Nacho Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 envelope taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
salt & pepper to taste
1 can refried beans
1 bag taco chips
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown beef and onion. Add taco seasoning, water and seasonings. Spread refried beans on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Top with beef. Rim the dish with taco chips. Crush more taco chips and sprinkle generously over beef. Top with cheese and bake for 5-10 minutes to heat through and melt the cheese.

Shepherd's Pie

1 lb. ground beef
1 onion
1 carrot
1/4 cup peas
1 cup boiling water
1 pkg. onion soup mix
2 T. flour
2/3 cup water
salt & pepper to taste
4-5 potatoes
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Brown beef and onions. Add sliced carrot and peas, boiling water and onion soup mix. Bring to a boil. Shake flour with water until mixed and add to beef. Continue to boil for about 5 minutes and simmer until most of the liquid has boiled away. Boil potatoes separately and mash. Put beef mixture in 8x11 baking dish, top with mashed potatoes and cheese, if desired. Bake 10 minutes at 350.

Chicken Fajitas

3 chicken breasts, cut in long strips
1-2 T. taco seasoning
oil
1 green pepper, julienned
1 red pepper, julienned
1 small onion, chopped or cut in long strips

Sprinkle the chicken with the taco seasoning and saute in the oil until cooked through and browned. Saute the peppers and onion in oil in another pan. You can also cook it altogether in one pan, but my family prefers it to be separate because not everyone likes peppers.

When everything is done, serve in tortillas. You can also add shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa.

Taco Dip

Version 1:

Refried beans

Equal amounts sour cream mixed with mayo

Salsa

Shredded cheddar cheese

Version 2:

Refried beans

Equal amounts sour cream mixed with mayo

A sprinkle of taco seasoning

Shredded cheddar cheese

Chopped fresh tomatoes, green peppers & red peppers

Make these in layers in a baking dish. You really can add whatever you want but these are our favourites. You can leave out the refried beans and just do layers of sour cream/mayo, salsa and cheese. Serve with taco chips or - our favourite - rippled potato chips or Mexican Chili chips.

Honey Ginger Soy Stir-fry

1 chicken breast
1 carrot
2 sticks celery
broccoli florets
red pepper
onion
green pepper

Sauce:

1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 T honey (can also substitute sugar)
2 tsp cornstarch
1/8 tsp ginger

Brown the chicken in oil. Add the veggies and stir-fry. Mix the sauce (I double the recipe for 7 people) and pour over the stir-fry when the veggies are done to your liking. Cook a few minutes until the sauce is thick. Serve over long, skinny noodles (like vermicelli).

Easy Cream Cheese Brownies

Brownie layer (same as Never Fail Brownies):

1/2 cup margarine
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa

Cream Cheese layer:

4 oz cream cheese (I usually use a little more)
1 egg
1/2 c. sugar
2 T flour
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix brownie and pour into an 8x8 square pan. Mix cream cheese layer and pour over top. Swirl the cream cheese into the brownies a little with a knife. Bake for 35 minutes at 350.

Easy Waldorf Salad

1 pkg. premade coleslaw mix
1 apple, diced
1/2 cup raisins (approximately)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or other nuts of choice)

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup milk
2 tsp. sugar

Mix the dressing and pour over everything else mixed together. Let sit in fridge for an hour or so to marinate.