Mexican Shepherd's Pie

I was visiting my friend Rosa when she was prepping this.  I couldn't remember everything she did, so I winged it, Gringo Style <3

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion
2 package taco seasoning
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
8 oz shredded cheese
1 box Jiffy cornbread (requires 1 egg and 1/3 cup milk)

Brown beef and onion in skillet, add seasoning, tomatoes and juice from corn.  (I used plain diced tomatoes and fiesta corn.  you could change it up and use plain corn and diced tomatoes with other yumyums in it)  Spread in a casserole dish.  Add a layer of corn and 3/4 the amount of cheese.  Mix the cornbread according to directions and spread evenly.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until bread is golden brown.  Sprinkle remaining cheese and return to oven til melted.  Serve and enjoy!

Something Sassy, SOUND OFF

Lack of sleep this week, half a bottle of wine and high emotions fuel this post.  Recipe and directions on how to Piss Me Off.  I love to cook, its my therapy.  While some stress on what to cook, prep times, order of sides, baking temps, etc, I relish in it.  I am a master, I learned from the best and my food should have its own TV show. (but it'd never make the health channel, lets be honest) So when I buy a turkey the size of my toddler and enough sides and desserts to feed an army, it really hurts my feelings when you don't show.  Since only people who actually care read this blog, I can be as offensive and rude as I want to be. Do not voluntell me to make Thanksgiving and NOT SHOW UP.  What the hell, you rude bastard.  Not even not show up, but not even care to RSVP either way.  I do not mind to cook, I would have made everything I did, just not as much had I have known that it'd just be my little family and one other couple.  Several people said they would 'try to stop by' which translates to "thanks, but we're going somewhere and I don't want to hurt your feelings" Whatever, that doesn't bug me.  But don't ask me if i'm making some of the same things that I made last year and just randomly stop talking to me two weeks or so before thanksgiving.  don't fake being polite when you see me because you feel you have to be cordial when around other people.  I am nice, I mind my manners and watch my tongue when needed, but if you treat me like crap, I can be the meanest bitch you have ever known and I will not be shy about it!!!  Lilly and I delivered some goodies to our stairwell neighbors, and some friends stopped by to pick up some of my famous pumpkin rolls.  The couple that DID show up were practically family anyway, so it was nice to have a nice long dinner and chats and fun.  There was plenty leftover to pick at for hours, for them to take home, for us to freeze, and to feed the guys guarding the gates.  I can be one of the kindest, giving women on the planet.  But fuck with me once and you're done.  This lifestyle comes with all kinds of people and personalities, but I HATE the fake.  I'm not going to call anyone out specifically, but I would love to tell a few to Kiss My Ass!! I am thankful for my family, my sweet neighbors, and friends who we count as family.  To anyone who may by chance read this and be offended or feel guilty, Bite Me :)

To the rest : HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! :)

Supper..... Souper EZ Beef Stroganoff

I love cooking and baking, I find it soothing and therapeutic.  But there are times when I wanna say "screw it" and just throw something together really quick.  This is one of those meals!

1 large top steak, or stir fry strips, approx 1 lb
1 package of egg noodles
1 stick of butter
1 jar heinz beef gravy
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 stick of butter
3/4 cup of water
seasonings to taste

Cook meat with butter and seasonings, add water at the end to keep moist.  Prepare noodles as directed on package, drain, return to pan.  Add meat, (juices and all!) soup and gravy, stir and heat thoroughly.  That's it!  Enjoy!

Something Sweet..... Peanut Butter Chip Brownies

Homemade gooey yummy brownies, 'nuf said.

4 squares  unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 sticks of butter
3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 cup peanut butter chips  (chocolate lovers may substitute with chocolate chips!)

Preheat oven to 350, grease 8x8 pan and set aside.  Combine flour, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large mixing bowl.  Melt together butter and baking chocolate in a saucepan on the stove, then add to bowl.  Stir in chips last, then pour into pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes, but don't over cook, will ruin fudgey effect.

Side note- Splenda can be used instead of sugar, tastes (and measures) just the same!

