bell peppers – Page 4 – The Pajama Chef

#10DaysofTailgate: Cincinnati Turkey Chili

September 24, 2014September 26, 2014 Sarah

This delicious, smoky chili is so easy and full of flavor! Serve it alone, or Cincinnati-style over spaghetti for a fun twist!

This week I’m sharing tailgate-style recipes as part of #10DaysofTailgate, the special blogging event I am participating in through the rest of the month. This event has been graciously organized by Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla. While you’re thinking about it, be sure to pop over here to read all about the event and enter the giveaway. You won’t regret it! 🙂

I went to college in Ohio [yeahh Wittenberg!] and I remember the first time I was in the dining hall on chili night. Looking all around I saw people ladling chili on… what’s that… spaghetti! How bizarre, I thought, until I remembered that Cincinnatians [is that a thing? It is now!] eat their chili over spaghetti noodles. I thought it was really strange and didn’t try it for a few years until I was in a situation where it would have been super rude to not, plus I would have ended up starrrving. And we all know that’s not a good thing, righto? Truth be told, I before making this recipe I had only eaten Cincinnati chili a handful of times. But now that I have this easy recipe in my repertoire, I think it’ll end up on our dinner table more often in the future!

This recipe is from an Ellie Krieger cookbook which means two things: 1) it’s healthy, and 2) it’s super flavorful. The seasonings in this recipe are SPOT ON, folks. I didn’t change a thing! Just the right amount of heat and warm spices to make a smoky, alluring chili. Yup, I just called chili alluring. You gotta make it now! Be sure to top it with whatever you please… cheese, onion, sour cream/greek yogurt… the more the merrier! That’s part of the fun of Cincinnati chili! 🙂

three years ago: Honey Fig Scones
four years ago: Radiatore Lasagna

Cincinnati Turkey Chili

Servings: 4
Time: 2 hours
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from Ellie Krieger’s Comfort Food Fix

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
2 green bell peppers, diced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cloves
15 ounces tomato sauce – look for salt-free
14.5 ounces diced tomatoes in tomato juice – look for salt-free
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon molasses
1 bay leaf
1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
8 ounces spaghetti, cooked
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 teaspoons minced red onion

Directions:

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often until soft–about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in turkey, breaking up with a wooden spoon, and cook through. Add peppers and cook for a couple minutes until they are just beginning to soften. Add spices–chili powder, cocoa powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne, pepper, and cloves. Stir in and cook for about a minute until they start to smell delicious. Finally, add in tomato sauce and tomatoes, water, molasses, and the bay leaf.

Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook down for about 2 hours. Chili should still be soupy.

Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the kidney beans. Serve over spaghetti and top with cheese and onion.

Here’s what the rest of the team brought to the table…

Starters
Sticky Mango Mustard Glazed Duck Meatballs by girlichef
Pretzel Sticks with Two Sauces by Eliot’s Eats
Cherry Chipotle BBQ Pork Nachos by The Spiffy Cookie
Duck Poppers by CafeTerra
Duck Bacon Pumpkin Soup by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Dips
Corn and Cheddar Dip by Sew You Think You Can Cook
Steakhouse Deviled Egg Dip by From Gate to Plate

Mains
Ultimate Bacon Burger by Cheese Curd In Paradise
Cincinnati Turkey Chili by The Pajama Chef
Smoky Date Pulled Pork by Curious Cuisiniere
Grilled Avocado with Melted Cheese & Karma Hot Sauce by Making Miracles

Sides
Just Ducky Baked Beans by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Sweets
Linebacker-Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies by Things I Make (for Dinner)
Rocky Ledge Bars by Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
Pear Poppy Snails {Birnen Mohn Schnecken} by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen

Appetizers, Recipes

#10DaysofTailgate: Hot Mexican Quinoa Dip

September 23, 2014September 25, 2014 Sarah

This cheesy, Mexican-inspired quinoa dip is packed with protein and veggies for a semi-healthy tailgating treat!

