Superbowl Snack

Bean Tacos (or Burritos or Nachos)

I posted this recipe about a month ago but didn't have a picture to go with it... so here's the new updated post! I am actually going to make this for the Superbowl this weekend! It is so, so good and only takes about 15 minutes to make!!! I am going to serve it in a bowl along with corn chips and let people snack on it like a dip- it's healthy and filling and will be the newest addition to my Superbowl cravings!

Here's another great recipe, super easy, passed on to my from my sister. Honestly, this meal has such little prep and comes together so quickly it's a great last minute choice. You can prepare your own beans from scratch (by soaking them over night and boiling them the next morning) or you can used canned.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked pinto or black beans

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 cup salsa (I used Trader Joe's chunky jarred salsa)

1/2 cup onion, diced

1 cup frozen corn

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped

corn tortillas

Directions: Chop and dice your onion and green pepper, throw them in a pan with a little grape seed oil and saute them for about 3-4 minutes. Then add in your beans, salsa, cumin, and corn. Stir and cook for about 3 more minutes. Remove your pan from the heat, add your chopped cilantro, give it a final stir and scoop a portion into a warmed tortilla! Easy as can be and as tasty as all get out!

*** Make sure you use a salsa that you like, jarred works better than fresh, but use your favorite because it will make or break the recipe. Also, this makes great left overs "nacho style"- scoop it up with a crunchy tortilla chip for your lunch or a quick snack!

Crispy Quesadilla

Now, I have to admit, I am not the biggest quesadilla fan in the world.... well, maybe that is until now! I found a great way to incorporate some different ingredients and get a really crispy crunch to it, and now, I think I am in love! I would have to say this is one of the easiest recipes you can chose when you are in a time crunch and you need a quick bite to eat- perfect for someone on the go!

Ingredients:

tortillas

cheese (I used Monterey Jack)

roma tomatoes

4-5 leaves of basil

grapeseed oil

pepper or other seasoning

Directions:

Heat about 1/2 tsp. grapeseed oil in a frying pan, lay your first tortilla just long enough for air bubbles to form underneath, then flip it (it should start to get lightly toasted) repeat this 3-4 times. Then do the same thing with the second tortilla (if you are making a whole). Then place one of the tortillas in the pan, add some shredded cheese (or mine was thinly sliced), some chopped tomatoes, finely chopped basil (you could use spinach too) and sprinkle with pepper. I also added some left over chicken slices to mine. Then I placed the top tortilla on, over medium heat and let it cook for just a bit. Then with a big flipper-thing (and my fingers) I carefully flipped it over. You could also opt to only cover half the tortilla with toppings and then just fold it in half. That would be much easier than flipping, you decide!

Get creative- try mushrooms, spinach, beans and olives or different cheeses to mix it up!

Homemade Taco Seasoning...

I was talking to my sister in law tonight and we were talking about the yummy goodness of homemade taco seasoning (not to mention the nutritional benefits) so I thought I would post my recipe for it separately (it is posted with my Taco Soup recipe) but just for quick reference, here it is!

Homemade Taco Seasoning: make and store this in an air-tight jar

6 teaspoons chili powder

5 teaspoons paprika

4 1/2 teaspoons cumin

3 teaspoons onion powder

2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Taco Soup

Here's an easy one- you can serve it as soup or use a slotted spoon and serve it over chips as nachos.

Ingredients:

1- 1.5 lbs. ground turkey/beef

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans

1 can corn * optional

1 can diced tomatoes

2 cups beef broth (reduce to 1 cup if you are making this for nachos)

taco seasoning- make your own (directions below) or use a packet

Toppings:

sour cream

shredded cheese

olives

avocado

tortilla chips

Homemade Taco Seasoning: make this in a separate jar, it will make more than you need, so you will have leftovers for next time. Use about 3 tsp. and add more if desired after tasting.

6 teaspoons chili powder

5 teaspoons paprika

4 1/2 teaspoons cumin

3 teaspoons onion powder

2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder

1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

This is a change to the original recipe- I originally made this recipe in a crock pot, but the second time around, when I tried it in the crock pot again, it turned out with a really unusual texture. So, here's a change to the directions, brown your meat first in a big pot, then add your seasoning to the meat, and then pour in the rest of the ingredients. Let it simmer for 20 minutes in the stove and serve it with all the listed toppings.

HOLY GUACAMOLE!

Here we go, good ol' classic guacamole... I make this all the time whether it's for an appetizer, to munch on, to go on burgers, burritos, or sandwiches, or whatever else you can think of! It's an easy and tasty spread for all to enjoy! I like to keep it simple with ingredients you are likely to have around at any time, double it up for large groups because it goes fast!

