Taco Dip

Wow I was just blown away by the ending of the Super Bowl game… Wow is really I have to say about it too. Like watching on the edge of your seat kind of game!

On a brighter side we enjoyed having a great group of people over and delicious food to partake in. Spending time with family and friends is where it is at. So thankful to have met such an incredible couple thanks to Rob’s job almost 13 years ago.  With us relocating to Arizona a year and a half ago brings us back together again.  It was a day full of laughter and kiddos running around having fun.

So I decided to take on an alternative to a Taco Dip. It has been a long time since I have had a taco dip and it just sounded good to me. I was able to throw together a healthier option and thought it tasted delicious too. Even my 6 year old gobbled some up with a spoon 🙂

Party Taco Dip

• 1 can organic refried beans ( I used Amy’s Organic Refried Beans)
• 2 Tbsp taco seasoning- homemade
  • 1tbs chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp chopped dry onion
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • salt/pepper
• 2 ripe avocados smashed
• 1½ tsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• Himalayan salt
• 1 c sour cream or enough just to cover a layer. (I used Green Valley Lactose Free Sour Cream)
• 1/2 jar medium organic salsa or enough to cover a layer
• 1½ – 2 c 4 shredded gout gouda cheese
• Shredded lettuce
• Pepper
• Olives

Instructions

1. Mix refried beans with taco seasoning.
2. Layer refried bean mix on the bottom of a glass dish.
3. Mash the flesh of 2 avocados,and  add lemon juice, garlic powder, chopped onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
4. Layer guacamole on top of the refried beans.
5. On top of guacamole, add a layer sour cream.
6. Add layer of salsa on top of guacamole
7. Sprinkle cheese on top of salsa, then top with toppings of choosing. Then add a little more cheese to garnish on top.

I served it up with some corn chips of course…I hope you all enjoy this as I did. Now I will wait another 365 more days to have it again!!

Super Bowl – Protein Style

It is an early morning rise for my hubs as he fires up the Traeger. Seriously one of the best gifts we have gotten! We have honestly made so much on it. Two organic chickens at a time from Costco, Pork butt, chicken breast, gluten-free pizza, ribs, party wings, and the list can go on and on. Today our protein will consist of baby back ribs, party wings, and junior franks. All of these will come from my Costco run.

First we will be making Rob’s Famous Ribs. They are fall off the bone good! We soak the ribs overnight in Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice (I get mine from Trader Joe’s).

We then use Paleo Spirit’s Dry Rib Rub. I am all about making our own seasoning instead of a store bought combo. Rob had an idea of what he wanted so when he found this recipe for dry rib rub it was a hit. You can find the dry rib rub here. Again super easy to toss together.

In the morning we transfer the ribs into a clean pan, and pour the left over apple juice from the pan into another heat safe dish. We rub the ribs down generously with the dry rub and massage the rub in too. Pre-heat the Traeger and set the temp for 225 degrees. Arrange the  ribs bone side down and place the left over apple juice pan in the corner. We cook them for about 5 hours. At hour 4 we spread some Annie’s Organic Sweet and Spicy BBQ sauce on top and let them finish cooking the last hour. Wrap in parchment paper and let rest. If need to transport them, wrapping in parchment paper is the way to go too.

We will also be doing up some party wings.  I like to keep my wing seasoning simple, but tasty. I toss my party wings in a tablespoon or two of Avocado Oil. I season them with himalayan salt and cracked pepper. That is it my friends! I then will serve them with a side of Frank’s Red Hot for those that would like a sauce with theirs. Otherwise, they are just as good with the simple seasoning. Today though I used some of the leftover rib rub with these wings. They turned out delicious!

Lastly will be Teton Waters Ranch (TWR) uncured beef junior franks. You can’t go wrong with TWR. I have loved everything I have tried from them so far! I will throw these in a crock pot and call it good to go! They go great with some mustard on the side. Just the way I like them! I will also serve them with side dishes of organic ketchup and Annie’s  organic sweet and spicy BBQ sauce for those that would prefer to eat them a different way. I try to keep my ingredients I use or offer to be fairly clean.  Remembering it is a party and not an everyday lifestyle way of eating.

I will also be making up Wellness Mama’s Broccoli Slaw to go along with these dishes. I am made a double batch for the crew. The great thing about this, is you can make it the night before. It allows the dressing to soak in. Plus it also makes great leftovers the following days! I use her recipe with homemade mayo and omit the honey. I did use homemade mayo for this even though I used store bought for my Chicken Salad. 99% of the time I make my own, but with cooking all day and already making a batch of mayo, I was tapped out! Honestly this was the first time I bought mayo in over 4 years. It will not be an always occurrence, but came in handy!

Makings of a great Super Bowl evening! I hope your evening was one of great laughter too.