Taco Bake

This recipe is a variated version of the original recipe that was given to me by my aunt last year ... the reason it's variated, is because I lost the recipe and wanted to make it, so I did my own thing ... I think it turned out better (no harm done - it wasn't her recipe, she was just passing it along). A very good recipe for dinner parties or when you need a good appetizer dish!


Taco Bake


ingredients:

1 to 1 1/2 lb hamburger meat
1 pkg of taco seasoning
1 large can (1 lb) of refried Beans
(2) cream cheese, softened
1 large jar of Picante sauce
1 large bag of Cheddar cheese


directions:

step 1 - cook and season hamburger meat with Taco seasoning ... I also do my regular seasoning of salt, pepper, onion and garlic.

step 2 - spread refried beans in the bottom of a pyrex dish or large baking dish


step 3 - layer cream cheese

step 4 - layer hamburger meat

step 5 - layer Picante sauce



step 6 - layer cheddar cheese

step 7 - at this point ... if you are making ahead of time - cover and refriderate until needed. Or, if ready to prepare - bake 30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

step 8 - serve with Tortillia Scoops

(I do not have pictures of the final product, because I opted to make this ahead of time for an event after church yesterday)

comments: This is a VERY tasty appetizer and I love the "cream cheese" in it as an alternative to sour cream. So very yummy, that I usually end up eating way too much! I would totally recommend this recipe. Another variation is to use Mexican Cheese instead of Cheddar.

rating: 4.5

Mini Cheeseburger Bites ...

I prepared this for our "family night/game night" ... for something fast, fun, and simple! It was definitely a hit at our game table last night!




Mini Cheeseburger Bites


Ingredients:


- hamburger meat
- seasoning of your choice - mine are: Paula's Deen's Seasoning Salt, Dale's Steak Seasoning Sauce, pepper, and a little bit of onion
- cheese slices
- bread
- condiments of your choice - I used: ketchup, mustard and mayo



Directions:


1. Season hamburger meat to your liking - I added Dale's Sauce, seasoning salt and pepper and a little bit of onion.

2. Mix seasoning well with hamburger meat and roll into small balls - mine were about 2 inches.

3. With your thumb, press into each ball to form a pocket.

4. Fry the mini burgers in a skillet - you can also grill them.



5. I flipped half way through and then flipped back once again where holes were on top. I used the end of a fork to push the holes back in (some of them closed up a bit while frying). But since the original hole was there, it pushed in with ease.

6. Using a small biscuit cutter I pressed out mini bread circles.

7. I placed them on a pan and sprayed "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" on each bread disc. and toasted in the toaster.

8. I took a slice of cheese and cut it in 1/4's.

9. I placed a 1/4 piece of cheese on each bread disc and put back in toaster for about 25-30 seconds.

10. I placed a mini burger on each cheese bread disc.

11. In each "hole" I squirted a condiment ... I used mustard ...

Ketchup ....
and Mayo ...

comments: To everyone's surprise at the "game table", they were unbelievably good! They were so easy to make and ended up being the perfect little mini cheeseburger meal! I served them with chips and soft drinks. And I loved being able to fill the little holes with the condiments ahead of time. This would make a perfect party food ... easy to pick up and it's all inclusive! I saved on carbs by using one small piece of bread per burger ... I saved on fat by using lean ground beef, non-fat cheese and using a non-fat butter spray for the bread discs. When you bite into the mini burger, because of the hole filled condiment, it goes all the way through, which means each bite is perfect! I am positive this will be made again and again, not just on game night, but for parties as well!

rating: 4.5 for an overall "food" rating, but definitely a 5 for its category!

Pimento Cheese

This recipe was requested ... it's for my Mom's Pimento Cheese.


This is her particular version of Pimento Cheese and she feels if you deviate from the brand name it will not taste the same ...




For the record, I do not like Pimento Cheese ... however ... I love this recipe! It is the only Pimento Cheese that I will eat. This is a VERY simple recipe with GREAT results! I prepare this for just about any party we have and it is always a big hit! I suggest serving it with Wheat Thins and seedless red grapes ... the taste when you combine all three together is incredible!!! ... Yum-Yum factor!!!!




Pimento Cheese



Ingredients:


2 - Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheddar blocks of cheese (gold color packaging)
Large jar of pimento
(about) 2 Tbsp. Hellmann's Mayonnaise




Directions:


1. Grate the cheese (they do not sell the packaged "already shredded" at my grocery store) - (not a fun task - but worth it for the taste!)







2. Add the entire jar of pimento





3. Add mayo ... about 2 heaping tablespoons ... you be the judge!



4. I put a sandwich bag on my hand ... you must mix it thoroughly and unless you want all this stuff under your nails? I would suggest a sandwich bag ... it blends it very nicely - very quickly.




5. I then transfer to another bowl for chilling ... (love my Pampered Chef bowls with lids)






This is my desired creaminess ... and I used two heaping tablespoons full

comments: VERY easy, very good appetizer, and also great for sandwiches! You can make this ahead of time and keep it in the fridge - it will last 2-3 weeks easy! And ... if those surprise guests walk through the door ... as long as you have this on hand with some Wheat Thins and red grapes - they will feel like you spent a whole lot of time making them feel special with this quick, simple and very easy recipe!

rating: 4.5