Spanish Rice

This is my very favorite version of Spanish Rice. It can stand on its own as a main meal or serve as a side to any Mexican dish. The flavor is unique and better than any restaurant rice that's out there!

Spanish Rice

4-5 slices of bacon, uncooked

1 bell pepper, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked

1 (8oz) can tomato sauce

2 cups water

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until just before it turns crispy. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Do not drain the grease! Over med-high heat, add the rice, bell pepper and onion to the bacon grease and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato sauce, water, and bacon (crumbled or cut) and bring to a boil, then turn heat to low and cover. Simmer 20-25 minutes over low heat until rice is done. 

We love to eat this with shredded cheese on top and sour cream on the side, or with Red Chicken Enchiladas. Delicious!

Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad

I have an over abundance of cherry tomatoes in my garden this year, so I decided to give this recipe a whirl. It was extra delicious and I loved every last drop.

4 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
3 tablespoons cider vinegar (I used pear infused vinegar, which added a really yummy flavor, but used what you have.)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

In a small bowl or cup measure and mix together oil, vinegar, herbs, salt and sugar.
Pour dressing over cherry tomatoes in a serving dish and gently stir to coat. Chill for at least 2 hours. Gently stir from bottom to top, coating all tomatoes, before serving. Enjoy!

Seasoned Oven Fries

I made these last night and this is just one pre-cooked potato. They say the amount of ingredients should yield 6 potatoes but I must have had a big one. Very very yummy.
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Ingredients:

6 medium baking potatoes
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon seasoned salt (I used Mrs. Dash and it worked great)

Directions:

Cut each potato lengthwise into thirds; cut each portion into thirds. In a large reasealable plastic plastic bag, combine the butter, oil and seasoned salt. Add potatoes; shake to coat. Place in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 450 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until tender, turning once.

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes

Roasted New Potato Salad

A fresh twist on an old favorite. This potato salad is flavorful and satisfying. It is a little labor intensive, but worth it. Here are the details:

1 1/2 pounds new potatoes (about 9 or 10) cut in half
5 Tablespoons EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
1 teaspoon salt
Fresh-ground black pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups green beans, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
1 garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 small red onion, sliced thin
1 cup chopped parsely
2 plum tomatoes

Preheat oven to 425. Put potatoes in roasting pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the Olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until tender. Let them cool for 10 to 15 minutes.

While potatoes roast, bring 1 quart salted waterto a boil in a small saucepan. Add green beans and boil 1 to 2 minutes, no longer. Drain and rinse in cold water.

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, vinegar and 3 Tablespoons Olive oil. Add onion, parsley, tomatoes, and green beans.

Add potatoes to the bowl and then add remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste. Toss well.

Bon Apetit!

Homemade Flour Tortillas

3 c. unbleached flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
4-6 T. vegetable shortening
About 1-1/4 c. warm water

Mix dry ingredients together. Add vegetable shortening and cut into flour mixture with a pastry cutter or two knives. Add warm water a little at a time until the dough is soft but not sticky. Pull off dough pieces to form 10-12 small dough balls and let them sit 10 minutes or longer. Heat a frying pan or skillet to medium to high heat. Dust each ball with a little flour and roll each out into a thin tortilla shape. Cook only a few seconds on each side in the skillet (until nice brown spots appear around the tortilla). Keep warm in a towel until ready to serve.

Candied Yams

Here is the recipe I'm using for Robby's family of at least 40 for Thanksgiving.

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INGREDIENTS
1 (29 ounce) can sweet potatoes
1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Place sweet potatoes in a medium baking dish. Distribute butter pieces evenly over the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Layer with miniature marshmallows.

Cover and bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender and marshmallows have melted.

PREP TIME 15 Min
COOK TIME 25 Min
READY IN 40 Min
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I'm also in charge of two different types of Jello and a pie. Easy Jello recipes would be appreciated. Thanks!

Litehouse Spinach Salad

1 bag spinach

1/2 jar Litehouse Spinach Salad dressing - *delicious! has bacon bits

1/2 lb sliced mushrooms

2 tomatoes

1/4 lb bacon cooked and crumbled (OPTIONAL - I never add this b/c it already has bacon bits)

Delicious! I love this dressing. A little bit sweet. I'll combine it with spinach only for a quick salad.

BLT Salad

3/4 Cup Mayonnaise
4 (1 inch thick) slices Italian Bread
12 thick-cut Bacon, chopped
3-4 Cups Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved
3 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1 (10 oz. bag) chopped Romaine Lettuce, or 1+ head Romain Lettuce chopped
Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees.
Spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise over both sides of sliced bread and transfer to baking sheet.
Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes.
Let cool 5 minutes then cut into 1-inch croutons.

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes.
Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
Discard drippings.

Whisk remaining mayonnaise and red wine vinegar in large bowl.
Add bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and croutons and toss to combine.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve.

Turkey bacon can be substituted for regular bacon. And you may not want all the dressing, it's a lot.

This recipe is courtesy of my good friend Katie J.