Chicken Chili

Submitted by T.B. Player

Ingredients

2½ lbs boneless chicken breast 1 lb bag frozen corn
3 large cans black beans (Goya recommended) 1 large can hominy (white corn)
2 small cans tomato paste 1 large can stewed tomatoes
3 whole limes 2 large red onions
1 large white onions 2 large green peppers
1 large red pepper 1 large yellow pepper
1 large orange pepper

Other Prep

chili powder cinnamon cumin
crushed red pepper black pepper onion powder
garlic powder olive oil corn starch
minced garlic in water 6 oz Jack Daniels 2 oz Jose Cuervo
8 oz orange juice brown sugar
Key West lime juice 2 sticks unsalted butter Yucatan Sunshine Habanero Pepper Sauce

The Day Before

  1. Take the all of the colored peppers & chop them into ½ inch cubes. Pop them in a covered container with a capful (about 2 oz.) of Olive Oil, 4 oz. of Orange Juice, 2 Heaping tablespoons of Minced Garlic, a dash of Cumin, the Jose Cuervo, a little black pepper, & a few drops of the Pepper Sauce (NOTE: This stuff is LEATHAL…1-3 drops is enough to produce a mild warmth, if you like hotter go a little more, but no more than about 10. You’ll be adding some more later, so if you really don’t want it too spicy this is a good time to think “less is more”). Shake until coated & then let sit overnight.
  2. Dice ¼ of the white onion, & then wrap & put aside the rest of it. In an oiled frying pan, sauté the onion until lightly brown, & then set aside. Do not drain it off.
  3. In a saucepan, melt ¼ stick of butter. When it is liquid, add in a dash of Garlic Powder, a dash of Onion Powder, a dash of Cinnamon, a small tbsp of Minced Garlic, & 4 oz. of Jack Daniels. Bring to a boil, & then add ½ c. of Brown Sugar to the mix, & stir rapidly. As the sugar dissolves, the mixture should begin to thicken considerably, but you my need to sift in some corn starch to get it to thicken up to a syrup-like consistency. Once it thickens, add in the diced onion with the oil, & stir rapidly. Pour the mixture into a container, cover & refrigerate.

The Morning Of

  1. Thoroughly wash & dry the chicken, cut it into bite size pieces, then place it in a container with the remaining 2 oz. of Jack Daniels, the other 4 oz. of Orange Juice, 2 heaping tbsp of Garlic, 2 oz. of Nellie & Joe’s Lime Juice, a dash of Black Pepper, & 2-3 drops of the Habanero pepper sauce. Slice one of the limes into ¼ inch thick slices, squeeze them into the mixture & then drop them in the container. Seal it. Shake well & let sit in the fridge for the next few hours.

The Time Is Now

  1. Open all of the canned vegetables. Drain everything except one can of black beans, & add them to a large stew pot. Mix the tomato paste with a few drops of the Habanero Pepper sauce, some crushed red pepper, some black pepper, a dash of cumin & some onion powder, & then stir it into the beans. Bring them to a low simmer, & stir occasionally.
  2. Take a large skillet, & wipe the bottom with an olive oiled paper towel, Bring the pan to a medium high heat & then add in the Frozen Corn (This will crackle, be careful). Cut the second lime into strips, & then add it to the pan as the corn sizzles. While the corn is frying, stir in 2 oz. of lime juice & some cinnamon, coating the corn thoroughly. If the corn sticks, add oil sparingly.
  3. Dice the remaining white onion, & add it to the corn, stirring rapidly until the onion beings to soften, pick out the lime slices & toss them, then add the mixture to the saucepot, & stir.
  4. Melt the remaining butter in a small sauce pan, & bring it to a low simmer with a tbsp of Garlic. Cut the Red Onions into quarters, along with a lime & then boil them in the butter until they become flaky & begin to separate. Drain off the butter into a separate container, toss out the lime & then add the onions to the beans & corn.
  5. Take the refrigerated pepper mixture & pour it into the saucepan, bringing it to a low simmer for 2-3 minutes, & then add the entire mixture into the pot.
  6. Pour a small amount of the butter that you drained from the onions, into the bottom of the frying pan & bring it to a sizzle. Drain the chicken off, & mix the chicken liquid with the remaining butter & set it aside. Blend the Jack Daniels sauce in with the chilled chicken, rolling it in the syrup so that it coats thoroughly. Add the chicken in small amounts to the butter, & once it is cooked add it to the vegetable mixture. As the chicken absorbs the butter, add more of the butter/marinade mixture to keep the pan moist (not soggy) while the chicken sears.
  7. Bring the chili mixture to a high simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, & then serve. Garnish with Cheddar cheese & sour cream to taste.

