Carnitas Tacos

Yum! Are you noticing my trend of "pork" this summer. "The other white meat." There is a reason Spanairds are thin! = lots of pork & fish in their diet in small portions.

10 minutes of prep (mostly chopping, heating meat & tortillas).

• 1 pkg of TJs "carnitas" (located near sliced meats) already cooked.
• TJs Salsa Verde
• Corn tortillas
• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheese (white, orange or both!)
• Diced tomato
• Diced avocado
• "Dollup of Daisy" - Sour Cream

*basically top w/ any of your favorite toppings. Our family loves a "drop" of "Valentina" hot sauce, even Bella loves that stuff.

These are made similar to the "pork & chili stew" (see other blog) OR you can just heat meat, pull apart and serve. For the "stewed version" - in a saucpan, add meat, 1/2 jar of TJs salsa verde, 1 C of chicken broth - heat on medium/high until hot.

Use a fork to strain meat from saucepan, add to tortilla, family makes their own creations!

Grilled Pork Chops with Cabbage and sesame slaw

15 minutes = a meal! including prep. Kids loved the simplicity of the pork, I loved the zest of the light dressing. All around great, quick, healthy summer meal.

4, 8oz bone-in pork chops
Sea Salt and pepper
1/4C orange juice or lemonade - both are great
2T EVOO
2T rice vinegar
2t sesame seeds
1T honey
1 small head of Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
1 C fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Heat grill to med-hi. Season pork with 3/4t salt and 1/2t pepper (I didn't measure, usually don't, but included the measurements so you could see the ratio).
Grill each side 6-7 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, chop cabbage & in a large bowl, combine all above ingredients to make dressing. Sprinkle over slaw & toss.

I ate a little slaw w/ each pork bite. Yum.

Trader Joe's "List of Favs" Coming Soon!

Crepes - Sweet & Salty

So this weekend I tried out Albertson's "pre-made crepes". (Does TJs offer these?) As an alternative to our traditional breakfast burrito Sunday brunch, we tried Crepes. Salty & Sweet ones. Yum.

Sweet
Nutella, Banana and sprinkle w/ sugar
Fresh raspberries and sprinkle w/ sugar
Honey, Lemon, and ..you guessed it...sprinkle w/ sugar

Salty
Spread TJs Cilantro Pecan dip (yum!) on the bottom of the crepe, layer rotisserie chicken (yep, the one leftover from dinner the night before), shredded cheese and fresh tomato. Oh, my, divine!
And, I'm sure you could come up with more. My alternative favorite is spinach, mushroom, tomato topped w/ a bechemel sauce (similar to hollandaise).

So this is something fun to have on hand ... and then throw leftovers into for a Tres Chic brunch, lunch, dinner or dessert! Oh, and did I mention the kids loved creating & making their own!

Pork & Chili Stew

1 pkg TJs Pork Carnitas (or from any other store you shop at)
1 jar TJs Salsa Verde
16 - 32oz chicken broth
2C crushed tortilla chips

Optional Toppings:
Roasted pepitas
Chopped cilantro
Crumbled feta or mexican cheese
Lime Wedges

Directions:
Chop Pork Carnitas into small chunks
Put first 3 ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to simmer for 20 minutes
Top with crushed Tortilla Chips (and maybe a dash of red pepper!)
Serve with toppings

Trader Joe's Fish Tacos

It's summer time and a GREAT time to have family & friends over for a fiesta. Try these out!

1pkg reduced fat fish sticks (I LOVE the "market pantry" brand from Target)
1pkg Corn tortillas
1bag romaine lettuce (or cabbage)
1/2C mayonnaise
1/2C light sour cream
1/2C salsa especial (TJ) or your favorite fresh salsa
Lime wedges to serve

Directions:
Cook the fish as directed.
Warm tortillas.
Shred lettuce/cabbage.
MIX salsa, sour cream and mayonnaise to make sauce.

Create your own custom taco! Personally I like a little sliced avocado w/ mine!

