My Texas Market November 2016 Subscription Box Review

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Have you ever wandered around the farmers market and wondered what to buy? It’s like they selected the products for you and shipped them to your house! The subscription is $35 a month or you can choose a 3- or 6-month subscription and save a little dough. Right now if you enter promo code 10FIRST you can save 10% off your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market!!!).

This month’s theme was “A Day of Thanksgiving” and was full of products to help subscribers get in touch with their fall feelings, such as feeling warm and cozy. Or maybe that’s just how it made ME feel!

This is such a lovely, detailed product information card and I love that the websites are listed because sometimes I need more and so it’s easy to order my new favorites from home.

This box smelled delicious and I couldn’t wait to dig in!

Stellar Gourmet Mulling Spice is a nice way to kick off the season. I have a couple of bottles of apple cider and red wine waiting for a cold front so I can put my new spices to use. They even included a muslin bag tucked inside the lid. Fortitude Provisions Co. Autumn Kindling Room Spray  has a cozy fireside scent thanks to cedarwood, orange, patchouli, and vetiver.

Here’s a closeup of those mulling spices.

I love that they included a recipe card!

November is a wonderful time of the year to give thanks for our bounty and blessings. There was a little muslin bag that had a few pieces of paper inside that you could write your blessings on and then store them in the bag. Whenever you want to remind yourself of all that you hold dear just reach in and pull out a reminder.

I loved the scent of the Benjamin Soap Co. Pumpkin Spice Candle! This candle is made from non-GMO soy and is scented with essential oils, plus it has a 35-hour burn time.

I have been snacking on The Pecan Shop’s Apple Pie Pecan Halves. These certified pesticide-free nuts have been soaked in filtered water and are sweetened with apples, cinnamon, and wildflower honey. Garden Dreams Cranopeno Jelly  is a cross between cranberry sauce and jalapeno jelly and can be served with toast, as a glaze for meat, or with cream cheese or brie on a cracker.

I ALWAYS enjoy getting my monthly taste of Texas! These products fit the theme so well and were tasty, seasonal, and scent-sational. I love that My Texas Market takes the time to visit farmers’ markets across the state and then picks the best of the best!

If you would like to give My Texas Market a try then click here and get ready to enjoy the best of the Lone Star State!

What item are you wanting to try from this month’s box? Let me know in the comments!

My Texas Market July 2016

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Have you ever wandered around the farmers market and wondered what to buy? It’s like they selected the products for you and shipped them to your house! The subscription is $35 a month or you can choose a 3- or 6-month subscription and save a little dough. Right now if you enter promo code MAIL25 you will save 25% on your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market and Happy Birthday!!!).

First look! My box was beat up in transit but everything looked great inside! The packing and presentation are always top notch with this box.

The theme for July was “How Sweet It Is” and the products inside were geared towards helping celebrate My Texas Market’s first birthday.

I love the detail that goes in to the product info card. It not only lists each item and why it is a standout, but where you can get some more of your favorites.

Not only does My Texas Market send awesome “Made in Texas” products, they also give a portion of their proceeds to the Houston Food Bank.

 

My Texas Market sent 5 items this month. The products just look beautiful, don’t they? So colorful and fun!

First up was Outrageous Oatmeal Cookie Mix from Bona Dea. This is gluten free and allergy friendly as well as GMO free. I will have to save this for a few months because I do not bake in the summer. Ever. It just heats up my house too much, but I can’t wait to mix up a batch of chocolate chip oatmeal raisin cookies this fall!

This seasonally appropriate Patriot Pop from Cornucopia Popcorn in Austin has red cherry, white sweet, and blue raspberry flavors and disappeared faster than a 4th of July sparkler. I am going to need to make a little trip downtown and grab some of their other awesome flavors!

I am embarrassed to say that I was a little afraid to try Blue Heron Farm & Friends Original Cajeta because I am not crazy about goat cheese and thought this might have a similar foot stank smell but I was so wrong. This is the BEST caramel I have ever tried. It is so buttery and sweet and I need to get some vanilla ice cream ASAP so I can stop eating it by the spoonful. I guess I could dip some apples in it until I get to the store.

