Mexican Baked Beans

I got this recipe a long time ago from my very health-conscious sister.  I don't make it often, but when I do, I remember why I saved it for so long!  It's not quite a chili, but not quite a casserole.. I'm not sure what to call it, besides spicy and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp veggie oil
• 2 cups red onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 raw jalepeno peppers, minced
• 2 cups red bell peppers, chopped
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 1/4 cups tomato sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp molasses
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 15oz can Pinto beans
• 1 15oz can Great Northern beans

Directions:

1. Chop up all your vegetables.
2. Heat a heavy pot or deep skillet and add oil.
3. Sautee onions to your liking.
4. Add garlic, jalepenos, bell pepper and cumin, and sautee for a few more minutes.
5. Stir in tomato sauce, honey, molasses, mustard and all beans.
6. Re-season as needed.
7. Pour mixture in oven-safe dish and bake uncovered for at least 30 minutes.  The longer you cook it, the more the beans will "set up" as the liquid is driven into the beans.

Taco Casserole

A lot like my recipe for Tuna casserole, but with a taco-ey flavor. Yes, it's college. Don't expect me to get all Bobby Flay on ya. Good food is good food, even if it isn't gourmet.

Ingredients

• 1 cup or more of taco meat (left over from tacos)
• 8 oz macaroni noodles
• 1 can Cream of Celery soup
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt
• Pepper
• Grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

• Set oven to Broil
• Cook noodles and drain
• Mix in soup, butter, mayo, and meat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add cheese to the top.
• Put in the oven until the cheese is melted.

That's it. Yes, it's a very easy recipe, and probably like nothing else you'll see on the web. I make it all the time. And if you don't have leftover taco meat, you can make your own and just use more noodles and stuff.

Shephard's Pie

Made this the other night for my fiance, and he seemed to really enjoy it. It's a man's food I guess.

 

30 min prep 30 min bake
Serves about 4
Oven Temp: 350 degrees F

 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 can green beans
• 2 cups prepared mashed potatoes
• 1/2 to 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• paprika (optional)

 Directions:

1. Brown the meat with the onions and drain.
2. Prepare potatoes and add 1 clove of garlic to the mix.
3. Add seasoning, garlic, and soup to the ground turkey/ground beef.
4. Spray a 9x9 casserole dish with Pam.
5. Spoon meat mixture into bottom of the dish.
6. Spread the green beans over the meat
7. Spread mashed potatoes over the green beans.
8. Sprinkle lotsa cheese over the potatoes.
9. Lightly sprinkle paprika and oregano over the cheese.
10. Bake uncovered in the oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and the top of the casserole is slightly puffed.
11. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.