Green Chile Bacon Beignets with Roja Ranch Dip

This is my second entry for 505 Southwestern's “25 Years of Flavor” Recipe Contest and I think it’s a winner. I combined my two favorite things- Tex-Mex and Cajun flavors and mashed them together to create fluffy fried batter full of bacon and roasted green chiles dunked in an enchilada ranch dipping sauce. I can’t think of anything better right now and I’m really hoping the judges agree!

Green Chile Bacon Beignets with Roja Ranch Dip

1 cup 505 Southwestern Hatch Valley Red Enchilada & Tamale Sauce

1 cup ranch dressing 

2 cups flour

½ cup cornmeal

6 Tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

¼ cup sliced green onion

1 ½ cups 505 Southwestern Flame Roasted Green Chile

1 cup chopped cooked bacon

In a small bowl whisk together the Red Enchilada & Tamale Sauce and ranch dressing. Place in the fridge to chill.

In an electric fryer or large high sided skillet fitted with a candy thermometer, bring the oil up to 360° over medium high heat.

In a small mixing bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, Cajun seasoning, baking powder, and baking soda. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, green onion, Green Chiles and bacon. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just barely combined. 

Once the oil is hot, using a small cookie scoop carefully drop balls of batter into the oil. Fry for about 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined cookie sheet and allow to drain. 

Serve immediately with Roja Ranch for dipping. Makes 45 beignets.

 

Chicken Al Pastor Taquitos with Tomatillo Garlic Ranch

This is my entry for 505 Southwestern's 25 Years of Flavor Recipe Contest. I took two of their salsas and made taquitos with an Al Pastor spin. Shredded chicken is cooked down in a pineapple mango salsa and all wrapped up in crispy oven baked corn tortillas. Top them off with a Tomatillo Garlic & Lime Ranch sauce and crumbled cotija cheese and dig in!

 Chicken Al Pastor Taquitos with Tomatillo Garlic Ranch

1-pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-inch cubes

½ cup diced onion

1 cup 505 Southwestern Pineapple Mango Jalapeno Salsa

1 teaspoon cumin

1 Tablespoon (2 packets) Latin seasoning blend with achiote

½ teaspoon salt

12 corn tortillas

½ cup 505 Southwestern Tomatillo Garlic & Lime Salsa

½ cup packed cilantro leaves

¼ cup Ranch dressing

½ cup crumbled cotija cheese

1 lime, cut into wedges

Combine the chicken, onion, Pineapple Mango Jalapeno Salsa, cumin, spice blend and salt in a large sauce pot. Cover the pot and place over medium low heat. Cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and easy to shred. Using two forks, shred the chicken and stir to coat evenly with the sauce and set aside to cool slightly. 

Set the oven to 400° and generously spray a foil lined cookie sheet with olive oil spray. Place about ¼ cup of the chicken mixture on each tortilla, roll tightly and place seam side down on the oiled cookie sheet. Spray the tops of each taquito and place in the oven for 15 minutes, or until browned and crisp.

Puree the Tomatillo Garlic & Lime Salsa, cilantro leaves and Ranch dressing until smooth in a small food processor. 

Place the taquitos on a platter. Drizzle with some Tomatillo Garlic Ranch sauce, sprinkle with the cheese and serve with lime wedges and remaining Tomatillo Garlic Ranch sauce for dipping.

Italian Grinder Style Wild Rice Salad

Italian Grinder Style Wild Rice Salad – all the flavors of your favorite sub sandwich but leveled up with wild rice to make it filling and healthy! Perfect for summer and easy to make ahead! 

Italian Grinder Style Wild Rice Salad

½ cup bottled Italian vinaigrette

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

½ teaspoon dried oregano

1 Tablespoon mayonnaise 

3 Tablespoons chopped pickled banana peppers

¼ cup diced red onion

2 cups cooked wild rice

½ cup diced ham 

½ cup Provolone cheese, cut into small cubes

½ cup diced tomato

4 cups very thinly sliced iceberg lettuce

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the Italian vinaigrette, red pepper flakes, oregano, mayonnaise, banana peppers and red onion. Add the wild rice, ham, cheese, and tomato to the bowl and stir gently to evenly coat. To serve place the lettuce on a large serving platter and pour the wild rice salad in the middle.

