Mexican Quinoa Chili

I made this at the beach last summer.  It is tasty and my kids will eat it, so that's a plus.
https://damndelicious.net/2014/04/09/one-pan-mexican-quinoa/

Carnitas

This was sooo tasty. So maybe I'm pregnant. So maybe I really miss mexican food. I am going to believe that I still would have loved it without those factors.



First marinade some meat, I used pork:
crushed garlic
jalapeno pepper (supposed to be through a food processor, I crushed it through the garlic press)
cumin
cilantro
salt/pepper
lime juice
vinegar
sugar
olive oil

If you need exact measurements on all these, I'm sorry I can't help you. Try to rely on your knowledge of college football.

After marinading for as long as you can, line a cookie sheet with foil, and turn your oven on to broil. Stick the meat in there about 6-8in from the heat until its getting a little black and crispy (5-8mins) then flip it to the other side for another 5-8mins. It tastes like it has been on the bbq. mmm mmm.
Serve in tortillas with onion and cilantro on top.

Green rice

I should say that this recipe is kind of a bugger. I can't really recommend it unless you have a food processor or a better blender than mine. Here's why

Combine:
1 seeded jalapeno
3 Tbsp olive oil
2/3 cup cilantro
2 green onions (i use 1/3 reg onion)
1 clove garlic
salt/pepper

So you're supposed to blend the above together, but the olive oil is just not enough liquid to get it going in a blender. So I end up doing a lot of work with a spatula or adding more liquid (like lime).

Cook the rice 1 cup rice, 1 cup broth, 1 cup water.

Mix the green blended mush into the rice.

Cowboy Salsa

4 Roma tomatoes
2 Avocados
1 can black beans (its a good idea to rinse the beans so your whole dip isn't black)
1 can white corn
1-2 jalepeno peppers chopped small
juice from 2 limes
1 clove of garlic, mashed
salt/pepper
A bit of cilatro (or none for some of you)
A bit of red onion
mix all together with about 1/2 cup italian dressing

optional: 1 can of black eyed peas

Chill in refrigerator

This recipe makes a lot. Good to take to a potluck party.

Chilie Verde!

This is what made me decide I could like Mexican food. YUM YUM!

Cubes of pork - 1 lb? (the measurements of this one are going to drive some of you crazy)

Tomatillos - 15-20 med.- chopped

7 oz can of chopped green chilies

1 onion - chopped

3+ cloves of garlic

2+Tbsp of "jhalapinyo" peppers (don't be afraid)

1 tsp cummin

salt and pepper

Brown pork in a little oil or butter. Very hot. Just sizzle them around till they brown a little and no pink is left. Add all the other ingredients (save salt and pepper to taste at the end) and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2+ hours, or until the meat falls apart and most of the liquid cooks out. Or you can put the browned meat and everything else in a crock pot on hi for 4-5 hours. Don't forget the salt and pepper. Shred up the meat the best you can and serve in hot (so they get soft) corn tortillas with cheese and sour cream. It is also really good over cheese enchiladas (cheese and corn tortillas) and baked.

Beans

2 cups rinsed pinto beans
4-8 strips bacon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Put beans in a big pot and cover with water about 2 inches above the beans. Add (uncooked) bacon. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 2-2.5 hours. It is done when most of the water is gone and the beans are nice and tender. Stir in salt/pepper. Serve with corn bread!

Pressure cooker version
2 cups of beans
1 clove garlic
1 jalapeno pepper
3 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2-4 strips bacon
other: some cumin or chile powder could be good.

Soak beans for at least 4 hours. This is critical.
Put in pressure cooker and bring to pressure for 12-15 minutes. Use quick release method. If beans are still tough at all, put it back on the stove for 1-2 minutes more.

Taco Soup

2 cans of beans (any kind you like-pinto, black, kidney)
1 can corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can diced tomatoes w/green chilies
1 can chicken (or other meat)
1 chopped bell pepper
1/2 chopped onion
1 cup water

1 package ranch dressing mix
1 package taco seasoning

Put everything together and let it simmer for as long as you can. Serve with shredded cheese and chips.