Grilled Steak with Jicama Corn Slaw

One of the fun things about Bountiful Baskets is getting to experiment with produce I might never have bought at the store. This was really fresh tasting and flavorful.

Steak

1 pound beef sirloin steak, 1 inch thick

2 tablespoons southwest seasoning

Dressing

1 orange, zested and juiced

2 limes, zested and juiced

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, snipped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove, pressed

1 teaspoon chipolte powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Slaw

1 medium jicama, peeled and cut into julienne strips

1 can corn, drained, or 2 ears kernels

1 medium carrot, peeled and julienned

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

For steak rub southwest seasoning, heat grill pan over medium heat 5 minutes, cook steak 6-8 minutes turning once for medium. For dressing combine zest, juice, cilantro, oil, garlic, chipolte, and salt in a small bowl. For slaw combine jicama, corn, carrots, bell pepper and half of the dressing. To serve, thinly slice steak and serve over slaw. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

Cafe Rio Dinner

Okay, so I know every recipe blog out there has Cafe Rio Pork, but it's pretty much a staple around here so I had to add it to my blog too! When we make Cafe Rio Pork, it has to include Cilantro Lime Dressing, Cilantro Lime Rice and Bean and Cheese Dip! We serve it with lettuce, salsa, sour cream, enchilada sauce, tomatoes, large and small flour tortillas. That way we are covered if we want a Pork Salad, Pork Burrito, or Pork Tacos!

For the Pork:

Large Pork Butt Roast (I usually shoot for 3-5 lbs because we like leftovers!)

1 can Coke 1 large can green enchilada sauce, divided

1 tablespoon cumin

1/2 cup brown sugar

Place pork roast, fatty side up in crock pot. Pour coke over roast. Cover and cook on low 5-7 or high 3-5 hours. At this point I trim the fat off the top and throw it out. Remove most of the liquid from the crock pot to a large measuring cup. Shred pork. Discard about 1/2 the liquid leaving about 1 cup. Add 1/2 large can of enchilada sauce, cumin and brown sugar to remaining liquid. Pour over pork, mix and continue cooking 30-60 minutes.

For the Rice:

2-4 tablespoons butter

2 1/2 cups rice

2 cans chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons lime juice

4 tablespoons cilantro

Mix all ingredients in a rice cooker or pot. Cook until done. (I do it in the microwave, about 7 minutes on high, then I stir it and put it back in for 30-45 min at 50% power)

For the Dressing:

1 1/3 cup sour cream

3/4 cup mayonaise

1 packet dry ranch dressing mix

4 tablespoons enchilada sauce (from can above)

1 bunch cilantro

2 garlic cloves

1/8 teaspoon tabasco

4 tablespoons lime juice

Blend!

For Bean Dip:

1/2 cup cream cheese

16 oz. refried beans

5 drops tabasco

1/3 cup green onions, chopped

1 cup monterey/colby jack cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1/4 cup parsley

1 cup cheddar cheese (on top)

Using a hand mixer mix all ingredients except cheddar cheese. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350* 20 minutes. This may sound like a lot of work to do all the sides, but really it takes less than an hour, and IT'S SO WORTH IT! This is the order I do it in:

1. Start Rice

2. Drain pork and mix sauce

3. Make bean dip and put in oven

4. Make dressing

5. Chop lettuce and tomatoes.

Chicken Tortilla Chili

This is such a yummy chili! We had our church Chili Cookoff last night, I won "Best Looking Chili." Although last year I won "Best Chili" with THIS recipe (my nephews were really excited about me defending my title, I said to one of them, "Best Looking is pretty good too" and he said, "eh") I personally think this years is better! This would be the PERFECT recipe for anyone who got a Mexican Pack and Tortillas this week! The one thing you could do if you got the mex pack is add in some hot peppers to taste! 4 yellow corn tortillas
1 large onion, diced
1 medium zucchini, diced (I used 2 yellow squash, if you got a Mexican Pack use the squash in that!)
1 T vegetable oil
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 T ground cumin
3-4 cups chicken stock
2 cans diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 small rotisserie chicken
1 t salt
Optional toppings: diced avacado, lime wedges, crumbled queso fresco, cilantro, tortilla crisps

Place tortillas in a blender or food processor to form fine crumbs, set aside. Place oil and onion in 4 quart pot, cook and stir over medium heat 4-6 minutes until onions are tender. Add cilantro, garlic, and cumin. Cook an aditional 20-30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in tortilla crumbs, zucchini, stock, tomatoes, and beans. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cook 15-20 minutes to thicken, stirring frequently and scraping bottom of pot. Stir in chicken and salt. Cook 3-4 minutes or until zucchini is tender and chicken is hot. Serve with toppings if desired.