 

Dim Sum Dumpling Burgers with Crispy Wonton Crab Rangoon and Napa Cabbage Slaw

 It has been almost 4 months since I've had a contest to create a recipe for and I can not tell you how happy I am to be able to have the chance to be back in the kitchen working on entries again! This one I'm sharing today is for a contest that I have entered before and never won. I'm really hoping that what I've created this year catches the judges eyes and the $10,000 prize because I can promise you the flavor is insane in these! 

Dim Sum Dumpling Burgers with Crispy Wonton Crab Rangoon and Napa Cabbage Slaw

4 ounces room temperature whipped cream cheese

¼ cup finely sliced green onion

½ teaspoon white pepper

1 cup shredded imitation crab meat

1 ½ cups thinly shaved napa cabbage

¼ cup thinly sliced green onion

¼ cup cilantro leaves

1 small jalapeno, seeds and ribs removed, sliced thinly

1 Tablespoon olive oil

12 ounces cremini mushrooms

2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 Tablespoons finely minced ginger

2 Tablespoons panko

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoon white pepper

½ pound lean ground pork

½ pound lean ground beef

½ cup sweet Thai chili sauce

4 sweet Hawaiian hamburger buns, toasted

1 cup fried wonton strips

In a medium mixing bowl stir together the cream cheese, green onion and white pepper. Gently stir in the crab meat until evenly mixed and place in the fridge to chill.

In a separate medium mixing bowl gently toss the napa cabbage, green onion, cilantro and jalapeno slices together.

Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium high heat. Roughly chop mushrooms and add them to the hot oil. Cook for 10 minutes or until mushrooms have browned and softened. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger and sauté for 2-4 more minutes. Place the sautéed mushroom mixture in a large mixing bowl and set aside to allow them to cool. 

To the large mixing bowl with the chopped sautéed mushrooms, add the panko, salt, white pepper, ground pork and ground beef. Mix thoroughly to combine and shape the meat mixture into 4 patties. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium high heat, add patties to pan and cook 5 minutes or until a brown crust has formed on the underside of the patty. Flip burgers over and cook another 5 minutes. Brush the patties with the sweet Thai chili sauce. 

To serve spread the remaining sweet Thai chili sauce on both sides of the toasted buns. Top each bottom bun with the cabbage mixture, a mushroom burger patty, some wonton strips, a scoop of the crab Rangoon mixture, more wonton strips, and the top bun. Serve immediately. 

Greek Salad Style Tot-chos with Chimichurri Drizzle

I saved the best for last. This is my final entry for the Big Mountain Foods Recipe Challenge and it is by far my favorite! My son, who is home sick, ate half of this tray and said "I like staying home sick way better than being at school" and he didn't mean hanging out with mom. It was these tot-chos that had my bottomless pit teenage son smiling.

I tossed frozen tots with greek seasoning and baked them till crispy. Loaded them down with Big Mountain Foods CauliCrumble Veggie Grounds, hummus, fresh veggies and the most delicious chimichurri sauce. These are so so delicious I promise you would never guess they're vegan!

Greek Salad Style Tot-chos with Chimichurri Drizzle

 2 pounds frozen potato tots

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning spice blend

½ cup packed fresh Italian parsley leaves

1 small garlic clove

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/8 teaspoon cumin

1 cup Big Mountain Foods CauliCrumble Veggie Grounds

½ cup roasted garlic hummus

1/3 cup chopped tomato

1/3 cup chopped cucumber

2 Tablespoons chopped kalamata olives

2 Tablespoons chopped pepperoncini peppers

 

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

Spread the frozen tots out evenly on a large cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the tots with the Greek seasoning, tossing to combine. Place in the oven for another 10 minutes, or until evenly browned and crispy.

