Beef Stuffed Sopaipillas

This recipe takes a little time but is very good.  To cut down on time for all of my meals, I brown six pounds of hamburger one weekend a month and freeze it in quart sized bags (approx. 1 lb in each bag).  I also dice onion in my dicer and freeze that once a month so that I have ready to use onion for recipes.  It saves LOTs of time to have part of the meal already to go.

Beef Sopaipillas

Fry Bread

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. salt

1 t. baking powder

1/4 c. water

1/2 evaporated milk

oil for frying

Filling

1 lbs browned ground beef

3/4 c. onion

dash of salt

1/2 t. garlic

Sauce

1 can (10 3/4 oz) cream of chicken soup

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilis

1/2 t. garlic

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Stir in water  and milk with a fork until a ball forms. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently for around 2 minutes. Let stand for 10-15 minutes. Divide into four portions; pat each into a 6-1/2-in. circle.

In a large pan heat oil. Fry circles, one at a time, for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the salt and garlic.

In a large saucepan, combine the soup, broth, chilies and garlic; Add cheese and cook until warm through.

Top fry bread with meat and cheese mixture!  You can also cut a slit in the fry bread and stuff the meat and cheese mixture inside, but we prefer to top it.

To save even more time, I sometimes double the cheese and meat mixtures. Then I freeze and label the leftovers so that all I have to do is make the bread on a night I'm needing something quickly.

Super Yummy Breakfast Casserole

It's recipe day again!  This is my very favorite breakfast casserole.  During the school year, I make this on Sunday morning, and then we reheat it for several days during the week.  It also freezes well if you wanted to freeze individual portions to reheat on crazy mornings.

7 eggs
1/2 c. milk or cream
1 tsp. salt
1 lbs. cooked and crumbled sausage
1/4 of an onion
1/2 c. chedder cheese
1 tsp. cumin
2 tbls minced garlic
4 slices bread
If you have it, some jalapeno pepper diced up.

Tear bread into small pieces and put into a 9x13 baking dish.  Cook sausage; add onion, garlic, and jalapeno (if using) towards the end.  Mix eggs, milk, salt, and cumin.  Add sausage mixture over bread.  Sprinkle with some cheese over the bread and sausage mixture.  Then pour egg mixture over all this.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 min.  I usually melt a little more cheese over the top towards the end of cooking.

Cornbread Taco Bake

Another super easy, tasty meal.

1-1/2 pounds ground beef

1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black beans drained

1/2 onion, chopped

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 package (8-1/2 ounces) corn bread/muffin mix

 shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet, cook beef then add water and taco seasoning. Stir in the corn, onion, black beans, and tomato sauce. Spoon into a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Prepare corn bread mix according to package directions for corn bread.  Spread over beef mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20 minutes.  Top with cheese and bake for another 2-4 minutes until cheese is melted.

Serve with salad or some sort of fruit.

Quick and Easy's the Name of the Game

Earlier this week my sister called me wanting a quick, easy recipe that her boyfriend (also a rancher) would eat.  He apparently groaned "again" when she suggested fixing meat loaf or spaghetti pie, her two go-to-meals for when he eats with her.  I'm not sure if I should feel flattered or alarmed that she knew she could count on my recipes being quick, easy, and something a rancher would eat.  I cook pretty much every night because after working hard in the field or with cattle all day my husband is hungry and wants "real" food, but I don't love standing over a stove for hours on end (I've also found that having a baby nearby considerably lessens the amount of time I have for cooking).
I thought I'd share a recipe each week with all of you in case you're looking for something that's a home cooked meal but not a whole afternoon.
Here's the meal I suggested to my sister (and her boyfriend loved it).

Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup
Put your pork chops in a greased pan.  Cover with a can of cream of mushroom soup.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (Yes, it's really that easy!)  If I'm feeling froggy, I like to put a little chopped onion and garlic, but it's just as good without it.  This can be eaten on it's own or over garlic buttered noodles or rice.

Beer Bread

3 c. self rising flour
3 tbls. brown sugar
1/2 t. onion or garlic powder (whichever you prefer or have)
1 (12 oz) beer
1/4 c. melted butter
Mix first 3 ingredients. Pour in beer and mix until moist. Put in bread pan. Pour butter over top.
Bake 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes.  ( You can leave out the onion/garlic powder if you want)  Green chilies, jalapenos, cheese, etc. can be added to this also.

Corn on the Cob
Boil 20 minutes in slightly salty water!

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are our absolute favorite chocolate chip cookies!  I usually bake a dozen then ball the rest of them up and freeze them so I can take them out whenever I need (or want) cookies.

2 c. butter crisco

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

4 tsp vanilla

4 unbeaten eggs

4 tsp water

blend together

4 c quick oats

3 c flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 c chopped pecans

2 c chocolate chips

blend together then add to wet ingredients

Scoop into balls.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes (if you're baking from frozen balls at 2 min.)

Enjoy!!!