weekend cooking »

Frito Pie Casserole

Oct 092021

Frito Pie Casserole

1 lb ground beef
2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
2 (15-oz) cans Ranch Style Beans
2 (10-oz) cans enchilada sauce
1 (9.75-oz) bag Fritos
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
chopped green onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray, set aside
In a large skillet, cook ground beef until no longer pink
Drain fat & return meat to pan
Stir in onion flakes, beans and enchilada sauce
Pour half of Fritos into prepared pan
Top with meat mixture
Sprinkle cheese over meat mixture
Top with remaining chips

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes
Sprinkle with chopped green onions

Thoughts
This was good, easy and quick to make. I had some green onions but decided not to add them to the top. I want to make it again and will add them. It made too much for two people so the next time I’ll leave the corn chips out and freeze the leftovers. I can add the corn chips to the top when I reheat it or just eat them on the side if I want.

This is a good recipe when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. It took me a little under 40 minutes.

Weekend Cooking

Chicken and Veggies Ramen Noodles Skillet

weekend cooking 22 Responses »

May 222021

Chicken and Veggies Ramen Noodles Skillet

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion , diced
2 garlic cloves , minced
4 carrots , cut in long ribbons (use a vegetable peeler)
salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste
1 bag (8 ounces) fresh sugar snap peas
2 cups cubed cooked chicken breasts (rotisserie chicken works great)
2 packages (3 ounces each) any flavor ramen noodles, broken (discard flavor-package)
2 cups low-sodium organic chicken broth
2 green onions diced , green parts only, for garnish

Heat olive oil in a large skillet
Add onions, garlic, and carrots; season with salt and pepper and sautee for 3 minutes
Stir in snap peas and continue to cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the sugar snap peas are crisp tender
If mixture is dry, add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
Add cooked chicken, broken noodles and chicken broth; bring to a boil
Cook and stir about 3 minutes, or until noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed
Remove from heat
Garnish with green onions
Serve

Thoughts
We thought this was very good. I decided to use rotisserie chicken instead of breasts. When I tasted it before serving it, it was a bit bland so I stirred in the chicken flavor packets (I LOVE the flavor) from the Ramen noodles and let it cook a little longer. I also added and mixed in the cut up green onions instead of using them for garnish, and used matchstick carrots because I had some and they needed to be used.

So quick, easy, and good. I’ll be making it again.

Weekend Cooking: Chicken Stuffing Bake

recipes, weekend cooking 20 Responses »

Feb 132021

Chicken Stuffing Bake

1 (6 ounce) package chicken flavor stuffing mix
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1⁄3 cup sour cream
1⁄8 cup milk
1⁄8 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1⁄8 teaspoon paprika
1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder
salt & pepper
1 2⁄3 cups water
2 tablespoons butter

Mix contents of stuffing mix pouch and the 1-2/3 cups water, set aside
Place washed & dried chicken in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish
Sprinkle chicken w/ poultry seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt & pepper
Mix soup, sour cream and milk
Pour mixture evenly over chicken
Spoon stuffing mixture over the top, evenly
Dot the top with little pieces of butter
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 min., until chicken is 165°

Thoughts
This was very good. It didn’t cost a lot and was quick and easy to make. The chicken (I used boneless skinless thighs) was so tender and the stuffing was crispy. The only thing I did different besides the chicken was that I used Campbell’s Healthy Request Cream of Chicken in place of the regular Cream of Chicken.

Weekend Cooking: Skyline Chili Recipe

recipes, weekend cooking 14 Responses »

Feb 052021

Skyline Chili Recipe

2 lbs ground beef
2 cups chopped onions
4 cups beef stock
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 -3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1⁄2 ounce grated unsweetened chocolate or 2 3/4 tablespoons cocoa
2 teaspoons instant minced garlic
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon ground red pepper or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 bay leaves or 1/8 teaspoon bay leaf powder

Toppings
chopped onion (optional)
finely shredded cheddar cheese (certainly NOT optional)
kidney bean (optional)

Brown ground beef and onion
Drain
Add beef stock to beef mixture and simmer 10 minutes
Add remaining 13 ingredients, simmer uncovered 1 hour
Remove bay leaf, skim off extra fat
Serve over hot spaghetti, or hot dogs in buns for chili dogs
Top with plenty of cheese and other optional toppings

Thoughts
Sorry the picture is a mess, it was late and I was tired and didn’t want to stand in the kitchen until I got the lighting etc. just right.

My son and I went to Skyline Chili a few years ago and he loved it, me not so much. The other day he asked me to find a recipe and make it so I did. I didn’t think I’d like it but to my surprise I loved it. He said it tasted like what the restaurant had but I thought it was a lot better. I’m thinking it was all the shredded cheese I put in mine, they don’t give you very much.

You can add beans to the chili (my personal recipe has beans in it) but they don’t add beans at the restaurant so I didn’t. You can also serve it over spaghetti or hotdogs.

This is a quick and easy recipe and since we both liked it I plan on making it again sometime.

Chili Hash

recipes, weekend cooking 14 Responses »

Oct 172020

Chili Hash

1 pound medium potatoes, cubed
1/2 cup water
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) chili starter
1 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
Sour cream, optional

Place potatoes and water in a microwave-safe dish
Cover and microwave on high for 7 minutes or until tender
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain
Drain potatoes and add to the skillet
Stir in the chili starter, peas, parsley and salt.
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes
Serve with sour cream if desired

Thoughts
I adapted this by adding a can of stewed tomatoes (I LOVE tomatoes), I used frozen cubed potatoes and frozen diced onions.

This was so good! The only thing I’ll do different next time is add a little chili powder.

