Week 54(ish)

Friday - Mexican "Flatbread" Pizza (I'm sure the biscuits are full of junk, but I need fast and easy.) We'll have them without the hamburger meat - just refried beans and toppings.

*edit - Maxwell's quote during dinner - "I can't believe I like this!" He ate a ton.

Saturday - Beef Taquitos, black beans (?), chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Sunday - hamburgers and fries

Monday - Southwest Pasta Salad

Tuesday - Pizza

Wednesday - Black Bean Tacos (like this but in taco form)

Thursday - Whole Wheat Blender Pancakes (didn't get to these last week, so we'll try again)

American Enchiladas

Ingredients:

8 flour tortillas, uncooked

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

1 TBSP oil

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 cup water

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

1 cup monterey jack cheese, grated

1 cup sour cream

1 jar Frontera Gourmet Enchilada sauce, mild

Method:

Brown tortillas in frying pan, set aside.

Heat oil in frying pan (or sauce pan). Add garlic and cumin; simmer till nice and fragrant. Add beans and water. Bring to a boil and mash beans. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes. Mash beans and set aside.

Combine cheeses and sour cream.

Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13" pan with enchilada sauce.

Layer a heaping TBSP beans and 1 or 2 TBSP cheese mixture in a tortilla.

Roll up and place seam side down in baking dish.

Repeat with remaining tortillas, then cover with sauce.

Sprinkle with a little more cheese and bake for 20 minutes at 350.

This was one of those meals that my kids ate without complaining, but didn't love.

Slow Cooker Black Beans

I tried this recipe today, with a few changes. I think I will make a few more changes next time, but the beans were good and making dinner this evening was pretty simple.

Here's what I did:

Sorted the beans and soaked over night in water.

Put them in the crock pot this morning, along with a can of diced tomatoes and water to cover everything. I put about half of an onion (diced) in the pot and a couple cloves of sliced garlic. Then I added some ground cumin, ground coriander, and chili powder. I simmered the beans on high for about 8 hours. At the last minute I added some salt and pepper. I also added a little water as needed throughout the day.

We had these with corn tortillas, queso fresco, lettuce, corn on the cob, and green grapes.

Next time, I think I will add a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies instead of the plain tomatoes. I'll also add the salt and pepper at the beginning instead of the end.

Pocket Burritoes

Ingredients:
5 flour tortillas
1 can black beans
1/2 - 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/2 - 1 cup frozen sweet corn
1/2 cup sliced olives
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese
onion powder
salt
garlic powder
dried cilantro
cumin
1 TBSP canola oil

Method:
Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add black beans, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cilantro. (I didn't measure, just sprinkled them in.) Cook beans over medium high heat about 5 minutes, then add chicken, corn, and olives and warm through.

Sprinkle about 1/3 cup cheese over one half of one tortilla. Spoon bean mixture over cheese, and cover with another layer of cheese. Fold empty side of tortilla over filling. Repeat with remaining tortillas, cheese, and filling. Brown both sides of tortilla on a griddle or in a frying pan over medium high heat. Press down on tortilla. When cheese is melted and tortilla is golden brown, remove from heat.

Serve warm as is, or with desired toppings (sour cream, tomatoes, salsa, etc.)

(This was a last minute dinner tonight because I ran out of time. It's really just a dressed up quesadilla, but I asked John to come up with a good name. I'd been thinking about trying this recipe, and used similar ingredients. You could leave out the chicken for a vegetarian meal.)

Crazy Tacos

This recipe originally called for hamburger, but tonight I tried it without the meat and substituted pinto beans. I'll give the directions for either option.

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef OR 2 cans pinto beans and a TBSP canola oil
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
3 6 oz. cans water
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 cup rice, cooked
corn chips

Toppings:
avocado
grated cheese
tomatoes
lettuce
black olives
green onions
sour cream
taco sauce or salsa

Directions:
Brown ground beef in large skillet,
OR heat oil in pan and add drained, rinsed pinto beans.
To meat OR beans, add:
tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin.
Simmer for 30 minutes, then stir in 1 cup cooked rice.
Serve with tortilla chips and toppings.

From my roommate, Alisa.

