Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!

Remember me?

The one who's goal every year is to simplify?

The one who hasn't posted in ... awhile?

I'm also the one who is now going to give you a perfect recipe for the new year.

Seriously.

MEXICAN STARTER

What?

Mexican Starter.

It's a basic meat mixture that can be used for dozens of other recipes.

You're very welcome.

We ate it this week and even the kids downed it.

MEXICAN STARTER
(adapted from cooks.com)

1 pound ground beef
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup salsa, your pick
1 small can tomato sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper, cored and chopped
2 tsp. taco seasoning
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Brown beef in oil, add garlic, onion and peppers. When beef is brown add tomato sauce, salsa and seasonings.

Simmer 30-45 minutes or prepare in slow cooker.

This starter can be used for: (ahem, this is the awesome part)

° Mexican Buffet: add sides of beans, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, onions, cheese and serve with taco shells or tortillas.

° Serve on sub rolls, topped with shredded cheese. Broil on high heat until cheese melts.

° Serve over pasta or rice.

° Use as a topping for nachos. In a casserole, layer tortilla chips, top with meat mixture and cheese. Bake at 375° until cheese melts.

° Mexican stuffed peppers. Combine with equal part cooked rice. Fill large red or green bell peppers and bake at 350° until peppers are tender.

° Chili. Add 2 cans of red kidney beans or pinto beans. Adjust seasonings as desired.

° Mexican Shepherd Pie. Prebake a pie shell for 10 minutes. Fill with meat mixture and top with mashed potatoes. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until potatoes are browned.

° Quesadillas. Fill corn or flour tortillas with cheese and meat mixture. Bake or grill until cheese is melted.

° Burrito lasagne. Fill 10 inch tortillas with meat mixture and top with shredded cheese. Roll and fill casserole dish. Spoon taco sauce or salsa over burritos and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake at 375°.

° Spicy Mole Poblano. Combine meat mixture with 8 oz. jar of mole sauce. Broil poblano peppers until charred and blistered. Chop into mixture. Serve over rice.

° Mexican squash boats. Scoop out zucchini or squash centers and fill with meat mixture. Top with cheese and bread crumbs. Bake until squash is tender and cheese is bubbly.

° Bean dip. 1 part meat mixture, 1 part canned black beans, 1 part sour cream onion dip, season to taste, serve with chips.

Or, our favorite from this week....

° Sloppy Joes. Add a little more brown sugar, don't add the salsa, mix in a can of black beans, serve on rolls or hamburger buns.

1 comment:

Cindy said...

One of the many reasons I love ya! This is awesome and just what I needed to start the year...something easy peasy! Thanks so much!