Cowboy Cornbread

Hamburger meat, seasoned

1 can drained rotel

ranch style beans

Cornbread mix, mexican style

cream corn

shredded cheese

Brown and season hamburger meat, drain.  Add the rotel and ranch style beans, simmer for 10 min. Mix up the cornbread mix per directions, adding the cream corn to the mix.  Add shredded cheese to mixture, and pour half in the bottom of the pan.  Pour meat mixture, and top with cheese.  Pour remaining cornbread mix on toip and bake at 350 until cornbread is done (by package)

 

Parmesan Crusted Asparagus

1 pound Asparagus
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten (can use egg whites)
3/4 cup panko
1/4 cup grated parmesan
salt and pepper to taste

Dredge the asparagus in the flour, dip them in egg and then into mixture of the panko, parmesan and salt and pepper.

Place on a baking sheet and bake at preheated 425 until golden brown, about 7-13 minutes

Turkey Muffins

2 pounds ground Turkey
3 egg whites
1 cup quick oats
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp thyme
2 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp pepper
2 tsp chipotle pepper spice
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp garlic powder
onion
celery

Preheat oven to 375
Spray muffin pan with canola or olive oil
Mix all ingredients together in one large bowl, roll mixture into the shape of a ball. Bake for about 40 min

Protein Pancakes

6 egg whites
1 cup dry oats
1 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp stevia

Mix everything together in a blender, and pour on griddle. Top with sugar free syrup or agave nectar

Low Fat Turkey Tex Mex

2 packages Jennie O Extra Lean Ground Turkey
1 large can of fat free refried beans
2 packages Taco Bell low sodium seasoning
Low fat shredded cheese
Low fat or fat free sour cream
Pickled jalapeños
Directions

Brown the meat, then add the seasoning packages and water according to package directions.

I portion out the meat into 10 small containers, add a scoop of beans, sour cream, cheese and a few jalapenos. I microwave it for about a minute and a half. I also like this as a salad on top of shredded lettuce.

Turkey Santa Fe Wraps

1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced red bell peppers
1/4 cup minced scallions
12 oz leftover turkey breast, diced small
2/3 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 tbsp diced jarred jalapeno peppers
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend
8 large Iceburg lettuce leaves
12 tbsp Avocado Cilantro Ranch Dressing

Directions:


Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red bell pepper and scallions to the pan and sauté for 2 minutes until tender.

Add the diced turkey, corn, black beans, spinach, jalapeno peppers, cumin, chili powder, salt, and cayenne pepper to the pan. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, stirring well so the spinach gets mixed in with everything.

WW Baked Potato Soup

26-30 oz bag frozen hashbrowns
2 14 oz cans (or 1 carton) of low sodium chicken broth
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken soup
1/4 C chopped onion
1/4 tsp pepper
1 8oz package reduced fat Cream Cheese
1 C Fat Free Milk

Add first 5 ingredients to crockpot, and cook on high for 1 hour
Stir and then cook on low for another hour
Add cream cheese and cook for another 30 minutes or until cream cheese is stirred into mixture
Add milk and and cook for another 15-20 min

Top with shredded cheese and bacon

Easy Mexican Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 10-12 ounce bag tortilla chips, crushed (I didn't use the whole bag)
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup water
sour cream and salsa for serving

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, brown meat and drain off fat. Stir in beans, tomatoes, onion, taco seasoning, soup and water. Simmer over medium-low heat until everything is well combined and heated through.

Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips, followed by a layer of the meat/bean mixture, then half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream and salsa.

Meatloaf

I have NEVER liked meatloaf....but this one I LOVE!!

Ground Hamburger
Stove Top stuffing mix
1 egg
1 cup water

Mix everything together and bake at 350 for 45 min

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 10oz cans of Ro-Tel (I like the lime & cilantro, but the regular is fine)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn or two cups frozen corn
1 onion, chopped
2 14.5oz cans low-sodium chicken broth
1-2 cups of water
1 Tbsp garlic powder*
1 Tbsp chile powder*
1 Tbsp ground cumin*
1 Tbsp dried cilantro*

tortilla chips
sour cream
shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
fresh cilantro

*Instead of these spices, you could include a packet of Taco seasoning if you prefer.*

Put chopped onion, cans of beans, rotel, corn, chicken broth, water, and spices in CrockPot and stir to mix. Put chicken breasts on top of mixture and make sure they're at least partly submerged in liquid. Cook on high 6-7 hours or low 8-9 hours. Before serving remove the chicken breasts from soup and shred, if needed, (sometimes they'll just fall apart on their own, but sometimes they need some help). Return chicken to CrockPot, stir to combine.

