beans in the crock pot with water and cook for an hour. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet and drain fat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and saute the jalapeno, scallions, and turkey. Add to the beans in the crock pot with the canned peppers and the taco seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 4 hours on high stirring occasionally.

Cheese If you Please

From the Kitchen of: Jessica Brainard

Cheese Ball

1 8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese

4 oz jar Roca Blue Cheese

4 oz jar Old English Sharp Cheddar

Onion and Garlic Powder

a splash of Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon of Sherry

Roll in crushed Nuts

Note: The last time I made this I couldn’t find the jar of roca blue cheese. I don’t know if they even make this cheese any more. Just us another cheese or 2 of the Old English.

 

 

Homemade Mac-N-Cheese

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni

* 1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

* 1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese

* 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream

* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

* salt and pepper to taste

* 1 cup dry bread crumbs

* 1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-Heat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.

2. In 9×13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden brown.

 

 

Queso Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

1 pound of Ground Turkey

1 Jar of Salsa

1 small can of diced green chilis

1 pack of taco seasoning

Brown the ground turkey in a skillet and drain the fat. Cut up the Velveeta cheese and put it in the crock pot on low.

Add the turkey, taco seasoning, a jar of salsa, and a can of green chills.

 

 

Old Fashioned Casserole Dishes

 

Old Fashioned Casserole Dishes

Green Chili casserole

Ingredients:

1 bag of crushed Doritos

2 cans of Cream of Mushroom soup

2 cans of Cream of chicken soup

Boned chicken (4 cans) I cook a chicken myself instead of buying the canned

2 large cans of diced Green Chilies

1/2 onion diced

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Cook the chicken and saute the onions. Mix together soups, green chilies, onion, and chicken. Layer the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan with half of the chicken mixture, crushed Doritos, cheese, then Repeat. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, and bake for 20 minutes.

Note: Serve Hot or Cold. This has always been a big hit for me. I would take it to work  in a crock pot and cook it there for pot luck.