Master Mixes (revisited) Ranch Dressing (More Important than ever! Food Allergies)

As mentioned in a previous post our family is being impacted with more and more allergies or food intolerance issues.  I used to faithfully make my own mixes because I knew exactly what was in them and there were no extra additives etc.  As my family grew and life became hectic I used prepackaged mixes more and more.  I have once again come full circle and am making and using my own mixes.  Some of the ingredients have to be altered a little bit here and there but all in all I will be making my own mixes once again to meet the needs of a much larger extended family. 

 

Because we now have tree nut allergies, dairy allergies, tomato and avocado allergies, gluten intolerance, diabetes, and high blood pressure to contend with it makes life a little challenging. Some of these have been with us for a few years but others have come to the front in the last two especially.  I certainly have become a label reader more than I have ever before in my life.  For pot luck meals with extended family we are having to have families make sure that particular details are taken care of in order to meet specific needs.  With mixes I can alter salt content or gluten by using a different product than in the past.  But there is nothing that sneaks in that might be harmful to one of my loved ones.  In addition I know exactly when they were made and how long the shelf life is. 

 

Making mixes in bulk saves on time and clean up.  With the mixes that might need adjustment for gluten some of the ingredients have to be added at the time of preparation, I include that step on the instructions. For example the bouillon used to be dry and could be added all at one time, now the beef replacement has to be refrigerated so it is added to the rest of the dry ingredients at the time of use.

Obviously the Ranch Dressing does not meet the dairy free requirement but it fits into all of the other dietary needs in the family.  I love this recipe and am not sure why I stopped making it in the first place.  Our little dippers love it as much as the bottled kind and some of my girls like it even more. 
This is a copy cat of Mo's Ranch Dressing.

Ranch Dressing                                                            

1/4 t. garlic powder                                                     

1 t. onion powder                                                         
1 t. dried minced onion                                          
1 t. salt                                                                 
1T. dried parsley

1/4 t. ground pepper

1/2 c. buttermilk powder

2 c. mayonnaise

1 c. water

Mix all of the dry ingredients, except the buttermilk powder, and place in a plastic bag and seal tightly.  Place mixes in a plastic container with a good seal to store.  To make a mix up add the dry ingredients to the buttermilk powder, the mayonnaise and water and mix well, chill before serving.

One of my favorite uses of the Ranch Dressing is in the bottom right picture above.  An avocado with mini shrimp and the dressing similar to a salad at Mo's in Newport Oregon which the Gourmet Guy and I love. (Obviously this particular use is not an option to those who can't eat avocado and who won't eat shrimp!)

Cinco De Mayo-Nachos

Nacho - Copy Cat (Serendipity)

I don't go to Vegas very often, only for certain sporting events, visiting friends, or stopping through on our way to CA.  I am not a gambler but there are certain things that I love in Vegas like the fountains and gardens at the Bilago, and particular restaurants.  My daughter loves the frozen hot chocolate drinks at "Serendipity" but I love the Nachos! In celebration of Cinco De Mayo I once again attempted to make my version of Serendipity's Nachos.  My first try was the best, this time they were not as goopy!  But still a fun treat once in awhile.

Nachos

tortilla chips, I love the Juanita's brand
ground beef
1/2 yellow onion, chopped fine
black beans, rinsed and drained
Tostido's Salsa Con Queso, med or mild
tomato, chopped
green Chiles, optional
guacamole. as desired (previously posted)
sour cream
cheddar cheese, grated (to top)
green onions, chopped

Layer tortilla chips with beans, ground beef, green Chiles, the salsa con queso (generously, after warming), tomato, and guacamole. Repeat layers one or two more times, top with sour cream, cheddar cheese and green onion. 

These chips are fabulous, more like I have had in a good Mexican restaurant than any other store bought chip.  Served warm they are even better and they are also gluten free.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tex-Mex Tortilla Soup

2 whole large chicken breasts, skinned  and boned,                                   

2 c. water                                                                                     
1 14.5 oz. can beef broth                                                  
1 14.5 oz. can chicken broth                                             
1 14.5 oz. can tomatoes, cut up                                                     
½ c. onion, chopped                                                                       
½ c. green pepper, chopped                                               
1 8 &2/4 oz. whole kernel corn, drained                                       
1 t. chili powder
½ t. cumin
1/8 t. black pepper
Tortilla chips, 3 c. coarsely crushed
4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, about 1 c., grated
1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and cut up
 

Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes; set aside.  In a large saucepan combine water, chicken broth, beef broth, undrained tomatoes, onion, and green pepper. Bring to boiling.  Add chicken; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 10 mins.  Add corn, chili powder, cumin, and pepper. Simmer, covered, for 10 mins more.  To serve, place crushed tortilla chips into each bowl.  Ladle soup over tortilla chips.  Sprinkle with cheese, avocado, and cilantro if desired.  Serve with lime wedges, if desired.  Makes 6 servings.

