Caesar Salad Dressing from Mayonnaise

The reason I love this recipe so much is that it uses mayonnaise instead of eggs - and that makes it last in the fridge....so much longer! It has a full bodied taste and the sour cream gives it a rich fullness.  

All of the flavors shine through and it is one of my favorite go to's. I also love it as a dipping sauce for grilled or poached chicken - yum!

 Servings: 4

Ingredients

DRESSING:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp anchovy paste
3 cloves garlic - , pressed with a garlic press, grated, or finely minced
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2 - 3 Tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 - 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper - , depending on your tastes
1/4 cup finely shredded fresh parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
Croutons or pork rinds
SALAD:
1 large head Romaine lettuce - , chopped
1/2 cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese

Steps

DRESSING:
Mix mayonnaise, anchovy paste, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt, and garlic and stir. Whisk in sour cream and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Place in airtight container in the refrigerator until serving.

Scott's Chili Recipe

My girlfriend's husband is Scott. She has spent a LOT of time over the years trying to perfect the perfect chili recipe and this is it. Mark loves this packaged in individual freezer bags that are the perfect individual size for him to put over a hotdog. When a man is in heaven with a chili dog - you are happy to oblige.

Scott's Favorite Chili

 

Servings: 6 to 8

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb 85% lean ground meat
2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 Tbsp oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 Tbsp ancho chili powder
1 Tbsp chipotle power
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp cornmeal
3 C beef broth
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1/4 C tomato paste
1 Tbsp molasses (optional)
1 Tbsp lime juice

Steps

Combine ground beef, salt, baking soda and 1 Tbsp water.
Using your hands, mix till evenly combined.
Let sit on counter for 20 minutes.
Over medium heat, heat the oil.
Add onions, garlic, red pepper and cook till softened - 4 to 6 minutes.
Add beef and increase heat to high. Cook till brown 10 to 12 minutes (beef will release a lot of liquid, do not drain till instructed).
Add chili powders, cumin, oregano, coriander, paprika and cinnamon. Cook stirring frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until well mixed and fragrant.
Stir in cornmeal, broth, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and molasses and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 2 hours.
Skim off excess fat off the surface. Stir in lime juice, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For thinner chili, add a bit of water. To thicken, continue cooking uncovered.

Notes

Add 1/2 fresh chili poblano or jalapeno 

 

Sloppy Joe's Recipe

Mark loves Sloppy Joe's! This recipe freezes well so I make a large batch and we put it in individual baggies in the freezer. Mark likes his on a hamburger bun and I have mine over cabbage. Either way, it is delicious! 

Servings: 8

Ingredients

2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp olive oil
2 lb. ground beef
2/3 green bell pepper, minced
1 large yellow onion, minced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 1/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup water
2 Tbsp brown sugar (or less, if you prefer)
2 tsp yellow mustard
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 tsp black pepper
dash or two of hot sauce (optional)

Steps

Heat butter and oil in large skillet over MED/MED-HIGH heat. Add beef and brown, breaking apart into crumbles as it cooks, about 5 minutes. Transfer to colander to drain.
Add onion and bell pepper to same skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or so, until fragrant. Add beef back to the skillet and add tomato paste. Stir well.
Add ketchup, water, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Cook over MED heat for 10-15 minutes, until mixture has thickened to your liking. Remove from heat and serve over toasted buns.

Notes

I served mine over cooked cabbage 
Sloppy Joe meat mixture can be frozen! 
Cool the mixture completely, then add to freezer containers and freeze for up to 4 months. 
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving. 

Sunday Chat / Scriptures: Worry and Faith

Be strong in the Lord 

and in his mighty power. 

 Put on all of God’s armor so 

that you will be able to stand firm 

against all strategies of the devil. 

For we are not fighting against 

flesh-and-blood enemies, 

but against evil rulers and 

authorities of the unseen world, 

against mighty powers 

in this dark world, 

and against evil spirits 

in the heavenly places. 

Therefore, put on every 

piece of God’s armor 

so you will be able to resist the 

enemy in the time of evil. 

Then after the battle 

you will still be standing firm. 

Stand your ground, 

putting on the belt of truth and 

the body armor of 

God’s righteousness. 

For shoes, put on the peace 

that comes from the Good News 

so that you will be fully prepared. 

In addition to all of these, 

hold up the shield of faith to 

stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

Put on salvation as your helmet, 

and take the sword of the Spirit, 

which is the word of God. 

Pray in the Spirit at all times 

and on every occasion. 

Stay alert and be persistent 

in your prayers 

for all believers everywhere. 

Ephesians 6:10-18

Watch out for your great enemy, 

the devil. 

He prowls around like a roaring lion, 

looking for someone to devour. 

Stand firm against him, 

and be strong in your faith. 

