I Dream of Bajio's

Bajio's is one of my FAVORITE places to eat some tasty Tex-Mex. Mostly because of this incredible sauce. Make this for taco night and you will be the talk of the town.

Bajio's Green Chile Chutney

3 large annaheim peppers, halved, seeds removed

1 - 2 jalapeno peppers, halved, seeds removed
4 oz. can diced green chiles

5-7 tomatillos, husks removed

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup sugar

dash of chili powder

dash of cumin

dash of salt

1 large sweet onion, halved

Place peppers, tomatillos, and onion on baking sheet/rack. Roast in 350 degree oven for about 25 minutes, or until nicely browned. Place tomatillos and about 1/4 cup onion in blender and process until mostly smooth. Dice peppers. Add all ingredients except the remaining onion into a large pot. Cook over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes or until thickened and reduced. Add more sugar/peppers to adjust the spiciness/sweetness to taste.

For Carmelized Onions:

Slice the remaining onion and saute with a little bit of the green chile sauce over medium-low heat until carmelized.

Sauer Can Be Sweet

Reuben sandwiches are one of my FAVORITE foods and are made with corned beef and sauerkraut. Don't diss the sauerkraut. Try one!

• Rye Bread
• Mayonnaise or Thousand Island dressing
• Corned Beef
• Sauerkraut
• Swiss Cheese

Spread 2 slices of rye bread lightly with Mayonnaise or Thousand Island Dressing. Put a layer of sauerkraut over one slice, then top with a slice of corned beef then a slice of Swiss cheese. Top with the second slice, mayonnaise side down. Butter outside of reuben sandwich lightly with soft butter or margarine and toast on a griddle or grill, turning to brown evenly.

Portobello Mushrooms on the Grill

Summer time is prime BBQ season. With that in mind here is a tasty dish that can be used as a side or a meat substitute for the main dish!

• 3 portobello mushrooms
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 tablespoons chopped onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1. Clean mushrooms and remove stems, reserve for other use. Place caps on a plate with the gills up.
2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, onion, garlic and vinegar. Pour mixture evenly over the mushroom caps and let stand for 1 hour.
3. Grill over hot grill for 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

A Salad to Die For

Sometimes I get a craving for this evil little salad from a place around the corner from my house. It has amazing Cilantro lime sauce and GREAT Pico De Gallo. Here, give it a go.

Start with preparing the meat:

Mexican Sweet Pork

Serves: 12


Difficulty: Easy

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 6-8 hours

Ingredients:

* 4 lb pork shoulder roast (the more fatty the roast, the better)
* 1 Cup of Pace Picante sauce. (Medium heat is best, but the mild version will work)
* 2 Cups brown sugar
* Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Remove pork roast from packaging, and wash. (Avoid cutting the roast to expedite cooking time)
2. In a separate bowl, mix picante sauce and brown sugar and wisk until sugar is mostly dissolved.
3. In a crock pot or slow cooker, place the roast in the cooker and cover the roast with the mixture of picante sauce and sugar.
4. Place on medium heat, cover and simmer. Check it every hour or so to rotate roast in the juices. The roast will eventually produce enough juices to make the right consistency, so do not add water.
5. Once the roast is fully cooked, it will begin to fall apart. Use a fork to separate the meat into smaller segments. Cover and continue cooking.
6. After 8 hours, continue to shred the meat until no chunks remain.
7. If it appears to be too juicy, turn slow cooker down to its lowest setting, remove the cover and let it reduce as needed.


Then on to the Salad:

Sweet Pork Salad


Serves: 6

Difficulty: Medium

Prep time: 30 minutes (excluding Sweet Pork)

* 1 head of Romano lettuce, cut into bite-sized pieces.
* 1 can Bush’s ® Black or Pinto beans
* 3 Cups of Sweet Pork (see recipe here)
* Cilantro Ranch Dressing (see recipe below)
* 6 flour Tortillas
* Pico de gallo (see recipe below)
* Tortilla strip crunchies

Place a warm tortilla in a bowl or on a plate. Place approximately 1/3 cup of warmed sweet pork and 1/3 cup of warmed Bush’s beans on the tortilla. Place lettuce over the meat and beans. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of pico de gallo over the salad as desired. Drizzle with cilantro ranch dressing and top with a healthy amount of tortilla strip crunchies. Serve and enjoy.

