Homemade Hamburger Helper

I try really, really hard not to buy processed foods.  Sometimes, I just can't help craving Three Cheese Hamburger Helper.  Why?  Growing up we had it several times a month (if not at least once a week).  To make it healthier my mom added veggies.  Such a comfort food for me, but as an adult I cringe at all the additives so I set out to make my own from scratch!

 

{Homemade Hamburger Helper}

Seriously delicious!  The hubby ate all of it that night and requested that I make it again the next night!

 

{Brown beef}

 

{Add veggies of your choice}

 

{Add cream cheese and milk to make sauce}

 

{This pasta is veggie pasta--how sneaky am I?}

 

{Sauce is made}

 

{Add hot, cooked noodles}

 {Stir in pasta which will absorb a good amount of sauce in it's spirals}

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Makes 4 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon steak seasoning
8 oz veggies (your choice)
1 cup milk
8 oz cream cheese
Pasta, cooked

1. Heat a skillet to medium high and cook meat, onions, and garlic until done.
2. Add steak seasoning and veggies to cook through.
3. Add milk and cream cheese, stirring to melt and combine.
4. Add pasta.
5. Serve. 

I will take this time to apologize for being MIA--it's been crazy busy at work, and I didn't have the time to post anything (I did have these ready I promise!).  Anyway, life is returning to normal so it's back to the regular schedule!

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Food for Thought

 

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

~Lao-tzu

It's been a hard week for me--mainly because I need to remember that lasting change takes small steps rather than the large leaps that I want to take.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Jambalaya

Growing up, my brother and I HATED jambalaya and gumbo!  In fact, our mother would threaten to make it when we were being picky about the food she had made.  However, being the adult that I am now, I have tried those dishes on several occasions, and I must admit that I like them now!  So when I saw a recipe for jambalaya in the crock-pot, I had to make it.  It was a bit spicy for me, but my co-workers who tried it said it was excellent (thanks ladies!).  This recipe makes a large amount which is good for leftovers!

 

{Jambalaya}

 

{Put everything in a crock-pot}

 

{Cooked jambalaya}

 

{Then add the shrimp}

One year ago:  Homemade Biscuits

Jambalaya (Crock-pot)
adapted from Mother Earth Living

Makes 8 servings

2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
4 peppers, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 bay leaves
3/4 teaspoons paprika (less if you don't like spicy)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon hot sauce (less if you don't like spicy)
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into chunks
1 pound shrimp, cooked
2-3 cups cooked rice

1. Place everything but the shrimp and rice in a crock-pot.
2. Cook on low for 7 hours.
3. One hour before serving, toss in the shrimp and allow to heat through for about 1 hour.
4. Serve over rice. 

Did you try a meal/food item again in your adulthood after you didn't like it in your childhood?  Did you change your mind like I did?

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Beef Tacos

I've been on a Mexican food kick lately.  Really can't explain it, and no, mother and mother-in-law, I am not pregnant.  I used beans to help stretch this recipe, and also for the added nutritional and fiber content.  The hubby wasn't too happy when I told him, but he said that it was surprisingly good (granted he loaded on the cheese and sour cream!)!

 

{Beef Tacos--It's the hubby's fault we didn't have lettuce.  He used it and didn't put it on the list so I had mine over veggies}

 

{Browning beef}

 

{Added in the salsa, beans, and spices}

 

{Right before turning the crock-pot on, add the cheese}

 

{Then put more cheese on top if you want}

 

{Yummy taco filling ready for you when you get home!}

One year ago:  Chicken Salad

Beef Tacos (Crock-pot)

Makes 4 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (less if you don't like it too spicy)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (less if you don't like it too spicy)
1-16 oz can refried beans
1-16 oz jar salsa (whatever kind you prefer)
1 cup Mexican-style shredded cheese, more for topping
Taco shells (whichever you prefer)
Toppings like tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, etc

1. In a large skillet, brown beef, onions, and garlic until cooked through.
2. Add chili flakes, cumin, chili powder, refried beans, and salsa stirring until everything is well combined.
3. Cool and refrigerate if making the night before.
4. Mix beef mixture with cheese and place in a crock-pot.
5. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until bubbly.
6. If desired, melt more cheese on top of the beef taco mixture.
7. Serve with taco shells and toppings. 

 This recipe can just be made for dinner, but I made it on Sunday (when I have lots of time) and just used the crock-pot to reheat it.  Definitely doing more of that in the future!

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