Taco Bean Burgers

I thought I'd share my husbands favorite meal because it is ridiculously easy and he loves it so much. I'm not a fan of sloppy joes, but this alternative is one that everyone in our family likes:

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 can baked beans
1 pkg taco seasoning

Mix together and warm. Serve on hamburger buns.

I usually serve this with potato salad, french fries, or another more labor intensive side dish because the main is so effortless. Of course, in a pinch, I just chop up and steam some veggies.

Peppermint Bark

I just made this today for my neighbor gifts. It is really easy and addicting!

1 1/2 -2 pounds of white melting chocolate
10-12 candy canes crushed
4 drops of peppermint oil (All I could find was extract and it seemed to work fine.
red gel food coloring (opt)

Melt chocolate in microwave 2 minutes and stir in everything else (I saved a little bit of the candy canes to sprinkle over top)
Pour onto heavy foil (I used regular and it worked) lined cookie sheet. Put in refrigerator until set. Break off in brittle-like pieces. Very yummy. Enjoy!

Sorry the picture is of my bags too with my shortbread cookies. I didn't have any left over out and I didn't want to unwrap the bags. =)

Yummy Potato Casserole, with a twist

Commonly referred to in Mormon Culture as "Funeral Potatoes", this is one of my favorite dishes. But it's a bit much work and makes A LOT just for a side dish. Thus the name...this is usually made only for funerals or other such large gatherings. Well, a coworker of mine once made this as a breakfast casserole with ham. In addition instead of shredding the potatoes, she simply cut them into large chunks (you could do any size you like, I'm sure). This cuts down prep time and the addition of the ham makes it a great meal in and of itself. So with those additions, here is a YUMMY casserole with the changes added.

Yummy Potatoes and Ham (or other meat :)

8 (or so) boiled potatoes (cut into chunks, or shredded)

1 C Ham or Turkey chunks (***I've use the stuff that comes in the packages, already cut for salads, the measurement is a guesstimate. When I made it I just used all the leftovers I had and actually used both AND Turkey***)

1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup

2 C shredded cheese (I use cheddar)

2 C sour cream

1 tsp salt

1/2 C chopped onions

2 C crushed cornflakes (***or any other plain cereal, tonight I used rice crispies and bread crumbs, because that's what I had...back to the recipe...***)

3/4 C melted butter, divided

1 tsp pepper

Mix potatoes, meat, soup, cheese, sour cream, salt and pepper together. Melt 1/2 C of the butter in a pan and saute the onions until soft. Add the butter and onions to the potato mixture. Put in a 9 x 13 pan. Mix remaining 1/4 C butter and cornflakes and put on top of casserole. Cover with foil and back at 375 for 30 minutes.

Also, this I think is the best recipe for this dish that I've tried. I usually try several when I have it at functions (like the Christmas Party tonight) and I can never find one I love as much as this...

And ANOTHER plug...please review any recipes you try...we hope your trying them!!!

Red Velvet Cake

This is a very festive red cake. It is great for this time of the year. I also make it at Valentine's day. It is great for a Christmas birthday cake. Enjoy and let me know if you like it.

Red Velvet Cake
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoon cocoa
2 oz red food coloring( it comes in small bottles in the spice part of the grocery store)
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
Cream sugar and shortening and then add eggs. Make a paste with the cocoa and food coloring in a small bowl. Add to creamed mixture. Mix salt and vanilla with buttermilk and add alternately with the flour to the creamed mixture. Mix baking soda and vinegar in a small cup. Fold into the mixture. Don't beat.Bake in 9x13 or 2-9 inch round floured and greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. You can check to make sure it is cooked with a toothpick and poke it into the center to make sure it is all cooked.

Black Bean Quesadillas/Burritos

This is another recipe from the Dinner Diva (Saving Dinner). I did this one today for lunch and it took me about 20 minutes from start to serve. I will admit regular burritos are probably faster, but this gives you a really nice variation on that theme for just a few extra minutes.

I Tbls olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

1/2 package frozen corn (5 ounces)

12 flour tortillas (she suggest whole wheat, but this is one thing I really prefer with white flour...)

1 C Cheddar Cheese

In a large skillet, add half the oil and saute the onion and garlic until soft. Mix in beans, bell pepper, tomatoes and corn. Cook until heated through.

***Kristy's version (faster). I then just warmed the tortillas and used the mix as burrito filling, including the cheese. My husband also added sour cream and avocados to his and that was really good. Also I didn't have the red pepper on hand, so just made it without and it was still great. Back to the original version:

Place a tortilla on a plate or flat surface. Sprinkle some Cheddar cheese over the tortilla. Spoon some of the bean and veggie mixture over the cheese. Top with another tortilla. Repeat until all the tortillas are used.

Heat remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place quesadillas in the skillet and heat and flip until both sides are brown.

***UPDATE: We used the leftovers a few days later to bulk up some chicken tacos we made. My hubby liked it better that way. I loved it the first time as it was, but this is another option for you.