And this is the BEST part:

Cilantro Ranch Dressing

* 1 package of Hidden Valley ® buttermilk ranch dressing. (prepare according to directions)
* 2 tomatillos (they look like green tomatoes, but they are NOT! You may substitute 3 Tbsp of prepared salsa verde)
* cilantro (1/4 bunch)
* 2 cloves of garlic
* 1/4 cup lime juice
* 1/8 tsp Tabasco

Peel tomatillos and cut into fourths. Clean and rinse cilantro and remove large stems. Pour prepared ranch dressing in a blender, and add cilantro leaves, tomatillos, garlic, lime juice and Tobasco. Blend until cilantro is finely chopped. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until dressing has thickened.
Pico de Gallo

* 1 cup diced tomatoes (remove seeds)
* 1/3 cup diced red onion
* 1 Jalapeno diced (at least a Tablespoon, but more if you prefer)
* 1 Tbsp minced garlic
* 2 limes juiced (about 1/3 Cup of lime juice)
* 1 Tbsp cilantro, plus extra for garnish
* Salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, and stir well. Chill.

Better get drooling. This salad will be the only thing you crave from now on!!

Coffee Cake Break

Apples and cinnamon are some of the most aromatic ingredients to bake with. Fill your house with the scent, and your tummy with the tastiest Apple Coffee Cake!

4 eggs
2 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Oil
3 Cups Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Allspice
4 cups Sliced Apples
1 cup Nuts
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla

Beat eggs, sugar, and oil for 15 minutes Sift together flour, cinnamon, soda, salt, and all spice. Add sliced apples, nuts and vanilla to egg mixture, the add dry ingredients. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes

Welcome to the Machine

Once upon a time I regarded bread machines as the epitome of laziness in the baking department. However I found that I just did not have the time to spend making bread traditionally all the time, and so I bought a machine of my own. I've since found that my initial impression of bread machines was crap. I use mine at least twice a month and the bread is always fluffy and delicious. Here's my favorite recipe for white bread.

White Bread 1.5 lb (Rapid Rise)

1cup + 2tbsp warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Salt
1 1/2 Tbsp Dry Milk
3 1/4 Cups White Flour
2 1/2 tsp Active Dry Bread Machine Yeast

-Select White cycle 1.5 lb
-Select Light Crust
-Make sure Rapid is selected
-Start Machine

Bread will be hot, remove immediately and cool on a wire rack.

Dessert for Breakfast

The best part of a balanced breakfast is Apple Pie. You heard me. I said Apple Pie, and prepared this way it is really pretty good for you too!

APPLE PIE BREAKFAST

1 small apple cut into small pieces

1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 whole wheat pita

Cook apple pieces in microwave for 2 minutes, mix cinnamon with apple, put mixture inside pita, cook in microwave for 30 sec.

Be careful it will be hot but really good.

Heirloom Chocolate Chippers

Tradition is a fine thing. Great recipes handed down generation to generation. This is a recipe that I can only hope my future grandchildren might make. For me of course....

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

1.	Heat oven to 375ºF.
2.	Mix sugars, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
3.	Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto un-greased cookie sheet.
4.	Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

This Little Piggy

When life throws pigs at you, make sure to coat them in chocolate!! There are some mighty strange recipes in this world of ours, but I think you will be amazed at how these taste!

