Green Chile Crustless Quiche

As a native New Mexican, I  love my Green Chile.  I eat it in eggs, stews, main courses,  jams, jellies, and even dessert.  It gives a wonderful flavor to foods.

Today, I am posting an easy and quick recipe for a Green Chile Crustless Quiche - a delicious cheesy dish with a southwestern flavor.    Eggs, milk, flour, spices, chopped green chiles, and cheeses are mixed together and poured into a quiche dish or an 8-inch deep-dish pie plate.    The quiche is baked in a 375 F degree oven for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.   I  let  it cool for about 10 minutes then cut and serve.

A great dish for a light dinner or brunch.

Green Chile Crustless Quiche

Ingredients:

5 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup diced green chilies
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (8-ounce) package shredded Mexican cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
2. Lightly spray a quiche pan or an 8-inch deep-dish pie pan.
3. In a large bowl whisk eggs until well blended.  Add the milk, cottage cheese, green chile and mix well.
4. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, salt, garlic powder, baking powder, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper.
5. Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture.  Mix until there are no lumps.  Add the Mexican cheese and mix until incorporated.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
7. Bake until the top is golden and the quiche is set in the center about 30-35 minutes.
8. Cool for about 10 minutes before cutting into wedges.

Serves 6

Christmas Jam

It may sound a little early to make Christmas Jam but with fresh cherries from my tree I got jamming.      This  jam has some of my favorite  flavors of Christmas - cinnamon, cloves, citrus.  In addition to cherries, this jam has raspberries and pineapple.  Great flavor combinations that makes delicious jam.

This jam is very easy to make.  The time consuming part is pitting and chopping the cherries.    No need to worry if you have cooked the jam enough  - liquid fruit pectin is used.    

The jam tastes delicious.  What I like to do is give a jar of jam with some homemade scones in a Christmas Basket for my neighbors at Christmas time.  But feel free to enjoy this jam anytime. 

Christmas Jam

From Taste of Home

Ingredients

2.5 pound fresh cherries, pitted and chopped

2 cans (8 ounces each) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained

1 package (12 ounces) frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed

9 cups sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/4 cup orange juice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon butter

2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, combine cherries, pineapple and raspberries. Stir in the sugar, juices, cinnamon, cloves and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Continue to boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

2. Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 12 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight.

3. Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Makes 12 half-pint jars

Skillet Huevos Rancheros Bake

Huevos Rancheros  is on of my favorite dishes.  A delicious Southwestern dish that can be enjoyed for any meal.  I love the combination of  eggs smothered in green and red chile, sitting on top of a bed of tortillas, beans, and potatoes.   All of this goodness is then topped with cheese and placed in an oven.  After about 30 minutes you have a delicious meal  for you and your family.


Skillet Huevos Rancheros Bake

Ingredients:

3 (6-inch) flour tortillas, cut 2 of them in half
1 (15.5) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese - divided
2 cups frozen hash browns, thawed
6 eggs
1 cup red enchilada sauce (you can do Christmas which would be half red enchilada sauce half green enchilada sauce)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Spray lightly with cooking oil a 9-inch cast iron skillet.
3. Arrange the flour tortillas so they cover the bottom of the skillet.
4. Spoon pinto beans evenly over the tortillas.

5. Sprinkle half of the Mexican cheese over the beans and tortillas.

6. Spread the hash browns evenly over the cheese.

7. Make 6 wells in the hash browns using the back of a large spoon.

8. Crack one egg into each well.

9. Pour the enchilada sauce over everything.

10. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

11. Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Check to make sure the yolks do not overcook.

12. Remove from oven and enjoy.

Serves 6

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

A rich vegetable soup which is extremely flavorful and hearty.    Did I mention healthy?   It is - loaded with veggies.  This soup is delicious and it all comes together nicely in your Instant Pot.  Carrots, celery, cabbage, beans,  are cooked together in a broth consisting of your favorite marinara sauce with some  chicken broth and for an added kick pesto.  Add some garlic, onion powder, bay leaves, paprika, and of course salt and pepper and you have a wonderful meal for your family.




