Two Bean Tamale Pie

1 Cup chopped green bell pepper (1 large)
1/2 Cup chopped onion (1 medium)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbs. cooking oil
1 15-oz. can black beanes (rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed)
1 15-oz. can of pinto beans (rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed)
1 small can of tomato sauce
1 4-oz. can of dice green chili peppers, undrained
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 8.5-oz. pkg. corn muffin mix
(1 egg and 1/3 cup milk for the corn muffin mix)

Directions:

1. In a medium skillet cook bell pepper, onion, and garlic in hot oil until tender
2. Stir in black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, chili peppers, chili powder, and cumin. Heat through and spoon mixture into a greased 2 quart baking dish.
3. Prepare corn muffin mix according to pkg. directions.
4. Spoon corn bread mixture evenly over the top of the bean mixture.
5. Bake uncovered at 400 for about 20 minutes or until golden brown (serve with salsa and sour cream if desired)

This is such a good recipe! Zack said it is one of his favorite dinners by far and it is quite healthy and low in fat.

Salmon with Lemon and Dill

1 Tbs. fresh chopped dill or 1/2 tsp of dried dill (I always recommend fresh)
4 Servings of salmon (I just used frozen but it would probably be even better with fresh)
1/4 Cup of fresh lemon juice (about 2 full lemons squeezed)
2 Tbs. of melted butter

Directions:

1. Combine lemon juice, melted butter, and dill.
   
2. Broil salmon for 5-6 minutes just on one side until it is flakey and opaque. (you can grill it as well but I broil it because it is too cold outside right now)
3. Baste with lemon/dill mixture-salt to taste
   

The Best Salad Dressing Ever

1/2 Cup oil
3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
1/4 Cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Directions:

1. Put all ingredients in a blender or a bottle with a lid and shake until well mixed. I love this over a spinach salad with craisons, candied nuts, and sliced strawberries but it goes well with just about anything.
   

Fried Rice

1/2 Cup chopped onion
1 Cup frozen peas and carrots mixture (thawed)
4 Tbs. of butter, divided
Chopped ham or bacon (pre-cooked-I put about a cup of crumbled turkey bacon)
4 beaten eggs
2 Cups cooked rice (I use brown rice)
A dash of soy sauce
Salt and pepper to taste (I usually don't need much at all)

Directions:

1. Saute onion with the peas and carrots mixture in 2 Tbs. of butter until tender
   
2. Add the chopped ham/bacon
3. Stir in the eggs, scrambling them as they cook
4. Add the rice and remaining 2 Tbs. of butter
5. Season with salt, pepper, or a dash of soy sauce to taste
   

Mushroom Rice Casserole

1 Cup long grain rice (uncooked)
1 Can of beef broth
1 can of water (beef broth can)
1 Cup sliced mushrooms (fresh)
1 finely chopped medium sized onion
1 tsp. bouillon (chicken or beef)
1/2 Cup butter
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Saute onion and mushrooms in butter until onions are tender
2. mix all ingredients together and pour into a 9x13 baking dish
3. bake at 375 for one hour covered
   

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

this recipe is soooo good and so quick and easy, way better than regular cookies. This is my sis-in-law Tandi's recipe, everytime she made it I had to exercise extreme control not to eat the whole thing!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Beat together:
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
Add
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
Gradually add:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Mix in after dough is creamy
1 bag chocolate chips ( I did half chocolate and white choc.)
Spread in greased 9x13 pan, bake @325 for 25-30 minutes.

Corn and Avocado Salsa

I make this quite often because it is so easy and good!


Ingredients:

1 can white corn, drained
1 can black-eyed peas, drained
1/2 bunch green onion, chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
4 med. tomatoes, chopped
3 avocados, chopped
1 pkg. Good Seasons Italian dressing mix

Mix together all ingredients and chill overnight.