Chocolate Covered Bacon

6-8 slices thick cut, best-quality bacon
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
4 ounces white chocolate, melted, optional for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven, until bacon is cooked to your liking. 15 minutes for soft bacon, 20 minutes for crispy bacon.
3. Let bacon cool on the parchment paper for 5 minutes then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
4. Meanwhile set up a double boiler. Heat a large saucepan filled with water over high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to a simmer.
5. Set a heat-proof bowl over the simmering water. Add the chocolate chips and stir with a fork until smooth and completely melted.
6. Cover another baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Using tongs, carefully dip the bacon into the melted chocolate turning to coat all sides in chocolate. Transfer to the clean sheet of waiting parchment paper. Repeat with remaining slices of bacon.
8. Drizzle with the white chocolate, if desired.
9. Refrigerate until chocolate is hard.
10. Once cool, enjoy!

Happy Thoughts

There is a happy place between a giggle and an outright guffaw. Apparently they have found a way to duplicate that feeling with these delectable Snickerdoodle cookies! If you're feeling gloomy, these should perk you up a bit!

Snickerdoodles

Cream together:

1 Cup Shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs

Sift together:

2 3/4 Cup Flour
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix and Chill in Fridge for 1/2 hour.

Roll into small balls, then roll in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon till coated. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees (Lightly brown but soft)

These cookies will puff up then flatten. Enjoy!

Simply Cinnamon

The sweetest things are best shared with those around you. Create these masterful Cinnamon Rolls and you will be well on your way to distributing the bliss! Just don't forget the glass of milk!

• -----------For the Dough----------
  
• 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 1/3 cup margarine, melted
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
• _______Middle of rolls________
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• -----------For the Icing------------
  
• 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Place ingredients for the dough in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select dough cycle; press Start.
2. After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
3. Roll dough into a 16x21 inch rectangle. Spread dough with 1/3 cup butter and sprinkle evenly with sugar/cinnamon mixture. Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls. Place rolls in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Bake rolls in preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Spread frosting on warm rolls before serving.

A Cookie Full of Sugar

Whenever you get that aching feeling that something is missing in your life, try a cookie or two. You'll be surprised just how fast that feeling disappears into the oblivion of sugary decadence.

Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

(Dust some with Cinnamon and sugar for added yum factor!)

Boozy Banana Bread

When in doubt, add alcohol! This more than satisfying sweet bread will have you begging for more.

2 1/2 cups white or white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups sugar
2 cups over-ripe mashed bananas
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips!!
1 tablespoon banana liqueur or dark rum

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt; stir to mix well.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together shortening, sugar, mashed bananas, and eggs. When well beaten, gradually add the flour mixture while mixture is at lowest speed. Mix only until combined.

Stir in the banana liqueur or rum and the chopped walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts or macadamia nuts.

Butter and flour a loaf pan. Bake for 65-70 minutes or until cake tests done (toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).

Remove from oven and allow to sit for several minutes. Run a bread knife around edges of loaf pan to free it from sides and remove from pan. Rub the top of the still-warm loaf with a pat of butter to soften and glaze the top, if desired.

Serve with whipped cream cheese spread on each slice.

Fudge for Thought

Some days you just need a sweet treat that isn't going to break the bank.
This is an old-fashioned delight that will be sure to please all ages.

1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. cocoa
4 c. confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 c. pecan pieces

Line square pan 8 x 8 x 2 inches with foil; set aside. In medium micro proof bowl, microwave butter on high (full power) 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted. Add cocoa, stir until smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla; blend well (mixture will be dry and crumbly). Stir in evaporated milk. Microwave on high 1 minute; stir. Microwave an additional minute or until mixture is hot. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth; add pecan pieces. Pour into prepared pan and cover; chill until firm. Cut into squares and store covered in refrigerator. Makes about 4 dozen squares.

(Mint 'n Chocolate Fudge: Follow recipe for Fast Chocolate Pecan Fudge. Omit pecans. Spread Pastel mint topping (below) over chilled fudge.

In small bowl cream 3 tablespoons butter, softened, 1 tablespoon water and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mint extract. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar and 2 drops green food coloring. Beat until smooth.)