Shortcut Spanish Rice

This is a really simple recipe that adds flavor to Tex-Mex style dishes. I used it in enchiladas and as the base for burrito bowls. Feel free to double, triple, or cut the recipe in half.

For burrito bowls I serve with a can of refried beans and any other toppings I have on hand. We like cheese, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes, and avocados but anything goes.


2 cup dry white rice
3 1/2 cups water
4 chicken bouillons or enough for  4 cups of water
1 c. bottled salsa

Place all in a medium sized pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and cover. Let cook until the rice is tender throughout. 

Check to make sure the bottom isn't sticking and burning towards the end of cooking.

Tomato Zucchini Bisque

I hated tomato soup growing up. The idea of tomato soup with grilled cheese just ruined the grilled cheese for me. I was in college and just starting out really cooking new things when my older sister mentioned homemade tomato soup is actually pretty good.  I ignored her for years until last winter I moved and had a really limited kitchen and decided to try it. I made a tomato soup with fresh basil and a scoop of rice on top. Turns out it was actually pretty good. Since then I have tried a few different versions, this being my latest concoction.

4 Tbsp butter
1 large onion
2 Tbsp flour
2 cans tomatoes
4 c. chicken stock
black pepper
4 oz. Parmesan cheese
3/4 c. heavy cream
2 zucchini, grated

Melt the butter in a large pot and add the chopped onion. Saute until the onion is tender.

Stir in the flour and cook for about 2 minutes so the flour doesn't taste raw. Once it's been cooked a little add the tomatoes. If you have crushed tomatoes great. If not, crush them one by one in your hands as you add them. It's actually one of my favorite parts.  Cook and stir for about 3 minutes before moving on.

Add the chicken stock. Simmer the soup over low for about 45 minutes. Stir the bottom frequently as it tends to stick.

Add the cheese, cream, and zucchini. Simmer for another 20 minutes, stirring often. Taste for salt and add as needed.

Greek Pasta Salad

Dressing
As always, these proportions should be customized to taste

1/4 c. olive oil

3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Red wine vinegar might be nice here too

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

2 - 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
2 sliced green onions
1 - 2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped 

Dash black pepper
Salt to taste
1 scant tsp. sugar

Salad

1/2 lb penna pasta, cooked and chilled

3 chicken breasts, fillet, season cook, chill

1 bag mixed field greens

Whisk together all of the salad dressing ingredients and let sit at least 30 minutes. I made mine the night before for an easy and quick dinner the next day. I also cooked the chicken and pasta then as well for the sake of ease. 

Toss it all together and eat.

Sour Cream and Chive Potato Salad

I had a baked potato bar one night and had quite a few leftover potatoes. So I chopped them up and tossed them together with a few of the leftover toppings and came up with this. We happened to like it quite a bit.

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8 c. cooked cold potatoes

1 c. sour cream

1/2 c. mayo

3 - 4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

2 green onions

1/4 c. sliced chives

Stir everything together except the potatoes until smooth. 
Then add in the potatoes, folding gently so as not to break them up. 

Chill for several hours.

Peach Salsa

6 large ripe peaches

6 slices of pickled jalepenos, like for nachos, chopped

1/4 c. red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1 small amount of chopped fresh cilantro, about 1 Tbsp chopped

1/3 c. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp jalapeno liquid from the jar of slices

Heat the balsamic vinegar over medium heat until reduced by at least half. Whisk in the honey until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk in the jalapeno liquid. Set aside to cool

Peel and chop the peaches. 

Combine the peaches, red onion, red pepper, jalapenos, cilantro and balsamic vinegar sauce.  

Stir to combine. 

Serve with chips or over pork chops. 

French Onion Chicken

We had a late dinner, so no natural light, it really was normal colored I promise

So a while ago I made a French onion pasta and all was good. But I saw something on pinterest that was a French onion chicken. And I knew I would be trying it for dinner. But I can't find the pin anywhere now, despite seeing it everywhere for a few days (if you have it let me know so I can give proper credit) So I made up my own version. The hubby said he hoped to see it again soon.

2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 large onions, sliced

6 Tbsp butter, divided

2 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper

1 c. beef broth

(I used water and bouillon)

6 oz. brie cheese

3 - 4 c. hot buttered pasta to serve over

In a large skillet melt 4 Tbsp of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the onions, stirring, until translucent. Push the onions to the sides of the pan, away from the middle. 

Trim the chicken and slice into 1 inch thick chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the middle of the pan. Cook over medium high on all sides until browned. Near the end of cooking the center of the pan should be starting to turn a dark brown on the bottom. Add 1/4 c. of water and let bubble so the browned bits on the bottom don't burn. This will turn the chicken brown as well and add a great flavor. 

Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and stir, still on the sides, to combine. Add the remaining butter. Stir the chicken and onions together and continue cooking until onions are a caramel to brown color. Add the beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Remove the rind from the brie cheese and slice, its soft so it will squish quite a bit. Top the chicken pieces with the sliced brie. Turn the heat off and cover to melt the cheese. When the cheese is melted serve over pasta

Onion Rings

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2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp paprika

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. cumin

black pepper

1/2 - 1 tsp salt

1 egg

1 c. milk

3/4 c. soda (I used apple soda)

1 1/2 c. panko crumbs

2 really large onions, sliced and separated

Combine the flour and next 7 ingredients.

Toss the sliced onions and the flour mix. Remove the onions rings and set aside. 

In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, and soda. 

Immediately whisk in the remaining flour mix. 

Dip the eggs in the batter and the coat with panko crumbs. 

Cook in hot oil on both sides until brown. 

Drain on a paper towel.

Sauce Recipe

1/4 c. mayo

1/4 c. sour cream

1/4 c. ketchup

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 Tbsp. horseradish

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 1/2 tsp. honey

Pinch Thyme

Pinch cayenne pepper

Pinch Black Pepper

Whisk all together.

French Onion Pasta

So, so, simple, and so, so tasty.

Presto Pasta Nights #223 is at Debbi Does Dinner


1 large yellow onion, sliced
4 Tbsp butter
2 tsp. sugar
salt
1 can beef broth
5 oz penna rigate
1/4 c. mozzarella cheese, grated
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Heat butter in a large skillet. Add the onions, and cook over low heat until translucent. Add the sugar and salt and continue to cook over low heat until caramelized, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until the pasta is tender.

Pour the pasta to a small casserole dish or two 6-in ramekins (or other small oven safe dish) along with any remaining liquid. Top with both cheeses and broil until golden.

This was a small batch, really just enough to test. If you are serving more than 2 double the recipe