While the tots bake, make the Chimichurri sauce. Place parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, oil, and cumin in a mini blender or small food processor and puree until smooth.

Heat the CauliCrumble Veggie Grounds in the microwave according to the package instructions.

When the tots are crisp remove them from the oven and place them on your serving plate. Drizzle with hummus, top with CauliCrumble Veggie Grounds, tomato, cucumber, olives and pepperoncini peppers. Drizzle with Chimichurri sauce and serve immediately.

You can follow  Big Mountain Foods on their website,  Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter 

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Sausage Fajita & Grits Brunch Bowls

Here’s my second entry for the Big Mountain Foods Recipe Challenge and it’s Brunch time! Gluten free and Vegan can still be delicious with my Tex-Mex spin on the classic Shrimp and Grits dish that I love so much. Creamy garlic grits are topped with charred peppers, onions and Big Mountain Foods Superfood Brekkie Links tossed in a bright tomatillo salsa. Top it off with guac, cilantro and pickled jalapenos for freshness and all you'll need to decide is whether it's mimosa or margarita time!

Sausage Fajita & Grits Brunch Bowls

 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk

2 cups vegetable stock

1 cup coarse ground yellow cornmeal

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ cup thinly sliced onion

½ cup thinly sliced poblano pepper

½ cup thinly sliced red bell pepper

½ cup thinly sliced orange or yellow bell pepper

1 (10.58 ounce) package Big Mountain Foods Superfood Brekkie Links, sliced

¼ cup tomatillo salsa

½ cup guacamole

¼ cup minced cilantro

2 Tablespoons pickled jalapenos

 

In a medium sauce pot over high heat, bring the coconut milk and vegetable stock to a boil. Whisk in the cornmeal, salt and garlic powder and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes, or until tender and thickened. Cover and set aside to keep warm.

 Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Once the pan is very hot, add the peppers and onions in a single layer. Allow the veggies to char, without stirring for 4 minutes. Stir the peppers and onions and continue to cook for 2 more minutes, allowing the veggies to soften. Push the mixture to one side of the pan and add the sausage to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the sausages begin to brown. Stir in the salsa and turn off the heat.

 To serve spoon the grits into bowls, top with sausage fajita mixture, guacamole, cilantro, and pickled jalapenos.

 Serves 4

You can follow  Big Mountain Foods on their website,  Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter 

 #BigMountainFoodsRecipeChallenge #BigMountainFoods #Veganrecipes

 

Cajun Street Corn Soup with Andouille Seasoned Mushroom Crumble

This is my first entry for the Big Mountain Foods Recipe Challenge - it's Vegan, Gluten Free and surprised even my biggest meat eaters! I made a creamy corn and veggie chowder topped off with a mushroom crumble that's spiced like my favorite andouille sausage! This is healthy, cozy comfort food you don't have to feel guilty about!

Cajun Street Corn Soup with Andouille Seasoned Mushroom Crumble

1 (14 ounce bag) riced cauliflower

2 ½ cups unsweetened coconut milk

2 Tablespoons organic reduced sodium vegetable broth base concentrate

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1 large poblano pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon oregano

½ cup diced yellow squash

½ cup diced zucchini 

1 (9 oz) bag frozen fire roasted corn kernels 

1 (10.58 oz) package Big Mountain Foods Lion's Mane Mushroom Crumble

1 ½ teaspoons low sodium Cajun seasoning blend 

1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika

½ cup minced cilantro

In a blender puree the cauliflower, unsweetened coconut milk and vegetable broth base until completely smooth.

Heat the oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onion, poblano and garlic and cook for 2-4 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. Add the cumin, salt and turmeric and allow to cook for 2 minutes, stirring often, to toast the spices. 

Add the oregano, squash, zucchini and corn to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk mixture and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes, or until the squash has become tender.

In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, add the Lion's Mane Mushroom Crumble, Cajun seasoning blend and smoked paprika. Cook until the mixture has warmed through.