This recipe is quick and easy, not expensive at all, and it tastes very good. I will definitely be adding it to my list of favorites.

Weekend Cooking

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Oven, recipes, weekend cooking 12 Responses »

Sep 182020

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

3 Pounds Chicken thighs, About 6-8
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Teaspoons Salt
2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon Paprika

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and set aside

Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels

Arrange the chicken thighs on prepared baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil rubbing the oil into the chicken to coat

In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika

Sprinkle the spices over the chicken evenly

Bake chicken in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes

Adaptions
I only had 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs so I cut all the spices in half and baked them in my Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven using this air fryer calculator and did them at 370 for 28 min.

Thoughts
These chicken thighs were so moist and tender and the seasoning was very good. I also made Vigo Yellow Rice and fried green beans. The thigh recipe was so quick to put together. This was a very good meal, I’ll be making it again!

Weekend Cooking

8 Can Slow Cooker Soup

recipes, souper sundays, weekend cooking 16 Responses »

Sep 112020

Excuse the messy bowl, it was round two

8 Can Slow Cooker Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 can ro-tel tomatoes and green chilies
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can veg-all brand vegetables
1 can chili without beans
1 can chili with beans
1 can diced tomato
1 can campbell tomato soup
1 can campbell vegetable soup

Brown and drain ground beef
Add to large slow cooker

Add:
Ro-Tel tomatoes
corn
Veg-All
both chili’s
diced tomatoes
both soups

Stir

Turn Slow Cooker to low; may simmer all day if desired

Notes: I didn’t have any hamburger so I used Uncle John’s Pride Mild Country Sausage

Thoughts
I love soup and vegetables so I knew I’d love this. My son doesn’t like soup or vegetables but he said he’d try it. And he shocked me when he went back to get more! That’s why the bowl is so messy. He said it was really good.

This is so cheap, easy and quick to put together that I’ll definitely be making it again, especially since Anthony liked it so much.

Weekend Cooking

Souper Sundays

The Hillbillies Meatloaf

recipes, weekend cooking 20 Responses »

Sep 042020

The Hillbillies Meatloaf

3 lb. hamburger
3 eggs
13oz, bag Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips
2 bunches green onion
3/4 c. milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Ketchup (as much as you want)
2 spoons brown sugar

Put some butter in pan and saute onions
Crush chips & put in big bowl
Add milk
Add some salt & pepper
Add eggs
Add cheese
Add onions
Add hamburger
Mix well
Put in glass pan
Make loaf w/gaps on side for grease
Bake at 350 for 45 min.

While it’s in the oven:
Put ketchup in a bowl
Add brown sugar
Mix

When the meatloaf is done:
Spread ketchup/brown sugar mix on top of meatloaf
Put back in oven for 15-20 min.

Thoughts
When I first saw this recipe I thought “Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream Potato Chips in meatloaf? Yuck!” I don’t like cheddar or sour cream chips and thought that it would taste terrible but I thought I’d give it a try.

Adaptions: I used more brown sugar

The recipe was easy to make and not very time consuming. I was going to cut the recipe in half since there are only two of us but decided to not to and just freeze the leftovers, which will make two more meals.

I was very surprised that the meatloaf was so good! It’s one of the best I’ve ever had and I’m glad I didn’t cut the recipe in half. Now all I have to do is take a bag out of the freezer to thaw and then reheat it. Will be making it again!

I love when I’m not sure about a recipe and it ends up being a favorite!

Weekend Cooking

Chicken Burrito Skillet

recipes, weekend cooking 16 Responses »

Aug 292020

Chicken Burrito Skillet

1 pound boneless skinless chicken
breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1 -15 oz whole Black Beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original
Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
1 cup water
1-1/4 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
1 cup shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend
Chopped cilantro, optional: do not like cilantro so didn’t use

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat
Add chicken and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally
Add onion and taco seasoning; cook 2 minutes more
Stir in black beans
Add tomatoes/green chilies & water; bring to a boil
Stir in rice, cover, reduce heat, simmer 7 to 10 minutes or until rice is tender
Stir in 1/2 cup cheese
Sprinkle top with remaining cheese and cilantro, if desired

Thoughts
This was really good. We don’t like cilantro so I didn’t add it. It was quick and easy to make and I only used one skillet, a spoon, a measuring cup and a measuring spoon. I bought chopped onions in the vegetable section (I recently started doing this because it saves time and I have chopped onions in my fridge for whenever I need them)

I will definitely make this again.

Weekend Cooking

Air Fryer Oven/Rotisserie Pork Tenderloin

Air Fryer Oven, recipes, weekend cooking 26 Responses »

Jul 032020

Pork tenderloin (I cut my tenderloin into 3 pieces and this piece was about 2 lbs.
2 tbs brown sugar
1 tbs smoked paprika
1.5 tsp salt
1 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)
1/2 tbs olive oil
400° for 20 minutes

Run water over the tenderloin and pat dry with paper towels
Mix all the spices together and rub on the meat
Put the rotisserie spit through the middle of the tenderloin
Secure the rotisserie forks at both ends of the meat

Thoughts
You can rub your favorite bbq sauce on the tenderloin and then rub the spice mix on but I wanted to try the recipe with just the spices. I didn’t have any cayenne powder, so I used cayenne pepper.

My tenderloin was about 2 lbs. so I did it at 400° for about 40 minutes, checking every 5 min. or so after the first 30 min. until the temperature reached 165° and the skin got crispy.

The roast was very tender and we thought it tasted really good, but next time I’m going to marinated it overnight and see how it turns out.

In the photo it looks like the meat is burnt on the bottom, but that’s just where the juices/seasoning dropped on the foil in the bottom. Both of us liked this so I’ll be making it again.

Weekend Cooking

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