This recipe is very easy, totally delicious and we rate it as pure comfort food. Fork tender pork tenderloin with pinto beans in a delicious gravy AND it all goes together in the crockpot!!

I like to serve this over rice, but it is also tasty stuffed into warm flour tortillas, or over a bed of toasted tortilla chips and smothered with cheese, avocado and sour cream. The possibilities are ENDLESS which is a (very) good thing at our house. 

I like to use a 2 pound pork tenderloin for this recipe because it is nice and lean, but any LEAN 2-3 pound pork roast will work.

My crockpot is a big oval one and it tends to run a little hot, so the pinto beans in this recipe are soft and the pork is "fall apart tender" in 5 hours on the LOW setting.

Depending on YOUR crockpot, it could take as many as 7 hours on LOW, but that is unlikely, just start checking for meat tenderness after 

5 hours.

2 pounds pork tenderloin (thawed)
1 1/2 cups DRY pinto beans (rinsed, but DO NOT soak)
1 (4 ounce) can of MILD green chilies (I use Ortega)
3 teaspoons chili powder (2 if you are serving children)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 clove garlic minced
1 cup chopped sweet onion

Brown the pork well and put it in the crockpot. Saute the onions and garlic in the same pan and then put it in the crockpot, a long with the DRY beans, spices and canned chilies.

Pour some water over the meat and beans (just enough water to MOSTLY cover everything) it should look like this:

Make sure the liquid gets 

under the meat too!!

After cooking everything on LOW for a few hours, check the liquid level in the crockpot and add a little more water if necessary,  but not TOO much. 

Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours (or until the pork gets fork tender), take the meat (only) out of the crockpot and set it aside while you thicken the gravy. If you are using a pork roast, remove any fatty sections and bones. Pull the meat apart just a little.

Turn the crockpot to HIGH and thicken the broth and beans with a slurry of cornstarch and water, then put the meat back in the thickened gravy (to heat it back up)

THIS IS THE BEST-BEST-BEST GRAVY!!!

IT's DINNER TIME !!!

NOTE: A word about the heat or spice level in this recipe. My hubby does not like a lot of (hates) "heat" in his food. He likes strong flavors, but he just doesn't like "fire" as he calls it. If you like a little "heat", just add 1/4+ teaspoon of cayenne to the cooking liquid.

NOTE: If you have any beans left over after dinner, they make DELICIOUS refried beans. Just mash them in a hot/greased cast iron frying pan with a little of the "gravy", and fry them for a few minutes. You will never buy refried beans in a can again!!

ENJOY !!!

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November 09, 2021

We discovered these delicious little bundles over the holidays. They are quick to fix and are absolutely perfect for potlucks, buffets, or a quick supper. They are totally addicting, so make lots of them!!

SWEET BACON-CHICKEN BUNDLES
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (we like thighs better)
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
bacon (regular, not thick)

 Preheat oven to 375° and bake the bacon for 10 minutes only. After 10 minutes, drain the bacon and set aside. You will need one half slice of bacon for each chicken bundle.

 Cut the raw chicken into 1" cubes, then wrap half of (a partially cooked) slice of bacon around each cube of raw chicken, and secure it with a toothpick. Next, mix the brown sugar, chili powder, cumin and salt together and roll the bacon-chicken in this mixture. Make sure you get it into all the folds of the bacon.

Place the bundles on a baking screen or cooling rack that you've liberally sprayed with vegetable spray. Set the sprayed rack on a rimmed baking sheet that you have lined with foil (important for easier clean up). If you have any sugar-mixture left over, spoon a teaspoon or so on top of each bundle.

Bake for 30-35 minutes. Delicious hot or room temperature. If you like a little heat along with your sweet, add some cayenne to the sugar mixture.

 

ENJOY !!!

 

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October 16, 2021

This rich, delicious, full flavored Rigatoni IS the first entrée that people head for at ANY potluck or gathering. It will feed 5 or 6 people depending on their appetite. The recipe doubles (even triples) well.

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 14 ounce can water
6 ounce can tomato paste
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon sugar (don't leave out)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (don't leave out)
2 teaspoons dry basil leaves 
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (don't leave out)
1 teaspoon dry oregano leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
Mozzarella cheese grated (as much as you like)
Rigatoni noodles (eyeball this amount - about 8 ounces)

Cook the chopped onion in a tablespoon of vegetable oil for about 5 minutes or until it starts to smell a little sweet. Add the garlic and cook/stir for another minute or so, but watch it so it doesn't burn.

Stir the ground beef into the onion-garlic and cook until  the meat is no longer pink. Drain well and addthe crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar and spices. 

Stir well and simmer SLOWLY for an hour and a half (stirring once in a while). After an hour and a half, most of the liquid should have cooked away and it will look like this (not too dry). If it looks overly dry, add a cup of water.

Stir in the Parmesan and Mozzarella (but save a little mozzarella to sprinkle over the top before you bake it).

Now a word about the noodles: You can use ANY noodle you want, but we really like the hardy (thick walled) rigatoni noodles. Boil them in salted water until they are ALMOST done (about 2-3 minutes before they are totally cooked). They will cook the rest of the way in the sauce.

