Beef Enchilada Skillet

This dish is so easy and you can have it on the table in a snap.  When you read the ingredients list I know you are going to ask...."I thought you didn't buy canned creamed soups?"  I don't.  However, in this case I do.  I use Amy's Organic Cream of Tomato soup.  The first draw was that it doesn't contain flour for a thickener.  The second, that the other ingredients besides tomato are water, cream, sugar, onions, salt and black pepper.   That's all, no funky preservatives or funny names. 

Someday I will try my home canned roasted tomato sauce to see how to re-create this dish using that.  I am thinking that it will be really good!

Ground pork would be a good substitution in this dish or maybe a mix and match with the ground beef. 

Beef Enchilada Skillet                                                          

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1 small onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 small can condensed tomato soup (use Amy's Organic for gluten free)

3/4 to 1 cup salsa

1/4 cup water

6 - 6" corn tortillas

1 to 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexi blend cheese

Homemade Corn Dogs

Corn dogs can be found at any fair and if you have a craving you can use this easy recipe to make them at home! 

When I make a recipe there are always extras.  They are great for leftovers for school lunch or frozen for reheating another time. 12- 15 minutes in the oven will crisp them up and still be pretty tasty. Fresh is best but homemade frozen corn dogs are way better than store bought.

Homemade Corn Dogs                                                                    Printable Recipe

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup cornmeal

2/3 cup flour (3 T more if using Einkorn flour)

1 Tablespoon sugar
1 Tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 package hot dogs

Carl's Crazy Skillet Meal

My husband throws together some crazy concoctions.  They aren't always my favorite but my kids seem to like them. This one, though, I do!  Since he came up with the dish I'll give him the credit and name it after him. 

It's a pretty simple dish to throw together and until the ground beef is ready to be broken up the dish is hands off.   If you or your kids aren't big fans of chunky veggies, whack them up a little more before you cook them.   Feel free to change them up as well.  These are what we had on the hand the day he took over the stove top!

Carl's Crazy Skillet Meal                                                                            Printable Recipe

10-12 medium carrots, cleaned (peeled if needed) and cut into 1/4" slices
2 small onions, chopped
3 cups water
2 pounds ground beef

2 cups whole sweet corn (or 1 can drained)

salt and pepper to taste
Mayonnaise
Parmesan

Marinated Steak Bites

When asked a restaurant if he needed steak sauce, my dad always said, "If the steak is done right, I don't need sauce."  He would say it just needs a little seasoning.  At a restaurant it would be salt and pepper.  At home Nature's Seasoning and/or Lawry's.  I bucked his system a little bit with this marinated steak.  It helps break down the tougher steaks and adds a load of flavor.  

The first time I made it I served it with caramelized onions and perfectly pan fried potatoes.  This time I served with with steamed veggies.

Marinated Steak Bites                                                                         Printable Recipe

1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon A-1 sauce
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/4 cup water

Sirloin or round steak (or 2 pounds of beef tips)

In a gallon bag mix together all but the steak.

Cut up steak into 1 to 1-1/2 pieces, removing large pieces of fat and any grisly parts. My steak was about 2 pounds when I was finished cutting it up and discarding the junk. Dump the steak pieces into bag and mix to coat.  Marinate for 6-12 hours. 

You can cook the meat in a cast iron skillet or on the grill (you won't get as much caramelization on the meat if you use a pan.) Since the meat pieces are small you will need to use a BBQ grill tray or basket to hold the meat as they would just fall through your grill grates.  I like the wire style trays since they have holes large enough to let the heat and fire through.   (Sorry I forgot to take a photo! I bought mine through Pampered Chef.)

Cook for just a few minutes on each side, rotating to cook meat to your liking.  You can always test a piece or two while you are cooking (no one will know!)

Crock Pot Chipotle Beef Barbacoa

I don't use my crock pot a lot (personal preference) but for a roasting meat it's a good choice.  Even the toughest meats will be tender and juicy after the hours spent cooking.  This recipe has just a little kick that says "Hello." in a soft voice.  If you want it louder or to give a shout add more chipotles.  I like it nice and easy so I can taste all of the flavors I've stuffed into my tortilla shell.

Whether you like crispy or soft, flour or corn, any tortilla shell will work well with this meal.  I'll tell you below which toppings  I used but feel free to change the up to suit your taste!

Next time I make this beef recipe I will double or triple it and have extra for the freezer! I could also use a pork roast and it would be awesome as well.  

Crock Pot Chipotle Beef Barbacoa                                                      Printable Recipe

1 round steak (approx 2 pounds)

salt

olive oil

1 chipotle in adobo sauce

1/2 Tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup water

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup lime juice

salt and pepper to taste

Top 10 Recipes of 2015

2015 has drawn to its end and it's always fun to look back and see some of the fan favorites.  Most of them are from this year but a few from last year snuck in. 

I hope you enjoy the look back with me. Click on the title to see the recipe or click on the "pin it" link to go right to Pinterest to re-pin for later!

