Green Chile & Ranch Cheddar Burgers

Is it as hot there as it is here?  It feels like we didn't even have a winter & spring, and instead jumped straight to summer.  We already have our pool set up, and have been spending some quality time with our grill.  
This may surprise you, but this year is my first year actually cooking on the (outdoor) grill myself.  Usually, that's my husband's job, and I stick to the cast iron grill/griddle inside. However, I got a great deal on some ground chuck at my local butcher in the reduced section though, and got an immediate craving for some burgers.  Burgers grilled over a nice open flame at that!  My husband is taking a course in welding, and he had to go to class - so he wasn't able to man the grill for me. I got a quick 2 minute lesson before he left on how to turn on the propane & get the flame started - and I was ready.

I didn't want the typical cheeseburger, so I took a look in my pantry for some ingredient inspiration.  The large can of green chiles sitting in there instantly caught my eye.  I have done a Mexican themed burger before, so I wanted to do more of an Americanized Mexican burger this time.  
What's more American than ranch & cheddar cheese? 

The best thing about this burger is the party it throws on your taste buds.  The second best thing?  It's SO simple to throw together. 
This is a winner in my book, and I will be making them again soon!  Even the kiddos can't get enough of them, and that speaks volumes!

The flavor combinations in this burger marry perfectly together.  So, fire up that grill - and let's cook some burgers!

Green Chile & Ranch Cheddar Burgers(Makes 8 burgers)

Add this recipe to ZipList!

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 (1oz) packets dry ranch dressing mix
• 1 (7oz) can chopped green chiles
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 1 cup ranch dressing (NOT dry mix)
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 block of cheddar cheese, 4oz cut into slices
• 8 hamburger buns, or thin buns (which I used)
• thinly sliced tomato (optional)
• extra chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:
In a large bowl combine the ground chuck, green chiles, shredded cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix,& the egg.  Add the breadcrumbs, starting with 1/2 cup - and adding more if you need it to hold the burger together.  I like to use my hands for even mixing!  Shape the ground chuck mixture into patties.  I like to form mine into the size of a baseball, and then flatten them out to a burger.  I like large burgers.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, cilantro, & minced garlic.  Set aside.
Preheat your grill on medium heat.  Grill the burgers for about 8 minutes on each side - or until they reach the level of doneness that you like your burgers.  Right before removing them from the grill, add a couple of slices of cheddar cheese to each one to melt.  
To assemble the burgers, spread about 1 tablespoon of the ranch cilantro sauce on the inside of each half of the hamburger buns.  Sandwich the tomato (if using) & the hamburger patties in each bun.  Garnish with chopped cilantro.






Shared with these great blog parties!

Read More

May's Food Find - Moni's Natural Dressings & Sauces

EDIT: Moni's just contacted me, and have offered an exclusive coupon code just for the Mrs Happy Homemaker readers!  Use promo code 'MrsHappyHomemaker' for $6.00 off our order for the month of May!  You can view the online store here.

It's the beginning of another month, so that means it's time for another featured Food Find!  If you missed last month's find, then make sure you go back and take a look.

This month, I am featuring Moni's Natural Salad Dressings & Sauces.  This family owned company has been making their dressing for over 30 years, and up until recently - you could only get it in restaurants in the Texas area.  Now, it's available in the retail market - and I couldn't be happier!  Unlike many premade sauces & dressings, Moni's products are all natural & gluten free.  In addition, it's all made with fresh ingredients - never frozen ones.  That is a huge plus in my book. 

You can read more about Moni's Natural & their history here.

In salad dressings, you can get their famous house vinaigrette (my favorite), light famous house vinaigrette, & Italian country balsamic dressing.  

In pasta sauces, they offer spicy garlic marinara, garlic & basil marinara, & original marinara sauce (my favorite).

Out of everything, their original marinara is my absolute favorite product of theirs, with the house dressing not far behind.  But, I've tried them all - and they are all superb!  The quality of the ingredients used comes out in the finished product.  As soon you you open up the jar/bottle, the richness of the colors catches your eyes immediately.  It's evident that a whole bunch of love goes into each batch.  

Look at the gorgeous colors in the pasta I made the other day with the original marinara.  See what I mean?!

Totally yummy!

Head on over to Moni's Natural Store & pick you up something to try.  You'll be thanking me!  

Read More

Pyrex Bake, Serve, & Store Set for $23!

Amazon currently has this Pyrex 12-Piece Glass Bake Serve-n-Store Set for just $23.64 right now (marked down from $35).  It ships free with Amazon Prime or with Amazon super saver shipping with a $25 order.  
Here is a small filler item to get you over the $25 mark if you need one: Wilton Green Dots Baking Cups, 75 Count.  Also available in blue & purple for the same price.










Shared with these great blog parties!

Read More

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes

I am so excited to share this recipe with you!  If you are on my facebook page, then you probably saw the sneak peak photo that I posted a few days ago.  I have gotten mad response over it, and the recipe hasn't even been posted yet!  But, now that it is - I must warn you....these are addictive.  You will find yourself hiding them from the other members of your family, and then crying when they are all gone.
Mine are all gone now.
-sniff sniff-

You'll see when you make them.  I guarantee it will be your new addiction.  It's like biting into a caramel volcano.  Yep.  I totally stuffed these chocolate cupcakes with caramel. Salted caramel at that.
You can view a tutorial here on making the salted caramel sauce.  You will need 2 batches of it for this recipe.  One as the filling, & one batch to beat into the frosting.

