Huevos Rancheros

If your long weekend includes plans for brunch, try this!  Its easy, and very tasty...



Huevos rancheros is a mexican farm-style breakfast food, and there are many ways to make it.  I just made this one up, but you can easily customize it to include your favorites.



In large saute pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil.

Add 1 diced green pepper and scallions.

Saute 3 minutes, then add:
    1 can white beans, drained
    1 can diced tomatoes (don't drain)
    1 7oz can green chilis
     8oz diced ham
     optional:  black olives



Cover, simmer 20 minutes.



There should be some liquid in the pan, which is needed to poach the eggs.


The key is to slip each egg from a small bowl or cup into divots dug in the mix.  If you hold the bowl close to the surface of the mix, the yolk won't break.

Use a big spoon to dig a little hole, then slip an egg in it. Keep digging holes until it has as many eggs as you want. I usually plan on three per person.



When all eggs are in, simmer covered on medium low heat for 15 minutes.




Sprinkle with shredded cheese, and cook covered for another 5 minutes.



Serve with english muffins, sour cream, hashbrowns, guacamole & sour cream, and tabasco sauce.

Zesty Buffalo Chicken Calzone

Calzones are fast and easy to make!



2 Pillsbury Pizza Crust dough (not thin crust)
1 pkg Perdue Short Cuts - original roasted
1/2 c diced ham
1 pkg microwave bacon, cooked crispy
2 stalks celery, diced
1/2 c. blue cheese crumbles
16oz shredded mozzarella
Buffalo Chicken Sauce (I use Franks)


Spread one dough on cookie sheet or baking stone.

Layer with chicken, celery and ham.

Splash with sauce, then top with bacon and cheeses.


Stretch second dough over top and crimp edges.

Sprinkle with parsley.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes - it will take a little longer than the package directions because it is thick with cold ingredients.


I use Franks Buffalo sauce because it tastes the way I think buffalo sauce should, but you should use your favorite if you have one...

Even with the cheese and bacon, this version has lower calories than a similar calzone from a restaurant, and lower cost too :)

Wicked Easy Ham Sammich Roll!

Ingredients:

1 Pillsbury Classic Pizza Crust (don't get the thin crust; it doesn't roll well)

8oz sliced deli ham (or...could use any kind of deli meat)

6oz sliced swiss cheese (other kinds of cheese leak out of the roll too much)

- Unroll the crust onto a greased (I use butter flavor Pam) cookie sheet.

- Sprinkle with a little parsley if you have some.

- Bake @ 400 for 6 minutes. Should be dry on surface.

- Remove from oven; cover to edges with alternating layers of meat and cheese to about a half inch thick.

- Can spread a little mayo or mustard or barbecue sauce on top if desired.

- Start from one short side; roll like a jelly roll.  No need to lick it to stick closed :)

- Lay on baking sheet with seam side down.

- Bake @ 400 for 8-10 minutes.  Will brown from cooking spray left on outside.

Suggestions:

- Don't add veggies.  They introduce too much moisture which causes dough to break apart.

- Slice to serve.  I like to put slices of tomato and lettuce and mayo with it on the plate.

- Serves 2 grown humans with normal appetites.  Serves 1 if munchies or super hungry.

- Can drizzle slices with barbecue sauce or mustard, or if feeling adventurous, try making a white sauce with a little mustard powder.  

- Other kinds of deli meat work also, but beware of any that contain a lot of moisture like roast beef. Try pressing the meat slices between a layer of paper towels to absorb excess water.