I served the soup with some grated Parmesan cheese.  Mmmmm good.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup
From Pinch of Yum Adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:
4–5 carrots, chopped
4–5 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
half of a head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
1/4 cup  pesto
1 24-ounce jar of  marinara sauce
1 14-ounce can cannellini or navy beans
3 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
3 bay leaves
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Parmesan cheese for grating over soup
Directions:
1. Place everything in the first list inside an Instant Pot / pressure cooker. Turn on the soup setting  (30 minutes).
2. Use the quick release to let the steam out (hang on, it takes a few minutes). Pull out the bay leaves.
Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4-6

Penne with Pancetta and Asparagus

Whats for dinner?   How does  a creamy pasta dish with a nice savory flavor with some browned asparagus.  You couldn't find a tastier dish in your local restaurant.  And to think, you made it at home and saved a bundle.  Pasta is one of those dishes  restaurants make a killing on.

The creamy sauce in this recipe comes from macaroni cheese.  I admit, I was impressed by the delicious creamy texture of this cheese.  The savoriness comes from the pancetta and garlic.  Add some asparagus, grated Pecorino, lemon juice, and chopped basil to complete the dish.   Delicious.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as the family did.

Penne  with Pancetta and Asparagus
From Cook's Country

Ingredients:
4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut on bias into 2-inch lengths
1/8 teaspoon table salt, plus salt for cooking pasta
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound penne
8 bounces (1 cup) mascarpone cheese
1 ounce Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions:
1. Cook pancetta in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until lightly browned and crispy, about 10 minutes.  Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towel-lined plate, leaving fat in skillet.
2.  Heat fat over high heat until just smoking.  Add asparagus and salt and cook, without stirring, until just starting to brown, about 3 minutes.   Stir and continue to cook until asparagus is browned and tender, about 2 minutes longer.  Off heat, stir in garlic.
3. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot.  Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente.  Reserve 1 1/2 cups cooking water, then drain pasta and return it to pot over low heat.
4. Add mascarpone, Pecorino, lemon juice, pepper, pancetta, asparagus, and 1 cup reserved cooking water to pot and toss and stir vigorously to thoroughly combine, about 1 minute.  Let pasta rest off heat for 3 minutes.  Stir in basil.  Adjust consistency with remaining reserved cooking water as needed.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve, passing extra Pecorino separately.

Serves 4 to 6

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Red Beans and Rice is a dish they make in the South on Mondays- which is usually Wash Day.  It is a dish that is simple, satisfying, and filling. A great dinner to make when you are busy.  I thought I would try this dish using my Instant Pot.
 I found this recipe on the kitchn website.  They gave some great tips to make this dish.  First, use Camellia dried red beans.  I have used other beans previously, and these beans are the best.  Next, use good Andouille sausage.  Again, it makes all the difference in the world.

This recipe comes together nicely.  Easy to make and follow.  A great recipe for an easy dinner.

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
From the kitchn
Serves 8-10
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
1 pound good smoked sausage, preferably andouille, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
7 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium celery stalk, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon dried basil
Pinch dried sage
3 bay leaves
1 pound Camellia dried red beans
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
Leaves of 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
Crystal hot sauce
Cooked rice, for serving


Instructions:


Brown the sausage. Place the oil in the insert of an electric pressure cooker and turn on to the sauté setting. When the oil is shimmering, add the sausage and brown, stirring frequently, to render as much fat as possible. When well-browned, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease behind in the insert.

Sauté the onions. Add the onions, seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Add the garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the celery and bell pepper and cook until translucent.

Add the beans and sausage. Add the beans. Add enough water to cover, about 4 cups. Rub the basil between the palms of your hands as you add it to the pot. Add sage and bay leaves. Return the sausage to the insert and stir to combine.

Seal and pressure-cook. Seal the pressure cooker. Set on HIGH pressure for 35 minutes. Now is a good time to cook the rice.

Release the pressure. Allow the pressure cooker to release naturally (do not open the valve) — this should take 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover and test the beans for doneness; when pressed against the side of the insert they should mash readily. When the beans are tender, mash some with a potato masher until the mixture looks creamy. If the beans are underdone, return to high pressure for 3 minutes and repeat natural release as above.

Season the beans. Stir in the scallions and almost all of the parsley, reserving some for garnish. Taste and season well with salt and hot sauce if needed.

Serve over rice. Serve hot with cooked white rice, the remaining parsley, and more hot sauce.

