Leftover Pork Posole Verde

So I've told you how we're big tailgate fans.  Some seasons, weather permitting we do a "SOUPS~STEWS~CHILE" theme for tailgate.  Everyone brings a big crockpot of their favorite and we have a spread of crackers, cornbread muffins, Fritos, hotdogs for chili dogs.  It's always a big hit.  Mr. Devilish Dish always makes either his famous Green Chile Stew, or his award winning chili.  Years ago he would literally make 2 (16 quart) stock pots full of Green Chile Stew.  As our tailgate grew, that began to be really hard to manage, not to mention the expense.  So in years past we opted for one crockpot full of Green Chile Stew and then I would supplement by making another crockpot full of another kind of soup or chili.  I made this Leftover Pork Posole and when I say it was a hit, I mean it might have outshined the famous Green Chile Stew.  It's not that pretty in the crockpot, (it looks much prettier in the bowl with all of the toppings) but once the first person had a bowl, the word got around the tailgate for how tasty it was.  I heard people saying, "Which one?" and the reply was, "In the red crockpot." It was then I knew our tailgate friends appreciated this recipe as much as we do.  I love it because it's an easy version, with some canned ingredients.  I know it's not the real thing, nor is it traditional, although I do serve it with a helping of traditional toppings such as sliced radishes, chopped green onions, cilantro and lime wedges.  I also love it because it frustrates me that pork tenderloins come two per package.  Since Mr. Devilish Dish and I are empty nesters, we do not need two pork tenderloins for one meal.  That's where this recipe comes in so handy.  We simply prepare both tenderloins and use one for this soup.  I've also used leftover pulled pork which is equally as delicious.  This has become both a tailgate and cold weather staple for us, and I hope it does for you too.

This is one of our favorite recipes
for cooler weather.  A great use for
leftover pork tenderloin, or pulled pork.

It's also a one-pot recipe that comes together
in about 30 minutes!

Warmed flour tortillas are a must.

Enjoy with all the toppings.
So colorful and tasty too.

LEFTOVER PORK POSOLE VERDE

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced white onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
3 cups leftover cooked pork (shredded or diced)
1 (15 ounce) can yellow hominy, drained
1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
1/2 cup roasted green chiles (peeled, seeded and diced - you can use canned)
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1/2 cup salsa verde
chopped cilantro to taste
salt & pepper to taste

TOPPINGS:

sliced fresh radishes
chopped fresh green onions
shredded Cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
chopped cilantro
lime wedges
fresh warm flour tortillas

In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes, until onions begin to brown.  Stir in the garlic and cumin for 30 seconds, then deglaze the pan with the chicken or vegetable stock.  Add in pork, hominy, beans, green chiles, Mexican oregano, and salsa Verde. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for approximately 20 minutes.  Taste and adjust seasonings, and stir in chopped cilantro before serving.  Serve with warm flour tortillas and top with assorted toppings.

 

Homemade Salsa in the Blender

It's that time of year where we are either entertaining, going to parties or we are just so darned busy we don't even want to mess with cooking a full meal.  Sometimes we just have snack night and we will eat mini naan breads with hummus, or little freezer tacos with queso.  Or <GASP> pizza rolls.  I'm not too much of a food snob to hit the freezer snack section of the grocery store once in a while, BUT the one thing I am picky about it store-bought salsa.  There is really only one kind I like, and I swear everyone in town must like it too, because it is always out of stock.  Only a couple of stores around town even carry it, and on the rare occasion I do see it, I'll buy several jars.  When I can't find it however, I prefer to make my own.  I love this version because not only is it super easy, it's made with canned whole tomatoes.  Of course I love salsa made with fresh from the garden tomatoes, but now it is the time of the year the grocery store tomatoes are mealy and white in the middle with no flavor.  This version has much more flavor and you can control with spice with how many jalapenos you use.  It's great for Mexican food night, or company because most of the ingredients are items you probably have on the pantry shelf.  Grab a bag of chips and give this a try - it might just be your favorite (or in my case, my second favorite!)

This is so quick and easy to make.

Just a few ingredients.  Use as many or as few
whole pickled jalapenos as you would like to 
make your salsa milder or hotter.  I usually use
around 6-8 PLUS the juice from the can.

Grab some chips and enjoy.

