Chicken and Pinto Bean Chili is one of our favorite winter soups. I start this soup by roasting chicken breasts. While the chicken roasts, I cook together onions, chopped canned tomatoes, chicken stock, and spices. Then, I add the chicken and pinto beans and simmer …
Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce is one of our favorite steak dinners. I start this steak dinner by cooking New York strip steaks until they’re medium rare. Then, I top the steaks with a rich and creamy Bourbon Sauce. We like this steak dish for …
Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili is one of our favorite cozy winter dinners. I start this chili recipe by toasting, boiling and pureeing dried Anaheim chili peppers. Then, I add them to browned ground beef and onions and simmer them along with tomato sauce. Finally, I top each serving of chili with sour cream, scallions, and cheddar cheese. We like this chili for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this chili in just about one hour. Secondly, I like that I can make this dish ahead of time. I like to make this dish early in the day, and then reheat it just before dinner. And, lastly, we all love the hearty and spicy flavors in this chili.
The Equipment I Used
A Blender- I used my Vitamix blender to puree my dried chilies.
The Ingredients Neede for Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili
Chilies- You’ll need dried Anaheim chilies for this recipe. I used India Tree brand chilies.
Beans- I used India Tree Rojo Chiquito Beans, but you can also use kidney beans.
Beef- I used grass fed ground beef, because that’s my favorite. Ground chuck would be really good for this recipe.
Spices- In addition to the dried Anaheim chilies, I used chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt to add extra flavor to the chili.
Tomatoes- I used Pomi boxed tomato puree. You can also use canned tomato sauce.
How I Made my Chili
First, I toasted the chilis. Then, I boiled them and pureed them.
Next, I browned the beef.
Then, I added in the chilis and sauce and spices and simmered it all together.
Finally, I topped each bowl with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced scallions.
If you like chili, you need to try this delicious, warm and comforting, Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili.
Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili
Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili
Anaheim Pepper and Beef Chili features ground beef, beans and dried Anaheim chilis.
Begin by preparing the chilis: Toast the peppers in a skillet on high heat for a few minutes, until you can smell their aroma. Place the peppers in a saucepan with two cups of water and boil the peppers for five minutes. Put the peppers in a blender with one cup of the water and blend until the peppers are pureed.
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil and brown the beef, onions, and garlic.
Stir in all the spices, the pepper puree and the tomato sauce. Cover, and simmer on low heat for forty minutes.
Caramel-Stuffed Coconut Oatmeal Cookies are one of our favorite desserts. I start these cookies by mixing together a hearty oatmeal dough. Then, I stuff each coconut cookie dough ball with caramel candies. Finally, I bake the cookies until they’re crispy on the edges but warm …
Cranberry Orange Biscotti are one of our favorite winter desserts. I start these cookies by mixing together an easy biscotti dough. Then, I bake the biscotti dough in loaves and then slice it right away. Finally, I drizzle the biscotti with melted semisweet chocolate. We …
Eggplant Rollatini with Asiago and Ricotta is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start the rollatini by frying eggplant until it’s crispy. Then, I roll each eggplant slice around ricotta, mozzarella, and asiago cheese. Next, I top these cheesy eggplant bundles with homemade tomato sauce and more cheese. Finally, I bake the eggplant rolls until the cheese is warm and melted. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can prepare the eggplant rolls ahead of time and then bake them right before serving. Secondly, I like that this is a meatless meal. We like meat, but don’t want to eat it every night. And, lastly, we all love the crispy eggplant and cheesy filling.
The Equipment I Used
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to use a cast iron skillet to fry my eggplant. But you can use any skillet that you like.
The Ingredients Needed for Eggplant Rollatini with Asiago and Ricotta
Tomatoes- I like to use Pomi strained tomatoes. These tomatoes come in a box and are less acidic than canned tomatoes. You can also use canned pureed plum tomatoes.
Eggplant- Look for eggplants that are firm and blemish-free.
Oil- Use vegetable, canola, or peanut oil to fry the eggplant.
Olive Oil- Use extra virgin olive oil in the tomato sauce and in the cheese filling.
Chicken Stock- I always use my homemade chicken stock. I store it in the freezer and then just defrost it as I need it. The recipe is attached below.
How I Made my Eggplant Rolls
First, I fried the eggplant. Take care to not let the eggplant burn in the oil.
Next, I made the tomato sauce. I like to make extra of this and store it in the freezer.
Then, I roll the eggplant around the cheese mixture.
Finally, I add more sauce and cheese to the rolls and bake them until the cheese is all melted.
If you like eggplant, you need to try this cheesy and delicious Eggplant Rollatini with Asiago and Ricotta.
Eggplant Rolls
Eggplant Rollatini with Asiago and Ricotta
Fried eggplant rolled around ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Asiago cheese, and topped with tomato sauce.
