Kate's 3 Go-to Meals Tag Response

Okay, here are three of my go-to meals. I realized that I have only put one of them up as a separate post so most of this is new.

1) The Mexican Meat-zza. I love this and I'd rather have it than plain tacos.

2) Some kind of burger with something other than red meat. Here are three varieties

Black Bean Burger: (Makes 8 patties)

1/2 cups prepared salsa

1 jalapeno (optional--sometimes Max and I just put jarred jalapenos on our burgers so it's not too spicy for the kids)

2 15-oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 8.5-oz corn muffin mix (I use Jiffy)

2 1/2 and then 1/2 tsp chili powder

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp chili powder

In colander, drain salsa (just let it sit in the sink for a minute). Seed and finely chop half of jalapeno; thinly slice remaining half (if you're using it). In large bowl, mash beans with vegetable masher or fork. Stir in muffin mix, drained salsa, 2 1/2 tsp of chili powder. Shape into 8 patties. In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over meduim-high heat. Add four bean mixture patties to skillet. Cook 3 minutes each side until browned. Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining oil and bean mixture. In a bowl, combine sour cream and 1/2 tsp chili powder to spread on the buns. The you can top the burgers with anything you want--more salsa, lettuce, tomato, cheese (I like it with cheese), the sliced jalapeno and definitely Cholula!

Curried Turkey Burgers: (Makes 4 patties) (I know this maybe sounds weird, but even my kids love these)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp curry powder

1 lb ground turkey breast

1/4 tsp salt

2 oz feta cheese with basil and tomato, crumbled

4 Greek pita flatbread or burger buns (I like to use wheat burger buns)

Heat broiler. Stir together mayonnaise and curry; set aside. Combine turkey, 2 Tbsp of curry mayonnaise, feta, and 1/4 tsp salt. Shape into four 1/2 thick patties. Broil 4 inches from heat 11-13 minutes, turning once. Spread remaining curry-mayonnaise on flatbread or patties. Top with red onion, spinach and more feta.

Salmon Burgers--(not a real recipe, just something I threw together based on a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens)

2 6-oz pkgs precooked salmon or about about 12-14 oz cooked salmon fillet

1/3-1/2 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs

2 Tbsp snipped fresh dill (or I've used dry dill--probably just 1 Tbsp or less though)

chopped chives or green onions to taste

(you can also add leftover mashed up potatoes with a little sour cream too if you have it)

Mix all ingredients and form into 6-8 patties (about 3.5 inches wide). Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Cook cakes over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes each side--the salmon is already cooked so your really just heating them through and browning them. Serve on hamburger buns with lettuce and honey-dijon salad dressing.

3. Chicken Enchilada

2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed

2 cans mushrooms (4 oz) (optional)

1 can chopped green chilies

1/3 C minced onions, sautéed in a little oil

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1/3 lb cheese

1/2 C sour cream

Combine ingredients, leaving a little cheese aside.

Mix:

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 1/2 C sour cream

Lightly smear glass baking pan with soup/sour cream mixture. Place about 1/4 cup of chicken mixture into flour tortillas. Roll and place tortillas in pan. Cover with remaining soup/sour cream mixture and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 450º for 10-15 mintues.

Oh, yeah....I tag Pam