HOMEMADE SALSA IN THE BLENDER

1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes
1 small can whole pickled jalapenos (AND the liquid from the can)-use as many as you want to make it hotter or milder

1 small red onion (or part of a red onion if it is larger)
1 garlic clove
handful of fresh cilantro (to taste)
juice of one lime
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar (this helps the canned tomatoes not taste so canned)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)

Combine everything in a blender or food processor and pulse until everything is chopped and combined.  Check for seasoning and add more salt if necessary.  Will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup

Well it's mid August and I'm just now getting around to blogging this recipe.  My tardiness should not reflect on this recipe.  It is freaking delicious.  More than that, I made this recipe with ONE HAND.  Back in January when I had surgery on my right hand because my dang thumb was falling off...I was sitting around with Mr. Devilish Dish playing pretend Bar Rescue (See Hillstone Crisp Martini Recipe) and I was miserable and bored.  I do not do well when I am not the queen of my domain - cooking and cleaning.  It was a rough 12 weeks of recovery.  The very first recipe I made with one hand was Mississippi Meatball Sub Sandwiches.  To which I say cooking with one hand is a true accomplishment, even if it is only 6 ingredients.  The second recipe I made after climbing the walls with boredom was this recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup.  Mr. Devilish Dish wasn't even home and I was determined to conquer this cooker recipe all by myself.  And I did it!  If you ever doubt your cooking abilities, just remember at times - there are recipes on this blog I've made with one hand or literally standing on one leg.  That all being said, this recipe is so good.  Easy or not, one handed or not, I am a sucker for a slow cooker recipe.  Throw it all in and go on your way.  This recipe is perfect and I am so happy fall is approaching so I can make this a million times this winter.  Just like everyone's favorite "elote" this has all the flavors of street corn with the heartiness of chicken.  Mr. DD loved this and was amazed I pulled it off with one hand.  You know what you can't do with one hand?  Wash dishes.  That's what he got to do.  Too bad it was only one slow cooker and two soup bowls.  Seriously.  Try this one out this season.  Whether you have one hand or lots of hands to help, this is so hearty and delicious, and simple to put together.

This is so good.  Like Crazy Good!

Top with all the toppings.  Be extra.

We served it with leftover quesadillas from
the MexiMart. Authentic lol.

Sliced avocado is the key topping to this.
Seriously what isn't better with fresh avocado
on top???

SLOW COOKER MEXICAN STREET CORN SOUP

To the slow cooker add:

2 pounds chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
4 cups chicken stock
(1) 4 ounce can green chiles
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 Tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
salt and pepper to taste

Cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low depending on the accuracy of your slow cooker.  When chicken is done, remove and shred and return to slow cooker.  Then:

Add:

2 cups frozen corn
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 cup sour cream
1 cup Monterrey Cheese

Combine with the slow cooker contents.  Cook for another hour

Spoon into bowls and top with:

Toppings:

Cotija Cheese
Sliced Avocado
Sliced fresh jalapeno
Tajin seasoning
Fresh lime wedges
Tortilla chips

Turkey Charcuterie Board

I'm obsessed with making fun little charcuterie boards for various holidays.  My Halloween Fruit Char-BOO-terie board was a big hit, so I decided a Turkey Charcuterie board was just thing for Thanksgiving.  Imagine bringing this cute little guy and a bottle of wine to Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving?  It's just so fun and the ideas are endless, as to the meats, cheeses, fruits and crackers.  I have a giant round board I like to use for tailgates and parties, and I think it would make a gorgeous turkey board.  It's pretty huge, and since I was making this board for just my husband and I, this version was more simple.  I just used an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers and grapes.  You could certainly make his feathers fancier with the addition of apple slices, more nuts, and even small bowls of mustards and jams.  All you need is a pear for the body and then go to town with your favorite charcuterie board ingredients.  You can be as whimsical as you want (with candy eyes) or go for a more classic look with dried whole cloves or pepper corns.  Whatever you decide, this will be a fun and delicious addition to any Thanksgiving get together.  Who doesn't love to graze on some cheese and crackers while the real turkey is cooking!

THIS and a bottle of wine.
The perfect FRIENDSGIVING.

Grab your standard charcuterie ingredients
plus a pear for the turkey body.

I used candy eyes and cheese for the beak.

Create the look of feathers by alternating
meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts,
olives etc... on a round board.
Use your imagination.  The bigger your board
the more "feathers" and ingredients you can add.

Fill in any gaps with small clusters of 
grapes and garnish with fresh rosemary.

Serve with some good wine and have
a Happy Thanksgiving.

