Jack Daniel's Chipotle Slow Cooked Short Rib Tacos and a vacay out East

If you've noticed I've been "quiet" for a couple of weeks... it wasn't because I've been slacking off... or getting fed up of this blogging "stuff", I've actually been out of town.. away... took 10 days off (wow) ... and went back to some of my "roots".  Ontario.  YUP... most people my age take off and go spend 2 weeks wasting away in Margartitaville, or something of tropical sorts... not us!! In my younger years my family moved around quite a bit, and over the years, I've remained close with some pretty fantastic people in different areas of the country.  One of my oldest friends, finally tied the knot, and I am truly blessed to have been there to help celebrate. We went out the week before (and are now known as the BC Squatters)..and just like "old times" I was able to catch up with friends I consider my family... drinks..laughs..site seeing...late nights...and of course enjoy good food. (Hey a girl has to eat right?!)  The first dinner we were there... I made my now "famous" (ha ha) Pizza on the BBQ , that was followed by some of my old faithful appy recipe of spinach dip..hmmm.. I really should post that at some point eh?!... served at some point during the week...(the days got a lil' blurry) This post's inspiration came from seeing some of the new (well new to me anyways) restaurants who's menu's screamed out the latest food trends.  "The Works" has an extensive list of homemade unique burgers boasting what some would say crazy combinations... peanut butter and bacon burger anyone?? Then, there was a Wacky Wings that advertise over 100 different flavours of chicken wings! SO... after reading the menus...and watching the premiere of Season 3's Masterchef....I got a little inspired...and came up with these - Jack Daniel's Chipotle Slow Cooked Short Rib Tacos. (say THAT 10x fast!)

Jack Daniel's Chipotle Slow Cooked Short Rib Tacos...

YEEEUUUPP, with a slight kick to them thanks to the addition of ground Chipotle Pepper, these are juicy, flavourful...best of all are an easy peasy Slow Cooker meal. While out visiting in Ontario, we took just one day to pack in as much sight seeing as possible... and wow, what a fun...filling... day.   We loaded up the car (trunk too!) ha ha, and headed out to Niagara on the Lake, and did a tasting at Strewn Winery. LOVE!! Our suitcases were several bottles heavier if you know what I mean on the plane ride home!

If I wasn't so concerned on the weigh allowance for our bags on the way home... there would of been more coming on board our plane home.  HUGE fan of their Semi-Dry Riesling.  Light, crisp and refreshing, perfect for sipping on around a patio on a warm summer night..or in a hot tub while catching up with your best girlfriend (just sayin') xxoo  Then of course.. moving on the the Picard's Peanuts Store. I'm pretty sure my honey is still smiling from seeing the aisle's of chipnuts and samples available....

These bags are packed full of pure addicting creative snacks....  it's a peanut wrapped in chip layer.  You've heard of "chocolate covered peanuts"... well... these babies are covered in chips.  Coming in many flavours... these happen to be an addiction of my honey's.  You've got to try them.. however, don't say I didn't warn you.. when you too become addicted.  YUM YUM.  *thank goodness they don't weigh your carry on bag!!* 

We ended a fabulous day at Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse.... all you can eat... best of the best cut / cooked meats....  you pretty much have to roll out of there.... but it's worth it... 14 different kinds of meat, all coming straight to your table and carved right there on your plate.  A carnivore's dream come true!  (maybe another reason for my short rib posting?! ) On the way home...  a drive through the famous Niagara Falls Clifton Hill.... perfectly ending a fantastic day.

I guess looking back.. it's no wonder I came home to thinking about different flavour combo's for meat... and had the urge to get back into the kitchen and play.  These Short Rib Tacos were a perfect week night meal... most of the work being done in the slow cooker throughout the day.  For toppings I used a simple coleslaw tossed lightly in a sweet onion dressing, and spruced up some sour cream with chipotle seasoning, minced garlic and fresh lime juice...  sooo YUM.

Jack Daniel's Chipotle Slow Cooked Short Rib Tacos

• 4 - 6 beef short ribs
• 4 cloves minces fresh garlic
• 1 cup Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce (love this sauce, but any bold BBQ sauce should work)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper seasoning (add more/less to spice level tolerance)

- Place short ribs in slow cooker

- Mix well the Jack Daniel's BBQ Sauce, water, garlic, chipotle peppers in small bowl

- Pour over short ribs, turning ribs to ensure they are fully coated.

