A Dirty Monkey

If you are looking for a delish tropical drink this one will satisfy the urge. Becky first had this drink in Playa De Carmen, Mexico and loved it. Once she got back home she could not find anyone that had even heard of this drink. After a long hard search, our best friends David and Denise took the time and made the effort to find the ingredients and made this drink for her. It was a long search that came to an end that day they made this for her. 

To make it fun add the little tropical colored umbrella, a slice of pineapple on the side, a large colored straw, and play some Bob Marley music to add that tropical Caribbean feel.

 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 1 banana
• 2 jigger Kaluha
• 2 jigger coconut rum
• 2 jigger banana rum cream
• 1/2 cup almond milk
• 4 cups ice

INSTRUCTIONS

You will need a good blender for this like a NINJA

1. Gather all your ingredients to make sure you have what you need

2. Add in cut up pineapple in small chunks

3. Add in peeled and cut up banana

4. Add in Kaluha

5. Add in Malibu coconut rum

6. Add in Banana Rum Cream

7. Add in ice slowly and start blending

NOTE: you can more or less ice to give the consistency you like 

Serve immediately with a slice of pineapple on the side and the small umbrella and large colored straw.

Comments! Suggestions! Did you try it yet?

MIMI's Low Carb Taco Soup

Here is a great tasting soup super easy to make and good for you too. We make it for a quick and light stand alone treat for lunch or dinner or you can add it to a meal as a bonus dish. Its not a Chef Rico original recipe but we love the taste and its quick to make. So, take a few minutes and get your ingredients together and try this one out.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lbs ground pork, beef , or sausage
• 2, 8oz packages of cream cheese
• 2, 10 oz cans of Rotel or Mexican Diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons of Cilantro - fresh chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese for garnish
• OPTIONAL Shredded chicken Pre-cock 2 chicken breasts ahead of time and add in after step 4
  

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Brown the ground meat until fully cooked
2. While the meat is browning, place cream cheese, Rotel, and taco seasoning into a large pot
3. Drain any grease off of meat and put meat in the large pot. Stir to combine with cheese and Rotel
4. Pour chicken broth over meat and chees
OPTION Add a little shredded chicken to the mix if you like
5. Cook on low for 30 minutes
6. Before serving add in chopped cilantro
7. Garnish with shredded cheese

Serves 4-6

Comments? Suggestions? Have you tried this recipe yet?

Chef Ricos new grill day (finally)

Its been a while since i've posted here, just too busy after our move to Burleson, TX. In the move almost two years ago, I sold my smoker and after my gas grill exploded and caught on fire, I never replaced it. So, I has been using a Weber 22 charcoal grill ever since.

Let me tell you, the Weber is very versatile! I used the indirect grill method most the time to get some smoking and grilling at the same time. I smoked a ham, pork chops, steaks, and chicken that came out amazing. I have used mesquite chunks the most with some hickory and apple wood at times. I have been looking for the right smoker for a year now.

In all my research, I ended up wanting an Oklahoma Joe Reverse flow stick smoker. I have been researching them for a while and ready to buy now. They are expensive though! The craziest thing happened Saturday. I am a Facebook Market junkie and a pellet grill popped up that looked nice and affordable. Yes, i just bought my first pellet grill...a Traeger pre-owned in great condition with cover and all. I do not know what series i have just yet but will be smoking some ribs and chicken today using Chef Rico recipes.

I's sure to add photos today of the results. Ok, gotta fire up the Traeger first time for me and see what happens. Later....

Comments? Do you have a pellet grill and how do you like it?