To serve, ladle the soup into bowls, top with a generous amount of the mushroom crumble and cilantro and serve immediately.

Serves 6

You can follow  Big Mountain Foods on their website,  Facebook,  Instagram and Twitter 

 #BigMountainFoodsRecipeChallenge #BigMountainFoods #Veganrecipes

 

Chicken and Andouille Yakisoba Jambalaya

This is my second entry for the “Fortune Noodle Blogger Recipe Challenge”

With only 6 ingredients and less than 15 minutes of cook time, these Cajun style stir fry noodles are perfect any night of the week!

Chicken and Andouille Yakisoba Jambalaya

1 package (7.7 ounces) Fortune Noodle Hot & Spicy Yakisoba Stir-Fry Noodles

3 green onions

1 Tablespoon butter

2/3 cup andouille sausage, chopped 

8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced

¼ cup celery, sliced

¼ cup water

¼ cup dry white wine 

Place the noodles in a small colander and run hot tap water over them until they soften slightly. Set aside to drain. 

Slice the green onions and set 2 Tablespoons of the green tops aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the andouille and cook until browned and slightly crisp, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken, celery and the green onion bottoms and sprinkle with the seasoning packet. Stir fry for about 3 minutes. 

Pour in the water, wine and noodles and toss to combine. Continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the noodles are fully softened and the sauce has thickened and coats the mixture evenly.

Divide the skillet into 2 serving plates, sprinkle with the reserved green onion tops and serve immediately.

Serves 2.

#cooklikeawokstar #norulestostirfry #fortunerecipechallenge 

You can follow Fortune Noodle on their Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

You can purchase Fortune products at Safeway, Fred Meyer, QFC, Albertson's, Associated Stores, Cub Foods, United Supermarkets, Roche Bros, Meijer, Shaw's, Stop N Shop, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Wakefern, Price Chopper, Giant, HEB, Walmart and Grocery Outlet

Yakisoba Breakfast Benedicts

I am one of  50 bloggers taking part in the “Fortune Noodle Blogger Recipe Challenge”. They sent me a huge package of delicious noodles to work with and this is my entry for their Breakfast category!

I adore Eggs Benedict in all forms so when I heard that this contest wanted a breakfast dish using their noodle products that was my first idea! These are actually super easy to make, especially since the noodle cakes and sauce can be made in advance.

Yakisoba Breakfast Benedicts

1 package (7.7 ounces) Fortune Noodle Hot & Spicy Yakisoba Stir-Fry Noodles

¼ cup water

1 large egg, lightly beaten 

1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce 

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon coconut oil 

4 eggs

½ cup mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons seasoning from the packet in the noodles

2 Tablespoons heavy cream 

3 Tablespoons sliced green onions

Place the seasoning packet aside and put the noodles and water in a microwave safe bowl, cover and microwave for 4 minutes. Remove carefully and set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, soy sauce and sesame oil. Add the noodles to the egg mixture and stir to combine.

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the oil. Scoop ¼ of the noodle mixture in the oil creating 4 small rounds. Cook for 4 minutes, flip and continue to cook the second side for 4 minutes, or until the noodles are crisp on the outside and warmed through. Place finished cakes on a small cookie sheet and keep warm in a 200-degree oven. 

Add 2 inches of water to a large deep skillet and cover. Bring the water up to a simmer over high heat. Crack each egg into a small ramekin. Once the water is simmering, gently lower the eggs into the water. Place the lid back on, turn off the heat and set a timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to drain.

While the eggs are cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, seasoning and heavy cream in a small bowl.

To serve place the noodle cakes on 2 plates. Top each with a poached egg, drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle with green onion. Serve immediately.

Serves 2.

