Chili Sin Carne

So... I was totally nervous about using a new recipe today, but oh my goodness, this chili was OH-SO-GOOD! Each of our guests went back for thirds, which is always the best compliment you can get as a cook, right? Especially since it had veggie crumbles in it... and nobody noticed the difference :) So, I actually don't mind that I lost our prior chili recipe, because this is the recipe Jono swears we'll use from now on (and he's right; we will).
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If you don't dig the crumbles, just omit it OR you could try substituting another can of beans (whichever suits you) and 1/4 c quinoa. My cousin Rachél recommended that to me, and that is now how we make it. I totally love quinoa; it's packed with iron, protein... and even calcium!

2 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium onion, diced (1 1/2 cups)
2 carrots, diced (1 cup)
1 small bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
4 cloves garlic, minced (4 tsp.)
1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes with juice
1 15.5-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15.5-oz. can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 12-oz. pkg. veggie crumbles
2 Tbs. chili powder
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbs. light brown sugar
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 10-oz. pkg. frozen corn

Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 2 minutes. Add carrots and bell pepper, and cook 2 minutes more. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in 2 cups water and all remaining ingredients except corn, and season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold in corn and 1/2 cup water, and simmer 10 minutes more. Optional: Serve with toppings like sour cream, grated cheese, and green onions.

Call For Recipes!

I don't know if anyone will read this in time, but we're having some people over for Chili tomorrow, and I can't find my recipes!!!  I've looked online but am totally indecisive, probably because I hate cooking "new" recipes when I'm having company over.  Does anybody have any chili recipes that they like?  It can have meat it in, be vegetarian, whatever!  So, if you read this at least half an hour before midnight, post & I bet we'll still make it to the store in time!!!  ;)  

Sweet Pork Burritos/Lime Rice/Tomitillo Dressing

Ok... so pretty much this recipe is the best thing I've ever eaten. Ok that could be an exaggeration.. but once you try it... you no longer need to go to Cafe Rio... (except if you're a non meat eater like most of you... then you'll still need to go there for their salads.)

I'm making this for the second time today... and its in the crock pot smelling up my house with yumminess.... so I dont have a picture just yet... but here's the recipe!

Sweet Pork:

3lb bonelss pork rost

First you mix all these ingredients together and put a dry rub on the roast

2 tsp Coriander
2 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

once thats in the crock pot... add

4 cloves of garlic minced
1 cup beef broth

Cook in crock pot on High for 4 hrs.... shred meat and put back in crock pot. then add:

(mix together first)
16 oz Salsa
1 cup Coke
2 cups Brown Sugar

Heat on Low for 2 more hours.

Lime Rice:

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 clove minced garlic
1 onion diced
2 cups rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt
2 limes (juice and zest)
1 bunch of cilantro

Saute Garlic and onion in olive oil until onion is softened. Add rice and saute until it begins to brown. Add chicken broth, salt, and lime juice and bring to a boil. Simmer for 25-30 min. Stir in cilantro and lime zest.

Dressing:

1 buttermilk ranch packet
1 cup mayo
1 cup buttermilk
2 tomatillos
1 bunch cilantro
1 clove garlic
1 lime (juice)
1 jalapeno

mix all ingredients in blender.. mix well. refrigerate before serving.

Now just a note on this dressing...i think mom made a better one at koltons blessing... which she added to this 5 green onions. She also started from ranch dressing instead of making the ranch from scratch. When we made this last time it was super runny... so maybe cut back on the buttermilk or something.

THE KEY TO THESE BURRITOS... is getting the uncooked tortillas... its just not right without them.

Here's how I assemble the burrito:

1 freshly cooked tortilla shell... lots of yummy rice... lots of yummy pork... salad dressing... ROLL. EAT. ENJOY!

(I've also been told this recipe works really good on chicken breats too!)

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Ok so my all time favorite appetizer is Fried Mozzarella sticks... sooo good! So one night I was thinking ...I have string cheese... it cant be THAT hard to make... so i looked up a recipe and this is what I found...

MOZZARELLA MELANESE - FRIED CHEESE STICKS
String Cheese 1/2 c. flour 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 c. italian bread crumbs 1 1/2 c. vegetable oil Roll cheese slices in the flour; dip in eggs; roll in bread crumbs, coating them well. Heat oil in skillet until very hot. Fry a few sticks at a time until brown. Drain and serve.

how easy is that? and they were SOOOOOO good! (of course they were... it was FRIED CHEESE!)

Sarrah's Yummy Ketchup Chicken

Here's my rendition of Sarrah's super yummy Ketchup Chicken recipe! I actually made this last week... but I'm just now downloading all my pics.... and I ran across these! Thanks for sharing your recipes! Mark loved it... so we'll be adding it to our regular rotation of recipes. :)