What birthday party would be complete without a candle? This delicious smelling vegan Cupcake Candle from EcoBabe has a great scent and good throw. Plus it looks so darn cute sitting on my counter.

If you were hoping to grab a second jar of The Peach Boys peach jam by EMZ Jamz you are going to have a long wait since it is out of season, but don’t cry because they have some other wonderful flavors to choose from! If you haven’t completely devoured this fresh tasting treat then try it with some brie or cream cheese on a cracker or mix with a little oil and vinegar to make a unique dressing for a summer salad.

This box continues to amaze me! I love the monthly themes, I love that this box can be enjoyed by both men and women (and teenagers, since they eat all my treats), and I especially love that these items represent our state so well. As for the value, try walking around your local farmers market and see how much you can get for $25-35 and I think you will see this is a good deal, plus you don’t have to wander around in the heat, or the cold, or the rain. I spent $10 just for one jar of pickles y’all so I know those products aren’t cheap. If you would like to give My Texas Market a try then click here and get ready to enjoy the best of the Lone Star State!

P.S. What was your favorite item this month?

My Texas Market May Box Review “Backyard Barbecue”

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Sort of like visiting the farmers’ market, except they shipped it to your house! The subscription is $35 a month or you can choose a 3- or 6-month subscription and save a little dough. Right now if you enter promo code MAIL25 you will save 25% on your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market!).

The box presentation is one of the best! My Texas Market puts a lot of thought into their boxes. The tissue paper even looks like a picnic blanket. How cute is that?

My mom always told me that you can’t go wrong with a hand-written note!

The box contains eco-friendly shredded paper to help cushion the items. This box contained a lot of glass but everything was bubble-wrapped and arrived safe and sound.

May’s theme was “Backyard Barbecue” which is perfect not only for Texas but all over the country, with Memorial Day ushering in the grilling season for so many of us.

The flip side of the card lists the products and how to put them to use. I refer to it frequently.

There were a few inserts with additional information on which wood pairs best with different types of meat, how to brew various types of tea, and a coupon for Benjamin Soap Co.

Everything in the box. How do they pack so much in there? It looks great!

Larry’s Bag-of-Smoke Hickory Wood Chips ($4.99 value) Confession #1: Even though my husband grills, he has never smoked anything on the ‘cue (and yes, he is a Texas native!). So if we don’t actually put this to use, I know plenty of people who will. According to the literature included, hickory pairs well with ribs, brisket, and pork. I don’t have a link included but you can email Larry at larrysbagofsmoke@aol.com to order.

Benjamin Soap Co Bug Repellent ($6.67 value) This all natural bug repellent is from an Austin-based business and is a convenient roll-on formula. The citronella is strong with this one but it smells much better than the DEET based ones from the store. We had a mild winter and wet spring here in Central Texas and I have already been attacked by mosquitoes so I will keep this next to my back door and remember to use it if I dare to go outside to take out the trash or something.

White Cloud World Teas Peach Paradise Tea ($6.95 value) Here is another product from an Austin-based business and White Cloud World Teas are located “Steep in the Heart of Texas”.  This herbal infusion can be served hot or iced and since I was feeling under the weather I decided to go with hot. This is a fruity, luscious blend and has such a beautiful color from the hibiscus flowers.

 

Stellar Gourmet Foods Texas Triple Threat Mustard ($6.99 value) Confession #2: I have never tried habanero flavored anything but since I am recovering from a tummy bug this will have to wait a bit longer. It sounds delicious and contains tequila, honey, and Texas red grapefruit and promises a sinus-clearing experience. I think I will give a try with grilled sausage on a roll.

Spaulding’s Specialty Spices Smoke on the Barbie Rub ($8 value) I recently bought a smoked salt from the bulk bin at the store with no idea on how to use it, I just liked the smell. This is 100 times better. It can be used as a marinade or rub but I used it to season onions that I grilled in a little packet of foil with a pat of butter. A little goes a long way but it took the onions (which I placed on a burger) over the top. I linked to their Facebook page, where you can message them what you want and they will invoice you.

