Taco Casserole

Yes, it's the "C" word again, but I love casseroles. How can you go wrong with cheese and chips??? The pictures may not look too great, it is hard to capture the flavor but be assured it is great and will certainly be a crowd pleaser. I always have several servings whenever I make this and tend to overdo it, so just a warning, pace yourself and enjoy!

Taco Casserole
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 oz mushrooms, chopped (optional)
1 oz taco seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
14 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz can tomato sauce
4 oz bag Doritos (I use more)
2 TB cilantro (optional)
2 cups Mexican cheese blend
3 oz can fried onion rings

Brown beef, add onion, garlic and mushrooms saute 3-5 min. Add seasonings. Stir in tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes.  Remove from heat. Put chips in bottom of 9x13 dish, pour meat mixture over top and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese, top with fried onion rings. Bake 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

I served mine with black beans and Mexican corn.



Cake Pops!

Follow this link to the Cake Pops Web page. You will find the most fun ideas for these treats. I finally bought her book at Williams Sonoma. They are definitely more challenging that I thought, but I think they came out cute for my first try and the kids loved them. They take quite a long time to make but they make about 50 pops, so you will have plenty to share!

The kids loved how they taste too. This one was chocolate cake mix, chocolate icing and chocolate candy coating (you can never go wrong with chocolate!). Since I don't like cake they weren't much of a hit for me but the next time I think I am going to try to make them with Oreo truffle recipe (I have posted it in the past just look it up in the archives) instead of the cake. I have also seen them made with gooey brownies, that is definitely another option I will be trying out!

Excellent Enchiladas!

 This meal was a delicious, easy, throw together dinner I know you will love. The entire family loved it!

 For the enchiladas I mixed cooked chicken (you can boil or bake it and dice it up in bite size pieces, sometimes I use leftover baked or rotisserie chicken for this and it is great), salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and I like cumin in mine I think it gives it an extra kick. Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl and lay flour tortillas in a casserole dish, spoon the mix in the center of tortilla and roll up, continue until pan is full. Spread cheese over the top and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. Sooooo easy and yummy every time. This can also be frozen.

These are black beans from the can. I used one can whole black beans and one can of re fried. Heat them both in pot and add the special sauce pictured below and it is wonderful!

I got this sauce at one of those international market grocery stores. My girlfriend told me about it and we love it. She uses it on chicken too and says it is great. I have yet to try it, but think I will cook the chicken for my enchiladas with this next time!!

This doesn't look too appetizing now, but it is just to show how quickly Aaron devoured it and was on to his second serving before I could take a picture to share with you.

Enjoy!

A Paula Quest Update

It was time to try another Paula Dean meal, the recipes I chose were:

Black Bean Dip Appetizer

Cold Cucumber Salad

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Cheese Muffins

and Gooey Butter Cake (yes again, but it is soooo yummy!)

My favorite was definitely the Black Bean Dip

2 TB butter

2 TB chopped onion

4 oz can green chilies, chopped

1 tomato, diced

2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

1 tsp. house seasoning

15 oz. can black beans

1 cup shredded cheddar

4 oz. block Velveeta Mexican cheese, diced

3 oz. cream cheese, diced

Melt butter in skillet. Add onions and saute until tender, about 5 min. Add green chilies, tomato, cilantro and seasoning, and cook 5 min longer.  Add beans and cheeses and simmer until hot and bubbling. Serve hot with tortilla chips.

I used a crock pot for this recipe and just sauteed the onions and things then threw everything together into the crock pot to melt. I would probably add more cheese to this mix next time too.

Another Paula Meal

So I made another Paula dean meal for the family when my sister came to visit. The meal we planned was:

TOMATO CANAPES

BAKED SPAGHETTI

FETA CHEESE AND TOMATO SALAD

AND THE ULTIMATE!!!

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE!!!

Ingredients

Cake:

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1 (18.2- ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 large egg

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted



Filling:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (1 pound) box confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.

In the bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and set aside.

In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, confectioners' sugar and butter. Beat on medium speed until smooth.
Pour the filling over the cake mixture and spread it evenly. Bake until the center is just a little bit gooey, about 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into pieces and serve.

Plan "B"

So I made several more of Paula's recipes, so far there aren't any good enough to brag about. I liked them, but the rest of the family didn't so I won't waste your time with them.





This is the Chicken, Goat Cheese and Rice Casserole with Pecans and Cherries







This is Mini Artichoke and Gruyere Quiches



I think I am going to change up to plan "B" on this Pracht and Paula Quest. I have several of her cookbooks so I am going to start with the gooey, yummy, cheesiest ones first and get to the "meat" of the recipes to share with you. So stay tuned for more to come....

