Chili Cheese Pockets Recipes

CHILI PIE POCKETS

Steps:

• In Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook beef in oil 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown. Add onion, celery and bell pepper. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked and vegetables begin to soften.
• Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, oregano and sugar. Cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes and beans. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. Remove pie crusts from pouches; unroll on lightly floured work surface. Using rolling pin, roll out crusts slightly. Using a bowl as a pattern, cut 3 large rounds from each crust; discard scraps.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup chili on half of each round. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Fold dough over filling and press edges together, forming half circle; press with tines of fork to seal. With sharp knife, cut 2 to 3 slits in top of dough to allow steam to escape. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• In small bowl, beat egg and water with fork or whisk. Brush over dough.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

DANISH CHEESE POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla.
• Beat together with a small spatula.
• Place dough on a floured surface and lightly sprinkle flour over it.
• Using a rolling pin, press the dough in firm, parallel strokes to soften it.
• Flour the surface and the dough again if necessary.
• Roll dough out to a 12" x 17" rectangle.
• Slide dough onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes.
• Cut a 1-inch wide strip of dough from one of the narrow sides, and set it aside.
• Cut remaining dough into 12 4-inch squares.
• Leave squares in place and drop a heaping teaspoon of filling in the center of each square.
• Fold the four corners of each square in to meet in the center over the filling, overlapping only about 1/4 inch.
• Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil.
• Cut reserved pastry into 12 1-inch squares.
• Beat the egg and salt together and brush a little in the center of each pastry.
• Top with a square of the reserved dough.
• Cover and let rise until just starting to puff, about 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Brush pastry all over with egg wash.
• Sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake until pastry is deep golden and filling is set, about 20 minutes.
• Cool on rack.
• Combine icing ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to mix.
• Cook over low heat until just lukewarm.
• Drizzle icing over pastry and let set.

CHEESY CHILI

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the beef, onions and garlic until meat is no longer pink, breaking meat into crumbles; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, chiles and pepper; bring to a boil. , Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve immediately. If desired, top with sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes and cilantro. , Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers; it may be frozen for up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little broth or water if necessary.

CHILI CHEESE PUFF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat eggs well. Stir in next five ingredients. Add green chiles. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve immediately.

CHILI CHEDDAR BISQUIT POCKETS

Steps:

• Preheat oven per biscuit directions.
• Spread a biscuit out a bit and place a teaspoon of chili in the center and then add about the same amount of cheese.
• Pull the edges together to make a half moon. Be sure to pinch closed well.
• Bake as long as you would a regular biscuit.
• Be sure not to burn you tongue and enjoy.
• You could also use taco filling, meatloaf or other leftover.

STUFFED MASA POCKETS WITH GREEN CHILES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For filling:
• Char poblano chiles directly over gas flame or in broiler until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag 10 minutes. Peel, seed, and slice chiles into 1/4-inch strips.
• Place tomatoes in processor; chop coarsely. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chiles; cook until mixture thickens, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; mix in cheese. Season with salt.
• For dough:
• Combine fresh masa or masa harina mixture, flour, baking powder, and salt in large bowl. Knead to blend well, adding warm water by tablespoonfuls as needed until dough is soft but not sticky. Divide dough into 10 equal portions; roll each into ball. Place balls on sheet of aluminum foil. Cover balls of dough with plastic wrap to prevent drying.
• Cut two 8-inch rounds from heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Place 1 round on bottom half of tortilla press. Place 1 dough ball in center; top with second plastic round. Close tortilla press, gently flattening dough to 4-inch round about 1/4 inch thick. Peel off top plastic. Lift bottom plastic and peel dough round off. Place on sheet of waxed paper. Shape remaining 9 balls into 4-inch rounds.
• Line baking sheet with aluminum foil. Heat heavy large griddle or skillet over medium heat. Place two 4-inch rounds at a time on griddle or skillet. Cook until just light brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer gorditas to prepared baking sheet. (Filling and gorditas can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover loosely; let stand at room temperature.)
• Pour enough oil into heavy large skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch. Attach deep-fry thermometer. Heat oil over medium heat to 325°F to 350°F. Fry 2 or 3 gorditas at a time until crisp and slightly puffed, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Cut halfway around edge of each gordita to make opening. Gently squeeze sides to open shell. Spoon about 1/4 cup filling into each opening. Arrange gorditas on platter; serve warm.