Cooking on the Colorado
Recipes which bring families together
Leigh Pless

I hope you are hungry today! These savory recipes will have your family hanging around in the kitchen, making it the perfect time to visit about the day.

Mexican Omelet

3/4 C. chopped avocado 1/3 C. sour cream 2 Tblsp. chopped green chile 1 Tblsp. chopped scallion 1 tsp. lemon juice 1/4 tsp. salt Dash of Tabasco sauce 2 Tblsp. butter or margarine 1 corn tortilla, torn into pieces 6 beaten eggs

1 C. shredded Monterey jack cheese

In a small bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients. In a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the tortilla pieces. When tortilla is soft, pour eggs into the skillet and cook 3 to 5 minutes, lifting eggs to allow the uncooked portion to flow underneath. Remove from heat; sprinkle egg evenly with cheese and place skillet in a 325 degrees F oven for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese melts. Spread avocado mixture on top 1/2 omelet and return it to the oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Fold the omelet in half to serve.

Stove Top Meatloaf

2 lbs. ground beef, turkey or pork

1 Pkg. beef flavor Stove Top stuffing mix (dry)

1 C. beef broth

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Mix meat, stuffing mix and beef broth together and form into a loaf or pack into a loaf pan. Cover with mushroom soup. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.

Potatoes Ranchero

1/4 C. butter or margarine 1/4 C. all-purpose flour 2 C. milk 1 tsp. salt

Dash black pepper

2 C. (8 ozs.) grated sharp Cheddar cheese

1/2 C. green onion slices 6 C. cooked potato slices 1 green bell pepper, cut into rings

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Make a white sauce with butter, flour, milk and seasonings. Add cheese and onion slices. Stir until cheese melts. Layer half of potatoes and cheese sauce in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Repeat layers. Top with green pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until hot.

Roasted Garlic Cauliflower

2 Tblsp. minced fresh garlic

3 Tblsp. olive oil

1 large head cauliflower, separated into florets

1/3 C. grated Parmesan cheese Salt and black pepper to taste

1 bunch chopped fresh parsley

Heat oven to 450 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a large casserole dish. Place the olive oil and garlic in a large resealable bag. Add cauliflower, and shake to mix. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking time. Top with Parmesan cheese and parsley, and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until golden brown.
Cowboy Cream of
Jalapeno Soup
1 1/2 Tblsp. unsalted butter

5 jalapeno peppers,
stemmed and seeded
3/4 C. finely chopped red
onion (about 1/2 large onion)

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 avocado, peeled and
diced
2 C. diced tomatoes
(about two large tomatoes)

8 C. heavy cream
1 bunch cilantro,
stemmed and chopped
Kosher salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper
to taste

Mince the jalapenos and set aside. In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the jalapenos, onions and garlic and saute, stirring, until the vegetables are soft. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the avocados, tomatoes and cream. Lower the temperature and return the pan to the heat, watching and stirring so the cream does not separate. Bring the soup slowly back to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes to reduce by one third and to blend flavors. Be sure to stir the soup occasionally to prevent sticking or scorching. Season with salt and pepper. Just before serving stir the chopped cilantro leaves into the soup, reserving some for garnish. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with remaining cilantro.
Fancy Pumpkin Pie
8 ozs. cream cheese, softened

1/4 C. granulated sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 (9-inch) pie shell, unbaked

1 1/4 C. canned pumpkin
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
Dash of salt
1 C. evaporated milk
2 eggs, beaten slightly

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract together until blended. Add egg and mix well. Spread on bottom of pie shell. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients and pour over cream cheese mixture. Bake for 65 minutes.