Mexican Pizza

I have never had a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, but I know this would taste so much better.  BTW,  I don't like retired beans, so I leave them it off.  I put a thin layer of sour cream on mine instead.  This looks like a lot to do in the recipe, but it's quick and easy.

MEXICAN PIZZA

(makes 4)

Refried Beans Ingredients: 

*1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

*1/4 cup sour cream

*1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

Filling Ingredients:

*2 pounds ground beef 

*1 small yellow onion, chopped fine

*1 small tomato, diced small 

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Seasoning Ingredients (or a package of taco seasoning mix)

*1 teaspoon cumin

*1teaspoon onion powder

*1 teaspoon paprika

*1 teaspoon oregano

*2 teaspoons garlic salt

*1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Sauce Ingredients (or buy salsa)

*1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 

*1 tablespoon white vinegar

*1/3 cup water

*1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

*2 teaspoons minced onion

*1 teaspoon minced garlic

*1 teaspoon chili powder

*1/2 teaspoon paprika

*1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Topping Ingredients:

*8 (8-9 inch) flour tortillas

*corn mesa (small amount and optional, but makes the tortillas even tastier)

*1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying tortillas)

*2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

*1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (or a white Mexican melting cheese)

*black olives, sliced (optional)

*jalapeno peppers, sliced (optional)

*green onions, chopped (optimal)

*1 small tomato, diced (Roma works best)

Sauce Directions:

~In a medium saucepan, over medium heat add all the ingredients.

~Bring to a low boil, stirring often.

~Simmer for 5-10 minutes.

~Remove from heat and set aside.

Refried Beans Directions:

~In a small saucepan, add refried beans, sour cream, and cumin.

~Heat over medium heat until hot, stirring often.

~Remove from heat and set aside.

Filling Directions:

~In a large skillet, add tomatoes, onions, and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.

~Add ground beef and cook until beef is browned and done, breaking up meat as it cooks.

~Add seasonings and cook for another 1-2 minutes, staring continuously.

~Stir in 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, and stir for just a minute or so (cheese does not need to be completely melted).

~Remove from heat and set aside.

Cooking Tortillas:

~Heat up 1/4 cup vegetable oil or medium-high heat.

~Lightly sprinkle both sides of flour tortillas with corn mesa.

~Place tortillas into hot grease and cook both side until lightly browned (flatten any air bubbles that form in the tortilla with a spatula).

~Remove from grease and allow any excess grease to drip from tortilla.

~Set aside until ready to fill.

Putting The Pizza Together:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spread a layer of the bean mixture over a tortilla.

~Spread meat mixture over the bean mixture.

~Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheddar cheese over top of meat mixture.

~Sprinkle 1/8 cup Cacique Cheese Oaxaca over cheese.

~Top with another tortillas.

~Spread some sauce mixture over top of tortilla.

~Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheddar cheese & 1/8 cup Cacique Cheese Oaxaca over sauce.

~Place whatever toppings you choose over cheese, expect tomatoes (I like them all).

~Place on a baking sheet (I actually do this as I put it together).

~Bake for 4-5 minutes.

~Turn oven up to broil, and cook for 1-3 minutes or until the cheeses have melted.

~Add chopped tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream if you choose.

~Cut into four pieces and enjoy (optional).

Nutella Filled Brownies

 The chocolate and hazel nut goes so well together.   Easy to make.   You could even do this with a 9x13 brownie mix if you want to make it easier.   

NUTELLA FILLED BROWNIES

(makes 16)

Ingredient: 

*1/2 (ounce) container of Nutella or any hazel nut spread

*1/2 cup vegetable oil

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*2 cups granulated sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*4 large eggs

*1 cup all-purpose flour

*2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa (I like using dutch chocolate)

*1/2 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 cup chocolate chips (optional) (or use white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips)

Directions:

~Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.

~Spread Nutella evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan.

~Place pan in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk vegetable oil, melted butter, and sugar together until well mixed.

~Whisk in eggs, one at a time, until well combined.

