Tacos

Taco filling for tacos

1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp. Paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
Pinch of cayenne
2 lbs ground beef

Blend in bowl
Cook beef
Browned 5 mn.
Drain
Add spice mixture
1 minute mix
Add 3/4 c. Water till evaporated and evenly cooked and a little liquid left - 4 mn.

Transfer meat to a bowl.

Other toppings
Lettuce
Salsa
Cheese
Sour cream
Tomato's
Avacado

Guacamole

2 avacados
1/3 cup minced onion
1 med. Ripe tomato abt. 2/3 cup
Kosher salt and pepper
2 tsp. Fresh lime juice
1 tsp. Jalapeño pepper
1 tsp. Fresh cilantro

Mash all ingredients together. Serve with chips!
Make only 1 to 2 hr ahead of time. Store in fridge with plastic wrap directly on it. Stir before serving.

Chickpea poppers

2 cans (15oz.) Chickpeas rinsed and drained.
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. Salt

Can store in container for 5 days
Preheat 375
Spray sheet
Pat chickpeas dry then toss with olive oil and salt
Bake until golden brown and shrunk, 35 to 40 mn. They will harden and crisp as they cool so don't overbake. Taste for seasoning.

Pumpkin seeds

2 cups rinsed and dried pumpkin seeds ( large pumpkin) use colander to rinse. Dry on towel for 20 mn. Or pat dry.
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
Opt. Butter, cinnamon, sugar

Preheat to 350
20-25 mn.
Shake once while cooking. Let dry on sheet.

Beef Enchiladas

These are yummy and easy to make and the ingredients couldn't be any more accessible or straight forward. Too bad the price of beef keeps going up. Everyone has to have their beef fix once in a while. My favorite way to eat beef is in a taco. So here ya go!

Beef Enchiladas

• 1 packet of Enchilada seasoning mix
• 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
• 2 cups water
• 1 Ib ground beef
• 8 flour tacos
• 2 cups shredded cheese

Brown and crumble 1 pound of ground beef. Drain fat.

In separate pan blend enchilada seasoning mix with 1 can of tomato paste and 2 cups of water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 15 mn. stirring occassionally.

With tongs (or hands!) dip each flour tortilla into sauce.

Place 1/4 cup of beef mixture into each tortilla. Top with 1 cup of cheese. Roll tightly. Put seam side down in 7x11 baking dish. Top with remaining  sauce and 1 cup of cheese.

Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Peanut Butter Granola

Granola can be expensive at the store! Lets not even mention the price of cereal. With a hungry husband who could eat an average sized box of cereal in 2 days I am constantly trying to find ways to "get the most bang for my buck" when it comes to breakfast cereal. Sometimes that means mixing raisin bran with cheerios, or life cereal with granola, whatever the combination this recipe is SO easy and delicious and cheap, it makes me look forward to breakfast in the morning. Plus, I know all the ingredients in it.

The most expensive thing is the honey. The way I look at it, i'm still saving money on this granola rather than buying it at the grocery. Do the math. You could also substitute maple syrup or anything "sticky" with honey. It's all up to you! Honey is always the healthy option.

Peanut Butter Granola

• 2 tbsp. creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup. oats

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease cookie sheet. Combine peanut butter and honey in a bowl and microwave until peanut butter melts (approximately 20 seconds). Stir.

Stir cinnamon and vanilla into peanut butter and honey mixture.

Add oats and stir until oats are completely covered in peanut butter mixture. Spread out mixture onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until granola is slightly brown. Let cool until granola is crunchy. 

Sugar Cookies

I've never been a big fan of sugar cookies, but these are the exception. Good during holidays of coarse!

Sugar Cookies

• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter - softened
• 1 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375

In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder.
In large bowl cream together butter & sugar until smooth. Beat in egg & vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoons full of dough into balls and place on baking sheet.

Bake 8-10 minutes in oven or until golden. Let stand on cookie sheet 2 minutes before removing to wire rack.