taco hamburger helper

 This recipe was an instant favorite with the entire family. Kory and Elle want to try it with ground beef next time to make it even more taco-y, but everyone was happy with the original chicken version too!

Ingredients: 

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1lb organic ground turkey (or ground beef)
• 1.5 tsp paprika, garlic powder, onion powder + chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 box elbow macaroni (1lb pasta-- I uesed a 12oz box of Jovial GF elbows and didn't adjust anything else)
• 2 1/2 cup organic beef broth
• 1 3/4 cup whole milk
• 3/4 cup greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp mild taco sauce (I used TJ's restaurante salsa)
• 8oz bag @micelidairy shredded sharp cheddar
• 6 green onion stalks, diced

Instructions

1. Sauté the onions + peppers with a drizzle of olive oil, pinch of salt + pepper until softened
2. Add the ground turkey and break it up with a spoon to crumble
3. Pour in the spices, stir to combine
4. Add the pasta, beef broth + milk
5. Stir to get everything incorprated and then simmer on medium-high heat stirring frequently until pasta is cooked through (10 min)
6. Once pasta is cooked, stir in the greek yogurt + taco sauce + shredded cheese - stirring to melt
7. Add the chopped onion to the mix too!

chicken bacon caesar salad

 These Abby Thome salads (or wrap filling) are amazing, mostly thanks to the delicious Caesar dressing. I don't think I will ever buy from a bottle again! When I'm making this dressing for side salads, I just eyeball the ingredients in a jar and usually make 1/3 to 1/2 the recipe as written. 

Ingredients

Salad

• 5 heads of romaine, chopped
• herb grilled chicken, chopped
• 1/2lb crispy bacon, chopped
• quick croutons
• caesar dressing
• parmesan cheese

Dressing

• 1 cup mayo
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar OR @garlic.expressions OR both!
• 1.5 tsp worcestershire
• 1.5 tsp anchovy paste (I always leave out)
• 1 clove of garlic, grated (or 3/4 tsp garlic powder)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (I always add extra)
• juice of 1/2 lemon (just as good without)
• lil’ pinch of salt
• lots of black pepper

Chicken chili verde burgers

 These burgers are so incredibly moist and flavorful for being ground chicken. We topped with guacamole and used Schar hamburger buns for Cael. I love that Caro's recipes are all a full meal with a side included so I don't have to think about what to serve with the main course. I made the burgers on my cast iron griddle and baked the corn in the husks at 350 degrees and then husked them after they came out of the oven.

Ingredients:

• 12-ounce jar salsa verde
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise, plus more to toast the buns with
• 1 lime, halved, divided
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided (I give you permission to buy pre-shredded)
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup panko or plain breadcrumbs (you can literally blend up a slice of bread and use that)
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 ears of corn, shucked
• 5 buns (GF or regular)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 avocado, thinly sliced
• Optional: cilantro for garnish, lettuce, tomato, thinly sliced onion, pickled red onions

Instructions: 

1. Drain the 12-ounce jar of salsa verde over the sink — we want to get as much liquid out as possible while reserving the chunky part! If you don’t own a strainer, you can pour the salsa into a colander lined with paper towels or a very thin towel, then squeeze the liquid out.
2. To make your salsa verde mayo: Add 3 tablespoons of the drained salsa verde to a small mixing bowl. Stir in 1/3 cup mayonnaise, the juice of 1/2 a lime, and a pinch of salt. Add 2 tablespoons minced cilantro if you bought it (it was optional!). Throw in the fridge (covered) until you’re ready to eat.
3. Add the rest of the salsa verde to a large bowl along with 1 pound ground chicken, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 large egg, 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. Mix until combined.
4. Divide the burger meat into 5 chunks (I did two larger and 3 smaller) and form each into a 1-inch-thick patty. Refrigerate the patties for at least 10 minutes before cooking. (This isn’t totally necessary if you’re tight on time, but will help them stay together and be easier to flip.)
5. Spray 4 ears of corn with cooking spray.
6. To grill burgers + corn: Preheat the grill to 450°F. Clean the grill grates very well. Spray the tops of the burgers with cooking spray and place them on the grill, sprayed side down. Add the 4 ears of corn as well. Close the lid and cook for 4 minutes. Spray the tops of the burgers carefully (don’t spray the flames with oil — bad plan!) and flip them over. Once flipped, sprinkle each patty with some of the remaining shredded cheddar (as much as desired!). Turn the corn. Cover and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Meanwhile, smear a light layer of mayo on the cut sides of 4 English muffins. Remove the burgers and corn and quickly toast your English muffins on the grate for about 1 minute with the grill lid open. Watch them CLOSELY! They like to burn.
7. To bake: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the patties and 4 ears of corn on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until cooked through. About halfway through cooking, flip the burgers and sprinkle each patty with as much of the remaining shredded cheddar as desired. FYI, the burgers will look FUNKY — lots of liquid will ooze out. Don’t worry, that’s normal! Remove from the oven. On a separate baking sheet, place 4 English muffins — each smeared with a light layer of mayo on the cut side — cut sides up, and broil on high for 1 to 2 minutes. Sit on your butt and watch them closely. Again, bread BURNS QUICKLY!
8. To pan-fry: Heat your largest nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for several minutes. Add 1 tablespoon cooking oil and swirl to coat the pan. Cook the burgers for 3 minutes per side (you can probably only cook 1 or 2 at a time… hence why baking is an easier option!). After you’ve flipped them, sprinkle each patty with as much of the remaining shredded cheddar as desired. Meanwhile, broil 4 ears of corn, sprayed with cooking spray, on each side for 2 to 3 minutes. Then broil the English muffins following the “to bake” instructions above.
9. Once cooked, rub the corn with 1 tablespoon butter and the cut side of the remaining lime half, squeezing it as you rub it all over the corn. Sprinkle with salt. Garnish with chopped cilantro if you feel like it.
10. Smear the salsa verde mayo on both sides of the toasted buns. Add a burger patty, avocado slices, and whatever other toppings you’re into.