Remember that your family of believers 

all over the world is going through 

the same kind of suffering you are. 

1 Peter 5:8-9 

 When the devil had 

finished tempting Jesus, 

he left him until 

the next opportunity came. 

Luke 4:13

The temptations in your life 

are no different from 

what others experience. 

And God is faithful. 

He will not allow the temptation 

to be more than you can stand. 

When you are tempted, 

he will show you a way out 

so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13

 I cried out, “I am slipping!” but 

your unfailing love, O Lord, 

supported me. 

When doubts filled my mind, 

 your comfort gave me 

renewed hope and cheer. 

Psalm 94:18-19 

So humble yourselves before God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you. 

Come close to God, 

and God will come close to you. 

 James 4:7-8 

I prayed to the Lord, 

and he answered me. 

 He freed me from all my fears. 

Those who look to him for help 

will be radiant with joy; 

 no shadow of shame will 

darken their faces. 

In my desperation I prayed, 

and the Lord listened; 

 he saved me from all my troubles. 

For the angel of the Lord is a guard; 

 he surrounds and defends 

all who fear him. 

Psalm 34:4-7 

The Lord is my light and my salvation— 

 so why should I be afraid? 

The Lord is my fortress, 

protecting me from danger, 

 so why should I tremble? 

Psalm 27:1 

 Give all your worries and cares to God, 

for he cares about you. 

1 Peter 5:7 

Take delight in the Lord, 

 and he will give you 

your heart’s desires. 

Commit everything you do 

to the Lord. 

 Trust him, and he will help you. 

Psalm 37:4-5 

 “I am leaving you with a gift—

peace of mind and heart. 

And the peace I give is a gift 

the world cannot give. 

So don’t be troubled or afraid. 

John 14:27 

Can all your worries 

add a single moment to your life? 

And if worry can’t accomplish 

a little thing like that, 

what’s the use of worrying 

over bigger things? 

Luke 12:25-26 

 “That is why I tell you 

not to worry about everyday life—

whether you have enough food and drink, 

or enough clothes to wear. 

Isn’t life more than food, 

and your body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds. 

They don’t plant or harvest

or store food in barns, 

for your heavenly Father feeds them. 

And aren’t you far more valuable to him 

than they are? 

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Matthew 6:34 

God is love, 

and all who live in love live in God, 

and God lives in them. 

And as we live in God, 

our love grows more perfect. 

So we will not be afraid 

on the day of judgment, 

but we can face him with confidence 

because we live like Jesus here in this world. 

Such love has no fear, 

because perfect love expels all fear. 

If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, 

and this shows that we have not 

fully experienced his perfect love. 

1 John 4:16-18 

For the Spirit God gave us 

does not make us timid,

but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Can all your worries 

add a single moment to your life? 

And if worry can’t accomplish 

a little thing like that, 

what’s the use of worrying 

over bigger things? 

Luke 12:25-26 

 “That is why I tell you 

not to worry about everyday life—

whether you have enough 

food and drink, 

or enough clothes to wear. 

Isn’t life more than food, 

and your body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds. 

They don’t plant or harvest

or store food in barns, 

for your heavenly Father feeds them. 

And aren’t you far more valuable to him 

than they are? 

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, 

for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 

Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Matthew 6:34 

Be still in the presence of the Lord, 

 and wait patiently for him to act. 

Psalm 37:7 

The righteous person faces 

many troubles, 

 but the Lord comes 

to the rescue each time. 

Psalm 34:19 

I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely 

with joy and peace 

because you trust in him. 

Then you will overflow 

with confident hope 

through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13 

We can make our plans, 

 but the Lord determines our steps. 

Proverbs 16:9 

Jesus replied, “You don’t understand 

now what I am doing, 

but someday you will.” 

John 13:7 

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you 

Psalm 37:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; 

 do not depend on your own understanding. 

Proverbs 3:5

All praise to God, 

the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

God is our merciful Father and 

the source of all comfort. 

He comforts us in all our troubles 

so that we can comfort others. 

When they are troubled, 

we will be able to give them 

the same comfort God has given us.

For the more we suffer for Christ, 

the more God will shower us with 

his comfort through Christ. 

Even when we are weighed down with troubles, 

it is for your comfort and salvation! 

For when we ourselves are comforted, 

we will certainly comfort you. 

Then you can patiently endure 

the same things we suffer. 

We are confident that 

as you share in our sufferings, 

you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 

What shall we say about 

such wonderful things as these? 

If God is for us, 

who can ever be against us? 

Romans 8:31 

Don’t worry about anything; 

instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need, 

and thank him for all he has done. 

Then you will experience God’s peace, 

which exceeds anything 

we can understand. 

His peace will guard your 

hearts and minds 

as you live in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7