One tailgating [or homegating] staple for me is dips. Cheesy, creamy, delectable dips that I can dunk tortilla chips in are my favorite thing ever! Notice that I didn’t say I’d dip veggies in dip. I’m not above healthifying a cheesy recipe, but I AM above dipping veggies in a cheesy dip. That’s just weird. For dips, tortilla chips > veggies, imo.

This Hot Mexican Quinoa Dip is full of all my favorite things! It’s a twist off of seven layer dip, and it’s even more delicious because it’s hot, gooey, and bubbly. I don’t think there are quite seven layers: black beans [pureed with garlic, cayenne, cilantro, and cottage cheese–weird-ish I know, but adds protein and makes ’em creamy], quinoa, cheese, bell peppers, salsa, avocado, tomatoes, green onion, and cilantro. I guess that’s nine layers! Extra yum, huh?

Ben and I ate almost the entire pan of this one Saturday night while watching a movie–it is that good! It almost reminds me of a black bean quinoa casserole that I’ve made before, except you eat it with chips so it’s extra fun. For some reason I feel a bit uninspired writing about it… but know this: it is amazing and addicting and perfect for anything from tailgating to a girls’ night in! Enjoy!

one year ago: Sweet ‘n Spicy Apple BBQ Chicken & Slaw
three years ago: Homemade Chipotle Bowls
four years ago: Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip

Hot Mexican Quinoa Dip

Servings: 16
Time: 50 minutes
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from The Lean Green Bean

Ingredients:

for the beans

2 cups black beans
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup cilantro
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup water

for remaining ingredients

1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 cup shredded cheese – cheddar, Mexican blend, etc. your choice!
1 bell pepper, diced
1 cup salsa
2 avocados, diced
1 large tomato, diced
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
2 green onions, sliced
hot sauce, optional
tortilla chips, for serving

Directions:

Grease a 9×9 inch pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, combine all ingredients for the beans and process until mostly all ingredients are incorporated. It doesn’t have to be completely smooth. Add extra water if necessary to thin it out.

Spread half of the bean mixture on the bottom of the pan. Top with half of the quinoa, half the bell pepper, half the cheese, and half the salsa. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Let cool for a few minutes, then top with avocados, tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions. Serve with tortilla chips and hot sauce if desired.

Here’s what the rest of the team brought to the table…

Starters
Beer Battered Fried Pickles with Pickle Dipping Sauce by Debbi Does Dinner Healthy
DBLT Wraps by Miss Laura’s Kitchen
Jalapeno Beer Cheese Soup by From Gate to Plate
Bacon-Wrapped Potato Wedges by Making Miracles

Dips
Hot Mexican Quinoa Dip by The Pajama Chef
Deviled Egg Dip by From Gate to Plate

Mains
Pretzel Dogs El Diablo by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Carrot Habanero Duck Meatballs by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Curried Maple Leaf Farms Duck Mini Meat Pies by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures

Sweets
Quince Butter Thumbprint Cookies by Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Breakfast, Main Dishes, Meat, Pork, Recipes

Sausage and Ranch Potato Skillet with Fried Eggs

September 10, 2014December 14, 2015 Sarah

This easy sausage and potato skillet is seasoned with a healthy herb ranch blend and topped with a fried egg, making it a perfect breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! Delicious!

I love skillet meals! One dish meals are seriously my go-to for weeknights. Less courses=less dishes=less clean up=more time to read on the couch/bake pumpkin treats/watch tv/brush our little spoiled cats or anything else my little heart desires. Usually my skillet meals include rice, pasta, or quinoa, and cheese. Always cheese! But sometimes you want something a little lighter and fresher. Not that rice or pasta dishes can’t be light, but you know what I mean, right? For me, the key to delicious light meals is lots of flavor. Like ranch! Mmm, ranch dressing. Whoever invented that stuff was a genius!

A few weeks ago, on a whim, I made a batch of healthy herb ranch seasoning and used it for some roasted potatoes alongside a little breakfast-for-dinner meal with cheesy scrambled eggs, oatmeal scones, and berries. Not that you’ll NEED extra ideas for using this ranch seasoning [I think it’s going to become a standard addition to my pantry] but let me just say that ranch seasoning on popcorn is amazingggg! Mmm, it’s 8 am and I want some ranch popcorn. Haha.