Orecchiette With Shrimp, Pepperoncini, and Basil

If you need something quick and easy not to mention delicious for dinner, this recipe is for you.  The basil and pepperoncini add a wonderful flavor to this dish.  As I mentioned, it is very easy to prepare. You start by preparing the shrimp and then cook the pasta according to package directions.  Next you add some oil to a skillet and cook the garlic and the shrimp.  When the shrimp is cooked remove from heat and add the pasta, pepperoni, capers, cheese and basil.   Serve with lemon and more cheese.   That is it.  I told you it was easy.  Dinner is ready.   Enjoy.



Orecchiette With Shrimp, Pepperoncini, and Basil
From Cook's Country

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound),peeled, deveined, tails removed, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
12 ounces (3 1/3 cups) orecchiette
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, sliced thin
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (1/2 cup), plus extra for serving
1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini, plus 1 tablespoon brine
1/4 cup capers, rinsed
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Lemon wedges

Directions:
1. Sprinkle shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and refrigerate until ready to use.  Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven.  Add pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until al dente.   Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain pasta.
2. Heat oil in now-empty  pot over medium heat until shimmering.   Add garlic and cook until beginning to brown, about 1 minute.  Add shrimp and cook until just opaque, about 4 minutes.
3. Off heat, add pasta, Parmesan, pepperoncini and brine, capers, basil, and reserved cooking water and toss to combine.  Serve, passing lemon wedges and extra Parmesan separately.

Serves 4

Spanish Tortilla

Tonight's dinner was super easy and it tasted delicious. A Spanish Tortilla.  I have heard of a Spanish Tortilla but I never had tasted or made one. They are so easy to prepare and you probably have everything you need at home.  Eggs, potatoes, onions, red peppers, salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Begin by cooking the potatoes, bell pepper and onion in an ovenproof skillet.  Next pour the egg mixture over the veggies.  Press down on the veggies so they are submerged.  Place the skillet in the oven and bake until the tortilla is set.  You are ready to enjoy a wonderful and tasty dinner.  Serve with a salad and you are set.





Spanish Tortilla
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced inch thick
1 red bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 large eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium ovenproof nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium. Add potatoes, bell pepper, and onion; season with salt and pepper (skillet will be very full). Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are crisp-tender, 14 to 16 minutes. Uncover, and cook off excess liquid, 1 to 2 minutes.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, parsley, hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper. Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet, and stir to distribute evenly. With the back of a spatula, press down on vegetables so they lay flat and are submerged.
3. Bake until tortilla is set, 12 to 16 minutes. To unmold, run a rubber spatula around edge of skillet to release tortilla; invert onto a serving plate. Drizzle tortilla with oil; garnish with parsley.

Serves 4

Instant Pot Cheesy Rice and Broccoli

I am continually amazed at how wonderful my Instant Pot cooks.  I have cooked all sorts of meals in it and the majority have turned out wonderful.  This recipe is no exception.  The rice is cooked to perfection as is the broccoli.  When the cheese is added at the end of the cooking time, everything blends together nicely.  Small bites of broccoli in rice coated with delicious cheese.  In my book, cheese makes everything better.

This is a great side dish to serve with your main meal.

Instant Pot Cheesy Broccoli and Rice
From Pillsbury Adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (10-ounce) package broccoli florets
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions:
1.  Mix  first 4 ingredients in insert of the Instant Pot.
2.  Add in the broccoli florets and stir.  Secure lid; set pressure valve to sealing.  Select manual and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Move pressure valve to vent when done cooking.
4. Stir in cheese.  The broccoli will break down when stirring.  Serve

Serves 4

Chicken Noodle Skillet

Skillet meals are some of my favorite dinners to make.  They are simple, budget friendly, and require little clean up.  In this recipe, cooked chicken is paired with mushrooms, carrots, egg noodles and celery.  All of the ingredients are cooked in a sauce of chicken broth and cream which has been seasoned with some onion powder, dried thyme, dried parsley,  salt, and pepper.   When the skillet is done everything is sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.  Cheese just makes everything better.

You have a delicious dinner with little fuss that is made in about 30 minutes.



Chicken Noodle Skillet

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter
3/4 cup diced carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
4 ounces sliced white mushrooms
1/4 cup all purpose flour
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 ounces wide egg noodles ( about 4 cups)
1 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1.  In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat.  Add the carrots, celery and mushrooms.  Saute in the butter until the vegetables are soft.
2. Add the flour and cook for about 3 minutes.  Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and cream.  Stir in the onion powder, dried parsley, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme and ground black pepper.  Bring to a simmer  over medium-high heat.  Add the noodles and cook until the noodles are soft - about 5-7 minutes.
3.  Add the chicken and heat through.   Taste and reseason if necessary.  Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.    Serve.

