Tacos

One of our favorite dinners & so fast & easy!

We LOVE this canned beef from the cannery (I thought it sounded gross, but then tried it & loved it)! You could obviously use any type of meat or do vegetarian tacos.

We love this rice--I actually get the whole grain medley (it has corn & beans in it too) now, but they are both good! Just pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds & that's it!

Tacos


tortillas (I use whole wheat)

meat (whatever kind you want--or no meat at all)

taco seasoning, to taste

1 can black beans, drained (I cook mine in the microwave for 3 minutes)

1 pouch Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (or you could make your own)

toppings (shredded cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, corn, olives, guacomole, hot sauce, etc.)





Heat up meat on stove & stir in taco seasoning (if you're going vegetarian, mix in some taco seasoning with the black beans). Heat up beans and rice (I do it in the microwave). Sprinkle cheese on a tortilla & heat in the microwave for 30 seconds (I find that they roll up a lot easier if they're warm). Add meat, beans, rice, & desired toppings down the middle of the tortilla & then roll-up & eat!

No-Bake Cookies

We made these all the time growing up--they are so tasty & full of memories!

No-Bake Cookies


1/2 C. butter

2 C. sugar

1/2 C. milk

3 Tbsp. cocoa

1 tsp. corn syrup (optional)

1/2 C. peanut butter (I like to use crunchy)

1 tsp. vanilla

3 C. oatmeal

coconut, to taste (optional--I don't usually use it)




Combine butter, sugar, milk, cocoa, & corn syrup. Cook on medium to medium-high heat until it comes to a rolling boil. Take off of heat & stir in peanut butter, vanilla, & oatmeal. Drop (I like to use a cookie scoop) onto wax paper & let cool.






recipe from Mom

Avocado Corn Salsa or Cowboy Caviar

I had this at a baby shower a few weeks ago & loved it, so I asked my friend for the recipe. I made it a few days ago & Danny LOVED it & he isn't a tomato or avocado fan!

This is the cilantro that I use (I found it in the refrigerated section by the fresh produce). I also use this in my black bean soup & chicken tortilla soup.

Avocado Corn Salsa or Cowboy Caviar


1 can black beans, drained

1 small onion, diced (I used 1 tsp. onion powder instead)

1 can white shoepeg corn (I'm sure regular corn would work fine too)

2-3 large ripe avocados, peeled & diced (I used 2)

3-4 Roma tomatoes, diced (I use at least 4, sometimes more)

4 sprigs of cilantro, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp. cilantro paste)

lime juice from 1 lime (I used 2 Tbsp. bottled lime juice)

1 pkg. dry Good Season's Italian dressing (made per dressing instructions with water, vinegar, & oil--I did the less oil method)

garlic powder, to taste (optional)




Combine all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips.





*This looks the most appetizing on the day that it's made, so keep that in mind if you're making it for a gathering :)






recipe from Lauren Fiala

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

These were so yummy, moist, & thick. I made them for a joint mutual activity (along with mint brownies & caramel layer bars) and they were all gobbled right up!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

1/2 C. chunky peanut butter

1 C. sugar

1/4 C. brown sugar, packed

2 eggs (I used egg beaters)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. flour

1/4 tsp. salt (I used 1/8 tsp.)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips




Cream butter & peanut butter together until smooth. Beat in sugars. Add eggs one at a time & then add vanilla. Sift in dry ingredients. Add in chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.





*FYI: I did a double batch in a 9x13 pan & it took longer than 30 minutes to cook.





recipe from Bake at 350--you can find the original post here.