Taco Bowl

A different take on a taco.  Add whatever toppings you like.   I put my own taco seasonings on my ground beef, but you can buy taco seasoning mix if you prefer.

TACO BOWL
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 pounds ground beef
*2 teaspoons chili powder (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1/2 teaspoon onion powder (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1/4 teaspoon oregano (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1/2 teaspoon paprika (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1 1/2 teaspoons cumin (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1 teaspoon salt (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper (omit if using a premixed taco seasoning)
*1/4 cup beef stock, (or water)
*2 cups rice, cooked (your choice of rice)

Topping Ingredients:
*fresh cilantro, chopped
*corn (grilled or cold)
*red onion, sliced
*green bell pepper, sliced and grilled
*red bell pepper, sliced and grilled
*avocado, sliced and quartered
*tomatoes, diced (or cherry tomatoes cut in half)
*black beans, drained
*shredded lettuce
*sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (omit if dairy free)
*sour cream
*taco sauce
*hot sauce
*lime

Directions:
~Brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.
~Mix in 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon ground black peppers (or prepared taco seasonings) and 1/4 cup beef stock.
~Simmer for 5 minutes.
~If you preferred the corn sautéd: in a small frying pan, add 1 tablespoon butter to 1 small can of corn (drained) and sauté over medium heat for 3-5 minutes
~If adding bell peppers: sauté green and red peppers in butter until tender in a medium sized skillet over medium heat.

Preparing Bowls:
~Place 1/2 cup rice in bottom or to one side of bowl.
~Place prepared meat over rice or to one side of bowl.
~Add bell peppers on top of to one side, if desired
~Add avocado on top or to one side, if desired
~Add black beans on top or to one side, if desired.
~Add shredded lettuce on top or to one side.
~Add tomatoes on top or to one side.
~Add cheese on top or to one side of bowl.
~Top with sour cream, taco sauce, hot sauce if desired.
~Add chopped fresh cilantro.
~Squeeze lime juice over top if desired.

Chicken Kabobs

I love to grill chicken kabobs.  One of my favorite summertime meals.   I prefer to put all my chicken on one kabob stick and the veggies on another, but you can mix them too.

CHICKEN KABOBS
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*3 tablespoons olive oil
*1 tablespoon lemon zest
*2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
*1 teaspoon paprikaa
*1 teaspoon dried oregano
*1 teaspoon dried basil
*1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
*3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
*1 teaspoon, dried onion flakes (or 1 tablespoon on fresh minced onion)
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
*Desired veggies (green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, etc.) cut into large pieces.

Directions:
~In gallon sized zip-loc bag, combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, oregano, basil, thyme, garlic , and onion flakes.
~Seal bag and mix ingredients.
~Add cut up chicken.
~Seal bag and turn bag over and over until chicken is coated.
~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
~Spray skewers with cooking spray.
~Drain marinate from chicken.
~Thread chicken and veggies onto skewers.
~Preheat grill to medium heat or oven to 400 degrees.
~Add skewers to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until chicken is completely cooked through and veggies are tender (About 10-15 minutes).
~If cooking in oven, place skewers on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.  Turn every 5 minutes, cooking for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked through and veggies are tender.

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Tzatziki Sauce

I love tzatziki sauce.  I put it on just about any pita sandwich.  Pretty tasty on a hot dog too.

TZATZIKI SAUCE
(makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:
*1 English cucumber, partly peeled and end cut off
*1 teaspoon kosher salt
*1 cup plain greek yogurt
*1/4 cup sour cream
*1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
*1 teaspoon olive oil
*2 garlic clove, finely minced
*1/2 teaspoon fresh onion, minced
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

~Grate cucumber. 
~Toss cucumbers with 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
~Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
~Place salted cucumber into a colander.

~Place colander over a bowl.

~Squeeze the cucumber until the liquid has drained from the cucumbers.

~In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, sour cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and olive oil.

~Mix in garlic, oregano, and minced garlic.

~Stir in drained cucumber in to sauce.

~Season with ground pepper.

~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (I like mine to sit overnight).

Pizza Pitas

Fill these with whatever pizza toppings you like.  I like to add a little shredded lettuce to the top once it's cooked, but you don't have to.  You can leave it flat and bake if you prefer.

PIZZA PITAS
(makes 4)

Ingredients:
*4 pita's (I preferred to make own pita)
*1 cup pizza sauce
*1-2 cups mozzarella cheese, sliced
*1 cup shredded lettuce (optional)

Pizza Topping Ideas:
*1 pound pepperoni, sliced
*1/4 -1/2 pound sausage, cooked and drained
*1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
*1/2 cup black olives, sliced
*1/2 cup feta cheese
*1 green bell pepper, chopped and cooked
*1 small yellow or red onion, chopped and cooked
*1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
*1 cup mushrooms, sliced and cooked
*1 cup bbq chicken, cooked and shredded
*1 cup deli ham, chopped
*4 teaspoons ranch dressing to drizzle over top of pizza when done vf

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
~Spray a cookie sheet with a cooking spray.
~Place pitas on cookie sheet.
~Spread 1/4 cup pizza sauce on each pita.
~Place desired pizza toppings on pita.
~Sprinkle 1/4 - 1/2 cup cheese over toppings.
~Bake for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
~Remove from oven and plate.
~Add shredded lettuce (optional).
~Fold in half to eat or eat open faced.  