1boxPomi strained tomatoes, or 28 oz. plum tomatoes, pureed
½tsp.kosher salt
½tsp.black pepper
1tsp.sugar
1½tsp.dried oregano
1½tsp.garlic powder
1½tsp.dried basil
¼tsp.red pepper flakes
½cupchicken broth
8long thin slices of peeled eggplant
1½cupflour
3beaten eggs
3cupsplain breadcrumbs
¾cupAsiago cheese, grated
1cupvegetable oil
2cupshredded mozzarella
1/2cupchopped basil
For the 3 Cheese Filling:
1½cups fresh ricotta cheese
2tbsp.extra virgin olive oil
2tbsp.minced garlic
¾cupshredded mozzarella
½cupgrated Asiago cheese
2tbsp.chopped basil
1tbsp.chopped thyme
¼tsp.black pepper
InstructionsÂ
Preheat your oven to 350°.
To make the tomato sauce, begin by heating the oil in a Dutch oven over low heat. Add the tomatoes, ¼ tsp. kosher salt, sugar, and one teaspoon each of the oregano, basil, and garlic powder. Also add the broth and hot pepper flakes. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare 3 bowls for breading the eggplant. In the first bowl, mix the flour with ¼ tsp. each salt and pepper. In the second bowl, mix the eggs. And, in the third bowl, mix the crumbs, Asiago, and the rest of the salt, pepper, and spices.
Heat a ¼ inch of oil in a cast iron skillet, until it is hot enough for a small piece of eggplant to sizzle immediately when dropped in.
Dip one piece of eggplant at a time into each of the three bowls. Each slice should be completely covered in breadcrumbs. Fry about 4 slices at a time, until each side is brown and crispy. Flip each side over only once. Drain the cooked eggplant on a wire rack.
Put an⅛ of the filling on one end of each piece of eggplant, and roll it up. Put them in a 11×9 baking dish, seam side down. Top the rolls with with one cup of the tomato sauce and the mozzarella cheese, and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve, with the chopped basil on top.
For the 3 Cheese Filling:
In a small skillet, over low heat, cook the garlic in oil, until it's soft, but not brown.
Mix the garlic and oil in a bowl, with the rest of the filling ingredients.
4½lbs.chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
10cupswater
2peeled onions
2peeled carrots
3peeled parsley roots
1tbsp.kosher salt
4stalks celery
1peeled parsnip
2tbsp.garlic cloves
1cupfresh parsley and fresh dill
InstructionsÂ
Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Easy Orange Creme Brulee is one of our favorite winter desserts. I start this dessert by stirring together a rich egg and orange-flavored cream mixture. Then, I bake or steam ramekins of this mixture until they’re fully cooked. Finally, I use a kitchen torch to …
Bread Machine Banana Beignets are one of our favorite donut recipes. I start these beignets by making an easy dough in my bread machine. Then, I roll out the dough and cut it into squares. Finally, I deep-fry the beignets and roll them in powdered …
Chipotle Queso Fundido Dip is one our favorite winter appetizers. I start this queso dip by cooking peppers, onions, garlic, and jalapenos until they’re soft and tender. Then, I stir in a beer, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese mixture. Finally, I serve the dip with crisp vegetables and corn tortilla chips. We like this dip for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this dip in less than thirty minutes. Secondly, I like that I can make this dip ahead of time. Thirdly, I like how well this dip goes with any Tex-Mex meal. I especially like serving it with fajitas . This dip also goes great with steak dinners and tacos. And, lastly, we all love how rich and creamy cheese this dip is.
The Equipment I Used
A Saucepan-I use a three-quart saucepan to make my dip.
A Whisk- You’ll need this to stir the cheese into the beer.
A Skillet or Bowl- I like to serve this dip in a mini cast iron skillet or a small bowl. You could also serve it in a fondue pot to keep it warm.
The Ingredients Needed for Chipotle Queso Fundido Dip
Cheese- I really like the Cabot brand Monterey Jack Cheese and Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Jalapeno peppers- I add these to my dip. But I remove the seeds and membranes. That makes the jalapenos fairly mild rather than spicy.
Beer- I use a pale ale as the liquid base for this dip.
Cornstarch- You’ll need this to thicken the dip and hold everything together.
How I Made my Warm Cheese Dip
First, I cooked the vegetables. It’s important to cook the onions and peppers until they are soft, but not burnt.
Then, I heated the beer and whisked in the cheeses. It’s important to whisk in the cheese gradually, not all at once.
Finally, I poured the dip into a serving dish and topped it with some fresh veggies to make it pretty.
If you like cheese, you need to try this rich and creamy Chipotle Queso Fundido Dip.
1cup eachshredded Monterey Jack cheese and Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
2tsp.cornstarch
¼tsp.paprika
InstructionsÂ
In a skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat and cook the onion, jalapeno, garlic and red pepper. Cook until the vegetables are crisp tender. Stir in the chipotles. Cover and keep warm while you make the cheese fondue.
In a three-quart saucepan, bring the beer to a boil. As the beer is heating, toss the cheeses with the cornstarch. Then, turn the heat to low, and slowly whisk in the cheese until it melts completely. Add the paprika. Mix the melted cheese into the vegetables and pour it into a serving bowl. You can make this ahead of time and heat it up in the microwave.
Blue Cheese Fondue Burgers are one of our favorite winter dinners. I start these burgers by making a rich and creamy blue cheese sauce. Then, I pan fry burger patties. Finally, I place the burgers on brioche buns and top them with the fondue, tomato, …