Tomato Salad

This is super simple to whip up. I like to use the packaged bacon bits because it don't get soggy like traditional bacon in the dressing. And it has a good flavor,  as long as they are real bacon bits. Just make sure they are cooled before you add them or the mayo dressing will get slimy. 

I like to eat this in a pita, but it's also great on a hamburger or grilled chicken.

Salad

2 packages cherry tomatoes, quartered

3 green onions with greens, sliced

1/3 c. Hormel real bacon bits

Dressing

1/2 c. mayo

1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1-2 tsp sugar

pinch salt

Black pepper

Heat the bacon bits in a non-stick skillet until fragrant and crisp, watching carefully so as not to burn. Remove from heat and set aside. 

Meanwhile, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Toss with the vegetables. When the bacon is cool enough to touch add to the salad.

Greek Pasta Salad

Dressing
As always, these proportions should be customized to taste

1/4 c. olive oil

3 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Red wine vinegar might be nice here too

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

2 - 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
2 sliced green onions
1 - 2 tsp. fresh oregano, chopped 

Dash black pepper
Salt to taste
1 scant tsp. sugar

Salad

1/2 lb penna pasta, cooked and chilled

3 chicken breasts, fillet, season cook, chill

1 bag mixed field greens

Whisk together all of the salad dressing ingredients and let sit at least 30 minutes. I made mine the night before for an easy and quick dinner the next day. I also cooked the chicken and pasta then as well for the sake of ease. 

Toss it all together and eat.

Green Curry

One of the many varieties of food I live is Thai food. And Savannah happens to be home of the best Thai restaurants I have had the pleasure of eating at. Chiriyas is pretty amazing, I can't get enough of their green curry. Their pineapple curry is also a favorite. My entire family loves to eat there, kids too. we get them two plates of special noodles and everyone is happy. 

So now that we have the love covered, I can't get in there as often as I want to eat green curry and I like to try and make stuff at home myself. It's like a personal challenge if I go somewhere and like the food enough to want to eat it again. That means I need to figure out how to make it myself too.

So that brings us to this recipe. I am not going to claim it's quite as good, but it's pretty close.

Green Curry

3 - 4 large chicken breast, cut into cubes or strips

2 Tbsp. Oil

2 c. chicken broth

1 can coconut milk

2 Tbsp green curry paste

1 c. julienne carrots

1 sliced bell pepper

2 c. pea pods or broccoli

Saute the chicken in oil over high heat to sear the meat but not cook all the way through. Add the broth, coconut milk, green curry paste, carrots, bell pepper, and pea pods. Simmer until the vegetables are tender.

Optional - sliced jalapeno, stir in about half way through cooking the veggies

When the chicken and veggies are cooked, stir in  

1 bunch basil, chiffonade*

(before it's sliced it would say it could be stuffed into 1/4 cup measuring cup)

1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped*

1 - 2 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with water

4 green onions, sliced

1 Tbsp lime juice

Simmer, stirring until slightly thickened. Serve over rice or quinoa

* I usually like to use fresh herbs in a dish like this but I got these in the freezer section of Wal-mart to try. I had some fresh cilantro so I only used the basil this time. It was ok, better than dried but still not as good a fresh. But worth keeping around for a few dishes. 

 

Cajun Cream Pasta

2 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

seasoning mix (recipe below)

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp oil

1 c. chicken broth

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1/2 onion, chopped really fine

1/2 bell pepper, chopped really fine

1 Tbsp garlic

1 Tbsp flour

1 c. half-an-half

Salt & Pepper to taste

Hot cooked pasta

Trim the chicken breasts of fat and cut in half lengthwise.  Sprinkle with a generous amount of seasoning mix on both sides and cook in the oil and butter. Don't turn the chicken until it looks golden and the seasoning is dark brown. Flip and cook on the other side. Remove from heat and keep warm. 

