Spring Hill Ranch Southwestern Seasoning Recipes

SPRING HILL RANCH SOUTHWESTERN SEASONING

Steps:

• 1. Combine all ingredients. For best results, run the ingredients through a mill or spice grinder for an even consistency. Store in an airtight glass jar and store in a cool, dark place. Maintains freshness for about 6 months.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S SOUTHWESTERN BEEF MARINADE 1

Steps:

• 1. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin and ground cayenne. While whisking vigorously, drizzle in the oil. Store and marinate in the refrigerator.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S GRINGO GREEN CHILE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Lightly grease or spray a 9"x13"x2" metal baking pan. Get out another pan at least a couple inches longer and/or wider than the first into to use for the bain marie (water bath). Put 2 quarts of water on to boil for the bain marie. Once you've completed step 2, adjust an oven rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 350°.
• 2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt the lard. Add the onion and cook them, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until they are fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beef and chorizo to the pan, breaking them up into small pieces an incorporating the onions and garlic into them. Cook the meats, stirring and continuing to break them up, until just browned.
• 3. (See "Step 1" for prep) Stir in the Southwestern seasoning and water and simmer the mixture for 30 minutes. Drain the mixture very thoroughly (I use a fine strainer and then a large bowl lined with paper towels). (Note: If you do not thoroughly drain the meat mixture, you will end up with grease in the bottom of your casserole.)
• 4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until they are well combined. Set this aside for a moment. (Note: I used more of each than the picture shows.)
• 5. (Note: If you do not firmly pat the chiles dry, you will end up with water in the bottom of your casserole.) In your prepared baking pan, cover the bottom with half your green chiles. Add half the milk mixture, then half the meat mixture and then the pepper jack cheese. Repeat the procedure, this time using the cheddar cheese on top.
• 6. Open the oven and pull out the rack. Place your larger pan on the rack and your casserole inside that. Carefully pour the boiling water around the outside of your casserole until it is nearly as deep as the ingredients in the casserole. Carefully push in the rack and close the oven door. Bake the casserole until it has firmed through, about 45 minutes. When you stick a wooden toothpick into the center, it should come out almost (but not quite) clean.
• 7. Very carefully remove the whole thing from the oven and put it on a rack to start cooling. Let it rest for 20 minutes. Now you can remove the casserole from the water bath and serve it up. Pass around some table salsa and/or hot sauce (I like Cholula® or Tapatio® with this, but Frank's® or Tabasco® will work fine.)
• 8. Notes: - You can make the meat mixture (steps 2 & 3) a day or 3 in advance, storing it in the 'fridge. - Seriously - You need to pat those green chiles dry. - If you make the whole casserole and then refrigerate it, be sure to let it come up to room temperature before baking it. If you don't, by the time the center finally gets done, the outer portion will be over-cooked.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S SAZóN SEASONING

Steps:

• 1. In batches, use a spice grinder to grind the peppercorns, oregano, dried culantro leaves (or coriander seeds, if using), and cumin seeds, placing the powder in a small mixing bowl.
• 2. Add the granulated garlic, annatto and salt (if using). Mix it all up well. Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to six months, or in the freezer for two years.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• 1. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the salt. Cook the tomatillos until they pale, about 5 minutes. Drain and cut them into wedges, then put them in a food processor. Add the garlic, cilantro, jalapeños, onion and pepper. Process nearly to a purée. Of using, add the green chiles and/or Sazón.
• 2. Transfer the salsa to a medium saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over low heat. Cook until it has thickened a little, about 15 minutes. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container a week or maybe two.

SPRING HILL RANCH'S SOUTHWESTERN SHREDDED BEEF

Steps:

• 1. Trim the roast of any excess fat and cut it into four relatively equal chunks. Rub the pieces with the black pepper and set them aside.
• 2. In the slow cooker, stir together the broth, green chiles, onion, chipotles, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, and cayenne.
• 3. Add the pieces of beef, tucking them down into the sauce mixture. If the sauce/liquid does not come at least 1/3 of the way up the beef pieces, add enough water to do that.
• 4. Cover and cook on the high setting until the meat begins to fall apart, about 8 hours. Check every once in awhile and, if necessary, add water to keep the roast from drying out.
• 5. Turn the slow cooker down to the low setting and remove meat to a large bowl or 9x13 baking dish. Shred the meat using two forks.
• 6. Return the meat to the slow cooker and cook it about 20 minutes to reheat and deepen the seasoning before serving.
• 7. We will often freeze this in one-pound amounts so it's easy to grab a bag an make a bunch of burritos or tacos. It'll keep in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for 6 months (not that you'll ever have it there that long!).