The Family Table - Getting Back to Basics!

We all have memories of childhood dinners (or at least, we should) that were waited for with anticipation; our stomachs growling & the smell of delicious food in the air was more than we could stand! Finally the moment came; we all sat down at the family table and dug in.

How different our lives are today! Busy lives make busy people and quick, easy dinner solutions that may or may not be...well...yummy for the tummy. We pile in the car and go to Mickey D's or perhaps out for pizza (better yet, just order delivery, don't have to get up that way) and we end up, night after night, missing out on something we never should have given up in the first place.

Cooking meals and eating, together, at home. At the table.

But...who has time for that? And those cooking shows...sure they look delicious, but those ingredients...where in the heck do you get some of those?? More importantly, what in the heck are those ingredients? They sure don't carry them at the local small town grocery store, that's certain. And that's where I'm going to help you out!

Now I'm not saying you have to sit down, every single night, and eat together at the dinner table with a full 5 course meal in front of you. (Where are you Alice when we need you??) But once or twice a week, for most of us, would be an astounding improvement! Not only would you be getting a higher quality of food & nutrition (unless it's frozen pizza or something), you would be doing something together. As a family! And that can't be beat!

Now, if you're not used to this sort of scenario, don't be discouraged! You might sit there the first couple of times, just looking at each other. (But I seriously doubt it!) If this happens, don't worry. Everyone will loosen up. Eventually there will be opinions, stories, (maybe, with kids, arguments from time to time, which musn't be permitted at the table), but the important thing is you are communicating! And in the end, that's what being a family is all about!

Let's Keep it Simple!

To get you started, I'll put down the recipe for what I'm cooking for my family tonight. The ingredients are super simple, common stuff. This takes about 30 minutes or so. And here's a suggestion - while you're preparing the tamale pie, let your kids get into the scene and work on a salad. I just buy it in the bag & dump it in a bowl. I like to add a tomato and a cucumber, but I don't always have them on hand. Maybe add a little grated cheese if you want.

The recipe below (as with the others I will be putting out for you on this site) is not cut-and-dried, locking you into my own particular recipe. For instance, feel free to make changes to fit your family. Say that nobody, and I mean nobody in your family likes green bell peppers! Then leave it out. Same thing with the onion or olives. If you want low-fat cheese, use that. If you like things low on the spicy rating, leave out the extra garlic & chili powder or at least cut them each back by one teaspoon. Those things are easy little changes you can make to fit your family's particular tastes.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as my family does! Leave me a comment and let me know!

TAMALE PIE

1 ½ lbs. ground beef
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped

Brown three items above together, then drain excess oil (if there is any).

Now add:

1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can chili beans, undrained
8 oz can black olives, drained & chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning
16 oz. can tomato sauce
½ c. water
1 T. chili powder
2 t. garlic powder

Simmer all of it together about 5 minutes. Pour into 9 X 13 pan. Top with:
1 C. grated cheddar cheese (or whatever kind you like; ex: Mexican Blend, etc)

Now mix:

1 pkg jiffy corn muffin mix according to directions. (Takes 1 egg & some milk)

Spread corn bread mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until cornbread topping is done. Add a salad & you’re good to go! Enjoy!

Super Easy Tortilla Soup!

1 ½ to 2 lbs ground beef, cooked and drained
1 med onion, chopped and cooked w/ground beef
1 lg. can tomato juice
1 can diced tomatoes (if you want your soup even spicier, use Rotel instead)
2 cans Mexican style beans
1 can corn
1 pkg taco seasoning
Grated cheese
1 pkg fajita-size flour tortillas

Mix everything above together except cheese and tortillas, simmer together about 20 minutes. Fill bowls halfway with soup. Now tear up tortilla and add to hot soup. Top with grated cheese. Enjoy!

Sour Cream Enchiladas

Flour tortillas – about 20 small ones
1 ½ - 2 lbs. ground beef or chicken
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel original
8 oz. sour cream
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
2 C. grated cheddar cheese
2 t. minced garlic or garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Brown ground beef (or chicken), bell pepper, and onion. Drain grease. Season with salt, pepper & garlic. Mix together the soups, Rotel & sour cream. Divide in half into two bowls. To one bowl, add the hamburger mixture & ½ cup grated cheese. This is for your filling. Fill your tortillas and jam them in a 13 X 9 pan. Top with rest of sour cream mixture. Add rest of grated cheese. Cover with foil, shiny side in. Cook about 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mexican Corn - an Awesome Side Dish!

2 - 16 oz. pkgs frozen corn
1 pkg cream cheese
1 small jar pimentos, drained
1/3 C. sour cream
1 t. salt

This recipe can be cut in half, if you need a smaller amount.

Cook your corn either in the microwave or on the stove like you usually would, except add no butter. Add the teaspoon of salt to it while it's cooking. You'll need to add a little water as well. After it's done, drain the water. Now mix it up with the ingredients listed above. It's a good idea to set your cream cheese out and let it warm to room temperature. It mixes up easier. Of course, the corn is hot which helps too.

And that's it. No need to cook it again. It's done.

Quick Chili - For Those Busy Times!

2 lbs. ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
2 cans ranch style pinto beans
2 pkg chili seasoning, your choice
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large can (2 qt size) tomato juice

Brown ground beef and onion together, then drain. Mix together all ingredients. Simmer together about 20 minutes. Of course, this recipe can be changed to your liking. Maybe you want a different kind of beans, or maybe you like your chili hotter. If you do want more heat in the chili, red pepper provides heat without the bitterness that extra chili powder can create. We like chili with some juice to it; if you want yours more thick, leave out a little of the tomato juice. Experiment! Make it work for your family. If you like bell peppers, chop up a cup and add them.

May be topped with cheese, fritos, crackers, etc.

Tater Tot Casserole

1 ½ to 2 lbs ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg tater tots (plain or flavored, your choice)
Grated cheddar cheese or Velveeta (1 – 2 cups)
1 can French style green beans (opt)
1 small can mushrooms (opt)

Spread uncooked ground beef & onions in bottom of 13 X 9 pan. Scatter green beans & mushrooms on top of that. Now smooth the soup over that. Now top with tater tots and cheese. Cook @ 350 till tater tots are browned and done. (About 30 minutes.) Enjoy!

Easy Mexican Chicken Skillet

2 T. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins, cut into bite-size pieces
1 can original Rotel diced tomatoes, or cheapo brand
1 t. salt
2 C. water
2 C. elbow macaroni or shells, uncooked (or whatever shape of noodles you like!)
1 C. chopped green and red bell peppers
1/2 medium onion, chopped
½ lb. Velveeta, diced up (this is 1/4 of the big 2 lb. loaf)
1/2 C. sour cream

Put 2 T. vegetable oil in large skillet; heat slightly. Saute' chicken, onions, & peppers in skillet till chicken is done, about 5 – 7 minutes. Add water & salt. Bring to boil. Add noodles & cover with lid. Reduce heat & simmer 15 minutes or until the noodles are done. (If you run out of water, and your noodles aren't done, add a little.) Now add Velveeta & Rotel, then simmer until melted through. Last of all, stir in the sour cream. This makes about 6 good-sized servings. Serve this with some chips and salsa, and enjoy! (Remember, if your family doesn't like peppers, leave them out. It's YOUR recipe! Adjust it as you will!)