Hawaiian Sandwiches

I made these for lunch today. I even made slushies to go along with them. I was about to take a picture, but then I had a deja vu moment, "I think I've done this before!" And sure enough...I found my old post! :)

Enjoy!

Make-Ahead Burritos

3 c. shredded cooked chicken or beef
1 (16 oz.) jar of salsa
1 (16 oz.) can refried beans
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, drained
1 envelope burrito or taco seasoning
1/2 c. water
16 (8") flour tortillas
1 lb. monterey Jack or cheddar cheese cut into 5 x 1/2 in. strips

In a large skillet or saucepan combine meat, salsa, beans, chilies, seasoning & water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 5 min. until heated through. Spoon about 1/3 c. of filling off center on each tortilla; top with cheese strip. Fold edges of tortilla nearest filling over to cover. Fold ends of tortilla over filling & roll up. Wrap individually in aluminum. Place foil packets on a baking sheet. Bake @ 350 degrees for 50 min. or until heated through. If thawed, bake for 25-30 min.

Thanks, Em, for this recipe! It was quick & easy to throw together & will be nice to have on hand when I'm in a time crunch.

Some more...if you peas...

My children are not big fans of peas. I resort to sneaking them into casseroles. So far, it's working. I'm not sure my boys would have ever touched this "casserole" with a ten foot pole, if it wasn't for its name - Cowboy casserole. They can be talked into eating just about anything cowboys eat! ;)


2 boxes of mac 'n' cheese
1 bag of frozen peas (or corn)
1 lb. of taco meat

Prepare the mac 'n' cheese according to the box. Heat the peas or corn in the microwave. Heat the meat & mix with 1-2 Tbsp. of taco seasoning. Mix all together & voila! (This is a great way to use up leftovers.)

Cucumber Salad

I don't think it's officially summer, until we've eaten Cucumber salad. It's light, cool, and delicious. And it goes with just about any meal. A family favorite...

2-3 large cucumbers, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. dill weed

1 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. vinegar

1/2 c. mayo

Slice cucumbers & set aside. Mix remaining ingredients together. Pour over cucumbers & stir. Cool in fridge; serve. The dressing seems to multiply, so you can add more cucumbers. Some people add onions, but as neither my son nor I enjoy raw onions, I leave them out.

Pickles

I learned everything I know about canning, thanks to an unlikely friendship with an Amish woman. Phil met her husband while working for a local farmer. I met them when we were dating, and never imagined we would become friends or spend afternoons together once we moved to Oklahoma. But we did & despite being from two different "worlds", we shared recipes, stories, and advice. She taught me how to can pickles, beets, and applesauce. I chauffeured her to doctor's appointments and Wal-Mart. She moved to Kentucky & we moved here, but I think of her often & look forward to the occasional letter. Our family loves her recipe for Banana Pickles, which has nothing to do with bananas, except for the color.

Banana Pickles

3 c. sugar
1 c. vinegar
1 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 tsp. tumeric

Peel cucumbers & scoop out seeds. Cut into spears & pack tightly in pint jars. Mix ingredients in a saucepan & heat up on med-high heat until sugar is dissolved. Pour vinegar mixture over cucumbers until covered. Clean rims of jars & screw on lids. Cold pack in a canner; bring water to a boil & boil for 5 min. Set jars to the side & allow to cool & seal.

Fancy Green Beans

These are a favorite at our home & simple to prepare.

2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
1 bag green beans
2 tsp. Lawry's seasoning salt
1/4 c. almonds

Saute garlic in olive oil. Add beans & season with Lawry's. Saute until crisp-tender. Add almonds & saute until almonds are browned (just a few min.). Serve.

Company's coming!

Well, next week has filled up quickly as we'll have 2 "sets" of company coming. My brother & his family will be here the beginning of the week & the day they leave, my in-laws arrive for the rest of the week. And to make even a little bit crazier :) we're having a garage sale to finish the week out!

I'm a planner. I like to have meals planned so I don't have to think through "What's for supper?" when I'd rather spend that time visiting. Yesterday, I made my meal plan & bought groceries. Today I'll be busy in the kitchen, preparing casseroles & baking bread. Here are a few things I'll be making:

Baked Spaghetti
French Bread

Ham w/ Potato Casserole
Fancy Green Beans

Mexican Casserole
w/ salad

Rice & Gravy
w/ broccoli & cauliflower

Tacos