Shepherd's Pie- Todd's Favorite

 

Ingredients

2 lbs Ground Beef

1 small Onion (diced)

1 C Ketchup 

2 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1/4 C BBQ sauce

1-2 TBsp Mustard

Thinly sliced carrots

Mixed Vegetables (I use frozen) 

Mashed Potatoes to cover the top

Shredded cheese

Method

Prepare mashed potatoes. Set aside. (I make them in the instant pot, quick and easy) 

Brown ground beef with diced onion, drain. Add ketchup, soup, bbq sauce, mustard, carrots, and veggies. Spread ground beef mixture along the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish, then ‘ice’ with mashed potatoes. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Cover with tinfoil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes, then take foil off and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. If you can, let it ‘set’ for 5 minutes. 

Momma Roe's Spaghetti Sauce

The joy of getting a recipe from an Italian is there are rarely exact measurements and each time you make the dish, it turns out different. Kaleen and I had mom tell us what she puts in her sauce. Her sauce is still always better than anything I have ever made, but my kids will eat it when I make it her way so I consider that a win.

Ingredients:
1 lbs Ground Beef
1/4 Onion chopped (optional, I don't put this in as my kids don't like the sauce when I do)
1 Can TRADITIONAL HUNTS Tomato Sauce
1/2 Cup Water (more as needed)
1 tsp Sugar
Salt and Pepper to taste


Method:
* Brown ground beef and onion together, drain
* Empty can of tomato sauce and water into medium size pot, add ground beef mixture
* add sugar and salt and pepper to taste, I am a pretty firm believer in people seasoning their own food, because I like my food pretty bland and Todd likes it really flavorful. So I add two or three shakes of the salt and pepper and then I let Todd add his own spices (aka hot sauce)
* Cook it all day on the stove OR
* Put it in the Instant Pot for 15 minutes

Instant Pot Carne Asada Street Tacos

I had a TOTAL hankering for street tacos, but I truly don't think their 'steak' tacos are steak, I think they are just ground beef, so I used ground beef in this recipe and the tacos were amazing!!!!

Here is what I used, you can adjust for your likes:

1 lbs of ground beef

a bit of chopped onion
a bit of pico de Gallo

1/2 C Lime Juice
1/4 C Lemon Juice
1/4 C Orange Juice
1/4 C Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp Garlic chopped ( I used Garlic Powder)
1 tsp Onion Powder
1 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Cumin Powder

In the Instant Pot liner combine, juices, soy sauce, olive oil, ACV, garlic, onion powder, salt, chili powder, and cumin. Mix well, then add your ground beef, onion , and pico if you have it. Let it sit for at least three hours in the fridge.
Place IP liner in the base of the Instant Pot and turn on manual pressure for 5-8 minutes. That pot felt really cold so I put it in for 8. Natural pressure release, or at least ten minutes... It will be in with lots of juices so we ladled it out...SO Good!

Bacon-Cheeseburger Meat Loaf

I do not like meatloaf...but I really like this stuff...

6 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 C shredded Cheese
1 large egg lightly beaten
1/4 C onion finely diced (you can put more if you like onion)
1/3 C bread crumbs
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 C ketchup
2 Tbsp yellow mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Combine crumbled bacon, ground beef, cheese, egg, onion, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Shape mixture into a loaf and place into a bread pan. (I made three small loaves thinking we wouldn't eat all of them and the boys and Todd devoured all!)

Mix together ketchup, mustard and brown sugar. Spread over meat loaf.

Bake 55 minutes to an hour, or until center reads 165 on a meat thermometer.

Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli

This stuff was good! When we make it again I think I will double the sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced and chopped into 2 inch pieces*
• 1 cup beef broth
• ⅔ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil (I used vegetable)
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons corn starch + 4 tablespoons cold water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Grease the inside of a slow cooker. Add steak, beef froth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and chili flakes. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low 4-5 hours.
2. 25 minutes before serving, uncover the slow cooker. In a small bowl whisk corn starch and water until dissolved. Add to slow cooker and stir. Cover and allow to cook another 20-25 minutes.
3. Just before serving, boil broccoli for 3-4 minutes. Drain, stir broccoli into slow cooker, and serve.

* If you can't find any sliced, just buy a roast and freeze it for a couple of hours, then slice it yourself. 

Pepperoncini Roast Hoagies

These are GOOOD, not good for you, but they are super yum. I am not sure where I first saw these posted so I don't know where to point you back. If you are like me and don't like your food too spicy, I take out as many of the pepperoncinis as I can before I shred meat. Cheers!

1 Package of Hoagie Buns
1 Stick of Butter

3-4 lbs Roast (Pork or Beef, we have tried both and both are good)

1 Jar of Pepperoncinis

1 Package Au Jus Mix

1 Package Ranch Mix

Provolone Sliced Deli Cheese

Place roast into crockpot, sprinkle with Au Jus, and Ranch packets, press into meat, empty entire jar of pepperoncini (including liquid) over roast, place butter on top.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, high for 4-6 hours.  About an hour before you are ready to serve (take out pepperoncinis) shred the roast.