To serve put a few tortilla chips in the bottom of a bowl, ladle soup over tortilla chips, top with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, serve with more chips if you like. Enjoy!

Crunchy Bean Tacos

1 can black beans
12 corn tortillas
small handful chopped cilantro
1 1/2 tablespoons salsa
1/4 teaspoon salt
shredded cheddar cheese
vegetable oil

In a small bowl, mash the black beans with the back of a fork; stir in the cilantro, salsa, and salt. Set aside.

Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds or so, to make them more pliable. Spread a big spoonful of the bean mixture on one side of the tortilla, top with a sprinkle of cheese, then fold over to make a taco. Once all your tacos are assembled, heat a tablespoon or so of oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Place 2 or 3 tacos in the oil and cook for about a minute or two on each side, until crispy and slightly browned (if you undercook them, they’ll be chewy). Repeat with the rest of the tacos (you may need to add more oil in between batches). Serve with guacamole and salsa. Serves 3-4.

Sopapilla Cheesecake

This is SO good and SO easy to make!!

Ingredients:

2 cans pillsbury butter crescent rolls
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup butter (melted)
Cinnamon & sugar

Instructions:
Unroll and spread 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased pan. Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Panko Roasted Asparagus

1 lbs asparagus, ends trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp herbs de provence
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 lemon, juiced and zested
2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese
Coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Lay the trimmed asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle the herbs de provence on top and place into the oven. Roast for about 15 minutes until just tender.
While the asparagus is roasting, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the panko and stir for 3-4 minutes until the panko is golden brown. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the lemon juice and zest and stir. Transfer the panko to a paper towel lined plate and let cool.
Once the asparagus is done, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Transfer the asparagus to a serving platter and sprinkle with the panko mixture. Add the parmesan cheese on top and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serve immediately.

Skinny Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

16 oz. fat free sour cream
1 can fat free cream of chicken soup
1 tbls. fresh chopped cilantro (1/2 tbls. dried)
2 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1 can Mexican Rotel
1 cup chopped onions (optional)
8 low carb tortillas
1 cup shredded pepper jack and colby cheese blend
1 can diced green chiles



Directions
In a saucepan, mix together sour cream, soup and cilantro. Heat through and set aside.
This is will get to the bubble up/boil stage quickly and make a huge hot mess if you don't keep stirring.
Combine the chicken, rotel, onions and green chiles in a pan sprayed with cooking spray. Heat until onions are transparent. Or if you omit onions like I have done, for a few minutes to blend the flavors and juices.
Warm the tortillas until flexible. (I microwave them for 10 seconds sandwiched between two damp paper towels.)
Fill each tortilla with about 2 tbls. of the chicken mixture.
Top with about 1/2-1 tablespoon of cheese (or a medium sized pinch if you measure like I do)
Roll the tortilla up and place seam side down (or they will unravel and you will be annoyed.) in a 8x11 dish sprayed with cooking spray.
Pour/Spread the sour cream sauce over enchiladas
Top with the remaining cheese
Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.


Nutrition Info

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 275; Total Fat: 8g; Total Carbs: 30g; Protein: 14g

Tosca’s Keep-It-Tight Tilapia - Clean Eating

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp chili powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper
4 tilapia filets, thawed


Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium-sized bowl combine olive oil, garlic and seasonings. Dip each filet into the seasoning and place it on the baking sheet. Pour any remaining seasoning over the filets on the sheet and place the baking sheet in the oven.
Bake for 10 minutes.

Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken - Clean Eating

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Black Beans
1 cup Corn
1 small jar salsa (your favorite variety)
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 cups cooked brown rice





Add to slow cooker: chicken breast, beans, corn, salsa, cumin and chili powder. Mix and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Serve with cooked brown rice.

Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1-inch strips
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Directions
In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the onion, celery and peppers in oil until crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the chicken, soups, tomatoes and chili powder.
Line the bottom of a 3-qt. baking dish with half of the tortilla strips; top with half of the chicken mixture and 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 8 servings.