~Sift in flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into wet ingredients.

~Remove pan from freezer.

~Removed frozen nutella.

~Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into pan.

~Place frozen nutella back into pan.

~Spread remaining brownie batter over frozen nutella.

~Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until brownies begin to pull away from he edges of the pan.

Cherry Crisp Bars

 So good.  Now if you can use store bought canned cherry pie filling for this, but it won't be as good.

CHERRY CRISP BARS 

(makes 12)

Filling Ingredients:

*4 1/2 cups fresh pitted cherries

*1 cup water

*1/3-1/2 cup granulated sagar (depending on how sweet you want it)

*1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

*1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*2 tablespoons corn starch

*2 tablespoons water

Crust Ingredients:

*3/4 cup cold butter

*1 cup all purpose flour

*1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1 cup old fashion oats 

Filling Directions:

~In a medium saucepan, add cherries, sugar, 1 cup water, lemon juice, and cinnamon.

~Cook over medium-hight heat and bring to a boil, stirring often.

~Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes (or until cherries are soft and cooked through).

~In a small bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch until smooth.

~Stir into cherry mixture until mixture thickens (about 2 minutes).

~Remove from heat and allow to cool (I let it cool for about 30 minutes or so).

Crust Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Grease a 9x9 baking dish or spray with cooking spray.

~In. a medium bowl,  cut butter into flour, brown sugar, salt and baking soda, until it resembles fine meal.

~Add in oats until well mixed.

~Press about 2/3 of mixture into the bottom of prepared pan.

~Spread cherry mixture over bottom crust.

~Sprinkle remaining crust over top of cherry mixture.

~Bake uncovered for 50 minutes.

~Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting.

~Store in refrigerator.  

Lemon Sugar Cookies

I am not big on lemon desserts, but I do like these.   

LEMON SUGAR COOKIES

(2 1/2 dozen)

Ingredients:

*2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*2 cup butter, room temperature butter

*1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

*2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

*2 egg yolks

*2 tablespoons lemon zest (4-5 lemons)

*1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Topping Ingredients:

*1/3 cup granulated sugar (I like to use course sugar for the top)

*1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice 

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

~In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.

~In a separated bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until creamy and fluffy.

~Mix in egg yolks, lemon zest and lemon juice until well combined.

~Mix in flour mixture until well mixed.

~Cover bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

~Scoop dough out with a cookie scoop and roll into a ball (about 1 1/2 inch).

~Roll cookie dough in sugar coating all side.

~Place on cookie sheet.

~Gently flatten dough with a spatula.

~Using a pastry brush, brush some lemon juice over top.

~Sprinkle some more sugar on top of cookie dough.

~Bake for 11-14 minutes, or until cookie is done.

~Remove from oven and move onto a cooling rack.

~Cool completely before eating.

BBQ Potato Chips

 These by far are my favorite homemade potato chips.  To get crispy chips, make sure you rinse them 3-5 times.  

BBQ POTATO CHIPS

(serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

*4 medium russet potatoes

*Vegetable Oil for frying

*4 tablespoons light brown sugar

*4 teaspoon smoked paprika 

*2 teaspoon garlic powder

*1/2 teaspoon onion powder

*1/8-1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

*1/4 teaspoon salt

Spice Directions:

~In a blender, add 4 tablespoons brown sugar, 4 teaspoons smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1/8-1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper, and 1/4 teaspoons salt.

~Blend until mixture is a fine powder.

~Place mixture into a large bowl (I normally just add a quarter of the mixture at a time).

Chip Directions:

~Peel 4 russet potatoes, and slice thin on a mandolin slicer (on thinest setting)

~Place sliced potatoes into a bowl of cold water.

~Move potatoes around in water to remove starch from potatoes.

~Drain a repeat 2 or 3 more times or until water stays clear.

~Bring a pot of water to a boil.

~Add potatoes (about a quarter of them).

~Boil for 4 minutes, and remove and place in a bowl of cold water (add cold water as needed).