- Cook on LOW for 8 - 10 hours until they are fall off the bone tender

- Carefully remove all bones and excess fat - discard.

- Using two forks, pull the meat, shredding it well. 

These are awesome served on a warmed flour tortilla, topped with a light coleslaw (I used a Sweet Onion Dressing), pinch of shredded cheddar cheese and some Chipotle Lime Sour Cream. (quick recipe below)

 Chipotle Lime Sour Cream:

- mix 1 cup sour cream with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle peppers and 1 minced fresh garlic clove. 

-Stir well and let sit for minimum 10 mins to develop flavour.

Don't forget extra napkins!! 

My Secret Slow Cooker Pulled Pork…really…come on CANUCKS!!

What can I say?! Who’d of thought after they pulled it off, won the President’s Cup for a 2nd time in a row, that we’d be here, down 3 games, and now fighting to stay alive in ROUND 1?!?!  DOH!   People are switching it up….  Normal playoff routines changing in efforts to help.   Beards are gone.  Legs are shaven.  Jerseys…GASP…washed.  Me, umm… maybe I’ll stay awake through this game?!  Bad girl I know.

SO, IF you are STILL on that ole’ bandwagon (which I am… heck, why jump now), and are looking for a low maintenance dinner – one that you practically just come home to and it’s made… then my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is perfect.   I’ve served this on many a game night.  Fed large crowds of hungry cowboys, and it typically is the first to go.  If they ONLY knew my little secret… how simple and easy this is.  There are millions of recipes out there that use all different kind of spices / dry rubs etc… all yummy in their own ways, however, there is just something  good about this recipe that makes it a perfect game night meal, OR even a crowd pleaser for potlucks.   This one is melt in your mouth tender, juicy and lean. Leftovers taste great the next day.  YUP, love me some good pulled pork! 

Since I happen to really appreciate and loooove all my blog followers.. I decided, why not, share.. spread the simple joy of this recipe…however, there IS a catch.   The main flavoring ingredient for this simple dish, is one that you just can’t walk into any Canadian Grocery store and pick up. Darn.  Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce.  YUP that’s it.  (that alone is worth a trek cross the border to our American neighbors- just sayin’)  Forget all the different spices concoctions, all the dry rubs, all the overnight marinating etc.  Do those versions taste great?!  Heck yeah.  Do I always think ahead, plan… or even really have TIME for all that?!... I’m not known to be a patient woman.  NOPE… take after my Baba.   ANYWAYS, even if you don’t have your mitts on this awesome Jack Daniel’s BBQ Sauce, any of your typical favorite bottled BBQ Sauce will do.  Pair the pulled pork with some toasted garlic bread, and simple coleslaw mix – POOF Game night dinner – potluck pleaser – quick & easy weeknight meal.   Did I mention it ONLY has 3 ingredients?!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

·         2.5 lbs pork tenderloin

·         1 ½ cup favorite BBQ Sauce (I swear by Jack Daniels BBQ Sauce…any flavor!)

·         ½ cup water

       

-          Spray inside of slow cooker pot with a bit of cooking spray, which I find makes clean up so much easier.

-          Place Pork tenderloin inside, I was able to lay mine side by side, however, it doesn’t matter.

-     Pour in BBQ Sauce, water, flip the tenderloin over a couple times to ensure top they are fully covered.

-      Set timer – 8-9 hours on LOW  :)

-     When ready to go – take 2 forks, and pull meat, shredding it completely.  If you would like, you can add more sauce, or even remove pork from pot and shred on cutting board to cut the amount of sauce. (this is your own taste preference, I leave it all in the pot, and mix well)

Serve with Garlic bread, salad and ENJOY!

Change up the flavor profile by using different types of BBQ Sauce.  Hickory Smoked BBQ adds a nice Smokey BBQ flavor to the meat…. Or maybe try a BOLD BBQ Sauce to kick it up a notch!  Choice is yours.

AND – I’ll say it again, hopefully NOT for the last time this play-off season…. 

GO CANUCKS GO!

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup & Snowmobiling for the 1st time this Season!

