Monday, January 6, 2014

Fajitas anyone?

I love fajitas!  They have become one of my favorite foods over the years but a pain to make. I hated having to saute veggies in one pan while cooking my chicken or beef in another.  Now I don't have to!! I discovered on Pinterest that I can bake all the ingredients in one pan.  Yay!  So I have taken my recipe for fajitas and turned it into a one pan wonder!


2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 1 1/2 lbs steak
Taco seasoning (I use my recipe)
2 cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
2 Large onions sliced
2 Large green peppers sliced (and seeded)
1 Large red pepper (optional)
Flour tortillas
Desired toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, Mexican rice

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut chicken or steak into strips and place in a greased 13x9 baking dish.
In a bowl, combine oil, spices and salt.  Drizzle the mixture over the chicken or steak and stir to coat.  Add the tomatoes, onions and peppers.  Stir all ingredients. 
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked completely or steak done to your liking and veggies are tender. Spoon onto tortillas and top with your favorite toppings.  Most of all enjoy the easy clean up!!

We call it Goulash

I really don't know the official name of this recipe but it's good. It's a concoction of things I had in my pantry and fridge one day and it turned out pretty good.  The kids have named it goulash.  It's easy and tastes even better on the second day!

3 LBS ground beef
2 large diced onions
1 diced green pepper
4 1/2 Cups water
3 cans diced tomatoes with garlic and oregano
3 cans favorite tomato based pasta sauce or 3 cans tomato sauce
3 TBSP Italian seasoning
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 Tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)
3 Cups macaroni noodles (uncooked)




Heat 2 TBSP oil in hot skillet. Add red pepper flakes until they begin to brown but don't let them burn.  Add ground beef.  Brown and drain excess liquid. Add diced onions and garlic powder.  Saute until tender.  (Approx. 5 minutes) In a dutch oven, add water, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Stir well.  Add beef and sauteed onions. Place a lid on the pot and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, return the lid and simmer for another 30 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to sit for about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve with your favorite garlic bread and roasted veggies! 

Best.Tacos.Ever

This recipe has become a family favorite and the only way the kids ask for tacos.  They are really good and if you have a smaller family (4), cut the recipe in half. (This recipe makes 8-10 servings) They don't make the best leftovers because reheating the taco shells the next day does not work.  However I have started scooping out the filling and storing that in the fridge and tossing the taco shells.  The kids reheat the beef mixture and put it on potatoes, tortilla chips or in wraps. 

1 LB ground beef  or 2 LB ground beef
2 cans refried beans or 1 can refried beans
1 small diced onion
1 small can green chilies
3/4 Cup salsa
Taco seasoning (I use my homemade seasoning)
2 Cups shredded Colby-Jack Cheese (I use the Mexican blend from Aldi)
18-20 Hard Shell Tacos


Preheat oven to 375. Brown ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat. Drain excess liquid. Add refried beans, salsa, chilies and taco seasoning. Mix well.  Spoon mixture into the taco shells and place in a 9x13 baking dish standing tacos up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the tacos. (I always push some down inside the shells as well.) Place in oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted. 

Serve with your choice of condiments.
Sour Cream
Lettuce
Tomatoes 
Salsa 

Taco Seasoning

I no longer purchase the little pre-made packages of taco seasoning from the grocery store.  Currently I make my own and have found the flavor to be a lot better.  Enjoy!! 

1/4 Cup Chili Powder
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
2 Tsp Oregano
2 Tsp Paprika
1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2-1 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1 Tsp Onion Powder/Flakes
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
3 Tsp Sea Salt

Mix and store in an airtight container or old spice bottle.  Use 2-21/2 Tbsp in place of store bought packages.



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