Pinto Bean Chiliquiles

My kids ate a ton of this tonight - I'm not sure whether they were just really hungry, or if they actually liked the dinner. I started out with a recipe from A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen for Black Bean Chilaquiles (p 288-289), and made a few changes.

8 small corn tortillas
3 TBSP canola oil
salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
onion powder
1 15 oz can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
1 15 oz can chili beans
2 cups water
shredded cheese (cheddar, monterrey jack, or queso fresco)
sour cream

1. Make tortilla chips by cutting tortillas into 6 wedges. Toss in a bowl with 1 TBSP oil and some salt. Bake in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees until edges are golden brown (10-15 minutes). (Or use regular tortilla chips)

2. Heat remaining oil in saucepan, add garlic, and cook till fragrant. Add beans and 2 cups water. Bring to boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Beans should still be soupy. Using a potato masher, mash beans until they form a coarse puree. Bring the beans back to a simmer, and stir in the tortilla chips. Cook until tortilla chips are soft, but retain some chewiness. (You can add water if the beans get too dry.)

3. Sprinkle liberally with cheese, and serve with sour cream or creamy tomatillo salad dressing drizzled on top.

Wet Burritos

This recipe originally called for hamburger. I tried it tonight with just the refried beans, and we didn't miss the meat. Store bought enchilada sauce is usually too spicy for John and the kids, so I mixed the gravy with some tomato sauce and half the enchilada sauce. Some unbaked tortillas are trans fat free, so I prefer those to the precooked ones.

Ingredients:
1 pkg tortillas (either the precooked, or cook the raw ones)
2 cans refried beans
1 pkg brown gravy mix (mixed), or one jar brown gravy (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 can enchilada sauce (10 oz)
1-2 cups shredded cheese (I like Monterrey jack and cheddar)
lettuce (shredded or finely chopped)
tomato (finely chopped)
sour cream

Directions:
Put a spoonful of beans on a tortilla, roll it up burrito style, and place in a 9x13 pan. Repeat with other tortillas and remainder of beans (you'll probably get about 6-8 burritos).
Mix brown gravy and enchilada sauce together and pour over burritos. Top with cheese and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until cheese melts and sauce is hot and bubbly.
Serve with shredded lettuce, tomato, and sour cream.

"THE" Dip

1 can black eyed peas (drained)
1 can shoepeg corn (drained)
3 TBSP green onions, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped (optional - peel and seed them)
3 avocados, chopped
2 TBSP chopped cilantro
1 package Italian dressing, mixed according to directions

Put everything together and stir well.
Serve with tortilla chips.

We sometimes have this for a main dish. The kids love it, and with some fruit it can be filling enough for our family.

Rice, Beans, and Cheese Skillet

I found this recipe a few years ago, and I've made some changes to suit our family. I like to serve this with tortilla chips. It's also good with creamy tomatillo dressing (recipe here).

Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 TBSP olive oil
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes with green chilies
(I usually use regular tomatoes because my kids and husband don't like spicy foods)
1 can (15 oz) black beans
2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, monterrey jack, queso fresco)
tortilla chips

add ins- (when I have them)
chopped zucchini
corn

Instructions:

Heat oil in large skillet. Add garlic and cook on medium-high heat 1 minute. Add tomatoes, beans, any add-ins, and water; mix well. Bring to boil.

Stir in rice. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stir in cilantro; top with cheese. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Minestrone Soup

I got this recipe from Ginger, and I think that Carla has one that is similar, if not the same one. I love this soup, and would make it more often if the kids were better at eating it. As it is, we have it more than they would like. :) It's great in the summer when you have fresh garden vegetables, and it's a kind of comfort food in the winter.

Minestrone Soup
1 onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, sliced
1 can kidney beans, drained
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 zucchini, chopped
1 summer squash, chopped
1 potato, chopped
1 cup cooked medium pasta shells
vegetable broth
italian spices (I usually use basil and oregano)
olive oil
salt to taste (depends on the broth you use)

Saute the onion, garlic, and carrot in a little bit of olive oil until they start to get transparent.
Add the potato and the vegetable broth. Bring to boil, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the potato starts to get tender.
Add the kidney beans, canned chopped tomatoes, zucchini, and the summer squash.
Cook for another 10 minutes or so, and add a little water if necessary.
Add the cooked shells and heat through.
Serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Options: You could saute some celery with the onion, garlic, and carrot at the beginning. Frozen peas can be added with the beans, tomatoes, zucchini, and squash. You could also add green beans at that point. You could also substitute some other type of beans, like garbanzo beans, for the kidney beans. I like to have this soup with warm homemade bread. Ginger suggests a baguette and some kind of french cheese, like camembert.

