The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement ~ Beef & Bean Taco Casserole

Wow.  This one was a winner, both for dinner, and lunch leftovers.  This will definitely be made again in the Epp household!

• Ingredients
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 can 10 oz black or regular lowfat refried beans
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• 2 1/2 cups broken tortilla chips (I use whole grain or whole wheat)
• 1/2 medium green bell pepper chopped (I used yellow because it's what I had handy)
• 4 medium green onions, chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions:

Heat oven to 350.  Cook ground beef, until thoroughly cooked through.  Add refried beans, salsa and taco seasoning.  Reduce heat to medium, heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

In ungreased 2 qt casserole dish, place 2 cups of the tortilla chips. Top evenly with beef mixture.  Sprinkle with bell pepper, onions and 1 cup of tomato, and the cheese.

Bake uncovered 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Top with remaining tomato and tortilla chips.  

I served with diced avocado.  Happy Eating Friends! ~ Trina

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Sante Fe Casserole Bake

Sunday 9/11/11  ~Sante Fe Casserole Bake



Okay...I say this dish is perfect for Sunday night football, or any other day of the week for fall.  It's a yummy mix between a casserole dish and nachos.  The hubby has always loved this meal...and the kiddos really enjoy it too.  Callie usually has two helpings, which is always a sign that it's a fav.

1- Pd lean ground beef
1- Pkg of Taco Seasoning
2-Cups of Chicken Broth
1/4- Cup of Flour or Cornstarch
1-Cup low fat Sour Cream
1- 7 oz can of diced green chiles
1- bag Whole Grain Tortilla chips (recipe does call for corn or regular tortilla)
2- Cups Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese
1/2-Cup Sliced green onions w/tops

In medium skillet, brown meat and stir until crumbly; drain fat.  Add taco seasonings, blend well.  in bowl, combine broth & flour.  Add to meat mixture, bring to a boil to slightly thicken liquid.  Stir in sour cream & chiles; blend well.  In 13x9x2 inch lightly greased baking dish, place 1/2 of chips, top with 1/2 of meat mixture, 1/2 of cheese & 1/2 of green onions.  Layer all remaining ingredients ending with green onions.  Bake uncovered at 375 for 20 minutes.

You can serve alone, with corn, black beans, or even spanish rice.

Enjoy~ and happy eating friends!!

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Recipe for 8/24/11 ~ Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

I just started the slow cooker an hour ago and our entire home is permeated in a fiesta of cilantro with a hint of lime.  It makes me want to grab an ice cold Corona, but alas, ‘tis only 11am.  I lift up the lid to stir the chicken breasts soaking in a tropical lagoon of salsa y taco seasonings. 

My husband has never much been a fan for slow cooked meals.  Unless maybe it is ribs or something manly like that.  But mostly he sees a slow cooker and chicken as a method of boiling and that does not sound appetizing to him in the least. 

However, I snuck this recipe in last month.  When my husband arrived home from work that evening, the first thing he did was raise a knowing eyebrow with a pleasing smile of the zesty, lustrous aroma.  The second thing he did was shoot an inquisitive glance towards the slow cooker as if he hadn’t enjoyed being welcomed home to a fine home-cooked meal.  Thirty minutes later, after the family gathered at our table, his eyes lit up after his first bite. 

“This is really great!  The lime, the cilantro!  It’s so flavorful.”  I’m almost positive he used the word flavorful.

Ah ha!  I thought!  I defeated the slow cooker skepticisms in his head.  I thought, I can use this delightful appliance and save time.  Hooray!  And the excitement didn’t end here folks!  He went back for seconds and even our pickier toddler threw down and polished off every last bite. 

It’s an easy recipe.  It’s a flavorful recipe.  It can be as healthy as you’d like.

Bon appetite!

J Leah

The creator of the recipe is my friend Ashley Wendt (wendtsbooty.blogspot.com).  Though I have to thank our mutual friend, photographer Joanna Davis for insisting I try it (http://www.photosbyjoannad.blogspot.com/). 

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

3 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Jar (16 oz) your favorite Salsa (We like Tostitos® Restaurant Style Salsa)

1 packet Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

1 Lime (juice from 1 lime)

3 T Fresh Cilantro, chopped (muy importante!)

6 Tortillas

Directions

In a slow cooker, mix Salsa, Taco Seasoning, Lime Juice and cilantro.

Add Chicken. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs.

Remove chicken and shred.

Serve with a tortilla Add any of your favorite toppings* (lettuce, onions, peppers, black olives, sour cream, taco sauce, etc.)

*I chose to serve ours with chopped tomato, chopped onion, sliced avocado (a MUST in our home), and sour cream.  As you now know, my husband determined there is so much going on in the flavor department…so hold the taco sauce.