Pepper Steak Pita

This is so yummy! I love how easy and quick it is to make.  You could make some homemade french fries or soup to go with it, but I think it's pretty filling just as it is. Homemade pita bread makes it even better.

PEPPER STEAK PITA
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*1 medium sweet onion, sliced
*1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
*1 green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
*3 garlic cloves, minced
*1/3 cup soy sauce
*1/3 cup red wine vinegar
*1/3 cup honey
*1 1/2 pounds strip or flank steak, cut into thin strips
*4 pita breads
*1/2 cup feta cheese (optional)

Directions:
~Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
~Cook onions, red & green bell peppers, for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often.
~Add garlic and cook until veggies are almost tender, stirring often.
~Remove from pan and set aside.
~In a small bowl mix soy sauce, honey, and red wine vinegar.
~Pour in pan and add steak.
~Cook for 5 minutes minutes, stirring often.
~Add veggies and cook for another 5-10 minutes.
~Divide pepper steak into warm pitas.
~Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over top (optional).

Blacken Garlic Chicken and Pasta

This is a great summer meal.  Love the colors in this meal.  You can buy the blackened seasoning if you don't want to make it.

BLACKEN GARLIC CHICKEN AND PASTA
(serves 4-6)

 Ingredients:
*2 pounds chicken breast cut into strips or chicken tenderloin
*1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped
*1 red bell pepper, chopped
*1 green bell pepper, chopped
*1 medium red onion
*3 tablespoons garlic
*3 garlic cloves, minced
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1 (1 pound) package bowtie pasta (can use penne or macaroni noodles too)
*1 tablespoon blackened seasoning mix
*1 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese
*1 (10 ounce) container cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

Directions:
~Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
~Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and add pasta.
~Cook as directed on package.
~Remove from burner and strain water from pasta.
~Set aside.
~In a large skillet, over medium heat add 1 tablespoon butter, onions, and bell peppers.
~Cook until, veggies are almost tender.
~Add minced garlic and cook another minute or two, stirring often.
~Remove from pan and set aside.
~Rub chicken with desired amount of blackened seasoning.
~Add another tablespoon of butter to skillet and cook chicken over medium heat.
~Cook chicken until on each side until chicken develops a crust and is done.
~Add 1 more tablespoon butter, cooked pasta, veggies and bacon.
~Stir and heat for 2 minutes.
~Remove from stove and add parmesan cheese and tomatoes.
~Toss until mix and serve.

Blackened Chicken Seasoning.

This seasoning is so good for grilling chicken or salmon.   Just store it in an airtight container.

BLACKENED CHICKEN SEASONING
(makes )

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
*1/4-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (depending on how spicy you like things)
*1 teaspoon dried thyme
*1 teaspoon dried oregano
*1 teaspoon dried basil
*2 teaspoons garlic powder
*1 tablespoon onion powder
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:
~In a small bowl, mis all of the ingredients.
~Store in an airtight container, in a cool dry place.

Poor Man's Korean Beef and Rice Bowl

So quick and easy to make.   Love this recipe, so tasty.  You could add steamed broccoli if you choose.

POOR MAN'S KOREAN BEEF and RICE BOWL
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*1 cup white rice (can use brown if preferred)
*2 cups water
*1 pound ground beef
*4 garlic cloves, minced
*1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
*1/4 cup soy sauce
*2 teaspoons sesame oil
*1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*2 green onions, sliced
*2 cups rice, cooked and hot
*1 green onion, sliced for garnish
*sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions:
~Rinse 1 cup rice (can skip this step, but it's better rice if you don't)
~Pour 2 cups water and rice into a medium sized pot and cover.
~Bring to a boil over medium-high heat
~Reduce to a low heat and simmer for 20 minutes (longer for brown rice) or until rice is tender.
~Fluff with a fork before serving.
~Cook beef mixture while rice is cooking.
~In a large skillet, over medium heat cook 1 pound ground beef and 4 minced garlic cloves, until the beef is browned.  Break it into crumbles as it cooks.
~In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
~Pour over ground beef and mix well.
~Simmer for 2 minutes.
~Serve over hot rice.
~Top with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Deep Fried Mushrooms

Easy to make.  To make it healthier you can cook them in an air-fryer for about 10-15 minutes.  

DEEP FRIED MUSHROOMS

(makes about 12)

Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) container or whole mushrooms, wiped clean

*1 cup beer

*1 cup flour, sifted

*1 teaspoon corn starch

*1 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/2 teaspoon paprika

*1 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*4-6 cups vegetable oil

Directions:

~Pour 3-4 inch of vegetable oil in a large cast iron dutch oven, or pan.

~Heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees,

~Mix 1 cup beer, 1 cup sifted flour, 1 teaspoon corn starch, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper into a bowl until it's smooth and lump free.