Christmas is over.  New Years – well - YUP… it’s a “New Year” ….. WINTER is here!  For some of us on the WET Coast – oops, I meant WEST coast (...really I did...), it means rainy days...nights...weeks…seems like MONTHS (Pretty sure a wooden ship full of animals just floated by my window)….  For others lucky enough to have a place to escape to - SNOW replaces the rain.  Throw in some mountains, a couple of snowmobiles, fresh mountain air and you’ve got a pretty wicked day!

Once it has been decided it’s going to be a day out on the sleds, there is several “to-do’s” that must happen in order to ensure a great day out.  First off… for me.. LAYERING. 6 ft plus of snow...higher speeds of travel and fresh mountain air, can equal a chilly day if you are not prepared.  Then there’s the gassing up of the sleds, checking oil, and all that fun stuff.  Those are what I like to call “BLUE jobs”.  I have my own “PINK jobs” to attend to.  Snacks for while we’re out there (sandwiches, water, granola bars etc). PLUS, after a long day out, the last thing I’ll want to do is worry about what to make for dinner. SO – I have my old faithful friend “slow cooker”.  Being that my honey loves Mexican Food, I went with a “Chicken Tortilla Soup” for us to return home to after a long day out playing in the snow.


Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

 Some simple quick prep, and POOF – your best buddy “Slow Cooker” stays home, on low, and does the work for you. 6-8 hours later, you've got a warm, comforting dinner just about ready to sit down to! Meanwhile while your out and about enjoying the day.  Below are some of the shots I got during our first few trips out for the season on the sleds... 



view from one of the "mountain tops" out on the sleds


By no means would I consider myself an intermediate rider, heck, I’m  barely suited to the title “Beginner” …  that being said, I’m pretty much loving the sled.  I let the “guys” do the big jumps, crazy carving through the powdered valleys and trails while I tend to attempt the smaller jumps – with some success, let’s just say though.. it’s a work in progress.


My honey on a small jump...

 


me...  taking in the view

  I have to say, we are quite lucky - it may not be extreme sledding - crazy mountain trails, it's still pretty darn cool that we can literally ride out of the front yard, up a steep "goat trail" of a pathway, and we are in god's country!

For it being relatively early in the season... there was a decent amount of fresh powder in most areas... at least 4-5 feet!   (for those extreme "slednecks" that's not alot, buuuuut for us rookies, plenty to play in)
Then of course, there's the little area of open water that was on the Lake, which *someone* who I won't name... couldn't resist playing on...  who knew sleds went on water?! This picture was taken right BEFORE the big roll over... I knew I should of been videotaping instead of trying to get pictures for here!  DOH! Sled's ok..  rolled several times after a "rough land" back on ground after gliding on the water. Rider's ok...as he flew off in the opposite (thank goodness) direction of the rolling sled.... He even went back and successfully did it again - just to show the area who's boss! haha



waters about 7-8 feet deep here...

 If you've never been out on sleds - or in the back country, I wish you could see what's there.  The sights are just beautiful.  Snow sparkles in the sunlight, and everything appears so peaceful.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup



4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thighs would work too)

1 small jalapeno diced

1 yellow onion, diced

2 gloves garlic minced

1 can  diced tomatoes, including juice

1 cup chicken broth

salt and pepper (to taste)

1/2 package taco seasoning

4 flour tortillas, sliced into 1/4-inch strips

-remaining 1/2 package of taco seasoning

1/2 cup Monterey jack cheese, shredded (or tex-mex, or cheddar works too!)

1. lightly spray slow cooker with PAM (or cooking spray) this helps with clean up after
2. Place chicken in slow cooker
3. In a separate bowl, combine jalapenos, garlic, onion, tomatoes,  chicken broth. mix well and pour over chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When chicken is tender, use the tines of 2 forks to shred. Add taco seasoning, add salt/pepper to taste.
5. Just before you are ready to eat - preheat oven to 425F, give a baking sheet a quick spray of PAM (cooking spray) and lay out the sliced tortilla shells in an even layer.  give another quick spray with the PAM, and then sprinkle them with the remaining Taco Seasoning, even a little salt should you desire.
6. Bake shells in oven until just starting to turn brown, and are crisp. stir once while baking. (about 5-8 mins.)
7. Remove crisp shells from oven, and put into a serving bowl to have with the soup




tortilla "crisps"


8. Serve in soup bowls, topping each with shredded cheese, baked tortilla crisps

....ENJOY!

Guess he liked it eh?!?!