Spaghetti Bolognese

I wasn't expecting to be served spaghetti bolognese in the German speaking part of Switzerland, but I was and it was delicious!  If I hadn't been so full from the first plateful I would have had another serving or two!  After a talk with our waitress and the chef from the hotel I quickly wrote down the ingredients and steps to make this delicious dish.  It is an easy dish but please allow time for it to simmer.  It's well worth the wait!

Our waitress told me that if you have other vegetables on hand you need to use your can throw them in as well.  She gave red and green peppers as examples.

Spaghetti Bolognese                                                                                     Printable Recipe

1-1/4 pounds steak*
olive oil
2 carrots
1 small onion
1-2 stalks celery
15 ounces tomato puree or plain sauce (some canned sauces has spices in it)
1 bay leaf
5 whole cloves**
2-1/2 to 3 teaspoons dried Italian Herbs (generally a mix of: oregano, basil, rosemary, marjoram, savory, thyme)
salt and pepper to taste
up to 4 cups of water (divided)
cooked spaghetti
grated Parmesan

Top 10 Recipes of 2014

2014 is drawing to an end and I thought we should take a look back at some of the fan favorites.  Most of them are from this year but a few from last year snuck in. 

I hope you enjoy the look back with me. Click on the title to see the recipe or click on the "pin it" link to go right to Pinterest to re-pin for later!

Sloppy Joes

No more sandwich from a can.  This mixture is juicy and packed with flavor.  I added a little bit of dry tomato powder and WOW!...even better!

Sloppy Joes                                                                                              Printable Recipe

2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1 2/3 cups canned crushed tomatoes (or 1 pint home canned chopped tomatoes)
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon steak sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
buns

Spaghetti Meatballs (with Gluten Free Options)

On top of spaghetti, all covered in....I think you know the rest!! Piled high on pasta or stuffed in a sandwich, these meatballs are versatile! With just one mess you can make extra and freeze them for another time which is great when ground beef is on sale.

Spaghetti Meatballs (with Gluten Free Options)                         Printable Recipe

2 eggs
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 pound ground beef
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (sometimes I use 1/2 grated and 1/2 shredded)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs *
1 jar favorite pasta sauce
cooked pasta *


In large bowl beat eggs, garlic, and parsley. Crumble the beef over the mixture and mix well. Sprinkle with cheese and bread crumbs; mix gently.


Shape into 1-1/2 inch balls using a medium size scoop. Makes 16 balls. *

Chili-Cheese Baked Potatoes

So you have some perfectly baked potatoes, now what?  Let's top it with some chili and some cheese sauce!!

Chili-Cheese Baked Potatoes                                                           Printable Recipe

5-6 baked potatoes

Chili:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1-1/2 T - 2 T chili powder
14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes undrained (or 1 pint home canned)
1/2 can water
1 Tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy

One day I had lunch out with my husband.  Chicken fried steak was their special of the day. I thought to myself that I need to figure out how to make this at home.  My fried steak is crunchy and the gravy is over the top.  It reminds me of the milk gravy my mom made when she fried chicken. Little crunchy breading bits speckled throughout. 

Chicken Fried Steak and Gravy (with Gluten Free Options*)      Printable Recipe

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4-6 (4 ounce) cube steaks (or tenderized round and cut your own pieces like I did)

30 wheat saltine crackers, crushed

1 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon pepper (and optional, we prefer not so much black pepper)

few dashes cayenne pepper

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs

Salisbury Steak and Mushroom Gravy

If you are tired of the same ol' meat dish try this. It is a twist on my meatloaf patties recipe. So good my husband licked the pan. Yep, he sure did! (See photo at the bottom.)

Check out the freezer friendly and gluten free options too.

Salisbury Steak and Mushroom Gravy                                               Printable Recipe

Salisbury Steak ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup fine diced onion (or equivalent grated)
3-1/2 Tablespoons quinoa flakes (or bread crumbs)
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Gravy ingredients:
1 to 1-1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
2-3 Tablespoons flour (use higher amount if you like it thicker) (use oat flour for GF)
2 cups beef broth (or chicken with 1/2 teaspoon Kitchen bouquet (aff link))
salt and pepper to taste

20 Ground Beef Meals for the Freezer are as easy as 1-2-3-4

Having a stockpile of freezer meals is invaluable especially when you get sick for a few days, are having surgery, had a baby, or don’t feel like cooking. 

Freezer meals are also a great strategy for saving money (when foods are bought or grown in bulk,) saving you prep time, and feeding our families nutritious home-cooked food.

Unstuffed Green Peppers

When I was a child, my mom made stuffed green peppers.  I didn't like green peppers (except for raw) at the time so having a large cup made out of cooked green peppers didn't appeal to me.  I don't mind cooked peppers now but I find it much easier and faster to make this way.  If you want freezer meals for later this is the route to do it.

It is also a great way to get the green peppers into the dish for the picky eaters.  You can cut them as small as you like or even blend them.  They'll disappear even more after you add the tomato sauce. 

I use brown rice any more in my dishes so I'll give you the white rice version and you can change it up to match your brown rice/water measures and cooking times since brown rices can vary from brand to brand.