Kellie’s Baking Co Mason Jar Brookie We have come to the end of our little backyard BBQ but My Texas Market included a sweet treat to end the experience. I pack little desserts and dips in Mason jars to take to swim meets in the summer but I had never heard of a Brookie so I’ll let Kellie’s Baking Co describe it:

What is a brookie?  Our Brookie is a fudgy brownie baked with a chocolate chip cookie layer, topped with toasted marshmallows, chocolate ganache, caramel drizzle, cookie crumbs, powdered sugar and a kiss of sea salt, aka heaven! 

I took a peek at it and placed it in the fridge. When I went to try it later on I couldn’t find it and no one is fessing up to taking it but I have my suspicions.

My Texas Market is one of my favorite subscriptions! This box has a little something for everyone and you don’t have to be from Texas to enjoy it. Has grilling season started in your part of the country? What do you like to grill?

My Texas Market April Box Review “Springtime in Texas”

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Sort of like visiting the farmers’ market, except they shipped it to your house! The subscription is $35 a month or you can choose a 3- or 6-month subscription and save a little dough. Right now if you enter promo code MAIL25 you will save 25% on your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market!).

My Texas Market does a great packing job! Presentation is important and this box always looks neat and as if it was packed with care. There was some literature on top so let’s take a closer look!

There was a card inside that tells a little about My Texas Market.

The theme for April’s box was “Springtime in Texas” and the items in this box fit that theme perfectly.

I love the detail on this product description card! It lists each item and where the company that created it is located.

Two of these companies are new to me but I have tried items from the other three. Everything looks so pretty!

Otavea Strawberry Body Scrub (4 oz, $10 value) I love strawberries and this scrub smelled so scrumptious so I tried it first. This stuff is practically edible but do yourself a favor and follow the instructions on the card that was included (shown below) and try it in your shower. No lotion needed after using this baby.

Grab Me. Scrub Me. Rinse Me. Done!

Mind Your Own Beeswax Candle Co. Medium Beehive Candle (3.5 oz, $8 value) I love candles but some of them can be overly perfumed but not this cute little hive shaped one. Even my husband commented on how nice it smelled when I burned it.

It even has little bees on it!

Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Co. Blackberry Balsamic Vinegar (100ml, $6.80 value) I LOVE Texas Hill Country Olive Oil and wrote a separate review on them that you can read here. Thanks to My Texas Market I am expanding my collection of olive oils and flavored balsamic vinegars. These are so good they are practically drinkable but try mixing it with some olive oil and a little salt and top your field green salad with this delectable mixture.

Brenham Kitchens Dried Strawberries (8 oz, $10 value) These are super sweet and a nice alternative to gummy fruit snacks. They taste good on their own but try topping a salad (such as the one mentioned above) with some chopped berries, mix with nuts for your own trail mix, or, as my friend suggested, top your oatmeal with these instead of raisins.

Kuhdoo Soap Co. Bluebonnet Soap ($6 value) I never really thought of bluebonnets having a scent yet my oldest said it smelled exactly like (wait for it) bluebonnets! I thought it had a floral scent mixed with a touch of grape Kool-Aid (I love grape Kool-Aid). Put this in a room that you want to smell good such as a guest bathroom.

Once again My Texas Market curated a beautiful box from the Lone Star State! All of the products are perfect for the theme and are enjoyable to use. Do you have a favorite farmers’ market find?

My Texas Market March Box Review

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Sort of like visiting the farmers’ market, except they shipped it to your house! The subscription is $35 a month and you can get a discount on a 3- or 6-month subscription. Right now if you enter promo code MAIL25 you will save 25% on your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market!).

I love the stamped box, there was a cowboy boot stamp too!

The box came with a card saying thanks for supporting Texas businesses. The flip side gives details on how you can win a free box and mentions that 10% of all profits are donated to the Houston Food Bank.

The flip side of the card

 

The theme for the March box was “Rodeo”. I think that is a great theme for this time of year since so many cities in Texas have their rodeo this month.

Each My Texas Market box comes with a detailed card that lists the items provided as well as their origin and instructions on their use.