If the pan looks dry add an additional splash of oil and saute the onion and pepper until translucent. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds longer. Stir in the flour and cook another 30 seconds.

Add the chicken broth to the pan and simmer to deglaze the bottom. Add the tomato paste and simmer all together for 5 minutes. Stir in the half-an-half and simmer an additional minute. 

Return the chicken to the pan along with any juices on the plate. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust accordingly. Turn once to coat and serve over hot pasta.

Seasoning mix

2 Tbsp Kirklands Signature Seasoning mix

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp granulated garlic

1/4 tsp onion salt

Mix all together. Reserve extra for future use. I only used about 3/4 of the seasoning. 

If you don't want to make your own seasoning mix any Cajun seasoning mix will do

Presto Pasta Nights this week is at Simple Kitchen Seasons

Stuffed Breadsticks

This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftovers. I throw a loaf of bread in the bread maker, prep the leftovers and we have a great lunch or dinner with little extra work. 

For the filling you can use just about anything. I had some leftover beef stew so I used that. I have also made this with pot roast, leftover thanksgiving turkey and gravy, chicken curry and most soups. I especially love German Lentil soup in them. With soups just strain the broth off and use the rest as the filling. I you want you can even thicken some of the broth for a sauce to bind it all together. If you start from scratch another thing we like to stuff them with is chopped chicken tossed with a little alfredo sauce.

If I am using something that has a really chunky filling, like stew or roast, I chop it up into fairly small pieces.

1 batch of bread dough

Leftovers

Melted butter

Granulated garlic

Dried oregano

Parmesan cheese

Roll the dough out so that it is large and thin. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife cut the dough into 4 in squares. Top with some of whatever filling you choose to use. Fold over and press the edges to seal. Brush with butter and sprinkle with the garlic, oregano, and grated cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes until the bread looks cooked and browned on top. These make great lunches as well. 

Garlic Dijon Chicken

1/2 lb bacon

3 - 4 chicken breasts, cubed

3 - 4 potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 in. cubes

Seasoning salt (I like Kirklands)

2 Tbsp bottled minced garlic

1/2 tsp. dijon mustard

1 1/2 c. chicken broth

1/3 c. milk

Cut the bacon into pieces and then saute until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.  Add the chicken to the pan and season with seasoning salt. Cook until no longer pink. Add the potatoes and continue to saute until the potatoes are starting to get slightly translucent around the edges. Add the garlic, stir once, and add the remaining ingredients. Simmer over medium heat until the potatoes are just tender, still slightly firm. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer until the potatoes are very soft. 

Sprinkle the bacon over the top and serve

Chicken Cordon Bleu from "Come What May"

HH6 for the month of April had a really fun theme

Pick a recipe or dish from a HH6 blogger's blog to prepare

Since I love to check out food blogs this was perfect. 

I started with Chicken Cordon Bleu from "Come what May" 

with just a few minor changes. 

The first was instead of ham I used prosciutto because I had some that needed to be used up. 

I also changed the cheese a bit, again to use up what I had. I used a combination of Gouda, Monterrey, and Asiago since that what I had in my fridge and I have to say we LOVED that combination of cheese. 

Then I combined the cheese and bread crumbs since I was in a hurry and just sprayed the chicken with cooking spray and then coated it in the crumb/ cheese mixture and baked.

I will be making this again, though I think next time instead of pounding, I will just cut a pocket in the chicken and stuff it that way to save time.I served this with wild rice and canned green beans.

 

Chicken an Potatoes

 

 

3 large or 4 medium chicken breasts

oil

Season salt (I used Kirklands) or herb chicken seasoning

1 1/2 lb red potatoes

1 can chicken broth

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

 

Slice the chicken against the grain into 1/4 inch thick slices. Sprinkle with season salt, or herb seasoning, and cook in hot oil until cooked through. Cut the potatoes in half length wise and slice. When the chicken is cooked through add the potatoes and cook, stirring, until starting to look translucent in spots. Add the chicken broth, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, stirring a couple time throughout cooking.  When the potatoes are cooked combine the cornstarch and enough water to make a thin paste, about 2 - 3 Tbsp of water. Reduce the heat to low. Push the potatoes to one side of the pan and lift it up so the liquid runs to the other side.  Stir the cornstarch paste into the liquid and let the pan back flat. Stir well to combine and create a smooth glaze.

