MIA…

Sorry I haven't been around alot.  Things have been super busy around the house.  I didn't think it would be so hard to juggle all the stuff going on but it has been challenging.  With school coming to a close though, once all the end of the year stuff is over, I am hoping that things calm down…as I should be so lucky.

Salsa, Black Bean, and Beef Skillet Dinner

3/4 lb ground beef or chuck

1/2 onion, chopped

1 cup brown rice

2 1/2 cups water

2 cups cooked black beans or 1 can, drained

1 cup salsa

1 can diced tomatoes

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

salt and pepper

1 cup shredded cheese

1.  In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef with a chopped onion.  Drain, rinse, and set aside.

2.  In the same saucepan, add the brown rice and water.  Bring to a boil.  Once boiling, add the browned beef, black beans, salsa, undrained tomatoes, ground cumin, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, to taste.  Once boiling together, reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook for 50 minutes, or until rice is cooked through.

3.  Once the rice has cooked through, uncover and simmer to let any remaining liquid cook off.

Nacho Meatloaf

1 cup tomato salsa, lightly drained

3/4 cup tortilla chips, finely crushed

1 large egg

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 small fresh green chili, seeded and minced

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin seed

1 1/2 lb ground beef

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375.  Combine first 8 ingredients and salt to taste in a bowl.  Mix thoroughly.  Add meat and mix until blended.  Transfer mixture into a 8x4 inch loaf pan.  Place on a baking sheet and back about 1 hour, uncovered, until meat thermometer inserted in center of loaf reads 160.  Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top of loaf and bake about 3 minutes, until cheese is melted.  Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.

Kielbasa and Beans

2 (15.5 oz) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups diced kielbasa

1 cup diced onion

1 cup water

7 cloves garlic , halved

1 rounded tablespoon whole grain mustard

Put all ingredients in a slow cooker and turn it on at low setting.  Set for 6 hours.  Serve it warm/hot.

Alice Springs Chicken

1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken

1 16 oz bottle Light Honey Mustard Dressing

1 16 oz package of Bacon

1 8 oz package of Monterey Jack Cheese, sliced thin

Place 1 cup of salad dressing and the chicken in a large resealable bag.  Marinate for 4 hours or overnight.

Prepare bacon. 

Grill chicken.  Grill until ALMOST done. 

Move chicken to a baking dish or cookie sheet.  Cover each breast with bacon.  Cover bacon with cheese.  Bake at 350 until the cheese melts and chicken finishes cooking (about 5 minutes).  Serve immediately with the remainder of the honey mustard dressing for dipping.

Outback Steakhouse Aussie Fries

1 –2 lb bag Frozen French Fries

1 cup shredded Colby Jack Cheese

6 pieces of bacon, cooked

Divide the fries into half, and use the other half later.  Heat oil to 350 degrees.  Fry the potatoes in small batches, they are done when they are golden brown, and float to the top.  Be sure to drain the potatoes on paper towels.  You can keep them warm in the oven while the other fries are done.  When they are all done cooking, sprinkle with cheese and cooked bacon.  Put in oven until cheese begins to melt.

Nacho Cheese Chicken Chowder

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 14.5 oz cans Mexican style stewed tomatoes

1 10.75 oz can condensed nacho cheese soup

1 10 oz pkg frozen whole kernel corn (2 cups)

shredded Mexican style or cheddar cheese

1.  In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker, stir together chicken, undrained tomatoes, soup, and corn.

2.  Cover and cook on low setting for 4 to 5 hours or on high heat setting for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

5-Way Cincinnati Chili

2 lb ground beef

2 medium onions, chopped

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups water

1 can tomatoes

1 1/2 tsp vinegar

1 tsp Worcestshire sauce

1 tbsp chili powder

2 tsp cumin seed

1 1/2 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp cayenne

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 bay leaves

1 lb thin spaghetti

1 can kidney beans, hot

1 1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar

1 cup onion

3/4 lb oyster crackers

Bring first 4 ingredients to a boil in a heavy nonreactive pot over high heat.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until beef turns brown.  Stir in next 10 ingredients and salt to taste.  Cover and simmer 3 hours over low heat.  Skim off fat.  Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water 8-10 minutes or until al dente.  Drain.  Serve chili ladled over spaghetti.  Sprinkle with hot kidney beans, shredded cheese and chopped onion with oyster crackers on the side.

Help Me Pick A Name!!!

I am thinking about reopening an eBay store.  I have a lot of stuff I would like to get rid of and I cant think of anywhere else to sell it.  So…I am looking for some ideas.  I am going to be selling second hand clothes, books, and craft items mostly.  What do you think a good name would be?