Author: Kirk

Chicken Green Chili Cheeseburger

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Ground Chicken
  • 1 Tbs Chopped Cilantro
  • 1 Tsp Cumin
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • ½ Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Onion
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Garlic
  • 8 oz Diced Green Chilis (2 – 4 oz cans)
  • 4 Slices Pepper-jack Cheese
  • 1 Cup Chopped Lettuce
  • 2 Roma Tomatoes – Sliced
  • Hamburger Buns
  • Chipotle Mayo (Kraft, Taco Bell, McCormick, or whatever is your favorite)

Directions

  1. In a bowl, combine the ground chicken, cilantro, cumin, salt, ground black pepper, ground onion, and ground garlic. Mix until combined and separate into 3 oz balls (approximately 5 or 6 patties).
  2. Place the chicken between parchment paper and press down to flatten into a thin patty. You can use a plate or alternate flat object to press out the chicken. Repeat until all of the chicken has been pressed and formed into a patty.
  3. Sauté the green chilis in a small pan over medium/low heat. About 12 to 15 minutes.
  4. Heat-up a cast iron skillet, a large frying pan, or a flat griddle of your choice over medium/high heat.
  5. Toast your hamburger buns until golden brown and set aside.
  6. Cook the chicken patties two at a time, if space is available, for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the patties and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. If you made a larger patty instead, ensure you cook the chicken past an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
  7. Place a spoonful of the sautéed green chilis on top of the patty and cover with one slice of pepper-jack cheese. Cook an additional 30 seconds to minute to help melt the cheese.
  8. Remove the chicken and set aside to cook the remaining chicken. Repeat these steps for the remaining chicken patties until you have cooked all of your patties.
  9. Assemble your burger by first spreading the chipotle mayo on the top and bottom buns. Next, starting from the bottom, place a layer of the shredded lettuce, followed by either one or two chicken patties depending on how much you want. Top with tomatoes and enjoy!

NOTE: You can also place the tomatoes between the lettuce and the first chicken patty as well. Or leave the lettuce and tomatoes out completely. After all, it is your burger!

Sausage Gravy

Ingredients

  • 1 Lb Breakfast Sausage (Jimmy Dean Regular or Hot)
  • 1/4 Cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 Cups Milk (a few tablespoons more if it is too thick for you)
  • 1 Tbs Hot Sauce (Texas Pete, Louisiana or other)
  • 1/2 Tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

Note: The breakfast sausage contains enough salt already that you won’t need to add any.

Directions

  1. In a medium pan break down and brown the breakfast sausage over med/hi heat.
  2. Once all of the sausage is browned, sprinkle the flour over the sausage and mix well. Continue to cook the sausage for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently to reduce the flour taste in the sausage.
  3. Slowly pour in the milk and add the hot sauce, paprika, and black pepper.
  4. Continue to stir the gravy mixture until it starts to boil. When it starts to boil, the gravy will start to thicken. After 2 to 3 minutes the thickening will be complete. If it is too thick for your liking, add in milk a tablespoon at a time and stir.
  5. When it reaches your desired thickness, cut off the heat and serve on biscuits, eggs, whatever you want. Enjoy!

Tex-Mex Lasagna

Ingredients

Meat Filling

  • 1 Lb Ground Beef
  • 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1 Can (11 Oz) Mexican Corn
  • 1 Can (10 Oz) Rotel – Serrano or Habanero for heat
  • 1 Can (4 Oz) Green Chilis – Chopped
  • 1 Can (2.5 Oz) Black Olives – Sliced
  • 1 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1 Cup Sour Cream
  • 4 Cups Cheese – Shredded Mexican Cheese

Sauce

Noodles

  • 1 Lb Dry Lasagna Noodles

Toppings (Optional)

  • Lettuce
  • Cilantro
  • Crema

Directions

Meat Filling

  1. Cook the taco meat in accordance to the directions on the taco seasoning packet.
  2. Drain and add the corn, rotel, chilis, and black olives. Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes and add the red pepper flakes. (see photo below)

Assembly

  1. In a 9 x 13 pan, spread out 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  2. Place a layer or lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles.
  3. Spoon half of your meat filling on top of the noodles and spread it out evenly.
  4. Spoon 1/2 Cup of the sour cream in equal amounts across the filling. Top with 1 Cup of shredded cheese. (see photo below)
  5. Repeat steps 2 thru 4 for another layer.
  6. Place the top layer of lasagna noodles lengthways, about 4 noodles. Spread the remaining 5 Oz of enchilada sauce or hot sauce.
  7. Top with the remaining 2 Cups of shredded cheese.

Cooking

  1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Bake the lasagna uncovered for 30 minutes. Finish on Broil-High for 3-5 minutes to brown the top layer of cheese.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
  4. Serve with your favorite toppings: lettuce, cilantro, more sour cream or crema, whatever you want! Enjoy!

Homemade Coleslaw

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium Cabbage
  • 1 Carrot
  • 1/2 Cup Miracle Whip
  • 1/4 Cup Milk
  • 1/4 Cup Buttermilk
  • 1/3 Cup Sugar
  • 2 1/2 Tbs Lemon Juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbs White Vinegar
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp Celery Seed
  • 1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/8 Tsp Onion Powder

Directions

  1. Remove the core and outer leaf of the cabbage. Cut into one inch by one inch squares.
  2. Peel and chop the carrot into large pieces.
  3. Place the cabbage and the carrot in a food processor and pulse to chop. Do this in multiple batches in order to avoid crowding the food processor.
  4. Place the chopped cabbage and carrot into a large bowl.
  5. In a separate bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients.
  6. Pour the wet mixture over the cabbage and carrots. Mix well and let it sit at least a couple hours in the refrigerator.
  7. Serve with your favorite bbq, fried chicken, or by itself! Enjoy!

Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Tbs Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbs Ketchup
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Cayenne
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Mustard

Directions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small pot on the stove.
  2. Over medium-high heat, whisk together and bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Once it boils remove from the heat and cover to bring to room temperature.
  4. Place the Carolina Vinegar in your choice of container and enjoy! Great with pulled pork.

Greek Meatball Gyros

Ingredients

  • 2 Lbs Ground Beef (80/20)
  • 1 Large Onion
  • 4 Garlic Cloves
  • 1/2 Cup Parsley (about 1/4 of a bunch)
  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Mint
  • 2 Tbs Dried Oregano
  • 1 Tbs Dill – finely chopped
  • 1 Tbs White Wine Vinegar
  • 2 Tsp Dried Rosemary
  • 2 Tsp Salt
  • 2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cumin
  • Tzatziki
  • Greek “Pico de Gallo”

Directions

  1. In a food processor pulse together the: onion, garlic, parsley, mint, and rosemary. Pulse until finely chopped.
  2. In a large bowl, add the meat and the onion mixture. Continue to add the remaining ingredients.
  3. Combine all of the ingredients and mix well until all of the ingredients have been mixed thoroughly.
  4. Cover the bowl and let meatball mix sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  5. Pre-heat your oven to Broil-Hi and move your rack to the highest level. Place parchment paper on a baking pan and spray with cooking spray.
  6. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and using a spoon, place about 2 ounces of the mixture into your hands and roll them into a ball. This mixture will make around 40-50 meatballs depending on size.
  7. Place the meatballs on the baking pan. You will need two pans. Once the meatballs have been rolled and placed on the pan, spray the tops of the meatballs with the cooking spray.
  8. Cook the meatballs, one pan at a time, centered on the highest rack. Total time will be between 12-15 minutes, depending on your oven. I suggest taking one out around the 12 minute mark to give it a nice taste test!
  9. Place the meatballs in a pita, on rice, or by themselves and cover them with the tzatziki and Greek “Pico de Gallo”.

Tzatziki, Quick and Easy Greek Treat

Ingredients

  • 16 Oz Whole Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Seedless Cucumber – peeled and grated
  • 3 Garlic Cloves – minced
  • 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbs White Wine Vinegar
  • 1/2 Lemon – juiced
  • 2 Tbs Dill – finely chopped
  • 1 Tbs Mint – finely chopped
  • Salt, Black Pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Peel the cucumber, grate it into a small colander, top with a pinch of salt to draw out the moisture, and place in the sink.
  2. Let the cucumber sit for 15 minutes. Place the cucumber on paper towels and press to remove any extra moisture.
  3. Place all of the ingredients, to include the cucumber, in a small bowl and mix well to combine. Cover and put in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour.
  4. Taste the tzatziki and add anything extra as you deem necessary. Enjoy on a gyro or as a dip with some pita or chips!

Greek “Pico de Gallo”, Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

  • 4 Plum Tomatoes – diced
  • 1 Red Onion – diced
  • 1/2 Seedless Cucumber – diced
  • 1/2 Lemon – zest
  • 1 Lemon – juiced
  • 1 Tbs Mint – diced

Directions

  1. Dice all of the ingredients and place in a bowl.
  2. Add the lemon zest and mint.
  3. Squeeze the lemon juice over, stir to combine, and place in a refrigerator. Enjoy!

Chicken Parm Pizza (Gluten Free)

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 Lb Ground Chicken
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese – shredded
  • 1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese – shredded
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 Tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 Tsp Italian Parsley – chopped
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt, Black Pepper
  • 1/8 Tsp Cayenne

Pizza Toppings

  • 1/2 Cup Marinara or Pizza Sauce (your favorite)
  • 1/2 to 3/4 Cup Mozzarella Cheese – shredded (your desired cheesiness)
  • NOTE: You can top the pizza with whatever toppings you prefer…. even pineapple, it’s ok.

Directions

Pizza Crust

  1. Mix all of the ingredients for the crust in a bowl until well combined. Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
  2. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
  3. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking oil, spread out your crust mixture evenly into your preferred shape. The crust can be spread out to a 10 inch pie.

Cooking the Pizza

  1. Bake the pizza crust at 400 degrees for between 20 and 24 minutes.
  2. Remove the pizza from the oven and carefully place the crust on a pizza pan. You can leave the pizza on the parchment if you do not have a pizza pan available.
  3. Add the toppings of your choice to the pizza.
  4. Place the pizza back in the 400 degree oven and bake for an additional 6-8 minutes.
  5. Set your oven to broil and place the pizza on your top rack. Broil the pizza to finish the last 60-90 seconds.
  6. Remove the pizza and allow it to cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing the pizza.
  7. Place on a fancy paper plate, top with red pepper if desired, and enjoy!!!

Kicked Up Pimento Cheese

Ingredients

  • 8 Oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese – block
  • 8 Oz Monterey Jack Cheese – block
  • 1/2 Cup Mayo
  • 4 Oz Jar Pimentos
  • 2 Tbs Pickled Jalapenos – diced
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 Tsp Cayenne
  • 1/4 Tsp Paprika

Directions

  1. Shred the cheese blocks and set aside.
  2. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
  3. Add the cheese to the bowl and fold everything together to combine.
  4. Place in a container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  5. Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or vegetables. Enjoy!

NOTE: You can also use this in a grilled or on top of a burger.