Thursday, September 26, 2013

Chorizo Sausage

With the ground pork in my freezer, I am trying some sausage recipes on a smaller scale to see what I think. This one wasn’t my favorite, but I want to remember how I did it. On the other hand, it made a KILLER chili last night for supper!

Chorizo Sausage - The Backyard Farmwife

2 pounds ground pork

1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon each: oregano & cumin

1/4 teaspoon fennel seed

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/2 Tablespoon each: onion powder & pepper

2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

Mix together well by hand or in a stand mixer. Freeze or use within 2 days.

Bacon Jalapeno Biscuits

I needed something to go along with the pot of chorizo chili for supper and had just chopped up the last of the jalapenos from the garden. So here is the result…

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup shortening or lard

1/4 cup crumbled bacon

2 Tablespoons minced fresh jalapeno

1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

1 cup milk

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening or lard with a pastry cutter. Stir in bacon, jalapenos and cheese. Add milk and stir until just combined.

Drop onto greased baking sheet and bake at 450 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve hot with butter.

Bacon Jalapeno Biscuits - The Backyard Farmwife

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Green Bean & Mizithra Carbonara

This is what you make when you don’t have peas or parmesan cheese but do have plenty of pasta and eggs… not to mention green beans and mizithra cheese. Turned out pretty tasty!

green bean & mizithra carbonara - The Backyard Farmwife

4 room temperature eggs

1/4 cup heavy cream

Whisk together and set aside.

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic

1/2 pound diced bacon

Sauté bacon in frying pan until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels. Pour off remaining grease. Sauté garlic and onion until tender.

1 pound pasta

2 cups fresh green beans

Cook pasta and beans in the same pot until tender.Drain.

1/4 cup butter

While pasta/beans is cooking, place butter in glass 9x13 baking dish. Put in the oven at 350 until butter melts.

As soon as pasta is drained, place in pan with butter and bacon mixture. Toss well. Slowly pour eggs & cream over pasta while stirring. The egg will cook with the hot pan and pasta.

3/4 to 1 cup grated mizithra cheese

salt & pepper, to taste

Toss with pasta and serve immediately.