Spinach and Orzo Salad

This past weekend I visited the Farmer's Market, in Bentonville, AR.  I found some fresh garlic bulbs and used them in this recipe!  The garlic was so fresh and I also found spinach, sweet onions, goat cheese and many other fresh farm grown ingredients.

Tip:  Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

1 large lemon

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 fresh cloves garlic, paper thin sliced

5 ounces, organic baby spinach leaves (Large Packaged Container, Prewashed)

8 ounces, orzo, cooked as per instructions, drained and cooled

1 – 6 ounce can small black olives, drained

1 – 8 ounce package, feta cheese, liquid drained, and chopped

8 ounces, Sliced Honey Ham, chopped

1/4 cup red onion, paper thin sliced

pinch salt

pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Completely zest the lemon and add to large mixing bowl.  Then squeeze the juice from half the lemon, adding to bowl.  Being careful not to drop lemon seeds into bowl when squeezing.  Add olive oil, and sliced garlic, then mix thoroughly.  Add the rest of the ingredients into bowl.  Toss thoroughly and combine.  Enjoy!

Servings:  8

Summer Spring Rolls

Cheesy Crab, Shrimp and Artichoke Dip

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

1 cup shrimp, cooked, peeled and chopped

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 (6 oz) can crab meat

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon salt

paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts, green onions, garlic, salt, mayonnaise, crab meat and shrimp.

Place mixture in a approximately 6 1/2" x 11" baking dish.  Spread out mixture evenly and sprinkle with paprika.

Bake in the preheated oven 25 - 30 minutes, or until bubbling and lightly browned.  Enjoy!

Tip:  Did you know the artichokes are nutrient dense, so, for the 25 calories in a medium artichoke, you can get 16 essential nutrients!

Turkey Herb and Spice Butter

Tip:  Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

1 stick butter, (1/2 cup) softened

2 teaspoons, fresh thyme, minced

2 teaspoons, fresh rosemary, minced

2 teaspoons, fresh sage, minced

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon, white pepper, freshly ground

2 teaspoons, comino (cumin) seeds, freshly ground

Directions:

Place butter, minced herbs, and spices in small bowl, stir until thoroughly mixed.

Tip:  Slide hand between skin and breast meat to loosen skin.  Rub 4 tablespoons of the Turkey Herb and Spice Butter over breast meat under skin.  Rub remaining herb butter over outside of turkey.   This butter can also be used for baking hens, chicken, and quail!  Use the dripping for making your gravy!

Green Chile Corn Casserole

Tip:  Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

1 - 15 ounce, can sweet corn, liquid drained

1 - 15 ounce, can cream-style corn

½ small sweet onion, diced

1 - 8 ounce, package Jiffy corn muffin mix

1 cup, sour cream

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 stick, butter, melted

2 cups, mild cheddar cheese, finely shredded

1 - 4 ounce, chopped mild green chili’s

no-stick cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl add 1 cup cheese, and all other ingredients.  Stir together until well combined.

Pour into a no-stick sprayed, 9” X13” casserole dish. 

Bake for 55-60 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through, remove from oven.  Cooking time varies depending on oven and casserole dish used.  Be sure to cook through.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup of cheese and place back in the oven.

Let cheese melt and turn a nice golden light brown!  Serve warm!  Enjoy!

Tip:  You can also add jalapenos or red pepper flakes to make it spicier!

Green Chili



Tip:  Read directions completely before preparing

Ingredients:

4 (4 oz) cans of Hatch Fire Roasted Green Chilies, chopped coarsely
1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
6 large cloves garlic, minced finely
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons fresh ground comino (cumin) seeds
1 teaspoon celery salt
5 cups chicken stock
3 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt to taste

Directions:

Open cans of chilies and tomatoes, drain and chop coarsely, then set aside.

Chop onion coarsely and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in pressure cooker, over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add onions and cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 4 minutes.

Add garlic, comino, celery salt, cilantro and oregano and cook, stirring frequently until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add chopped chilies, tomatoes, only 3 1/2 cups of the chicken stock, and pork.  Seal pressure cooker and cook at high pressure for 20 minutes.  Safely release pressure as per pressure cooker instructions.

Remove lid from pressure cooker and skim off the fat.  Continue to cook without lid until liquid is reduced to half, about 30 - 35 minutes.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add flour and using a whisk stir constantly until very light brown in color, about 3 minutes.  Slowly add remaining 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth and stir constantly with whisk until it is smooth.

Once the liquid has reduced in the pressure cooker add the smooth flour mixture and stir well.

Lower heat to medium low and continue to simmer chili until desired texture is reached.  Season to taste with a little more salt.  Enjoy!

Tip:  You can enjoy this Green Chili recipe dish by itself or pour over breakfast eggs and top with Monterey Jack cheese!  Also use as a sauce for Green Chili Enchiladas!  Best of all, use it to make Sloppers!  Whether they be Hotdog Sloppers or Hamburger Sloppers!  Place a hotdog in a bun, cover with shredded cheese and pour a ladle or 2 or Green Chili over the hotdog!  Same for burger!  That's a Slopper!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tip: Read directions completely before preparing.

Ingredients:

1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

1 cup cabbage, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cilantro, leaves removed from stems

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

2 green onions (scallions), chopped

1 large Hass Avocado, cut in 1/2 - 1 inch cubes

1 lime, cut into 8

1 cup tortilla chip strips

4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless

8 cups water

1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

1 teaspoon salt

1 large clove garlic, finely minced

1/8 teaspoon comino (cumin), fresh ground

Directions:

Chop, slice, cube and shred your vegetables as describe in ingredients (onion, cabbage, scallions, cilantro, avocado, lime and cheese). Set aside.

Cut chicken thighs into approximately a little less than 1/2 inch, chunks.

In a 5 1/2 quart pot, bring 8 cups of water to boil. Add chicken, fresh ground comino (cumin), minced garlic, chicken bouillon, and salt. Let boil for 10 minutes, then lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

To plate, in a large soup bowl, ladle 2 cups chicken and broth, make sure the broth is very hot before ladling. Add 1/4 of each into the bowl, cheese, avocado, scallions, cabbage, red onion, and then top with tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Servings: 4

Tip:  What could be better on a cold day then a bowl of fresh, hot homemade soup. A soup that is quick to make, flavorful, and filling!

You can either buy the tortilla chip strips from you favorite grocer. They are usually stocked in the vegetable or salad department. Or you can cut and fry your own using fresh corn tortillas!