Nutritional Facts
1 cup equals 329 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 719 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 26 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Taco Pizza

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
2 (8 oz.) cans Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 (16 oz.) can refried beans (I used the jalapeño kind)
2-3 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup sliced black olives
4 green onions, chopped


Heat oven to 375 degrees.
Brown ground beef and drain. Add taco seasoning to the ground beef according to the package directions.
Unroll crescent rolls into rectangles. Place in ungreased 11 1/2 inch x 16 1/2 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. Press dough over the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides to form crust. Bake at 375 oven for 11 to 13 minutes or just until golden brown.
Microwave beans in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute. Carefully spread beans over warm crust creating a thin layer.
Top with cooked beef mixture, sprinkle with cheese followed by tomatoes, black olives and green onion. Return to oven for 3-6 more minutes until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Tortilla Chicken Casserole

8 multigrain flour tortillas
3 cups chopped chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red pepper
19oz black beans
14oz canned corn
1 tsp chili powder
3 cups salsa
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 cup jalapeno monterey jack cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tablespoons finely chopped cilantroDirections
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a casserole dish large enough to fit tortillas. Heat olive oil in sautéing pan; sauté onion and red pepper for 5 minutes, until softened. Mix in chili powder, remove from heat, stir in black beans and corn.


In a medium bowl, mix salsa and sour cream. Layer tortilla, salsa mixture, chicken, tortilla, vegetables, cheeses. Repeat 4 times, or until you reach the top of the casserole. *NOTE: Stop layering once you reach the top of your casserole dish and top with cheese* Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is bubbly and browning. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and cut into 12 pie shaped wedges.

Easy Fried Rice

I plan on using brown rice....

3 cups cooked white rice (day old or leftover rice works best!)
3 tbs sesame oil
1 cup frozen peas and carrots (thawed)
1 small onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup soy sauce




On medium high heat, heat the oil in a large skillet or wok. Add the peas/carrots mix, onion and garlic. Stir fry until tender. Lower the heat to medium low and push the mixture off to one side, then pour your eggs on the other side of skillet and stir fry until scrambled. Now add the rice and soy sauce and blend all together well. Stir fry until thoroughly heated!

Amish Baked Oatmeal

This just looked really good!


1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons oil
1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats




In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat egg. Add rest of ingredients except oats and mix thoroughly until well combined. Add oats and stir. Pour into a greased 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Make Ahead Mixes

These would be great to give as gifts, or just to make and have on hand so you don't have to buy the boxed stuff



Brownie Mix

1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Flour
1/3 Cup Cocoa
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
Place all of these ingredients in a quart size bag. Then write on the outside of the bag:

Add: 2 Eggs, 1/4 Cup Cooking Oil, 1/4 Cup Water, 1 teaspoon Vanilla.
350 degrees for 25 minutes.
This recipe works best in an 8x8 pan.




Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Mix

1 C. quick oats (grind in blender or food processor till finely ground)
1 C. quick oats (leave whole)
3/4-1C. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. maple flavoring
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Combine brown sugar, maple flavoring, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Stir to thoroughly combine the sugar and extract (a mixer is really helpful for this). Add in oats and ground oats. Stir to combine. Store in airtight container.

To Serve:

Place 2/3 C. oatmeal mix in a bowl and add hot water to desired consistency.

For Apple-cinnamon oatmeal-substitute vanilla extract for the maple and add 1/2 C. dried apple pieces.

*Just like the packets you buy in the store, only you can control the ingredients.
*Package in individual baggies for quick, single serving sizes.
*Add more oats and ground oats to make a less sweet mix.
*Double, triple or quadruple the recipe and store in a large jar, scoop out how much you need.


CopyCat IHOP Pancakes



1 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cup buttermilk (I used regular milk with 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon vinegar as a substitute)
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup sugar


Mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add egg and buttermilk and mix until well incorporated. Stir in melted butter and sugar. Grease griddle and cook pancakes over medium heat, flipping once bubbles appear on surface of batter. Serve with softened butter and warmed syrup. YUM!

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Three medium (8-inch) zucchini, ends trimmed, then cut in half lengthwise

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

3/4-pound lean turkey sweet Italian sausage

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup tomato-basil marinara sauce

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

salt and pepper




Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick spray.

2. Use a small spoon to scrape out the insides of each zucchini half - the pulp. Don't scrape the zucchini all the way to the skin- just make a deep pocket where you'll be able to put the stuffing. Save the pulp and chop it.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini pulp, onion, garlic and sausage. Cook together 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are softened and the sausage is cooked through. Pour the mixture through a fine sieve to drain the excess moisture. Transfer the meat mixture to a medium bowl.

4. In a small bowl, mix the cheeses together. Remove two tablespoons of the cheese and set aside. Add the rest of the cheese to the meat mixture, along with the marinara sauce and basil. Add salt and pepper, as desired.

