Chili Lime Flank Steak

2 T chili powder
2 garlic cloves, grated
1 tsp salt
1 T brown sugar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 T lime juice
flank steak

Combine chili powder, garlic, salt, brown sugar, cayenne, and lime juice. Rub all over flank steak and marinate in refrigerator for a few hours. Grill until medium doneness. Let rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with a mango chipotle sauce.

Asian Green Beans

Had these with the Asian Lettuce Wraps and they were delicious! 4 yr old daughter even gave them a thumbs up as she was chewing.

8 oz. green beans
2 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
2 T small sweet red bell pepper, sliced thinly
2 T chopped green onion
2 T sesame oil
1 T soy sauce
1 T rice wine vinegar
1 T toasted sesame seeds

Boil a pot of water. Cook green beans in boiling water for about 3 minutes. Blanch in ice cold water to stop cooking. Heat sesame oil in skillet. Saute garlic, green onions, and bell pepper in oil for about 1-2 minutes on medium heat. Add in soy sauce and rice vinegar. Toss green beans in skillet. Heat for a few more minutes to heat them back up. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

We LOVE hummus at my house. It is a new-found favorite snack. I decided to try to make my own homemade version and this is what I came up with. Very good!

1 can chick peas
2 cloves garlic
2 T sesame tahini
juice of 2 lemons (about 2 T)
2 roasted red bell peppers from can
1 T dried parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp each of black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes

olive oil

Blend in food processor, drizzling in olive oil until it comes to desired consistency. Serve with pita chips or raw veggies.

Crockpot Pork Shoulder

Not only is this the EASIEST crock pot recipe, but it is one of my favorites!! The meat falls apart and tastes so good!

4-6 strips pork shoulder, bone-in
1 onion, sliced thinly
2 c. water
2 beef bullion cubes

Rub:
2 T salt
1 T paprika
1 tsp each of black pepper, onion powder, seasoned salt, and garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Boil water in small pot and dissolve bullion cubes in it. Meanwhile, rub the dry rub on meat. Put meat in bottom of crock pot and onion over meat. Pour beef water over meat and onions. Cook on LOW for 8 hrs.

If you want to do a thicker sauce, dissolve 2 T cornstarch and 1 T water and pour in crock pot the last 30 minutes of cooking.

German Chocolate Cupcakes

This is Martha Stewart's recipes for Coconut-Pecan Frosting. So good to make German Chocolate Cake or Cupcakes.

German Chocolate Chocolate cake mix

3 large egg yolks

1 can evaporated milk

1 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar

2 T sugar

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and brought to room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 2/3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Combine egg yolks, evaporated milk, and brown sugar in a saucepan. Add butter, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick, about 10 minutes. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl.
2. Stir in vanilla, salt, coconut, and pecans. Let cool completely. Frosting can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before using.

Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2/3 c. softened butter
2/3 c. brown sugar (I used Splenda Brown Sugar Blend)
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. instant oats
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c. sugar (I used Splenda)
6 oz. pkg dried cranberries
1 c. white chocolate chips

Beat butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs. In separate bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix dry mixture in butter mixture until all is incorporated. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.

***If you want to make oatmeal chocolate chip cookies instead of the cranberry and white chocolate chip cookies, add 1 tsp vanilla to butter mixture and an additional 1/2 c. sugar in dry mixture. Add in chocolate chips instead of the other add-ins.