Toast buttered Hoagie buns in oven with broiler for 5 or so minutes, then place shredded roast and cheese on the hoagie buns and pop back into the broiler until cheese is melted… we all liked this stuff! 

Homemade Corn Dogs!!!

My kiddos and Todd LOVED these! They were definitely a fan favorite! 

INGREDIENTS

·         6 hot dogs, cut in half

·         12 lollipop sticks or Bamboo Sticks

·         vegetable oil for frying

For batter

·         ½ cup all-purpose flour

·         ½ cup cornmeal

·         2 tbsp sugar

·         2 tsp baking powder

·         ½ cup to ¾ cup milk

·         salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1.       In a pan or deep fryer place at least four inches of oil, Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.

2.       Slice each hot dog in half.  Put each dog onto the lollipop sticks. You can use wooden Bamboo skewers as well.

3.       In a bowl, combine all the batter ingredients and whisk. (I would grind the cornmeal a bit more, it is really coarse and we could ‘chew’ the grit)

4.      I found it easier to pour the batter in a long skinny cup (Magic Bullet cup worked). Dip each hot dog into the cornmeal batter to completely cover the hot dog. Carefully place the hot dogs into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 or 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Lasagna Soup

Anyone who knows me, knows that my absolute favorite dish is my Momma's Lasagna. When I saw that there was such a thing as 'Lasagna Soup' I knew I had to try it! We were not disappointed! I should probably only make this in the Fall/Winter but I know I will probably make it year round! Enjoy!

One of the blogs I read started with ‘here is what you need', instead of ingredients... I liked it! If I remember to I am going to use that from here on out

Here is what you need: Serves 6-8
1 lb ground beef (raw)
3 cups of beef broth
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 TB dried parsley
1 TB dried basil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1, 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1, 6oz can of tomato paste
1 cup V8 (or any vegetable drink)
2 cups uncooked shell pasta
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup of water
top with shredded cheese if wanted

1. First mix together the can of tomatoes, and tomato paste in crockpot.

2. Next add broth, beef, garlic, parsley, basil, onion, V8 and salt/pepper.

3. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

4. When 30 minutes are left of cook time, add in the 1 cup of water and noodles. Stir to combine. Put lid back on and continue cooking for 30 minutes.

NOTE: If you brown your hamburger you can whip this up in a couple of hours if wanted. Just make sure everything in the crockpot is nice and hot, half hour before you want to eat add your noodles.

CARNE ASADA FRIES and PICO DE GALLO

I LoVE the Pico at Cafe Rio, I could drink the stuff, and this recipe comes pretty close, and I have tried a few. 

INGREDIENTS

1 (32-ounce) package Steak Cut Fries

1 pound cooked carne asada, diced (I used steak)

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup guacamole (optional)

cheese

FOR THE PICO DE GALLO

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup diced onion

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1 lime, juiced

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Bake fries according to package instructions.

To make the pico de gallo, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime juice in a medium bowl; set aside.

Serve fries immediately, topped with carne asada, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and pico de gallo.

Beef with Broccoli

3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided (2 then 1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup water, plus
2 tablespoons water, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb boneless round steak cut into thin 3-inch strips (grass fed pasture raise happy please)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 bunches of broccoli cut into florets steamed in the microwave for 3 minutes
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
rice

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water (more if needed, I used about ¼ of a cup) and garlic powder until smooth. Add beef and dip. In a large skillet or wok over medium high heat, stir-fry beef in 1 tablespoon oil until beef reaches desired doneness; remove and keep warm. Stir-fry broccoli in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes. Return beef to pan. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining cornstarch and water until smooth; add to the pan. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Serve over rice.

NOTE: I just added broccoli to the beef/chicken in the last stage, it came out great. Corbyn even liked it! 

Indian Tacos

I grew up literally less than a mile from the largest Native reserve in North America, which means I got to grow up learning a lot about their culture. One of my favorites were Indian Tacos, but I only had them a few times growing up.I looked and looked for an 'authentic' Indian Tacos recipe all over online and had my mom ask all of her friends but according to all of them, you make taco meat and do normal tacos over fry bread, what?! How could they have been that good growing up if they were just simple tacos? Very doubtful I tried it, THEY WERE SO GOOD! I used Emily's Fry Bread recipe and then we just made simple tacos. Yum!

Ingredients
taco meat
lettuce
tomatoes
cheese
etc

Place all ingredients on cooked fry bread and enjoy!

Meatball Tip

When making Mom's Meatballs here are a few tips to make life easier!

1. Make them in bulk and then freeze them

2. Rather than frying them all by hand put them in the oven at 350 and watch them depending on the size of your balls will determine your cook time. I cooked mine for just under a half hour.