Now, that meal was good…but I had visions! Visions of a ranch-seasoned skillet meal with crispy roasted potatoes, crumbled breakfast sausage, bell peppers, onion, garlic, jalapeno and a fried egg on top! Well, my fried eggs are actually over-easy eggs but same diff. 🙂 I am happy to report that this skillet was everything I dreamed it would be… a fresh, filling meal full of ranch flavor AND the best part was that it’s healthy! That’s why I used that ranch seasoning blend… all the flavors of a hearty, creamy ranch without tons of salt, sour cream, or mayo. To make the potatoes super crispy I roasted them in the oven with some of the ranch seasoning, then tossed them with the sausage and bell pepper mixture after everything was cooked. Don’t forget the avocado on the side… a bite of creamy, cool avocado alongside this spicy ranch-y skillet is just divine! Enjoy!

P.S. Don’t forget about my giveaway for Healthy Solutions Spice Blends! Ends Saturday! 🙂

two years ago: Peach Ginger Pie
three years ago: Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
four years ago: Chili Burgers

Sausage and Ranch Potato Skillet with Fried Eggs

Servings: 4
Time: 30 minutes
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Ingredients:

1 pound red potatoes, cut into eighths [quarter, then half each quarter]
1 1/2 tablespoon ranch seasoning, divided [see below, or use your favorite]
cayenne pepper – optional
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 pound breakfast sausage
1 cup red onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1 jalapeno, diced – optional
2 cloves of garlic, minced
4 eggs
diced avocado, for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss red potatoes in 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning, a sprinkling of cayenne, and olive oil. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until fork-tender. I like to bump the heat up to 475 for the last 5 minutes or so of baking to get a nice crispy crust.

While potatoes are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon. Drain grease and return sausage to pan. Add onion, green pepper, red pepper, and jalapeno, if using. Saute for 10 minutes or until onions are soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Cover and remove from heat. When potatoes are done, add to skillet with sausage and vegetables and stir in remaining 1/2 tablespoon ranch seasoning.

Cook fried eggs to desired doneness, then serve a fried egg on top of each serving with diced avocado.

Healthy Herb Ranch Seasoning

Servings: 1 cup
Time: 5 minutes
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from Wildflour’s Cottage Kitchen

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried chives
1 teaspoon dried dill
2 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar, optional
1/4 teaspoon dried minced onion, optional
1/4 teaspoon salt, optional

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a Mason jar and shake to combine. Store covered until ready to use.

Can combine with 1 3/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt for a ranch dressing/dip; just mix well and thin with milk or buttermilk to reach desired consistency.

Linked up with Weekend Potluck.

Main Dishes, Pasta, Recipes

BBQ Baked Spaghetti

July 2, 2014June 29, 2014 Sarah

This baked spaghetti is jazzed up with BBQ sauce, ground beef or turkey, and vegetables. It’s as cheesy and delicious as it sounds!

Ben and I are HUGE baked pasta people. If we ate baked pasta as much as we wanted to, we would probably be huge. Haha! 🙂 Anyways… this BBQ Baked Spaghetti is awesome and I wish I had some to enjoy right now!

I got the recipe from one of the first food blogs I ever started reading–Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures. Everything I make from her blog is just delicious, family friendly, and wonderful. This baked pasta dish is no exception. It’s cheesy pasta goodness that no one can resist, even though BBQ and spaghetti may not be the first food combination that you would think of when brainstorming for dinner. It’s a unique dinner that you’ll want to make again and again.

Like I do with a lot of baked pasta dishes, I made this dinner a day or so before I wanted to eat it. If you cover it and stick it in the fridge, it’s an easy homemade convenience dinner for later in the week! This pasta dish kind of reminded me of the ubiquitous BBQ burgers I see all over Nashville–except a more carblicious rendering of that.

