Salsa Verde (Green Chili)

I used a couple of different recipes just for spice options, but this recipe is almost entirely mine. This is our first year growing a variety of peppers. One day, the hubby brought in hatch, serano, tomatillo and a couple more I can't remember. So I decided to just roast it all (for 20 minutes at 400 degrees) and throw it in the food processor. I added lime juice, a bit of salt, cumin and onions; next time I might add cilantro. The hubby said it was the BEST green chili he's EVER had. :) It was also nice and easy for me to not have to separate the peppers. I ended up using it for Green Chili Breakfast Burritos and Chicken Avocado Lime Soup.

Example: 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/salsa-verde-green-tomatillo-salsa-recipe-1939985

Crockpot Taco Chili with ground Yak meat

A couple of weeks ago I hosted a get-together with a baked potato bar. I'm a big fan of chili on things--baked potato, hot dogs, fritos and even cinnamon rolls. :) Our neighbors at Deja Moo Farms raise and sell yak which is a deliciously lean alternative to beef. I decided to make taco chili which turned out to be a super duper idea. This was definitely a recipe that needed a slow, all day simmer in the crockpot to get all the flavors to meld together. I could make it every week, it was so yummy.

http://www.skinnytaste.com/crock-pot-chicken-taco-chili-4-pts/#_a5y_p=1174605

Black Bean 'n' Pumpkin Chili

I found this recipe in an email recently and decided I "had" to make it. Believe it or not, I've never used fresh pumpkin, but the decision was pretty easy at the store....1 14oz can of organic pumpkin was 4.99 and 2 pumpkin pie size pumpkins were 2 for $5...no brainer. I couldn't believe how much edible pumpkin these 2 produced as well as the happy pigs that loved the skins. I wanted to use dry black beans, but ran out of time, so I did use canned beans. We still have racks of tomatoes that are ripening in the sun room, so they worked great. Every 2 weeks, I make chicken broth for the dogs and so I added the shredded chicken from the last batch. The hubby was extremely impressed with the chili and has decided that pie pumpkins and/or Hubbard squash will be planted in the garden next year. I'm really excited about the new recipe opportunities that are now open, similar to our first crack at butternut last year :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/black-bean--n--pumpkin-chili