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Ingredients Black refried beans: Can black beans plain One minced and seeded jalepeno 1/2 large red onion minced 3 cloves garlic minced Tsp cumin powder Tsp chili powder Tsp garlic salt plus more to taste Tortillas: Small corn tortillas (1 pack. At least 10) Veggies (pick at least 3 and stir fry in cumin and chili powder, below is an example): 2 bell peppers, sliced and chopped to thin 1.5 inch lengths (or just dice it…) 1 zucchini, same as pepper 1 yellow zucchini squash, same as pepper 1 large red onion, same as pepper but quarter moons Chili lime slaw (this is excellent on tacos or tostadas): ...

Ingredients 2 cups all purpose flour 3 large eggs 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tbsp olive oil Instructions Place flour on clean, flat surface and make a nest. Add eggs, oil and salt to center and use fork to break/mix things in while keeping flour walls intact Now use hands to gently bring the flour inward to incorporate Work ball with your hands to bring it together and continue to knead for 10 minutes or so. (it will feel dry at first but be patient). It should beome conhesive and smooth. If still dry and kneaded to death, add a smidge of water to finalize it. IF too sticky, add a smidge of flour Let dough rest at room temp for 30 minutes Now, proceed to use dough such as with pasta attachment on kitchen aid or something

Ingredients 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 2 tbsp lemon juice 6 cloves garlic 1/2 tsp salt Black pepper to taste 2 cups basil leaves 1/4 cup olive oil or a smidge more for a smoother pesto 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, optional Instructions Put items 1-5 in food processor and pulse until well chopped Add basil, item 6, and pulse to combine Drizzle in olive oil, item 7, until combined Do the same with the parmesan Done. Unless you want it smoother, then add a smidge more olive oil and pulse to combine

Ingredients 1.25 lbs roma tomatoes (5-6) 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes (low salt and maybe fire roasted) 3 green onions, ends trimmed 1/4 red onion 1 jalapeño (up to you on seeded, usually not) Batch cilantro 1 large clove garlic 2 tbsp lime juice 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp salt or little less Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Combine all ingredients in a food processor (in batches if necessary) and combine. If you have time, allow salsa to refrigerate for a few hours before serving to better blend spices (it is worth it)

Ingredients Chicken: 1/2 can chipotle peppers in adobo (or more for more spice) 1 large tomato, diced 6 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp oil 1 huge yellow onion, sliced 2 med tomatoes, diced 2 pounds chicken thighs 1/2 cup chicken broth 3 tsp salt 1-2 tsp cayenne If making this a taco recipe and not just the chicken, also do: Corn tortillas 1/2 cup cilantro chopped 4 radishes thinly sliced 1 cup purple cabbage shredded 1 avocado diced or smashed 1 cup cheese (like cojita or whatever) Lime juice Instructions Puree first three ingredients and set aside In instant pot, saute onions until translucent. Add chicken, salt, broth, tomatoes, pureed sauce and then pressure cook for 15 minutes high heat and high pressure. Let it natural release for at least 10 minutes. Release pressure Scoop the chicken out and then shred. Return to pot now in saute mode. Cook another few minutes and add salt and pepper to taste To serve, top tortillas with chicken and rest of taco ingredients

Ingredients Meatballs: 1/2 lb ground chicken 1/2 lb Italian sausage (mild) 1/2 cup bread crumbs, Italian style works 2 large cloves garlic, minced 3 tbsp chopped cilantro, chopped small 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, the nice stuff NOT the powder 3 tbsp milk or so 1 large egg Salt and pepper to taste (tbsp of each to start is good) Soup: 2 tbsp good olive oil 1 yellow onion, minced 3 large carrots, chopped 1 cup chopped celery (or more doesn’t hurt) 10 cups good chicken stock (kitchen basics) 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 cup small, star pasta 1/4 cup minced, fresh dill 12 oz baby spinach, trimmed and lightly chopped Instructions Combine all meatball ingredients in mixing bowl with fork and hands if needed. Scoop into greased sheet pan and spread out ~40 meatballs over pan. Note: these are small meatballs and a tsp could be used to scoop. Bake for 35 minutes at 350°F Heat olive oil in large soup pot and saute carrots, onion, and celery until soft (6-8 min) Add chicken stock and wine. Bring to boil Add pasta and cook 6-8 minutes Add dill, meatballs, and spinach. Cook another minute Check for salt and pepper Serve and sprinkle parmesan over bowls

Ingredients 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1" pieces 1 cup dill pickle juice 1 large egg 1 cup milk 1 cup flour 1 tbsp confectioners sugar 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp salt Canola oil for frying (or other mild oils work too) Instructions Put chicken in bowl with pickle juice and let sit for a minimum of 1 hour. Overnight is even better Drain out the pickle juice. In a separate bowl, mix milk and egg, and then pour into chicken bowl In a new bowl add all dry spices, mix well. Heat up oil in a deep dish so it doesn’t splatter unduly Grab individual chicken pieces out of chicken bowl and dip well into dry bowl. Then throw in fryer for 3-3.5 minutes. Note the time, too short will be undercooked and too long turns the chicken too dry. You may need to experiment depending on your oil temperature Cook in batches and then serve with dipping sauces

Ingredients 28 oz jar good marinara sauce 2 large garden tomatoes, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 cup spinach, chopped 1 lb ground hot Italian sausage (optional and leave out for vegetarian option) 1.5 cups water 12 oz ricotta cheese 3 cups mozzarella 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 2 eggs Small bunch parsley 9 uncooked lasagna noodles 1 garden tomato, thinly sliced 1/2 cup mozzarella Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F In deep fry pan, cook sausage and garlic until cooked through. Add and cook spinach for another minute. Add marinara sauce, tomatoes, and 1.5 cups water. Simmer for 10 minutes In large mixing bowl, mix: ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, eggs, and parsley In deep baking dish, layer in order: some sauce → 3 noodles → half cheese mixture → some sauce → 3 noodles → other half cheese mixture → some sauce → 3 noodles → any remaining sauce → thinly sliced tomato evenly on top → mozzarella sprinkled on top Cover with tinfoil and bake for 1 hour. Last 15 minutes, remove the tinfoil

Ingredients 2 cups red lentils 2 inch fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves garlic, minced 1.5 tsp turmeric 2.5 tsp curry powder 5 cups water or some type of broth Salt and pepper to taste Optional add ons in dish (cook with lentils) or as toppings at end: Butter Onion variety Jalapeno Cilantro Other veggies Instructions Place all of primary ingredients in large saucepan and bring to simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes until everything is soft and it is a little thicker. Add optional items if cooking via the one-pot method Add optional toppings Serve with rice

Ingredients 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, lightly drained 1 cup brown or green lentils, picked over and rinsed 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste Pinch of red pepper flakes Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped fresh collard greens or kale, tough ribs removed 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 to 1 medium lemon), to taste Instructions Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and carrot and cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes Add the garlic, cumin, curry powder and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained diced tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often Pour in the lentils, broth and the water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Securely fasten the lid, protect your hand from steam with a tea towel placed over the lid, and puree the soup until smooth. Pour the pureed soup back into the pot. (Or, use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup.) Add the chopped greens and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the greens have softened to your liking. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two of red pepper flakes Serve while hot