If you like baked spaghetti and you like BBQ, you’ll love this dinner! Enjoy!

one year ago: Honey Lemon Thyme Iced Tea
two years ago: Chocolate Chip Banana Pancakes
three years ago: Spiced Waffles

BBQ Baked Spaghetti

Servings: 10
Time: 60mins
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from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
Ingredients:

1 pound spaghetti noodles
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups bbq sauce [I like Sweet Baby Ray’s]
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

Bring a large pot of water to boil and then cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Meanwhile, brown ground beef or turkey in a large skillet set over medium heat. While meat is browning, add green pepper and onion. Cook until tender, then drain grease if necessary. Return pan to heat and add garlic powder, bbq sauce, and tomato sauce. Cook over medium heat until hot.

Combine spaghetti with sauce mixture. Stir in half the cheese, then spread into prepared pan. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes until hot and cheese is bubbly.

30 Before 30, Main Dishes, Pizza, Recipes

Best Ever Homemade Pizza

June 23, 2014February 19, 2016 Sarah

This homemade pizza dough bakes up golden brown, soft, and chewy, and is the perfect base for your favorite pizza toppings!

I used to think homemade pizza was lame. When I made it, it just never seemed as good as delivery or pizza shop pizza. Even though I shared recipes for pizza here on my blog I kinda thought homemade pizza was a frugal substitute for the real deal. But then I had GOOD homemade pizza, made by several different friends, and realized I was just doing it wrong. C’est la vie, right?

That’s what prompted me to do something about it and put “homemade pizza dough” on my 30 before 30 list. I was determined to find the BEST homemade pizza dough. I tried several recipes… and you guys… I think this it it! [And not because of those delicious brown cheese bubbles there. :)]

This dough is chewy, flavorful, and the perfect palate for any pizza topping. I haven’t added any seasoning to the dough because I don’t think it needs it, but feel free to doctor it up if it’s your thing… especially if that helps your pizza toppings succeed. Prefer something traditional? Great. Perfect a taco pizza? Awesome. Anything goes–really! This is dough bakes into a beautiful golden brown crust reminiscent of Pizza Hut pan pizza–not too thick or too thin, just right.

Though this recipe is yeast based, it’s really easy. Seriously–it’s hard to mess up since it just has one rise. The dough is so soft and smooth after it rises that you can easily press or roll it into the pizza pan. Some doughs are sticky–this isn’t one of them! Definitely try it and see what you think. I’m going to use it for calzones next! YUM!

P.S. I did some work on my blog this week–what do you think? Let me know if anything looks funky and I’ll check it out. Thanks!

one year ago: Mango Quick Cake Squares
two years ago: Cookie Dough Dip
three years ago: Rhubarb Muffins

Best Ever Homemade Pizza

Servings: 4
Time: 1hr 30mins
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from Creative Savings
Ingredients:

for pizza dough

1/2 cup warm water
1 package [2 1/4 teaspoons] active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

for rest of pizza

cornmeal for sprinkling
1/2 cup pizza sauce – I like this recipe from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures and usually add a drizzle of balsamic vinegar
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
toppings as desired – pepperoni, diced peppers, sliced mushrooms, spinach, chopped tomatoes, etc.

Directions:

In a large bowl [I usually use my stand mixer but you don’t have to], whisk together warm water and yeast to dissolve. I heat the water about 15-20 seconds in the microwave so it feels like bathwater–too hot will kill the yeast. Then add warm milk, olive oil, salt, and sugar. Whisk or blend on low to combine. Add in 2 cups flour and stir or blend to incorporate. Gradually add in another cup to 1 1/4 cups of flour in 1/4 cup increments to form a soft dough.

Knead [either in mixer or on a clean, flour-dusted surface] for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Grease a large bowl and place pizza dough in it, turning once to coat. Cover with a towel and set in a warm place to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.

Partway through the dough rising process, preheat oven to 400 degrees so it’s nice and hot when it’s time to bake.

When dough is ready, punch down and press or roll onto a pizza pan that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Top with sauce, cheese, and desired toppings. Bake for 18-20 minutes, broiling the last minute or so to brown the cheese. Let cool for 5-8 minutes before cutting and serving. Enjoy!

We even made a his and hers version of this pizza this weekend… SO GOOD! Make it now! Please. 🙂

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