First up was Texas Two-Step Jam from Garden Dreams Houston. This is a custom made flavor just for this box and it is delicious. It is sweet with just a bit of something extra from the jalapenos. I spread some brie on a cracker and topped it with this jam and it was delicious! (4 oz jar value around $4)

 

Sweet, salty, and a little bit spicy

Each My Texas Market box came with one of several flavors of chocolate from Tejas Chocolate and I received Espiritu Santo. Each bar is made using minimal ingredients and mine contained simply cacao and sugar. It was a deep, rich, and smooth dark chocolate bar, sooo nice. (2 oz bar around $3 value)

My only experience with beef jerky up until this point was a weird round stick from the grocery store that looked like a small pepperoni. This Original Peppered Beef ATX Homemade Jerky was very different from that unfortunate first experience. It was softer than I expected and was very salty and reminded me of a chewy salami. ($6.99 value)

Barbecue sauce is a staple in my fridge and this one from Basic Foodism was a very nice one to add to my collection. It was thicker than my usual sauces and had texture thanks to the minced onion and garlic and I detected a hint of molasses. ($7 value)

This Texas Gentleman Shave Bar from Kuhdoo has a soapy clean yet earthy scent and contains ingredients that you can almost eat. I will use it as a hand soap alternative since I do not shave my face. ($10 value)

 

Finally, there was a magnet made out of reclaimed Texas pecan wood, which is the state tree of Texas. It bears the seal from the Republic of Texas that lasted from 1836-1845. Yep, that’s right, it really was a whole other country at one time. Check out this goofy yet realistic ad for Texas tourism that ran in the early ’90’s. (Magnet value around $10?)

 

I think that My Texas Market does a great job of keeping to a theme! These really are products that you would find at a local farmers’ market, which means you may not be able to get a fix if the individual companies do not offer online shipping. That can also be part of the market experience though, just enjoy the products in the here and now and look forward to the treasures of the next box!

My Texas Market February Box Review

My Texas Market is a monthly subscription box containing 4-6 items from small businesses in Texas that focuses on small batch and artisan products that fit a monthly theme. Sort of like visiting the farmers’ market, except they shipped it to your house! The subscription is $35 a month and you can get a discount on a 3- or 6-month subscription. Right now if you enter promo code MAIL25 you will save 25% on your first box! You can also send the box as a gift or purchase previous boxes and some featured items in their Online Market. To subscribe to My Texas Market, click here. This box was sent to me for review purposes (thank you My Texas Market!).

I received the February box to review and I was excited to open it because it smelled spicy and it turns out that the theme was Tex-Italiano! It contained Italian-inspired foods made in Texas and was a tribute to the wine and olive industry.

The items inside were wrapped with olive themed paper and it was very cute and indeed special looking. If this was a gift box from someone else I would be happy to open it!

There was a product card inside with the theme on one side and the products included in the box on the flip side. There was also info about the companies that made the products and it was nice getting to know about these small businesses.

Ohh, I can’t wait to get a closer look!

Aha, this is the source of the spicy smell that greeted me when I opened the box! The Roasted Garlic Infused Sea Salt from McClure Family Farm bears no resemblance to the stuff I usually shake out of a canister. I always add garlic salt to my mashed potatoes and this took them to a new level. It wasn’t overpowering at all and I am looking forward to using it instead of the stuff from the grocery store. ($8 value)

For those times when I use fresh garlic instead of dried (which is almost always with the exception of those mashed potatoes) I can use Chef’s Kitchen All Natural Soap from Old Factory Soap Co.  to wash that stink right outta my hands. This soap is moisturizing thanks to olive, flaxseed, and coconut oil as well as shea butter and is scented with all kinds of lovely herbs such as lemongrass and peppermint. The scent is fleeting, as a good chef’s soap should be. ($8 for 4oz bar)

I recently discovered Texas Hill Country Olive Oil and I am infatuated with them currently and so I was jumping for joy when I found this bottle of their Sola Stella Extra Virgin Olive Oil  under the bubble wrap. After trying two of their delicious finishing oils from their own subscription box I was about to contact them to see if they could suggest an all-purpose oil that could be used for cooking and then voila, this showed up like an answered prayer. It has a light but distinct flavor and I tossed it with some asparagus before roasting and it was perfect. ($5 value) (You can read my review of Texas Hill Country Olive Oil here)

I first saw the DellaCasa Campanelle Tricolor Slow Dry Pasta on Instagram and commented that I thought it was a picture of flowers and it turns out I was half right as “campanelle” means bellflowers! This is truly a farmers market only item and is available in the Houston area. It suggests using with heartier sauces and I plan on serving it with Bolognese sauce this week. ($7.50 value)