Supper.... Taco Pizza

This is a fun and easy meal for when you don't have a lot of time.  I am a big fan of already prepped/throw it together ingredients, and this is definitely one of those recipes!  I list simple taco toppers, but you are more than welcome to throw on your favorites as well. :)

2 tubes of refrigerated crescent roll dough
1lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 bag shredded lettuce
1 jar salsa (can be substituted for fresh cut tomatoes)
Doritos, crushed
Ranch dressing or sour cream
8 oz shredded cheese of choice

Unwrap and unroll crescent rolls onto lightly greased cookie sheet, bake as directed or until flaky golden brown, then set aside.  Cook ground beef thoroughly and prepare according to directions on taco seasoning packet.  Once crust is cooled, spread ranch dressing  or sour cream to create the 'sauce.' Top with salsa or tomatoes, lettuce and crushed doritos.  Then add meat and cheese, place back in oven just long enough for cheese to melt, then serve!  Pillsbury crescent rolls come perforated, so makes for easy serving sizes!

Something Sweet... Mini Caramel Apple Pies

I have been on a total caramel kick since the fall weather hit.  In my coffee, on my ice cream, scented candles, the works.  So I dreamed up these little babies and they came out quite tasty! (makes 1 dozen)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
2 cans Eagle brand condensed milk
1 can apple pie filling

Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter together, spread into the bottom of a lined cupcake pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes to form a nice crust.  Then fill approx half full with apple pie filling and set aside.  Peel label from cans, place in pot of water, cans completely covered.  Boil for FOUR HOURS, you will have to add water periodically to make sure the cans remain covered.  After four hours, carefully remove cans and allow them to cool.  CAUTION : caramel will be HOT and make splash when you open the can! Pour caramel over pie filling and serve.  Great served warm with vanilla ice cream!

Snack or Supper.... Homemade Hot Pockets

I love hot pockets just as much as anyone, but they never cook right and they're never enough.  Found an idea on Pinterest and ran with it.  They were enough for a light dinner for myself, my husband and three year old.  They're great for football parties, and leftovers reheat well!  I get all the ingredients set up in an assembly line and let my toddler help put them together, she loves it!

Pizza Hot Pockets****

1 package refrigerated biscuits
Sliced pepperoni
approx 8 oz colby jack cheese, cut in small cubes
italian seasoning
spaghetti or marinara sauce for dipping

Peel biscuits in half to double the amount, as well as thin the dough. (Pillsbury layers are super easy!)
Stretch out but dont tear.  Sandwich a few slices of pepperoni between two slices of cheese.  Fold sides up like a diaper/burrito, place seem side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat.  Sprinkle Italian seasoning, bake at 325 until golden brown.  Serve with sauce for dipping.

*** Pizza is just a suggestion.  We've used ham chunks with swiss cheese, Chicken with mozzerella and dunked in spinach alfredo sauce, then my hubby's favorite, taco meat with cheddar dunked in ranch.  

Something Sweet.... Texas Ranger Cookies

When I was in high school, I worked for a bakery/cafe/catering company.  They made the most amazing things, I looked forward to going to work for a snack after school, and fresh pastries every Saturday morning when I went in.  I still went in on occasions after I stopped working there, and even when I moved to Dayton where my husband was stationed, I'd have my best friend bring me these cookies when she came to visit.  I didn't have very many cravings this last pregnancy, but now that my daughter is two months old, I cant seem to eat enough of anything!  I was talking to my best friend about these damned cookies and was determined to Google the perfect recipe.  I found one that seemed pretty close, but I still had to fix a few things.  It made about 6 dozen cookies, we shared with a few neighbors in the building and still had plenty to snack on.  My three year old said "they're the BEST cookies EBBER!"

Texas Ranger Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. Butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. rice krispies
2 c. oatmeal, uncooked
1 tsp. baking powder
1 c. coconut

2 c. chocolate chip cookies
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

 

Drop by teaspoonfuls on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

 

WARNING : Dough will be rough to work with. The best thing is to forget a spoonula and just mix it by hand! ;)

Something Strong.... Whiskey Slush

 I figured my first entry should be something that would knock you on your butt.  I first had this drink at a party my friend Lindsey threw.  I must have asked her to send me the recipe half a dozen times before I finally wrote it down.  I have made this with the good stuff, such as Jack Daniels, and bottom shelf Military Special, and honestly, it messes you up just the same! :)

 

 

Whiskey (or Rum) Slush

1 frozen can of orange juice

1 frozen can of lemonade

1 46oz. can of pineapple juice

2 cups ginger ale

2 cups whiskey (or rum)

Mix all ingredients together. Stir well. 

Freeze for 24 hours

Serve with Sprite.

 

Tips: 

1. Can use either 2 cups of whiskey or rum (I think whiskey tastes better.) (Someone once made it with vodka, I didn't taste that though).

2.  I try to freeze it for 36-48 hours, but if you don't have the time, 24 hours is still fine.

3. Fill cups up about 1/3-1/2 way with slush then add Sprite.