Grammie's Chili

Whenever it is cold, my little Cader boy always asks for Grammie's chili. Today is about as cold & yucky as it gets in AZ so we made it together. It is super easy to make, so delicious & obviously even kiddos like it. Here's the recipe:

Grammie's Chili

1 lb. hamburger

2 cans pinto beans

2 large cans tomato sauce

1 can diced green chilis

1 1/2 tsp. Johnny's Dock seasoning salt (or whatever kind you like)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tsp. extra spicy Mrs. Dash

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. chili powder

2 Tbsp. sugar

Brown the ground beef with the onion & seasoning salt in large saucepan. Add rest of ingredients & let simmer for at least 30 minutes.

We like to serve it with cheese, saltines, flour tortillas, sour cream, and corn bread!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls!

I've been looking for a pumpkin cinnamon roll recipe because it just came to me one day that it sounded delicious! I found one online & tried it, and they turned out so delicious! Like candy that melts in your mouth. One word of advice, I felt that the carmel icing was so yummy, but took away from the pumpkin & cinnamon flavors so I added a cream cheese icing drizzle as well which balanced it all perfectly! These are very sweet and mouth watering G-O-O-D. Enjoy!

1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup canned pumpkin or mashed cooked pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed (or more if you like)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (or more if you like)
2 tablespoons melted butter

CARAMEL FROSTING
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 dash salt
3/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

Directions
1. In small saucepan, heat milk and 2 tablespoons butter just until warm and butter is almost melted, stirring constantly. In large mixer bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar and salt. Add milk mixture and beat with electric mixer until well mixed. Beat in egg and yeast.
2. In separate mixing bowl, combine flours. Add half of flour mixture to pumpkin mixture. Beat mixture on low speed 5 minutes, scraping sides of bowl frequently. Add remaining flour and mix thoroughly (dough will be very soft). Turn into lightly greased bowl, then grease surface of dough lightly.
3. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Knead a few turns to form a smooth dough, sprinkling with enough additional flour to make dough easy to handle. On lightly floured surface, roll dough into 12x10 inch rectangle.
4. In small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Brush surface of dough with melted butter. Sprinkle with brown sugar mixture. Beginning with long side of dough, roll up jellyroll style. Pinch seam to seal. With sharp knife, cut roll into 12 1- inch slices. Place rolls, cut side up, in greased 9 inch square baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Bake rolls at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan to waxed paper-lined wire rack. Cool 10 to 15 minutes. Drizzle with Caramel frosting. Makes 12 rolls.

Frosting:
In small saucepan, heat butter until melted. Stir in brown sugar and milk.
Stir in brown sugar and milk. Cook over medium low heat 1 minute.
Transfer to small mixer bowl and cool mixture. Stir in vanilla, salt, and confectioners' sugar. Beat with electric mixer until well blended. If necessary, add more confectioners' sugar for desired consistency.

Gooey Chewy Carmel Popcorn

I've been on the hunt for a carmel popcorn recipe that doesn't get hard when it cools, just stays chewy. I tried this one out last night and it's awesome!! The best I've ever had. The original recipe called for a whole can of sweet milk but I felt like it was too much. So I remade it with less and it was perfect - I adjusted this for the recipe below. It is still chewy for days after you make it! Enjoy!

GOOEY CARMEL POPCORN

3 bags popped popcorn (I use "smartpop" since we are adding tons of calories anyways)

1 cube butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 - 2/3 can sweet milk

1 cup karo syrup

1 tsp vanilla

Bring butter, sugar, milk & karo to a boil, continue to boil for 3-3.5 minutes stirring constantly. Take off heat & add the vanilla. Then pour over the popcorn & stir well to coat it all. That's it! Store in a ziplock bag or sealed container.

