Taco Seasoning

3/4 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried onion flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp chili powder
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp coriander (optional)

Mix together in small bowl or sprinkle directly over ground beef.
*If using as taco beef, add 3/4 C water and simmer for 5 minutes.

Taco Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
3/4 C water
1 can (15 oz) beans (refried, black, or pinto)
2 C monterey jack cheese
1 C salsa
1 onion chopped
1 can (2 1/3 oz) sliced olives
1 chopped tomato
2 C coarsely crushed corn chips (we like Mission brand or fritos)

Brown ground beef, add taco seasonings and water. Simmer 5 minutes.
Heat beans on stove until hot. Stir in cheese and salsa.
Spread bean mixture in bottom of 9" square pan. Add beef on top. Sprinkle corn chips, remaining cheese, and olives on top.   
Bake in 375* oven until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Remove from heat and sprinkle tomato on top.

Christmas Morning Traditions and Good Eats

Ever since I was little, my Mom would have Russian Tea simmering in the crockpot and Butterscotch rolls baking in the oven for our Christmas breakfast.  Now that I have kids I find myself keeping this tradition alive and we look forward to it every year.  We have had to change the butterscotch rolls up a bit because we can no longer have the frozen Rhodes rolls, but this year I finally was able to perfect them.  Thank goodness because I was getting very upset about ruining the rolls the past 2 years!!

Russian Tea

2 C sugar
2 C water
2 Quarts water
2 C orange juice
3/4 C lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond flavoring

In saucepan combine sugar and 2 C water and bring to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the rest of the ingredients in your crockpot and get it heating up. 
When sugar water is done boiling add to your crockpot and allow to heat through. 
Drink up!

Butterscotch Rolls

1 C warm water
1 egg
2 Tbsp melted butter
3 1/4 C flour
1/4 C sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp yeast

Place ingredients in order given into your bread machine and set on dough cycle.
Once done, remove and separate into 12-18 equal size rolls.

Combine:
1 3/4 ounce box of butterscotch pudding mix (NOT instant)
1/4 C sugar
1/2 C chopped nuts (we like pecans)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 C brown sugar

Melt 1/4 butter.

Dip roll in butter and roll in pudding mixture to coat well.  Place in greased bundt pan and repeat.
Cover and allow to rise until double.
Bake in 350* oven for 20-25 minutes or until browned.

Broccoli and Cheese Soup

1/2 C butter
5 Tbsp flour
5 C milk
Pint of half and half
2 heads of broccoli, chopped
Onion, chopped
7 chicken bouillon cubes
garlic powder
16 oz Velveeta

Melt butter over medium heat in saucepan.  Whisk in flour and allow to cook for 1 minute.  Slowly add in milk and continue to stir for about 5 minutes.

Transfer to large stockpot and add the rest of the ingredients, except the Velveeta.  Allow to simmer until the broccoli and onion are tender.

Add cheese and heat soup through over medium heat. 

Pork Chops

I'm not sure what to calls these, except good.  I'm not really a pork chop person, but we devoured these at my house.  It was really good served over rice.  Broccoli and sweet peas would be an excellent addition to this meal.  Don't be afraid of the long list of ingredients because most are seasonings that we all have in our cupboards.  This recipe called for soy sauce, but we are soy free here and unable to use it.  If you are making this and can use soy sauce it calls for 3/8 C.  You could then subtract the vinegar, 2 bullion cubes, molasses, ginger, 1/2 C + 1 Tbsp water....

1 1/2 lbs pork chops
1 Tbsp oil
2 tsp oil
3/4 C + 3 Tbsp water
3 beef bullion cubes
1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
3/4 tsp dark molasses
1/8 tsp ginger
pinch of pepper
1/4 tsp garlic salt
4 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp flour

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in pan and brown pork chops on both sides.
Combine 2 tsp oil, water, bullion, vinegar, molasses, ginger, pepper, garlic, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes and pour over pork chops.
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, flipping pork chops half way through.  Watch the liquid level and add 1-2 Tbsp water if needed.
In pan, stir in flour dissolved in water.
Cook until thickened and serve over rice, if desired.

Lasagna Soup

We have all been very sick at my house and soup has been calling my name.  I wanted something a bit different and decided on this recipe.  We loved it!  Jamie told me to make sure and keep this one on the regular dinner list.

1 lb Italian sausage
2 C chopped onion
1 C diced carrot
2 C mushrooms (optional, didn't have any so didn't add it)
2 Tbsp minced garlic
4 C water
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1 can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 (10 3/4 oz) can tomato sauce
1 C small pasta shells
2 C freshly chopped spinach
1 - 2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 C shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

Brown sausage in large saucepan over med-high heat.
Add onions and carrots and saute until onions are transparent.
Stir in mushrooms and garlic and saute for an additional 3 min.
Add water, bouillon, tomatoes, and tomato sauce and bring to boil.  Simmer until carrots are tender.
Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
Stir in spinach and cook until wilted.
Place 1/4 C cheese in bottom of each bowl and top with soup.  Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Spinach, Cream Cheese, and Turkey Enchiladas

I finally found a healthier, yummier, soy free version of enchiladas!  I'm not a beef person right now, so the fact that they have turkey instead makes them even better.  My kids were whining about the spinach, until they tried them and then they were singing my praises.

1 - 1.5 lbs ground turkey
1 chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 C chunky salsa
1 (8 oz) can diced tomatoes
12 flour tortillas
1 C Mexican blend cheese
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

Cook ground turkey, onion, and garlic over medium heat until turkey is no longer pink.
Add spinach and 1 C of salsa to turkey meat.  Cook for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and add cream cheese.  Mix until melted.
Place 1/3 C meat mix in the middle of a flour tortilla, roll and place in greased 13x9 inch pan.
Bake for 20 minutes in a 350* oven.  Remove from oven and top with 1 C salsa mixed with diced tomatoes.  Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven for 5 minutes.