beef

Shepherd's Pie

10:47 PM


I remember when I was in school, there were two days kids went absolutely crazy for during lunch....chicken nugget day and shepherd pie day. Although the latter did not have the same you-are-getting-detention-and-demerits-for-acting-a-plum-fool, shepherd's pie day was one day that we knew we would get some goodness. No microwaved cardboard tasting pizza. No sir. 

Growing up in the south, shepherd's pie is one of those dishes you know you love and as easy as it is, not that many people make it. It is one of those enigmas like devilled eggs....people can make them, but they only do on special occasions. I have no idea why. I think it is a great meal when paired with a nice salad. YUM!

You will need:
12 potatoes (skinned and cut into quarters)

2 Maggi or chicken bouillon cubes
1 can of Peas
1 can of Corn
1 can of Carrots

Brown Gravy (recipe follows)

5 lbs of ground beef
Shredded cheese

In a skillet brown your ground beef with a little salt and pepper. 

Drain the grease/fat and add your corn, peas and carrots.

Mix well.




2 tbsp. butter
1 c. canned beef bouillon
2 tbsp. flour
Dash salt and pepper
In small saucepan melt butter and stir in flour. Keep stirring until blended well. Add bouillon and stir until gravy reaches boiling point. Continue to stir until smooth and it thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over meat or potatoes. Makes 1 cup.

Mix gravy into ground beef mixture. Set aside



(I add gravy because it adds a bit of moisture to a dish that can easily dry out when in the oven.)

For potatoes:


Peel and cut potatoes into small pieces. While cutting, place cut potatoes into a bowl of cold water. This will help keep them from turning brown. Rinse the water off of the potatoes several times to make sure they are clean.

Place into large pot of water, add maggi or chicken bouillon cubes and bring to a boil. Boil for about 20 minutes and reduce heat. Cook for about 30 more minutes. Drain half of the broth and reserve the other half.


Add half a stick of butter or margarine and begin to mash. If it is too thick, slowly add in a bit of the reserved broth.






Place your beef mixture into your baking dish or ramikens.


Place your pototoes on top.


Smooth out potatoes.


Using a fork, draw lines across potato layer, this will help in adding a crispy top layer with loads of creamy potatoes underneath.

Place in oven on broil for about 10-15 minutes or until the top has browned.


Add shredded cheese and place back in oven until cheese has melted.  Serve for some good ol comfort food goodness!






blueberry

Overnight Cranberry-Blueberry French Toast

10:36 PM


My kids love telling my mom and me that we are the 'best cooks ever' but when I get the mmmmmmmmm good noises, I know it was good! My kids fell in love with this french toast and cranberry-blueberry sauce. Pure HEAVEN, I tell ya!!!  Stop by Living Locurto for this full recipe. Makes me wanna slap my mama it was so good....well, almost. Ok, nothing makes me want to slap my mama...she would kill me. But this was close! 


chicken

Easiest Chicken Salad Ever...

11:42 AM



I have never been a fan of any kind of salad that had meat in front of the name. Tuna salad to me, did not involve relish of any kind because I just could not stand relish. I could not bear the thought of fruit, meat mixed with mayo, so I never tried chicken salad. Imagine how surprised I was when I finally decided to give it a go. I kept it simple, really simple and wowie. I fell in love.

You will need:
2 Chicken Breasts
2 tsp of Creole Seasoning
Mayo
1 cup Red Seedless Grapes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp of salt

Cook your chicken breast seasoned with creole seasoning. Sprinkle both sides and cook until the juices run clear when poked with a fork to the middle. Remove from heat and shred your chicken.  I shred using a fork once the meat has cooled.


In a bowl, add chicken, grapes (sliced in half), mayo, salt, pepper.  I do not give an estimate of how much mayo because I do not like a lot of mayo, so I add in a tablespoon at a time, until it is the consistency that I like.


And voila! Chicken salad. Seriously, how come no one told me how easy and tasty this was?! My kids engulfed these bad boys and my best friend asked to take some for his lunch.

bake

Easiest No Bake Taco Casserole Ever...

7:08 PM


I am busy working on new recipes so here is a repost of one of my family's favorites!


Having four kids, a photography business and being in school, dinner sometimes means being able to whip something up in a heartbeat. I am always looking for quick and easy meals on those days when I am just too pressed for time. I mean, not everyday can I be super mom, but I still have to be 'mom'.

This seriously is the easiest taco casserole ever. Easy peasy pudding pie.

You need:
Cheese tortilla chips (Doritos)
Ground beef
1 jar of salsa
Refried Beans
Taco Seasoning
Shredded Lettuce
Cheese


In a skillet, brown your ground beef. Drain the grease and add in one packet of taco seasoning per 2 pounds of beef and salsa. Mix well.

In a casserole dish, layer your chips.

Heat your refried beans in the microwave and layer onto the chips. Add lettuce. Top with beef and then cheese.

Seriously, easy, right? Serve fresh and hot. The beef will help melt the cheese.

No bake. Fast. Tasty and your kids will love it. Mine did!




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