Puddim de Leite

I have had a lot of requests for some Brasilian recipes, so here you go! any problems, since recipes aren't always exact, let me know :)

mix:
1 can condensed milk
1 can (use the empty can of condensed milk) milk or (1/2 milk, 1/2 coconut milk..I prefer with the coconut milk)
3 eggs

blend

in a medium tin pudding mold (picture coming soon..kinda like a bundt cake pan mold) add about 2-3 Tbsp sugar and let melt on med heat on stove and rotate mold until well coated on the bottom and sides.

pour in mix from blender

Bake at 350 degrees (put mold into another pan will with a little water; about 1-2 in) for about 30 min-1 hr..check in between with toothpick and should be a nice firm pudding.

take out of oven and cool. once it is fully chilled. release pudding along the inside and outside with a knife and carefully dump mold onto platter upside down. gently tap the top of the mold and sides and release mold from pudding.

next, enjoy this wonderfully rich dessert

Feijao

Feijoada: black been stew

For about 1 bag of black beans: first sort through the beans and take out any rocks. soak beans in water for about 2-3 hours. drain.

pour beans into a pressure cooker with water about 1-2 inches above height of beans. add polska kielbasa sausage and 1 cube feijao bouillon (most will not have this, you can try chicken bouillon otherwise) . cook on high for about 15 min.

meanwhile, in a pan: sauté onions, garlic and salt. take out about 1-2 Tbsp of sauce from beans and add to pan with onions, etc. (if you have difficulty opening the lid on pressure cooker, pour cold water over it until seal releases)

add onion mix to beans and continue to simmer until done (about 30 min or so)
Once beans are done (they should be easy to bite, not too mushy) smash beans at bottom with a masher mallet (picture coming soon) another item most may not have..otherwise just mix with a spoon.

Brigadeiro's

warning: These are very rich and yummy chocolately desserts!

Ingredients:
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbsp butter
1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder (or however chocolately you prefer)

Heat the milk and butter on low-med heat and as it gets hotter, gradually add the chocolate powder. stirring constantly.
Continue stirring occasionally until the milk thickens. You want it to reduce to a good thickness that it doesn't run off the spoon.

Once it is thick, take off the heat and let it cool in the pan: now you are ready to form into balls.

grease your hands with butter and start forming into balls (about 1/2 in) and dip into chocolate sprinkles.
serve shortly after and enjoy!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1lb. shredded chicken, cooked
1 (15 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (10 Oz) can of enchilada sauce
1 med. onion, chopped
1 (4oz) can of chopped green chili peppers... See More
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 c. water
1 (14 oz) can of chicken broth
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10oz.) package of frozen corn
1 tbs. chopped cilantro

Dump in crockpot... cook for 6-8 hours on Low. or high for 3-4 hours.
Top with tortilla strips or chips, cheese, sourcream. whatever you like really.
ENJOY!

Arepas

super simple!

• I just bought Harina PAN white corn flour (pre cooked) I got this at Lee Lee supermart (Dobson & Warner)
• mix the flour with water (about 1:1) until you get a good dough consistency. add the water first, then salt (about 1tsp) and flour last. need until dough forms
• make about 2-3 in sized balls, well compacted (or whatever size arepa you prefer)
• with the palm of your hand rotate the ball into a flatten disc shape (with enough thickness to slice down the middle for your fillings)
• heat a greased griddle to med heat and grill on each side for about 5 or so minutes..when it browns a little (should sound kinda hollow if you tap it) another option would be to pan fry it and that also is delicious!

Next add your ingredients:

I used shredded beef, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, black beans, sour cream and fresh salsa with this tradition Venezuelan dish!

Enjoy!!

Heres another version you can also try (courtesy Bobby Flay):
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 1/2 cups white arepa flour (precooked cornmeal)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon honey
Vegetable or canola oil, for cooking

Bring milk to a simmer in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and stir in butter.

Combine arepa flour, salt, pepper and cotija in a large bowl. Add the hot milk and honey and stir until combined. Let mixture stand until milk is absorbed enough for a soft dough to form, 1 to 2 minutes (dough will continue to stiffen).

Form the dough into 12 balls (about 2 inches in diameter) and flatten between palms into 3 1/2 to 4-inch patties (about 1/3-inch thick).

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer, fry 4 arepas at a time, until lightly golden brown on both sides and just cooked through about 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.