Serves 6

Skillet Green Beans

I have found a recipe for Green Beans that the entire family loves. In fact, they are asking me when I am going to make this recipe again.  The recipe is very simple and comes together quickly.  The ingredients are few -green beans, vinegar, bacon, onion powder, salt and pepper.  As you can see from the ingredients, the  beans get their flavor from the bacon grease, onion powder, and cider vinegar. They are delicious. 

Skillet Green Beans
From My Recipes adapted by From My Southwest Kitchen

Ingredients:

2 pounds  green  beans, trimmed
4 thick hickory-smoked bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook green beans in boiling salted water to cover  4 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge beans into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain.

2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet.

3. Add the green beans to the skillet.  Sprinkle with the onion powder and stir.  Stir in  the vinegar.  Increase heat to medium - high and sauté the green beans for 5 minutes or until hot.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Toss with reserved bacon and serve.

Serves 6

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Pasta.  One of my favorite dinners to make.   It is delicious, easy, budget friendly,  versatile, and can easily feed a crowd.  This recipe has pasta coated in a creamy cheese sauce with tender bites of chicken.  A meal your family is sure to enjoy.


Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
From Food Network

Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 ounces fettuccine
Olive oil, for tossing
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 2)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter
2 cups heavy cream
2 pinches freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt generously. Add the pasta, and boil according to package directions until al dente, tender but still slightly firm. Strain, and toss with a splash of oil.
Meanwhile, slice the chicken into 1/4-inch-thick strips, and lay them on a plate or a sheet of waxed paper. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter melts, raise the heat to medium-high and add the chicken in 1 layer. Cook, without moving the pieces, until the underside has browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the pieces, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a medium bowl.
3.Reduce the heat to medium, and add the remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and nutmeg and bring to a simmer, then cook for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to keep the sauce just warm.

4. Whisk the Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce. Add the chicken and cooked pasta, and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot in heated bowls.

Serves 4

Crescent Taco Ring

I  love quick dinners that come together with little effort.  I can take my family's favorite dinners and add a little twist with little effort or cost and create a whole new meal.   The recipe below is one of those meals.  It combines taco ingredients with crescent rolls to make a tasty meal.

 You begin by preparing the taco filling.  Next, you arrange the crescent rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a circular manner.  Place the taco filling  on the crescent rolls and  fold  over the filling.  Top with additional cheese and bake until golden brown.  Let cool for a few minutes and serve.


Crescent Taco Ring
From Pillsbury

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 package (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
2 cans (8 oz each)  refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
Cheddar  cheese for sprinkling over wreath
Shredded lettuce, avocados, chopped tomatoes, sliced ripe olives, taco sauce or salsa, as desired

Directions

1.  Heat oven to 375°F. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning mix and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened. In medium bowl, mix beef mixture and cheese.
2.  Unroll both cans of dough; separate into 16 triangles. On ungreased large cookie sheet, arrange triangles in ring so short sides of triangles form a 5-inch circle in center. Dough will overlap. Dough ring should look like the sun.
3.  Spoon beef mixture on the half of each triangle closest to center of ring.
4.  Bring each dough triangle up over filling, tucking dough under bottom layer of dough to secure it.  Repeat around ring until entire filling is enclosed (some filling might show a little).  Sprinkle with additional cheddar cheese.
5.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until dough is golden brown and thoroughly baked. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before cutting into serving slices.

Serves 6

Lara's Tender Gingersnaps

I am going to post one more cookie recipe.  I made these delicious ginger cookies over the holidays but did not have time to post the recipe.   Like many of you, time flew by and I have been trying to catch up ever since.

I ran across this recipe on the Taste of Home website.  I love ginger cookies.  These cookies have a nice soft center.  The recipe is easy and simple to follow - just be sure you give yourself enough time in your baking for the refrigeration of the cookie dough.  The dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours.  Once the dough is removed from the fridge, scoop the dough, roll into balls and roll in sugar.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake.

When the cookies are done remove from the oven and let them cool.  The result is a delicious soft cookie with a slightly crisp edge.

These cookies are great anytime.

Lara's Tender Gingersnaps
From Taste of Home

Ingredients:

1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until blended. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves; gradually add to brown sugar mixture and mix well (dough will be stiff). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Shape dough into 1 in. balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies