Lemon Lush

It's been pretty hot here lately so I wanted a dessert that is simple and tastes just like Summer time!  And this is it!  There's a few steps, but really, you can just do each step, and go about your daily activities until its time for the next one.  And it's worth it, trust me on this one! 

Ingredients:

- 2 cups Flour
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 bag of Walnuts, chopped (about 1 cup or so)
- 2 (8oz) pkgs Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 cup Sugar
- 2 pkgs INSTANT Lemon Pudding Mix
- 3 1/2 cups Milk
- 1 (12oz) container of Whipped Cream

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Toss your flour and butter and walnuts into a medium sized bowl and use a pastry cutter (or fork if you don't have one!) to cut in the butter and nuts. 

2.  Press the crust into a 13X9inch pan and bake about 25 minutes until golden brown.  Allow crust to cook COMPLETELY!

3.  Once your crust is cool, place your cream cheese and sugar into a bowl (you can use the same one...why dirty up?) and mix together until smooth.  Smooth this mixture carefully and evenly over your crust and refrigerate for at least an hour. 

4.  Now you can begin to make the pudding mixture.  Open up your lemon pudding boxes and toss them into a bowl.  Add the milk and begin whisking away until you've got nice, thick pudding.  Pour that over the cream cheese mixture.  Allow your dish to cool again for another hour in the fridge. 

5.  Now, right before you're ready to serve, spread the entire container of whipped cream over the top of your dessert.

Here's the final product.....

This was so refreshing!  It tastes just like Lemon Meringue pie, except without all that hard work!  I recommend you try this one soon! 

Enchilada Lasagna

When you want to use what you've got, you have to get somewhat creative!  That is where this recipe was born from!  Now, I know this isn't a ground breaking recipe, and I'm sure others have made this, but it was a first for our household.  It was delicious!  And a definite repeat meal for the future!  Try it tonight and you will not be disappointed!

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 1/2 onions, chopped
- 1/2 a can of black olives, sliced
- 1 teaspoon of Garlic
- 1 can of Chipolte Peppers in their Adobo Sauce
- 1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can Enchilada Sauce
- 1 bottle Taco Sauce
- 1 pkg. Corn Tortillas
- 1 can Ro-Tel Tomatoes w/ Habanero (or with green chilis if you don't like the super spicyness)
- Shredded Cheese
- Chili Powder to taste

*You will see a can of refried beans here in the photo.  I decided not to use them since I thought the black beans were enough.  Feel free to use them if you like as an extra layer though!*

Directions:

1.  Chop up your onion, olives, and peppers and set aside.

2.  Begin browning your ground beef.  When it's done, drain all the grease and add your drained black beans, your chipolte peppers, your garlic, and your chili powder.  Give it a nice stir and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, just to let the flavors incorporate and to allow your husband to pop into the kitchen and ask "What are you making?!  It smells delicious!" ;-)  Once it's done, remove to a bowl and set aside.

3.  Take a 9X13inch baking pan, and pour your entire can of Enchilada sauce on the bottom.  Then, place your layer of corn tortillas on top, slathering them in the sauce as you go.  I used about 6 corn tortillas per layer.

4.  Now layer on some of your bean/meat mixture, spreading it evenly.  Then the olives and the onions.  And then half the can of the Ro-tel with it's juices.  A layer of cheese, spread evenly.  And then repeat.

5.  You will want to leave off with the last of the tortillas.  Place those on top of your lasagna and pour the entire bottle of the Taco sauce on top.  Top with more cheese (sorry, forgot the photo...by this time...I was just too hungry, lol!) and then bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top has browned.

Here's the final product.....

Messy, spicy, delicious, and affordable!  Can't go wrong there!  Serve alone or with a light salad and you have a very filling and simple dinner with leftovers for lunch or dinner tomorrow.  I hope you try this one and soon!  Enjoy!

Hobo Stew

If you've ever been to a family reunion or a party in my family, you've heard of Hobo Stew!  It's a common dish that we have and that everyone enjoys.  Basically, everyone brings an ingredient and tosses it into a big stew pot, you cook it over a fire, and then, after a few hours, you dig in! 

Well, you don't have to wait for a part or reunion to enjoy a great Hobo Stew!  This is simple, flavorful, and it's great when you need a dish that is cheap....because this is as cheap as it gets, lol! 

Ingredients:

- 2 cans corn, undrained
- 2 cans green beans, undrained
- 1 can peas, undrained
- 1 can carrots, undrained
- 1 can mixed veggies, undrained
- 4 to 5 potatoes, cubed
- 2 onions, sliced or chopped
- 2 pkgs polish sausage, cut into coins
- Water if needed
- Season to taste

(*the ingredient list is just what I've used this time....you can add whatever you want!  I love stewed tomatoes in this as well, but didn't have a can on hand when I made it!)

Directions:

1.  Chop up all your potatoes, sausage, and onions and toss it into a large stew pot. 

2.  Open up all your veggies and toss them in, liquid and all!  Stir it all together and add some water if needed.  You need enough liquid to almost submerge the veggies. 

3.  Bring to boil and continue to boil until potatoes are cooked through.  Add pepper (salt if you used low sodium veggies) and whatever seasoning you prefer.

4.  Serve it up!

Here's the final product.....

I serve mine with biscuits or bread and butter and a side salad.  Enjoy!

Bean and Chorizo Burritos

This toss together recipe came about when I was craving Mexican food and had just came home from work.  I didn't have a lot of time to throw dinner together, but I knew what I wanted!  So, I checked the fridge and the pantry and here is what I came up with! 

Ingredients:

- 2 lbs. Chorizo
- 1 can Black beans, drained
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 medium onions ( or less if you're not an onion freak like me!)
- Tortillas

Directions:

1.  Toss your chorizo into your pan.  You won't need any oil or butter...chorizo has plenty of grease aka flavor ;-)  I break mine up with a fork. 

2.  Chop up your onions and toss 'em in the pan with the chorizo and allow the chorizo and onions to cook.

3.  Drain and rinse your beans and toss them into the pan with the onion and chorizo.  Allow the mixture to come together, cooking for about 15 minutes.

4.  Remove the mixture to a bowl and begin assembling your burritos.  I just take the tortilla, place some chorizo filling inside and sprinkle on some cheese. 

5.  Next, place your burrito on a cooking sheet and continue until you've made all the burritos you need.  Now bake until the tortilla is golden and crunchy.  Usually for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Here's the final product.....

So simple, but so flavorful!  You can garnish with your favorite burritos toppings, or just chow down as I did on the burrito alone, lol.  Enjoy!