Mexican Spice (what's in it)

I keep coming across recipes that say "Mexican Spice" well, I want to know what's in it, not just say Mexican spice, So I researched and came up with this. I mixed up a batch and now I can use it when the recipe calls for it. 

1 TBSP chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp crushed chili pepper flakes

1/8 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

shake of cayenne

mix well and use for your Mexican dishes :-) 

 

Pulled Pork in the slow cooker

Yumm!!

3 TBLS brown sugar

2 tsp hot paprika

1 tsp mustard powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

salt and pepper

3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat

2 tsp of oil

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

3 TBLS tomato paste

Buns

coleslaw for topping or side

Directions: 

1. Combine 1 tablespoon brown sugar, the paprika, mustard powder, cumin, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pork and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the pork and transfer to a plate; whisk 3/4 cup water into the drippings in the skillet. Transfer the liquid to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
3. Add the vinegar, tomato paste, the remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 cups water to the slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the pork, cover and cook on low, 6-8 hours.
4. Remove the pork and transfer to a cutting board. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half, about 10 minutes; season with salt. Roughly chop or shred the pork. Transfer to a bowl and toss with 1/2 cup of the reduced cooking liquid first and add as needed,add salt and vinegar to taste. Serve on the buns with barbecue sauce, coleslaw and pickles.

 

Roasted Potatoes

 

3 pounds small red or white potatoes

2 Tablesoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

sprinkle of parsley, garlic salt and onion powder.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Cut the potatoes in half or quarters and place in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, garlic salt,onion powder, garlic powder, parsley and fresh ground pepper; toss until the potatoes are well coated. Transfer the potatoes to a sheet pan and spread out into 1 layer. Roast in the oven for 40 - 45  minutes  or until browned and crisp. Flip twice with a spatula during cooking in order to ensure even browning.
3. Remove the potatoes from the oven, season to taste, and serve hot.

Market Meat Loaf

Market street means lots of veggies! 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 green onion finely chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

1/2 celery stalk finely chopped

1/4 cup red or yellow pepper finely chopped 

2 minced garlic cloves

salt to taste

1 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 eggs well beaten

1/4 cup ketchup

1/4 cup half and half

1 pound ground beef 

2 sausages removed from casing ( mild italian, or honey garlic ) 

1/4 breadcrumbs

BBQ sauce just to paint the top 

5 or 6 bacon strips

Melt butter in large skillet. Add the onions,carrots, celery, pepper and garlic. Cook stirring often, 10 minutes on medium heat. Set aside in fridge for 30-60 minutes.

preheat oven to 375F

Combine salt, pepper,cayenne,cumin,nutmeg and eggs in a mixing bowl and beat well. Add ketchup and half and half blend thoroughly.

Add the sausage , ground beef and breadcrumbs to the egg mixture. Then add the chilled veggies and mix thoroughly kneading for 5 minutes.

With damp hands form the mixture into an oval shape. If you have a rack to keep above juce all the better. 

Place in a large baking dish giving room on all sides. 

paint BBQ sauce on top of meatloaf

Drape bacon over tops ( don't tuck under too far, it will remain rubbery) 

Bake for 60 minutes ( internal temp should be 160F ) 

*if you want bacon crispier turn to broiler for 4-7 minutes longer

Rest for 10 minutes 

enjoy

 

Wonton Soup

 

The best part about home made Wonton soup, is you get more than  3 wontons!

1/2 pound ground pork ( I also break apart sausages ) 

1 green onion chopped

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 can of water chestnuts

package of wonton skins

5 cups of water

3 cans condensed chicken broth

3 soup cans of water

1 tbsp soy sauce 

cook and stir onions and ground pork in a pan with a bit of oil until pork is cooked. Drain

Mix pork, green onion,2 teaspoons soy sauce, cornstarch, ginger and salt in a bowl. Place 1 teaspoon of filling on center of wonton skin. Moisten edges with water. Fold to form a triangle, press edges to seal. Pull bottom corners down and moisten with water pinch to seal. ( wontons can be covered and refrigerated no longer than 24 hours)

Heat 5 cups of water to boiling in dutch oven add wontons. Heat to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer for 2 minutes. (wontons will break apart if over cooked ) Drain. Heat chicken broth, 3 cans of water and 1 tbsp. soy sauce to boiling. Pour broth into bowl and add wontons to bowl. 

Enjoy

Shish Kabob ( Chicken )

1/2 cup BBQ sauce

1/3 cup soy sauce

1 TBSP rice wine vinegar

2 tsp sesame oil

2 garlic cloves minced

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp honey

ground salt

1 tsp crushed chili pepper flakes

2 Chicken breasts cubed into 1 inch pieces

cubed pineapple

1 red pepper cubed

1 red onion sliced big enough to skewer

BBQ or preheat oven to 425

whisk together BBQ sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, oil garlic ginger and honey, season with salt and chili flakes.

( I seared the chicken before skewering but if you're BBQing probably not needed)

build skewers alternating chicken, pineapple, peppers, and red onion.

Place on baking sheet and pour half the marinade.

Cook 20 minutes, turning at mid point and pouring remainder sauce on. Broil 1-2 minutes at very end if you want a golden charred look. 

Makes 4 skewers

 

 

Meatballs ( on the BBQ) and BBQ sauce recipe

From the Weber Cookbook ( with my own tweak :-)

(leave time to chill the meatballs)

3/4 pound ground beef

1/2 pound ground pork

1/3 cup bread crumbs

3 tablespoons whole  milk

1 teaspoon parsley

1 teaspoon basil

1/8 paprika

1 Egg beaten 

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 finely chopped onion

1/8 chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce ( or similar ) 

 

In medium bowl combine all the ingredients for meatballs. Gently mix everything together until well blended. Wet your hands with cold water and shape into 1 inch balls ( don't overwork the meat ) About 20-25 meatballs

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 45 minutes. Make the BBQ sauce below, or use your own. 

BBQ SAUCE

1/3 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons miracle whip (mayonnaise )

1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1/8 teaspoon salt

whisk together 

When the meatballs are cold enough lightly brush with olive oil. Grill over direct high heat until thoroughly cooked but not dry. 6-8 minutes, gently turning occasionally.

Serve with the sauce to dip, you can paint a little on while BBQing. 

Enjoy