Tator-Tot Casserole

This is always a favorite at our house. The kids LOVE it so we don't have to fight with them to make dinner...plus, it is easy and takes only a few ingredients. I am all about easy! :)

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained

1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 can of corn; drained

1 cup shredded cheese (save 1/4)

1 bag tator-tots (save 1/2)

Mix all ingredients together and place in a greased 11x9 baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and tator tots. Cook @ 350 for 1 hour.

Easy Fried Chicken

This was super tasty and EASY! I made it with some mashed potatoes, biscuits and corn. YUM!

1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 T. fresh parsley, chopped

1 T. fresh thyme, chopped

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. pepper

3 lbs. chicken

1 C. buttermilk

1/4 C. oil

1/4 C. butter-flavored shortening

* I skipped the shortening, used skinless chicken breasts, and used regualr milk instead of buttermilk to make it a little more healthy.

DIRECTIONS:

Combine flour, parsley, thyme, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a shallow dish; set aside. Dip chicken in buttermilk; turn in flour mixture to coat and set aside. Heat oil and shortening over medium-high heat in a large skillet; add chicken, skin side down. Cook turning occasionally (turn down to medium), until golden brown and juices run clear. About 20 minutes.

*Makes 6-servings

Taco Soup

1 lb hamburger

1 Cup salsa

1 can tomato paste

1 can beef broth

onions

1 can corn

1 can beans (pinto or kidney)

1 tsp. cumin

1 cup water

2 tsp worchester sauce

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp garlic

2 cans tomato sauce

Simmer for 4-5 hours on low. When ready to serve sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.

Lion House Swiss Chicken

6 Chicken Breasts

6 slices of cheese, swiss

2 cans cream of chicken soup

Stove top stuffing

1. Flatten chicken breasts and cook for 20 minutes at 350.

2. Put 1 slice of cheese on top of each breast

3. Dilute soup in 3 cans of water and pour over the chicken

4. Shake dry stuffing mix over the top the chicken to desired amount

5. spritz with some water to moisten stuffing

6. place back in oven till cheese is melted.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

I am sure you have all made this before...it is really good if you like tuna. Which, the kids did not. hehe!

2 cans (10 oz.) cream of mushroom soup

1 cup milk

4 cups hot cooked egg noddles

2 cups frozen peas

2 cans (12 oz. each) tuna, drained

2 T. dry bread crumbs

1 T. butter

Stir soup, milk, peas, tuna and noodles in a casserole dish. Bake at 400 degress for 30 minutes. Stir. Mix bread crumbs with butter in a bowl and sprinkle over tuna mixture. Bake for 5 minutes more.

For a cheese topping: Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese over top.

Cafe Rio @ Home

Craig and I, LOVE Cafe Rio. The only problem is that it is expensive! So, we found some recipes for their food. We made it last night and it turned out SO GOOD! It was a lot of work though and our kitchen was a disaster after we were done. But, well worth it and it was fun. It turned out REALLY close to the original. So here it is for all you Cafe Rio fans out there.

Café Rio Dressing
1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make per recipe)
2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable with a husk around them)
1/4 bunch of cilantro
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeño (Use the seeds too if you like it spicy. You could substitute a few drops of green Tabasco for the jalapeno.)

Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic—minced
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Cafe Rio Rice

3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chilies—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice

Blend cilantro, green chilies and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

To Assemble: Put some black beans, Mozzarella cheese, some green enchilada sauce, the chicken, lots of juice from the chicken (from the crock pot), the rice, into a large flour tortilla. Fold up into a burrito. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and smother in the Cafe Rio dressing (my favorite part). Put in the oven on broil until the cheese is melted. ENJOY!