#cooklikeawokstar #norulestostirfry #fortunerecipechallenge 

You can follow Fortune Noodle on their Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

You can purchase Fortune products at Safeway, Fred Meyer, QFC, Albertson's, Associated Stores, Cub Foods, United Supermarkets, Roche Bros, Meijer, Shaw's, Stop N Shop, Price Rite, Shop Rite, Wakefern, Price Chopper, Giant, HEB, Walmart and Grocery Outlet

Hearts of Palm Coconut Lime Ceviche with Asian Fusion Plantain Chips

Hearts of Palm Coconut Lime Ceviche with Asian Fusion Plantain Chips

1 (8 ounce) bag plantain chips

1 Tablespoon Serious Foodie Asian Fusion Sweet/Spicy Rub

1 jar (6 ounces) Serious Foodie Sri Lanka Coconut Lime Hot Sauce

Juice of 1 lime

1 (14.5 ounce) can hearts of palm, drained and chopped into bite sized pieces

½ cup diced jicama 

½ cup diced cucumber

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

¼ cup minced red onion

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with foil.

Pour the chips out in a single layer on the cookie sheet and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Sprinkle with half of the Asian Fusion Sweet/Spicy Rub, flip over and repeat the process to the other side of the chips. Place in the oven for 7-10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl stir together the Serious Foodie Sri Lanka Coconut Lime Hot Sauce, lime juice, hearts of palm, jicama, cucumber, jalapeno and red onion. Pour the mixture into a serving bowl and serve with the seasoned toasted plantain chips.

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Scallion Pancake Braised Short Rib Tacos

How about some Asian inspired tacos tonight? Slow cooked Chinese BBQ short ribs and spicy quick pickled veggies are an amazing pair served on sesame scallion pancakes instead of the traditional tortillas and let me tell you- I might never want a plain old tortilla ever again!

 Scallion Pancake Braised Short Rib Tacos 

Chinese BBQ Braised Short Ribs:

3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs

3 Tablespoons Serious Foodie Chinese BBQ Spice Rub

1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce

1/2 cup beef broth

2 Tablespoons honey

4 cloves garlic, minced

Coat the short ribs evenly with the spice rub and place them in a slow cooker. Pour the soy sauce and beef broth over the ribs, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. When the meat can easily be pulled off the bone, it is ready. Shred the meat and discard any bones and fat. Skim any grease that may have risen to the top of the braising liquid and add the meat back to the broth.

While the Short Ribs cook make the Scallion Pancakes:

Scallion Pancakes

2 ½ cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup of boiling water

½ cup sesame oil

4 bunches spring onions, greens only, thinly sliced

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

Add 2 cups of the flour and the salt to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment. Running the mixer on low speed, pour in the boiling water and mix until combined.  Raise the speed to medium and knead for 5- 8 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl whisk together the remaining ½ cup of flour and the sesame oil to make a paste.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. 

Roll out each piece into a thin rectangle on a well-floured board, brush with a thin layer of the flour paste and sprinkle generously with scallions.

Roll the long sides up, creating a long rope and then roll each rope into a ring like a swirled lollipop. Flatten and roll the ring out into a thin 6-7 inch disk and repeat with the remaining dough.

Heat a cast iron or nonstick griddle over medium heat.  Using a small amount of the oil for each tortilla, pan sear each on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Pickled Veggie Slaw

1 cup rice wine vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 cups matchstick carrots

1 cup seedless cucumber, cut into small matchsticks

1 large jalapeno, thinly sliced

Bring the rice wine vinegar up to a boil in a microwave safe measuring cup. Whisk in the sugar and kosher salt, whisking until completely dissolved. Place the carrots, cucumber and jalapeno in a small mixing bowl and pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables. Stir, cover and place in the fridge to chill.

½ cup Serious Foodie Vietnamese Sweet Chili Hot Sauce

½ cup minced cilantro

To assemble the tacos, lay some of the pickled veggie slaw at the bottom of each warm scallion pancake. Top with a serving of the shredded short ribs, drizzle with the Vietnamese Sweet Chili Hot Sauce, sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately. 

Makes 12 tacos.

You can follow The Serious Foodie on their website  on Facebook  on Instagram  and Twitter

#SeriousFoodieRecipeChallenge #SeriousFoodie #BitesAroundTheWorld