Taco Seasoning Mix

We love this seasoning for our tacos, so to make things easier when we have them, I make a batch of the seasoning mix up ahead of time. When I get ready to make tacos, I just add 2 T. of seasoning mix per pound of meat. The full directions for the tacos are here: https://www.cherylsrecipes.net/recipe/tacos/

Taco Seasoning Mix
Print Recipe
Taco Seasoning Mix
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients and store in a sealed container. Use 2 T. of seasoning mix per pound of meat. Add to cooked meat with 1/2 cup or so of water, and simmer until the liquid is gone.
Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Fast, Easy and Delicious!

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Print Recipe

Servings
8 servings
Cook Time Passive Time
20 minutes 10 minutes

Servings
8 servings
Cook Time Passive Time
20 minutes 10 minutes

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Print Recipe

Servings
8 servings
Cook Time Passive Time
20 minutes 10 minutes

Servings
8 servings
Cook Time Passive Time
20 minutes 10 minutes

Ingredients
Taco Seasoning


Servings: servings

Instructions
  1. Put water in bottom of 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot.

  2. Put chicken pieces directly into the water inside the Instant Pot. Add cilantro and lime juice.

  3. Combine seasoning ingredients and add to chicken.

  4. Close and seal lid. Cook on high pressure for 15-20 minutes.

  5. Let pressure naturally release for 10 minutes after cooking is done.

  6. Open lid and remove chicken breasts. Shred and add to tortillas, salads, rice, nachos or whatever you want, with your favorite toppings. For Whole30, this makes a great salad!

Recipe Notes

I used chicken breasts.  3 of them weighed 2 lbs.  20 minutes seemed about right for that size of breasts, but it was a little on the dry side.

Share this Recipe
 

Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Instant Pot Chuck Roast

This was pretty fast, moist, tender and delicious!

Instant Pot Chuck Roast
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 25 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 25 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Instant Pot Chuck Roast
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 25 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 25 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
1 hour 25 minutes
Ingredients
Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Set Instant Pot to saute. Wait for it to heat up (it will say "hot").
  2. Season meat on both sides with salt and pepper. Add a little oil to the pot and sear meat for 10 minutes per side.
  3. Hit cancel button.
  4. Add 1 1/2 cups water to pot, along with the remaining ingredients. Set to manual pressure for 60 minutes. When time is up, release pressure naturally for 20 minutes. If you have a 3 lb. roast, cook for 75 minutes. You don't need to change anything else.
  5. If you would like, you can make a gravy from the broth. Remove the roast and put on a platter. Set the Instant Pot to saute. Combine a couple tablespoons of cornstarch or potato starch with enough water to make a thin paste. Drizzle it into the broth as you whisk continuously, until thickened.
Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Chorizo Chili

This is our favorite recipe for chili.  If I don’t have any chorizo, I just use 2 lb. of ground beef and increase the paprika and cumin to 2 T. each.  Some of you might think it odd to add the cocoa powder or chocolate chips.  However, this adds a richer taste and color to the finished product.

Chorizo Chili
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 quarts 30 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 quarts 30 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Chorizo Chili
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 quarts 30 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 quarts 30 minutes
Cook Time
3 hours
Ingredients
Servings: quarts
Instructions
Black Beans
  1. Rinse black beans. Put in pot and cover well with water. Bring to a boil. When the water boils, turn the pot off and let set for 1 hour. Drain beans, cover with fresh water and continue cooking until tender. Add to chili when the beans are tender.
Chili
  1. While beans are soaking, brown beef and chorizo with onions, sweet pepper, garlic, and oil in a Dutch oven.
  2. Add remaining ingredients (except black beans) and simmer for a couple of hours. Add water as needed for the consistency that you desire. Add black beans when they have finished cooking. This is even better if made the day before and reheated.
Recipe Notes

If I don’t have any chorizo, I just use 2 lb. of ground beef and increase the paprika and cumin to 2 T. each.

Share this Recipe
 
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Chili Without Beans

I made this to use in a chili cheese dip:  https://www.cherylsrecipes.net/recipe/chili-cheese-dip/

I learned that this is a Texas style chili because it has no beans.  Personally, I prefer my chili with beans, but this works fantastic in this dip!

Chili Without Beans
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Servings Prep Time
8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Chili Without Beans
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Servings Prep Time
8 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Brown beef with onions, sweet pepper, jalapenos and garlic in the oil. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for a couple of hours. Add water as needed for the consistency that you desire.
  2. Serve with desired condiments: corn chips, cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, etc.
Recipe Notes

If you don't have beef base, just use beef broth in place of the beef base and water.  Just read ingredients first if you have food allergies!

Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Chili Cheese Dip

I used to make this recipe for parties a lot!:  https://www.cherylsrecipes.net/recipe/chili-dip/  It was super fast and easy.

However, when I found out that I had wheat and soy allergies, I could no longer make it because every single canned chili I can find has soy (along with a lot of preservatives) in it!  I am also not a big fan of Velveeta because it is so processed.  So I came up with this recipe as a replacement and it is even better, although obviously not as easy!  It is still not too difficult though.  I will certainly be making it again!

