Pork Carnitas!!

We wanted to get away from the traditional family meals today, and try something FUN!  I had a pork shoulder in the fridge, so decided to crock pot up some carnitas!  My boys LOVE Mexican food, so it was a no brainer!  The house smells wonderful, and they tasted so great!!  Love how EASY this was to make!  The pork gets so juicy and full of flavor!  Top with your favorite taco toppings, and your set! :)

Pork Carnitas!

4 lb. pork shoulder- covered with pepper, seasoning salt, and onion powder

2 Tbsp olive oil- for searing

4 oz can chopped green chilies

1 medium onion- minced

5 bay leaves

1 cup salsa- hot (spicy)

1 cup chicken broth

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp sage

1/2 tsp ground coriander

2 tbsp fresh chopped oregano, or 1 tsp dried

3 Tbsp chopped cilantro

2 Tbsp minced garlic

2-3 tsp brown sugar

Flour tortillas- warmed and soft or fried crispy

toppings of your choice!

LOOKS GOOD, doesn't it?!!  We topped ours with refried black beans, sharp cheddar, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, fresh guacamole, sour cream, chopped cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco!  YUM!!

After you season the pork shoulder, sear it for a couple minutes on each side in a bit of olive oil!

To chicken broth add all other seasoning, and mix well~

Put pork shoulder, chilies, salsa, onions, bay leaves and some cilantro into crock pot, then pour the chicken stock with all the seasonings over it~ cover and put crock pot on high, and let it cook for 4 hours~

After 4 hours, take out meat, shred it, then put it back into liquid and stir.  (discard any bone, or fat) Add some salt, if needed~ You won't believe how moist, tender and juicy this is!!  All ya need now are some warm tortillas, and your good!!  ENJOY! :) 

Garlic Roasted Green Bean, Mushrooms, and Zucchini!!

 These roasted vegetables are so scrumptious as a side dish for any meal!  My boys devour them!  In the fall, I love to roast up all kinds of veggies~ so easy and rewarding!  You can't go wrong!


                                Garlic Roasted Green bean, mushrooms, and Zucchini!

 About 3 pounds of green beans, washed and trimmed 

1 large Zucchini- sliced into 1/4 inch rounds

16 oz whole baby bella mushrooms- cut in half

2-3 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp minced garlic

Fresh cracked salt and pepper

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Toss all together in large bowl, then put onto cookie sheet and spread them all out~

Roast in a 350 degree oven, til the desired doneness.  I like the veggies more 'carmalized' so cook them longer~ about 40-45 minutes.  If you like your veggies with more bite, then reduce cooking time! :)

These Roasted veggies went quite nicely with our steaks!  Would go nicely with any choice of meat!!  Enjoy! :)

'French Fried' Dover Sole!

This one's an EASY one, folks!  Perfect, quick weekday din-din!   We fry up these thin pieces of dover sole in rosemary, oregano infused bacon fat and olive oil!  My boys love fish pan fried up this way.  They say they are 'French Fried', and they taste so good, they almost do taste like yummy fries!  Here's to fast, easy, and TASTY fish!


                                                       'French Fried' Dover Sole!

Thin cut filets of Dover Sole, about 6-8 (most filets of Dover are thin, as it is a thin, flat fish)

2 pieces of thick sliced bacon

2 Tbs olive oil

1 sprig of rosemary

1 sprig of oregano

  

For flour dredge~

about 3/4 cup flour

2 tsp lemon pepper

2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp salt

3 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Fry up the bacon, with a sprig of rosemary and a sprig of oregano, til crispy!  Remove crispy bacon from pan, chop up, and set aside to top fish with after frying up~

Dredge both sides of dover sole filets in seasoned flour, and pan fry each side for 2-3 minutes a side over med-high flames in the herb infused bacon fat with the olive oil added.

We like to fry them up til the sides fry up like french fries, and get crispy!  Plate, and top with the chopped up bacon, and some fresh cracked pepper and a bit of salt to your liking!  The flavor  of these fish filets are amazing!  Served with a crisp salad, and you're feeling HOME and happy!

French Onion, Swiss Cheese Chicken Bake!

ANOTHER WINNER, WEEKDAY DINNER!  School nights can be a challenge to get good, homemade food on the table with this family, so this recipe I came up with is a winner~ It doesn't get any easier than this one, folks!  Take some chicken breasts, throw them in big bowl with cans of french onion soup, some onions, and a few other easy ingredients to marinate for a bit, then bake it up!  This is a GREAT weekday dinner that will really satisfy the family!  We serve it over rice, to sop up all that great french onion soup broth.  My boys, and hubby love crusty bread served on the side with this, as well!  (my boys love crescents with it too! :)

                                             French Onion, Swiss Cheese Chicken Bake!

So easy, and tastes great!

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans Campbell's French onion soup~ 10 1/2 oz size
1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken and Herbs~ 10 1/2 oz size
1/4 cup cooking sherry
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1-2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
3 good dashes red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
2 medium onions~ sliced into slices
8 oz bag shredded swiss cheese 

IF you have time, put French Onion soup, soy sauce, worcestershire, and seasonings into big bowl with chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.  If no time, no worries!  I throw this together, then go get my boys from football practice, while it marinates, then come home and throw it in oven!

Add onions...I threw them in raw and it worked with the onions turning out with a bit of a bite, which we like, but if you'd prefer soft onions, saute them a bit before you throw them in! :) 

Add the Cream of Chicken and Herbs soup, then stir up~

Place all into 15X10 glass pan sprayed with good old Pam!

Top with 8 oz bag of shredded swiss cheese!  Add more if you are cheese crazy, like my boys!!

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, til chicken is no longer pink.  I cooked it for 35 minutes, and it was just right!  Your house will smell great while it's cooking up, I promise! :)  Spoon sauce over rice~ lovely!  Nothing better than an easy, AND good weekday dinner!  Enjoy!!