Today, I am posting one of those things that is simple. I like simple. It's something standard but maybe in a new form to you. I like new forms, they take something we like to eat and give it a new twist. That is why I like this recipe. We love Mexican food. But the time comes when you get tired of eating it in taco and burrito form. I make a big plate of this and we scoop it on our plates and dig in with tortilla chips. It's another one of those recipes that when I get the inevitable question, "What's for dinner?" I always get a happy response. It's a layer thing - you layer meat, beans, avocado, sour cream, green chilies, green onions, tomatoes, taco sauce, lettuce (I'll insert a picture so I can take a breath).
You top it off with cheese and dig in!!! Oh this is good! And if your family likes black olives, throw those on too. While you're at it, just go ahead and add the kitchen sink!
Now I will ask you to indulge my motherly side. I decided to make my daughter a keepsake book for her to have after graduation. Last week we had an evening, with nothing going on, for her to pick out the pictures she'd like in the book. The poor girl looked through around 10,000 pictures. My children's lives are very well documented. I feel the need to share some. Believe me, I would love to share all 10,000 with you, or at least the close to 100 she picked. But I do want you to come back so here are five of them and thank you for indulging me.
Hay Stack
Brown 1 pound hamburger, stir in one package of taco seasoning mix and one 16 oz. can refried beans. Spread this on the bottom of a large plate. Then add:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped avocado
1-4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 cup chopped green onions
tomatoes, lettuce and taco sauce to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar
If you are in need of a really good dessert to make for something I have the answer for you. This recipe comes from my friend Marcia. It has an original name but at our house the name morphed into Pink Stuff and that is what we call it. Pink Stuff is a particular favorite of my kids and one of their very good friends. Here are my daughters with her. This friend also likes our cats. Well mostly. Being cats, they all have issues, but one has less issues than the other two. She likes that particular cat the best. You may recognize this friend from the lizard surprise party.
Her family lives in another state so I kind of like to think of her as a part of the family in a niecy way. She celebrated her birthday this past fall so we had her over and I made her Pink Stuff.
It is so easy to make. Don't you just love recipes that are not only delicious but so simple to make also?! To make it, you break an angel food cake into bite size pieces and put them in a 9X13 pan.
There are certain items that you know if they're in a recipe it has to be good. Angel food cake is one of them. You then dissolve jello in boiling water and add frozen strawberries, stirring until the berries are thawed, or at least mostly thawed.
Cool whip is added to this.
This mixture is then poured over the angel food cake and combined lightly with a fork. It is then chilled until congealed. I don't think that is an attractive word at all.
This is a very refreshing dessert and you don't feel super guilty after eating it. And it's great for a college girl's birthday party.
Pink Stuff
2 small pkgs. strawberry gelatin
2 c. boiling water
2-10 oz pkgs. frozen strawberries
1 (8 oz) cool-whip
1 angel food cake
Break cake into bite size pieces and put into 9X13 pan. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add berries and stir until berries are thawed and jello is slightly thickened. Fold in cool-whip and pour over cake. Stir lightly with a fork. Chill until (here we go) congealed.
Now that all the Christmas and New Years festivities have ended and most of the decorations are put away, and most of the cookies and candy are eaten and we're back to regular life, it's time to post another recipe. Today is actually a twofer. Twofer the price of one. Which is pretty cheap considering all you have to do is read my ramblings. I am posting basically the same item in two forms. The good old fashioned twice baked potatoes recipe is one of those that I have had sitting in my recipe box for years. One day out of desperation to add something new to dinner I tried it and it was an instant hit with everyone! The casserole form is a new to me recipe I tried and was also an instant hit! It would be a great recipe to make for someone who is sick or recovering from sickness or unable to cook for themselves. I say that because as I was making it I was reminded of when my Honey's mom was so sick and we travelled to see her and she was very excited that a neighbor lady who knew we were coming had brought over a potato casserole and some other items to help with meals for us. I thought that was nice and it really was very helpful. I actually have pictures this time and since I have several, being that it's two recipes, I won't say a lot about the process. For the twice baked potatoes, you begin with, of course, baked potatoes. Once they are done baking you cut a small slice off the top and scoop the insides out into a bowl.
The remaining ingredients are stirred in and the potatoes are refilled with this very yummy mixture.
A little cheese is sprinkled on the top and they are placed back in the oven. I like making these when we have guests over for dinner.
For the casserole version, I boiled potatoes and mashed them then added yummy things.
This is placed in a casserole dish.
It is baked then cheese is added to the top and it is baked a little longer. Once done, onions and bacon are added.
The final outcome looks and tastes wonderful!
Bon appetit!
Twice Baked Potatoes
6 medium potatoes
1 (8 oz) sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar - plus additional for topping
1-2 green onions, chopped
1 Tbsp. snipped parsley
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup whole milk
Bake potatoes at 400 degrees until done. Approximately 50-60 minutes. Cut thin slice off top and scoop out into bowl. Mash potato pulp and add remaining ingredients. Stir and place back into potatoes. Top with cheese. Place back into oven until cheese is melted and potatoes are warmed through.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
8 medium baking potatoes, 4 pounds
1 (8 oz) cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar (divided)
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Peel, slice and boil the potatoes until soft and easily mashed. Drain and mash. Add cream cheese, butter, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar, garlic, salt and pepper. Stir well. Spray baking dish with nonstick spray. Place mixture in dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until hot. Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar over top and return to oven until the cheese melts. Remove from oven and sprinkle bacon and onions over the top.