White Chicken Lasagna by Bri Walker

SO Delicious, Super rich, everyone Raved about it.. but not very figure friendly.. as you can see in all the fattening ingredients. It is similar tasting to white enchiladas but has an italian flare to it with lasagna noodles and garlic

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
3 TBSP butter
4 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1- 8oz. package cream cheese
2 cups sour cream
2/3 cup milk
1 lb. lasagna noodles, cooked & rinse in cold water
1 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated

1. In a large sauce pan, over medium heat, brown shallots & garlic in butter.
2. Add cream cheese, cream soup, sour cream & milk.
3. Stir until cream cheese is melted.
4. Add chicken.
5. In a 9x13 glass baking dish layer noodles, white sauce with chicken, then cheese. Repeat steps, ending with mozzarella cheese on top.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes.

French Toast Stratta by M. Lazaro

This is a terrific brunch meal. I served it at Bella's dedication. Delicious. Always gets rave reviews. What's great is that you make it the night before, so the day you're serving all you have to do is put it in the oven.

Serves at least 6 adults.

1 loaf white bread
8 oz cream cheese
10 eggs
1.5 cups half and half cream
.25 cup syrup
.5 cup melted margarine

1. Take off crusts and Cube bread and place 1/2 in greased 9x13 pan.
2. Dot cream cheese and cut into small cubes.
3. Layer w/ remaining bread.
4. Bowl: Combine eggs, cream, syrup and margarine. Mix well.
5. Pour mixture over bread.
6. Cover and place in fridge overnight.
7. Bake @ 350 for 45-50 minutes (keep checking).

Cornmeal-Fried Onion Rings by I.Garten

yum! yum! and fresh

20 minutes - serves 4-6 people.

• 2 large Spanish onions (or 3 yellow onions)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (medium) yellow cornmeal
• 1 quart vegetable oil

Directions
Peel the onions, slice them 1/2 to 3/4-inch thick, and separate them into rings.

Combine the buttermilk, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Add the onion rings, toss well, and allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes. (The onion rings can sit in the buttermilk for a few hours.) In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

When you're ready to fry the onion rings, preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large pot or Dutch oven. (A candy thermometer attached to the side of the pot will help you maintain the proper temperature.) Working in batches, lift some onions out of the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Drop into the hot oil and fry for 2 minutes, until golden brown, turning them once with tongs. Don't crowd them! Place the finished onion rings on the baking sheet, sprinkle liberally with salt, and keep them warm in the oven while you fry the next batch. Continue frying the onion rings and placing them in the warm oven until all the onions are fried. They will remain crisp in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.

ham & broccoli roll ups by E. Seaton

these are DIVINE. Elizabeth made them for Oscar's bday dinner and I can't remember the last time I saw Oscar eat so much. He loved them. The kids loved them...and yes, I loved them. A great find.

10-12 flour tortillas, soft taco size
4 c diced ham (1 1/2 - 2 lb honey ham in 1/4" slices) [delete ham & sub a "meaty" vegetable to be vegetarian]
4 green onions chopped
(1) 14 oz package frozen broccoli florets
(1) 10 oz box chopped broccoli - season with little lawrey's salt & pepper (both sets of broccoli)
8 oz cream cheese

1. defrost broccoli - chop up the florets a little, drain any excess liquid
2. combine ham, broccoli, onions and cream cheese - mix wellplace about 1/2 cup mixture in tortilla. roll up.place seam side down in 10 x 15 pan (spray with pam first)
3. cover + refrigerate until ready to bake
4. pour cheese sauce over rolls + bake uncovered at 350 for 35 - 40 min. until hot and bubbly

cheese sauce:
1/2 c flour
1/2 c butter
1 qt milk (2%) {about 2 cups}
3/4 - 1 lb sharp cheddar cheese grated
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
2 TB white worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp chicken stock
dash cayenne pepper, nutmeg, paprika
1 TB sherry {I used red wine b/c I didn't have sherry}
melt butter, add flour, blend; cook a few minutes.
slowly add milk; whisking.
add cheese when mixture is hot and starting to thicken.
add spices.

Healthier option:
Use w/ Neufchatel cheese (1/3 of the fat than CC)
fresh spinach and broccoli florets
Roll them in "flat out" bread (vs. tortillas).

Make the sauce w/ lowfat cheese & nonfat milk.

The alterations didn't change the amazing flavor of this recipe - thank you again for sharing. It's a family & guest winner every time.