PURIFY SPRAY

PURIFY SPRAY
Abagail threw up once night on the way home.  I cleaned it the best I could but it still stunk so bad.  I put a couple of drops of purify (straight essential oil) and then cleaned it again. Smell gone!  I decided to make a spray so I could use it around the house.  A couple of nights later the guinea pigs got out and hid under our bed.  They peed and pooped everywhere - Yuck!  We cleaned it up and then sprayed with the purify spray. Smell gone!  Love this stuff.

Mix 10 drops purify in 1/2 tsp baking soda
Add 2 T witch hazel and enough distilled water (could use regular water too) to fill a 8 oz glass spray bottle.

OR

https://fabulousfarmgirl.com/diy/room-linen-spray-2/

All-Natural Room & Linen Spray 
2 cups distilled water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops lime essential oil
10 drops wild orange essential oil

Mix together baking soda and essential oils until well combined. Using a funnel carefully put baking soda mixture into a 16 oz. glass spray bottle. Add water and shake well. Spray onto fabric until slightly damp and allow to air dry. Spray the air above fabrics and carpets and around the room for a fresher, cleaner home. 

What I love about this recipe is it’s easy to make, I recognize the ingredients, it’s really cheap and it actually works. It’s safe on fabrics and to spray in the air and you’re not breathing in noxious chemicals when you do.

SWEET PORK BURRITOS & CILANTRO RANCH DRESSING

For my Mom & Dad's 50th Jill's family made these for dinner after the reunion.  We also had homemade ice cream.  It was so yummy!

Put following in a burrito - can do beans as well and of course cheese.

Sweet pork burritos:
3 lbs. pork loin
cup of salsa
cup of brown sugar

Cook on low all night in crock pot. Shred an hour before eating and add a little more brown sugar (against Jimmie's wishes :) and sprinkle with garlic salt.


Cilantro ranch dressing for burritos:

UPDATE: My family didn't like this as much as I thought they would - 1/2 recipe

3/4 cup mayo
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 package of ranch dressing
bunch of cilantro (don't add too much and chop up little)
lime

FAJITAS

FAJITAS
These were very easy and so tasty!  I got the peppers from Costco (red, yellow and orange).

3 peppers (any color), cut up (I used yellow, orange and red)
1 onion
2# chicken
2 T taco seasoning
4 garlic cloves
1-2 limes (I used lime juice)
1 can diced tomatoes
----
tortillas
cut up tomatoes, optional
sour cream
guac (got the individual ones from Costco)
cheese

In crock pot layer half of the cut up peppers and half of the onion.  Add 2# of chicken and sprinkle with 1 T of taco seasoning.  Turn chicken over and sprinkle with 1 T of taco seasoning.  Add four garlic cloves, lime juice and diced tomatoes.  

Cook on high for 3 hours.

Remove chicken and slice or shred.  Return chicken and mix.  Heat up tortillas.  Top with chicken/pepper mixture and add any toppings.

GRILLED PINEAPPLE

GRILLED PINEAPPLE
Serves 8
Ingredients

This isn't Scott & Abagail's favorite thing, but Jackson and I both really like it.

UPDATE: To do in oven: 400 preheat oven with pan & tin foil in it.  I put down one piece of tin foil and then crumbled up some others so when I put the pineapple on it it wasn't touching the other tinfoil or pan.  Spray all of it with Pam.  Cook for 7-8 minutes then turn over and cook for another 7-8 min.
For the marinade:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (we like it better without the cloves)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 TB Honey or brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 firm yet ripe pineapple
1 tablespoon grated lime zest

Directions

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill or broiler (grill).

To make the marinade, in a large bowl, combine the olive oil, cloves, cinnamon, honey and lime juice and whisk to blend. Set aside.

Cut off the crown of leaves and the base of the pineapple. Stand the pineapple upright and, using a large, sharp knife, pare off the skin, cutting downward just below the surface in long, vertical strips. Cut off any remaining small brown "eyes" on the fruit. Stand the peeled pineapple upright and cut it in half lengthwise. Place each pineapple half cut-side down and cut it lengthwise into four long wedges; slice away the core.

Place the pineapple in the bowl with the marinade and stir to coat the pineapple.

