Fondue for Dinner

Fondue is back in style, and it's a great way to share a meal with your family and friends.  Get yourself a fondue pot (or borrow one from a friend), grab some ingredients and get cookin'!  This recipe is for a main dish fondue- a seasoned broth in which you can cook meat and veggies.  I would suggest making the dips first, then making the broth so once it's done you're ready to go.  Serves up to 4 people.

Mojo-style Broth
5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon jerk seasoning (or blend of spices, if you don’t have jerk)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 cloves minced garlic

Dippers:
Assorted bite-sized chunks of meat, such as chicken and beef
Small peeled shrimp
Assorted bite-sized vegetables, such as broccoli and baby carrots

Directions:
1. Combine ingredients in saucepan on stovetop, bring to a boil.
2. Transfer to fondue pot, increase heat until broth simmers.
3. Add vegetables first- they will take a few minutes to cook. Use fondue forks to cook the meat pieces in the broth. Meat and poultry will take 1-2 minutes to cook, and shrimp about a minute. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out the vegetables. Use the dips listed below, or any other sauces you like.

Green Goddess Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, cut into slices
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
2 tablespoons finely sliced chives (or green onions)
1 tablespoon dry Italian herbs

Directions:
1. Microwave cream cheese 1-2 minutes, whisking after each minute, until cream cheese melts and mixture is smooth.
2. Stir in milk, sour cream, parsley, chives and herbs. Refrigerate for a few minutes, until cold. Serve with fondue.

Curry Dip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons curry powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

Combine ingredients, serve with fondue.

Taco Soup!

This is a War Kitten original, created by my husband Mark.  It's kinda like a Tex-Mex chili, but easy and quick to make.  It's also loaded with flavor and very filling!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey (or beef)
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Sour cream (optional)

Directions:
1.  Cook the ground meat in a large frying pan until it's no longer pink.  Drain grease if desired- we used lean turkey so there wasn't much.
2.  Stir in taco seasoning until well mixed.  Add tomatoes and olives, cook on medium heat for 5 minutes.
3.  Add cheese and stir until it melts into the mixture.  Divide into bowls and top with sour cream if desired.