Cabbage Broccoli Salad

I made something very similar to this a few months ago with a sesame dressing and mandarin oranges in the salad. I made it this time almost exactly like my mom used to make it but with the addition of broccoli. 

And since Ramen noodles are technically pasta (I checked) I am sending this to Presto Pasta Nights 258 at Once upon a Feast.

1 small head cabbage or 1/2 large head

1 head broccoli

2 pkg oriental ramen noodles

3/4 c. sunflower seeds

1  - 2 c. sliced almonds

2 lb. chicken breasts

season salt

oil

Dressing (Recipe follows)

Cut the cabbage into quarters and cut out the core. Cut each quarter in half again, lengthwise and then slice into thin ribbons. Dump into a really large bowl.

Chop the broccoli pretty fine and place in the bowl with the cabbage. Add the sunflower seeds and the almonds. Crush the ramen noodles pretty well before opening the package and add the noodles to the bowl, reserving the seasoning packets for the dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir well to combine.

When that is all done trim the chicken breasts and season generously with season salt. Cook in hot oil until no longer pink in the middle and both sides are browned. Immediately chop the chicken into small pieces and add to the cabbage bowl. Stir to combine. You can use leftover chicken here, I like to add it hot to the salad though because it cooks the broccoli ever so slightly and makes it a nice bright green color. 

Dressing:

1 c. oil

6 Tbsp Red wine vinegar

2 Oriental ramen seasoning packets

3 Tbsp sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Whisk all together and set aside. 

In a pinch you can use apple cider vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar but you will need to reduce the oil by 2 Tablespoon and make up the difference with vinegar since apple cider doesnt have the same flavor as the red wine. 

Creamed Potato and Pea Stew

I used to work at a diner in Idaho and they occasionally served creamed potatoes and peas. And they where so good. In my vain attempts to recreate them I have made some pretty tasty dishes, though none have been quite the same as the ones from Rexburg. I decided to add some cooked shredded chicken to make it a complete meal, a complete meal I might add, that everyone loved. 

3 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 lb. red potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes

2 - 3 c. frozen peas

2 - 4 chicken bouillon cubes

Freshly Cracked Black Pepper

1/4 tsp. granulated garlic

1/2 c. flour, mixed with enough water to make a thin paste

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Put the chicken breasts in the boiling water and cook until the meat is cooked throughout, about 25 - 30 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken. Simmer the water down until it is reduced slightly. Add 2 - 4 chicken bouillon cubes (to taste). 

Which together the cream cheese and some of the liquid until smooth. Set aside. Add the potatoes, pepper, and garlic to the boiling water and simmer until tender. When the potatoes are cooked add the frozen peas and simmer until the liquid is heated throughout. Add the cream cheese mix and the flour paste and cook, stirring until thickened. Stir in the shredded chicken and heat through. Taste the sauce and check for seasoning adding more chicken bouillon, salt, pepper, or garlic as needed. I seasoned my plate with my favorite Mortons Nature Seasons.

Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken

 This was taken from Baby Center. Next time I think I am going to broil the chicken right after I add the sauce for a minute to get the sauce really sticky. All the ingredients in this freeze, just throw everything in a bag with the raw chicken and freeze. I haven't done it though so I have no idea on cooking time if you don't thaw it first.

2 lb. chicken breasts

Salt & Pepper

1 c. honey

1/2 c. soy sauce

1/2 onion, chopped

1/4 c. ketchup

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch

Sesame seeds to sprinkle on top

Hot cooked brown or white rice

Combine the honey, soy cause, onion, ketchup, both oils, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Pour a little into the bottom of your crock pot. 

