Mexican Cheddar Skillet Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-14 lb) coarsely chopped

2 T oil

3 C instant long grain rice, cooked

1 can whole tomatoes, drained, chopped

1 jar chunky salsa

1 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1. In skillet, cook chicken in hot oil 4 to 5 minutes until browned.

2. Stir in rice, tomatoes and salsa. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 8 to 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

3. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cook about 3 minutes longer until cheese is melted.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

a delicious and easy recipes from My Kitchen Cafe

3 1/2 cups water, plus extra if needed
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
12 ounces (about 3 cups) elbow macaroni
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
6 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (1 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks
Ground black pepper to taste

Bring 3 1/2 cups water, 1 cup of the evaporated milk, the macaroni, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat. Cook at a vigorous simmer, stirring often, until the macaroni is tender and the liquid has thickened, 9 to 12 minutes.

Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup evaporated milk, the cornstarch, mustard and hot sauce together in a small bowl, then stir into the skillet. Continue to simmer slightly thickened, about 1 minute.

Off the heat, stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack, one handful at a time, adding water as needed to adjust the consistency of the sauce (I didn't need any additional water when I made it). Stir in the butter and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Ham and Pea Variation
Follow the recipe, adding 4 ounces deli-style baked ham, diced medium, and 1/2 cup frozen peas to the skillet with the cornstarch mixture in step 2.

Impossibly Easy Taco Pie

1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 can chopped green chilis, drained
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup bisquick
3/4 c cheese

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Greese 9 inch pie plate. Cook ground beef and onion in skillet, drain. Stir in seasoning mix. Spoon into pie plate, top with chilis.

Stir milk, eggs and Bisquick intil blended. Pour into pie plate.

Bake about 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkel with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes longer. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Amish Breakfast Casserole

I also made this egg casserole version this morning. This is all made in the morning and baked. People said it was really good, but it was all gone before I got a chance to try it! Very quick and easy to make, would make a good dinner as well.

* 1 pound sliced bacon, diced
* 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
* 6 eggs, lightly beaten
* 4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
* 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1 1/2 cups small curd cottage cheese
* 1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish.
2. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

From allreipes.com. The kids loved this!

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
• 1 cup carrot strips
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, juice reserved
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown chicken in oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add green bell pepper, red bell pepper, carrot and garlic and stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
2. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and soy sauce and mix together; pour mixture into the skillet, along with the pineapple and liquid, vinegar, sugar and ginger. Stir together and bring to a full boil.

Brown Sugar Enchiladas

Another big hit from Judith's recipe blog!  Fast, easy, with simple ingredients, and very delicious.

1-1/2 lb lean ground beef

1 can black refried beans

1 can red enchilada sauce, divided

1/3 C brown sugar - or to taste

1/2 t onion powder

2 C grated cheddar cheese, divided

10-12 flour tortillas

Brown ground beef in a large pan.  Drain off fat and add refried beans, 1/2 of the enchilada sauce, brown sugar and onion powder.  Mix well and bring to a simmer.  Remove from heat.

Fill one tortilla with a bout 1/4 of a cup of filling and 2 T cheese.  Roll up and place in a 9x13 pan.  Repeat process until pan is full.  Pour remaining enchilada sauce over prepared enchiladas.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, sliced olives, diced onions, shredded lettuce, avocado or guacamole.

Taco Salad

Oh, what to fix for dinner. This one is so fast and easy and everyone loves it.

2 lbs ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning
10-3/4 oz tomato soup
15 oz diced tomatoes, Mexican seasoned
1 small tomato sauce
1 can sliced olives
1 small pkg Doritos
3 C Cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef and season to taste with seasoning salt and garlic salt. Drain off fat. Add taco seasoning to meat and mix well. Add tomato soup, tomatoes, (pour off a little liquid before adding), and tomato sauce to meat mixture. Add olives, stir and then spread mixture in large cookie sheet with sides. Mix in chips and 1 C of grated cheese. Spread evenly in cookie sheet. Top with 2 C of cheddar cheese. Bake in 350 degree oven for approx 10 min.--just long enough to melt cheese on top. Do not overcook! Serve meat mixture over lettuce salad which has been topped with ranch and/or Catalina dressing.

Taco Soup

From Judith

• 1 lb Hamburger
• 1 sm. chopped onion
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
• 1 8 oz. tomato sauce
• 1 can corn (with juice)
• 1 can Black beans (with juice)
• 1 can Kidney beans (with juice)
• 1 28 oz. stewed tomatoes
• 1-2 T. sugar

1. Brown hamburger and onion, place in a large pot and add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, corn, black beans, kidney beans, stewed tomatoes & sugar.

2. Simmer for 2-4 hrs or cook in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hrs. Garnish with tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, avocado, and tomatoes.

Favorite Sloppy Joes

This is our favorite sloppy joe recipe.  I usually use ground turkey and season the meat with garlic and onion salt instead of cutting up fresh.  I also leave out the green pepper because my family doesn't like it.

1-1/2 lb ground beef or ground turkey
1 C chopped onion

1/2 C chopped green pepper
1/2 t garlic salt
1/2 t pepper
1 C catsup
1 small can tomato sauce
1 T dark brown sugar
1-1/2 T lemon juice
1-1/2 T worchestershire
1-1/2 T mustard

1/4 t ground pepper

Brown meat with onion, garlic salt, and pepper. Drain grease and add remaining ingredients. Simmer 10 minutes before serving.