Unstuffed Green Peppers

1 pound ground beef

2/3 - 1 cup chopped green peppers

2/3 cup chopped onion

8 ounce can tomato sauce

1-2 Tablespoons Worcestershire

1-1/2 cup water

3/4 cup minute rice

1 -2 cup shredded Mexi blend cheese or 4 ounces Velveeta (optional)

Sauerbraten

Another favorite German dish of our family is sauerbraten. Translated it means "sour roast" and that is exactly what it is.  A big 'ol hunk of beef soured in a marinade for up to three days.  The "gravy" is fantastic (no gingersnaps in this recipe.)  This meal takes some forethought for prep time and a few more steps to make but certainly worth the effort!

Sauerbraten

Marinade:

2 cups water
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 med onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 Tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 bay leaves
6 whole cloves
1 teaspoon mustard seeds*

3 ½ - 4 pounds boneless chuck roast
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Ingredients:

Oil
4-5 carrots – sliced or quartered
Medium onion, chopped
A small tomato or 1/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup sugar
Packet brown gravy mix
cornstarch

Homemade Corn Dogs

See recipe here....

http://www.inthekitchenwithjenny.com/2018/01/homemade-corn-dogs.html 

Walking Tacos

Food in a bag is fun.  Our church makes walking tacos to sell at our church "tent" in late summer at a local event in a nearby town.  They don't use tomato sauce in theirs but I like it saucy so I added it to mine.  It helps everything blend together when you stir.  If you really want to ditch the clean up, use a plastic spoon or fork instead of a metal one you have to wash. 

Walking Tacos

1 pound ground beef

2/3 cup diced green peppers

2/3 cup diced onion

8 ounce can tomato sauce plus 1 can water

2-1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning

4 dashes cayenne pepper (more if you like it spicy!)

4- 1 ounce size bags of Fritos corn chips or Doritos Nacho Cheese chips

Toppings:

shredded Mexi-blend cheese, cheddar, or Chihuahua cheese

thinly sliced lettuce

sour cream

salsa

cheater's guacamole

Cook beef, green pepper, and onions until veggies are soft and the beef is cooked through. 

Add tomato sauce to pan then fill can with water and dump that into pan also.

Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until liquid is almost gone.  It still needs to a be a little saucy.

Time to start layering. For individual bags of chips* open them on their side with a pair of scissors.   They put so much air in bags anymore you will have plenty of room for your toppings.   If you are using Doritos you will want to give your chips a smash to break them up a little.

Sprinkle in some cheese.  I like to add cheese now so when I add the meat the heat will melt it!

 Next is the meat mixture.

 Lettuce. 

 Sour cream.

 More cheese.

 Salsa and guacamole if you feel like it.

Stick a fork or spoon in it, stir and enjoy!  

If you don't want to buy the bags you can layer all your yummies into a bowl.  Just as good, just not as fun!

*(The best I could find for a single size sack was larger (4 oz) without buying several bags together so I had to cut it in 1/3 and dump out some chips to make it equal an individual size.)

Top 10 Recipes of 2013

While I have been blogging recipes for a while now I only got serious this year by adding a Facebook page and offering more recipes.  I've added about 100 recipes this year and thought maybe we could take a look back at some of the fan favorites and toss in a couple of our family favorites. I hope you enjoy the look back with me.  

#10

Pretty tasty BBQ sauce and how to cook the ribs so they are oh so tender!

Grilled Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey BBQ Sauce

Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082432317/

#9
A twist on the usual dressing for Thanksgiving.

Cornbread Dressing
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746085357345/

#8
My favorite holiday cookie

Thumbprint Cookies
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082432322/

#7
Light and fluffy

Lemon Cream Cheese Dessert
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086323337/

#6
A twist on a peanut butter dessert.

Peanut Butter Snowballs
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086461624/

but you loved them first as

Bloodshot Peanut Butter Eyeballs!
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086273945/

#5
It's called easy for a reason..

Easy Quiche
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746085699433/

#4
A holiday favorite

Mexican Wedding Cakes
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086499294/

#3

Easiest roast to make

CROCKPOT POT ROAST
Pin it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082587985/

#2

My husband's favorite

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
Pin it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746082533329/

and #1!!

The cookies heard and made all over the world!

PECAN PIE THUMBPRINTS
Pn it:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/273593746086323339/

Please join me in 2014!

I'm looking forward to more cooking and new recipes!

Hot Beef and Bean Dip

Hot Beef and Bean Dip

2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion, chopped
16 ounce jar salsa
1-1/2 teaspoons taco seasoning
2 cups shredded cheddar or 12 ounces Velveeta
1 can refried beans

Cook hamburger and onion. Drain. 

Add salsa, taco seasoning*, cheese, and beans.  If you are using shredded cheese you can dump it into the crock now.  If not melt the Velveeta and then put it the crock. 

This can be made the day ahead and then heated back up in the crock pot.  Serve with tortilla chips. 

*The refried beans and salsa already have seasoning so you may want more or less of thee taco seasoning.