Trim the chicken of anything you don't want to eat later. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place in the crock pot and top with remaining honey sauce. Stir once to coat the chicken in the sauce. 

Cook on high for 1 - 2 hours until the chicken is cooked. Combine cornstarch and enough water to make a thin paste. Remove the chicken from the crock pot leaving the crock pot on. Immediately stir the cornstarch into the crock pot and return the lid. Cook on high for an additional 10 minutes. While the sauce it thickening chop the chicken into bit sized pieces. Make sure the sauce is thoroughly thickened before combining or it will taste chalky.

Toss the chicken with the thickened sauce, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice.

Homemade Ravioli

Homemade ravioli can be a lot of fun as long as you know a few tricks to make the process go a lot easier. I work with a hand crank and a Norpro ravioli press.

My pasta dough recipe:

3 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp salt

6 eggs

2 Tbsp water

About 3 cups of your desired filling* 

(This is a great place to use leftover cooked meats)

Mix all in medium speed with the paddle, the whisk wont be able to handle it. Let rest, covered, 30 minutes. 

When ready to use split the dough into balls smaller than a baseball but bigger than a golf ball. Make sure the pasta you aren't working with at the time is covered with a damp paper towel to keep the pasta from drying out. Flour the dough on all sides and run through the hand crank on the "1" setting, re flour and then run through again on the "4" setting. Four was the thinnest I could make the dough without it being too thin to hold the filling. Spray the metal part of the ravioli press with no-stick cooking spray (this is really important or you wont be able to get the pasta off the press without ripping the pockets open) 

Press the off-white plate into the dough to create indents in the dough. Fill the pockets with your fully cooked filling. Make sure to not over fill and keeping all the filling in the middle so the edges can seal properly. 

Take a second sheet of pasta and slightly moisten on one side. Place the moistened side down on top of the ravioli press. Roll a rolling pin over the top to cut and seal the ravioli. Remove the excess from the side, flip over and push gently on a couple of the ravioli on one end to release. They should come right out. 

Place on a baking sheet while you finish the rest of the pasta. This recipe made about 8 dozen for me.

To make Toasted Ravioli:

 3/4 c. Italian bread crumbs

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste

2 eggs

1/2 c. milk

1/4 c. sour cream

Combine the bread crumbs, flour, and cheese. Taste for salt,
You want it a little saltier than you think, the eggs wash doesn't have any seasoning
and the pasta has very little salt, usually you add salt to the water. Set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together the egg, milk, and sour cream.

Dip the ravioli in the egg mix and then the bread crumbs. 

Lay flat on a baking tray, spray really well with butter spray,
and bake at 375 for 12 - 17 minutes or until golden. 

Serve with marinara sauce

*For my filling I sauteed 1 medium onion, chopped very finely, in butter until tender. I then added 2 - 3 cups of cooked, finely chopped, pot roast, about 2 tsp. dried basil, 1/2 tsp granulated garlic, 1 cup of water and a beef bouillon cube. I simmered that for a while then drained off most of the liquid and added about 3 Tbsp italian bread crumbs (to soak up the rest of the liquid) 3 oz. of grated Monterrey cheese (it was all I had, I would have preferred mozzarella or even Asiago) and 3 Tbsp of Parmesan cheese. 

Other fillings I like are chicken, cream cheese and herbs or ricotta and spinach

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Freezer Ravioli

To freeze: Lay flat on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. When solid drop in a freeze safe bag. 

To serve: Drop the frozen ravioli into boiling water and cook until they float to the top. Drain and serve with your favorite sauce. 

