Thursday, April 30, 2015

••••CONFETTI BEEF TACOS••••

CONFETTI BEEF TACOS 


Seasoned Ground Beef is mixed with corn and chunky salsa for a slight twist on the classic taco. 
30 Minutes or Less
  • Total Recipe Time: 20 minutes
  • Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1 pound Ground Beef
  2. 2 teaspoons chili powder
  3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  4. 1 can (11 ounces) corn, drained
  5. 1 cup prepared chunky salsa
  6. 12 taco shells, warmed
Toppings:
  1. Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced lettuce, sliced ripe olives, chopped tomatoes 
  • (Source: beefitswhatsfordinner.com & photo also)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONFETTI BEEF TACOS

  1. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into small crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings; season with chili powder and salt.
  2. Stir in corn and salsa; heat through. Serve in taco shells with toppings.
  • Test Kitchen Tips
  • Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground Beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef donenes

••••GRiLLED TEQUILA STEAK PIZZA••••

GRILLED TEQUILA STEAK PIZZA 

  
  • Total Recipe Time: 30 to 40 minutes
  • Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2 beef Flat Iron Steaks (about 8 ounces each)
  2. 1 cup cooked fresh or frozen corn kernels
  3. 1 cup chopped tomato
  4. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  6. 4 medium whole wheat or flour tortillas (about 8-inch diameter)
  7. 1 cup shredded Chihuahua cheese or Mexican cheese blend
  8. Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Marinade:
  1. 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  2. 1/4 cup tequila
  3. 1 tablespoon minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
  • (Source: beefitswhatsfordinner.com & photo also)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GRILLED TEQUILA STEAK PIZZA

  1. Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons for topping. Place beef steaks and remaining marinade in food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes or up to 2 hours, turning occasionally. 
  2. Meanwhile, combine corn, tomato, 2 tablespoons cilantro, salt and reserved 2 tablespoons marinade in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate. 
  3. Remove steaks from marinade; discard marinade. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 10 to 14 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally. 
  4. Remove steaks; keep warm. Place tortillas on grid. Grill, covered, 1 to 2 minutes or until toasted. Turn tortillas over; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Grill 1 to 2 minutes or until toasted and cheese starts to melt. 
  5. Carve steak into thin slices. Season with salt, as desired. Top tortillas with equal amounts of beef and corn mixture. Garnish with cilantro, if desired

••••BEEF POZOLE••(HEARTY BEEF SOUP)••••

BEEF POZOLE (HEARTY BEEF SOUP) 

  
  • Total Recipe Time: 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours
  • Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2-1/2 pounds beef Stew Meat, cut into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces
  2. 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  3. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  4. 1 cup chopped white onion
  5. 5 jalapeno peppers, chopped
  6. 2 cans (14 to 14-1/2 ounces each) beef broth
  7. 1 can (29 ounces) hominy, drained
  8. 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  9. 1 sprig fresh epazote or 1 tablespoon dried epazote leaves, crushed (optional)
  10. 2 small zucchini, chopped (2 cups)
  11. 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Toppings:
  1. Lime wedges, chopped fresh cilantro, crisp tortilla strips, sliced onion, crumbled Mexican cheese (queso fresco, cotija or anejo), sour cream (optional)
  • (Source: beefitswhatsfordinner.com & photo also)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BEEF POZOLE (HEARTY BEEF SOUP)

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown 1/3 of beef; remove from stockpot. Repeat twice with remaining beef adding oil as needed. Remove beef from stockpot; season with salt. 
  2. Add onion and jalapeños to stockpot; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in broth, hominy, tomatoes and epazote, if desired. Return beef to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
  3. Add zucchini and 1/4 cup cilantro; continue to simmer 5 minutes or until zucchini is tender. If using fresh epazote, remove and discard stem and any large leaves.
  4. Serve with toppings, if desire

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

••••MEXICAN BEEF STEW••••



MEXICAN BEEF STEW OVER CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO MASHERS 

  
  • Total Recipe Time: 2-1/4 to 2-3/4 hours
  • Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

  1. 2 pounds beef Stew Meat, cut into 1 to 1-1/2-inch pieces
  2. 1/3 cup flour
  3. 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  4. 1 tablespoon ground ancho chili pepper
  5. 1 to 2 tablespoons butter
  6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  8. 1-1/2 cups frozen mixed red, yellow and green bell pepper blend
  9. 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced canned tomatoes, undrained
  10. 1-1/2 cups ready-to-serve beef broth
  11. 1 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  12. 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
Chipotle Sweet Potatoes:
  1. 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-1/2 to 2-inch pieces
  2. 1 to 2 tablespoons butter(optional)
  3. 1 teaspoon minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  4. 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from chipotle peppers
  5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  6. 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili peppers