Slice the arepas in half crosswise, mound some of the ingredients on the bottom, and top with the other half.

Sweet Potato Fries

Cut up sweet potatoes about 1/4" thick.
rinse them and pat them dry

lay them out on paper towel and sprinkle with salt (let sit to release moisture)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

dredge in seasoning:

• 1 spoonfull of paprika
• " salt
• " garlic powder
• " pepper
• " onion powder
• " oregano
• " thyme
• a cup or so of flour

place on greased baking sheet (do not let the fries touch eachother)

bake for about 5-10 minutes

Heat oil to about 360-375 degrees (med-high to high) watch so the oil doesn't burn!

take fries out of oven and place a few at a time in oil until golden and crispy. place on cookie cooling rack (upside down) over newspaper

This works well with Yams as well (you can also use this method without the seasonings and just add salt after frying)

serve with ranch/ketchup :) enjoy!!

Cheesy Garlic & Onion Chicken Puffs

We had these delicious chicken puffs at Relief Society Meeting this month.. had to have the recipe..thanks to Southern Estates Relief Society :)

*3 cups minced chicken

*3 tbsp chopped onion

*3 cloves garlic, minced

*8 oz cream cheese

*6 tbsp butter

*3 cans crescent roll dough

*Melt the butter and sauté onions and garlic. Add chicken, cook. Add cream cheese. let cool.

*Seperate crescent rolls (2 rolls each chicken puff) pinch together perforations to make one flat piece. place about 1/3-1/2 cup chicken mix on top of dough and wrap dough around; sealing edges.

*Sprinkle top with grated mozzarella and cheddar cheese

*Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 min

*serve with asparagus..yum! sautéd with butter, onions, and garlic.

* top with chicken gravy: I just did a quick and simple gravy: chicken broth/stock, corn starch and chicken seasoning..boil on pan until thick.

(these can be easily frozen and reheated for later!!)

Lemon Pepper Garlic Chicken

Just tried this for the first time tonight for dinner and 1st times a charm..

Take 3-4 large chicken breasts and cut them in half.

In a ziploc bag, combine: 1/2 c Italian bread crumbs, 1/2 c parmesan cheese, few dashes of paprika, dash of lemon pepper seasoning, couple dashes of parsley flakes. add chicken and coat in bag.

In a baking dish, melt about 1 stick butter, 1-2 tbsp minced garlic, 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice, a few dashes of thyme. mix until combined.

Add the chicken and coat both sides in the juice. sprinkle any leftover dry ingredients on top of chicken. add a pinch of lemon pepper seasoning on top of chicken.

(add some juices at the bottom on top of the chicken when done)

Bake 40min @ 400 degrees F

(I served with rice, black beans, and asparagus...delish!)

Pizza lovers

I have to say that I love pizza and I am pretty picky about my pizza (Therefore, I only like to eat pizza I make or from Barro's)

First:

start off with your favorite pizza dough recipe, if you don't have one: here's a simple one used for the bread/dough machine:

- 1 cup water

- 3 cups bread flour

-1 1/2 Tbsp dry milk

-2 tsp sugar

-1 1/4 tsp salt

- 2 tsp butter

- 1 tsp fast rise yeast

(this makes 1 large pizza)

put ingredients in machine in order. once finished, place in a greased bowl. cover with plastic and towel for 45 min.

roll out the dough to desired size and thickness onto pizza sheet.

sprinkle corn meal onto sheet before dough.

prick dough w/ a fork

Preheat oven 400 degrees and cook for 15-20 min.

TOPPINGS:

first, I made garlic butter and spread over entire dough:

(butter, garlic, parsley)

- pizza sauce

- cheese (mozzarella is best)

- sliced tomatoes

- sliced zuchinni

- pepperoni

- gorganzola cheese sprinkled on top

- olives (optional)

- pizza seasoning: oregano, basil, marjoram

Breaded Chicken

This recipe is one that comes along because you don't have one of the ingredients, after you have already prepared everything else; so then you have to compromise:

and then it turns out great!