If you would rather used canned chili for the convenience, just use 3 cans of chili in this recipe.  Or, if you have a favorite chili recipe (with or without beans), substitute about 6-7 cups of that for this chili.

Chili Cheese Dip
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
30 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Servings Prep Time
30 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Chili Cheese Dip
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
30 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Servings Prep Time
30 servings 30 minutes
Cook Time
2 hours
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Instructions
Chili with no beans
  1. In a large, deep pot, brown ground beef, onion, sweet pepper, garlic, and jalapeno in the oil.
  2. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese and cream. Simmer for a couple of hours until it is cooked down and quite thick.
Dip
  1. Add cheeses to the chili. Stir over medium or low-medium heat to melt the cheeses. Add a little heavy cream for a better texture.
  2. Serve with tortilla chips. I garnished mine with cilantro. My husband liked it even better with the cilantro.
Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Baked Chicken Tenders

I make up a bunch of this seasoning mix and store it in an airtight container, so it is really easy to make on a busy day!

Baked Chicken Tenders
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
5 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
5 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Baked Chicken Tenders
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
5 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Servings Prep Time
5 servings 10 minutes
Cook Time
25 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Place chicken in a Ziploc bag with some milk. Let set for at least 20 minutes. Preheat oven to Speedbake 400 degrees. If you do not have a Speedbake, you might want to bump it up to 425.
  2. Place 1/2 stick of butter in a cookie sheet with sides. Melt butter in oven as it is preheating. Make sure there are no dry spots on the pan.
  3. Shake excess milk off of chicken and completely coat each piece with the seasoning mix. You can either shake the chicken in a bag, until coated, or dip each piece in a bowl until coated.
  4. Cook 15 minutes. Turn each piece of chicken and continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until cooked through.
  5. I served mine with broccoli and seasoned brown basmati rice.
Recipe Notes

Although spelt is actually a type of wheat flour, most people with wheat allergies can digest spelt flour with no problem.  Obviously, you should not eat spelt if it is a problem for you.

Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper

This is a great meal when you have had a busy day.  It is much healthier than the box mix that you can buy at the store, but doesn’t take any longer!

Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Beef Stroganoff Hamburger Helper
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 servings 5 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil and brown the ground beef.
  2. As the beef is cooking, slice the mushrooms and add the mushroom slices to the partially cooked ground beef.
  3. Combine the seasonings as that finishes cooking.
  4. Add all other ingredients, except sour cream, to the cooked beef. Stir to combine and cover.
  5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium low and allow to simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through. The time may vary depending on the type of noodles you use. Read the directions on the package. This gluten free Barilla fettuccine takes 13-14 minutes, but white spelt pasta takes 7 minutes!
  6. Add the sour cream and stir. If it is too watery, let sit for 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.
Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Easy Cilantro Lime Fish

My husband and I both loved this fish!  It was so good that we were wishing that I had made more than one filet for each of us.  Mild white fish seasoned and cooked in a skillet, then topped with a cilantro lime butter.  Delicious!

If you prefer, you can use flounder or tilapia instead of cod.

Easy Cilantro Lime Fish
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 filets 5 minutes
Cook Time
6 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 filets 5 minutes
Cook Time
6 minutes
Easy Cilantro Lime Fish
Print Recipe
Servings Prep Time
4 filets 5 minutes
Cook Time
6 minutes
Servings Prep Time
4 filets 5 minutes
Cook Time
6 minutes
Ingredients
Fish seasoning
Cilantro Lime Butter
Other ingredients
Servings: filets
Instructions
  1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-medium high heat. Combine fish seasoning ingredients and sprinkle evenly over all 4 fish filets.
  2. Add 2 T. butter to skillet. Put fish in skillet and cook approximately 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
  3. Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients for the Cilantro Lime Butter. Place fish on serving platter; squeeze juice from lime quarters onto fish and top with cilantro lime butter.
Recipe Notes

Each serving contains 245 calories, 12 g fat, 103 mg cholesterol, 317 mg sodium, 736 mg potassium, 1 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 30 g protein

Share this Recipe
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe

Chili to feed 50 people (or so)

This is a bold, hearty chili, although not all that spicy.  You can add Frank’s Red Hot Sauce or jalapenos if you prefer more heat.

Chili to feed 50 people (or so)
Print Recipe
Servings
50 servings
Servings
50 servings
Chili to feed 50 people (or so)
Print Recipe
Servings
50 servings
Servings
50 servings
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
Seasonings
Beans & tomatoes
Servings: servings
Instructions
  1. Brown meat mixture ingredients together with olive oil. Add all Seasonings. Note: If you are making this for another day, stop here. It will be easier to cool down and store in the refrigerator at this point, then finish it the day you are serving it. Combine all ingredients and simmer until ready to serve. You will need to add water as it is cooking so it is not overly thick. Serve with Frank's Red Hot Sauce, shredded cheese, sour cream, Fritos, sliced jalapenos, etc.
Recipe Notes

The chocolate chips add a richer flavor and beautiful color.

Share this Recipe
 
Powered byWP Ultimate Recipe