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Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

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Here’s the finished dish. I served it over spaghetti noodles, you could use any type of pasta here, regular or whole wheat of course. This really has a special depth of flavor, it is so very good. I think I will add this to my list of dishes, good enough to entertain with! Chop your onion small y’all :), just to be sure you end up with completely softened cooked onions in your finished dish. 4-6 cloves of garlic is perfect, I left them whole you can certainly chop them if you prefer. Fresh is best in my book, but dried herbs work just fine. I’m lucky in that in my neck of the woods (So. Cal.) rosemary bushes grow like crazy. Here is the mix ready to cook… After searching the web for an authentic chicken cacciatore recipe I opted to follow Ms. DeLaurentiis lead for the most part, except, my version is made in the crockpot. I adlibbed on a few things. I also took a few ideas from Saveur, one of my …

Tamales 101

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Well it’s that time of year, I woke up early this morning to get my batch of goodness done. Tamales at Christmastime are a tradition in my family. I can remember my paternal grandmother making them with my mom every Christmas season when I was just a girl. My mom continued the tradition… now all 7 of my siblings try to carry on this holiday family tradition. In years past I’ve turned my tamales making into an event of sorts, inviting my daughters, cousins and grandkids to join the fun. I planned Christmas crafts for the littles and breakfast time treats for all. I would certainly recommend doing this if you have the time. It makes for great family time. Today I have been lucky enough to have my mother in law’s influence in the tamale-making department and that’s a very good thing! I believe hers are thee best. Her masa (the outer shell of the tamale) is always spot on. The thickness of her finished tamales is always just right too. This year I …

Crockpot Shredded Carnitas 

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I had about 4 pounds of pork to use up so carnitas it is. Making them in the crockpot is way easy. Gathering my ingredients Beggining to sear the pork Into the crockpot it goes All done Let the shredding begin Ingredients 2 tablespoons canola 4 pounds seared pork (I used boneless sirloin here) half an onion, sliced I jalapeño, halved 2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp crushed oregano 1/4 tsp cumin 1/4 tsp pepper 1 cup orange juice Process… 1. In a crockpot place the onions, seared pork (see note below), and seasonings. 2. Pour the orange in. 3. Cook on high covered  in crockpot for 6 hours. 4. Shred when cool. I like to to add some of the cooking juice back in. 5. At the point you can separate the pork into meal portions and freeze. (to sear the pork heat a pan to high with 2 tablespoons oil (canola is best), place the pork in the pan and brown the meat on both sides. …

Simply Cauliflower Mash

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I decided to go here again. Why? Because this recipe is Simply that simple. If you’re trying to get your kids or grandkids to eat more vegi’s this is a great thing to start with. The last recipe I gave you (for cauliflower mashers) had more of an Atkins spin, with heavy cream and all. These are just so good no cream or extra butter needed! Get those florets started Cook them up Let the blending begin Nice and smooth Make the consistency yours, add less or more broth depending on your preference. Don’t forget that butter. Decadence in moderation, it’s a very good thing! Oh yum! And here you go… 1 head trimmed cauliflower, chopped into florets 1 tsp salt for cooking cauliflower  1 tsp garlic powder for cooking cauliflower 1 tablespoon salted butter 1/2 cup or so cauliflower broth (cooking liquid)  4 oven roasted garlic cloves  1/2 to 1 tsp additional salt  In a med size pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil Add to the water 1 tsp salt and …

My Momma’s Galletas, A Savory Snack 

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These are a savory fold over snack. I still don’t know why my mom called them galletas, from what I understand galleta is Spanish for cookie. Well, a sweet treat they are not. Savory, flaky and delish, they definitely are! Growing up these were always a very welcomed treat. My mom made them from time to time. Honestly, looking back, I think she whipped these up when the choices were slim when trying to provide us with a snack, it was during these times that the household food supply was low and money was too, I’m sure. Coming from a family of 8 children, I still don’t know how my parents did it. I am so thankful that both my parents created many a good memory for us, many of which are centered around good food. How blessed are we. Today, on my mother’s 81st heavenly birthday I recreated one of my most favorite good foods… well, this time I made them for you Momma. I love you! I’m ready to roll… literally Gather your …

Torrey Pines, Oh My 

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When in San Diego, Torrey Pines is one of my absolute favorite places to visit. The area offers such fantastic views of the sea. One can get in a really good workout here as well.  Parking can be found at the base of the reserve. The walk up the road to the trails is a good uphill trek and will definitely get you warmed up for the trails. On this particular visit my husband and I choose to explore the Guy Fleming Trail, which is the first trail you come to.  Torreyana Pine  A gorgeous sandstone formation  On the Guy Fleming Trail  Nice August day by the sea Love this view from the trail It was good to be back.  A pano for you Oh So Cal you do remain my fav! 💙 Torrey Pines State Beach, what a delight. 