I have only tried making homemade pizza a couple of times and the result wasn’t really worth the effort so I think I may try a different spin on the Gluten-Free Pizza Crust Mix from Whole Note Food Company. I am going to try making pizza sticks instead. ($5 plus shipping)

It turns out that Tailor Made Treats are located here in Austin so a trip to their store may be in my future. Except from what I can tell they don’t have a store but they are sold in stores here so I may have to make my way to one of those locations. I loved the simplicity and flavor of these treats that are made from 70% dark chocolate and are sweetened with organic maple syrup. Every once in a while I would taste a bit of pink Himalayan sea salt that would set it off beautifully and unexpectedly. Two of the chocolates had a whole hazelnut inside and the other two had a couple of roasted coffee beans. (Not sure of the value)

Pretty shapes and deliciously dark

 

I was very happy with my box! I am not sure of the exact value but the 5 items that did have prices were worth $33. I think that My Texas Market put together a great box that stuck to the theme and that anyone can enjoy, whether cooks, women, men, non-Texans, everyone! Here is their website if you would like to check them out!

Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Product Review

I love to cook! I may not get too fancy during the work week but I still try my best and I like to use quality products and let me tell you, this is some high quality stuff!

Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Company is located in Dripping Springs, Texas, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from me and the Austin Metro area yet I had never heard of them until recently. They very kindly sent me these items for review purposes and I LOVED them! Here is their website so you can check them out for yourself! Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Co (Note: this post contains links that take you directly to the company website, but they are not my personal links, just a convenient way for you to get there quickly!)

I came home to find a box had been delivered and I was so excited to see what was inside. First off there was literature on top with info about the company and their subscription box service. I love subscription boxes! 

Y’all, they have orchard tours! I didn’t know that there was an olive orchard in Texas! I had an olive tree right outside my front door as a child in California, so I am excited to go and visit to check it out. They do tours on Friday and Saturday only so plan accordingly!

Each item was individually wrapped in tissue paper with more packing to keep it safe and corn starch packing peanuts on the bottom. Yes, I ran one under water to see if it would melt. It did. Environmentally friendly too!

I was so impressed with the packaging and colors of these products, but they are more than just a pretty face. I didn’t even know that there was any other flavor of balsamic vinegar other than the basic kind, but these blew the plain kind away. As for the olive oils, these are not your grocery store oils. The flavors were complex and bold. I am planning a trip to the tasting room at Texas Hill Country Olive Oil to try some of the other flavors.

So pretty to look at, even better to consume

I am struggling to come up with adjectives other than what is listed on the bottles but what can I say, the Terra Verde Extra Virgin Olive Oil really is green and fruity tasting! This is a great choice for dressing salads or dipping bread. I also used it to make the Pesto Genovese packet (shown a little further down this page). ($17.99 value)

The Texas Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil is bold and spicy, but what impressed me was that it wasn’t bitter at all. I am not sure why I thought olive oil was bitter. This was peppery and nice. And sooo smooth. I used it to make homemade pesto sauce.  ($17.99 value)

So simple to make using basil, walnuts, parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and salt.

Just toss fresh pesto with hot pasta

This was such a delightful discovery! Before now I had only heard of Plain Jane Balsamic vinegar but this stuff is addictive and possibly drinkable as well. All true Balsamic vinegar comes from Modena, Italy and this is no exception but it is flavored at the facility in the Hill Country. The Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar is really sweet and would be good with berries on a shortcake or vanilla ice cream. The Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar    is just heavenly. I mixed it with a little olive oil, shallot, and salt and poured it on top of a salad with greens, feta, berries, and walnuts. I plan on mixing some into sautéed mushrooms and serving atop steak next time we grill. (Blueberry value $6.80, Pomegranate value $16.99)

Simple ingredients made extra delicious

This was some seriously good Pesto Genovese dip mix. Following the directions I mixed it with some water and olive oil and let it sit for a bit, then dipped fresh French baguette into the mix. Several times. I had quite a bit leftover so I placed it in the fridge and would let it come to room temp before mixing into a pasta salad and using it as a sandwich spread for an Italian sub sandwich. I was happy to see that the ingredients were things I could pronounce and there was no MSG in it. ($4.00 value)

