What completes a meal? Other than great company, good conversation, and the perfect setting, the sides can add oomph to your holiday spread. It can spell the difference between a ho-hum meal and a Noche Buena feast.
All of these side dishes have one common ingredient: Hunt’s Pork and Beans, made from high-quality Great Northern Beans and real pork bits. It also has rich, thick, and sweet tomato sauce that enhances the flavor of these dishes.
Cheesy Mac and Beans
Prep time: 30 minutes
Makes 4 servings
1 pack (200 grams) elbow macaroni
1 can (390 grams) Hunt’s Pork and Beans
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup quick-melting cheese
1 cup prepared salsa
1/4 cup jalapenos, sliced (optional)
2 tablespoon oil
3 cloves garlic, peeled, finely chopped
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1/4 c. parsley leaves, finely chopped
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
For the salsa:
1/8 cup tomato, diced
1/8 cup onion, finely chopped
1/8 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain into a large bowl and set aside. Keep warm.
2 Meanwhile, in a sauté pan over medium heat, mix Hunt’s Pork and Beans, quick-melting cheese, mozzarella cheese, and salsa until melted and combined. Add jalapenos if using. Remove from heat. Keep warm.
3 In a frying pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add and cook garlic until fragrant. Add breadcrumbs and cook until toasted. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Remove from heat. Set aside.
4 Pour cheese mixture over cooked macaroni, and toss to coat. Transfer to ramekin bowls. Top with breadcrumbs and dried parsley. Serve while hot.
PRO TIP: Prepare the salsa. Mix tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
Baby Potato Chili
Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes 4 servings
200 grams baby potatoes, scrubbed
2 tablespoons oil
1 small red onion, peeled, minced
1 can (210 grams) corned beef
1/2 cup diced tomatoes
2 pouches (100 grams) Hunt’s Chili Beef and Beans
1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste
1/4 cup sour cream, to serve
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated, to serve
2 tablespoons green onion, sliced, to serve
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 Scrub and clean each baby potato. Drain using paper towels. Microwave on high for 5 minutes and turn potatoes until cooked through. A fork should easily pierce the center of each potato. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool to the touch.
2 Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add and cook onion until translucent. Add corned beef, and cook until water has almost completely evaporated. Add tomatoes and chili beef and beans, and cook until heated through. Stir in hot sauce to taste. Season to taste with salt and ground pepper.
3 Mix the potatoes with beef and bean mixture, sour cream, cheese, and finally, with green onion. Serve while hot.
Creamy Chicken a la King
Prep time: 30 minutes
Makes 6 servings
1/4 cup butter
2 chicken breast fillets, cubed
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1/2 cup water, or as needed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh milk
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 can (390 grams) Hunt’s Pork and Beans
Crostinis, to serve
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1 Melt butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add chicken, stirring while sprinkling with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until cooked through. Remove from pan with slotted spoon onto a plate. Set aside.
2 In the same pan over medium heat, add mixed vegetables. Pour in water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 1 minute. Remove cover, and cook until water has evaporated. Remove from pan with slotted spoon to plate with chicken. Set aside.
3 Sprinkle in flour, stirring to mix into remaining butter. Season with nutmeg. Pour in milk, stirring. Add salt and ground black pepper to taste. Cook until thickened. Stir in pork and beans and chicken mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve while hot with crostinis.