Presto Pasta Night is being hosted by its founder 

at "Once Upon a Feast"

French Onion Chicken

We had a late dinner, so no natural light, it really was normal colored I promise

So a while ago I made a French onion pasta and all was good. But I saw something on pinterest that was a French onion chicken. And I knew I would be trying it for dinner. But I can't find the pin anywhere now, despite seeing it everywhere for a few days (if you have it let me know so I can give proper credit) So I made up my own version. The hubby said he hoped to see it again soon.

2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 large onions, sliced

6 Tbsp butter, divided

2 tsp sugar

Salt & Pepper

1 c. beef broth

(I used water and bouillon)

6 oz. brie cheese

3 - 4 c. hot buttered pasta to serve over

In a large skillet melt 4 Tbsp of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the onions, stirring, until translucent. Push the onions to the sides of the pan, away from the middle. 

Trim the chicken and slice into 1 inch thick chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the middle of the pan. Cook over medium high on all sides until browned. Near the end of cooking the center of the pan should be starting to turn a dark brown on the bottom. Add 1/4 c. of water and let bubble so the browned bits on the bottom don't burn. This will turn the chicken brown as well and add a great flavor. 

Sprinkle the sugar over the onions and stir, still on the sides, to combine. Add the remaining butter. Stir the chicken and onions together and continue cooking until onions are a caramel to brown color. Add the beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes. 

Remove the rind from the brie cheese and slice, its soft so it will squish quite a bit. Top the chicken pieces with the sliced brie. Turn the heat off and cover to melt the cheese. When the cheese is melted serve over pasta

Chicken Paprikash

 

 

About paprika, since that is the main flavor of this dish. Make sure it is bright red, I know quality is talked about quite a lot, but I get mine in the huge containers at Sams club and still love the taste. I store it in the fridge though, once it starts to turn brown, chuck it.

 

Come see who else is joining Presto Pasta Nights this Friday at Souperior

 

 

4 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 onion, coarsely chopped

1/4 c. paprika

2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced

Salt & Pepper

3 Tbsp flour

2 c. warm water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

3/4 c. sour cream

Hot buttered spatzle or pasta

Melt the butter in a large frying pan. add the onion and cook until the onion is translucent. Sprinkle with most of the paprika. Add the chicken strips. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and remaining paprika. Cook thoroughly on both sides. Cut one in half to check for doneness. Remove to a plate and keep warm. 

When the chicken is removed whisk in the flour. Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in chicken broth (or water and bouillon cubes) Simmer until bubbly. Stir the sour cream until it is smooth then stir into the hot sauce. Whisk to combine. Simmer for 3 minutes more to incorporate the sour cream. Add the chicken back to the pan, stir, and then simmer 2 - 3 minutes again. 

Serve over spatzle or pasta

 

 

Jambalaya

 Another one to cook in large batched and eat later. Rice tenders to get a little crunchy when it is frozen so after it is thawed it need and additional 10 - 15 minutes on the stove.

3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 kielbasas, sliced

3 - 4 c. cooked ham

1/4 c. olive oil

2 large onions

3 stalks celery, sliced thin

1 Tbsp minced garlic

2 bell peppers, chopped

2 cans petite diced tomatoes, undrained

3 1/2 c. white rice

7 c. chicken broth

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp thyme
1 tsp. paprika

dash cloves

Salt & pepper 

Tabasco

2 cans tomato paste

Heat the oil in a really large skillet. Trim the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cut in half lenghtwise and cook in the hot oil until well browned on both sides. Remove from the pans and set aside. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken.

Cook the kielbasa in the same pan until brown and crisp. Remove and set aside. 

Add the onions and cook until translucent. Continue cooking until starting to brown. Add the celery and cook until the celery is tender. Add the peppers and garlic to the pan and cook for 20 seconds.

Add the uncooked rice to the pan and stir to coat the rice with the oil. Continue cooking until the rice is starting to brown. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, oregano, thyme, cloves, paprika, and Tabasco.

Simmer over medium heat until the rice is mostly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the tomato paste. Let cook 2 minutes more, cover the pan and remove from the heat. Let sit, covered, for 25 minutes. Remove the lid and stir in the the ham, chicken, and kielbasa. 

