Fiesta Rice

This is super simple and another great addition to our vegetarian menu! We ate it hot, but it would be great cold too. Pair it up with chips or in a wrap and viola, a meal is served!


Fiesta Rice

Ingredients:
-1 1/2 c uncooked rice
-1 can (or 2 c.) black beans, drained and rinsed
-1 c. frozen corn
-1 can diced tomatoes (during harvest time, I would sub a chopped tomato here)
-3-4 scallions, chopped
-1 Tbs cilantro (optional)
-1 lime

1. Cook rice according to package directions.
2. In a large skillet, heat up beans, corn, and tomatoes.
3. Add rice to skillet. Add scallions and cilantro.
4. When you serve it up in bowls, squeeze a bit of lime juice over the top.

Ole!

Rachel's Pepper Steak

Okay friends, this recipe comes to you compliments of my friend and great cook! I should probably have asked her if I could share it, but seeing as she shares it freely, I'm going to assume it's not a secret family recipe :) Another great meal from the crock pot, check it out...


Rachel's Pepper Steak

Ingredients:
-2 lbs beef sirloin, cut into 2 inch strips
-1 tsp garlic powder
-3 Tbs olive oil
-1 Tbs of Better than Beef Bouillon (or 1 cube of beef bouillon)
-1/4 c hot water
-1 Tbs cornstarch
-1/2 c onion, chopped
-3 peppers, chopped*
-1 (14.5oz) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
-3 Tbs soy sauce
-1 tsp white sugar
-1 tsp salt

1. Sprinkle strips of sirloin with garlic powder. In a large skillet over medium het, heat the oil and brown the seasoned beef strips. Drain and transfer to crock pot.
2. Mix bouillon with hot water until dissolved, then mix in the cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the crock pot with the meat.
3. Add onion, peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, sugar, and salt. (I had some mushrooms that had to be used up so I added those in as well and it was tasty.)
4. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

Serve over rice or quinoa.

*The recipe calls for 1 green, 1 yellow, and 1 red. I only had red on hand and it was great, but the 3 different colors would have made for a prettier presentation!!

Black Bean and Veggie Enchiladas

Trying to serve vegetarian meals three times a week has me on the hunt for good vegetarian recipes. Here is one! Please share any others you might have!!




Black Bean Veggie Enchiladas

Ingredients:
-1 onion, chopped
-2 red peppers, chopped
-olive oil
-2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
-1 c frozen corn
-1 can (4oz) chopped green chilies
-2 Tbs taco seasoning
-1 tsp dried cilantro flakes*
-6 whole wheat tortillas
-1/2 c enchilada sauce
-1 c of shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350.
1. In a large skillet, saute the onion and peppers in oil until tender. Add garlic and cook another minute.
2. Add the beans, corn, chilies, taco seasoning, and cilantro. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
3. Fill 6 tortillas with bean mixture. Roll each one up and place seam side down in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Once all 6 are in the pan, top with enchilada sauce and cheese.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, until heated through.


*I'm loving this Litehouse brand of freeze-dried spices. Look for them in your grocer's produce section (by the refrigerated salad dressings).

Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning seems to be something that I'm always looking for and always lacking. I wanted to make an enchilada recipe the other day and had everything on hand EXCEPT for the taco seasoning. On a whim, I googled the recipe and realized I easily had everything I needed to make the seasoning on hand in my cupboard. Love! So, when you're in a pinch or if you just prefer to make your own . . .

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:
-1 Tbs chili powder
-1/4 tsp garlic powder
-1/4 tsp onion powder
-1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
-1/4 tsp dried oregano
-1/2 tsp paprika
-1 1/2 tsp cumin
-1 tsp sea salt
-1 tsp black pepper

Mix all together and store in an airtight container.

Crock Pot Ribs

Barbeque ribs are a favorite and a rarity around here, so when some pork ribs were included in the CSA that I picked up last week, I knew Valentine's day would be the perfect occasion for this treat! While grilled BBQ Spare Ribs usually can't be beat, this crock pot recipe produces a delicious replica and is SO much easier to do. Thanks, Michelle for the recipe!!

Crock Pot Ribs

Ingredients:
-2-3 pounds pork baby back ribs
-1/4 c bbq sauce
-1/4 c brown sugar
-1 tsp paprika
-1 tsp chili powder
-1tsp salt
-1/2 tsp cumin
-1 tsp pepper
-1/2 tsp dried oregano
-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
-1/4 tsp sugar

1. Trim excess fat from ribs.
2. Combine dry ingredients and rub over the surface of the ribs.
3. Place ribs in crock pot standing on their edge with the meaty side out. Cook for about 8 hours on low.
4. Remove ribs from crock pot and brush with bbq sauce.

Enjoy!

Puree Pancakes

This is an awesome pancakes-from-scratch recipe compliments of a VERY experienced mom and stolen from my trusty Moms Group Cookbook. The original recipe calls for pumpkin puree, but the recipe works great with all kinds of options. I've tried adding my son's babyfood which includes any combination of apple, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and banana. I've also tried using just mashed up bananas and that worked great, too!!

Important Note: This recipe makes a LARGE batch, 20-30 pancakes depending on how big you make them. I make the whole batch and freeze the extra for quick, weekday breakfasts.

Puree Pancakes

Wet Ingredients:
-2 c puree
-4 c milk
-1/4 c honey
-1/4 c oil (coconut, olive or butter works, too)
-2 eggs

Dry Ingredients:
-4 c whole wheat flour
-1 Tbs baking powder
-1 Tbs cinnamon
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp salt
-1 c chocolate chips (optional)

1. Mix wet ingredients together in a mixer. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
2. Add dry ingredients to wet, stirring slowly.
3. Heat griddle to 350. Pour batter and "bake" until bubbles start to form, then flip and "bake" until cooked through.

Dressed Up Boxed Brownies

I've tried and I've tried and I've tried again, but brownies made from scratch never come out as good as the boxed mixes. And I know I'm not alone in this. This is a fun idea I got out of a magazine that lets you dress up your boxed brownies.

Pictured here, I poured in the brownie batter then swirled in some peanut butter before baking. Half way through baking, I added some crushed pretzels on top.

Another fun option is to swirl in marshmallow cream and add crushed graham crackers for a smores version.

The options here are vast. Swirl in caramel, top with nuts and serve with vanilla ice cream and voila, you have a hot fudge sundae.

Any other good ideas??