 This is one of my favorite go to recipes because I have all of the ingredients in my pantry 98% of the time and because literally everyone in my family loves this soup.  I make a double batch because it is great for leftovers and or freezes really well, minus the cheese, for another time.

Low Cal Tostadas - Pantry Staples

I have been watching recipes on Pinterest for new or improved recipes.  I have noticed a lot that are called Mexican Pizza's or Mediterranean Taco's or something similar.  I came up with something from my pantry.
I always have corn and flour tortillas in my fridge as well as salsa's or my own Pico.  In my freezer I have chicken breasts, chicken thighs, drumsticks, and whole chickens.  I also have cooked chicken, sometimes grilled, baked or boiled, cut up into pieces ready for certain recipes.  In food storage I have my home canned salsa, green chilie's, black beans, as well as frozen chilie's from my garden. so this is my version of Low Cal Tostada's

2-4 corn tortillias
olive or canola oil
black beans, warmed and drained of most liquid, mashed
1 c. cooked chicken, cubed
1/3 med. onion, chopped finely
1 t. cumin, more if desired
tomato, cut in pieces
1/2 half avocado, sliced

 Place tortillas on a foil lined baking sheet and brush with olive or canola oil.  Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes to turn crisp, a shorter time will make them tough.  Put black beans into a pan and heat thoroughly, drain leaving a small amount of the liquid to mash.  In a skillet place a small amount of oil and saute the onion until transparent, add the chicken, the green chilie's, and cumin and warm through.  Place the beans on top of the shell then the chicken, avocado, and tomatoes.  Additonal toppings if desired.



other possible ingredients: (this would add calories and no longer be dairy free)
sweet corn
cheese
sour cream
olives

Enchiladas Con Pollo (revisited)

  Echiladas Con Pollos


 2 whole chicken breasts
water
½ small onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
8 peppercorns
salt ½ medium onion, chopped
3 T. Parmesan cheese
1 c. Monterey Jack Cheese

Cream Sauce
1 4 oz. can diced green chile's
1 13 oz. can tomatillos, drained or 1¾ can tomatoes, drained
1/4 c. cilantro
3/4 c. whipping cream
1 egg
salt
canola oil, for frying tortillas
8 corn tortillas
grated Cheddar or Monterey jack cheese
guacamole 3-4 radishes, sliced
2 c. shredded lettuce
12 ripe olives
Place chicken breasts in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add water to cover, onion, bay leaf, peppercorns and salt to taste. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45 minutes or until tender. Cool chicken in broth. Drain. Shred chicken, mix with Parmesan cheese and 1 c. Monterey Jack cheese. Add salt if needed. Set aside. In blender or food processor, combine green chiles, tomatillos or tomatoes, cilantro, whipping cream, and egg. Preheat oven to 350. Heat oil in a skillet. With tongs place tortilla in oil 1 at a time, hold 3-5 seconds. Drain over skillet or on paper towels. Place 1/8 of the chicken mixture on each tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam side down in a 10x13 pan. Cover with cream mixture and sprinkle evenly with the Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. Bake 20 mins., or until heated through and bubbly. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, garnish with radishes and lettuce

New "Bountiful Basket" Challege--Mexican

Another week of Bountiful Baskets, this time it was full of "Mexican" goodies. The tortillas which I forgot to take pictures of are so wonderful, they come in three sizes. Then there are these chile's and tomatillos that made me excited to start cooking.

First I began by pulling the husks off of the tomatillos, the inside is quite sticky once the husks are removed. Tomatillos are not apart of the tomato family even though you may hear that often.

After removing the husks I cut them up to place them into my food processor to make a delicious green sauce.
While I am working on the tomatillos I have the Anaheim chile's under a broiler in the oven.
The chile's will turn black and the skin starts to blister.
Remove them and place them in a plastic bag for a few minutes to let the skin soften and become easy to peel. While the Anaheim's sit cut the Jalapenos and remove the seeds, I ALWAYS USE GLOVES TO DO THIS. After removing the skin from the Anaheim Chile's cut them the Jalapenos and the Tomatillos into chunks and place in the food processor.
Process until they become an even texture.

Place into a bowl and serve with chips or use as a sauce for enchiladas.

While all of this is going on I also saute' a yellow onion to a slight brown color.

I always have cooked, cubed, chicken in my freezer for quick use. So I place the chicken some grated Cheddar and Monterrey Jack cheese and the onions on the fabulous tortillas and roll.