Ingredients:

4 avocados

1 fresh lemon (approximately 1 TBSP)

1/2 tomato, diced

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 fresh clove, minced

3/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Peel and pit your ripe avocados (save one pit), put the avocadoes in a glass mixing bowl and mash them up with a fork, potato masher, or pastry masher (like the one in the picture). Add your lemon juice and seasonings and mix thoroughly with a fork or spatula. Add your tomato chunks and gently mix those in. Put one of the pits back in the dish to help if from turning brown so quickly. Cover and chill until serving or eat right away! (Don't make this dish too far in advanced because it will brown with time and heat).

*Always taste before serving and add a little of this, and a little of that to your likings!

Beer Can Burritos

Well, when I posted my Salsa Chicken recipe I remembered this recipe I used to make with a jar of green salsa (thanks to Jocelyn's comment!) and so I thought I would post this recipe as well! 

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts

1 jar green salsa ( I use Trader Joe's Authentic Verde Salsa)

1 bottle of beer (light is better- I use Corona or "Trader Jose"!)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

tortillas

cheese, shredded (jack or cheddar)

avocado

other toppings???

Directions

Wash your chicken and place it in your crock pot. Pour the salsa over the top, then add the bottle of beer and turn on low for 8 hours. Anywhere from 1 hour before to 15 minutes before serving, shred your chicken with 2 forks and add your drained black beans to heat them up. (If you add them too early they will overcook and break down into mush! ) This chicken is super moist and juicy- thanks to the beer- so serve it with a slotted spoon before scooping it onto a tortilla. Add your toppings and enjoy!

Salsa Chicken...

Here we go, so simple... take your package of chicken breasts, wash them, put them in the crock pot, pour in a jar of salsa (or two if they are small), I use Trader Joe's Authentic salsa in a glass jar, and cook it on low for 8 hours or until done (mine was sooner than that, so peek in on it). When it's done take 2 forks and shred it in the crock pot, stir it around to soak up a little more salsa goodness and leave it on warm until you are ready to serve it. How's that for easy??? (If you use a chunkier salsa that has less liquid, add 1/4 cup to it to keep the chicken from drying out).

You can use these for chicken soft tacos, tostada pizza, burritos, or enchiladas.... and much more! Enjoy!!!

Tip- I sometimes add a little more chicken (4-5 breasts) and double the batch (make sure to double the salsa too!) so I can freeze half or use half for another meal in the same week. Trying to think ahead and make the most of my time spent in the kitchen!

Fiesta Fajitas from Scratch

You can make these yummy fajitas with chicken or beef- your choice- they are quick and easy and a real crowd pleaser! This recipe was borrowed from my sis- Danika Stokes! I love this recipe because you will most likely have all the spices in your cupboard already- so no seasoning packet is need!

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken or beef, cut into long, thin strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into long, thing strips

1 green bell pepper, cut into long, thin strips

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 TBSP salsa

2 cloves garlic

salt & pepper to taste 

tortillas

**Optional toppings: grated cheese, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro...

Directions:

 Heat up your frying pan with a little olive oil, then add your meat (chicken or beef) until browned. Set the meat aside on an extra plate while you heat up a little more olive oil and cook your bell peppers and onions, adding your seasoning, garlic, and water and salsa. Mix it around, add your meat back to soak up the flavors. Let simmer for 5 minutes uncovered. Warm up your tortillas, dish some fajita yummies onto the tortilla, add your toppings and enjoy!

Serve with: I serve these fajitas solo sometimes, they are really filling and it makes a lot. You could serve them with some black beans, spanish rice, or a side salad if you're an over-achiever.

Taco Salad

This is an old classic for me, tried and true. It's a yummy way to get some good nutrients- lots of beans and fresh veggies- and you choose ground turkey, shredded chicken, or ground beef!

Ingredients:

Romaine lettuce, chopped

red bellpepper, chopped

kidney beans, rinsed and drained

black beans, rinsed and drained

1 - 2 lb. ground/shredded meat w/ taco seasoning

avocado, sliced

* tomatoes

* green onion

* olives

* corn, drained

*cilantro

Cheddar cheese, shredded

tortilla chips, crushed

(All of the * ingredients are optional ideas, depending on your taste buds and depending on what's in your fridge! The other ingredients are a must in my opinion!)

Directions:

Pretty straight forward, depending on how many you are serving (this is a great recipe for big groups) but you just need to wash and chop your lettuce, add your bell pepper, rinse your beans, and cook your meat. Shred some cheese, slice your avocado, and crush some chips on top and then add your favorite dressing and your done! Easy as that! Sometimes I just drizzle some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder before serving and other times I use the Balsamic Vinegar Dressing, then I toss it all together. You can get away with a simple dressing on this salad because there are so many different flavors with the wide variety of ingredients!