Chili 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.

TACO POCKETS

Steps:

• Combine ground meat with onion, garlic, spices, and salt and form 4 patties. Pan fry patties in 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat for 7 minutes on each side.
• To make a taco pocket, blister a flour tortilla on a hot griddle pan for 30 seconds on each side. Place tortilla on dinner plate and spread surface with 1 /4 cup mild taco sauce. Pile shredded lettuce, tomatoes and a handful of cheese in center of tortilla. Top veggies and cheese with cooked taco burger patty and wrap tortilla up and over patty on all four sides. Turn square pouch over and cut from corner to corner, making 2 taco pockets that will not crumble and drip like traditional tacos.
• Serve taco pockets with cut fresh seasonal veggies, assorted tortilla chips and mild salsa for dipping.
• Heat a small saucepan over moderate heat and add oil, onions, peppers, and garlic. Season vegetables with cumin, salt, and pepper and cook for 5 minutes, until vegetables are just tender.
• Remove the pan from heat and add canned tomatoes. Stir salsa to combine and transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve salsa at room temperature or chilled with veggies and assorted corn tortillas for dipping.

READY-TO-GO CHILI PACKETS

Steps:

• In a large, heavy pot, brown the ground beef with the garlic over medium heat until the beef is totally cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain off most of the excess fat, leaving a little behind for moisture and flavor. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and cayenne. Stir together well, cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally; if the liquid level seems low, add up to 1 cup water to keep it from burning.
• After an hour, stir in the kidney and pinto beans. In a small bowl, combine the masa harina with 1/2 cup water and stir together with a fork until it's smooth. Pour the masa mixture into the chili. Stir together well, then taste the chili and adjust the seasonings. Simmer the chili for another 10 minutes to thicken, then turn off the heat and let it cool.
• Fill freezer bags with 2-cup portions and freeze them flat for easy stacking (or freeze in other freezer-safe containers). Thaw and use the chili packets in your favorite chili dog, chili cheeseburger or chili nacho recipes.

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.

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.

PERFECT PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Brush one side of each piece pita pocket with olive oil. Sprinkle the garlic powder, salt, and garlic salt over the pita pockets. Slice each pocket into 4 even triangles.
• Bake in preheated oven until the triangles turn a light brown color, 15 to 20 minutes.