Oven Baked Tacos

Recipe and photo from mommyimhungry.blogspot.com

2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion diced
1 small can diced green chilies
1 recipe for Homemade taco seasoning (below)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans 
2 cups shredded Colby-jack cheese 
18 hard taco shells

Optional Condiments- 
Lettuce (shredded) 
Tomato (diced) 
Salsa 
Guacamole 
Sour Cream
Olives, sliced  

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  

In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Return to pan, add chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Mix well and cook for a few minutes if mixture seems runny. 

Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through. 

Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving. 

Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

In a small bowl, mix all together. Store in an airtight container.


We really enjoyed this meal. Well everyone but Owen- no surprise there!

Bang Bang Cauliflower

 (Serves 2-4 as an appetizer or side dish)

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup egg whites
1 head cauliflower
Salt & pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Green onion for decor
1/4 cup coconut oil

Sauce
1/4 cup lite mayo
1-2 TBSP hot sauce (I use this Chinese one that Mike loves and it is HOT)
1 TBSP rice vinegar
2 TBSP sugar

1. Slice your cauliflower florets. Mix salt, pepper and garlic powder into your Panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. 

2. Set separate bowls aside with egg whites and cornstarch. Dip your florets one by one into the cornstarch, and shake off excess. Then dip into egg whites, and then coat with Panko mixture. 

3. After coating all of your florets, warm up your coconut oil in a large frying pan and place all florets in hot oil. Turn with tongs making sure all sides are browned. Set on top of paper towels to remove excess oil. Top with more salt.

4. In a small bowl mix all of your sauce ingredients. Coat your breaded and pan fried florets with sauce, top with sprinkles of green onion and serve right away.


recipe courtesy of thatssomichelle.com

Pizza Braid

Here's what you'll need: Pizza Crust, Mariana Sauce, Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese, Pepperoni, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder and Butter.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Unroll pizza crust and place on baking sheet. I like to use parchment paper for less of a clean up. In the middle place some marinara sauce-how much is really up to you.

Put on some mozzarella cheese and pepperonis.

Cut sides of crust into 1 inch strips in a "V" formation. But don't cut too close to the middle. If you do then your pizza braid will spill out.

Now comes the braiding part. Just pick a side to start with then alternate them, overlapping.

Spread melted butter on top and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown.

Tilapia Fish Tacos

 What you need: tilapia, tortillas, garlic, onion, jalepeno, tomato, avocado, lime, cilantro, little bit of olive oil

Add oil and chopped onions and garlic to pan. Make translucent and then add tilapia.

 Meanwhile, chop jalepeno, cilantro, and tomato.

 Once fish is cooked (may need to turn over a couple times) shred it. Then add chopped veggies.

 Stir and cook til smells of jalepeno are released.

Serve on tortilla with sliced avocado with a little lime juice. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Brownie Bites

 What you'll need: box of brownies (and ingredients it calls for), peanut butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips.

 Make brownie batter and scoop into greased mini muffin tins. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

 Melt 1/2 cup peanut butter in microwave safe bowl.

 Wait for brownies to cool completely before removing them from pan. (I didn't in this picture). Press down in the middle of brownie bite to create a nest for the melted peanut butter to go in.

 Sprinkle with milk chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.

Enjoy!!

Texas Roadhouse Rolls and Cinnamon Butter CopyCat

Rolls

3 1/2 tsp dry yeast

¼ cup warm water

1 cup milk

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup honey

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

Butter

1 cube butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 honey

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1

Preheat oven to 375.

2

Soften yeast in warm water with a teaspoon of sugar.

3

Scald milk; cool to lukewarm. Pour into a large bowl.

4

Add yeast, sugar, honey, and half the flour to make medium batter.

5

Beat thoroughly. Let stand until light and foamy.

6

In a small microwaveable bowl add melted butter, egg, and salt. Beat well. Add to the flour mixture.

7

Add the rest of the flour to form soft dough.

8

Sprinkle small amount of flour on counter and pour the dough onto the counter. Knead dough until smooth.

9

Clean the large bowl that you were using and then grease the surface.

10

Then put dough in greased bowl; turn over to grease top.

11

Cover, let rise in warm place until double in bulk, then punch down.