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEXICAN BEEF STEW OVER CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO MASHERS

  1. Combine flour, cocoa and ancho chile pepper in large bowl. Add beef and toss to coat evenly with flour mixture. Remove beef; reserve any excess flour mixture.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in stockpot over medium heat until hot. Brown 1/2 of beef; remove from stockpot. Repeat with remaining beef, adding remaining 1 tablespoon butter if needed. Remove beef from stockpot; season with salt and black pepper. 
  3. Add bell peppers; cook and stir 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, broth, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce and reserved flour mixture. Return beef to stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 hours or until beef is fork-tender.
  4. Meanwhile prepare Chipotle Sweet Potatoes. Place sweet potatoes in large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 12 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Return potatoes and reserved cooking liquid to saucepan; add butter, if desired, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, salt and ancho chile pepper. Mash potatoes until just blended and slightly chunky.
  5. Serve stew over sweet potatoes
(Source: beefitswhatsfordinner & photo also)

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

••••EASY SOUR CREAM GELATO :)••••

******

I used full-fat sour cream which gives the gelato an insanely rich and creamy texture.  You can try using low-fat sour cream, or a combination of full-fat and low-fat.  Although I am going to predict that the creaminess will reduce as the fat-content goes down…

Self-made sour cream gelato:

  • 1 1/2 cup (348 grams) of sour cream, or creme fraiche
  • 1 cup (330 grams) of sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract

Whisk sour cream (or creme fraiche), sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract together until very smooth, and that there’s no lumps of sour cream.  Pour the mixture into container and freeze for at least 6 hours to overnight.  Serve with fresh or grilled fruits.

••••Just add whole milk or half and half to gelato for a tasty milkshake-YUM :)

(Source: ladyandpups.com & www.fitbe.com photo & google+ photo)

••••TACO PIZZA••••

(Source: Life-In-A-Lofthouse.com & photos also)

TACO PIZZA
Serves 6
Seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and all your favorite taco toppings are what make this pizza amazing!
INGREDIENTS
  1. 1 pound lean ground beef
  2. 1 envelope taco seasoning mix
  3. 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated Pillsbury pizza dough
  4. 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
  5. 2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Colby and Monterey Jack cheese)
  6. 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
  7. 1/4 cup sliced black olives
  8. 4 green onions, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet, over medium-high heat. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to package directions.
  2. Unroll pizza dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. (I used a 10×15 inch cookie sheet). Let dough sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Press dough over the bottom and up along all 4 sides the of cookie sheet. Bake pizza dough for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven.
  3. Place refried beans into a microwavable-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir well and then spread beans evenly over the top of the warm pizza crust. Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese and then add the tomatoes, black olives and green onion.
  4. Return to oven and bake another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!
  5. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

••••FOOD TIP••••

*The best way to quickly chill canned and bottled drinks is in the mix of ice and water. This works because ice water makes complete contact with the surface of a can or bottle, while ice alone makes only partial contact. To make your ice last longer and stay colder, pour salt on the ice/water mixture.

(Source: Pinch publication in The Spokesman Review & www.conecom.com)

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Saturday, April 18, 2015

••••BEST LEMONADE EVER••••

*SPRING COLLECTION*

•1 cup Countrytime Lemonade Mix
•2 cups cold water
•1 can of chilled pineapple juice (46 oz)
•2 cans chilled Sprite

1. Mix together and add lemon slices to garnish.

(Source: Eleanor & google+ photo)

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

••••HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM••••

* Miss you Mom!!  Not a day goes by 
    that I don't think of you!!
    (photos-kappboom wallpaper & 
    google+ & mom photo)

Monday, April 13, 2015

••••CATHY BAILEY••MARY KAY••••

*A Spokane Mary Kay professional!!!

*A Go To for All your Mary Kay needs!!

(Source: Cathy Bailey & photo also)


••••A BIG••••

TO ALL OF YOU FOR TUNING IN!!!
20,000 hits!!!!
(photos-google+ & huntingtonpost.com)

Thursday, April 2, 2015

••••FELISA CARRANZA••••

*A Spanish born artist living in Spokane!!! People, nature, memories of home and music are transformed into sculpture and onto canvas as fantasy scenery!!!

FELISA has extensive education and her fine art is collected nationally and internationally!!

PLEASE join FELISA to celebrate her beautiful work in acrylic and mixed media!!!

THE IVORY TABLE
1822 E. Sprague Ave.

APRIL 3RD at 5:00 pm

Delicious snacks will be served also!!

PLEASE COME!!!

(Source: Felisa Carranza & photo also)

Wednesday, April 1, 2015