Tanya's Tasty Nachos

     My friend Tanya makes the BEST nachos!  We don't eat nachos very often, but when we do this is the recipe that I use.

Tanya's Tasty Nachos:

1 bag tortilla chips
1 whole rotisserie chicken shredded
1/2 c sliced olives
1 diced tomato
1 can black beans
1 can refried beans
2 c shredded cheese
1/4 c salsa (red or green)
1 bunch of diced cilantro
1/2 c sour cream
1 diced avocado

Spread out the chips on a large baking sheet.  Top with chicken, olives, tomatoes, beans, cheese, salsa & cilantro.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Dot with sour cream and sprinkle with avocados.

Pesto

     I am watering my neighbor's garden and flowers while she is out of town.  She told me to pick some produce so that she wouldn't be overwhelmed by it when she got home.  I picked a bunch of basil that was starting to go to seed and I made some pesto.  I didn't have any pine nuts or Parmesan cheese so I just improvised with what I had on hand.  It turned out delicious!  Here is the recipe:

Pesto:

2 c basil leaves
1/2 c walnuts
1 t garlic
salt & pepper to taste
3 slices of cheddar cheese cut into cubes
1/2 c olive oil

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.  You can add more olive oil if the mixture seems too dry.  I put half of my pesto into ziplock bags and place them in the freezer for later use.  The other half of the pesto I put in pasta.  It tastes really good with crackers or on a sandwich in place of mayonnaise.

Macaroni Tuna Casserole

     My daughter is learning to cook by herself.  Tonight, she made dinner for our family.  I was SO proud of her.  She even cleaned up after herself which was a bonus.  This recipe is one of the first casseroles that I learned to make when I was her age.

Macaroni Tuna Casserole:

1 box macaroni & cheese (we use Annie's or homemade works too)
1 can tuna in water
1 bag frozen peas
1/2 c. mayonnaise
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 c. shredded cheese

Cook macaroni & cheese according to the box instructions.  Set aside.  In a large bowl, place mayonnaise and drained tuna.  Stir well.  Add macaroni & cheese and fold in the frozen peas.  Salt & pepper to taste.  Place in a greased square pan and sprinkle the cheese on top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Round Steak & Noodles

     I made this dish for dinner tonight.  It was delicious and it made my whole house smell divine!  You can serve it over rice, toasted bread or noodles.  My family likes to eat it on top of egg noodles.

Round Steak & Noodles:

1 pkg round steak
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 c. flour
1 T. coconut oil
1 t. parsley
1 T. dry minced onion
1 t. oregano
1/2 t. thyme
1 c. beef broth

In a large skillet heat coconut oil on medium heat.  Meanwhile, cut the steak into 1/2 inch cubes.  Generously salt and pepper the cubes.  Flour both sides of the steak & fry in the oil until brown on all sides.  Place the meat in a large baking dish.  Sprinkle with parsley, onion, oregano & thyme.  Gently pour the broth over the meat.  Cover & bake at 300 degrees for three hours.  Serve over noodles.

Peach Cobbler

  I got some peaches at the farmers market last weekend.  I have enjoyed eating them throughout the week.  They are SO delicious!  Today, I decided to let my sweet tooth take over and make some cobbler.  It turned out really well so I thought that I would share.  Enjoy!

Peach Cobbler:

1 stick butter, softened
1 c raw sugar
1/4 c whole wheat flour
1 1/2 c oats
1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon
4 or 5 peaches sliced with no skins

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  In a bowl, mix butter, sugar, flour, oats, vanilla & cinnamon.  Spread 1 cup of the mixture into a 8x8 pan.  Pour the peaches evenly on top of the mixture.  Sprinkle the remaining mixture on top of the peaches.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.  Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Crockpot Ham & Potato Dish

We recently moved into a tiny house.  The kitchen is so small that I can hardly move around in it.  There is no counter space.  When the dishwasher door is open all of the way it barely misses the oven that is right across from it.  Needless to say, I have had to be very creative with my cooking.  We have been eating a lot of crockpot dishes lately.  Here is one that turned out pretty well.  I hope that you enjoy.

Crockpot Ham & Potato Dish:

1 can cream of mushroom soup (or home made)
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. diced, cooked ham
1 c. frozen broccoli
12 small potatoes
salt & pepper to taste
1 T. minced onion
1 t. parsley

Place all of the ingredients in a crockpot.  Cook on low for 6 hours.  Serve with bread. 

Emergency Bag

     My husband and I have been working on making emergency bags for each of our vehicles.  We have had a lot of snow, ice and fog here lately.  You never know when you might get stuck somewhere and need emergency supplies.  Here is a list of what we keep in our bags.  (It is important to make sure that you have enough supplies for each person that rides in your vehicle.)

1.)  backpack
2.)  wool blanket
3.)  water
4.)  granola bars
5.)  gloves
6.)  stocking hat
7.)  first aid kit
8.)  flashlight
9.)  jumper cables
10.) road flares
11.) sewing kit
12.) pocket knife
13.) hand warmers
14.) wool socks
15.) small shovel