Porky Nachos

PICTURES TO COME TONIGHT!


Ingredients 

• Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
• *You can use any tortilla chips; I just think Blue Corn gives a little extra flavor.
• Colby Cheese 
• *Pepper-Jack Cheese would be awesome too but I didn't have any :(
• 1-1/2 Tbs. Olive Oil
• Lime/Lemon Juice
• PEPPERS (One of my favorite ingredients ever!)
• I used Bell Peppers b/c they are colorful but Jalapenos would add a fabulous kick.
• 1/4 Onion
• Pork Tenderloin 
• *This was a left over; but you could easily use ground beef or turkey.  Be sure the meat is fully cooked.
• Taco Seasoning
• If you don't have Taco Seasoning you can spice up the Pork on your own... (*I always eyeball the amounts so below are just estimates...use whatever you think taste right.  Trust your inner cook!)
• Garlic (NEVER forget the garlic)
• Paprika
• Red Pepper
• Parsley
• Salt (try not to add to much b/c it is always good to cut back on sodium)

Directions

1. Slice and then cube Peppers, Onion, Pork Tenderloin.  
2. Heat a frying pan with Olive Oil to medium-high heat and place cubed ingredients from step 1 into pan.  Sprinkle desired amount of taco seasoning over ingredients in the pan.  Adding Lemon or Lime juice in the pain gives some added flavor.  
3. Layer the Chips in an oven safe dish.  Grade the cheese and sprinkle half on Chips.  Melt the first layer of cheese in the oven @ 350 degrees.  *Amount of cheese can vary depending on preference.
4. Place the pan ingredients in the pan over the chips and melted cheese.  Then cover with the remaining half of cheese.  
5. Place in the oven again @ 350 degrees.  Cook until cheese begins to melt and then switch to broil at the end to give the nachos a toasted brown look.  

This is a great party dish so be sure to enjoy with a group :)

Give credit where credit is due...
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/02/beef-fajita-nachos/

Recipes and Resources

When sitting in class today where I had NO IDEA what was going on and beginning to get board I thanked the heavens for my computer and an Internet connection.  I love college don't get me wrong but no one should be forced to attend their last general class at 4o'clock on a Friday afternoon...SUCK!  So natural while my professor went on about something I'm sure I should have been paying attention to I turned to wonderful Pinterest and begun looking for fabulous food sites.  

I decided it's not fair for me to keep my resources to myself so I thought I would share what I found with my few loyal followers :) 

100 Days of Real Food

Great site to get information on how to go about getting and using unprocessed foods in your kitchen.  I like this site because it gives you a really awesome organized recipe index as well as informative articles on the effects of processed foods in our diet.  

*And for those of you who think going natural means breaking the bank, she has tips on how to save mulla too!

Eat Well-Local Guide

If your looking for a local farmers market or a place to buy your dairy, meat, or produce where you can actually meet the farmer this site is fabulous!  There is just something different about buying truly FRESH food.  It's not always the most convenient way to get groceries but I challenge each of you to try it at least once.  Who knows you just might get hooked!

Choose my Plate

As much crap as people give America and our government of having/ creating unhealthy, overweight citizens it might surprise you to know the government is trying.  Not too many recipes on this site but lots of info on healthy eating and exercising.  I poked around for awhile and found it super easy to use.

*Also if you're into knowing how many calories you're eating and wondering if they're the right ones check out their Super Tracker.    

Feasting on Art

I also wondered over to StumbleUpon and found this website.  They examine a piece of art and cook an inspired item of food from it...super creative right?  Anyways, just lots of fun :)

And one of my all time FAVORITES! The Pioneer Woman

This one seriously needs no explanation.  PURE AWESOMENESS!  Check it out...you won't regret it!

So yes, hope you enjoy these recipes and resources.  The Internet is a fabulous place to poke around and get new ideas.  Don't be afraid to wonder around.  

Cook On!

Peanut Butter YUM Krispies

Ingredients

• 1 box Rice Krispies
• 1/2 bag Large Marshmallows
• 3/4 cup Peanut Butter
• 4 Tbs. Butter

Directions
 
    1.)    In a large pot over medium heat combine marshmallows, butter, and peanut butter.  (*amounts are really more estimates so feel free to adjust based on your preferences...I love peanut butter so I used a lot of peanut butter)
    2.)    Heat ingredients in pot until evenly mixed
    3.)    Pour Rice Krispies into pot and mix.

http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2008/12/31/chocolate-covered-rice-krispie-treats/

    4.)    Mix the Krispies until evenly coated then place the Krispies in a glass dish and cover the top with peanut butter.  (*chocolate drizzled on top makes them look fancy and adds delisious flavor!  I just ran out of chocolate.)   