I use half a package of rigatoni noodles in this recipe. If you are using another kind of noodle, just eyeball the amount.

Drain the noodles well and Stir them into the meat and cheese mixture. Top with a little extra mozzarella and bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or till bubbly.

NOTE: I often make this in the Crockpot. I follow the above directions until it says "simmer for 1 1/2 hours). Instead, I put it in the slow cooker and let it "cook" for 3-4 hours on low. Then I add the partially cooked noodles and let it all "cook" for another 1/2 hour....works great.

ENJOY !!!

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October 30, 2019

This is a quick and easy weekend recipe for chicken spaghetti and everyone loves it. I usually make this with chicken breasts,  but it is also excellent if you substitute quartered chicken thighs and throw in some mushrooms....add a tossed salad and dinners ready.

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (or several thighs)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg beaten
1 jar meatless marinara sauce (about 25 ounces)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne

mushrooms (optional)
Mozzarella cheese
spaghetti noodles

In small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter and add 1/2 cup chopped onions. Saute onions at medium high heat until you start to get golden edges on the onions (the onions AND butter they cooked in, go into the sauce).

Spray the inside of your slow cooker with vegetable spray before you put in the marinara sauce + water + well sauteed onions and butter + basil + oregano + garlic powder +  sugar + salt + black pepper + cayenne pepper + melted butter (and mushrooms if you are using them). Stir well.

Mix the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in one bowl and the beaten egg in another bowl. Coat the chicken in beaten egg, then roll it in the bread crumb-Parmesan mixture. Place the pieces gently (in a single layer) in the marinara mixture and spoon a LITTLE of the sauce over the chicken, but DON'T MIX AFTER YOU PUT THE CHICKEN IN THE SAUCE OR IT WILL KNOCK OFF THE COATING.

Set your slow cooker on LOW for 3 to 4 hours and do not disturb the chicken while it cooks. 

About 30 minutes before it's time to eat, GENTLY lift out the chicken and set it aside, then stir in about 1/2 pound of half cooked spaghetti noodles (that have been tossed with a little butter) into the crockpot (they will finish cooking in the sauce). Make sure the noodles are well coated, BEFORE GENTLY placing the cooked chicken back on top of the noodles (don't stir)and top each piece of chicken with a some mozzarella cheese. Put the lid back on and let it cook on LOW for 20-30 minutes or till cheese is well melted, DON'T STIR.

NOTE: All crock-pots cook at different temperatures, so keep that in mind when you set your timer. I usually cook 2 chicken breasts for about 3 1/2 hours (almost fall-apart tender). Just keep an eye on the chicken the first time you try this recipe, so it doesn't get over cooked.

NOTE: Chicken thighs cut into larger cubes works VERY well in this recipe too.

NOTE: Use whatever commercial marinara sauce you like. Personally, I use an inexpensive brand (like Ragu) because the extra onion, oregano, basil, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper jazz up the marinara nicely.

NOTE: This would be a fantastic recipe for a potluck dinner if you quarter the chicken breasts or use thighs.

ENJOY !!!

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April 23, 2017

I've always liked cornbread muffins. I like the taste and texture(especially the slightly crispy edges) and I like how easy they are to make. Over the years, I've tried a ba-jillion cornbread recipes, but this one is, by far, the best recipe yet. We give it a FULL FIVE STARS !!

If you like your cornbread muffins on the sweet side, you HAVE to give this recipe a try (it makes about 18 small muffins).

FIVE STAR SWEET CORNBREAD MUFFINS

 

1 cup all purpose flour

1 cup yellow corn meal

1/2  cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 1/2  teaspoons baking powder

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/2 cup melted butter

 

Lightly spray (or grease) cupcake pan.  Preheat your oven to 400°

Using a hand whisk, mix everything together until batter is smooth (just takes a minute).

 

Fill cupcake "cups" about 2/3 full of batter.  Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes or until very lightly golden (don't over bake).  Tip out of pan immediately and serve warm with butter.

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July 20, 2016

These cupcakes are SUPER moist, SUPER chocolate-y and SUPER easy to make. They also stay moist and soft for two or three days (at least).

Perfect for a potluck, bake sale, lunch box or "just because". They are easy enough for kids to make too !!!

CUPCAKES

1/2 cup butter cut in cubes
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk (see note below)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Note: If you do not have buttermilk, just put 2 teaspoons of vinegar or lemon juice in a half-cup measuring cup then fill it up with milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes.........works just as well as buttermilk!!

Preheat oven to 350° and put 24 cupcake papers in cupcake pans.

Bring butter, water and cocoa powder to a boil, then take off heat and set aside to cool a few minutes.

Mix flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Add eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and warm cocoa mixture and beat just until well blended.

Fill cupcake papers 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. My electric oven takes exactly 18 minutes. Do not over-bake!! Cool before frosting.

FROSTING

6 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat the milk, cocoa powder and butter to a boil, then remove from heat then add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Beat till smooth.

Sometimes I have to add a tablespoon or so of extra milk to the frosting (if it seems too thick).

If frosting seems a little too SOFT, just let it cool for about 10 minutes or so and it will thicken up nicely.

ENJOY !!!



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April 17, 2016