Thursday, February 13, 2025

Cowboy Queso

INGREDIENTS

1 lb hot sausage

32 oz Velveeta cheese

8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese

4 oz cream cheese, cubes

1 can (10 oz) Rotel

1 can (15 oz) corn, drained (I used frozen)

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained

1 cup Milk


Optional top with cilantro before serving


Brown sausage.  Add ingredients.  Simmer until melty and creamy. 

Lasagna

 Sauce

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

1/2 diced sweet onion

2-3 cloves of garlic

2 lbs Italian sausage

Italian seasoning

1 can fire roasted tomatoes

3/4 jar of spaghetti sauce

Cheese mixture

2 cups cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 tsp garlic salt

Salt and pepper

1 pkg lasagna noodles

1 lb mozzarella cheese (shredded)


Boil water and cook the lasagna according the directions.

Add olive oil, onion, and garlic to the pan.  Sauté until the onions are translucent.  Add the Italian sausage-  brown until the pork has crispy edges.  Add fire roasted tomatoes and reduce.  Add spaghetti sauce and let simmer.

In a separate bowl combine cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic salt, salt, and pepper.  Whisk with a fork until well combined.

Layer lasagna starting with sauce in the bottom.  Sauce- noodles- cheese mixture- mozzarella-  repeat-  end with sauce and mozzarella on top.

Bake covered at 375 for 45 minutes.  Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.

Tini’s Mac and Cheese

 1 pound mozzarella cheese (Get a block from the deli; it's harder, cheaper, and easier to shred than the softer packaged balls.)

1 pound Colby Jack cheese

8 ounces sharp cheddar (yellow preferred)

1 1/2 pound cavatappi pasta

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon coarse salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

3 tablespoons salted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Shred the blocks of cheese: 1 pound mozzarella cheese, 1 pound Colby Jack cheese, and 8 ounces sharp cheddar into a large mixing bowl, then toss together and transfer half to a separate bowl.

Cook 1 pound cavatappi pasta in salted water according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, combine 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper in a small prep bowl and set aside.

Melt 3 tablespoons salted butter in a skillet, then add half the seasoning mix and stir.

Add 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour and immediately whisk and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, the butter/flour mixture should be bubbling.

Add the 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk and whisk constantly. Once it begins to thicken and bubble in the middle of the pan, add 2 cups heavy cream, the remaining half of the seasoning, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard and whisk until thickened.

Add half of the shredded cheese mixture to the skillet a handful at a time and stir until completely melted and thick.

Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to coat.

Transfer half the pasta mixture to a 9x13-inch baking pan and layer with a third of the remaining cheese. Add the rest of the mac and cheese on top then finish with the rest of the cheese.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, then broil for 1 to 2 minutes to give the mac and cheese a nice bubbly, golden brown top.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.


Potato Salad

 5 lbs Russet Potatoes

2 cups mayonnaise ((your favorite brand))

1 cup refrigerated dill pickle relish

2 tablespoons yellow mustard, (or 1 part yellow + 1 part dijon)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon paprika

12 hard boiled eggs, (peeled and chopped)

3 celery stalks, ( diced)

1 cup sweet onion, ( diced)

1/2 cup dill pickles (diced)

1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill

Salt (and pepper)


Cut and peel the potatoes into bite size pieces and place them in a large stock pot. Fill the pot with cold water until it is 1 inch over the top of the potatoes. Set the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon salt and cook the potatoes for 13-15 minutes, until fork tender.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mix the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish including juices, mustard, apple cider vinegar, celery seeds, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Stir until smooth. Then chop the eggs, celery, onions, pickles, olives, and dill.

Once the potatoes are very tender, drain off all the water. They should be soft and crumbly. Place the potatoes in a large bowl. Gently mix in the dressing until it coats the potatoes well. Then stir in the eggs, celery, onions, pickles, and dill. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh dill and paprika.

Cover the potato salad and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. If you have time to make it ahead, it tastes even better on day two! Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week.

Chicken Salad


 1 3-pound cooked rotisserie-style chicken, and chopped into small pieces, bones and skin removed

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup sour cream (for dairy-free diets, use a dairy-free version)

1 tablespoons white wine vinegar

½ lemon, juiced (about 1 tablespoon)

½ teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons sugar (leave out for sugar-free diets)

6 celery ribs, finely diced

1 white onion, finely diced

1/4 cup green onions, diced

1/2 cup grapes diced

1/4 cup chopped pecans 


Place the finely shredded or chopped chicken in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

Then, in a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, onion, salt, and sugar. Stir to combine until smooth.

Pour the mayonnaise mixture over the chicken. Add the celery, sweet onion, green onion, grapes, and pecans, then stir to combine.

Serve immediately, or cover and chill until you’re ready to serve.





Friday, January 24, 2025

Instant Pot Chicken and wild rice soup


This is Danica’s soup recipe adapted for the instant pot! 

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped Celery 
1 cup chopped/shredded carrots
6 cups chicken broth
1 - 1 1/2 Pounds frozen or raw chicken breasts/tenderloins
2 Boxes Rice A Rone Wild Rice with seasonings 
2 bay leaves 
1/2 tsp salt and pepper 

Sauté the veggies in some oil for a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring before adding the chicken.
Cook on manual pressure for 14 minutes. Allow slow release for a few minutes before releasing the rest of the way. 
Remove chicken and shred or dice. Add back to soup. 

In a small saucepan on the stove, make a roux with the below ingredients

1/3 cup flour
5 Tbsp butter 
1 14oz can Evaporated Milk plus more milk to equal 2 cups total (Could use milk or cream or whatever but the evaporated milk is what makes this soup phenomenal.)

Melt the butter, add the flour then slowly add milk. Stir on medium heat until thickened. About 2-3 minutes. 

Add the roux to the soup. Stir and serve! 

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Instant pot Chicken Spaghetti


1/2 cup chopped green pepper 
1/2 cup chopped red pepper (optional)
1 cup chopped onion 
16oz package thin spaghetti noodles (or any noodle but I love the thin spaghetti in this) 
6-8 chicken tenderloins (frozen or raw but I use frozen)
1 tsp season salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder 
/4-1/2 tap cayenne pepper 
4 cups chicken broth 
8oz cream cheese cut into pieces 
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. 

Sauté peppers and onions in some oil in the instant pot. 
Turn off sauté and add the noodles. If using spaghetti noodles break them in half and layer them in opposite directions so they don’t stick together. 
Place chicken breasts on top of the noodles. 
Sprinkle the seasonings on top of the chicken.
Pour the broth over the chicken and noodles. 
Add pieces of cream cheese on top. 

Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. 
Release. When done.
Remove chicken and shred or cut into bite size pieces. Stir back into noodles and add the shredded cheese. 
Serves 8