Caramelized Carnitas

Caramelized Carnitas

1&1/2 lbs pork shoulder
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp molasses
1/3 c water
green onions for garnish
limes

Cut pork into 1 inch cubes. Place pork in saute pan and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat on all sides, then add the garlic, brown sugar, molasses, and water. Stir once, reduce heat and let simmer (on medium) for about 35min. (This is the perfect time to make tortillas and black beans to go with it!) After about 35min, then sauce will be thick and will start sticking to the meat, caramelizing it. Serve on warm tortillas with a squeeze of lime juice and cheese.

Homemade Tortillas

Homemade Tortillas (Our Best Bites)

2 1/2 c. flour

1 c. very hot water

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1/4 c. shortening

Mix flour and salt in a bowl. Cut in the shortening until it looks like little crumbs. Add the hot water (put tap water in the microwave for 30-45 sec) a little at a time until dough forms. Roll into balls (about 8-10). Then on a slightly floured surface roll them out from the middle to form circles. (notice mine aren't circles....this is the part I let the kids help with. They roll their own and I always make sure to ask them if they make good tacos...they always say "yes!") Place on a hot griddle to cook. Look for big bubbles. When they appear, flip it over and cook other side for 30-45 sec. Store wrapped in tin foil, in a tortilla warmer, or just stacked up while warm. They are really yummy!

Brazilian Stroganoff

Brazilian Stroganoff

1&1/2 lbs filet mignon (I used stew meat)

1/2 onion, chopped

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp mustard

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbsp Ketchup

1 can creme de leite (creme media)

Saute beef and onion in butter. Add mustard, ketchup and worchestershire sauce, then put in the crock pot for 2-3 hours on high. The last 20min of cooking, add the can of cream. Serve over rice with potato chip sticks on top.

The cream can be found in the mexican aisle of the grocery aisle. It's in a blue can. If you can't find it, then you can use heavy cream.

Pao de Queijo

Pao de Queijo

2 c tapioca flour

1/2 Tbsp salt

1 c milk

1/2 c oil

1 egg

2 c crumbled queso panela

1/4 c grated parmesean cheese

Bring milk and oil to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add egg and mix well. Then add the cheese. Roll into balls (2" or whatever size you like) and bake at 350 for 20min or so. This will make a whole cookie sheet full of pao de queijo this size. If you double the batch, add 1 egg, mix well, then add some cheese and mix well, then add the other egg mix well, then the last bit of cheese. Don't know why, it just works better.

You can find tapioca flour in the bulk bins at Winco. And the cheese is the Mexican cheese found by the cream cheese at most grocery stores.

Chicken Croquettes

Chicken Croquettes (Susan Hogan)

1/4 c celery, chopped

1 can mushrooms, drained and chopped

1/4 c onion, chopped

2 Tbsp butter .....3/4 c grateed cheddar cheese

4 Tbsp flour .......1/2 c crushed corn flakes

1/4 tsp pepper....... 1 & 1/2 c cooked rice ..... 1/3 cup sour cream

1 c milk ..... 1 & 1/2 c cooked chicken ..... 1 can cream of chicken soup

4 chicken boulion cubes

Saute celery, onion and mushrooms in butter until tender. Blend in flour and poultry seasoning (to taste, about 1-1&1/2 tsp) and pepper. Add milk and boulion cubes, stir until thickened. Cool.

In large bowl combine rice, chicken and cheese with cooled sauce. Using about 1/3 c of mixture, form a ball (croquette) and roll into crushed corn flakes. (I use crushed up Stove Top for extra flavoring).

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 425 for 30min. While it is cooking combine cream of chicken soup with sour cream and poultry seasoning to taste. Heat til warm. Use as a dipping sauce for the crouettes. Makes about 10 croquettes.

French Toast

FRENCH TOAST

2-3 bananas

3/4 c milk or soy milk

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (opt)

1 tsp vanilla

Blend all ingredients together in blender. Use this as you would use the egg mixture on regular french toast and cook on a hot griddle. I halved the recipe and still got 10 pieces of toast.

Banana Chocolate Chip Waffles

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP WAFFLES

1 2/3 C water, milk, or soy milk

6 Tbsp oil

2 Tbsp water

1 c mashed bananas (about 2)

2 c flour

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c chocolate chips

Preheat waffle iron. Whisk together all liquid ingredients in a small bowl. (Water, oil, bananas) In a medium bowl combine the dry ingredients. When mixed, add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir til just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cook til light brown. Eat with just butter or butter and syrup.