Gallo Pinto

This is a Costa Rican dish. Super easy and versatile. There are hundreds of ways to cook this. I found this one was very easy. I start the rice first so that it is ready to go. For 3 cups of rice you will use 3 cups of water and 1, 1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice. If I had celery on hand I probably would have thrown that in, too.

*What to do with the left overs? I added a large dollop of sour cream and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. This filling makes great toquitos!! Place a couple tablespoons of filling on a flour tortilla and roll up tight. Place the rolled tortilla seem side down on a foil lined cookie sheet. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. Dip in sour cream. My kids loved these!

Heat:

3 T oil

Add to hot oil and saute for 7 minutes:

1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

After 7 minutes add and mix well:

1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ginger
2 T worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups cooked rice

Now add and mix well:

2 cans black beans, drained
hand full of cilantro, chopped fine

Sloppy Joes

This meal is particularly good with a handfull of potato chips, watermelon or cantelope and grape juice!

Dump the following in large pot and brown:

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

1/4 cup onion, chopped fine

1/2 cup celery, chopped fine

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped fine

Once the ground beef is all cooked brown, drain. Return all the above back into the pot and add the following:

1 cup ketchup

1 cup BBQ sauce

1/4 tsp salt

6 oz can tomato paste

1 T brown sugar

1 T mustard

Simmer on low for one hour. You could also dump it into the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours. Just make sure you cook your ground beef first.

Father's Day Breakfast

I have posted this recipe before. But I revamped how I serve it! This was such a delicious breakfast. I would definitely order this at a restaurant. Click here for the German pancake recipe.


Serve with fresh raspberries and blueberries. The berries taste divine with this buttermilk syrup!


Buttermilk Syrup


In medium sauce pan dump:

1 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sugar


Slowly bring this to a boil. Stir often.

After the syrup comes to a boil stir constantly for 2 minutes. Then remove from heat and add:


2 T pure maple syrup
1 tsp baking soda

Creamy Potato and Ham

I try not to turn my oven on in the summer time. I try not to make soup either. But this turned out really yummy, so I'll make an exception!

In a large pot bring to a boil:

2 cans chicken broth

Once the broth is boiling add:

4-5 potatoes, cubed
2 celery stocks, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped (I used baby carrots)

Simmer the vegies for about 17 minutes. While this is simmering make your white roux.

In a saucepan melt:

1/2 cube butter

Once the butter begins bubbling add:

1/4 cup chopped white onion

Let the onion cook for about 7 minutes. Then add and whisk:

3 T flour
1/4 tsp salt

Once the flour is worked in add slowly:

2-3 cups milk
Whisk the milk until the roux begin bubbling. Then continue to whisk for another 2-3 minutes. Yes, your arm may get tired. But it is worth it :)

Once the roux is done slowly add it to your pot with the cooked vegetables. Do not drain the chicken broth. Just add the milky roux to the brothy vegies. Give a couple stirs with your wooden spoon.

add:

2 cups chopped ham

Macaroni Ham Salad

Summer time is here and that means I am getting burned out in the kitchen. I like this easy supper. I can whip it up in the morning and there is no cooking involved. I used some left over chopped ham from Easter that I had in the freezer. I had just made this salad when I took the picture so the peas are still frozen. When you make it up and let it sit for about 10 minutes the peas will defrost.

Cook and then drain:

1 cup dry macaroni

Dump the macaroni in a mixing bowl and add:

3/4 cup cheddar, cubed
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 T green onion
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup pickles, chopped fine
2 T milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chopped ham


Easy Easy Easy!