Orange Julius

I had a craving for this childhood favorite of mine the other day. I haven't had it for a long time and have decided I need to make it a regular part of my diet. My kids love it, too. Who doesn't? Yum.

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8-9 ice cubes

1. Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in blender.
2. Blend for about 1-2 minutes, adding ice cubes one at a time.

Claire's Chili

We had this for dinner last night and loved it! This is a mild chili (I'm not into spicy foods) and very easy to make.

1-15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
1-28 oz. can pork and beans, or baked beans (omit clumps of fat)
1-15 oz. can refried beans
2-15 oz. cans stewed tomatoes (or 1 quart canned, stewed tomatoes)
1 4-7 oz. can chopped green chiles
1 tsp chili powder
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lb. hamburger (browned and drained)
1 lb. smoked sausage (about 5, sliced and browned)
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/2-1/3 cup brown sugar

Mix all ingredients in crock pot and simmer on low about 6-7 hours, stirring occasionally. Makes a large crock pot full, about 3 quarts. Serves 6-7 very hungry people. Serve with grated cheddar cheese. Hot corn bread slathered with butter and honey makes a nice side dish.

If desired, you can omit half of the baked beans and substitute a 15-16 oz. can of other beans, such as butter beans, black beans, etc. If you find it's not spicy enough after cooking for a few hours add a bit more chili powder. Most recipes call for 3 times as much chili powder as I like.

Shredded-Beef Sandwiches

So moist and really easy! This is a great slow-cooker recipe that I am definitely going to make again.

1 3-pound beef chuck roast
1 large onion, cut up
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/3 cup cider vinegar
8 French rolls, split and toasted
Spinach or lettuce leaves (optional but add a great texture!)

All you do is cut fat from the meat. Then place the meat in the slow cooker with onion, add bay leaves, salt, garlic powder, and ground cloves. Then pour the vinegar over the meat in the cooker.

Cover, cook on low for 11-12 hours or high for 5.5-6 hours. When it is finished, you remove the meat from cooker, discard bay leaves, and pull meat apart with forks. Serve up on rolls with spinach leaves on the sandwich. Use the left-over juices to place on the meat or use as a great dipping sauce for the sandwiches. Remember to strain the juices to get rid of the fat if you are going to use them to dip with.

DELICIOUS!

Pepper Lime Chicken or Shrimp

I made this on Sunday and received RAVE reviews from my husband...as well as my brother-in-law who was eating over. Super simple and delicious...


Marinade:
1 tsp. lime zest
1/3 cup lime juice
3 tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. thyme (or basil, I prefer thyme with this recipe)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, minced

Marinade chicken breasts or shrimp in a bag for at least 30 minutes.

If making chicken:
Drain the chicken but reserve the marinade. Place chicken on a broiler pan and broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for about 6 minutes. Turn chicken and brush with reserved marinade. Broil for another 6-8 minutes until chicken is done. Discard marinade.

If making shrimp:
Put marinade and shrimp in a skillet on medium heat. Cook until shrimp is done.

I made chicken and shrimp and it was a huge hit. Great served with rice or even salsa and lime wedges!