TURKEY CHARCUTERIE BOARD

1 pear (brown, red or green)
assorted meats, cheeses and crackers
assorted fruits
smoked almonds and other nuts
Optional: Candy eyes 
Fresh Rosemary for garnish

Cut your pear in half.  Place him at the bottom of a round charcuterie board or platter.  If you wish to add eyes, do it now.  I cut a piece of cheese for the beak and turkey wattle.  If you want your turkey to look less whimsical you can skip this step. 

Place the smoked almonds around the pear (turkey body) 

Begin alternating meats, cheeses, crackers and fruit in concentric circles around the pear to create the look of feathers.  For round pieces of salami and other meats, fold them in half, and then in half again.  This will give your board some depth, and create a ruffled look.  You can also opt to place your ingredients in single rows so each "feather" is a different color.  Think a vertical row of cheese, then crackers, then meat, then nuts etc... There really is no correct way to do this, just fill it all in an make it look nice and tasty. 

Fill in any gaps with small bunches of grapes and fresh rosemary.

Enjoy.

Spooky 7-Layer Dip

 A while back we had a "Nacho Bar" for our tailgate.  Which is honestly an easy way to feed a large crowd.  We all bring crockpots full of queso and chips and then pile on the toppings.  Grilled chicken, taco meat, pico de gallo, pickled jalapeno peppers, sour cream, guacamole.  The ideas are endless and it's a hearty treat that is always a hit with our football friends.  I had a few toppings leftover, and spent an entire day creating a feast of frightening treats.  Traditionally a 7-layer dip features layers of refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes and black olives.  Served with tortilla chips for dipping of course.  Since I had a host of nacho topping leftovers, I decided to get creative with what I had on hand, to create my own spooky version of a 7 layer dip.  I made a large batch of my Homemade Mexican Restaurant Relish, and even used some pickled carrots and jalapenos to make a cute little spooky spider to top off the dip.  It turned out really cute, and honestly what is not delicious about a layers of Mexican ingredients in dip form?  You could make your own version with whatever you have on hand, including leftover refried beans, salsa, queso, cooked chorizo etc...Just make sure you your top layer is a ghoulishly green guacamole and you have some sour cream to pipe the spider's web!

Your favorite Mexican Dip with 
a spooky twist for Halloween!

I made this with things I had on hand
leftover from our Nacho Bar Tailgate.
Feel free to use your favorite
Mexican ingredients.

Spread a layer of refried beans or 
bean dip into the bottom of a 
shallow dish.  Top with shredded cheese.

Add a layer of your favorite salsa or 
even chopped tomatoes.

Make your last layer a spread of 
ghoulishly green guacamole.

Make a little spider from pickled 
jalapenos and carrots.

Pipe on a sour cream web as your last layer.

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips
for dipping.

Isn't he cute?

I added a little garnish around the edge of my
dip with the pickled carrots and jalapenos from
my Homemade Mexican Restaurant Relish.
Honestly I did not have a single platter or dish to
serve this in that was remotely appropriate for Halloween,
so I decided to use the carrots and peppers to add 
a pop of Halloween color.  

SPOOKY 7-LAYER DIP

Refried Beans or - I used a can of Frito Lay Bean Dip

Your Favorite Salsa
Shredded Cheese
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Mexican Relish or canned Mexican Carrots & Jalapenos for the spider
Candy eyeballs for the spider
Tortilla chips for dipping

Spread the layer of refried beans or bean dip into the bottom of a shallow dish.  Top with a layer of your favorite salsa, and then a layer of shredded cheese.  Spread a layer of guacamole over the top.  With a pastry bag and thin pastry tip, pipe sour cream on top of the guacamole to create a spider web look.

Optional, use a pickled carrot slice and some pickled jalapeno pieces to create a spider and legs.  Top with candy eye balls.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

NOTE: The sky is the limit on the ingredients you can put in this.  Add some leftover taco meat, or black beans.  I literally just used what I had in my fridge leftover from a Nacho Bar party.  

Taquito Enchiladas

 I love to cook, and I love to cook from scratch.  I've been known to grow my own herbs, dry them, use them to make my own ranch dressing mix and then prepare said mix into fresh ranch dressing.  It's very rewarding to start with some seeds in the early spring and end up with a fresh homegrown salad topped with homemade dressing.  You know what else is rewarding?  Spending the day catching a big fish.  Spending the day hitting golf balls.  Spending the day sitting on my patio enjoying a cold beverage or reading a good book.  On those days I am the complete opposite of homegrown and homemade.  Those days are made for recipes like Busy Day Casserole or  Slow Cooker Mississippi Meatball Subs. This is another one of those recipes, perfect for a busy day, or a school night (school has started back - ugh) Literally 4 ingredients, about 5 minutes of prep work and 40 minutes in the oven for a hearty meal that is surprisingly delicious.  I'll have to admit Mr. Devilish Dish was slightly skeptical when he saw me buying canned chili.  (The HORROR - as he makes his own award winning version.)  I said, "Trust me on this, we aren't going to the trouble of making a batch of chili from scratch to pour over frozen taquitos." Not that I don't love his chili, but this recipe didn't need it.  The canned worked just as well and the point of this whole recipe is EASE.  Try this one soon when you need a night off from the kitchen.

