BASIC MEAT MARINADE WITH TEX-MEX OPTION

1/2 cup olive or canola oil

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Whisk all the above ingredients together, add meat, and marinade according to the meat recipe.

The above is a basic marinade.  You can add other ingredients to make it a Tex-Mex marinade:

• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
• replace the lemon above with lime and add the zest

file photo used for reference only

 

SANTA FE CASSEROLE

1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg (1.25-oz) Taco seasoning mix
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup flour
1 cup sour cream
1 can (7-oz) diced green chiles
1 pkg (11-oz) corn or tortilla chips, your choice
2 cups grated Mexican-Blend cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions, including tops

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, stirring to crumble; drain well.  Add the taco seasoning mix, stir until well blended.

In a small bowl combine the broth and flour until smooth; add to the beef mixture and bring to a boil.  Cook until slightly thickened. 

Stir the sour cream and chiles into the mixture blending well.

Place 1/2 of the chips in the prepared baking dish.  Top with half the beef mixture and half the cheese. Repeat layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with the green onions.

Bake casserole uncovered at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

LEMON-DIJON MARINADE

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2/3 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons water
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp paprika

In a small bowl combine all the ingredients, stirring well to blend. Use this marinade on fish or chicken before cooking. Baste the meat with the marinade while cooking.

Makes 1 cup of marinade.

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MARINADE FOR BEEF SHISH-KABOBS

This marinade goes together quickly but beef needs to marinate for 6 hours for best results.  I have had this recipe since the 1970s.

1 cup wine vinegar
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp prepared mustard
1/2 tsp pepper

Combine mixture and pour over 1 1/2 lb beef cubes for kabobs.  Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.

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