Taco Seasoning

Why buy an envelope of seasoning when you can make it yourself in bulk and know exactly what is in it?  Make it mild or with a bit of a kick with the substitution of some chipotle chili powder.

Taco Seasoning
1/4 c. chili powder (for more heat use 1-2 t. chipotle powder and regular chili powder to equal 1/4 cup)
2 T. cumin
2 T. paprika
1 T. + 1 t. oregano
1 T. + 1 t. salt
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. onion powder
1 t. cayenne pepper

Use about 2 T. per pound of ground beef.

Brown ground beef, drain.  Add seasoning and about 1/3 c.  water.  Simmer a minute.

You can also use shredded chicken!

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c = cup
T = tablespoon
t = teaspoon

Stuffed Green Peppers

If you want to eat a filling meal but are trying to cut calories, try this one.  It will leave you satisfied.


Stuffed Green Peppers

5 green peppers
1 chopped tomato
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. chopped mushrooms
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. corn
2 small cans tomato sauce
1/2 c. cheese
2 t. taco seasoning
2 t. minced garlic


Slice peppers in halves, top to bottom and trim out stem and white ribs.

Spray a baking dish with oil.  Bake the green pepper halves for 25 minutes at 375 degrees.

Brown the beef.
Sauté the onion, mushrooms and corn.
Add tomato, tomato sauce, cheese, taco seasoning and garlic.

Scoop the mix into the green pepper halves.  Bake for 20 minutes more at 350 degrees.

Baked and Broiled Lobster Tails

We had lobster tails with our beef filet Christmas Eve and prepared them this way.  They turned out great!

Baked and Broiled Lobster Tails

As many 4-5 oz. lobster tails as you need for your crowd

Trim off each lobster tail belly and lift lobster meat off the shell but keep it attached at the tail.

Brush each with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and dill or paprika.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes.  If you use larger tails, cook a couple of minutes longer.

Brush with a bit more oil and broil for a couple of minutes.

Alison's Famous Pancakes

Any time Alison has friends (or cousins!) over for breakfast, this is her go-to recipe.  I had them this weekend before she went back to college and they were a hit!

Alison's Famous Pancakes

1 1/2 c. flour
3 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 T. sugar
1 1/4 c. milk
1 egg
3 T. butter, melted
1 t. cinnamon
1 T. vanilla

In a bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium high heat.  Pour about 1/4 c. for each pancake.  Brown and flip to cook on other side.

Eat!

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Have a craving for Chinese take-out?  This is better.  Trust me.  We had leftover beef tenderloin from a fondue party.  It seems extravagant but man, was it tender.  You can use a cheaper cut of beef if you prefer to save a few bucks.  This makes about 10 size servings.  Serve with the faux fried 'rice' in previous post for an awesome combination.

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

1 1/2 -2 lbs. beef tenderloin
1 head broccoli cut into florets
1 lb. sliced mushrooms
2 T. vegetable oil

Sauce
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 T. brown sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 T. flour
1 T. orange juice or sherry
3 T. vegetable oil
2 T. sweet chili sauce


Whisk together all of the sauce ingredients and set aside.

Heat 2 T. oil in wok.  Add the beef and brown.  Add the broccoli and mushrooms until sauteed.

Add the sauce to the wok and cook together until the sauce thickens just a bit.

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c = cup
T = tablespoon
lb = pound

Faux Fried Rice

Looking to cut out some carbs and fool yourself into thinking you are eating something you maybe shouldn't? Try this!  Does it taste exactly like fried rice?  Of course not.  But it is really good! I am definitely repeating this one. Try with the delicious Beef and Broccoli in the next post!

Faux Fried Rice

1 small head of cauliflower, about 2 1/2 c. riced
2 T. sesame seed oil
3 green onions
1 c. frozen mixed peas and carrots
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 T. soy sauce
1 green onion for garnish

Cut the cauliflower to florets and pulse in a food processor until consistency of small rice.

Add sesame oil to a hot skillet.  Saute peas and carrots until thawed and softer.  Add green onions and saute a bit longer.

Push the peas and carrots to one side of the pan.  Add the eggs and cook/chop up to small pieces. Mix it in with the veggies.

Add the cauliflower 'rice' and saute until the 'rice' is soft.

Add the soy sauce.

Garnish with green onion and ENJOY!

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c = cup
T = tablespoon

Epcot Food and Wine Fest Pepper Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

Never been to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival?  You simply must.  This was one of our favorites on our last visit there.

Do yourself a favor and grate your own cheese and not buy it shredded in a bag already.  Cheese melts together better this way!

Another good tip--I made this a day ahead of time and heated it the next day.  I don't recommend that--the cheese and oil separated it too much.  Make it before you want to enjoy it.

Cooking for a crowd?  See the notes below the main recipe!

Pepper Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
1 lb macaroni, cooked according to package
8 slices of pepper bacon, cooked crisp and chopped small.  Reserve 2 T. of grease
1/2 c. diced white onion
1/2 c. diced green pepper
1/2 c. diced red pepper
3 small to medium jalepeno peppers, seeded and diced.  Take as much rib out as you need to to make it the heat you like.

Heat bacon grease in a medium skillet over medium heat.  Add onion, green pepper, red pepper, and jalepeno.  Saute for 3-5 minutes until veggies are warm but still a bit crisp.   Set aside.

Cheese sauce
2 c. heavy cream
1 lb (4 c.) shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 lb (1 c.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 lb sliced american cheese
2 oz (1/2 c.) Shredded Gruyere cheese

Topping
1/2 c. panko bread crumbs
2 slices pepper bacon, cooked crisp and chopped small
3 green onions, sliced
Coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat cream in large saucepan over medium heat.  When it begins to simmer, slowly add the cheese, mixing well to melt.

Combine the pasta, bacon, veggies and cheese sauce in a large bowl.

Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and top with breadcrumbs.  Bake  in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with green onions and bacon.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve hot

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I made a double batch for the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the below modifications.  It could easily serve 15 generous main-meal servings.  Bake it in a large lasagna size baking dish.
Increase the following ingredients:

• 2 lbs of macaroni
• 1 lb bacon + 6 strips for garnish
• 3/4 c. onion
• 3/4 c. green pepper
• 3/4 c. red pepper
• 4-6 small to medium jalapenos

Cheese Sauce
4 c. heavy cream
1 lb. cheddar cheese
3/4 lb. monterey jack or soft white mild cheese, like brick
4 oz. shredded guyerer
1 lb. american cheese

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c = cup
oz = ounce
lb = pound