My Paula Quest

So, my dear sister suggested I watch the movie "Julie and Julia" since she loved it so I thought I might like it too, even though we have complete opposite taste in movies, I enjoyed it and decided since I like to cook and bake maybe this would be a great adventure for me to try out. I began looking through the numerous cookbooks I have: Sanda Lee, Dinner Doctor, Betty Crocker, and seeing as I have four Paula Dean cookbooks I think the choice was obvious, not to mention the fact my family loves cheese, butter and gooeyness. So I have begun my quest through the newest cookbook of hers, "The Dean Family Cookbook". I would like to share the most incredible recipe I have made so far and my husband absolutely flipped over it!

There is no shortage of cheese and gooeyness in this recipe. And in my definate opinion the fried egg has to be over medium, the runnier the better.

Enjoy this one for sure and if you have any youhave tried please tell us about them.

Foodnetworks Paula Dean Recipe Link

CROQUE MADAME

Ingredients


8 slices sourdough bread
8 ounces Gruyere, very thinly sliced
12 ounces smoked ham, very thinly sliced
2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 extra-large eggs
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Butter 1 side of each bread slice.

Set half of the slices of bread buttered side down in the griddle or cast iron skillet, and cover each with a slice of cheese. Place 3 or 4 slices of the ham over the cheese, and place the top slice of bread over the ham, buttered side up. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches until bottom is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Remove sandwiches and place on a plate. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the top of each sandwich, and then place a slice of cheese on top. Put the sandwiches back onto the griddle or skillet then place in oven, cooking until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over high heat. Cook each egg sunny side up. Turn egg over and cook 3 minutes longer for a soft-cooked egg, or 5 minutes longer for a hard-cooked egg. Repeat with remaining butter and eggs.

Place 1 fried egg atop each sandwich. Season egg, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve sandwich immediately.

Loaded Potato Soup

6 slices bacon
1/4 cup green onion
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 cup whole milk
1 (20 oz.) bag potato wedges
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Remove from pan and drain fat, reserving 1 tsp, and saute onion in drippings until tender.  Add broth. Whisk in sour cream and milk. Add potatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes, or until heated through.  Top with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese and chives.

I have been looking for a potato soup recipe with lots of flavor and richness and this one is great, Enjoy!

Crunchy Granola

This is a great recipe for granola. Very peanutty flavored. I made it without dried fruits but I think I will use them next time I make it to give it a sweet kick too.

6 cups rolled oats
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups nuts
1/3 cup vege oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix granola:  Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine oats, coconut and nuts in large mixing bowl.  Combine oil, brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon and vanilla in small saucepan over medium heat and stir until smooth.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Bake granola:  Line shallow baking pan with foil.  Spread mixture in the pan.  Bake until browned - about 50 minutes- stirring every 10 minutes with large spatula.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack; then stir once more.  Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Easy Brunswick Stew

This is the easiest recipe I think I have EVER made. It alsways turns out really good.

1 small can BBQ pork
1 small can BBQ beef
1 can white chicken
1 can cream corn
1 can whole kernel corn
1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

Mix all ingredients in crock pot, add hot sauce to taste. Cook on high for 2 hours, simmer on low another 2 hours.

Mimi's Raisin Nut Bread

If you like Mimi's Restaurant, you will love this knock off recipe for their delicious raisin nut bread! I have made it many times and it always turns out perfectly. I also have used mini bundt pans and muffin tins and given them as gifts. Everyone will love it!

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup vege oil
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup shredded carrots

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  In a separate bowl mix oil, sugar, and eggs, when combined add dry ingredients. Stir in walnuts, pineapple, raisins and carrots. Pour in a loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until browned.

Recipe Posts

Dont forget to check out previously posted recipes for more recipes other followers have posted under them. There are some great other recipes from friends like Chicken and Carrots and Yummy Gooey Brownies.

Broccoli Cornbread

I have made this recipe many times and it is always delicious! It is great with a salad for a light meal even. I have added and altered it on occasion with, sausage and cheese and things but these basic ingredients are best. It is also great if you are serving dinner and have a vegetarian guest. Enjoy!

10oz pkg. frozen, chopped broccoli
4 eggs
1 stick butter, softened
12 oz. cottage cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 small onion, chopped
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix

Thaw and drain broccoli, squeeze out extra water.  Mix all ingredients together, stirring Jiffy mix in last. Pour in square casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minuets until golden around edges.

Cheap Kids Snack

Crackers can be very expensive and buying prepackaged snacks for the kids even more so. This recipe is from Aarons grandmother and it is delicious the kids really like it.

16 oz. pkg. ranch dressing mix
1 cup salad oil
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
22 oz. bag oyster crackers

In bowl, mix all ingredients together and let stand 2-3 hours, stir now and then.  Put in zip bags to store.

Sausage and Potato Fritata

My brother in law is from Spain and makes this wonderful egg and potato "tortija" so I found this recipe that mimmics it and the family really liked it. It would be good for breakfast too.

