Zucchini Orzo

 The garden is overflowing with zucchinis and I have been craving some kind of pasta. I have had orzo in the pantry and decided to try and make some kind of zucchini side dish with it. This is the perfect side to pair with some grilled chicken. Perfect to enjoy on a summer evening outside with your favorite wine.

Ingredients

3 zucchini, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 C orzo

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 garlic clove, minced

2 1/2 C chicken broth

1 Tbsp unsalted butter

In a pan over medium high heat, add the olive oil and zucchini. Let the zucchini sit for about a minute and then give them a stir. Continue this process for about 10 minutes, until the zucchini are softened, browned and are almost falling apart.

Add the orzo, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic. Stir and toast the orzo for about 2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium low and continue cooking for about 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally. The orzo should begin cooking in the broth.

After 10 minutes, the broth should be almost completely absorbed.

Season with salt and pepper and add the butter. Stir until creamy and ready to serve.

Pork with Green Chile Sauce

 This is very similar to Chili Verde but a more smoother sauce and can be good on chicken as well. Serve with a side of steamed rice, pinto beans and a warm flour tortilla.

Ingredients

3 lb. pork meat, cubed

1 Tbsp oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

8 tomatillos, cleaned and halved

2 jalapenos, stems removed and halved

1/2 yellow onion, diced

5 cloves garlic, skin removed

1 1/2 Tbsp chicken bouillon

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp oregano

2 C chicken broth

2 cans chopped green chiles

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and pork. Make sure the meat is spread out on the bottom of the pan and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the salt and pepper to the top.

Once browned, stir the meat and continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked and is brown/crispy.

In a blender add the tomatillos, jalapenos, onion, garlic, chicken bouillon, cumin, pepper, oregano, broth and green chiles. Blend until smooth.

To the pan of pork, add the sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Lower the heat, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 30 minutes, test your meat to make sure it is fork tender. The sauce should have thickened up as well.

Serve in burritos or with a side of steamed rice and pinto beans.

Fiesta Queso Dip

We came across a queso dip online and had to make one for our UFC fight night party and man was it a hit! 

(no pun intended)

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 can rotel original

8oz cream cheese

1 block Velveeta

1 C shredded cheese

2 cans diced green chiles

1 can diced jalapenos

In a pan over medium-high heat, cook your beef, breaking it up, until it is browned.

Add the onion, rotel, green chiles and diced jalapenos and stir.

Lower the heat to medium and add the rotel and cream cheese. Stir to combine until the mixture is creamy.

Add the shredded cheese and stir to combine.

Once everything is melted, serve with tortilla chips.

*If you want the top browned, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook everything in an oven proof pan and follow the above steps. Place in oven and cook for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Or place in the broiler for a few minutes.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

The perfect summer side dish for grilled chicken, tacos, burgers, you name it! It tastes just like Mexican Street Corn!

Top with crushed Flaming Hot Cheetos for a spicy crunchy kick!

Ingredients

16 oz rotini pasta

1 Tbsp olive oil

2-15oz cans corn, drained

1 C Cotija cheese

1/3 C chopped cilantro

1/2 C Greek yogurt

1/2 C sour cream

1/2 C mayonnaise

1/2 tsp garlic powder

3 Tbsp lime juice

2 tsp lime zest

1 tsp chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and place in a large bowl. Toss with olive oil and place in refrigerator to chill.

In a bowl, combine the yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, lime zest, juice, garlic powder and chili powder.

Remove pasta from refrigerator and add the corn, Cotija and cilantro. Stir to combine.

Pour 3/4 of the dressing mixture over the pasta and toss until everything is well coated.

When ready to serve, drizzle remaining dressing over the top.

*This is best served right away, as the pasta soaks up the dressing. You can always make more dressing to add to the pasta when ready to serve.