Category Archives: Fall/Winter Favorites

Pork and Tomatillo Stew

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbs                 Vegetable Oil

1 1/2 lbs          Boneless Pork Loin, cut into 3-in chunks

tt                        Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper

2                        Large Celery Ribs, finely diced

1                        Small Red Onion, finely diced

1                        Anaheim Chile, seeded and finely diced

2                        Garlic Cloves, minced

2 tsp                 Mild Chile Powder

1 tbs                 Ground Cumin

Pinch               Oregano, dried

2 cups              Chicken Stock

2 cups              Carrots, 1/2-in dice

2                        Russet Potatoes (6 oz) cut into 1-in dice

1  can               Tomatoes, diced (28 oz)

1 lb                   Tomatillos, husked, rinse and cut into 1-in dice

tt                        Hot Sauce

                           Serve with cilantro and corn tortilla chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a medium casserole or Dutch oven, heat the oil.  Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook over high heat until browned on two sides, about 2 minutes per side.  Add the celery and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.  Add the celery and onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.  Add the diced chile, garlic, chile powder, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3 minutes.  Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.  Add the carrotes, potatoes, tomatoes and tomatillos, cover and simmer over low heat until the pork is cooked through, about 25 minutes.

Transfer the pork to plate and shred with two forks.  Meanwhile, simmer the stew over moderate heat until thickened, about 10 minutes.  Stir the shredded pork into the stew and season with salt, pepper and hot sauce.  Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with a few tortilla chips.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, What's for Dinner?

Homemade Apple Pie

INGREDIENTS FOR PIE CRUST:

3 cups                   Pillsbury All-Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp                Salt (not Kosher)

2 tbs                       Sugar

5-9 tbs                   Ice Cold Water

1 1/8 cup               Shortening

INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING:

1 lb                         Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 lb                         Sweet Apples (fuji, gala, etc.), peeled, cored and sliced

2 tbs                       Organic Sugar

1/2 tsp                   Cinnamon

1 tsp                       Lime Juice

1/2 tsp                   Vanilla

1 tbs                       Flour

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PIE CRUST:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 9 in glass pie plate by spraying with baking spray.  Combine dry ingredients and stir with fork.  Cut in chilled shortening with a pastry cutter until lumps are pea sized.  Sprinkle in water one tbs at a time.  Look for dough not to be too dry or too wet.  Gather into a ball quickly, but do not knead.  Marbling lines are okay.  Squeeze in half to make two disks.  Put in ziploc in frigerator to chill for 1 hour. 

Rub flour on roller and countertop before rolling out dough.  Roll out dough by working from the center out making a large, even, thin circle.  Should aim for 2 inches larger than your pie tin.  Use scraper to lift and place in pie plate.  Fill with desired filling.  Follow same instructions for top crust.  Place top crust on top of filling and cut crusts to 1 in larger than pie plate.  Tuck top crust under bottom crust.  Use thumb and index finger of right hand to crimp crust together.  Use a knife to create decorative vents.  Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes approx. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING:

Stir all ingredients together prior to while pie crust is chilling.  Fill crust making sure to leave excess liquid out.

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Filed under Decadent Desserts, Fall/Winter Favorites, Holiday Menus, Party Picks

Chili Verde

INGREDIENTS:

1                   Pork Roast

6 cans         Green Chilies, chopped

1 lg can       Green Chile Enchilada Sauce (medium)

2                   Garlic Cloves, chopped

1 cup            Onion, chopped

6-10              Red Potatoes

an                   Flour

1 tbs               Butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large pot, saute onion and garlic with butter.  Cut pork roast into quarters and pat with flour.  Brown pork in pot on each side.  Turn heat to medium-low and add chopped chilies.  Cook on low for 2 hours.  Pull apart meat a little bit with fork, add enchilada sauce and chopped red potatoes with the skins.  Simmer 45 more minutes.  Stir and serve with grated Colby jack cheese and sour cream if desired.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, What's for Dinner?

Vegetarian Chili

INGREDIENTS:

1                    Medium Eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

1 tbs             Coarse Kosher Salt

3/4 cup        Olive Oil, best quality

2                   Medium Yellow Onions, cut into 1/4 inch dice

4                    Garlic Cloves, finely chopped

2                     Large Green Bell Peppers, cored, seeded and cut into 1/4 in dice

1 can             Italian Plum Tomatoes (35 oz)

2 tbs              Chili Powder

1 tbs              Cumin, ground

1 tbs              Oregano, dried

1 tbs               Basil, dried

2 tsp               Fresh Black Pepper, ground

1 tsp                Salt

1 tsp                Fennel Seeds

1/2 cup           Fresh Italian Parley, chopped

1 cup               Canned Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained

1 cup               Canned Chick-Peas (Garbanzos), drained

1/2 cup           Fresh Dill, chopped

2 tbs                Fresh Lemon Juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place the eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with the coarse salt.  Let stand for 1 hour.  Pat dry with paper towels. 

Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the eggplant and saute until almost tender, adding a bit more oil if necessary.  Remove the eggplant to a casserole or dutch oven. 

Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil in the same skillet over low heat.  Add the onions, garlic, and green peppers and saute just until softened, about 10 minutes.  Add to the casserole with any oil.

Place the casserole over low heat and add the canned tomatoes with their liquid, fresh tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, basil, pepper, salt, fennel, and parsley.  Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes.

Stir in the kidney beans, chick-peas, dill, and lemon juice and cook for another 15 minutes.  The eggplant peel should be tender.  Stir well and taste and adjust seasonings.

Serve immediately with brown rice and lots of shredded cheese.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, Party Picks, Vegetarian Fare, What's for Dinner?

Boyscout Beef Chili

IMG_5573

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb.         Lean Ground Beef

1                Small Onion, chopped

1                Green Bell Pepper, seeded and chopped

2                Cloves of Garlic, minced

1/2 tsp    Cumin, ground

1/4 tsp    Coriander, ground

1/2 tsp    Chili Powder

1/4 tsp    Cocoa, unsweetened

2 cans     Diced tomatoes with Green Chilies

1/4 cup   Salsa, Medium

1/2 cup   Beef Broth

1 tbs        Worcestershire Sauce

3 env      Sazon Goya with Cilantro and Achiote Seasoning

2 cans    Pinto Beans, drained

1 can      Red Kidney Beans, drained

tt              Montreal Steak Seasoning and Seasoned Salt

opt          Top with Mexican Blend of Cheeses, Sour cream or Pumpkin Seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large and deep skillet, brown ground beef.  Drain grease from meat when beef is browned and no red can be seen.  Add onion, bell pepper and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.  Add all spices and cook for another minute.  Then add cans of tomatoes, salsa, beef broth, worcestershire sauce and beans.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer for approx. 30 minutes.

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Filed under Comfort Cuisine, Fall/Winter Favorites, Kid's Corner, Party Picks