1/2 cup olive oil

3 medium potatoes, peeled, cut and cubed (about 2 cups)

1 small onion, diced

1 lb. sausage

8 large eggs

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In skillet warm olive oil over medium-low heat. Add potatoes in a single layer and cook, turning once,until just tender and lightly browned, 10 minutes.  Transfer potatoes to a plate with a slotted spoot.  Pour off all but 1 Tb of oil, reserving 2 tsp., and add onion and sausage to pan. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, breaking apart sausage with spoon, until onion is translucent and sausage is cooked through.  Transfer to plate with potatoes.  Pour reserved 2 tsp. oil back into skillet and swirl to coat.  Whisk eggs with salt and pepper until well combined.  Stir in potato mixture and pour back into skillet.  Reduce heat to medium low and cook until egg begins to set but top remains soft. Transfer pan to oven and cook until top of frittata is set, 5-8 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes, cut ans serve warm or room temperature.

I served this with a toast that had garlic, cheese and bacon on top and my old yummy standby salad recipe I posted earlier that we all love.

Italian Dressing Mix

I found the recipe for the Italian Dressing mix used in recipes and to make dressings.  Jack loves italian dressing and I have found alot of recipes that use this mix so I mix up a double batch and keep it in my cabinet for whenever I need it. 

1 Tb garlic sale
1 Tb onion powder
1 Tb sugar
2 Tb oregano
1 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. basil
1 Tb parsley
1/4 tsp. celery salt
2 Tb salt

Easy Chocolate Truffles

OK So I have made these truffles twice in three weeks. And yes I do share them with the kids, but I single handedly have consumed my weight in these deliciously easy little bites. It is like they are so small, you just pop them in your mouth and get a spectacular chocolate fix. And unfortunately a true chocoholic doesn't stop until they get sick! So in the spirit of true friendship I am sharing this recipe with you!

1 pkg softened cream cheese

1 pkg Oreos (if you buy the big box at Costco like I do use 2 sleeves)

1 bag chocolate chips

Crush the Oreos very finely in food processor. In bowl mix crushed Oreos with softened cream cheese until well combined. Melt the chocolate chips (I sometimes add a tsp. of vege oil to make it shiney and keep the chocolate from turning white). Scoop the mixture and form into small balls (I used a small icecream type scooper) chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes, once chilled dip ball into melted chocolate let set. ENJOY!

Oven Chicken Salad

So I made another yummy casserole for dinner. I loved it! Although the hubby doesn't like to hear the "C" word for dinner (casserole not chicken), but tough sometimes I just like it. And once he actually tried it he liked it. Like my son my husband eats with his eyes. Which I know alot of people do, but it is so annoying for the cook. Anyhow enough ranting about the complainers, here is another yummy recipe for those who like the "C" word for dinner :)

Oven Chicken Salad

2 cups cooked chicken, cut in cubes
2 cups celery, thinly sliced
2 cups bread cubes
1 cup light mayo
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup almonds
2 Tb lemon juice
1 1/2 tsp. onion salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 2 1/2 qt oval baking dish with nonstick spray. In large bowl, combine the chicken, celery, 1 cup bread cubes, mayo, 1/2 cup cheese, almonds, lemon juice, and onion salt. Spoon mixture into dish. Top with remaining bread cubes and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.

Hope you all like it. If you are fans of chicken salad on a sandwich this is a nice switch.

Baked Eggs in Bread Bowls

I made these "Egg Bread" muffins for dinner and I really liked them although I made too many and they are not good as leftovers, so when you make them do just as many as your family can eat so you dont waste as many as I did.

6 Jiffy muffins prebaked
6 eggs
1/4 cup mixed herbs like parsley, chives, taragon (I used only parsley)
2 Tb heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste

preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice top off muffins and scoop some bread out of the middle to make a little bowl. Place them back in the muffin tins you baked them in, set tops aside. Mix eggs, herbs and cream and pour a little in each muffin, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until eggs are set and bread is toasted, 20-25 minutes. After eggs have cooked 20 minutes place tops on tray and bake until golden brown. Let sit 5 minutes, place tops on muffin bottoms and seve warm.

I served this with fish and green beans tossed with tomatoes in lemon and oil mix. Although this fish dish was tolerable, I wouldnt make it again, I will stick to the other fish recipe I posted earlier!

Coffee Cake

3/4 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sour cream

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts

Cream butter, sugar and eggs. Add and mix remaining ingredients. For topping mix all ingredients together in small bowl with a fork and set aside. Pour half batter in greased bundt pan, cover with half the topping mix, pour remaining batter ontop then add remaining topping. Swirl together with a knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 345 minutes.

This is a great breakfast treat too.

Enjoy!