To stuff the cupcakes I just used a paring knife, and cut a portion out of the top of each cupcake.  Poured a nice helping of caramel in, and then topped it back with the cake that I pulled out.  I like the cut the small cake piece in half...so it's less cake going back in and more room for that lovely caramel filling.  You can take the pieces of cake you cut off & make a small little trifle. Or, let your kids eat them as I did!  :)

Not only that - but I whipped a good portion of salted caramel in with the cream cheese frosting.  

Is that some drool there on your chin?  

Treat yourself to this alongside a glass of ice cold milk, and you've got it made!!

Look how fudgy the chocolate cupcake is - and how could you miss the explosion of salted caramel in them middle?

Ok, ok.  I won't hold out any further.  I know you want the recipe, and I'm here to oblige.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes(makes about 18 large cupcakes)

Add this recipe to ZipList!

Ingredients:
For the cake:

• 1.5 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup boiling water

For the salted caramel filling: 

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, plus 3 tablespoons
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

For the salted caramel cream cheese frosting:

• 2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 whole recipe salted caramel sauce (clink link or see above for ingredients)

Instructions:
For the cake:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar & butter.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat on high speed until light & fluffy.  Blend in vanilla. In a separate medium sized bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, & salt.  Add the flour mix alternatively with sour cream to the brown sugar/butter mixture.  Mix on low until just combined.  Stir in water until blended.  Bake at 350 degrees for 17-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes clean in the middle.  Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then carefully remove to cool directly on the rack.  Cool completely before proceeding.
For the salted caramel filling:
Melt the sugar over medium heat in a large saucepan.  Whisk the sugar as it melts, never leaving it's side til it turns a deep ambler color.  Add the butter & stir until melted.  Whisk in the cream.  Careful - it will foam up!  Whisk until you get a smooth sauce.  You may have some lumps, but keep stirring until they are melted.  Remove from the heat & cool slightly.  Stir in the salt.  Store in a mason jar for a week in the fridge, or can & store in a dark place for up to 6 months.  Set in a hot container of water or reheat or pour into a small saucepan to reheat for best consistency.

For the caramel cream cheese frosting:
In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese & butter until creamy.  Mix in the vanilla.  Beat in the confectioners sugar - and then whip in a batch of salted caramel sauce.
To assemble the cupcakes:
Using a paring knife, cut a wide hole in each cupcake.  Cut off the bottoms of the 'cupcake holes' & feed 'em to the kiddos or make a small trifle.  Fill the inside of the cupcakes with a heaping teaspoon to a tablespoon (depending on how much you like caramel - I add as much as will fit!) of salted caramel sauce.  Frost each cupcake with a good portion of the salted caramel frosting.  





Shared with these great blog parties!

Read More

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce

Gooey, sticky - amber colored deliciousness.  And, with just a hint of salt. 
Salted Caramel.  
Yum.

A good caramel sauce is so great to have on hand.  You can make it in large batches & can several small jars of it.  It's way better than the store bought kind.  Replace a recipe that calls for the store bought stuff with the homemade - and you have an instant decadence layer added.  Drizzle it on ice cream, popcorn, pancakes, etc.  Or, just dig in with a spoon.  

One of the best things about this salted caramel is the batch of cupcakes that I created with it.  You have gotta check out! (Posts tomorrow, watch for it!!)
Caramel isn't as hard to make as some people think.  Follow along with me!
Put your sugar into a large saucepan.  Turn the heat on to medium, and melt the sugar - whisking often.  Don't leave the caramel!!  You don't want burnt caramel, or make a gloppy mess!

Make sure the sugar is melted completely before proceeding to the next step!!
Whisk in the butter & heavy cream.  Whisk your heart out!!  I like to use a french whisk - it works fantastic for things like this (and for beating eggs). But, that's not necessary.  Be careful, it will foam up!  Just keep on a whisking until it's all smooth.  Turn off the heat, and let it sit to cool about 15 minutes before stirring in the salt & transferring to a jar.

Serve on top of anything that sounds like it will be good!

Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce(makes about 1 pint)

Add this recipe to ZipList!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, plus 3 tablespoons
  
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
  

Instructions:

Melt the sugar over medium heat in a large saucepan.  Whisk the sugar as it melts, never leaving it's side til it turns a deep amber color.  Add the butter & stir until melted.  Whisk in the cream.  Careful - it will foam up!  Whisk until you get a smooth sauce.  You may have some lumps, but keep stirring until they are melted.  Remove from the heat & cool slightly. Stir in the salt.  Store in a mason jar for a week in the fridge, or can & store in a dark place for up to 6 months.  Set in a hot container of water to reheat or pour into a small saucepan to reheat for best consistency.  

Shared with these great blog parties!

Read More

Makin' You Crave Monday

Welcome to another edition of Makin' You Crave Monday!!  

This week, I'm sharing my Cloud Parfaits!

Here are my favorites from last week.

Homemade Hamburger Helper from Michelle's Tasty Creations

Bacon Wrapped Mango Chipotle Chicken from The Kitchen Cookie

Twinkies Cake from Marty's Musings

A huge thank you to everyone who shared last week!  I can't wait to see what you have to link up this week.  Soooo....

Let's get this party started!!

Read More