Momma Roe's Sunday Casserole

This recipe is a very 'technical' recipe...not! This is basically what ever veggie you have around add it to the crock pot, type of recipe. I grew up on this casserole. I swear my mom made it nearly every Sunday. I hated it as a kid, but thought I would be a nice wife and make it for Todd, he liked it and I even liked it! The veggies were soft enough for my brace face teeth!

Ingredients

1 lbs Ground Beef 

1/2 Large Onion (chopped)

Carrots (I used frozen)

Potatoes (peeled and sliced)

Corn (frozen)

Peas (frozen)

Cheese

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup (with milk/water added) Mom says she has used cream of chicken but she waters it down a bit more because it is so salty

Directions:

Brown ground beef with onion. Set aside. In a small bowl mix your milk/water with your can of soup. 

In crockpot add a layer of soup, then hamburger, then carrots, then corn, then peas, then potatoes, then repeat. Add whatever soup you have left over the whole casserole. Turn crockpot on low for 4-5 hours. Where there is about an hour left sprinkle a layer of cheese (or not) on top. 

 Don't mind our weird cheese, I think it froze in the fridge or something, it melted all funny. 

But it still tasted good! 

Kashina's Tater Tot Casserole

I don't call it 'Kashina's' because I necessarily love the dish, more because it is a mess of things I threw together when I couldn't find the original recipe three weeks after deciding I was going to make it. Todd really liked it though.

Tater Tots (I didn't measure, just enough to cover the bottom of the dish twice)
1 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 C Onion, diced
1 Can Corn
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup (I am sure you could use any cream soup)
3/4 C Milk

Cheese to sprinkle on top

Preheat oven via instructions for tater tots, mine was 400 degrees. Brown hamburger with onion, drain. Drain corn and add to hamburger, add can of soup then add milk. (I actually just filled the can to 3/4 full). Stir together on low heat until milk is fully incorporated and mixture is warm to hot. Place a layer of tater tots in a 9x9 or 9x13 baking dish (you will have extra meat if you use a 9x9) then place a layer of meat mixture, then top with another layer of tots. Place in oven, uncovered for 22-24 minutes. Take out of oven cover with as much or as little cheese as you like, place it back in until cheese is melted and bubbly. Around 10 minutes. Enjoy. Kind of a fast food approach to a shepherds pie. You could probably add a layer of tender carrots in there to make it more Shepherd pie-ish.

Nonna Roe's Lasagna

Momma Roe's Delicious Meatballs

Healthy Spring Rolls

My boys actually ate these!

1 package spring roll pastry

1/2 lbs low fat beef mince (or turkey) (I used reg hamburger and threw it in the blender, worked great)
1 packet rainbow salad mix or make your own using broccoli stems, carrot and beetroot strips
1 tsp Chinese five spice powder (I couldn't find this so I used a package of fried rice seasoning)
3 tbs soy sauce

sweet and sour sauce

Step 1 – Remove spring roll wrappers from the freezer and allow to defrost.

Step 2 – Brown mince with fried rice seasoning, then drain fat

Step 3 – Add soy sauce and vegetables to mince and cook for a few minutes until vegetables have softened. (Add whole package, when they are soft they shrink a little)

Step 4 – Allow the mince to cool while you are separating the spring roll wrappers. It is a good idea to keep a clean moist tea towel on top of the wrappers to stop them drying out.

Step 5 – With a spring roll wrapper corner facing you, scoop a couple of tablespoons of filling across the pastry, leaving enough room for the sides to be folded in. Fold the side corners in and roll it up into a log form as tightly as you can. (I was a hot mess trying to do this, good luck!)

Step 6 – Heat a little olive oil in a non stick frying pan over medium heat and gently brown each side until golden and crunchy. Serve with sweet and sour sauce.

Kashina's Tacos

Leigh Ann's Yummy Stirfry

1 lbs Ground Beef (I add more)

1 C Chopped Onion

2 Beef Flavored Ichi Ban

2 C Broccoli

1 C Shredded Carrots

Brown ground beef and one cup of chopped onion in a large skillet. Add 2 ½ cups of water and bring to a boil. Place two beef flavored ramen noodles and seasoning packets into the boiling mixture. Add two cups of chopped broccoli, 1 cup of shredded carrots, stir to mix and coat noodles. Cover and simmer 7 minutes or until most of the liquid is gone and noodles are tender.

Yummy Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Ingredients

2 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/8 cup ketchup
1 1/2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 Tbsp dry mustard
1/2 Tbsp prepared mustard
3/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
hamburger buns
cheese, optional

Instructions

In a skillet, brown ground beef and onion together until beef is cooked. Drain off fat.
Place beef in the slow cooker and add remaining ingredients.
Stir until well combined.
Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
Serve on buns with a slice of cheese on each bun.