5. Divide the meat mixture between the hollowed out zucchini, filling and mounding into each one. Set the stuffed zucchini into the prepared pan and sprinkle the reserved cheese on top.

6. Bake 30 minutes, or until baked through and tender.

Tips:
*These are delicious on their own, but they're also good served over herbed rice.

*If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, just be sure to use sausage and marinara sauce that are known to be GF.

Nutritional Information per serving:
Serving size: 1 zucchini boat
Calories per serving: 241
Fat per serving: 13.5g
Saturated Fat per serving: 4.8g
Sugar per serving: 3.9g
Fiber per serving: 3.9g
Protein per serving: 19.2g
Cholesterol per serving: 51.6mg
Carbohydrates per serving: 12.2g

Chuy's Jalapeno Ranch Dip

This stuff is AMAZING!!! It was a dangerous thing when I found this on Pinterest! I usually half this recipe, because it make a TON.


Chuy's Jalapeno Ranch Dip

feeds a crowd

8 ounces mayonaise
24 ounces sour cream
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup tomatillo salsa
1 handful of cilantro
3 ranch dressing packets
1/2 cup pickled jalapenos

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth.

Low Fat Tex-Max Chicken and Rice

1/2 c. chopped onion (1 medium)
1 Tbl. olive oil
1 package (6.9 ounce) chicken-flavored rice and vermicelli mix
14-ounce can chicken broth
2 c. water
2 c. chopped, cooked chicken
1 c. chopped, seeded tomato (2 medium)
3 Tbl. canned diced green chile peppers, drained
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dried basil, crushed
1/8 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese


1. In a saucepan cook onion in hot oil over medium heat until tender. Stir in rice and vermicelli mix (including seasoning package); cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in broth and water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes (liquid will not be fully absorbed).

2. Transfer the rice mixture to a large bowl. Stir in chicken, tomato, chile peppers, chili powder, basil, cumin and black pepper. Transfer to a 2-quart casserole dish.

3. Bake, covered, in a 425 degree oven for 25 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Let stand about 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

Ranch Mix

2 different recipes, and I haven't tried either....just wanted to make sure I had them!


5 tablespoons dried minced onions
7 teaspoons parsley flakes
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix together and store in an air tight container.

For dressing: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk or sour cream.

For dip: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 2 cups sour cream.

Mix up a few hours before serving, so the flavors all blend.




Ingredients:
Black Pepper ¼ C
Parsley Flakes 1 1/2 C
Garlic Salt ½ C
Kosher Salt 2 T
Granulated Garlic ¼ C
Granulated Onion 3/4 C
Dill Weed 2 T

Procedure:

1. Combine all ingredients, store in an airtight container. Makes about 3 ½ cups of dry mix

2. To Make Dressing, whisk together 2 T of mix with 2 Cups each of mayonnaise and buttermilk 1 ½ Cups sour cream, & 1 t Lemon Juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Makes 1 ¾ Quarts

Onion Soup Mix

Dry Onion Soup Mix:

2/3 cup dried, minced onion
3 teaspoons parsley flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in a jar, then give the jar a good shake. I’d recommend shaking the jar to mix the ingredients well before each use.
Use 4 tablespoons in a recipe in place of 1 packet of onion soup mix. Store this in a dry, cool place.

Taco Pasta

1 pound ground beef or turkey
8-12 ounces medium pasta shells or other small dry pasta shapes
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, drained (if making this for kids you might want to use just plain diced tomatoes)
1 packet (4 tablespoons) taco seasoning
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper

Instructions
1.Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.

2.Meanwhile, in a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. A few minutes before the meat is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Once the meat is cooked through, mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes.

3.Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit if it is still too thin.

4.Toss in the cilantro right before serving for some fresh color and flavor.

Cheesy Beef Tortilla Cups

1 pound Lean Ground Beef
2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
2 cups Salsa (heat Level Of Your Choice)
2 cups Black Beans, Rinsed And Drained
Salt And Pepper, to taste
8 whole Soft Tortillas (6" Size)
1 cup Reduced-fat Cheddar Cheese


In a large pan, brown the ground beef along with the taco seasoning. Add the salsa and black beans. Allow to simmer together for a couple of minutes and taste to check if additional salt and pepper are needed.

Spray a large muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and place 1 tortilla in each muffin cup. Divide the beef mixture evenly between the muffin cups and sprinkle equal amounts of cheese over each one. Bake in a preheated 375ºF oven for approximately 20 minutes until the tortilla is lightly crispy and the cheese has melted.