I cheated by using some canned green sauce to the bottom of the pan and place the enchiladas on top to keep them from sticking. Top with the fresh green sauce more of the grated cheese and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
Top with sour cream and avocado's and more of the green sauce as needed.

Yum.

Z Tejas Shrimp Toastada Bites our Copy Cat

When our oldest daughter's husband was going dental school in Las Vegas he worked as a valet at Z Tejas part time. He introduced us to their Shrimp Tostada Bites and we fell in love with them. So we set about to make our own version.

They are so yummy that it is impossible to just eat one. Assuming you like shrimp or course.

We bought these great shrimp on sale at a local grocery store. My "Gourmet Guy" peeled the shrimp and put the seasoning mix on them with a little olive oil and mixed them up.

We used our George Foreman Grill since it was snowing and cold outside. Usually the weather doesn't keep us from grilling but it was especially cold on this night. It was quick and easy and only took 2-3 minutes for them to be done on both sides.

We buy the flat tortilla chips and place fresh guacamole (previous recipe) on top and then the grilled shrimp.

So flavorful and good.

and so easy.

Shrimp Tostada Bites

Guacamole
Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kerry’s grilling spice mixture
round tortilla chips

Sprinkle the grilling spice mixture on top of the shrimp and grill on each side long enough for the shrimp to turn pink. Do not over grill. Place a dollop of guacamole on a tortilla chip and top with one of the cooked shrimp.

Kerry’s Grilling Mix: (This is our modified version of Emeril Lagasse's Essence)

2 ½ tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
½- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container

Guacamole

I am always using guacamole and listing it as a part of my recipes so I thought that it only made sense that I should post it. This is my version of guacamole.

Cut the avocado in half, since it will be mashed up the easiest way to cut the flesh out is to use a spoon and scoop right around the outside and get the avocado out.
Take a sharp knife and hit the pit so that it sticks to the blade. Simply twist the blade and pull the pit out and discard. (or save the pit to put into the guacamole after to prevent it from turning darker.)

I usually do at least two avocados when I make a batch of guacamole. Using a pastry cutter makes mashing the avocado much easier.

A secret to getting lime juice out of a fresh lime is to pierce the skin with a knife and put it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Fresh lime juice adds a great flavor.

Putting the lime halves between a pair of tongs and squeezing saves your hands and gets far more juice out than I can ever do with my own hand. With the lime juice I add a large clove of minced garlic, 1/2 of an onion chopped finely, and 1/2 of a Roma tomato diced small. To bring out the taste even further I add garlic salt to taste. Mix well and serve. This goes really well with my Pico recipe and a lot of others.

Guacamole:

2 ripe avocados, peeled and mashed roughly
¼ small onion, chopped finely
1 T. lime juice, fresh is the best
1 small Roma tomato, diced small
garlic salt, to taste

Blend ingredients and serve with tortilla chips or as a garnish.

Morning "Glory"

When I bake potatoes I often bake one or two extra to do things with at a later date. One of the things we like to do is "Morning Ray." It is actually from a show that we watched on the food Network Rachel Ray's Travels. Rachel purchased Morning Ray at a place in Park City called Morning Ray and it is one of their specialties. She highlighted it and we decided to try a version of it on our own. Forgetting the name I called it "Morning Glory" and it has been nicknamed that in our family since then.

First we take a potatoes and dice them into 1/2 inch cubes.

We also cut up mushrooms, minced garlic onion, and peppers. I like to use the smaller peppers to get a variation in the color. My Home Ec. teacher would be proud!

While cutting up the veggies we brown 3-4 slices of thick cut bacon cut into small pieces.
(I love the bacon from our local grocery store that you get at the butcher's counter. It is thicker and a little more expensive but it doesn't shrink down as much so I feel it more than compensates for the cost.)

After frying the bacon drain it on a paper towel to get rid of the extra grease.

With the remaining bacon grease we brown the potatoes until they are golden on the edges.

The mushrooms take a little extra time so we start them before the rest of the vegetables. They do better if they are easily spread out in the skillet and not touching another.

When the mushrooms are soft and turning brown add the onion, garlic, and peppers and cook until they are translucent. In another pan make scrambled eggs. Grate the cheese.

First layer

Add the veggies

Next the bacon top with avocado or guacamole and salsa.

Finish up with the scrambled eggs and cheese. Enjoy. We don't make "Morning Glory' very often but it is sure a treat when we do.

Morning Glory

6 baked potatoes, cooled, peeled, coarse chopped
1-2 bell pepper, coarse chopped
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, coarse chopped
12 mushrooms, sliced
½ pound bacon, cut in ½ inch pieces
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 eggs
2 tablespoons butter
salsa of your choice
grated cheddar cheese
guacamole

Fry bacon in skillet until done. Drain and set aside. Cook potatoes (hash brown style) in bacon fat until browned and crunchy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In another skillet, heat olive oil and butter and saute the mushrooms until browned. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and cook until just tender. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

In a third skillet, scramble the eggs.