Bean Burritos - Corn Tortillas

8-10 corn tortillas, warmed
refried beans (recipe follows)
queso fresco cheese, grated
baby spinach leaves
tomato, diced
taco sauce
sour cream
fresh cilantro leaves, minced

Lighter Refried Beans
2 TBSP canola oil
1 medium onion, minced (I sprinkled liberally w/ onion powder instead)
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 15-ounce pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup water
salt
pinch cayenne pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and continue cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute.

2. Add the beans and water. Use a potato masher to mash the beans into a coarse puree. Continue cooking until the beans are fairly dry, stirring to prevent burning or scorching. (8-10 minutes) Add salt to taste and the cayenne pepper.

from p 434, A Year in a Vegetarian Kitchen by Jack Bishop

Notes: Until I can find flour tortillas without trans fat (sigh) we'll probably be switching to corn tortillas. Luckily, the kids really liked these! You could use any refried beans, but this is the recipe we tried last night.

Cheese Enchiladas

Sauce:

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp baking powder
6 1/2 tsp flour
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 TBSP Parmesan Cheese

Combine spices, tomato sauce, and water in saucepan. Bring to boil, then simmer 40 minutes. Blend in the Parmesan cheese.

Filling:

1 can (15 oz) pinto beans
1 TBSP shortening or butter
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 lb. grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP chopped onions
1 tsp salt
3 TBSP green chilies

Mash some of the beans. Add shortening and water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add spices and cook for another 5 minutes. Add green chilies and cheese. Mix well.

Assembly:

10 corn tortillas
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Poor a little sauce into baking dish (I use a 7 x 11 pan, but any casserole or 9 x 13 pan will do) to cover bottom of pan. Warm corn tortillas; either by frying them in oil, or heating in a pan or microwave. Fill tortillas with cheese filling (it will be runny), and place in greased baking pan. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce, and grated cheddar cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

From a package of Lynn Wilson corn tortillas.

Notes:

When I'm in a hurry, I skip warming the tortillas and make enchilada casserole. I just break the tortillas up and layer them with the cheese mixture and the sauce, ending with the sauce and topping with grated cheese.

I also like to mix in different kind of cheese when I have them. Queso Fresco, cottage cheese, Monterrey jack, whatever I have on hand.

You can skip the sauce and use your favorite canned enchilada sauce. Usually those are too spicey for my family, to it's easier to make our own (and to keep it very mild).

Tostadas

Ingredients:

6-8 tostada shells
(you can also buy soft corn tortillas and either pan fry them till crisp,
or coat them with oil and bake at 350 till crisp - about 10-15 minutes)
1 can refried beans
1/2 cup rice (I like brown)
1 cup water
taco sauce
olives (slice)
tomatoes (diced)
avocado
grated cheese
sour cream
lettuce
other taco toppings

Directions:

Boil 1 cup water and add 1/2 cup rice. Cook till water is absorbed.
Add refried beans and a little taco sauce. Heat through.
Prepare tostada shells (warm them or crisp them).

Spread a layer of bean filling on each tortilla.
My kids like to use the toppings to make faces on their tostadas.
Olives or tomatoes make good eyes and noses.
Taco sauce can be "drawn" on like a mouth.
Grated cheese looks kind of like hair.
This is probably my kids favorite way to eat beans. :)

Bean Burritos - Taco Time Style

Ingredients:
tortillas
refried beans (canned or homemade - I like Taco Bell fat free refried beans)
grated cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Spread refried beans on tortilla.
Put a little grated cheese on the beans.
Roll tortilla up and place on baking sheet.
- optional: spray outside of tortilla with cooking spray
Repeat with remaining ingredients.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until tortillas start to brown and burritos are heated through.
Serve with taco sauce.