(Adapted from What’s Cooking Italian Style Cuisine blog.)

Homemade Chicken Taquitos

rotisserie chicken -fully cooked and seasoned.
2/3 - 1 cup of jarred or fresh salsa
1 cup shredded "Mexican blend" cheese
1/3 cup sweet white and yellow corn niblets
1/3 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed well
1 tsp ground cumin
salt and pepper
large pinch of chopped fresh cilantro
1 pack of egg roll wrappers


Remove the chicken from the rotisserie chicken, and chop into small bite-sized pieces. Mix the next seven ingredients into the chicken and mix well. Add a few spoonfuls of the chicken mixture to an eggroll wrapper. Fold in the sides first, then roll. Wet the far end with water so it will stick to itself. Spray a cookie sheet with butter flavored nonstick spray and arrange the taquitos. Spray the tops of them with the butter flavored spray and sprinkle with black pepper and extra cumin. Bake at 375 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. It would be nice to turn them onto their sides if you can remember (I had a house full of kids and forgot). Serve with condiments of choice.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice

2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 cups Cooked Brown Rice
¾ cups Frozen Corn
15 ounces, fluid Can Black Beans, Drained And Rinsed
1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (or Sour Cream)
4 ounces, fluid Can Green Chilis
½ cups Salsa
1 cup Low-fat Cheddar Cheese, Plus More For Topping
2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro For Garnish


Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for cilantro and mix thoroughly to combine. Make sure the yogurt and cheese are stirred in throughout the entire bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and top with extra cheese if you would like. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

To make this process easier, I always have cooked chicken on hand, and use Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice. If you have those two things, this can be throw together in a matter of minutes! It can also easily be made ahead of time and reheated.

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. vegetable or canola oil
2 Tbsp. flour
4 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 cups chicken broth
Method

Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir together over the heat for one minute. Stir in the remaining seasonings (chili powder through oregano). Then gradually add in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to remove lumps. Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 minutes until thick.

Use immediately or refrigerate in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.

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Taco Casserole

Ingredients
2 ounces Tortilla Chips (about 24), plus additional for serving
1 Tbs Chili Oil (or olive oil and red pepper flakes)
1 Onion, chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 pound Ground Chicken (I'm going to use ground beef or turkey)
2 Tbs Taco Seasoning
1 can Black Beans, drained
1 cup Hot Salsa
1 cup shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese
Optional: Other toppings such as jalepenios, olives, etc.


Preparation
Heat oven to 350.
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and garlic and sautee until soft. Add meat and taco seasoning. Cook, breaking up meat with a spatula, for about 5 minutes. Add beans and salsa. Mix well and continue to cook until salsa thickens.
Line the bottom of a large baking dish with tortilla chips, pressing down on them lightly to break them into bite-sized pieces. Spread the meat and bean mixture over the chips and top with cheese. Add sliced jalepenos or other toppings that you ant to be cooked. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and gooey.

Quinoa Black Bean Burrito Bowl

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp chili powder (mild)
Pinch of cayenne pepper (spicy)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup shredded lettuce
Salt
Optional Topping Ingredients
Grated cheddar or jack cheese
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Pico de gallo or salsa
Diced seeded tomatoes
Hot sauce or sriracha
Sliced avocado
Guacamole


Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a mesh strainer or sieve, drain. Pour quinoa into a saucepan along with 2 cups of water. Bring the quinoa to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot. Let the quinoa simmer for about 20 minutes till it becomes tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Keep a close eye to make sure the quinoa doesn't burn. While quinoa is cooking, heat 1 tbsp of oil in another saucepan over medium heat. Pour minced onion into the saucepan and saute for a few minutes till it softens and begins to turn brown. Add the minced garlic to the pot and let it saute for 1-2 minutes longer till aromatic.

Add the black beans to the pot of onions along with 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp of chopped fresh cilantro, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Bring the beans to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Let the beans simmer for 15 minutes till the liquid is mostly evaporated. Stir in 2 tbsp of fresh lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

When the quinoa is fully cooked, remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Use the fork to mix in 2 tbsp of chopped cilantro and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice. Season with salt to taste.

Assemble your burrito bowls. Divide the cilantro lime quinoa between four bowls. Top each portion of quinoa with 1/4 cup of shredded lettuce. Top each portion of lettuce with simmered black beans. Top the black beans with your choice of Optional Topping Ingredients (ideas listed above). Serve Warm