Hot, bubbly, and most importantly
only 4 ingredients and super easy.

Line a greased baking dish with frozen taquitos.

Add chili and spread to cover taquitos.

Next add the can of enchilada sauce.

Cover with the package of cheese.

 I like to serve this with a chopped lettuce and 
tomato salad and salsa.  That's what my mom
always served with Mexican casseroles.

TAQUITO ENCHILADAS

1 Package Frozen Taquitos (Approximately 20) Your choice - we used the beef style in corn tortillas (they were the skinnier ones and turned out great)

1 (15.8 oz) Can Chili (We used Wolf Brand - beans/no beans your choice)

1 (15 oz) Can Red Enchilada Sauce

1 (8 oz) Package Shredded Cheese (Mexican, Cheddar, Colby Jack - any is fine)

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.  Place the frozen taquitos in the baking dish.  (Mine wound up kind of stacked which was okay because I was using the skinnier ones.  If you have thicker taquitos, go for a single layer.)  Spread the can of chili evenly over the taquitos.  Pour the can of enchilada sauce over the chili layer.  Top with the package of shredded cheese.  Bake in the oven for approximately 40 minutes or until the taquitos are cooked through, the casserole is bubbly, and the cheese is melted.  

Easy 4-Ingredient Beef Enchiladas

I know I don't even have to mention how much 2020 sucked and how much we missed.  I try hard to keep my posts here at The DD positive because I know folks love to visit cooking blogs for recipes and fun stories.  Not to be reminded of the negativity of everything that has been going on in the world.  So I tell you this because my story of something negative grew into something very positive and has a happy ending.  For the bad news first we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving with our families like we usually do.  The Devilish Nephew and his sweet wife were stuck in Houston.  Not only because of Covid but their sweet golden retriever had to have surgery.  We opted not to have the big traditional turkey day meal with our parents.  My brother has a birthday at the end of November so in lieu of the holiday meal we had a very small get together as a birthday celebration.  I'm not a big fan of the traditional Thanksgiving meal and neither is my brother so here's where the story starts the upturn.  I decided to make Mexican food, because that's always a hit with my family.  I knew there would be no complaints!  I made a big batch of Gluten-Free Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas because Mr. DD loves those.  But not everyone on my side of the family is a fan of chicken in Mexican food.  I decided we needed a beef option and I was almost embarrassed I made such a simple recipe for a birthday meal.  I also made a big pot of Cowboy Beans and a batch of Restaurant Style Mexican Relish.  I also made a batch of our newest favorite salsa.  We found Simple Salsa Mix at the boat show in Little Rock last year.  (Remember we went crazy and bought a boat!) It is THE BEST salsa.  It's a dry mix you simply mix a scoop with a can of diced or crushed tomatoes.  Perfect for camping and RVs.  Also perfect for people in quarantine who did nothing but go fishing and eat chips and salsa.  We love this mix in the cute little can so much we gave everyone a can for Christmas!  The salsa was a hit at the meal, it was hard to keep it a secret that everyone at the table had some under the Christmas tree.  And if you thought the salsa was a huge hit, the Easy Beef Enchiladas were the absolute star of the evening.  No one touched the chicken enchiladas. And they are excellent! The beef enchiladas casserole dish was wiped out.  I lost count of how many helpings my brother ate.  He thanked me a million times and even texted me later in the evening after he got home.  The next day he called and thanked me again and told me for the millionth time how much he loved the beef enchiladas and asked for the recipe.  He called Mom and told her a million times how much he loved the enchiladas.  At Christmas a month later he was still talking about the enchiladas.  They are so embarrassingly easy, but a definite crowd pleaser.  Amid all the chaos and negativity I'm happy to report our family has a new standby recipe that requires almost no effort. Here's hoping we can all enjoy meals like this with our families soon! 