12

Turn out on floured board. Divide into portions for shaping; let rest 10 minutes.

13

Shape dough into desired forms and place on greased baking sheets. Let rise until doubled.

14

Bake for 10 minutes; then reduce temperature to 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes more.

15

Cool on rack.

For cinnamon butter, blend all ingredients at room tempature.

**I did not follow the recipe to let the dough rise in between because I didn't have enough time. They still turned out good, but if I did let them rise they would have been better.

Orange Julius

6 oz frozen orange juice

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/4 cup white sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

10-12 ice cubes

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Blend all ingredients together for about 15-30 seconds until smooth.

No cook noodle Lasagna!

 What you'll need:  lasagna noodles, marianara sauce, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, 3 mushrooms, 1 egg

Mix together cheeses with egg.

 Layer order: marianara sauce, dried uncooked noodles, sauce, cheese, mushrooms (finely diced), pepperoni. Start all over again.

End layering with sauce, then extra mozzarella cheese. Cook covered for 45-60 minutes or until nice and bubbly at 350 degrees.

Starbucks Pumpkin Scones YUM!

2 c flour
7 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
6 TBSP butter
1/2 c canned pumpkin
3 TBSP half and half
1 large egg

Powdered Sugar Glaze
1 c powdered sugar
2 TBSP milk

Spiced Glazed
1/2 c powdered sugar
1 TBSP milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch cloves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in butter with pastry knife until mixture is crumbly. Set aside.

In a small bowl whisk together pumpkin, half and half, and egg. Fold into dry ingredients. Form the dough into a ball. Pat out dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a 1 inch thick rectangle. Using a pizza cutter slice the dough into thirds. Then cut those into triangles so you have 6 triangles total.

Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 14-16 minutes. Scones will be lightly brown. Place on wire rack to cool.

While they are baking prepare plain glaze and spiced glaze. When the scones are cooled brush plain glaze. The more the merrier in my opinion. Then drizzle spiced glaze over the top. Super yummy to eat with a tall glass of milk!

Candy Bar Fudge

recipe from cooking.com

Makes 4 lbs

6 2oz snickers bars (the regular size)
3 c sugar
3/4 c butter
2/3 c evaporated milk
2 c semi sweet chocolate chips
1 7oz marshmallow creme
1 tsp vanilla

Cut candy bars in 1 inch slices and set aside.

In saucepan over medium heat add sugar, milk, and butter. Stir until candy thermometer reads 234 which is the softball stage. This takes about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate, marshmallow creme, and vanilla.

Pour half of fudge into a 9x9 foil lined pan. Sprinkle with candy bar. Pour remaining fudge over and flatten evenly. Place in fridge for faster set time. Remove the fudge, foil and all, out of pan. Cut.

Homemade Brownies

1 1/2 cubes butter
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
8 TBSP cocoa
1 c flour
1/2 tsp powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the butter. Add sugar and eggs. Then add the cocoa. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients until fully combined. Grease a 9x13 pan. Bake at 375 for 25-30 mins. When cooled sprinkle powdered sugar ontop.

Oreo Truffles

1 16oz bag oreos
8 oz cream cheese at room temp
Melting chocolate
3 oreos crushed to sprinkle on top

Oreos need to be the brand name. I tried generic and it wasn't as good. Crush oreos either by hand or in a blender. I did it in my blender. Combine with pastry knife the cream cheese. Roll into 2 inch balls. Dip in chocolate (I used milk chocolate, but I would definitely use white chocolate next time). Sprinkle with oreo crumbs before cooled. Enjoy!

English Toffee

1 c sugar
1 c butter
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup almonds. chopped (or more if you like yours really nutty)
chocolate chips

Place tin foil on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle almonds in ½ the sheet. Heat ingredients, except almonds and chocolate chips, in saucepan to 280 stirring constantly. Pour on top of almonds. Let stand for 10 minutes or so until mostly cooled. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and spread once melted. Then top with more almonds. Makes about 2 lbs of toffee.

Ranch Cheeseball

1 pkg ranch dressing mix
8 oz cream cheese
2 c shredded cheese
chopped almonds or pecans to cover

Mix ranch, cream cheese and cheese together in a medium bowl. Form mixture into the desired shape (typically round). Roll in nuts to cover. Serve with crackers.