Allow to cool to room temperature and put into 4 gallon sized freezer bags. Press to remove air and freeze. In the case I do not freeze mine flat, I smooth it out so it can lay flat them I fold it in half. That way the frozen jambalaya fits in my crock-pot to reheat. 

To Serve:

Microwave until thawed, place in a pot with 1/2 c. chicken broth or water and simmer until liquid is absorbed, rice isn't crunchy, and the jambalaya is heated through.

White Enchiladas

Household6 cooking clubs January theme is 

"Prepare a dish that you have never made before but always wanted to try.  

Tell us why you have taken quite some time to make this dish"

So this brings me to white chicken enchiladas. Which I have been meaning to make forever! I've even bought the Monterrey cheese a time or two and then ended up using it in something else and never made my enchiladas. This was due in large part to the fact that I hadn't found a recipe that I like. They always call for canned cream soup, and while I'm ok with making things with that stuff in the crock pot where it really cooks down and makes a gravy, I don't care for the taste in something where you can, well, taste it. But then I saw the Pioneer Womens recipe. And I put it on my menu. And then passed it up (that was in early summer) But then I got the HH6 theme and decided it was finally time. I'm really sorry I waited. 

I personally would have liked them with more heat and missed the jalapeno, my kids sadly, don't do hot. I was a little worried they wouldn't like the chilies but when my 3 year old, who eats like a bird, asked for seconds I knew this was a keeper. 

You can check out the original recipe or check below for my changes. This was a great use of the leftover turkey I had in the fridge but chicken works too. Instead of shredding a whole chicken for stuff like this I usually throw a couple boneless, skinless, chicken breasts in the crock pot the day before, shred and refrigerate until I'm ready to use.

3 c. leftover cooked shredded chicken or turkey

2 Tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

2 can diced green chilis

1/2 c. chicken broth

1/2 c. heavy cream

1/2 tsp. paprika

16 oz Monterrey cheese, grated

12 flour tortillas

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp flour

1 1/2 c. chicken broth

1 c. sour cream

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 can green chilies

Saute the the onion is the butter until tender. Add the chilies, turkey, broth, and paprika. Stir all together and let simmer. Add the cream and keep over low heat while making the sauce.

For the sauce: melt the butter and flour together. Add the broth, paprika, chilies, and sour cream, with an immersion blender process until smooth. Keep heating until thick. Add about 1/3 of the cheese and stir until melted. 

In the tortillas add some of the turkey mixture, top with the remaining shredded cheese, and place in the a 9x13 baking dish seam side down. When all the tortillas are filled top with the sauce and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

My Dads Enchiladas

Enchiladas as baked from frozen

I like to make these in bulk. The main body of the work (and mess) is cooking the hamburger and then filling the tortillas. At that point it is just as easy to cook and fill a 100 as it is 10. So I cook 4 lb of meat and use disposable pans to freeze them in for later. That way once you clean up the mess you are left with dinner for several nights, and next time you want enchiladas you wont have any mess at all. 

If you like more spice, I like to add a 4 oz. can of chopped chilies and jalapenos to the onions. The type of cheese is also optional. I usually use cheddar but pepperjack or monetary are great, and even mozzarella tastes really good. Feel free to replace the hamburger with cooked shredded chicken.

1 large can refried beans 

(I usually add some salsa verde to my refried beans and 

simmer a few seconds for more flavor, but straight out of the 

can works great too, I prefer the zesty ones.)

1 lb. ground beef

2 Tbsp. tacos seasoning

2 - 3 c. Grated cheese

1 onion, chopped

12 flour tortillas

2 (15 oz.) cans red enchilada sauce

Sour Cream

Salsa

Combine taco powder and beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain grease. 

Thinly slice the onions and cook in a hot, ungreased, pan, stirring occasionally until translucent and browned in spots. 

