Mom's Mexican Casserole

(This is one of my husband's favorites)

3 cups Doritos, crushed
1 pound hamburger
1 small can Pace salsa
I can refried beans
2 cups shredded cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Brown Hamburger
3. Mix salsa and beans in a small bowl
4. Layer Doritos in bottom of 9x13 in. pan
5. Layer hamburger
6. Layer Bean mixture
7. Final Layer cheese
8. Bake until cheese is good and melty!

Beer Batter Quick Bread

You can mix up the dry ingredients & give as a gift with a can of beer, or mix it up in your own kitchen for a yummy family treat. When served with Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew from the Mommy, What's For Dinner blog, you end up with nothing less than a great feast for a rainy Midwestern day.

3c self-rising flour (click here if you don't have self-rising flour)
1/2 c sugar
3T melted butter
12 oz beer

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine flour & sugar.
3. Add beer & stir to combine well.
4. Arrange batter evenly in a loaf pan.
5. Pour melted butter over the top.
6. Bake for 50 to 60 minuets until top is brown & yummy looking.

Optional Add Ins
2 T prepared pesto
1 cup finely chopped onions, 1 T grated Parmesan cheese, & 1 t garlic salt
1/2 t each basil, oregano, thyme, & marjoram
1/2 t dried sage & 1 t celery seeds
1 clove garlic, 2 T parsley, 1/2 T dried rosemary

Mexi Mac & Cheese

Serve this quick meal on top of tortilla chips. It makes an excellent "walking taco" and everyone can top it with their favorite Mexican condiments: lettuce, green onions, sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, or even more cheese.

1 box Macaroni & Cheese (7.25 oz)
1 pound Ground Beef
1 packet Taco Seasoning (about 1/3 of the recipe)
1 cup water
Tortilla chips

1. Make Mac & Cheese according to directions on box.
2. Brown ground beef.
3. Mix water & taco seasoning into cooked beef.
4. Arrange tortilla chips on plates & top with mac & cheese and hamburger.
5. Add any desired condiments & enjoy!

Roasted Potato Seasoning Mix

I keep little packets of this stuff on hand for those days when I don't know what to make as a side dish for food. It works equally well alongside deep winter casseroles as it does presented with summer grilled steaks.

1/2 T dried thyme
1/2 t granulated garlic
1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes
1 t coarse salt (about 1/4 to 1/2 t table salt)

To Make Potatoes:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Wash & cube 1 1/2 pounds potatoes (russet, Yukon gold, & sweet potatoes all work equally well).
3. Mix packet with 3 T olive oil & toss potatoes in mix to coat.
4. Spread potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet & bake 20 minutes.
5. Stir potatoes & bake 20 minutes more.