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

So I just whipped this up with things I had a my house so you may need to change or add some ingredients. Like if you want it more liquidy or more veggies or whatever.

Shredded Chicken (I used my left overs from the rotisserie chicken we had the night before)
2 carrots, peeled and sliced jullian
2 celery stalks, sliced in 1 inch strips
1/3 of onion, thinly sliced
1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
about 2 cups egg noodles
about 5 cups chicken stock
2 TBSP olive oil
Thyme to taste (about 1 1/2 tsp)
salt and pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan over medium heat add chicken stock, carrots, and potatoes. Cover. Meanwhile, over medium heat add olive oil, celery, and onions. Cook until transparent. Then add to chicken stock. Check on the potatoes and carrots and once they are only slightly firm (a fork will penetrate but not make it fall apart) add egg noodles, chicken, and thyme. Cook for about 7 more minutes or until egg noodles and cooked through. Serves 6+ people depending on how big your people are ;)

Jello Salad

3 c water
1 pkg small vanilla pudding
1 pkg small tapioca
1 pkg small jello (your choice)
1 tub of Cool Whip
Fruit to cordinate with jello flavor

Boil 3 cups water. Stir in pudding, tapioca, and jello. Remove from heat and stir until dissolved. Pour into a small to medium size bowl. You will now cover with a plastic wrap, but the plastic wrap needs to rest right ontop of the jello mixture so as it stiffens it doesnt get crusty on the top. Place in fridge until hard. Take out of fridge. Fold in thawed Cool Whip and fruit. Place in serving bowl (or serve from bowl that you mixed in. It just won't look as pretty).

When I make it I use orange jello with mandarin oranges, peach with fresh peaches, strawberries with fresh strawberries. I'm sure raspberry would be good too.

Cowboy Dinner

Recipe from thesisterscafe.com

Beef Mixture:
2 pounds lean ground beef or ground turkey
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 1/2 cups salsa (jarred or homemade)
1 can (15 ounce) black, pinto or white beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cornbread Topping:
½ cup cornmeal
1 ½ cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 ¼ cup milk

Preheat the oven to 375. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch pan and set aside.

In a large 12-inch skillet, brown the ground beef and onion, adding the salt and pepper, over medium-high heat until the beef is no longer pink. Drain the grease from the pan. Stir in the corn, salsa, and beans. Pour the beef mixture into the prepared 9X13-inch baking pan and set aside.

For the cornbread, combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and add the oil, beaten eggs and milk. Whisk together until just moistened and no dry spots remain.

Sprinkle the cheese over the beef mixture and pour the cornbread batter over the cheese and beef mixture. Gently spread the cornbread to the edges of the pan, evening it out over the top of the casserole.

Bake for 40-45 minutes until the edges are bubbly and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cornbread comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the casserole stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

recipe from thesisterscafe.com

1 c milk
2 TBSP nutella

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes

1 c flour
1 1/2 TBSP brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
1 c buttermilk
1 egg
1/4 c pumpkin puree
chocolate chips

In a medium bowl mix together all dry ingredients. In a small bowl measure out the buttermilk and add the egg. Beat. Mix in the pumpking puree until completely blended. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients until combined.

Heat griddle. Using a 1/4 c measuring cup pour batter on griddle. Top pancakes with chocolate chips. Cook and serve.

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

recipe from picky-palate.com

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large egg

1/2 cup finely chopped white onion

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 teaspoon hot sauce, like Tabasco

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Ten 1-inch Mozzarella balls

1. Preheat oven to 35o degrees F. and grease 9×13-inch baking dish with oil.

2. Place beef, egg, onion, bread crumbs, Parmesan, milk, garlic, Worcestershire, mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper and garlic salt into a large mixing bowl, stirring until just combined. Take 1/4 cup beef mixture and press into center with your thumb to make room for cheese ball. Place cheese in middle then with hands enclose the cheese with the beef, making sure the cheese is completely covered. Place meatballs into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cooked through.

3. Serve over top your favorite pasta or inside a warm roll for delicious meatball sandwich.