Rosemary Cloud Wraps (Keto-Friendly) 

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Fresh rosemary rules! Excuse my busy kitchen. 😉 The main events Process… follow Big Apple Mama’s lead here, (I doubled this recipe, so double the below listed ingredients if you’ll be doubling too. http://thebigapplemama.com/2016/04/garlic-cloud-bread.html with the following exceptions… omit sugar Add 1/4 tsp garlic powder Add 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary I used whipped cream cream (next time I will definitely use the block type cream cheese, you should too.

Homemade Chile Seasoning 

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Hey there all, at least one of my blog recipes calls for Chile seasoning, a packet of it, so…. I thought I’d post this recipe link on how to make your own.  For those of you with food additive sensitivities this might be a much better option for you anyway.  I’m making a big pot of my Taco Chicken Chile soon for a family in need due to medical issues, well, I just realized I’m out of chile seasoning packets, that got me thinking, so here you go… http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26391/chili-seasoning-mix-ii/ , this recipe has very good reviews, I’m making a batch very soon. The ingredients are mostly pantry staples (that’s a win) and a batch should last through a few good food blogs. (winning for sure)  I’m hoping that despite all, this pot of chile will warm our friends home and their hurting hearts.    Have a good week all.   g.  Oh, and here’s a link to my Taco Chicken Chile…  https://ginasjoys.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/taco-chicken-child/

Onward and Upward, To Tenaja Falls 

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I hiked up to Tenaja Falls in the Cleveland National Forest with friends recently. What a glorious area. And so it begins…  By car to get to the trail we took it’s about a 4 mile drive on a one lane winding road. Our trusty driver knew to take it slow, having completed this hike a few times already. I was just fine with the slow ride as there are many a blind corner to be manuvered along the way. The trail is about 1.4 miles over rocks and stream up to the Falls.  https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/tenaja-falls-trail From what I understand and as you will learn from the All Trails link above there are a few different access points to chose from. We went with the shorter trail to the water falls.  So much beauty along the way…  ​ ​ Not such a bad idea, it is mountain lion country afterall.   Hope you enjoyed this post.    g.  P.s. Next time I’d take a bit more water and a hiking emergency kit due to, no cell …

Crockpot Guinness Corned Beef and Cabbage 

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Ladies and Lads, its not too late late to celebrate St. Paddy’s day with a traditional Irish meal…. now I’m not quite sure how traditional it is to add Guinness to the mix, but it is a delish way to go! Enlist the help of some good Irish/Celtic tunes to set the mood. Loving this… Okay, on to more about the good eats, (at serving time) So this year I decided to cook a Point Cut, why you might ask… rumor is that the point cut has more flavor because it has more fat. There are different schools of thought on what cut to buy, this year I’m happy I went with the Point Cut, the corned beef turned out excellent, so very tasty, moist and extra tender. Start here Layer your crockpot with onions then potatoes, add pepper. Hour 7, almost done. Process… Place the corn beef on top of the onions and potatoes, add the seasonings (bag) in. This corned beef was already seasoned. Pop open a can of Guinness, let it breath …

Magnificent and Moist Meatloaf

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There are quite a few meatloaf recipes out there, I based this one on my own taste buds, I like to think I’ve got a bit of a handle on flavor matches, I will let you be the judge here. 😉  I hope you’ll give this meatloaf recipe a try. It really is quite tasty and definitely husband (my) approved.  Ingredients  1 pound ground turkey 1.25 pound ground beef 1 egg beaten 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 tsp paprika  1 tsp salt 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes  1/8 tsp salt  1/3 cup ketchup  Process Preheat oven to 375 In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients just until blended well  Press the mixture down lightly into a glass baking dish, 8 x 8 Top with the ketchup, spread evenly Place meatloaf on top of a baking sheet to catch any grease that might spill over Bake in the oven at 375 for 1 1/2 hour  Remove from the oven (very carefully) drain the grease out Cut, …