Pasta with Sausage & Vegetables

Pasta with Sausage and Veggies by Tom Ipri on FlickrSubmitted by Carli

Ingredients

1 lb. tube pasta (rigatoni, penne, etc.) 1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb. kielbasa sausage, cut into 1″ chunks 2 bell peppers (1 red & 1 yellow), diced
2 c. broccoli florets, bite size 1 tbsp minced garlic
1 14oz. can chopped tomatoes 1 c. shredded mozzarella

Directions

  1. Cook pasta per directions until firm-tender. While pasta cooks, heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. 
  2. Add sausage & heat through. Remove with a slotted spoon & set aside. 
  3. Add peppers, broccoli, & garlic & cook until crisp-tender. Stir in tomatoes & add sausage back. 
  4. Increase heat to high & cook uncovered until hot, stirring often. Drain pasta & return to pot. 
  5. Add sausage mixture, then toss to mix. 
  6. Spoon into serving dish & top with cheese.

Moroccan Lamb & Fruit Stew

Submitted by serenityn0w
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

1-2 tsp crushed dried red pepper ¾ tsp ground turmeric
¾ tsp ground ginger ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
½ c. tsp salt 2 lbs. well trimmed, boneless leg of lamb, cut into
2 tbsp olive oil or cooking oil 1″-1½” pieces
2 large onions, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 14 oz. can beef broth 1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp cold water 1 c. pitted dates
1 c. dried apricots Hot cooked couscous or rice
¼ c. toasted slivered almonds Orange peel curl (optional)

Directions

  1. In a shallow mixing bowl combine crushed red pepper, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, & salt. Coat meat with seasoning mixture. 
  2. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown meat, one-third at a time, in the hot oil. Transfer meat to a 3½ or 4 qt. electric slow cooker. Add onions & garlic; stir to combine. Pour beef broth over all.
  3. Cover & cook on low-heat setting for 7-9 hours or on high-heat setting for 3½-4½ hours or until meat is tender. 
  4. Skim fat from the surface of the juices in the slow cooker. Stir cornstarch into the cold water; stir into crockery cooker.
  5. Add dates & apricots; stir to combine. If using low-heat setting, turn to high-heat setting. Cover & cook for 30 minutes more or until mixture is slightly thickened & bubbly.
  6. To serve, spoon stew atop hot couscous or rice. Top with almonds. If desired, garnish with orange peel curls.

Sweet & Sour Halibut

Submitted by Carli

Ingredients

Sweet & Sour Sauce 2/3 c. sugar
¼ c. corn starch 8 oz. chicken broth
2/3 c. vinegar 1/3 c. ketchup
¼ c. soy sauce 1/8 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/3 c. pineapple juice 1 medium green pepper
1 medium red pepper ½ medium onion
2lbs Halibut 1 tsp pepper
1½ tbsp Old Bay Seasoning

Directions

  1. Combine the sweet & sour sauce, sugar, & corn starch. Add chicken broth, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, Tabasco, & pineapple juice. 
  2. Heat to a boil. Boil 1 minute until thickened.
  3. Sauté green pepper, red pepper, & onion until crisp & tender. Add sautéed vegetables to the sweet & sour sauce mixture.
  4. Mix together the flour, pepper & Old Bay seasoning. Cut halibut into bite sized chunks & dredge in this dry mix. 
  5. Deep fry until just done, add to sweet & sour sauce & serve with rice.