Carne Guisada

I stand in my kitchen over a dutch oven stirring a pot of what is suppose to be carne guisada.  Yup...I am wondering what I did in my life that brought me to this moment and thinking do I even know what I am doing?  Apparently it is one of those dishes that fortunately just sounds hard but is amazingly simple and is delicious.  John I guess was browsing for dinner ideas and threw this little gem my way.  He of course is a add this, do that kind of a person.  I feel as though you should at least give the original recipe a shot before going and making improvements on something.  Not him!  He already had me adding potatoes and green chilis to it before I even got the grocery list written down.  My Husband thankfully has good taste in everything.  My first crack at this recipe was a success and left me shouting the dinner bell with confidence.  

Green Chile Carne Guisada

4 russet potatoes

5 cups cold water

3 TB salt

Cube potatoes and put in cold salted water to boil until tender.

2 TB oil

1-2 pounds sirloin cubed

3 TB flour

In a dutch oven add your oil to the pan on medium heat.  Dredge sirloin chunks in flour and add to the pan.

While that is browning..

2 roma tomatoes diced

1 bunch of cilantro chopped

1 small onion diced

4 roasted, skinned, deseeded and chopped green chiles

Add to the dutch oven once the meat is browned.  Stir and prepare..

2 Tb cumino seeds

3 garlic cloves

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 tsp black pepper corns

Toast cumino seeds just until fragrant, mince garlic cloves, crushed red pepper and black peppercorns until a paste forms.  Add to the pot and add remaining ingredients.

3 Cups beef stock

salt & pepper to taste

You will notice that once you add the stock that the liquid forms a gravy.  Once it has reached that point drop the temperature to low heat and simmer for an hour.  Once the meat is tender add your cooked potatoes and gently stir until coated.

Serve with warm tortillas over rice!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

So I live in a world where when it is winter I am ready for spring.  When it is spring I am ready for summer, and so on and so forth.  I know a lot of you are guilty of this as well.  Although I am only 10 or so days away from fall, I waited long enough to throw out a pumpkin recipe.  Pumpkin whoopie pies to be exact.  What, you aren't one of the 5 billion people in the world that enjoys pumpkin, well all I can say to you is good day!  I am not going to lie, about mid October the taste of pumpkin turns my stomach and the color orange makes me want to pull my hair out.  November 1st I also put my Christmas decor out.  I think it is all due to that season/holiday jumper thing I have going on.  Okay so anyways today I love love love anything pumpkin!  Yummy, spicy and delicious pumpkin!  These whoopie pies are amazingly simple and are a crowd pleaser.  I do not think I have ever met anyone who has seen a whoopie pie and been like "no thanks"!  It just does not happen!  School bake sale coming up, midnight sweet tooth or because it is Tuesday you will be happy to have this recipe on hand!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

Makes 12-14

3 cups AP Flour

1 TB cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground ginger

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground cloves

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 - 15 oz. can of pumpkin

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat together brown sugar, white sugar, oil and pumpkin. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla. 

In a separate bowl, shift together the dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. 

Using a medium Pampered Chef scoop, place batter about 2'' apart.  Tap the pan to flatten batter just a bit.

Bake for 11 minutes and cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature

1 - 16 oz. package of powdered sugar

1 TB vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.

Pipe in a round circle about a ¼" away from edge.  Stick together and done!

"TIP - If you put these in a ziplock bag they will get very sticky!!!  If you are wanting to stack and display at a party assemble and cover with a light towel!