Place on the grill and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, basting once or twice with the remaining marinade. Turn the fruit and move it to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. Baste again with the marinade. Grill until the pineapple is tender and golden, about 3 more minutes.

Remove the pineapple from the grill and place on a platter or individual serving plates. Sprinkle with the lime zest. Serve hot or warm.

CHIPOTLE BOWL RECIPE

CHIPOTLE BOWL RECIPE
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/chipotle-bowl-recipe
We all really liked these.  It was a fun change.  Had made homemade tortillas to go with it (see Made from Scratch folder).  Need to start beans 30 min before eating (or longer).  The tortillas took about an hour.

Chicken: (used a rotesserie (sp) from Costco)
2-3 breasts of chicken
2 limes
1 tsp Minced Garlic
1 tsp Minced Onion
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Oregano leaves
½ tsp cilantro leaves
½ tsp black pepper

Beans:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic or 2 tsp minced garlic
2 cans black beans (15.5 ounce)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon pepper, fresh ground
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon lime juice

Rice:
2 cups water
1 cup white rice
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup lime juice
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped

Chicken:
Place chicken in crock pot and sprinkle with the juice of one lime and the spices listed. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until it reaches shred consistency. Shred chicken. Squeeze second lime over the chicken.

Beans:
Heat oil in a medium pot.
Saute onions and garlic.
Add remaining ingredients except lime. Simmer fro 30 minutes.
Stir in lime juice before serving.

Rice:
In a medium pan heat 2 cups of water and 1 T butter to boil. Add 1 cup of rice and salt.
Lower heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes.
Stir in lime and cilantro after rice is cooked.
To make Bowl:
Combine all ingredients over a bed of lettuce layer, beans, rice, chicken, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Corn Salsa Recipe
Rating: 5
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Corn Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
1 Can of Yellow Corn or 1 pound of frozen corn
2-3 Sweet Mini Peppers
½ cup Red Onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Lime Juice
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
Combine all ingredients and stir together.

SMOTHERED SWEET PORK BURRITOS

SMOTHERED SWEET PORK BURRITOS

I made these for the missionaries (who are living across from us).  One of them is Elder Webb from Arizona (Lakeside - knows Jimmie's family).  The other one is from Tonga.  We really like both of them.  We were scheduled to have them over for dinner.  That night they were doing switches with other Elders.  The Tonga missionary and another elder from Surprise, AZ came.  The next day after church they knocked on our door to return the pizza pan they had borrowed the week prior.  Elder Webb mentioned how much the other Elder liked the burritos and he was sad he missed them.  We had just finished eating and I had all the left overs out.  They came in and ate lunch.  They both really liked them.  Had pretzel salad, chips & salsa and veggies with it.

YIELD: SERVES 6

You'll get more flavor if you use a pork roast that has a bone in - it can easily be removed once the pork is done cooking; however, this could also be made with boneless pork loin or a leaner cut of pork. Just keep in mind that it might not be quite as tender as a roast that has darker meat also. A note about the enchilada sauce, not all brands are created equal. I love the Herdez brand of green salsa or enchilada sauce (which I use interchangeably) so make sure you find a brand that tastes good (with a heat level you prefer).

INGREDIENTS

For Burritos:
• 2 1/2 pounds pork roast like pork shoulder or butt roast
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1-2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 (15-ounce each) cans green enchilada sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Dash of hot sauce (optional)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 8 ounces Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (or a combination), grated
• 6-8 whole wheat or white flour tortillas, burrito-sized
For Cilantro Lime Rice:
• 1/2 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• juice and zest of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

