Mexican Rice

This would go well with the Chile Relleno, Tortilla Soup, Mexicali Chicken or Fish Taco recipes below or any Mexican dish.

2 C white rice  (if using brown rice, use 2-3 Tbsp less)
1/4 C butter
1/2 C chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 C salsa or enchilada sauce
3 C chicken broth
1/2-1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Rinse rice.  Put into rice cooker with next 5 ingredients.  Cook.  Between 20-40 minutes after it turns off, add salt and pepper to taste.

OR:

In a large skillet, heat half the butter and gently sauté onions and garlic until onions are golden.  Heat the rest of the butter in the same pan, add the rice, and cook gently, stirring constantly, until rice is well coated and evenly colored.  Add the sauce and heat through; then add chicken broth.  Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 6 servings.

Chile Relleno Casserole

I like this recipe better than any of the others because the egg topping is fluffy and just a bit crusty.

2  7 oz. can whole chiles or more              1 large can evap. milk
            4 eggs, separated                                       2 Tbsp flour

about 1 lb each, sharp and jack cheese, sliced or shredded

(try shredded Mexican mix to make a layer about ¾-1" thick)

Open chiles, remove seeds, if desired.  Place in the bottom of a 9 x 13” baking dish. (For half recipe, I used a 10-inch pie plate.)  Spread cheese over the chiles.

Whip egg whites until stiff, mix in flour; set aside.  Beat egg yolks and milk, fold in beaten egg whites.  Pour over cheese.

Bake uncovered at 325 for 50-60 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve immediately.

I served this garnished with some chopped cilantro, Mexican Rice and a little cabbage slaw with Mexican flavors.

Eileen's Tortilla Soup

I love this soup because you can have it on the table in about half an hour.  Just keep your cupboard stocked with the basic ingredients, or substitute as needed.  Can be served with Mexican Rice

1 Tbsp oil                                            1 can tomato soup

1 small onion, chopped                       1  14 oz. can beef broth*

2 cloves garlic, minced                        1 tsp chili powder

1 4 oz. can green chilies, chopped       1 tsp cumin  

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes                1 tsp Worcestershire sauce            

1 14 oz can pinto beans                       2 C cooked chicken, cubed*

1 14 oz can of corn                              1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped         

Toppings:

1 package tortilla chips                     additional chopped cilantro

1½- 2 C shredded cheese (Mexican mix is good)

Sauté onion and garlic in oil in a 3-4 qt pot.  Add remaining ingredients (except toppings) to the pot.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Ladle soup into bowls and top with cheese, cilantro, and chips.

Other possible toppings:  sliced olives, chopped avocado, sour cream, lime wedges.

*A friend makes a vegetarian version of this using tofu and vegetable broth.

You could also substitute ground beef, etc. if desired.

Lisa’s Tacos

This is a recipe that Lisa got from Girl Scouts or something when she was in elementary school.  She made it several times for us.  Now I am going to make it with her daughter.  Good served with Mexican Rice.

1 pound ground beef                                             Sauce:

½ onion, chopped                               1 16 oz cans stewed tomatoes

2 t. chile powder                                 1½ tsp crushed oregano

1 clove garlic, minced                         1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3 C tortilla chips, lightly crushed       ½ tsp salt

2 C shredded cheese                           ¼ tsp pepper

2 C shredded lettuce

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cook beef and onion with seasonings until brown.  Drain fat. 

Place crushed chips in a glass pie plate or small casserole dish.  Cover with beef, then cheese. 

Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with shredded lettuce and sauce.

Fish Tacos a la Monterey

Cabbage,  taco-seasoned fish, sauce, chopped cilantro

Assembled fish taco

This recipe comes from the Steinsons in Sitka.  And the fish I've been using to make this comes from them too. Thanks to Jenn and Jamie for the fish and the recipe.  Yummy!  

The sauce recipe is an adaptation from Cooking Light.

1 Taco seasoning packet

1 lb fish

Corn tortillas

Cabbage, finely shredded 

Sauce:

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup + 1 T   mayonnaise

1/2 cup + 2 T Greek yogurt, yogurt, or sour cream

1 lime, grated rind

1  tablespoon fresh lime juice

1/4  teaspoon  salt

2  garlic clove, minced

Optional:  lime slices, chopped cilantro, avocado cubes

            Combine sauce ingredients.  Refrigerate if made earlier.  Cut fish into chunks about 1 inch.  Put into a plastic baggie with the taco seasoning.  Refrigerate for 30—60 minutes, if time allows.  Shred cabbage finely.  Prepare other condiments.

            Quickly fry fish in a little oil until done.  Heat corn tortillas according to package directions.

            To assemble tacos, place fish, cabbage, sauce, and condiments as desired on warm tortilla.

The leftover cabbage and sauce can be mixed together for a delicious slaw. 
Optional:  Mexican Rice

Mexicali Chicken

This is a really tasty, really easy dish, followed by lots of compliments.  It was given to me by a friend who is originally from Germany.

Measurements are approximate.  I often use frozen chicken tenders from Costco.  They thaw out quickly, so I can make these without planning too far ahead.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts   

1 package taco seasoning + 2 TB flour

oil to saute

1/2 cup of your favorite salsa 

3-4 TB peach jam, apple jelly, or other jam

Dust chicken breasts w/ taco seasoning-flour mix.  Brown in oil for 2-3 minutes on each side.

Add salsa and cook.  Stir in jam and cook until chicken is done.  

Serve with Mexican Rice and a green salad.

Cuban Ropa Vieja

     On a visit to Old Town, San Diego about 25 years ago, I ordered a dish called Ropa Vieja at one of the many Mexican restaurants.  It was a delicious meal.  Soon after there was a recipe in the newspaper for this dish.  But alas, the recipe has been lost.  Then I saw this recipe.  It wasn't quite what I remembered, but it was still a tasty meal.

• 2 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds skirt steak  * (I browned it first, removed the meat, then added the onion to brown lightly after I turned off the heat.)
• 1 onion, cut in half, sliced

Cook later:

• 1 cup long-grain white rice (can also be served with tortillas)
• 2 t. olive oil
• 2 red bell peppers, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

In a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, oregano, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.  Add onion, then nestle the steak among the vegetables. Cook, covered, until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily, on high for 4 to 5 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours. 

Twenty-five minutes before serving, cook the rice according to the package directions.

 Heat the oil in a skillet. Stir-fry the bell peppers starting with medium high heat.  As they are browning, turn the heat down to medium and cook until desired texture.  Set aside.

Once the meat is very tender, using two forks, shred the beef and mix it into the cooking liquid. Serve with the rice, peppers, and top with the avocado and cilantro.