Pesto Genovese dip mix with olive oil

I think I need another packet

Crostini with tomatoes, basil, olive oil, parmesan, garlic, and Pomegranate Balsamic vinegar

My pasta salad with Pesto Genovese

I am so pleased that Texas Hill Country Olive Oil sent these items to me! They have given me a new appreciation for olive oil as well as a new discovery in the flavored vinegars. Every item will be used up and if I run out I know where to get more. They have a quarterly subscription service called the Best Fresh Club for $49.95 a quarter or $149.85 for four shipments (one year), which is like getting a fourth box free! Here are the club details:

• Quarterly shipments (May, August, November, & February) – exclusive assortments of extra virgin olive oil & balsamic vinegar.
• Subscribe for the full year and get one shipment free. Or opt for month to month.
• 20% off all your purchases made on our website and in our tasting room
• Be among the first to sample new additions, invitations to events, and receive special offers throughout the year.
• Customize your quarterly shipment or redirect your shipment as a convenient gift.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

I love a good, easy prep, easily frozen casserole and this one is all of that and more. Start with some cooked chicken and a few pantry items and dinner is practically on the table. When my kids were younger I would assemble this recipe in two 8″ square dishes and freeze one for later in the month but now my kids eat seconds and then there is just enough for a couple of leftover lunches the next day. This recipe is from Southern Living Magazine and I have been making it for the past 11 years!

The ingredients are easy enough to find. I usually use a can of mild Rotel but forgot to pick one up so I used a can of diced tomatoes and a can of diced green chiles instead. 

Start by sauteing the onions and bell pepper. 

When the peppers and onions are softened add the rest of the ingredients. I cooked some boneless chicken tenders before I went to work in the morning but you could use a rotisserie chicken if you are short on time.

Cut four of the tortillas in to little pieces and get to layering in your handy dandy 9×13 dish. 

Looking cheesy, which is a good thing in my opinion. 

There ya go, cheesy, slightly spicy, melty comfort in a pan. I served mine with a salad on the side. 

Southern Living King Ranch Chicken Casserole

1 large onion, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 (10-ounce) can diced tomato and green chiles

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt (Edit: I left this out, the soups are salty enough)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

12 (6-inch) corn tortillas

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Sauté onion and bell pepper in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and next 7 ingredients; remove from heat.

Tear tortillas into 1-inch pieces; layer one-third of tortilla pieces in bottom of a lightly greased 9×13″ baking dish. Top with one-third of chicken mixture and 2/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice.

Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes.

Note: Freeze casserole up to 1 month, if desired. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed.

Recipe Rave: Panera CopyCat Broccoli Cheese Soup

I found a recipe several years ago on Pinterest for a Panera copycat broccoli cheese soup but made some changes in the prep to streamline the process and make it smoother. It is very delicious and even my kids love it. This soup is even better than the ones we have tried at Panera and McAlister’s Deli. I hope you love it too!

Look at all of those veggies. This must be good for you, right? The first few times I made this I used yellow or white rainbow carrots so they wouldn’t stand out in the final product. The first time I used orange carrots my youngest said that I had never put them in before and I had to explain to her that they were always in there, just not noticable. Yep, she loves broccoli but dislikes carrots. Go figure. 

While the vegetables are simmering I prepare the spices. I forgot to put the bay leaf in with the broth and vegetables. I get sidetracked a lot. 

Here is what the veggies look like before mashing…

…and after.

I used shredded sharp cheddar and diced Velveeta cheeses. Velveeta isn’t absolutely necessary but I like the smoothness it adds. Swiss, Gruyere, and/or Gouda cheeses in any combination would all work fine too. 

After the butter and flour are whisked smooth and bubbling, stir in the spices until mixed. 

Stir in the milk and half and half and heat until thickened, about 1-2 minutes. 

Add the cheeses and stir until melted but not boiling. There may still be a few lumps if you use Velveeta but they will eventually melt. You could use this sauce on steamed or roasted broccoli or cauliflower or add some cooked pasta for homemade mac and cheese. This is a multitasker.

Pour in the veggies and broth mixture and simmer until heated through but not boiling. 