Al pastor enchiladas

 Another hit from Caro Chambers (one of her free recipes).

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil
• 1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple (from a can of crushed pineapple — save the rest for smoothies)
• 1 (16-ounce) jar of salsa verde
• 1 (8-ounce) bag of spinach
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 5 to 6 (10-inch) GF flour tortillas 
• 8 ounces shredded cheddar, Mexican, or pepper jack cheese
• Optional toppings: pickled red onions, thinly sliced red onion, avocado slices, cilantro, hot sauce, etc.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Warm 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sliced scallions and 4 minced garlic cloves until softened, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 pound ground pork, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt and turn the heat up to high. Break the pork into tiny crumbles with a spatula, stirring frequently until cooked through and all excess moisture has evaporated.
3. Stir in 1/2 cup crushed pineapple and 1/4 cup salsa verde. Stir until the meat has absorbed the liquid. Stir in 8 ounces spinach until totally wilted. Turn off the heat and stir in 1/4 cup sour cream.
4. Roll the enchiladas up by spooning 1/4 to 1/3 cup (depending on how large your tortilla is) of the pork mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with several tablespoons of shredded cheese. Roll tightly and line the tortillas up, seam-side down, on a cutting board.
5. Once all of the meat has been rolled into tortillas, pour in enough salsa verde to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the enchiladas into the skillet, again seam-side down. I can usually fit 5 across, then wedge 1 more in along the top.
6. Cover the enchiladas with the remaining salsa verde followed by the remaining shredded cheese (about 1 cup).
7. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is totally melted.
8. Garnish with picked onion, avocado, cilantro, scallions, etc., if desired. Dig in!

PF Chang lettuce bowls

 A delicious and super easy bowl from Abby Thome! The yum-yum sauce completely makes the meal. 

Ingredients

• 2lb ground chicken or turkey
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 8oz can diced Water Chestnuts
• 1 cup of green onion, chopped
• ▪️For the sauce ▪️
• 1/2 cup Hoisin Sauce
• 2 tsp honey
• 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce *I use coconut aminos*
• 3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar (or white)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the BOWLS...

• romaine, finely shredded
• white rice
• Yum Yum sauce 
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 T Ketchup
• 1/2 T sugar
• 1/4 t paprika
• 1 t rice vinegar
• 1 t garlic powder
• water to thin
• Sriracha
• sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Sauté onion + garlic in a little olive oil until onions are translucent
2. Add ground chicken, water chestnuts, green onion, 1 tsp garlic powder + onion powder + paprika. Add another drizzle of olive oil + cook meat all the way through
3. Make the sauce by stirring together ingredients, pour into pan with chicken and let simmer with an additional 1/4 cup water mixed in
4. Let bubble away for a few minutes, and then it’s ready!
5. Fill a bowl with lettuce, top with white rice and then the delicious chicken. Drizzle with YumYum sauce + sriracha + sesame seeds💥

bacon cheeseburger sliders

 Another hit from A life from scratch-- these bacon cheeseburger sliders were delicious and somehow super nostalgic. 

Ingredients

• 1 package Hawaiian rolls, split in half horizontally (save the tray!) + 1 pack GF slider size rolls for Cael
• 1.5 lbs organic ground beef
• Onion powder
• Salt & pepper
• 12 slices American cheese (I used cheddar)
• 1 package bacon, diced up and cooked
• Sliced pickles
• Ketchup
• Few TBS melted butter, for topping (I threw in some garlic salt as well)
• Sesame seeds, for topping

Instructions

1. Cook your bacon in a pot and drain on a paper towel. Remove most of the grease.
2. Brown up your ground beef in the same pot, removing, excess grease. Season with salt, pepper and onion powder.
3. Spray the roll tray with a little olive oil to grease. Lay bottom of buns in. Top with 6 slices cheddar, the ground beef, 6 more slices of cheese, bacon and pickles. Drizzle on ketchup.
4. Bake, covered, for 15 min at 350. Remove foil and brush with melted butter and sesame seeds. Bake another 5 minutes. Enjoy!