Spread tortilla with beans. Top with hamburger, onions, and then cheese. Roll tortilla and place seam side down in a 9x13 casserole. Repeat with remaining tortillas. You will have to push them to the side to fit them all in. Top all with enchilada sauce and additional cheese, if desired. Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and salsa

To freeze: I just make 4 times as much, 4 cans of beans, 4 lb. ground beef, etc... Top with the enchilada sauce, cover the top of the pan with tin foil and drop in the freezer. I also like to freeze them in 8x8 inch pans instead of 9x13. That way one is enough for dinner or if I am having more people I just cook 2 pans. I have found that I like the pans from Wal-mart better than the dollar store, the sides are deeper and I can squish more tortillas in.

To eat: Leave the tin foil on the top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, remove the tin foil and continue baking for 45 minutes or until heated through.

Eggrolls

The wrapping takes a little practice but after a few you will probably get the hang of it.
The hands above are my 5 year old, after her second one she was wrapping as well as I was.
 

1 1/2 lb ground beef (chicken or pork work great too)

1/2 tsp. McCormick Szechuan Pepper blend

1 c. beef broth

1/2 c. stir fry sauce

1 head cabbage

3 carrots, grated

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

60 Egg roll wrappers 

(I used 3 packages I got in the produce section of Wal-mart)

Cook the ground beef with the pepper seasoning, crumbling really fine, until no longer pink. Add the broth and stir fry sauce and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Put in a really large bowl. 

Cut the cabbage into quarters, slice really fine, then cut across so you have small shreds. Toss with the cabbage. In a large pan cook the onions without water or oil, over medium heat, until starting to soften. Add the cabbage mixture and let cook, stirring every 5 minutes or so to avoid browning and to make sure it gets cooked all the way through. About halfway sprinkle the top with salt, stir and taste for seasoning, adding more salt if needed, making sure not to add too much or you wont be able to add soy sauce later. 

When the cabbage is softened but not too cooked down, remove from heat and toss with the cooked meat. 

Place one egg roll wrapper at an angle, top with a scant 1/4 c. of meat and cabbage mixture. Roll, still at an angle, about half way, tuck in the sides and finish rolling. Dip your finger in water and wet the end of the roll before wrapping to seal it closed. You don't want to get them too wet though or else the wrapper will turn into a soggy, doughy messy that wont hold the filling.

Freeze - place all on a tray and freeze until solid. Then put them in an air tight bag and seal.

Eat now - Fry in hot oil for 2 minutes on each side. 

 

Come see all the other great recipes at Cast Party Wednesday

Chicken Cabbage Salad

1 medium head of cabbage, chopped

3/4 c. sunflower seeds

1/2 c. sliced almonds

2 pkg oriental ramen

2 cans mandarin oranges, drained (optional)

3 large chicken breasts

Dressing:

1 c. oil

1/4 c. red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

Ramen noodle seasoning packet

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together and set aside. 

Toss all the salad ingredients together and then toss with the dressing. 

This can be served immediately but is better after it has sat for a few hours.

White Chicken Chili

This is a hearty, and filling but still light. 

Great on a cold night and super fast to throw together.

The salsa verde doesn't make it spicy in the slightest,

that's where the can of jalapenos comes in. 

 3 chicken breast, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp oil
1 can (15 1/2 oz) white hominy, drained
2 cans (15 oz.) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. salsa verde

1 (4 oz) can green chilies OR chopped jalapenos
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 c. half-and-half cream

1/4 c. flour

1/2 c. sour cream

Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the chicken and the onion and cook until the chicken is no longer pink. 

Add the hominy, beans, broth, salsa verde, chilies, garlic, basil, cumin, and pepper. 

Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir the flour and half-an-half together until smooth. Whisk into the bubbling broth and stir until thick. Reduce the heat and stir in the sour cream. Stir until heated through and mixed in. 

Serve with corn chips