Amazing Homemade Apple Pie Filling

I have always just bought canned apple pie filling for ease plus I really never had a great recipe for homemade. I can't claim the fame on this one since I  borrowed it but wanted to add it here so I could easily find the recipe. That is why I have this blog; to store all my family recipes and ones that I use often. My wife makes these incredible delicious baked apple pie halves with this recipe. Add a little vanilla ice cream and you have my all time favorite dessert. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups - apples pealed, cored, and diced small
• Juice of a 1/2 lemon
• 3 cups - water
• 1 1/3 cups - granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup - cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon - cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon - salt
• 1/4 teaspoon - nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the apples in a large bowl and add in the lemon juice and toss
2. Place the water, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine then bring to a boil over medium heat for two minutes stirring often.
3. Add in the apples, turn heat to low and simmer and cover.
4. Cook stirring ofetn until apples are soft about 5-8 minutes. The mixture will thicken as you cook and stir.
5. Remove from heat and let cool
6. Pour into jars and cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerate.

Your comments? Suggestions? Have you tried this recipe yet?

Asparagus Sweet Potato Chicken Skillet

Here is another super delicious and easy to prepare recipe and yes, it is Paleo. Don't let that stop you from trying this one out or you will miss a yummy meal. It is not a Chef Rico original although I have personalized it to my touch for my family and guests that I have cooked it for. For that reason it is worth posting.

Serves 6 people




INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and ground fresh black pepper
• 2 tbs minced garlic
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
• ½ cup chicken broth or water
• ½ lb (225 g) fresh asparagus (the spears should be cut at a diagonal in 1 and 2 inch pieces)
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. On a plastic board, cut the chicken into small pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, garlic, and chicken.
3. Sauté the chicken for about 7-10 minutes or until it is cooked through. Don’t forget to stir well. Set chicken aside.
4. In the same skillet, add sweet potato and chicken broth.
5. Cook for about 7-10minutes or until the sweet potato is cooked.
6. Add asparagus and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper.

Comments? Suggestions? Feedback?

Homemade Bean Dip

I grew up on the beach and this always hit the spot on a hot day in the sun...bean dip and Fritos! That small round can was empty in no time since it was so addicting. Once you started, you had to finish it off right? Well, here is my recipe for homemade bean dip that is just as great and super easy to make.
First come first serve, it goes fast!

INGREDIENTS

1- 16 oz can of Gebhardt refried beans
1/4 cup Pace Picante Sauce
3/4 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
fresh cilantro

PREPARATION

I use a tupperware bowl with lid to mix and serve in and for easy storage. Empty the refried beans in the bowl. Add the salsa and shredded cheese and mix thoroughly until blended in well. Microwave for 30 seconds to soften the dip and help it mix better.

OPTION: Sprinkle some medium chopped cilantro on top for added flavor and look

Add your favorite corn chips and you are ready to serve and enjoy and be the life of the party for bringing this. So easy to make and I really like it even better that store Bean Dip now.

Comments? Suggestions? Have you tried this yet?

Paleo Banana / Strawberry Ice Cream

This recipe came from our close friend Denise Sens. She made this one night and wowza, is it delicious. I am an ice- cream- aholic and could and sometimes do eat it every night. When Denise said she was making Paleo ice cream....well I wasn't too excited. But wow, I could eat this stuff every night. The best part of this recipe is it is so easy to make with a short amount of preparation. It comes out so creamy and smooth with the perfect texture. The taste is up to you with so many fruits you can use and add in. CAUTION: once you make this you might not go back to regular ice cream.

Ingredients

• 3-4 bananas cut into slices and frozen
• 1 cup - frozen strawberries frozen
• 1/2 cup - coconut cream ( I use canned and i shake it up to break it up more)
• 1 tsp - vanilla extract

Alternative Ingredients
You can use almost any fruit like berries, pineapple, etc.

Instructions

In a food processor or blender put the frozen fruits in and blend good. Add in the coconut cream and vanilla and blend again until the mixture is smooth.

NOTE: I like using bananas as the key ingredient but i have used pineapple and blueberries instead of or with the strawberries. Create your own flavors! I do suggest that you freeze the fruit in small pieces first. I wash and cut up the fruit and place on  single sheet of wax paper or a lined cookie sheet overnight. Let them freeze good and place in a freezer zip lock bag for use later if you like.