Hatch Green Chile Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adding Hatch Green Chiles to a dessert might sound unusual, but I know for a fact it works!  Several years ago Mr. Devilish Dish and I taught a cooking class and the theme was "Do You Know the Way to Santa Fe?" Because you KNOW I do!  Whenever he taught classes, he always tasked me with the part of coming up with a dessert and presenting that during the class.  He once taught a Tailgating themed class called "Gridiron Gourmet" and I came up with my Browned Butter Pumpkin Pie Spiced Rice Krispie Treats as the dessert.  In keeping with the Santa Fe theme I made Hatch Green Chile Peach Cobbler and it was the hit of the entire class.  You may have noticed I've been absent from the Devilish Dish for the last several weeks.  I wish I could say it's because we were out having fun in our new boat, but alas I was sick the entire month of August.  I'm still recovering from pneumonia, and just getting back into the kitchen the last few days.  I've missed cooking and baking so much.  We've even had a few days of below average temperatures, which really make me feel like baking, so I was finally inspired to get back in the kitchen.  Plus it's time for the famous chile harvest in Hatch New Mexico.  We used to visit every Fall to load up on chiles.  Then we found out there was a chain of grocery stores in Texas that would import the chiles and roast them every August so we would head down to Dallas.  Recently a local grocery store chain here in Oklahoma celebrates the harvest by roasting the peppers on site, so we stocked up our freezer locally, at the end of last month so we can make Greg's Famous Green Chile Stew all winter long.  Since Hatch Chiles mean Fall to me, I'm excited to incorporate them into my recipes.  It's still a little hot for a batch of stew, but I was reminiscing with Mr. Devilish Dish about that Hatch Chile Peach Cobbler and decided to try another savory sweet combination.  The cookies were a total success!  The chiles are not a dominant flavor.  They just add a subtle hint of warmth and make you wonder what exactly is in the cookie besides chocolate chips.  I added a little cinnamon too, because the warmth from that is a great compliment to the warmth and savoriness of the chiles.  I also used vanilla bean paste (a little more than you would in a regular chocolate chip cookie) because I wanted an extra boost of sweetness to balance out the savory flavor of the chiles.  Finally I used Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips because I have to.  Our dog is named Ghirardelli "Elli" lol.  Don't be afraid to mad science a little in the kitchen.  Those delicious Hatch peppers aren't just for stew.  Ring in the Fall season and enjoy the flavors of the chile harvest in cookie form! 

Don't be afraid to try the unusual!
Hatch Green Chiles aren't just for stew...

Be sure to use
quality ingredients in this.
Real roasted Hatch Chiles and
Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips

Bake up a batch today.
You won't be disappointed.

The warmth from the chiles and cinnamon
is a great compliment to the sweetness
of the vanilla bean paste and chocolate chips.
I LOVE the Nielsen MasseyVanilla Bean Paste!

These won't last long I promise!
You'll enjoy watching everyone try to figure
out what makes this cookie so different.

Quick & Easy Enchilada Casserole

So Mr. Devilish Dish and I did a thing this Spring.  We bought a bass boat.  Now that Little Devil has left the nest and we're empty nesters we decided we needed a fun "social distancing" type hobby we can enjoy together.  I grew up on Oklahoma lakes, so I was completely on board with the idea.  We've had a really fun spring and summer so far.  The only downside (and it isn't much of a downside) is we sometimes come home after dinner time.  Again, this isn't a bad thing since we're empty nesters and don't have anyone waiting to be fed but ourselves, but now I'm on the hunt for recipes that come together quickly and easily after day on the lake.  This Quick & Easy Enchilada Casserole totally fits the bill.  Only 5 ingredients and about 25 minutes in the oven to a hearty Mexican feast!  The time saver is the tortilla chips.  No tortillas to soften and roll up, just a short cut with the chips!  You can even use store bought taco seasoning, to speed things up.  I happened to have some of my Homemade Taco Seasoning on hand, which is gluten-free so I used that.  Canned enchilada sauce and pre-shredded cheese make it even easier.  Just brown your ground beef and onions and layer the ingredients together. While it bakes, throw together a simple lettuce and tomato salad and you'll have a comforting, filling meal that comes together in minutes.  The perfect ending to a day enjoying your favorite hobby!

Only 5 ingredients to a quick & easy meal!

Layer crushed tortilla chips in prepared dish.

Brown ground beef and diced onion.

Season with taco seasoning.

Combine ground beef mixture with
enchilada sauce and half of the cheese.
Pour over the crushed chips.

Top with remaining cheese.
Bake 25-30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Enjoy!

Serve with a simple
lettuce and tomato salad for a hearty meal. 
Perfect after a day of boating!