Place small pile of hash browns on center of plate. Cover with vegetable mixture. Place eggs on top and sprinkle with grated cheese. Garnish with guacamole and salsa.

New recipe to try!!!!

Just recently we took my daughter and her family to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner and had the Avocado Appetizers and they were so yummy. Today on Studio Five Emily Roche had her Copycat recipe and it looks so yummy. I can't wait to try it so I thought I would pass it along.



Avocado Egg Rolls with Dipping Sauce



2 large avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
4 T. sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
2 T. red onion, minced
1 t. cilantro, chopped
1/4 t. salt
6 egg roll wraps


Gently stir avocadol tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and salt. Distribute filling evenly in the center of each egg roll wrapper. Position a wrapper so that a corner is pointing toward you; fold the bottom corner up over the filling.


Fold side corners in and roll toward the top corner. Wet the top corner with a little water. Then fold top corner over then press to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers.


Continue by deep-frying egg rolls in 375 degree oil for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.


Slice egg rolls diagonally across the middle and serve with prepared dipping sauce.


Honey Cilantro Dipping Sauce


3-4 t. white vinegar
1 t. balsamic vinegar
1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. chopped cashews
2/3 c. fresh cilantro
2 green onions
1 T. granulated sugar
1 t. black pepper
1 t. ground cumin
1/4 c. olive oil


To make dipping sauce, use a blender or food processor to puree all ingredients except olive oil. Blend until well pureed. Stream in olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to use

Can't wait to try this one, let me know if you try it and what you think!!!!!

Huevos Rancheros

Bring chile sauce and diced green peppers to boil.
Add eggs to the sauce.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Cover and steam until eggs are desired doneness.
Place eggs on warmed corn tortilla

Add cheese and avocados.

Huevos Rancheros

Corn tortillas, 1 each

eggs, 2 each,

2/3 cup chili sauce (homemade if you have it)
2 heaping tablespoons salsa

1 heaping teaspoon green chilies
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

grated cheddar cheese
Avocado wedges

Heat chili sauce, salsa, and green chilies in a small skillet until mixture begins to boil. Make small indention in center and crack two eggs into it. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook until eggs are set to the desired stage.

While eggs are cooking, microwave corn tortilla for 15 seconds. Slide eggs and sauce out onto the corn tortilla, top with grated cheese and 3-4 avocado wedges.

Tostadas

One of those old cravings I have had recently is for a good homemade tostadas. Because the corn tortilla is fried in hot oil until slightly crisp I have not made these for a long time. But with yummy fresh tortillas and all of the other ingredients on hand it just sounded good.

Toastadas:

1 lb. lean ground beef browned
1 medium onion, chopped finely
taco seasoning mix (recipe following)

refried beans (I have cans in my pantry as a standard)
cheddar cheese, shredded
guacamole (previously posted)
lettuce
tomato, diced
sour cream

corn tortillas
oil for frying


In a large skillet brown the ground beef and onion. When the beef is no longer pink add the taco seasoning mix and water. While the beef is browning heat oil in a separate pan. (1/2-1 inch from the bottom) When oil is hot place the tortilla in the oil and leave until it bubbles and raises flip and do the same with the other side, place on a paper towel to drain off excess oil. Heat the refried beans and cover.

Place tortilla on a plate layer beans, meat mixture, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.I like to serve this with corn and Zatarains Black Beans and Rice or rice with lime and
cilantro.

Taco Mix:

2 t. instant minced onion
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. minced garlic
1 t. gound cumin
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
1/4 t. dried oregano

Mix with cooked hamburger, and 1/3 c. water.

Quick and Easy Chicken Casserole/Mexican Style

2-3 c. chicken, cooked and cubed
corn tortillas
15 oz can stewed tomatoes, diced
1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1 10 3/4 oz. can cream of chicken soup
1 4 oz. can chopped green Chile's
1 medium onion, chopped
2 c. Cheddar cheese or Monterrey Jack, or 1 c. each

Mix, soups, tomatoes, Chile's, and onion. Spray 9x13 pan with non stick spray and tear the tortillas to fit into the bottom of the pan. Spread half of the chicken on top of the tortillas and then half of the soup mixture and top with half of the cheese. Repeat layers. Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour. Serve with Avocado or guacamole and sour cream.

I had the chicken prepared and frozen for such a recipe, it was very easy to assemble and this could be made in advance and frozen for a Rainy Day.