DIRECTIONS

1. Trim any excess fat pockets from the pork roast (it's ok to leave a bit here and there just trim the large pieces off). Cut the pork into 2-3 large pieces. Season each piece on all sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until rippling and hot. Add all the pieces of pork and brown on each side, 2-3 minutes total. Transfer the pork to the insert of a 5-6 quart slow cooker.
3. Add the liquid smoke and 1/2 cup water. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8 hours.
4. While the pork is cooking, prepare the rice. In a skillet or medium saucepan, melt the butter and add the rice. Stir, letting the rice and butter cook for 1-2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (broth, salt, pepper, lime juice and zest, cilantro and cumin) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15-16 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. This can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to assemble the burritos.
5. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred into bite-sized pieces (discarding the bone, if needed, or any large pieces of fat). In a large bowl, toss the shredded pork with the brown sugar, 1/2 cup of the green sauce, chili powder, salt and pepper (add more salt and pepper to taste if needed). Add the hot sauce, if using.
6. Stir in the beans, rice and cilantro to the pork mixture.
7. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and spread about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of the green sauce on the bottom.
8. Warm the tortillas lightly in a skillet or in the microwave. Scoop about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture into each tortilla and sprinkle with a bit of cheese (you'll want to leave some cheese for the top of all the burritos before they bake). Roll up burrito style (folding the ends in and rolling).
9. Place the burritos seam-side down in the prepared baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce over the burritos and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until heated through and the top is bubbly and slightly golden. Serve immediately.

SALSA

• QUICK AND EASY BLENDER SALSA
• Scott really liked this.  I would have liked it better with mild.  So easy to make.  Fresh tomatoes work too.
• 
  
• 1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes (had a can with oregano and other spices)
• 1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel (prefer Mild)
• 1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed (didn't add)
• juice of 1 lime

Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve with chips or over tacos.

FRESH TOMATO SALSA

This is the salsa recipe Lisa likes to use.  She got it from allrecipes.

3 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup finely diced onion
5 serrano chiles, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp salt
2 tsp lime juice

In a bowl mix all together and chill 1 hour before serving.

FRUIT SALAD

Some of my favorite salad are found in the Taylor Cookbook.

FRUIT SALAD
This makes a lot..perfect for a big group.  Or just half if making for one dinner.  You can use different fruit.  We used Thanksgiving 2012 and many times since.  Taylor RS pg. 33.

2 large cans fruit coctail Strawberries, if desired
1 can peaches, diced ½ pt. whipping cream, whipped
4 large peeled apples, chopped 1 (3 oz) pkg. Cream cheese, softened
2 sliced bananas or pineapple 1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts, optional 2 T powdered sugar


Cream whipped cream, powdered sugar, cream cheese and vanilla together.  Fold into fruit mixture and chill

Secret Fruit Salad

Serves 3-4

I did frozen raspberries and blueberries.  Also canned pineapple.  Worked great!

2 tablespoons dry instant vanilla pudding mix
1 pound of strawberries, quartered
1/2 pint blueberries
1/2 pint raspberries
1/2 pineapple, cubed
1 bunch grapes

Sprinkle fruit pudding powder and stir. Serve immediately or allow to sit overnight.

Fruit Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing - Easy
Yield: enough for a crowd

1 pt. container strawberries
1 pt. container blueberries
1  bunch (about 1 1/2 lbs.) seedless grapes (green, red or a mixture of both)
1/4 cup honey
juice from 2 limes (about 2-3 tablespoons)


Rinse strawberries, blueberries and grapes.  

Gently pat dry the fruit.  Hull strawberries, then cut each in half; if large, cut into quarters.

Remove stems from blueberries, if any.

Remove grapes from stems.

Gently combine  all three in a large bowl or aluminum tray.  Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together honey and lime juice.  Pour over fruit.  

HERB SUGAR

HERB SUGAR
This would be good sprinkled on top of watermelon with a squeeze of lime.

Put all in food processor:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh tender herbs (any combination basil, mint or cilantro)

Pulse until herbs are finely ground and mixture is well combined.

CAFE RIO RECIPES (NOT THE PORK)

Cilantro Lime Rice

WE TRIED CINCO DE MAYO 2012 - WE LIKED
2 cups rice
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
3 cups chicken broth (vegetable broth also works well)
1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 lime, juiced
1/2 cup cilantro leaves (with stems removed), snipped into small pieces

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and rice, and saute, stirring, until it starts to get golden brown.  Remove from heat, and stir in broth, water, and salt.
3. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, and spread it all out evenly in the pan.  Cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 1 hour.  When I made this, I was running late, so I just upped the temperature to 375 and baked it for 45-50 minutes, and it turned out just great.  
4. Meanwhile, juice your lime.  When the rice is finished baking, stir in the lime juice and cilantro.  Serve immediately (hopefully as part of your amazing sweet pork salad--recipe to come!).