~ Repeat until all the potatoes have been boiled.

~Place potatoes on a tea towel, or paper towels in a single row.

~Place another tea towel or paper towels over top to dry potatoes.

~In a large heavy bottom frying pan, add vegetable oil (about 4-inches deep).

~Heat oil to 375 degrees.

~Place potatoes into hot grease one at a time, do not over crowd pan  (I can add about 25 slices to my pan).

~Fry for about 4 minutes or until crispy (I turn mine half way through)

~Remove from heat and place on a paper towels lined cookie sheet.

~Place into the large bowl with bbq seasonings.

~Toss until well coated.

~Remove and place onto a plate and repeat until all the potatoes chips are done.

BLT Pasta Salad

 Who doesn't love a BLT?  Now just add some pasta and yum-o.

BLT PASTA SALAD 

(serves 6)

Ingredients:

*1 pound bacon, cut up and cooked 

*1 (16 ounce) container cherry/grape tomatoes, cut in half

*1 (5 ounce) container salad greens, roughly chopped

*1 (8 ounce) package bowtie pasta, cooked as directed on package

*1 cup sour cream

*1/2 cup mayonnaise 

*1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

*1/8 teaspoon minced garlic

*1/8 teaspoon minced onion

*salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

~Cook pasta as directed on package, drain and rinse under cold water.

~In a large bowl, add drained cooled pasta, tomatoes, and lettuce.

~In small bowl, whisk sour cream, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, minced onion salt and pepper.

~Cut up bacon and fry util crispy.

~Remove bacon and set aside.

~Drain all but about 1 tablespoon bacon grease.

~Place sour cream mixture into hot pan and turn burner on to low.

~Add bacon and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously .

~Add to pasta mixture and stir until well coated.

Caprice Pasta Salad

Quick and easy to make.   I like to make this at least one hour before we eat it, so that the flavors meld.

CAPRICE PASTA SALAD

(serves 6)

Dressing Ingredients:

*1/4 cup olive oil

*1 1/2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 

*1 teaspoon dried oregano

*1/8 teaspoon minced garlic

*1/4 teaspoon minced onion

*1/8 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) box bowtie pasta (or use favorite short cut pasta)

*1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half

*8 ounces mini mozzarella cheese balls (or cubes cut into small pieces)

*1/2 -1 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips

*1/8 teaspoon salt

*1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Dressing Directions:

~In a blender, place olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, garlic, onion, fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper.

~Blend until smooth.

Salad Directions:

~Cook pasta as directed on package, drain and cool.

~In a large bowl, add the mozzarella balls, tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, salt and pepper.

~Gently toss until mixed.

~Add in pasta and dressing.

~Mix until well coated.

~Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.

Sausage Stuffing

 I put a lot of veggies in this, but you can remove some if you so choose.  I also sometimes add mushrooms even though I don't have it listed in the recipe.  I sometimes put the veggies in the blender to make them really fine.  The little ones seem to eat it better that way.

SAUSAGE STUFFING

(serves 8)

Ingredients:

*1/2 pound pork sausage 

*1/4 cup butter

*1 red bell pepper, chopped small

*1/2 green bell pepper, chopped small

*2 celery stalks, chopped small

*1 medium carrot, chopped small

*1 medium yellow onion, chopped small

*2 garlic cloves, minced

*1 tablespoon dried parsley

*1/2 teaspoon ground thyme

*1/4 teaspoon ground sage

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper

*4 cups seasoned croutons (parmesan seasoned is awesome)

*3 cups chicken/turkey stock

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

~Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.

~In a large frying pan cooking sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, breaking it up into small pieces.

~Remove sausage from pan and drain grease.

~Melt butter into pan.

~Add veggies and cook for 3 or 4 minutes.

~Add sausage back to pan and  add seasonings.

~Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring often.

~Add croutons and stir until well mixed.

~Stir in chicken/turkey stock until everything is well coated.

~Place into prepared casserole dish and cover.

~Bake for 40 minutes.