Nola's Delight

This is a favorite in my house because Jimmy loves it and it's so cheap and easy to make.

1 lb Hamburger
1 can of Corn
1 package of elbow macaroni
Some shredded cheese

I just cook the hamburger and drain the fat.  While I'm doing that, I am cooking the pasta.  Then I mix all of the hamburger, pasta, and corn together.  I put it in a casserole dish and sprinkle some shredded cheese and enough salt and pepper to my tasting.  Then I put it in the oven so that the cheese will melt.  Easy!

Enchilada Casserole

I'm making this tonight because I'm taking dinner to someone in the ward who recently had surgery. Enchilada casserole and Spanish rice (recipe below) is my favorite "go to" meal because it's easy to make, pretty inexpensive, and people seem to like it.
 
 Ingredients
  • Package of 8 frozen burritos -- any kind (beef and beans, red chile, or green chile)
  • Big can of red enchilada sauce
  • Mexican blend shredded cheese
  • Black olives, sliced (optional)
  • Cilantro (optional)
Directions
  1. Put 7 or 8 frozen burritos in a 9x13” pan.
  2. Top with a big can of red enchilada sauce.
  3. Sprinkle generously with cheese.
  4. Top with sliced black olives.
  5. Then sprinkle with cilantro.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, simple cover with foil.

Spanish Rice

Yield 15 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 6 Tbs. oil
  • 6 Tbs. chopped onion
  • 4 ½ C uncooked white rice
  • 6 C chicken broth
  • 3 C chunky salsa
 
Directions
  1. Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.  Stir in onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
  2. Mix rice into skillet, stirring often.  When rice begins to brown, stir in chicken broth and salsa.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed

Firecracker Chicken

Firecracker Chicken
* This is not too spicy, but I make a little but without the sauce for the kids. This might be the only meal that I adjust a little for the boys. Sometimes I forget and they eat it fine.

2-4 T canola oil
3-4 chicken breasts ( I often just use 2, but keep the other quantities the same)
salt and pepper
1 c cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten

sauce
1/3 c hot sauce ( I use sriracha hot sauce. yum)
1c brown sugar
1T water
2 t. apple cider vinegar

bake 325

Heat oil at medium heat. Cut chicken into one inch pieces, season with salt and pepper. Coat in cornstarch. Dip chicken in whisked eggs and place in hot skillet. Cook until just browned (it will finish cooking in the oven). Put in single layer in casserole dish. Mix sauce ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook one hour turning once to coat chicken. Serve over rice.  

German Pancakes

This is our favorite breakfast food around here. We usually either have it for dinner on a Friday (our breakfast for dinner night) or for our Saturday morning breakfast. This recipe is for an 8x8 casserole dish. I usually triple the recipe to make one 8x8, and one 8x11 size German pancake. 

2 Tbs butter
3 eggs
1/2 c milk
1/2 c flour
1/4 c
1/4 t salt 


Preheat oven to 450. 

Cut the butter up and put in casserole dish to melt in the oven. Don't let it burn. Mix eggs (but not so much that its all filled with little air bubbles or it won't bake right), then add milk and mix. Add your dry ingredients (flour and salt) and mix. Easy as pie. Um, much easier. Pour the batter over the melted butter and put into the oven to bake. Depending on how much I have baking it cooks anywhere from 15-25 minutes. You'll know it's done because it is big and puffy on the sides and the puffy parts are starting to lightly brown. At this point we like to sprinkle powdered sugar on it. You can also add fruit or pour maple sugar on it. Eat.

Pizza Dough

2 1/2 to 3 cups Flour
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 package yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
3 Tbsp Olive or Vegetable Oil
1 Cup very warm water

Mix 1 cup of the flour, the sugar, salt and yeast in large bowl.  Add oi and the warm water.  Beat with mixer on medium speed 3 minutes (or use Bosch).  Stir in enough remaining flour until dough is soft and leaves sides of bowl.   Place dough on lightly floured surface.  Knead 5 to 8 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy.  Cover loosely and let rest 30 minutes.

M & M Cookies

3/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C Shortening
1/2 C Butter or Margarine
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
12 tsp Water
3 C Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
Chocolate Chips or M&M's

Cream sugars, shortening and butter add eggs, vanilla and water and beat well.  Add dry ingredients and mix.  Stir in chocolate chips or m&m's.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.  It's important to use 1/2 cup butter instead of substituting shortening - the texture isn't quite right if you do.  Makes about 4 dozen.