Suggestions

• Instead of just spreading regular peanut butter it might be better to sweeten the spread by mixing it with white sugar before spreading it on top of the Krispies.  (*courtesy of my good friend Adam (-:)

Hello Again

So just an update...
I rediscovered my camera that I apparently own so now picture quality should be improving, YAY :-)  It even has a food setting... woot woot!  I will try to do some more creative recipes soon.  Good luck and keep on cookin'!
-Lauren

Improv Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients

• 1Tbs Butter
• 3 Tbs Milk
• 6 Eggs
• 3 Potatoes 
• I used butter...because they were super cheap...but you could really use any.
• 6 slices of Turkey Bacon
• Again regular bacon is ok but this is my favorite.
• 1 cup shredded Colby Cheese 
• Salt and Peper 
• 1/2 tsp garlic
• 1Tbs Chopped Onion
• You can find this in the spices section but you could use fresh onion as well (I just didn't have any).
• Pinch Parsley

*Ingredients in PURPLE will be split between 2 layers just so you know regarding measurements.  Also...I TOTALLY MADE THIS RECIPE UP!  So measurements are more estimations.  Don't be afraid to add other ingredients, modify amounts, or tweak directions.  


Directions

1. Butter the bottom of an 8" glass circle pan and set aside (It's really pretty in a glass one because you can see the layers).  
2. Slice the potatoes in thin circles (I used the slice side on a cheese grader...works superbly).  Then place half of the potatoes on the bottom of the buttered pan. 
3. Salt and peper the potatoes lightly and sprinkle a hint of garlic.  Evenly distribute 1/2 Tbs chopped onion over the potatoes.  
4. Now slice 3 pieces of bacon (if you want it more bacon'ie' then add more bacon) into small 1/4" squares and sprinkle on top of the potatoes.  Then sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded Colby cheese.
5. Repeat step 3-4 with the remaining half of potatoes, bacon, and chopped onion.  Be sure to sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic as well.  *DO NOT SPRINKLE THE REST OF THE CHEESE ON YET!
6. In a separate bowl crack and scramble all 6 eggs; mix in 3 Tbs of milk.  Then pour scrambled eggs over layered casserole.  
7. NOW sprinkle last half of Colby cheese on top of casserole and add a pinch of parsley.  
8. Cover and cook at 275 for 60ish minutes (I really just kept checking the casserole till all the egg was cooked).

*TIP:  To give the casserole a lovely brown, toasted look turn the oven to broil once the casserole is mostly cooked and watch closely till the cheese is toasted.  

Results...

SO PRETTY :D













OH YEAH :)

Yumminess :P 

Twin Peaks Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup chopped Mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped Onions
• 1 Tbs. Butter
• 2-3 cups Peper-Jack Cheese
• Amount varies depending on size and amount of pepers.
• Mini-Sweet Pepers
• This is what I had available but often Bell Pepers are cheaper (but bigger so you will need more ingredients).
• Garlic
• Fresh is best but garlic powder works great as a cheap alternative.  
• Paprika
• Seasoning Salt
• By far my favorite versatile spice of all time!!!

Directions
   
    1.)    First, finely chop the onion and mushrooms.  Then, brown mushrooms and onions in a skillet with butter.  Sprinkle garlic, paprika, and seasoning salt in skillet to taste; let skillet cool for 3-5 minutes.

     2.)    In a large bowl shred 2-3 cups of peper-jack cheese.  Transfer browned mushrooms and onions to bowl with cheese and mix with wooden spoon.  (*I prefer to use my clean washed hands but be careful with the heat.)


    3.)    Cut off the tops of pepers and rinse them with water.


    4.)    Stuff pepers with cheese mixture and place the uncovered ends head to head forming a diamond shape within an 8" un-greased baking dish.  (*This placement helps the contents within the peper stay in the peper.  It is best to check the placement of the peper every once-in-awhile to make sure stuffing isn't leaking to bad.)    


    5.)    Bake for 25-30 minutes uncovered then broil for 5-7 minutes to finish.

    6.)    Let pepers cool for 3-5 minutes in dish then serve and enjoy!