There you go. Smooth, rich, delicious broccoli cheese soup. Garnish if you desire with extra cheese. 

Panera CopyCat Broccoli Cheese Soup

• 1 small bunch of fresh broccoli, chopped 

  3/4 cup of shredded carrots

  1 small yellow or white onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)

  1 large clove garlic, minced

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (I used 1 1/2 tsps Better than Bouillon plus water) 
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 TBSP all purpose flour
• 3 TBSP butter
• 3/4 cup of milk (I used 1%)
• 1/4 cup half and half
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ⅛ tsp allspice
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp dried basil
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz diced Velveeta Process Cheese
• Any other bits and pieces of cheese that melt well, such as Gouda or Swiss

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place broccoli, carrots, onions, garlic, broth, and bay leaf in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.  When done, remove and discard bay leaf and mash vegetables with a potato masher until no super large chunks remain. 
2. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter on low heat, then whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour until smooth. Simmer while whisking constantly for 1 minute, then stir in all of the spices until evenly distributed.  Pour in milk and half and half. Whisk until smooth and mixture begins to boil. Yep, you just made a roux. Or gravy. Whatever. 
3. Switch to a wooden spoon and stir in cheeses until mixture is smooth. Do not bring to a boil, just make sure no large lumps remain. This alone would be good on steamed broccoli or cauliflower. 
4. Pour in the veggies and broth mixture and continue to stir over medium low heat until the soup is just about simmering. 
5. Chow down.

Recipe Rave: Best Taco Night ever!

Tacos de Matamoros

I love tacos. Mexican food has always been my favorite cuisine and any time I try a new restaurant I always have the basics: taco, enchilada, beans, and rice. The food I grew up with in California is very different from the Tex-Mex I find in Texas, and it even varies between cities, with San Antonio in the lead and Austin far behind (sorry ATX!). I make tacos at home, sure, but it is never the same as the meat in restaurants and I never knew why until I found this recipe in my Allrecipes magazine. The difference is the texture! Every time until now I have browned the meat in the skillet, drained the grease, then added seasonings (and occasionally a sodium bomb taco spice mix). The texture is sort of hard and tastes just ok, which is why we don’t have a regular taco night at home. 

Until now.

The preparation is what makes this seem like restaurant tacos. The raw meat and spices are placed in the pan and covered with water and then it simmers for an hour before onions and peppers are added and then it simmers a little longer.

Not very appealing yet, but just wait!

After it is done you drain it and are left with moist, soft taco meat that has wonderful flavor and perfect texture.  My husband even commented that it was not greasy at all and I have to agree. I kept the juices and cooled them in the fridge overnight and then removed a thick layer of fat effortlessly.  I separated the meat into freezer containers and topped with the congealed juices for quick meals in the coming month. 

Yum!

Just heat and serve in your favorite wrapper with your desired toppings. I fried corn tortillas until crispy and drained them on paper towels but you can use flour tortillas, warmed corn tortillas, tortilla chips, tostada shells, or just place on a bed of lettuce. I topped mine with salsa, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes but sour cream, guacamole, black olives, etc. would also be delicious. I plan on using this meat the next time I make enchiladas. 

Tacos de Matamoros

2 pounds ground chuck

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 tablespoons paprika 

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin 

1 teaspoon salt (edit: I used 1/2 tsp)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

2 cloves garlic, chopped 

1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped 

1/2 medium onion, chopped 

Tortillas and desired toppings for serving 

Place the ground chuck in a large skillet, and season with chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and garlic. Pour in enough water to cover (edit: I used 4 cups of water). Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour. Add more water as necessary during cook time, and break the meat into small pieces.

Mix the bell pepper and onion into the skillet, and continue to simmer 30 minutes. Drain and reserve juices. Skim the fat off the juices (or, if not preparing the tacos right away, place juices in the freezer until fat may be easily removed from the top {edit: I separated the juices and meat and refrigerated overnight then continued}). Mix 5 tablespoons of the remaining juices back into the skillet with the beef, and cook until heated through. Serve in tortillas and top with whatever your heart desires. 

I served mine with refried beans

Here is the link to the Allrecipes website if you want to check out the original post. 

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/86347/tacos-de-matamoros/