Chicken Quesadillas

I love quesadillas. I get them when we go out to Americanized restaurants. I started making them a few years back after my friend had me over for lunch and she just whipped some up for me. I realized just how easy they were and love the new option. I discovered that one of the reasons I love Cafe Rio is because they brown their tortillas. I figured out that I can just use my stove top without a pan. On medium low heat it has worked perfectly for me. It has opened up a whole new world. The best part is my stove is usually very clean thanks to my awesome hubby. I love not having an extra dish to do.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts diced
1 large sweet onion, coarsely diced
5-10 T olive oil, divided
Fajita seasoning to taste
2 bell peppers, any color, coarsely chopped.
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced (optional)

Inside the tortilla:

Jalapeno 's (Optional)
Colby Jack Cheese or Cheddar
Ranch dressing(Optional)

In a fry pan, fry chicken and onion in 1-2 T oil. Add fajita seasoning to taste until chicken is cooked and onions are tender. In a separate pan, fry peppers in 1-2 T oil, until crisp-tender, adding the mushrooms to the peppers during the last 4-5 minutes of frying. Combine all together.

Brown the tortilla on the stove top(only flat surface), at medium low heat, for 1-2 minutes. Flip and repeat on this side only add the cheese, Jalapeno's, and chicken mixture to 1/2 of the tortilla. Once the cheese has melted remove from heat and spread a thin layer of ranch dressing. Fold and dip in all the other ingredients. Enjoy.

Topping:

Salsa
Lettuce
Guacamole
Black Beans

Meatloaf

Growing up I can't recall a time that my mom made meatloaf. I am sure she did but she wasn't so into heart stopping food. Me on the other hand has a husband who only likes heart stopping food so I have learned to adapt to his ways. I will have to say some comfort food is so yummy. We started out just making a recipe off of the oatmeal box until my cousin introduced me to her fabulous recipe. Calee came up with an ingenious idea to put it in muffin tins for individual size one. Plus easier cooking and freezing. She is one smart cookie.

3/4 c oats
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 c tomato juice or 1/2 c catchup
1 egg lightly beaten
1/4 c chopped onion
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3T Worcestershire sauce
1 c cheddar cheese

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix together. I find using my hands is the easiest, most fun way. Then firmly press into a 8 in x 4 in loaf pan or 12 muffin tins. Cook for 1 hour at 350 for the loaf pan and 30-40 minutes with the muffin tins. Drain the grease before serving. Let stand in pan for 5 minutes and Enjoy.

Pepper Steak

I thought I would try out a new recipe. I like this one. Jeron loved it. He said the flavor of the meat was amazing. The kids liked it but it isn't on their top 10. I got this recipe out of the Worldwide Ward Cookbook.

1 lb. beef chuck or round, fat trimmed
1/4 C. soy sauce
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger
1/4 c olive oil
1 c green onion, thinly sliced
1/2 c red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
1/2 c green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 T cornstarch
1 c water
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges

Cut beef across the grain into 1/2 inch thick strips. In a medium bowl, mix soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and beef. Set aside. I think you could marinate it for a while if you would like. Heat the oil in a wok or large fry pan. Add the beef mixture and cook over high heat until beef is browned. Simmer over low heat for 3- minutes until beef is tender. Add the vegetables and cook over high heat for 10 minutes. Combine the cornstarch with water and add to the pan. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens. Stir in the tomatoes and cook through. Makes 4 servings. I served it over rice. Enjoy.

Guacamole

I love guacamole. I have it on Fajitas, Tacos, burritos, etc. I like having all fresh veggies so this is one thing that is definitely fresh. JJ was cute and told me it is the best he has ever had. The rest of the family agreed. It is always nice to get praise rather than complaints from ALL my family. Usually there is at least one that isn't pleased with a meal choice. I will have to say I think it is rather great myself.

3 RIPE avocados
1/2 a lime
1 tomato
1 medium onion
Cilantro about 15 strands(optional)
salt to taste

Put the avocados in a mixing bowl. I use a potato masher, you can use a blender. Mash up the avocado. Squeeze the lime juice in from the half slice of lime. Dice up tomatoes, onion, and cilantro very fine. Stir it all together and serve. Enjoy!

Spaghetti Pie

Every time I go to do a post about the new recipe I am making I try to think of a charming,cute, inspirational, or fun story to tell about the meal. With this one I just couldn't think of anything. That was until I realized the feeling that goes behind it is always fun as well. This is one of my most favorite meals. It is one of those left over spaghetti dinner meals remade into dinner bliss. It entices the palate. This dinner is delicious therefore, it never lets your mind think it is leftovers.

It is funny cause anytime I tell someone that has never had Spaghetti Pie that we are having it for dinner, they crinkle up their nose and get a look of disgust. That same person then takes a bite of this very strange meal and immediately the crinkled nose changes to a face of delight. With the mixture of noodles, two cheeses, and spaghetti sauce what is there not to love.

This picture is not good. I took it on a frantic night so know that it is much better than it looks.

6 oz. cooked spaghetti
4 T butter or margarine (soft)
2/3 cup Parmesan cheese
4 eggs
1 medium pack Mozzarella Cheese

Cook spaghetti, drain and rinse with cold water. Stir in butter, parmesan cheese, eggs, and spaghetti. In a 9 inch round greased pie pan layer spagetti mix then a layer of mozzarella cheese. Do this about 3 times. Cook at 350 for 30 min. Serve with spaghetti sauce over it. Enjoy!

{Heading to the capital of our nation.}

I am taking a week off to head to Washington DC, and meet my new little niece. I can't wait to see my sister and bro-in-law, and love on that baby. When I get back be ready for more yummy recipes. See ya in a week!