~Dip mushrooms into batter and coat well.

~Allow excess batter to drip off.

~Carefully fry mushrooms in hot oil, not over crowding the pan.

~Fry until crispy and brown turning often (about 6-8 minutes).

~Remove mushrooms from oil and place on paper towels to drain.

~Sprinkle with salt while still hot and serve.

Garlic Herb Buffalo Potatoes

The potatoes are a little bit spicy, but good.  I like to dip my potatoes in sour cream as I eat them.

GARLIC HERB BUFFAALO POTATOES
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
*1 (5 pound) bag red skin potatoes
*1 (1.6 ounce) package Garlic & Herb Buffalo Wings Seasoning Mix
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
~Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
~Rinse and cut potatoes in quarters.
~Place potatoes into a large bowl.
~Sprinkle garlic herb buffalo seasoning, salt, and pepper over potatoes.
~Mix until potatoes are coated.
~Mix in olive oil.
~Spread potatoes on cookie sheet.
~Bake for 45-55 minutes or until they are fork tender.

Sloppy Joe's

I love Sloppy Joes, along with homemade fries.  My husband likes to add slice of cheese on his.

SLOPPY JOES
(serves 6)

Ingredients:
*1 1/2 pounds ground beef
*1 small yellow onion, chopped
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
*1/2 red bell peppers, chopped
*2 cups beef stock (or water)
*1 cup ketchup
*1 tablespoon brown sugar (can use up to 1/4 cup, but we don't like it to sweet)
*1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
*1/4 teaspoon soy sauce
*1 teaspoon yellow mustard
*1  teaspoon salt
*1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*6 hamburger buns

Directions:
~In a large skillet, over medium heat cook ground beef, onions, garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper until beef is browned and crumbly.
~Stir in beef stock, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt and pepper.
~Bring to a boil.
~Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 45-55 minutes, or until mixture becomes thick.
~Serve on hamburger buns.

Waffle Fries

In order to make waffle fries you will need a mandolin fitted with the “waffle” or “crinkle” attachment. I like to make either a copy cat of chick flip-a sauce or a copy cat of the blooms' onion dip to dip my waffle fries in.

WAFFLE FRIES
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
*4 russet potatoes 
*vegetable oil
*Salt

Directions:
~Fill a large bowl with cold water.
~Cut potatoes with a mandolin fitted with a waffle or crinkle attachment.
~Slice each potato 1/2 inch thick, roasting about 90 degrees after each slice.
~Place cut potatoes in cold water.
~Rinse potatoes and place on a clean dry towel or paper towels to drain.
~Heat oil in  large heavy pot to 375 degrees (enough oil to easily cover the potatoes).
~Carefully put some of the potatoes into hot oil (do not over fill or crowd potatoes).
~Cook about 5-minuets for each batch, until potatoes are limp and just turning in color (I can normally do it in two batches).
~Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and place on clean layered paper towels.
~Place fries back in hot oil, and cook until crispy and a golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
~Transfer onto clean paper towels.
~Season with salt when hot and serve.

Mock Chick-fil-a Sauce

This tastes a lot like the Chick-fil-a dipping sauce.    So good with homemade waffle fries or chicken nuggets.  

MOCK CHICK-FIL-A SAUCE

(makes about 1/3 cup)

Ingredients:

*1/4 cup mayonnaise 

*2 tablespoons honey

*1 tablespoon yellow mustard

*1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

*2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

*2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

Directions:

~In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 2 tablespoon barbecue sauce. of the ingredients.

~Place in a bowl with a lid.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Onion Ring Dipping Sauce

I like to dip onion rings and waffle fries in this sauce.  It' also good to put on a burger.   It does have a little kick to it.

ONION RING DIPPING SAUCE
(makes about 1/2 cup)

Ingredients:
*1/2 cup mayonnaise
*2 tablespoons creamy horseradish

*1/8 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon paprika
*1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
*1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

*cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

Directions:
~In a small mixing bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons creamy horseradish, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
~Place into a container and put lid on it.
~Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, before serving.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

This may be my new favorite cookie.  Marshmallows are not in  the normal recipe, but I like to add them for my granddaughter.   You can use just one type of chocolate chips if you prefer.  I don't use the cayenne pepper, but only because the little ones prefer it not too spicy.

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES
(makes 4 dozen)

Ingredients:
*1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
*1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
*2 large eggs
*2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
*2 cups all-purpose flour
*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
*2 teaspoons baking soda
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
*1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional and only if you want some spicy kick)
*1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
*1 cup milk chocolate chips
*48 mini marshmallows (optional)

Directions:
~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
~In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together.
~Mix in eggs and vanilla.
~Add flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (add cayenne pepper if desired).
~Mix in semi-sweet and milk sweet chocolate chips.
~Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray.
~Drop by rounded spoonfuls (or a cookie scoop) onto prepared cookie sheet.
~If using the marshmallows put one marshmallow on top of a cookie and press down a little bit.
~ Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just set.
~Remove from oven and place on cooling racks to cool