Ok, so this is breaded chicken, but different :)

Instead of using egg wash, I used:

heavy cream (about 1/2 c)

butter (about 1/2 - 1 tbsp)

sour cream (about 1-2 tbsp)

mayonnaise (about 1-2 tbsp)

(everything is estimated, because I just eyeballed everything)

Mix all your ingredients and add to a shallow dish. Add bread crumbs to a different shallow dish, along with Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.

dip your chicken into the crumbs, then the creamy mix..making sure well coated, then crumbs again. Add to hot oil on pan. Fry until golden brown and flip chicken.

When you drain your chicken..put a cooling rack upside down onto paper towel and add chicken to cooling rack to drain.

These are super yummy and crispy and the chicken is very tender!

Thumbprint Cookies

• 1 1/2 c sifted flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 c butter or margarine
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 egg separated
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 c finely chopped pecans (or blended)

Sift flour with salt. Cream butter in mixing bowl and add brown sugar. blend in egg yolk and vanilla. add sifted flour and salt and mix. shape dough into balls and dip into beaten egg white and then into blended pecans. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Press floured thumb into center of cookie.

Bake 375 degrees for 12-15 min, fill the indentions with nutella (as shown), or whatever you'd like.. be creative.

Pork Tacos

Well.. tonight was Mexican night and this is what I had :)

First, you make the salsa.. takes the most time: recipe here

Second, make your bean dip here

Third, guacamole here (at the bottom)

Then, get some ground pork ( you can use meat too or ground chicken) and cook it: season it with seasoning salt and pepper.

Meanwhile.. cut up some spinach leaves and iceberg lettuce..set aside.

grate some mozzarella cheese, set aside.

put your taco shells in oven on low broil in middle..let broil for just a minute to get warm

add your beans, then pork, sour cream & quacamole, cheese, then lettuce. serve with chips and salsa!

I know this is super easy.. just thought I'd share anyways:)

Bean Dip

Sorry for the poor picture quality again.. well that's blackberry for ya.
So this is bean dip :
there are many different ways you can do this, I'll start from best and then go from there:
first, you can boil some pinto beans in a pressure cooker, then add them to a pan and refry them.
second, you can open a can of refried beans
third, you can use dried refried beans from your food storage.

So, once you have the beans...
add them to a bowl. Next, add about 1/2 amount of sour cream to beans ratio. Then, add about 2 laughing cow cheese triangles or cream cheese (about 2 tbsp).
add dried chopped onions (about 1 Tbsp)
add dash of salt and pepper
add dash of garlic powder

stir and serve.

Pasta w/ creamy steak sauce and Garlic Bread

This pasta dish is super easy.. and the garlic bread, just delicious.
So, cook any kind of pasta you like or have for that matter.
I like to add italian seasonings to the boiling water w/ the pasta (the grinder kind)

The sauce:
I cut up a fillet Mignon in tiny little pieces. added diced onions to the pan. season the fillet with seasoning salt (I use gourmet season salt by gonga breath). let cook for just a minute
add your pasta sauce : this can be any kind of tomato sauce, whether homemade or from a jar (classico or bertoli are the only ones I will buy).
dice 1 tomato in tiny pieces, add to the sauce (as you are adding them, mush them in your hands).
add Alfredo sauce (again homemade or jar)
add heavy whipping cream (just a little)
add some grated mozzarella cheese
simmer covered.

Garlic Bread :
here's the good part..
I used Swiss braided bread.. yummy, they deliver it to my door every week for only $3! (but you can use any kind.. except sandwich bread..unacceptable)
butter (I use the bremmel yogurt kind) about 1-2 tbsp
cream cheese or laughing cow Swiss cheese triangles (about 1/2 tbsp or 1 of the triangles)
grated mozzarella cheese, just a couple grates
grated Parmesan roman cheese, same as above
chopped parsley, about 1/2- 1 tbsp
minced garlic, about 1/2 tbsp
mix ingredients together and spread generously onto bread slices
put in the oven on low broil for just a few minutes, until edges are golden brown :)

(sorry for the poor picture quality..taken via cell phone and sent to facebook and then copied onto here.. just the easiest and fastest way for me to post)

Thai inspired Chicken

This meal was a total experiment, but worthy for posting :)

here are your ingredients:

• soy sauce
• oyster sauce
• black vinegar
• white wine vinegar
• olive oil
• dijon mustard
• sesame seed oil
• teriyaki sauce
• garlic
• onion
• heavy cream
• spiracha sauce (hot chili sauce)
• paprika
• brown sugar
• honey
• edemame
• pine nuts (opt)
• black sesame seeds (opt)

Cut white onion and garlic, sauté.