 Cafe Rio Dressing

1 1/3 Cup sour cream

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 Bunch of cilantro (leaves not the stems)

1 package ranch dressing mix

4 tbsp. salsa Verde (green salsa)

2 cloves of garlic

1/8 tsp. Tabasco sauce

juice of one lime

Mix together in the blender 

Creamy Tomatillo Salad Dressing

(from Kalyn's Kitchen)

1 small bunch cilantro (stems removed)

2 large or 4 small tomatillos

1/2 tsp minced garlic

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (optional)

2 cups prepared ranch dressing (if you don't have any handy, you can use this recipe for homemade ranch dressing)

1. Wash and dry cilantro leaves.  You can use a salad spinner or just pat them with paper towels.  Chop cilantro leaves into small pieces (or throw them in a food processor and pulse for a few seconds).  Roughly chop tomatillos.

2. Combine cilantro, tomatillos, garlic, lime juice, and jalapeno (if using) in a food processor or blender.  Pulse until finely pureed.  Add prepared ranch dressing and pulse until combined.  If the dressing isn't quite the right balance for you, try adding another tomatillo.

3. Chill for 1-2 hours, then shout hooray and eat your delicious salad.

BRAZILIAN LEMONADE

BRAZILIAN LEMONADE
Dan & Judi had this when they went to Tucanos.  They loved it and found the recipe when they got home and sent it our way.  Never had it before and it is delish!  Abagail said, "This cools me off on a hot day."  So true!  Her suggestion and my mom's was it was too much sugar and condensed milk.  I added 1/2 cup sugar and would add a little more next time.  Added 4T milk.  I thought that was good.  Scott said it would be good if we added strawberries too.  Update: tried with strawberries, really liked!  But it is so good without them too!  Either way.
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/05/brazilian-lemonade/

Brazilian Lemonade

4 juicy limes (try and find ones with thin, smooth skins; they’re the juiciest and the thin skin cuts down on the chance of your drink being bitter)
1 c. sugar
6 c. cold water
6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

Mix cold water and sugar very well and chill until ready to use. This step can be done ahead of time.

Wash limes thoroughly with soap (I just use hand-dishwashing soap or regular hand soap); you need the soap to get the wax and pesticides off of the limes because you’re using the WHOLE lime, baby. Cut the ends off the limes and then cut each lime into 8ths.

Place 1/2 of the limes in your blender.

Add 1/2 of the sugar water, place the lid on your blender, and pulse 5 times. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a pitcher (the one you’ll serve the lemonade in) and pour the blended mixture through the strainer and into the pitcher. Use a spoon to press the rest of the liquid into the pitcher. Dump the pulp and stuff in the strainer into the trash. Repeat with remaining limes and sugar water. Add sweetened condensed milk; DO NOT leave this step out unless you will die of a horrible sweetened condensed milk allergy because this is the secret ingredient! You may want to taste test it at this point; I used giant, thick-skinned limes tonight and didn’t test it and it came out a little bitter. If it’s bitter, just add some more sugar and maybe a little more milk.
Serve immediately over lots of ice. This does not keep well, so don’t make this in advance (although you can cut the limes, mix the sugar water, and measure the sweetened condensed milk in advance). Serves 4, although I can pretty much guarantee you that people will want more; I usually plan on 1 1/2 servings at LEAST per person.

DRESSING/MARINADE

I got this off the Food Network. I am going to be using it this week for a passover meal.

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/2 c. olive oil

1 tsp honey

2 garlic cloves or 1 if a big clove (just a reminder you can buy a single garlic at WinCo)

Smash the cloves with the back of knife. Add everything into a container and shake.

CHEF AJ's HAIL TO KALE SALAD DRESSING
This taste like a really good peanut sauce.  I liked it.

Put everything in vitamix:
1 cup raw almond butter (unsweetened, unsalted) can get bulk at WinCo
1 cup coconut or regular water (used regular)
1/4 cup fresh lime zest & juice (about 2) 
2 cloves garlic
fresh, peeled ginger (about 1" or 3/4 oz) - used paste
2 T low sodium Tamari
4 pitted dates (soaked in water if not soft) can get in bulk at WinCo
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (didn't add)