Sunday, October 20, 2019

Halloween Beef Stew

From Shelly: Here is a yummy beef stew recipe we love.

We like to have it at Halloween cooked in a pumpkin. The stew is best when cooked in a baking pumpkin (hollowed out), not a pumpkin you use to carve a Jack-o-lantern. Let simmer in a pot for awhile and then cook in the pumpkin at 350° for 30-45 minutes sitting on a cookie sheet covered in foil. 


INGREDIENTS 

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 cup water 
3 Tablespoons instant tapioca
1 Tablespoon beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons white sugar 
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 
4 carrots, cut into 1inch pieces 
2 celery stalks, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, roughly cut
1 slice bread 

DIRECTIONS

To cook without a pumpkin: Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease 9 x 13 baking dish. 
To cook in pumpkin, follow directions at beginning of recipe. 

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the stew meat; drain and set aside. 

In a mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, water, tapioca, beef bouillon granules, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir in beef, all the vegetables, and bread cubes. Cook on stovetop for awhile if cooking in a pumpkin of pour into the prepared baking dish if not using pumpkin. Cover and bake for 2 hours, or until meat and vegetables are tender or follow directions for cooking in a pumpkin. 

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Meatball or Chicken Gyros

These are the gyros recipes Shelly’s kids made for her birthday. Can’t wsit to try them!


Mediterranean Meatballs

1 lb ground chuck
1/4 cup Italians breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons chopped flat-leaf Italian parsle
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Preheat oven to 425°. Mix all ingredients together. Form into small balls and place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake for 4 minutes or until no longer pick inside


Greek Chicken
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for brush
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/3 cup chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon coriander
Salt and pepper, to taste

Tzatziki
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Freshly ground black pepper

6-8 Greek Pita Flatbread
Diced Roma tomatoes, peeled and diced cucumbers, chopped romaine lettuce, diced red onions, feta cheese, cilantro, kalamata olives (olives optional)

To make Greek chicken
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, chopped red onion, oregano, thyme, coriander, salt and pepper.
2. Place chicken in a gallon ziplock bag, pour marinade over chicken, seal bag while pushing out air, and transfer to refrigerator to marinate for 2-4 hours. Remove chicken from fridge 40 minutes before cooking, leaving in the marinade.
3. Brush grill grates lightly with oil and preheat grill over moderately high heat. Once hot, add chicken and grill till cooked through (internal temp should be 165°), rotating once halfway through.
4. Remove from grill, transfer to plate and brush lightly with olive oil and allow to rest ten minutes. Dice into strips.
To make tzatziki:
1. Place cucumber in a mesh strainer or colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat evenly, and allow to rest 30 minutes at room temperature.
2.  Rinse cucumbers and place over several layers of paper towels. Squeeze some of the liquid out by wringing the paper towels. Place cucumbers in food processor and pulse until desired size.
3. Add in Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, and dill and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Pulse to blend (or if you want it chunky you can simply stir it in. Store on fridge in air tight container up to three days.

To assemble:
Layer chicken in a row along center of pita, top with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, olives, onion, feta, cilantro, and tzatziki sauce.



Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Healthy Peanut Butter Bites

I got this recipe from Shelly. It’s delicious! Caution: it’s addictive!

Mix:
28 oz natural peanut butter
1 cup honey
1 cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp vanilla

Add:
3 cups oats
1 1/2- 3 cups mini chocolate chips.
Form into discs and freeze.