Add cut up chicken (I used 2 large chicken breasts). season with salt, pepper, and paprika (very light)

add water (about 1 cup) and cook covered on med-high heat

in a seperate pan, add equal parts soy sauce, oyster sauce, black vinegar, white wine vinegar, brown sugar (about a tsp), honey (about 1/2 tbsp), spiracha sauce (add anywhere from a tsp on.. depending on your liking to heat), and olive oil. stir until boiling on high heat.

reduce heat, add dijon mustard (about 1 tbsp) and stir until mixed well.

add to chicken and add about 1/4 c heavy cream and a few splashes of teriyaki sauce. Next, add edemame, pine nuts, and black sesame seeds. Stir and simmer covered on med heat until done.

(I didn't use pine nuts this time, but thought it would be a nice addition to the dish)

also.. the black sesame seeds in the chicken could look kinda funny.. (like bugs in your food).. so you could just add it to the cooked rice onto your dish :)

This dish goes well with calrose rice (short grain).. yum!

Pastel and Hamburger misto

Didn't know what to call this.. but it is just something simple we ate for dinner tonight and quick :)
*It's just hamburger meat ( first you sauté some chopped onions and garlic, then add your meat, seasonging salt, and pepper
*Then for the rice: I would like to know how everyone cooks their rice.. so here's what I did (just leave a comment and tell me how you make your rice..love to know different ways). I add a tiny bit of olive oil, onions, and garlic and then rice and sauté until coated. Next add hot water (cover until about your first knuckle deep) boil on high then cover and cook on med.
*Steamed corn on the cob and carrots
Mix it all together and you get the best of both worlds .. cheesy huh.

This my dear is what we call Pastel (pronounced like posh-tew) Is it yummy in my tummy (of coarse most things fried are). salgadinho's are tasty salty treats!
So, first you need masa (which is the flattened dough, which I'm sure none of you are going to make..unless you have a tortilla press, otherwise..you need to buy this, which is sorta like an egg roll dough. I get these in Brasil and they are round.
*Add your meat in the center. dab your finger in some water and seal the edges. fold over and seal by pressing a fork all the way around the edges.
*Next .. you fry in med-high heated oil...until golden brown.
(side note: make sure your meat isn't too hot when making these, because it will make a tear in your dough because of the heat).
This is a typical Brasilian home meal.. enjoy

Chicken Mango Quesadilla

This recipe makes a big difference using fresh homemade tortillas, like I have here.. but those are few and far between, so others will work as well. also, the salsa is homemade, just check out the salsa recipe!

Cut your chicken breast into pieces. On a pan, add olive oil, onion, garlic, and about a tbsp of honey, let sizzle for a minute or so.

add your chicken pieces to the pan. add salt, pepper, chicken seasoning, and chicken broth (about 1/2 c). when halfway done, add a couple pinches of brown sugar...(unusual, but delicious I promise)

Cover chicken on med heat and cook until done. (meanwhile, prepare your salsa and cut up a mango into small pieces).

In a different pan, add oil or pam on med-high heat. Soften about a tbsp of cream cheese. Spread the cream cheese onto a tortilla, then add to the hot pan. Next, add your cheeses (I used a mix of mozzarella and cheddar). Then, add your cooked chicken. Let heat up for a couple minutes, then add mango pieces. cover with another tortilla (or fold tortilla in half). cook until tortilla is crispy on both sides.

Garnish with sour cream and fresh salsa (guacamole is good too!)